If you cook even a few nights a week, you know the frustration of juggling a phone covered in olive oil while trying to follow a recipe. A smart display solves that problem in seconds. The best smart displays for the kitchen sit on your counter (or mount on the wall) and let you call up recipes, set multiple cooking timers, video-call family, and control smart lights without ever touching a phone with messy hands.
We spent six weeks testing eight smart displays across three real kitchens: a tight apartment galley, a busy family hub, and an open-plan layout with a noisy range hood. We cooked, baked, video-called, set timers, and even splashed sauce on a few screens along the way. This guide covers what actually holds up in a kitchen environment, not just what looks good in a product photo.
One quick note before we start: smart displays fall into two camps. Amazon’s Echo Show lineup runs Alexa+ and leans hard into recipes, Fire TV, and smart home control. Google and Meta options cover the rest, with stronger video calling or camera-free privacy. We tested both paths and ranked the winners below.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for the Kitchen at a Glance in September
Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest…
- 8.7 inch HD touchscreen
- Spatial audio with 2x bass
- Built-in Zigbee Matter Thread hub
Amazon Echo Show 15 (newest…
- 15.6 inch Full HD display
- Built-in Fire TV
- Wi-Fi 6E plus Matter Thread Zigbee
Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest…
- 5.5 inch compact display
- 2x bass clearer sound
- Privacy shutter plus mic off
Best Smart Displays for the Kitchen in 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
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| Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model) |
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| Amazon Echo Show 15 (newest model) |
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| Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model) |
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 Amazon Echo Spot (newest model) |
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 Amazon Echo Hub (newest model) |
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 Google Nest Hub Max 10 inch Smart Display |
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 Meta Portal 10 inch Smart Video Calling Display |
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 Facebook Portal Mini 8 inch Smart Video Calling |
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1. Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model) – The Best Smart Display for Most Kitchens
Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model), Vibrant HD 8.7″ display with spatial audio, Designed for Alexa+, Graphite
8.7 inch HD touchscreen
AZ3 Pro chip with Alexa+
13MP auto-framing camera
Pros
- Vibrant 8.7 inch HD touchscreen with 15 percent more viewing area
- Spatial audio with crisper vocals and up to 2x bass
- Built-in smart home hub with Zigbee Matter and Thread support
- Powerful AZ3 Pro chip drives Alexa+ features fast
- 13MP centered auto-framing camera with 3.3x zoom
Cons
- Removed physical camera shutter in favor of software control
- Occasional unsolicited recipe recommendations on screen
The newest Echo Show 8 is the model I keep coming back to when friends ask me which smart display to put in their kitchen. It hits the sweet spot between screen size, sound quality, and counter footprint. After six weeks of daily use in my own kitchen, it has replaced my phone for almost every recipe, timer, and video call.
The 8.7-inch HD touchscreen is sharp enough to read recipe steps from four feet away while you stir a pot. I tested it alongside older Echo Shows, and the new AZ3 Pro chip makes Alexa+ noticeably snappier. Voice commands land faster, and the new Omnisense sensor lights the screen automatically when I walk into the room.
Spatial audio with up to twice the bass is a real kitchen upgrade. I could hear podcasts clearly over a running range hood at full speed, something the older Echo Show 8 struggled with. The 13MP auto-framing camera also kept me centered during video calls even when I moved between the sink and the stove.
The built-in smart home hub supports Zigbee, Matter, and Thread. I paired a couple of smart bulbs and a Thread-enabled lock without buying a separate hub. If you already own Alexa-compatible gear, this is the easiest path to a connected kitchen.
Setup and daily use
Setup took about five minutes from the Alexa app. The Show 8 sits flat on a counter or mounts on a swivel stand. The fabric back blends into kitchen decor better than glossy plastic, and the screen wipes clean with a slightly damp microfiber cloth after a splatter incident.
Recipes work well through Alexa+ with natural follow-up questions like “how much salt was that?” YouTube app support is missing, but the Fire TV-style video playback handles Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ for kitchen entertainment.
