Smart displays have become central to modern homes, combining voice assistants, touch screens, music playback, and smart-home control into a single bedside or countertop device. They simplify daily routines by showing time, weather, timers, and calendar items at a glance while also serving as hubs for video calls, streaming, and controlling lights and cameras. For many users, a compact smart clock is ideal for bedrooms, while larger touchscreens work better for kitchens, living rooms, or home offices.
When choosing a smart display, prioritize screen size, audio quality, camera capabilities, and privacy controls. Connectivity and smart-home protocol support matter for people building an integrated system; built-in support for Zigbee, Matter, or Thread reduces the need for extra hubs. Consider physical size and design for placement, plus subscription requirements for certain streaming services. Below are three recommended options that cover bedside convenience, full-featured home hub use, and value via refurbished units.
1. Echo Spot (newest gen)
Best Bedside Smart Clock
| SPECIFICATIONS | • Technology: Alexa-powered smart display • Display Size: 2.5-inch circular touchscreen (compact bedside form factor) • Display Type: Color touchscreen with adjustable brightness and clock faces • Audio: Front-facing speaker tuned for clear vocals and enhanced bass • Camera: Optional front camera for quick video interactions (compact module) See more |
| TODAY'S BEST DEALS |  £54.99 |
| REASONS TO BUY | +Compact, glanceable screen ideal for bedside use +Customizable clock faces and adjustable brightness for nighttime +Rich, clear sound for music, alarms and spoken feedback +Quick setup with Alexa routines for wake-up and wind-down +Eero Built-in support helps stabilize Wi-Fi on compatible networks |
| REASONS TO AVOID | -Small display limits video viewing and detailed visual tasks -Single-speaker design cannot match full stereo systems -Limited on-screen real estate for widgets and multi-tasking |
Review
This compact bedside device zeroes in on the essentials: time, alarms, music and hands-free assistance. The small circular touchscreen is engineered for quick glances rather than extended interaction, so it excels as an alarm clock with customizable faces and brightness that adapts to nightstand use. Built-in Alexa routines make it easy to set gradual wake-ups, check the weather, or run a morning smart-home sequence without navigating menus.
Sound performance punches above the size class, delivering clear vocals and a surprising amount of bass for a bedside speaker. Music and podcasts come through with enough presence for personal listening, though the single-driver design cannot replace larger stereo setups. Tap controls and voice commands work reliably, and the eero Built-in feature on compatible networks reduces buffering or drop-offs for streaming audio.
Privacy and sustainability are treated as core features. A dedicated microphone off button electronically disconnects voice pickup, and the enclosure is composed partially of recycled materials. For users who want a simple, attractive smart clock with better-than-expected audio and minimal fuss, this compact option is well suited to the bedroom or other tight spaces.
MORE: Echo Spot (newest gen), Smart alarm clock with vibrant sound + Alexa, Black Review
2. Echo Show 8 (3rd Generation
Best All-Round Home Hub and Media Display
| SPECIFICATIONS | • Technology: Alexa-powered smart display with integrated smart home hub • Display Size: 8-inch HD touchscreen • Audio: Spatial audio with multiple drivers for room-filling sound • Camera: 13 MP wide-angle camera with auto-framing and noise reduction • Smart Home Protocols: Built-in support for Zigbee, Matter and Thread See more |
| TODAY'S BEST DEALS | £149.00 |
| REASONS TO BUY | +8-inch HD screen balances video, recipes and smart-home control +Spatial audio delivers stronger stereo presence than compact rivals +13 MP camera with auto-framing improves video calls +Built-in Zigbee, Matter and Thread support reduces need for extra hubs +Adaptive content and widgets surface useful information when nearby |
| REASONS TO AVOID | -Not as large or premium as some dedicated smart displays or tablets -Some streaming features require external subscriptions -Larger footprint may not suit small nightstands or crowded countertops |
Review
This model positions itself as a do-it-all household screen, striking a practical balance between size and capability. The 8-inch HD touchscreen is large enough for streaming video, recipe browsing, and calendar overviews while remaining compact enough for kitchen counters or bedside tables. Spatial audio creates a fuller listening experience for music and video, and the device integrates seamlessly with common streaming services through voice commands and touch controls.
Video calls benefit from the high-resolution 13 MP camera and auto-framing, producing clearer, better-centered conversations compared to lower-resolution alternatives. The built-in smart home hub supports Zigbee, Matter and Thread, allowing many lights, sensors and locks to be paired without an external bridge. Adaptive Content and the Top Connections widget make everyday interactions faster, surfacing relevant controls and frequent contacts when needed.
Privacy protections are straightforward, with both a physical camera shutter and microphone off button available for immediate control. The device is a sensible choice for users who want a central smart-home interface that doubles as a capable media display, striking a reasonable compromise between multimedia performance and compact footprint.
3. Certified Refurbished Echo Spot (2024 release)
Best Value Refurbished Bedside Option
| SPECIFICATIONS | • Technology: Alexa-powered smart display (certified refurbished unit) • Display Size: 2.5-inch circular touchscreen (compact bedside form factor) • Display Type: Color touchscreen with adjustable brightness and clock faces • Audio: Front-facing speaker tuned for clear vocals and enhanced bass • Camera: Optional front camera for quick video interactions (compact module) See more |
| TODAY'S BEST DEALS | £71.99 |
| REASONS TO BUY | +Lower cost alternative to new units with inspected, like-new condition +Same compact feature set ideal for bedrooms and small spaces +Includes the same privacy controls and sustainable materials +High customer satisfaction reports for refurbished units |
| REASONS TO AVOID | -Refurbished stock can vary in cosmetic condition and availability -Warranty terms may differ from new-device purchases -Small screen limits uses compared with larger smart displays |
Review
A certified refurbished unit offers the bedside convenience and feature set of a compact smart clock while reducing waste and typically costing less than a new device. The small circular touchscreen focuses interaction on alarms, timers, quick info and simple music control, making it an unobtrusive addition to a nightstand. Refurbished models in this program are inspected and restored to like-new working condition, which preserves the core user experience while extending device life.
Audio and voice features mirror the new model, so alarms, spoken responses and casual music playback remain reliable and clear. Privacy controls such as the microphone off button are retained, and the enclosure still uses a notable portion of recycled materials. For households that prioritize sustainability or want a lower-cost entry into a voice-enabled bedside display, a certified refurbished option is a pragmatic choice.
Potential buyers should be mindful of stock variation and warranty differences versus new units. Cosmetic wear is uncommon in certified refurbishing programs but possible, and availability may be limited. When matched with the right expectations, a refurbished compact display provides nearly identical day-to-day performance to a new one at better value.
Summary
For users seeking a compact bedside companion focused on alarms, quick information and minimal footprint, the small circular smart clock option is the best match. It delivers glanceable timekeeping, dependable Alexa routines, and better-than-expected audio for personal listening, making it ideal for bedrooms and tight spaces.
If a central household screen and stronger multimedia capabilities are needed, choose the 8-inch HD model with spatial audio and a 13 MP camera. Its built-in smart home hub support for Zigbee, Matter and Thread makes it the most versatile choice for connected homes, while the larger display and improved audio are better for kitchens, living rooms and home offices.
Budget-conscious shoppers who still want the bedside experience should consider the certified refurbished unit. It preserves core features and privacy controls while offering a lower-cost, sustainable option, provided the potential for variable cosmetic condition and different warranty terms is acceptable.
