Best Overall
Aeezo Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame
- The frame looks like it has matting and has a decorative wooden look.
The frame looks like it has matting and has a decorative wooden look.
- The photos aren’t as high resolution as they are on the phone.
The photos aren’t as high resolution as they are on the phone.
A quick set up time, an even quicker upload time, and a classic design helped make the Aeezo’s 10.1 Inch WiFi Digital Picture Frame one of our favorite digital picture frames.
This option has a decorative wood-like appearance, which is a departure from other options that have a more tech-like appearance. There’s also a white section that looks like matting, which makes it feel even more like a traditional picture frame.
The frame features a range of features that we appreciated, including touchscreen and video playback with sound. It also has additional settings like a clock, weather, brightness, and photo captioning. Plus, the touchscreen style also comes with a one year warranty.
It only took eight minutes to set up, with the frame walking us through it. From there, you can either use an SD card or an easy to use compatible app, which is what we opted for. During set up, the frame generated a code that we put into the app. You can send up to nine photos at once but there is a bulk import option if you want to upload more than that. Overall, photo upload time only took five minutes.
During testing, we noted that the only drawback with this option is that the resolution of photos is not directly the same as that of the photo on a smartphone. However, from a distance we didn’t think it was particularly noticeable.
Additionally, the sound quality on videos was quieter than expected. However, the videos displayed clearly and the photos are perfectly clear from afar.
We liked that this pick can be hung and used in either portrait or landscape mode. It also automatically shifts when you turn it. While it features a cord, it can easily be hidden once the frame is in place.
Product Details: Size: 11.46 x 8.31 x 1.3 inches | Photo Capacity: 8 GB | Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
Key Terms to Know
- Gigabytes: Gigabytes (GB) are used to measure the amount of photos a digital picture frame can store.
- Pixels: Pixels are what make up a digital photograph and are used to measure the picture's resolution. The more pixels per inch, the better quality the photo is.
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CARA MILHAVEN
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CARA MILHAVEN
Best Budget
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)
- It comes with multiple features, like a camera to watch your pets when you’re away.
It comes with multiple features, like a camera to watch your pets when you’re away.
- Setup was not as intuitive as other options.
Setup was not as intuitive as other options.
For an excellent digital picture frame that won’t break the bank, our pick is Echo’s Show 8. We were able to set it up within ten minutes, though it wasn’t as straightforward as we would have liked. We felt that there weren’t enough instructions provided and we had to figure out on our own that we needed the two apps that we had to download.
Once it was set up, we noted that it had a crystal clear display and the look of the photos was consistent with how they looked on the phones. The same was true of videos as well, though note that photos and videos can only be viewed in landscape mode.
With this option, you also have the optionality to toggle between photos, games, and weather, as well. It also has apps to be able to listen to music, watch TV, and you can make calls with it. Plus, this frame also comes with a touchscreen, a speaker, and a camera to be able to watch your pets when you’re away.
You can control compatible devices such as cameras and lights. We also appreciated that it was easy to add people to grant access. Although it wasn’t as decorative as some other options on our list, we thought the features make it worth it. Plus, the cord is white which made it blend in nicely for us around the house.
Product Details: Size: 7.9 x 5.4 x 3.9 inches | Photo Capacity: Not listed | Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Splurge
Aura Mason Digital Picture Frame
- This option has unlimited cloud data for all users.
This option has unlimited cloud data for all users.
- Users have to manually control the audio every time a video comes on.
Users have to manually control the audio every time a video comes on.
During testing, the Aura Mason WiFi Digital Picture Frame impressed us. Though it’s not a touchscreen option, we liked the look of it and felt that it had a higher quality feel to it.
Overall, this pick looks like a traditional frame with a textured look and speckled design. It can be used in portrait and landscape and is adjustable simply by rotating, auto cropping the photos in the process.
The cord is in the center of the frame, so it is easy to hide. However, if it’s visible you’ll appreciate that it has a light gray fabric lining it which makes it nicer looking than other options.
From the start, this option proved to be intuitive and easy to set up. All we had to do was download the Aura app. Not only can you upload as many photos as you want at once, you can also upload 30 second videos, which is longer than many other options on our list. It is also easy to add people and invite them to share, accessing your contact list or being able to manually add their numbers.
The quality of the pictures was great on display, and there is a speaker in the back, though videos default to silent unless otherwise controlled through a touch bar. We did like that there is an auto on and off feature for when the room goes dark, and the app has an activity feed to react and comment on photos as well.
You also have control over how quickly the frame switches between photos and the photo order, which can be controlled remotely through the app. The app also allows you to scan printed photos and edit them. The best part, however, is the frame has unlimited cloud storage for all users.
