Jan 17, 2024
7 Best Digital Frames for Displaying Your Favorite Photos in 2023
Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission
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WE'RE SUCKERS for just about anything retro. Vinyl records, well-worn leather jackets, and grainy, instant photos are all damn-near-perfect in our book. But we can't deny that sometimes technology can make things a little bit better. Next-gen, Bluetooth-enabled record players, smart home devices, and smartphone-connected Polaroid cameras are all enough to get our attention. So, too, with the next generation of picture frames. We’re talking about digital frames or, more specifically, digital picture frames.
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Digital frames have come a long way in the last few years. With decent budget models available for less than $50 and some premium options boasting high-resolution touchscreen displays and built-in Wi-Fi, many of today's best digital frames rival the best flat-screen TVs. The variety of prices, sizes, user-friendliness, and tech features means there's a model for everyone. If your 95-year-old Nana wants a digital frame to enjoy photos of all her grandbabies, there's a no-frills, easy-to-use frame for her. If you’re a tech-savvy user who loves the latest next-gen electronics, there's a feature-packed digital frame for you. And so, too, for everyone in between.
If you’re looking for a basic option, shopping for digital frames can be simple. But if you want something with all the bells and whistles, it can be almost as difficult as shopping for a new television. We’ve done the hard work for you by researching dozens of top-selling digital frames, paying close attention to every feature and spec. These are the best digital frames for displaying your favorite photos in 2023.
Aura has been a long-time favorite for digital frame lovers. The brand packs almost every conceivable tech feature into its frames, and the flagship Mason Luxe is no exception. The design is simple and elegant with a minimalist, hand-speckled aesthetic that looks like a more traditional photo frame (a good thing, in our book). The 2K screen is tack-sharp, bright, and a joy to look at. But under the hood, it's surprisingly high-tech, allowing users to add or upload photos and short videos directly from a computer, through Aura's app, or by linking the frame to a Google Photos or Apple iCloud account. You can even invite friends to share photos directly to the frame. Other unique features we like that are unavailable in any other frame on this list include support for Apple Live Photos and a built-in scanning feature.
At around $250, it's the priciest model in our roundup. But we think the stellar display, handsome design, and long list of features justify the premium. This is a digital frame that works for everyone, from older, tech-averse folks to gadget-savvy millennials. All of which is why it's our hands-down pick for the best digital frame overall in 2023.
What do buyers say? "The setup was intuitive and the frame was functional in minutes. This is a great gift for family who live out of town and especially for older relatives who can't receive photos by text or email," said one Amazon reviewer.
Nixplay's new 10.1-inch Touch Screen Photo Frame is another "best in class" digital frame that packs just about every tech feature into a compact design. It sets up in minutes via Wi-Fi, and the addition of 8GB of internal storage makes this a great option for less-tech-savvy family members who might not be online. Photos and short videos can be uploaded through a bunch of methods, including the Nixplay app, a desktop web interface, Google Photos, Facebook, Instagram, or even by sending to the frame's own dedicated email address. The display is crisp, bright, and beautiful, with touchscreen access to many of the frame's features. It's all wrapped in a handsome exterior frame that's available in five colors, including polished steel, solid white, and traditional wood.
As with the Aura Mason Luxe, we’re hard-pressed to find much to dislike about this frame. It's a best-seller on Amazon with more than 20,000 ratings—18,000 of which give it five out of five stars. With a nearly $190 retail price tag, it's more expensive than most in our roundup. But the beautiful and intuitive touchscreen display, ease of setup, and long list of features make this a solid buy in our book.
What do buyers say? Out of more than 20,000 Amazon reviews, 95% recommend the Nixplay 10.1-inch Touch Screen Photo Frame with at least a 4-star rating.
"Go big or go home." That's Pix-Star's mantra with its biggie-sized 15-inch WiFi Digital Picture Frame. It's the largest digital frame in our roundup—enough so that it's almost like having an extra TV on your wall or bookshelf. Like many of the best digital frames we’ve seen this year, it allows you to add photos through smartphone apps, a web interface, and a dedicated email address. You can also designate friends and family to add to the mix with a shared photo "pool." Pix-Star offers free unlimited cloud storage, but we also like the 8GB of onboard storage and compatibility with USB sticks and SDHC/SDXC memory cards. The WiFi-enabled setup allows it to be ready to roll out of the box in just a few minutes.
At more than $200, this is definitely a premium option. But, if you’re looking for a jumbo-sized digital frame, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a larger one unless you want to upgrade from a digital frame to a legit TV. With a crisp, bright display, easy setup, and solid feature set, we think this one's well worth the price if you’re looking for the best large-screen digital frame of 2023.
What do buyers say? "We bought a total of 5 of these. One for us and ones for family members. We are thrilled with the quality of the devices and the flexibility of the software," said one Amazon reviewer.
This Amazon's Choice digital photo frame also happens to be one of the most affordable models making it a great bang for your buck. It offers many of the same features as the best digital frames but scaled down. The 10.1-inch touchscreen display is bright and responsive, although not as nice or detailed as the Aura Mason Luxe. Uploading photos or short (up to 15-second) videos to the frame is handled through the Frameo app or via the microSD card slot to the frame's built-in 16GB memory. The simplicity of this digital frame makes it a great, budget option for friends and family who aren't as tech-savvy.
