Amazon Echo Show 8

The Echo Show 8 earns its place for grandparents who want to see the grandchildren more than they physically can. Its 8-inch touchscreen and built-in 13MP camera make video calling genuinely simple, and calls can be started by voice with a command like 'Alexa, call...', which sidesteps the fiddliness that puts many older users off video chat on a phone. Beyond calling, it doubles as a talking clock, a hands-free way to set medication or appointment reminders, a photo frame between calls and a music and radio player. It does rely on a reasonable home WiFi connection and an Amazon account, so it is best set up by a relative first. Some families weigh up the always-listening microphone and camera; both can be switched off with physical controls, which is worth demonstrating at setup. Those wanting a larger screen might prefer the Echo Show 10 or 15.