With the Echo Show 5 Kids, Amazon has now launched a special edition of its smart display for children. You can read in the test whether the Alexa screen is suitable for the children’s room.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) Kids in the test
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Design and workmanship
8.0
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Free subscription makes Echo Show 5 Kids attractive
The first Echo Show in the colorful kids design is identical to the smallest Amazon display of the 3rd generation, apart from its painting. Accordingly, the speaker upgrade is also on board for a more rounded sound and the menu navigation benefits from smoother processes. If you want to use Alexa in your child’s room and regulate content and screen time via the parent dashboard of the paid Amazon Kids+ service, the Echo Show 5 Kids is a good deal because it includes a free year. Otherwise the extra charge is not worth it.
We liked that
- Visual menu navigation for Amazon Kids
- Good sound for radio plays
- One year of Amazon Kids+ free
We didn’t like that
- More expensive than regular Echo Show 5
- Parent dashboard only with subscription
- Amazon membership required
- Screen too small for video content
Amazon Echo in comparison: This is how the Alexa speakers differ
In our comparison, we introduce you to all the current Amazon Echo speakers and tell you how they differ and how you can find the right one for your purpose. for detailed purchase advice
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After Amazon relaunched one of its Alexa devices specifically for children for the first time in 2022, the Echo Dot Kids, the Echo Show 5 Kids, the first smart display for children’s rooms, is now coming in a colorful new look.
Design and workmanship
Connection and setup
Operation and functions
sound
Smart home
operating cost
Conclusion
The basic design and technical performance data of the Echo Show 5 Kids differ just as little from its “adult” role model as the Echo Dot. The retail price of the second device in the kids series is again higher than that of the original.
To do this, Amazon includes an annual membership for the paid extension Amazon Kids+ with the Echo Show 5 Kids, as it did with the Echo Dot Kids, which means that the purchase price, which is 10 euros higher, has already been paid off after about two months of use.
The main added value of Amazon Kids+ is the parent dashboard, which makes it easier to monitor and regulate media usage in the child’s room. The subscription also gives you access to additional media content from radio plays to cinema films.
Design and workmanship
Apart from the colorful space nebula design of the fabric cover over the rear speaker, the Echo Show 5 Kids corresponds exactly to the current 3rd generation of the Amazon Echo Show 5. This also includes the light facelift with rounded display corners and controls embedded in the speaker cover.
The workmanship initially appears to be of relatively high quality, but this visual finding should not be acknowledged with an overly optimistic placement in the children’s room. Even if the first fall onto the display side may not be the end of the Echo Show 5 Kids, the smart display was certainly not developed as a projectile.
Echo Show 5 Kids in pictures
These pictures give you a first impression of the new Echo Show 5 Kids.
Identical except for one visual detail: with your eyes closed you couldn’t feel any difference between the 3rd generation Amazon Echo Show 5 and the kids version. (Source: Richard W. Schaber) [Auf einer Seite anzeigen | Als Story anzeigen]
Image 1/7
The slightly psychedelic-looking space nebula on the back of the Echo Show 5 speaker is the only design variant in which Amazon offers its smart display for children. (Source: Richard W. Schaber) [Auf einer Seite anzeigen | Als Story anzeigen]
Picture 2/7
Finding the connection with the Echo Show 5 Kids is literally child’s play: There is only one socket on the back of the smart display. (Source: Richard W. Schaber) [Auf einer Seite anzeigen | Als Story anzeigen]
Picture 3/7
A display comparison with an iPhone 15 Pro shows that even an ordinary smartphone has a larger screen than the Echo Show 5 Kids. (Source: Richard W. Schaber) [Auf einer Seite anzeigen | Als Story anzeigen]
Picture 4/7
The screen of the Echo Show 5, even in the kids version, is so reflective that it could almost be used as a cosmetic mirror in bright rooms. (Source: Richard W. Schaber) [Auf einer Seite anzeigen | Als Story anzeigen]
Picture 5/7
The visual menu on the touch screen of the Echo Show 5 Kids is pleasantly clear in parent-controlled kids mode. (Source: Richard W. Schaber) [Auf einer Seite anzeigen | Als Story anzeigen]
Picture 6/7
The small Echo Show can also play films and series for children. However, due to the small screen size, it is questionable whether this is a healthy alternative to children’s programs on TV. (Source: Richard W. Schaber) [Auf einer Seite anzeigen | Als Story anzeigen]
Picture 7/7
Connection and setup
Since the Amazon Echo Show Kids 5 only comes with a power supply and there is only a single interface on the back of the device, setup can be completed in seconds.