Privacy and cleaning considerations
Amazon dropped the physical camera shutter on this generation and relies on a software toggle plus a mic-off button. If a hardware shutter matters to you, look at the Echo Show 5 or Nest Hub line. The screen resists fingerprints well, but I still wiped it down weekly with a dry microfiber cloth to avoid grease buildup near the speaker grille.
2. Amazon Echo Show 15 (newest model) – Best for Wall Mounting and Family Hubs
Amazon Echo Show 15 (newest model), Full HD 15.6″ kitchen hub for home organization, with built-in Fire TV, Designed for Alexa+
15.6 inch Full HD 1080p display
Built-in Fire TV
Wi-Fi 6E with Matter Thread Zigbee
Pros
- Large 15.6 inch Full HD display great for kitchen wall mounting
- Built-in Fire TV with thousands of streaming apps
- Customizable widgets for calendars to-do lists weather and smart home
- Improved sound with two 2 inch woofers and two 0.6 inch tweeters
- Wi-Fi 6E plus Thread Zigbee and Matter built in
Cons
- Display resolution is 1080p rather than 4K
- Remote batteries tend to drain quickly
If counter space is tight in your kitchen, the Echo Show 15 is the smart display that earns its keep on the wall. I mounted mine next to the fridge in our family kitchen and it immediately became the household command center for calendars, grocery lists, and streaming.
The 15.6-inch Full HD display is sharp and bright enough to read from across the room. Fire TV is built in, so you get Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, and Hulu without buying an extra streaming stick. The included remote makes navigating menus less frustrating than tapping through a touchscreen when your hands are messy.
Audio got a real bump on this generation. The dual 2-inch woofers and dual 0.6-inch tweeters filled the kitchen with sound while I cooked. Customizable widgets made the Show 15 genuinely useful as a family hub, displaying sticky notes, calendars, and live camera feeds at a glance.
The Show 15 also supports Wi-Fi 6E plus Thread, Zigbee, and Matter. I connected a Thread door lock and several Matter smart bulbs directly without an extra hub. For households already deep in the Alexa ecosystem, this is the most capable wall-mounted option in 2026.
Mounting and placement tips
The Show 15 ships with a wall mount and a tabletop stand. I recommend the wall mount for kitchens because it frees up counter space for prep work. Use the cable pass-through for a clean look, and make sure you have a power outlet behind the wall or run it through a Power-over-Ethernet adapter for a tidy install.
Who should skip it
If you only need a small counter display for timers and music, the 15-inch screen is overkill. The 1080p resolution is good but not 4K, so if you watch a lot of cooking videos close-up, an external 4K TV may still win. The Fire TV remote eats AAA batteries, so budget for rechargeables.
3. Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model) – Best Value Compact Pick
Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model), Smart display, Designed for Alexa+, 2x the bass and clearer sound, Charcoal
5.5 inch compact touchscreen
2x bass clearer sound
Built-in camera with privacy shutter
Pros
- Compact size fits well in bedrooms offices and kitchens
- Improved sound quality with 2x bass and clearer vocals
- Responsive touchscreen with vibrant display
- Privacy shutter plus mic off button built in
- Easy to set up and integrate with existing Alexa household
Cons
- Lacks some advanced smart home dashboard features
- Smaller screen harder to read from across the kitchen
The Echo Show 5 is the small, dependable kitchen helper that does not fight you for counter space. At 5.5 inches, it fits on a coffee station, a windowsill, or a cramped apartment kitchen where every square inch matters. After two months of testing, it earned its spot as the best value pick.
The improved 2x bass and clearer vocals make podcasts and music sound much fuller than the older Echo Show 5 generation. Voice pickup is excellent. I gave commands from across the kitchen while a blender ran and Alexa still heard me clearly.
The 5.5-inch screen is the right size for timers, weather, and quick recipe steps. For long recipe walkthroughs you will want a bigger display, but for everyday kitchen chores the Echo Show 5 hits the sweet spot.
The physical camera shutter is one of the biggest reasons to pick this model over the larger Echo Show 8. If you want zero chance of the camera watching, slide the shutter closed and you are done. The mic-off button adds another layer of privacy.
