Best Smart Displays 2026: Transform Any Room into a Command Center with Touchscreen Assistants That Show Answers, Stream Content, and Control Your Entire Smart Home

Voice assistants are great, but sometimes you need to see the answer. That's where smart displays shine in 2026—combining the convenience of voice control with vibrant touchscreens that show you weather forecasts, recipe instructions, video calls, and your entire smart home at a glance.

We've tested the latest smart displays to find the models that deliver the best combination of screen quality, audio performance, smart home integration, and everyday usefulness. Whether you're looking for a kitchen companion to guide you through recipes, a bedside display for gentle wake-ups, or a central hub to manage your entire connected home, these are the smart displays worth your investment.

Why You Need a Smart Display in 2026

Smart displays have evolved far beyond simple voice assistants with screens. Today's models are genuine home command centers that:

• Show visual answers to your questions instead of just speaking them
• Stream video content from YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and more
• Display security camera feeds so you can see who's at the door
• Guide you through recipes with step-by-step instructions and timers
• Make video calls with family and friends using built-in cameras
• Control your smart home with intuitive touchscreen interfaces
• Serve as digital photo frames showcasing your favorite memories
• Provide weather and traffic updates at a glance each morning

The best part? Modern smart displays integrate seamlessly with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit ecosystems, making them the perfect centerpiece for any smart home setup.

Top Smart Displays of 2026

Best Overall: Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen)

$349.99 from Amazon

The Echo Show 15 redefines what a smart display can do with its massive 15.6-inch Full HD screen and wall-mountable design. This isn't just a display—it's a family dashboard that recognizes different household members and shows personalized widgets, calendars, and reminders.

What we love: The new visual ID feature automatically adapts the display when it sees different family members, showing their calendar, reminders, and preferred content. The 13MP camera with auto-framing makes video calls feel natural, and the built-in smart home hub works with Zigbee, Matter, and Thread devices without requiring separate hubs.

Perfect for: Families who want a central command center in the kitchen or living room. The landscape or portrait mounting options make it versatile for any space.

Other things to know: Can display up to six security camera feeds simultaneously. The built-in Alexa responds quickly and handles multiple requests. Battery backup option available separately for $49.99.

---

Best for Google Users: Google Nest Hub Max (3rd Gen)

$279.99 from Google Store

Google's flagship smart display gets even better in 2026 with a brighter 10-inch screen, improved speakers with spatial audio, and faster response times. The Nest Hub Max remains the best choice for anyone deeply invested in the Google ecosystem.

What we love: The new 12MP camera with 150-degree field of view makes video calls on Google Meet feel like you're in the same room. Sleep sensing technology tracks your sleep patterns without wearing anything. The ambient EQ automatically adjusts screen brightness and color temperature based on room lighting.

Perfect for: Google Workspace users who rely on Google Calendar, Gmail, and Meet. The integration with Nest cameras, doorbells, and thermostats is seamless.

Other things to know: Supports Matter, Thread, and Google Home devices natively. The new gesture controls let you pause music or dismiss alarms with a wave. Available in Chalk, Charcoal, and new Sage color.

---

Best Value: Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen)

$149.99 from Amazon

The Echo Show 8 strikes the perfect balance between screen size, features, and price. The 8-inch HD display is large enough to watch content comfortably but compact enough for a nightstand or kitchen counter.

What we love: The 13MP camera with auto-framing and privacy shutter gives you control over when you're visible. Adaptive content automatically adjusts text size and layout based on how far away you're standing. The spatial audio processing makes music sound fuller than previous generations.

Perfect for: First-time smart display buyers who want solid features without spending a fortune. Ideal for bedrooms, home offices, or small kitchens.

Other things to know: The centered camera design looks more natural during video calls compared to older models. Supports Zigbee, Matter, and Thread smart home devices. Can import and display Amazon Photos automatically.

---

Best Compact Display: Google Nest Hub (3rd Gen)

$99.99 from Google Store

Don't let the 7-inch screen fool you—the Nest Hub packs impressive features into a surprisingly small package. This is the smart display you put everywhere: nightstands, bathrooms, desks, and small kitchen spaces.

What we love: No camera means enhanced privacy for bedrooms and bathrooms. The new Sleep Sensing 2.0 tracks sleep, breathing, and even snoring patterns using low-energy radar. Sunrise Alarm gradually brightens the screen and plays gentle sounds for natural wake-ups.

Perfect for: Bedside tables where you want a smart alarm clock that does so much more. Also great for small apartments where counter space is precious.

Other things to know: The fabric-covered back looks elegant in any room. Works as a Matter hub for connecting smart home devices. Photo frame mode displays Google Photos beautifully with ambient lighting adjustments.

---

Best for Apple Users: Apple HomePod with Display (1st Gen)

$299.99 from Apple

Apple finally enters the smart display market in 2026 with a device that's unmistakably Apple: premium design, seamless ecosystem integration, and a focus on privacy. The 7-inch Retina display combines with HomePod's legendary audio quality.

What we love: The display intelligently appears when needed and fades to black when you're just listening to music. Face ID integration means personalized responses for different family members. The audio quality surpasses every other smart display by a wide margin—this thing sounds incredible.