You can set up the device using the on-screen keyboard on the display of the Echo Show 5 Kids, whereas screenless Echo devices inevitably require the Alexa app. However, you can’t avoid having an Amazon account here either. But you need one of these anyway in order to be able to use the free months of Kids+ that you get with the device.
Operation and functions
If the kids mode is not activated, the smart Amazon display operates like a normal representative of the series: Alexa voice commands or inputs on the touch display work – sometimes more, sometimes less.
Experienced users of the Amazon device series with voice control already know that hands-free voice control is subject to certain pitfalls. Patience and practice as well as clear pronunciation pay off here until Alexa is halfway domesticated.
The touch display of the Echo Show 5, like the user interface, is still not fast and agile despite the upgrade. In addition, the presentation of moving image content is potentially a long-term health risk for children due to the manageable size of the display.
But this is where the Amazon Kids+ parent dashboard comes into play: To ensure that the little ones only consume media in tolerable doses and that the presence of technology in the children’s room does not lead to rampant binge-watching, clear limits can be defined here.
sound
In addition to the somewhat bumpy menu navigation, the flat sound of the Echo Show 5 in the 2nd generation of Amazon’s smallest smart display was the biggest point of criticism. The manufacturer has made improvements here, which will now also benefit buyers of the kids version.
Even if the potential use in the children’s room doesn’t necessarily call for more volume, it’s more about a more balanced sound than much greater overall performance. This means that the Echo Show 5 Kids is enough for more than radio plays and children’s songs: If in doubt, you can actually listen to any kind of music decently, just not particularly loudly.
Smart home
The functionality of the Echo Show 5 Kids in the smart home is completely identical to the new Alexa display from Amazon when used normally. Without guided use in kids mode, all elements of the networked home that are linked to Alexa can be controlled via voice command or via the touch display in the smart home dashboard.
Whether you want to control the living room temperature using the smart thermostats or dim the networked Philips Hue lighting elements – the Echo Show 5 Kids can reliably control all apps, processes and hardware components linked in the app via skills.
If you want to use the Echo Show as a central control panel for your smart home, you may want to think about investing more and at least get an Echo Show 8 in your home. The next larger representative in the series offers a little more screen space for operating digital consoles.
operating cost
In addition to the fees for Amazon Kids+ that arise after the free year, the Echo Show 5 Kids has another unavoidable ongoing cost factor: Since the Amazon display relies on a constant power supply and smart devices are usually always connected to the mains, energy costs also apply here at.
With an energy consumption of around 1.5 watts in standby mode and 3 watts in active mode, the additional electricity costs are hardly more than 10 to 12 euros per year. The latter assessment naturally depends on the respective energy supplier and the development of electricity prices.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) Kids
No ratings yet
Design and workmanship
8.0
NETZWELT may receive a commission from the retailer for links on this page. More info.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) Kids: The best alternatives
Don’t agree? Are you looking for suitable alternatives? Below you will find the best Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) Kids alternatives.
We also recommend that you take a look at our speaker leaderboards. You can find comparable products, for example, in the best list “Alexa speakers in comparison: The differences between Echo Dot, Echo Show and Co.”
Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) Kids: data sheet
Here you can find the technical data for Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) Kids. You can easily compare size, weight and other properties with other products.
| Dimensions | 147x82x91mm |
| Weight | 456g |
| Water resistance | ✘ No |
| Colors | Black, white, blue |
| watt | not specified |
| Battery life | – |
| Voice assistant | Amazon Alexa |
| display | 5.5 inches |
| Zigbee hub | ✘ No |
| Streaming services | all |
| microphone | ✔ Yes |
| camera | ✔ Yes |
| Sensors | – |
| Aux | ✘ No |
| Microphone input | ✘ No |
| micro USB | ✘ No |
| USB C | ✘ No |
| NFC | ✘ No |
| Bluetooth | ✔ Yes |
| WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS | ✔ Yes |
| Stereo pair | ✔ Yes |
| Multiroom | ✘ No |
| aptX | ✘ No |
| aptX HD | ✘ No |
| Spotify Connect | ✘ No |
| Lossless audio | ✘ No |
| Auto calibration | ✘ No |
| Handsfree | ✔ Yes |
| physical buttons | ✔ Yes |
| app | ✔ Yes |
| Wireless charging dock or power bank | ✘ No |
| Party light | ✘ No |
| FM radio | ✘ No |
| SD card slot | ✘ No |
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