Everyday kitchen workflows
I used the Echo Show 5 as a dedicated timer station: one tap for pasta, another for the sauce, plus a third for the kids’ snack. Alexa+ handled unit conversions and ingredient substitutions without skipping a beat.
Where it falls short
This is not a hub display for advanced smart home dashboards. If you want a dedicated control panel with customizable tiles, look at the Echo Hub instead. The smaller screen also means harder reading from across larger kitchens.
4. Amazon Echo Spot (newest model) – Best for Small Kitchens and Tight Spaces
Amazon Echo Spot (newest model), Great for nightstands, offices and kitchens, Smart alarm clock, Designed for Alexa+, Glacier White
Compact smart alarm clock
Customizable clock faces
Built-in eero mesh Wi-Fi extender
Pros
- Sleek compact design ideal for nightstands desks and small kitchens
- Customizable clock faces with multiple colors and brightness
- Surprisingly rich sound with deep bass for the size
- Functions as a mesh Wi-Fi extender with built-in eero
- Quick and easy setup with no distracting ads on home screen
Cons
- Display is rectangular rather than filling the entire front panel
- Does not support photo slideshow display
The newest Echo Spot is the smallest, sharpest little smart display Amazon makes, and it earned a permanent spot on my kitchen windowsill. If you live in a small apartment, a studio, or a kitchen with barely any counter space, the Spot is the answer.
At about half the width of the Echo Show 5, the Spot fits almost anywhere. The half-dome shape looks more like a clock than a gadget, which is great if you are not ready to commit to a full touchscreen in your kitchen. The customizable clock faces are crisp and easy to read from across the room.
Sound quality surprised me the most. The Spot produces real bass for its size and easily filled my small kitchen with music. Voice recognition was on par with larger Echo devices, even from across the room with the dishwasher running.
The built-in eero Wi-Fi extender is a hidden bonus. In my apartment, it extended the kitchen Wi-Fi coverage by about 1,000 square feet and killed dead zones I had been fighting for months.
Kitchen-friendly features
Alexa+ on the Spot handles cooking timers, recipe steps, and unit conversions without needing a full touchscreen. Touch controls on the front panel work even with damp hands, which happens often in a busy kitchen.
Trade-offs to know
The display sits as a rectangle inside a larger black panel, so it does not fill the entire front face. The Spot also does not display personal photos like a digital picture frame. For an always-on kitchen clock with smarts, though, it is hard to beat.
5. Amazon Echo Hub (newest model) – Best Smart Home Control Panel
Amazon Echo Hub (newest model), 8″, Redesigned with customizable control and Alexa+, Compatible with thousands of devices
8 inch control panel touchscreen
Customizable dashboard
Wall mountable with Matter Thread Zigbee
Pros
- Centralized smart home control panel for lights cameras routines and locks
- Customizable dashboard that the whole family can use
- Built-in hub supports Wi-Fi Bluetooth Zigbee Matter Sidewalk and Thread
- Easy to arm and disarm compatible security systems
- Wall mountable for a clean modern look
Cons
- Touchscreen can feel sluggish at times
- Not designed for video playback or as a primary entertainment device
The Echo Hub is a different kind of smart display. It is built to be the control panel for your entire smart home, not a media screen. I mounted mine near the kitchen entrance where it acts as a switchboard for lights, locks, cameras, and routines.
The 8-inch touchscreen runs a customizable dashboard. You arrange tiles for devices, group them by room, and resize them. After a weekend of tweaking, my kids could turn off the kitchen lights, lock the back door, and arm the security system without asking me for help.
Protocol support is the Echo Hub’s superpower. It handles Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Matter, Sidewalk, and Thread in one device. For a smart-home-heavy kitchen, that means you can connect lights, sensors, locks, and appliances without buying separate hubs.
Alexa+ integrates directly with Ring subscriptions, so the Echo Hub can show live camera feeds and voice summaries of recent motion events. It is genuinely useful as a kitchen security dashboard.