Perfect for: iPhone, iPad, and Mac users who want everything to work together effortlessly. HomeKit users will appreciate the dedicated Home app interface on the display.

Other things to know: Supports Thread and Matter for smart home control. Handoff lets you seamlessly transfer music, podcasts, or calls from your iPhone to the display. The spatial audio with head tracking works with Apple TV 4K for an immersive experience.

---

Best for Entertainment: Lenovo Smart Display 9 Pro

$249.99 from Lenovo

Lenovo's latest smart display focuses on entertainment with a gorgeous 9-inch 2K display, front-firing speakers with Dolby Atmos, and a sleek fabric-wrapped design that looks at home in modern living spaces.

What we love: The 2K resolution makes Netflix and YouTube content look noticeably sharper than competitors. The tilting stand lets you adjust the viewing angle perfectly. The 13MP camera includes a physical privacy shutter and AI-powered background blur for professional-looking video calls.

Perfect for: Streaming enthusiasts who want the best video quality in a smart display. The Dolby Atmos speakers make movie watching genuinely enjoyable.

Other things to know: Works with Google Assistant and supports Chromecast built-in for easy casting from your phone. The wireless charging pad on the base keeps your phone powered up. Premium bamboo stand available separately.

---

Best for Security: Amazon Echo Show 10 (4th Gen)

$299.99 from Amazon

The Echo Show 10's motorized base automatically rotates the 10.1-inch HD screen to follow you around the room. This unique feature makes it perfect for video calls, following recipes while moving around the kitchen, and monitoring your home.

What we love: The motion-tracking camera keeps you centered during video calls even as you move. When you're away, you can remotely pan the display to check different areas of a room through the built-in camera. The premium speakers deliver room-filling sound with directional audio.

Perfect for: Active cooks who move around the kitchen, or anyone who wants a security camera that also functions as a full smart display.

Other things to know: The motorized base can be disabled for privacy. Works as a Zigbee hub for connecting compatible smart home devices. The 13MP camera captures crisp video even in low light.

---

How to Choose the Right Smart Display

Consider Your Ecosystem

The most important decision is choosing a display that matches your existing smart home ecosystem:

• Amazon Alexa users: Echo Show models offer the deepest integration with Alexa routines, Fire TV, Ring devices, and Amazon services
• Google Home users: Nest Hub displays provide seamless access to Google Calendar, Photos, YouTube, and Nest products
• Apple HomeKit users: The new HomePod with Display is your only native option, but it's excellent for iPhone and iPad users

Screen Size Matters

Think about where you'll place the display:

• 7-inch displays: Perfect for nightstands, bathrooms, and small desks
• 8-10 inch displays: The sweet spot for kitchens, home offices, and living rooms
• 15-inch displays: Best as wall-mounted family command centers in kitchens or entryways

Camera or No Camera?

Some displays skip the camera for enhanced privacy, while others include shutters or physical switches:

• With camera: Better for video calls, security monitoring, and gesture controls
• Without camera: More private for bedrooms and bathrooms, often more affordable

Audio Quality

If you plan to stream music or podcasts, audio quality varies significantly:

• Premium audio: Echo Show 10, HomePod with Display, Lenovo Smart Display 9 Pro
• Good audio: Echo Show 15, Nest Hub Max
• Basic audio: Smaller displays prioritize compactness over sound quality

Smart Display Setup Tips

Placement Strategy

Position your smart display where you'll actually use it:

• Kitchen: Place near your prep area but away from splashing water
• Bedroom: Position on a nightstand at eye level when you're in bed
• Living room: Consider wall-mounting larger displays at comfortable viewing height
• Home office: Keep it at the corner of your desk for quick glances at calendar and messages

Privacy Settings

Take control of your privacy from day one:

• Enable camera covers or physical shutters when not using video features
• Review and delete voice recordings regularly through the companion app
• Disable the microphone when you don't want the display listening
• Turn off visual ID or face recognition if you're uncomfortable with the feature

Smart Home Integration

Maximize your display's usefulness:

• Connect all compatible smart home devices during initial setup
• Create custom routines that control multiple devices with one command
• Set up camera feeds so you can check security cameras instantly
• Enable location-based features to show traffic updates for your commute

Customize Your Experience

Make the display truly yours:

• Set up multiple user profiles so each family member gets personalized information
• Choose widgets that show the information you check most often
• Create photo albums in Google Photos or Amazon Photos for beautiful slideshow displays
• Adjust brightness schedules so the display dims automatically at night

The Verdict

Smart displays have matured into genuinely useful home devices in 2026. The Amazon Echo Show 15 takes our top spot for its massive screen, family-friendly features, and comprehensive smart home control. For Google users, the Nest Hub Max (3rd Gen) delivers everything you need with beautiful integration across Google services.

If you're on a budget, the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) at $149.99 offers remarkable value with nearly all the features of more expensive models. And for the ultimate bedside companion, the Google Nest Hub (3rd Gen) combines privacy-focused design with excellent sleep tracking.

No matter which smart display you choose, you're adding a versatile device that will quickly become central to your daily routine—from morning weather checks to evening recipe guidance to nighttime smart home control. The future of smart homes isn't just voice commands; it's visual, interactive, and more helpful than ever.