A great smart display is a sight to behold, but it doesn't need to be huge to be outstanding. I love the idea of a great display for smart home control and everyday home management, like keeping my family's calendars, to-do lists, reminders, shopping lists, and more updated, easy to find, and visible for everyone.
Also: Change these 5 settings to make your Echo Show less annoying
I have several Echo Shows around my home, so I've become familiar with the platform and functionality. This made me excited to learn of the new Amazon Echo Show 21 and even more to test it.
ZDNET RECOMMENDS
Amazon Echo Show 21
The Echo Show 21 is Amazon's largest-to-date 21-inch smart display and functions as a smart home hub and a Fire TV.
details View at Amazon
Unboxing the Echo Show 21 is a series of awe-inspiring moments, mostly due to its huge smart display. At 21 inches, the Echo Show 21 is imposing and striking. The large display can double as a Fire TV, where its size shines most.
This Echo Show is built to be wall-mounted, with the hardware included in the box. This type of device is meant to be multifunctional — a kitchen companion that functions as a smart home hub, a family organizational hub, and a small television for entertainment while cooking or as a recipe source.
Like other Amazon Echo Show displays, the Echo Show 21 features hands-free Amazon Alexa, serving as a communication channel for the virtual assistant. You can ask Alexa to trigger your smart devices with reliable results or request jokes, stories, or music.
If you'd like to leave your Echo Show 21 on a tabletop, you'll need to buy a separate stand, which can cost up to $100. I received an Amazon Premium Adjustable Stand with my review unit to test. It's a flexible, aluminum-built stand that swivels 360 degrees and tilts up to 30 degrees.
Also: 5 Amazon Alexa privacy settings you should change right away
While it doesn't include a stand, the Echo Show 21 works well mounted on a wall, as its black-and-white border resembles a picture frame. Along the top edge, a camera at the center of the display features a physical privacy shutter that you can toggle closed as needed.
The 13MP camera supports auto-framing, 3.3x zoom, and noise reduction technology. This has worked perfectly whether I'm calling someone in my contacts list or my kids' Echo Show 5 upstairs.
For smart home integrations, the Echo Show 21 is a Zigbee hub that supports Matter and functions as a Thread border router. You can also set up multiple user profiles to customize content for each user.
Also: The best TVs to buy
The Echo Show 21 performs as a Fire TV, with an Alexa Voice Remote control like you'd get with a Fire TV unit or streaming device. But don't expect it to win any awards for its audio performance. While it can get boisterously loud, it doesn't offer the crisp sound quality you get from an Echo Studio.
The large display functions well for casual streaming and smart home controls, but it is quite expensive at $400.
Still, Amazon has wasted a huge opportunity to make the Echo Show 21 a family hub and smart display in one. For years, I've been hoping to have a smart display that combines smart home capabilities and voice control from an Echo speaker with the family calendar and organizational features you get with a Skylight Calendar.
However, Amazon continues to use small widgets that don't offer as much information as I need from my calendar and cling to ads and featured content that clutter half of the screen.
ZDNET's buying advice
I'd recommend the Echo Show 21 if you're looking for a family hub, smart home hub, and small television for your kitchen. However, it's not going to show a large, full-screen view of your calendar so you can glance at this week's events, and it's not a game changer if you already have a smaller Echo Show in the same room.
The Echo Show 21 is so large and imposing that I wouldn't recommend any installation other than wall mounting. I've kept mine on a table with the swivel stand, but its 21-inch frame takes up about half of a small desk, so I'll be mounting it on a wall to enjoy it better.
Also: The best Alexa devices you can buy
At $400, it's a very expensive smart display, so I'd only recommend it if you don't already have an Echo Show and want the TV functionality.