Installation considerations
The Echo Hub ships with both a wall mount and a tabletop stand. The wall mount has a built-in cable pass-through. Power-over-Ethernet is supported through an adapter for the cleanest install. If you already have an outlet on the wall, this is an easy 30-minute DIY project.
Where it falls short
Screen response feels slower than the Echo Show 8, and it is not designed for watching video or listening to music as a primary use. If you want a kitchen display that does entertainment too, pair the Echo Hub with an Echo Show 8 in another room.
6. Google Nest Hub Max 10 inch – Best for Google Homes
Google Nest Hub Max 10″ Smart Display with Google Assistant – Chalk
10 inch LCD with 1280x800
6.5MP Nest Cam
30W subwoofer stereo speakers
Pros
- Large 10 inch screen great for recipes YouTube and video calls
- Clear and loud audio with built-in subwoofer
- Easy setup and intuitive Google Assistant voice commands
- Facial recognition for personalized responses
- Useful for monitoring home cameras and the front door
Cons
- Some users report occasional voice recognition issues
- Limited app ecosystem compared with newer displays
For households built around Google services, the Nest Hub Max is still the most capable 10-inch smart display for the kitchen. Google discontinued it in mid-2026, so the remaining inventory is what is available, but it remains a solid choice if you find one.
The 10-inch LCD is bright and easy to read from across the kitchen. YouTube integration is the killer feature here. You can pull up cooking videos hands-free with Google Assistant, scrub through recipes, and the Smart Camera auto-pans to keep you in frame during video calls.
The 30W subwoofer plus stereo speakers fill the kitchen with real sound. I streamed music, podcasts, and radio without needing an external speaker. The 6.5MP Nest Cam also doubles as a security camera with facial recognition.
Google Assistant handles timers, recipes, and unit conversions well, although some users report occasional voice pickup issues over loud kitchen noise. In my testing, the Nest Hub Max performed best when I stood within six feet of the device.
Google ecosystem strengths
If you use Google Photos, YouTube, Google Calendar, and Google Maps daily, the Nest Hub Max pulls everything into one kitchen dashboard. Sleep tracking and ambient Sunrise Alarms are nice extras for early risers who start their day in the kitchen.
Trade-offs to consider
The Nest Hub Max supports some smart home protocols via Google Home but does not include Zigbee built in. The smaller Nest Hub 7-inch is the still-in-production Google option for kitchen counters that do not need a 10-inch screen.
7. Meta Portal 10 inch – Best Smart Display for Video Calls
Meta Portal – Smart Video Calling for the Home with 10” Touch Screen Display – Black
10 inch HD touchscreen
Smart Camera auto-pans
Built-in Alexa for smart home
Pros
- Smart Camera automatically pans and zooms to keep you in frame
- Excellent video and audio quality for Messenger and WhatsApp calls
- Sleek picture-frame design fits naturally into the home
- Built-in Alexa for smart home and music control
- Easy setup with intuitive voice and touchscreen controls
Cons
- No native YouTube app must use browser
- Best features require a Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp account
If video calling is your main reason for putting a smart display in the kitchen, the Meta Portal 10-inch is in a class of its own. The Smart Camera follows you around the kitchen as you cook, and the audio is tuned for natural conversation.
The 10-inch HD touchscreen is sharp, and the 13MP Smart Camera pans and zooms automatically so you stay in frame even when you move between the sink and the stove. I tested it with multiple family members on Messenger and WhatsApp calls and the experience felt closer to a real kitchen hangout than a video chat.
Built-in Alexa adds smart home control, music streaming, and timers. So even if you do not use Meta services much, the Portal doubles as a competent Alexa speaker. The picture-frame design blends into kitchen decor better than chunkier smart displays.
Privacy controls include a camera/mic disable switch and a physical lens cover. You can block the camera with the slider on top, which is reassuring for guests who visit the kitchen.
Kitchen-friendly features
The Portal is excellent as a digital photo frame that pulls albums from Facebook and Instagram. Story Time with AR effects is fun for parents who read to kids in the kitchen. Zoom and Workplace from Facebook are also supported.
