The Best Digital Photo Frames

Digital frames come with some great features. You can switch up which photos you want to see, change the speed at which you see them, and play around with the color and resolution. Since they can hold a ton of photos, your home can show off all your favorite memories.

Buying Guide for Digital Photo Frames

Why buy a digital picture frame?

If you have tons of memories you want to share, digital photo frames give you the capacity to show them all without picking up a hefty, traditional photo album or 20 different standard frames. There’s almost no limit to the number of photos you can add to these devices. Plus, the actual display is very appealing; your photos will look clear and crisp. Some models even have the capability to receive photos from friends and family miles away, so you can stay connected.

What should you consider in a digital picture frame?

• Size and Resolution: Be sure that the model you select will have enough pixels to really show off your photos. A low-resolution image can create unpleasant, pixelated images. Look for a digital picture frame with a resolution of at least 800×600 pixels if you want to ensure you’re getting a good quality image. It’s also important to get the right size: too small and you won’t be able to see your photos on the screen.
• Storage Capacity: Typical frames have an ample amount of photo storage, but if you’re anticipating taking a large number of photos, you may want to opt for a bigger capacity. Some models let you use a memory stick for additional capacity, but it’s more convenient to get a model with plenty of internal storage. Look for models with 4 to 8 GB of storage; this will allow you to store up to 30,000 pictures on your device, which should be plenty for most people. A few models will even have unlimited storage though they’re not as common.
• Setup: While it’s not a guarantee that a digital photo frame will be difficult to set up, it’s always nice for it to be simple. This is especially true when you’re helping relatives, especially those who are older and less familiar with modern technology, to set up digital frames. Certain frames make it extra easy to set up and upload photos so that anyone can do it intuitively.

What’s the best way to upload photos to your digital picture frame?

Wi-Fi photo frames provide multiple ways to upload photos: memory cards, USB drives, apps, email, even social media. The more physical of these ways—mainly memory cards and USB drives—are less user-friendly than the purely digital ways. It’s incredibly convenient to be able to email photos or use an app to upload them! Make sure you know what your choice for a Wi-Fi photo frame is capable of before you buy.

Our Picks for the Best Digital Photo Frames

Pros: The Aura Carver Smart Digital Picture Frame has an impressive screen size of over 10 inches and a stunning 1920×1200 resolution. This Wi-Fi photo frame will also intuitively pair related portrait photos side-by-side to keep surprising and delighting you with unexpected moments of fun. Plus, you get unlimited photo storage, and it’s super easy to upload images to the frame. This frame also gives you the freedom to choose the speed at which photos are cycled through. As a bonus, there are six total frame colors from which you can choose to better match your home’s interior and any standard picture frames you might already own.

Cons: While it’s billed as a feature and some people love it, the intuitive pairing doesn’t always put together two related photos. The selection can seem random rather than related at times. When it’s especially sunny or dark, the auto-adjust for the brightness level might not just adjust adequately. The last potential issue is setup: while some think it’s super easy, others find it difficult to help less tech-savvy relatives get their frame up and running.

Bottom Line: People love the resolution, the color, and the ease with which you can add photos to this frame. Sure, there are some minor issues that can be somewhat frustrating, but this is an overall great choice that really delivers on what it promises.

 

Pros: If you’re looking for a super-sized display option, this is the photo frame for you! Its 15-inch LED display showcases your memories wherever you put the frame. The Pix-Star 15-Inch Digital Photo Frame also makes it easy to upload photos by using either email or an app that you can install on your phone. There’s also 8 GB of internal data, which is plenty when it comes to photos that you want to share in your home. The interface is fairly easy to understand, so setup and photo selection won’t prove difficult.

Cons: First of all, the resolution—1024×768 pixels—is not as high as other smaller models. So there is a small trade-off between resolution and screen size. There are also occasional issues with light bleed on the edges of some of the photos shown on the screen. You may find that the new photos you add aren’t prioritized.

Bottom Line: It’s inevitable that a larger screen isn’t going to have the same resolution as smaller screens. But if you’re okay with a minor reduction in quality in exchange for a bigger screen, the Pix-Star 15-Inch Digital Photo Frame is an excellent option. It’s easy to set up and use, and it even lets you connect it to social media apps to show off your favorite photos.

 

Pros: The Aluratek 8-Inch LCD Digital Photo Frame has some great features at an even better price. You can easily see your favorite digital photos on the nifty 8-inch screen, which has a pretty good resolution—800×600 pixels! The photos are automatically shown in a slide-show format, so you don’t have to worry about scrolling through or changing them. Plus, the setup is super easy, so you can start enjoying your photos right away.

Cons: This photo frame doesn’t have the cool features that higher-end units offer. It doesn’t have a touch screen, and you need to keep it plugged into the wall since there is no built-in battery. There’s also no built-in memory, which can be annoying. Perhaps most importantly, the picture resolution is pretty low—the images won’t look very crisp.

Bottom Line: The Aluratek 8-Inch LCD Digital Photo Frame is a basic model that offers no bells and whistles, but it’s a great choice at this price point. Basically, it lets you show off your favorite photos, and that’s about it. If that’s what you’re looking for, you won’t go wrong with this option. Just don’t expect anything fancy.

 

Pros: The 10-inch Wi-Fi Skylight Digital Picture Frame makes it easy to instantly upload and show off your favorite photos. It has an impressive 10-inch screen with an impressive 1280×800 resolution. The setup is also super easy; it shouldn’t take you longer than a minute to set it up. But its best feature is its email capability. Whenever you want to add new photos, simply email them to the device, and they’ll appear instantly.

Cons: There are some significant downsides to this model. First of all, the touch screen is not very responsive and doesn’t always work well. It’s also relatively difficult to delete photos—you have to go through and delete them one by one. Plus, there are no convenient, customizable options that would let you control the speed of the display or quickly change the screen’s brightness.

Bottom Line: This is a relatively expensive model that makes it easier than most to upload and display your photos. While you don’t get some of the features that you might expect for the price, it has a large screen, great resolution, and easy-upload capability.

 

Pros: The Aluratek 10-Inch Distressed Wood Digital Photo Frame combines digital features with a classic frame design. Featuring a large screen with an impressive resolution, the frame itself is stylish distressed wood for the look of a more traditional frame. Use the frametime app to send photos to the frame easily and quickly. The distressed wood offers a nice touch to your home’s decor. The LCD screen is bright and colorful, and there’s an easy-to-use interface that lets you control the pictures you want to see.

Cons: One of the most frustrating issues with this picture frame is that it might inexplicably turn your photos sideways. It’s important to know that the wood frame isn’t actually wood. This shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, but it’s helpful to know beforehand.

Bottom Line: Despite some issues, this photo frame has the essentials and a picture-perfect design. It looks great in your home and gets the job done when showing off your photos. Just know that it might take some time to play around with the settings to make your photos look the way you want.

Final Thoughts

Digital photo frames let you add variety to your home. Instead of staring at the same pictures every day, these devices encourage you to change things up, even giving you the ability to add photos you take the same day to your home’s decor. They’re a great way to feel connected to friends and family.