Test Bench: A Near-Perfect Companion

Smart speakers with built-in voice assistants could be a great way to fetch information and control compatible household appliances.

- Nidhi Singal

Add to that a neat rectangular screen and affordable pricing, and you get Echo Show 5, a near-perfect household companion. The 5.5-inch display (with 960x480 resolution) propped at a slight angle, has the right form factor to be placed on a nightstand, television unit, study desk or a kitchen counter without being obtrusive. The mute mic button and the camera shutter take care of privacy issues while the display adjusts the brightness automatically. The two microphones on this entry-level device can pick up your voice from another room.