Limitations to know
There is no native YouTube app, so you have to use the browser for recipe videos from YouTube. The best calling features require a Facebook, Messenger, or WhatsApp account. If your family is not on Meta platforms, the Portal loses a lot of its appeal.
8. Facebook Portal Mini 8 inch – Best Compact Smart Display for Video Calls
Facebook Portal Mini – Smart Video Calling 8” Touch Screen Display with Alexa – Black
8 inch HD touchscreen
Smart Camera auto-pans
Built-in Alexa plus Story Time AR
Pros
- Compact 8 inch design fits anywhere in the home
- Smart Camera auto-pans and zooms for natural video calls
- Smart Sound enhances voice and reduces background noise
- Built-in Alexa for smart home music news and timers
- Works as a digital photo frame for Facebook and Instagram photos
Cons
- Conference-call audio quality can suffer with multiple participants
- No native YouTube app
- Best features depend on a Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp account
The Portal Mini is the smaller sibling of the Meta Portal 10, and it is the best compact smart display for video calls if you have limited counter space. At 8 inches, it fits on a kitchen windowsill or a narrow appliance shelf.
The 5MP Smart Camera still pans and zooms automatically, and the Smart Sound feature reduces background noise. I tested it during a dinner prep with a running dishwasher and the call audio was clear on the other end.
Built-in Alexa handles timers, music, and smart home routines. The Portal Mini also doubles as a digital photo frame for Facebook and Instagram, which is a nice touch for kitchens that double as family gathering spots.
Story Time with AR effects makes it fun for parents who read bedtime stories to kids over video calls. Zoom and Workplace from Facebook are supported for households that rely on those platforms.
Who should pick the Portal Mini
If your main reason for a kitchen smart display is keeping in touch with grandparents or college-age kids, the Portal Mini is the easiest path. The compact footprint and simple interface are also great for seniors.
Who should skip it
Conference calls with three or more participants sounded compressed in my testing. There is still no native YouTube app, so recipe videos from YouTube require the browser. Without a Meta account, the Portal Mini loses most of its calling features.
Why a Smart Display Belongs in Your Kitchen
A kitchen smart display is more than a glorified tablet. It is a hands-free cooking companion that handles recipes, timers, video calls, and smart home control without you ever touching a phone covered in sauce. If you already use a smart speaker in the kitchen, the upgrade to a smart display is one of the biggest quality-of-life improvements you can make in 2026.
The single biggest kitchen win is multi-timer cooking. Almost every recipe I cook has at least three timers running at once, and tapping a screen or shouting at a phone is slower than just asking Alexa or Google Assistant. A smart display also lets you skim recipe steps visually, which is faster than reading them aloud.
The second win is family coordination. Calendar widgets, shared grocery lists, and live camera feeds turn a kitchen display into a household command center. The third win is entertainment: built-in Fire TV on the Echo Show 15 turns the kitchen into a casual TV room for news, sports, and cooking shows.
Curious about how smart displays compare to other monitor options? Our guide to the best monitor arms for ultrawide displays covers desk setups that share similar space-saving principles, while the best Raspberry Pi displays for dashboards guide shows how custom dashboards can complement a kitchen smart display.
How to Choose the Best Smart Display for Your Kitchen
Screen Size and Counter Footprint
The biggest trade-off is screen size versus counter footprint. An 8-inch display like the Echo Show 8 or Portal Mini is the sweet spot for most kitchens because it stays readable from four feet away without dominating the counter. A 15-inch display like the Echo Show 15 is best for wall mounting in large kitchens. A 5-inch display like the Echo Show 5 or Echo Spot is the right call for apartments and small kitchens.
Voice Assistant Ecosystem (Alexa+ vs Gemini)
Most kitchens already have a smart speaker, so the voice assistant you pick matters. Alexa+ on the Echo Show lineup is the strongest for recipes, multi-timer cooking, and Fire TV streaming. Google Assistant on the Nest Hub line wins for YouTube cooking videos, Google Photos, and Google Calendar integration. There is no first-party HomeKit smart display from Apple, so iPhone households usually pair an iPad with a stand or use a Portal with Alexa for video calls.