Just be aware that when displaying videos, they can take a few seconds to load. It will clip videos longer than 30 seconds, but you can control what is shown in the app.
Product Details: Size: 3.54 x 9.45 x 0.99 inches | Photo Capacity: Unlimited | Resolution: 1600 x 1200 pixels
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LAURA MILLER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LAURA MILLER
Easiest to Use
Aura Carver Digital Picture Frame
- Simple app connectivity and a streamlined setup makes this the ideal option for the non-tech savvy people in your life.
Simple app connectivity and a streamlined setup makes this the ideal option for the non-tech savvy people in your life.
- You can’t hang this option.
You can’t hang this option.
Those who aren’t tech-savvy will appreciate Aura’s Carver. We found it easy to set up, taking less than 15 minutes to complete it. All we needed was the app, Wi-Fi, and an outlet.
In terms of quality, we found this frame to be solidly built. Overall, it was thicker in nature and didn’t easily tip over. The black gravel design that we tested seemed to work well with almost any photo it was displaying.
Like the Mason, this option can be used horizontally or vertically, and it can display videos as well. Videos and photos both looked HD on this option, and a speaker enables you to hear the videos if you choose to.
We appreciated that this option has unlimited storage and multiple people can have access to upload images and videos. It also turns on and off on its own when the room it’s in becomes dark, so it’s a great option to use in a bedroom as well.
Just be aware that this option cannot logically be hung, and while the photos and videos are automatically cropped, you cannot crop them on your own.
Product Details: Size: 10.5 x 7.3 x 0.99 inches | Photo Capacity: Unlimited | Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MIKE NAVARRO
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MIKE NAVARRO
Best Smart
Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen
- It uses voice recognition and can be used to control things like smart lamps and searching the internet.
It uses voice recognition and can be used to control things like smart lamps and searching the internet.
- It can only be used in landscape mode.
It can only be used in landscape mode.
For an option that can be used as more than a digital frame, consider the Google Nest Hub. During testing, we found that it’s easy to set up and navigate. It can also be completely managed through the Google Home app, which easily guides you through instructions.
You have to use Google photos with this pick, which helps streamline the uploading process and makes it easy to add photos right from your phone. Though this option has a more tech-forward design, we found it to blend in nicely with its minimalist design. Plus, the white cord blends nicely with the design, so you won’t see too much while it’s on display.
During testing, we liked that this pick is more than just a frame. The touchscreen was easy to use, and we could easily connect to apps like Pandora and Spotify to play music through the speakers.
We were also able to connect to our Google calendar and use voice recognition to ask what the weather was. Plus, you can also use the voice feature to search the internet and it can be connected to other devices like Roku and smart lamps,
All of the images we uploaded looked high resolution, as did the videos. We were able to easily toggle between other displays like temperature, time, and photos. During testing, one drawback we noted is that it can only be used in landscape mode.
Product Details: Size: 7.02 x 2.65 x 4.65 inches | Photo Capacity: Not listed | Resolution: 1024 x 600 pixels
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / REBECCA PARK
Best Features
Pix-Star Digital Picture Frame
- It has games, reminder settings, music capability, and a smart motion detector.
It has games, reminder settings, music capability, and a smart motion detector.
- You’ll have to accept or reject photos before they’re displayed.
You’ll have to accept or reject photos before they’re displayed.
After testing the Pix-Star Digital Picture Frame, we think it has some of the best features. To start, we like that you can easily control the clock and weather. They can be displayed when the photos are showing, and you can also remove them by using the remote.
We also enjoyed being able to set up reminders that the frame will alert you to. It also comes with eight games to play, and you can play them with the remote that comes included. Plus, you can listen to web radio through it, or attach external speakers and upload your own music to listen to. A smart motion detector will start playing photos when you walk by it as well.
When it comes to photos, you can upload either directly from your phone or you can import from albums on things like Facebook, and Google Drive. During the setup process we had to create a dedicated email to send the photos to. While anyone can send photos to the email, we had control to accept or reject them. Though it’s an appreciated safety feature, it adds an extra step each time you want to upload photos.
This option appeared like a traditional black picture frame that could be displayed in any room in your home. Plus, the cord is long enough to be well hidden. We found the photos and videos to be high resolution, assuming that you keep them in their original size. If you make them smaller, they may not look as great on the frame.
The frame cannot be hung on the wall, and it also comes with a stand that only allows you to use it in landscape mode. It also does not have a touchscreen and we found using the remote to be a bit time consuming.
Product Details: Size: 0.94 x 7.28 x 8.82 inches | Photo Capacity: 8 GB | Resolution: 1024 x 768 pixels
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CATHY FALLONE
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CATHY FALLONE