Smart display

A smart display is a screen with a built-in voice assistant, such as an Echo Show or a Nest Hub, used to control the home, make calls and view cameras.

What it means for you

Some models also act as Matter controllers and Thread border routers, so one display may replace a separate hub. Check the model’s listed capabilities before you rely on it for that.

Guides on this topic

• Best Smart Displays for Matter

  Which Echo Show, Echo Hub and Nest Hub models act as Matter hubs and Thread border routers, and what to check before buying.

• Best Thread Border Routers and Matter Hubs

  Which Apple, Google, Amazon and other devices you may already own act as border routers, plus hub picks.

• Echo and Alexa Wi-Fi Troubleshooting

  Echo light colors, Wi-Fi fixes, setup error codes, changing networks and smart devices Alexa cannot find, from Amazon help.

• Google Nest Speaker and Display Offline Fixes

  Nest Mini, Nest Audio or Nest Hub won't connect or shows offline: restarts, password checks, network not listed, hotspot test, new-network setup and factory reset, from Google's help.

Related terms

• Smart home hub
• Thread border router
• Matter controller
• Amazon Alexa
• Google Home

← All glossary terms · Search all guides for “Smart display”

Definitions are short and general. For model-specific details, check your device maker’s own documentation.