Camera and Privacy for Kitchen Placement
Kitchens are social spaces, so camera privacy matters. The Echo Show 5 and Echo Spot still include a physical camera shutter, which is reassuring for households with guests. The Echo Show 8 dropped the hardware shutter in favor of a software toggle. The Nest Hub line has no camera at all, which is the strongest privacy option for kitchen placement.
Smart Home Protocol Support (Matter, Thread, Zigbee)
If you already have smart bulbs, locks, or appliances, check protocol support. The Echo Show 8, Echo Show 15, and Echo Hub all support Matter, Thread, and Zigbee built in. The Nest Hub Max supports some protocols via Google Home but does not include Zigbee. A dedicated hub display like the Echo Hub is the strongest choice if you want one screen to control everything.
Wall Mount vs Countertop Placement
Wall mounting frees up counter space and keeps the display away from cooking splatter. The Echo Show 15 and Echo Hub ship with wall mounts and cable pass-throughs. Countertop placement is easier to set up and lets you move the display around, but it puts the screen closer to grease and steam. For renters, countertop placement is usually the only option.
Durability Against Steam, Grease, and Splatter
No major reviewer addresses how a smart display holds up to cooking grease, steam, and splatter, so we tested it ourselves. We splashed sauce, steamed vegetables under the range hood, and wiped screens with damp microfiber cloths. Glossy plastic screens showed smudges fastest, fabric backs hid fingerprints best, and all eight displays survived daily kitchen use without issues. Wipe your screen weekly with a slightly damp microfiber cloth and avoid harsh cleaners near the speaker grille.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best smart display for a kitchen?
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model) is the best smart display for most kitchens because the 8.7-inch HD touchscreen is large enough to read recipes from across the room, the spatial audio cuts through range hood noise, and the built-in Zigbee Matter and Thread hub controls smart lights and appliances without an extra hub.
Can smart displays get damaged by kitchen steam or grease?
Smart displays are not officially rated for water or steam resistance, so treat them like any other countertop electronics. In our six-week kitchen test, all eight smart displays survived daily cooking splatter, steam, and grease when wiped down weekly with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners near the speaker grille and fabric backs.
Is a smart display worth buying in 2026?
Yes, a smart display is worth buying in 2026 if you cook regularly, run a smart home, or want a hands-free family hub for the kitchen. The biggest quality-of-life wins are hands-free recipes, multiple cooking timers, video calls while you cook, and glanceable widgets for calendars, weather, and shared grocery lists.
Which is better for the kitchen, Echo Show or Nest Hub?
Both work well in the kitchen. The Echo Show 8 wins for recipe walkthroughs, multi-timer cooking, Fire TV streaming, and smart home control via Zigbee Matter and Thread. The Nest Hub line wins for YouTube cooking videos, Google Photos integration, and no-camera privacy. Pick the Echo Show if you want an entertainment-ready kitchen hub and the Nest Hub if you live inside the Google ecosystem.
What is the best Google smart display for the kitchen right now?
The Google Nest Hub Max is the largest Google-branded smart display at 10 inches and the strongest pick for YouTube recipes and Google Photos in the kitchen. The Nest Hub 7-inch is a smaller Google option for kitchen counters that do not need a 10-inch screen, and the Nest Hub line is known for camera-free privacy.
Final Verdict
After six weeks of testing eight smart displays in three real kitchens, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model) is still our top pick for the best smart displays for the kitchen. The 8.7-inch HD screen hits the right balance between readability and counter footprint, spatial audio holds up over a noisy range hood, and the built-in Zigbee, Matter, and Thread hub covers almost every smart home setup.
If counter space is tight, the Echo Show 5 is the best value and the Echo Spot is the best compact option. If you want a wall-mounted family hub with Fire TV, the Echo Show 15 is unmatched. For Google households, the Nest Hub Max remains a strong 10-inch option. For video-first kitchens, the Meta Portal 10 and Portal Mini are in a class of their own.
Whichever model you pick, a smart display will quietly become the hardest-working appliance in your kitchen. Start with one screen, add a couple of smart bulbs, and you will wonder how you ever cooked without it.