Amazon Echo Show 11 (newest model), Vibrant Full-HD 11" display with more viewing area and spatial audio, Designed for Alexa+, Graphite

Why it's worth it

The Echo Show 11 is an 11-inch smart display with an auto-framing camera and voice-driven calling. Your recipient says who to call, and the screen handles the rest — no phone unlocking, no app hunting, no hanging up by accident.

AARP's research found that 72% of adults 65 and older wish they could video call family more easily, and the NRF's holiday survey put gifts that help me stay connected with family at the top of the same group's wish list. That's the problem this solves. Calling is a voice command, not a sequence of taps on a phone your recipient has to find, unlock, and navigate first.

The camera is what makes it work for older users specifically. It's a centered, auto-framing lens that keeps the person in shot as they shift around, with 3.3x zoom and noise reduction. PCMag singled out auto-framing on Echo Show devices as the thing that eliminates the awkward repositioning that turns video calls into a chore. Nobody has to hold still or hunt for their own face in a little window.

From our review of 8 gifts for grandparents

What we like

• +AARP's research found that 72% of adults 65 and older wish they could video call family more easily, and the NRF's holiday…
• +The camera is what makes it work for older users specifically
• +In the hours between calls it's not dead weight
• +This is the most expensive thing on our list, so it's worth being clear about who it's for

What to know

• –It's an always-listening microphone and a camera in someone's living space, and not every grandparent is comfortable with that
• –Owner feedback on this generation is more mixed than the frame or the Kindle
• –Setup involves an Amazon account and Wi-Fi, and some features assume ongoing familiarity with what Alexa can do