For anyone looking to display their favorite photos on a budget, this is an excellent value option. It lacks some of the polish of our most highly recommend picks. Still, it offers all of the most essential features and tech we look for in a digital frame. With a decent display, simple touchscreen interface, unlimited cloud storage (with generous built-in storage), and a minimal, goes-with-any-decor design, we think it's a solid choice at under $100 (on sale).
What do buyers say? Out of more than 2,000 Amazon reviews, 91% recommend the Akimart Frameo 10.1-Inch Smart WiFi Digital Photo Frame with at least a 4-star rating.
If you’re looking to keep it ultra-simple, there's Atatat's 10-Inch Digital Photo Frame. This pared-down model strips away any connectivity (no Wi-Fi or cellular connection), but keeps all the most essential features. Drop in a standard SD card or USB drive (up to 128GB), and this frame will automatically play all your photos in a slideshow with the option to control them using the included remote. This makes it the perfect option for non-connected owners who don't want to bother connecting their device to the cloud. Built-in software allows you to adjust brightness and rotate photos on the fly. The 10-inch screen is generously sized and offers a crisp 1920x1280 resolution for excellent detail in your favorite photos.
The best things about this value model are simplicity and price. It offers everything you need and nothing you don't, so it's a snap for parents and grandparents to use. Plus, the roughly $70 price tag makes this one a great value. If you like this model but are looking for a bit more tech, upgrade to the WiFi-enabled version for less than $10.
What do buyers say? "This digital picture frame is just what I wanted. You download a bunch of pictures, videos, and/or music onto an SD card; put it in the slot; and start the show," said one Amazon reviewer.
You can easily spend well over $200 on the best digital photo frames. But you don't have to. Sungale offers one of the simplest options with this 8" Digital Photo Frame. The compact size works well on a desktop or WFH office setup, and the 800x600 screen resolution is reasonably crisp and bright. It supports standard USB drives and SD flash cards to easily get your slideshow going with zero setup and basic transition effects. The high-gloss black frame is simple and designed to work with any décor.
If budget is your main concern, this digital frame offers just the basics for under $50. You won't get the same designer looks, WiFi connectivity, unlimited cloud storage, and "photo pooling" with friends here. But you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more functional and easier-to-use model than this. All of which makes it a great gift for anyone who doesn't want or need any of those features, or for older family members who prefer an easier setup over flashy tech. Of course, if you’re willing to spend a bit more, Sungale also offers an upgraded multimedia model with support for audio and video.
What do buyers say? "Very nice frame. Easy to set up and load," said one Walmart.com reviewer.
Anyuse's WiFi Digital Picture Frame is our hands-down pick for the best value digital frame of 2023. It offers a solid list of specs and features usually only found in frames twice the price. Most importantly: A crisp, bright, and responsive 10" touchscreen with 1080p WXGA resolution; Wi-Fi connectivity that allows your friends and family to share their photos via a dedicated app; and 16GB of internal storage, in case you want to cut the cord and keep things simple. This frame also automatically rotates the display of your photos to either portrait or landscape. It's all wrapped in a simple, matte black frame that works with any room design.
This is the "sweet spot" option for anyone looking to upgrade from a bargain-priced digital frame, but not ready to splash out on a fancier, premium option. For $80, it offers all the essential features, plus a handful of nice-to-haves that make it the perfect gift for yourself or a family member who might not be the most web-savvy.
What do buyers say? "This is easy to set up and I instantly reached out to my children who shared their family photos with me. It feels like magic," said one Amazon reviewer.
Digital frames are small, but the best models can be surprisingly complex with a long list of tech features and specs. Here's everything to look for when shopping for your next digital picture frame.
Photo StorageHow your digital frame stores photos is arguably the most important consideration. There are three methods for storage: Cloud-based, onboard (using a built-in storage system), or via an external device that you plug into the frame, such as a USB drive or memory card. The best digital frames offer some combination of all three.Cloud-based is ideal for anyone who plans to connect their digital frame to the web. It allows the most flexibility, including being able to upload photos via a smartphone app, sharing your pictures with trusted friends in an online "photo pool," or even being able to send photos to the frame's dedicated email address.Onboard storage and external device storage can both be good backups to cloud storage or work on their own for anyone who’d rather not connect their digital frame to the cloud. Non-web-connected digital frames are also ideal for non-tech-savvy family members without home internet access.Screen Quality, Size, and ResolutionBecause most digital frames use the same display technology as modern TVs, shopping for them is similar in many ways. In general, you’ll want a minimum screen resolution of 720p. Anything less will likely cause your photos to look blurry or muddled. The right frame size (measured diagonally in inches) is ultimately a matter of personal preference and how much room you have to set up your frame. Decent compact frames are roughly 8 inches. Most digital frames are in the 9- to 10-inch range, and the largest digital frames can measure as wide as 17 inches. Anything larger, and you’re essentially just shopping for a new television.Frame Design and Photo OrientationMost digital frame makers keep things simple with basic designs that work with just about any decor. Some allow for orientation vertically or horizontally, but not both. This can affect how your photos display and look onscreen. Depending on where you’ll be setting up your frame (on a desktop, a photo wall, above your fireplace, etc.), consider getting a model that works in either orientation to maximize versatility.Multimedia SupportAt the very least, every digital frame displays still photographs. Some also support short videos (usually up to 15-30 seconds max) and audio to add some background flavor to your slideshows. The best models can even display other formats like Apple Live Photos. One thing worth noting is that cheaper frames may not allow you to mix photos and video in the same slideshow, meaning you’ll need to pick which type of slideshow you want to display. More premium frames will show every format in a single, seamless slideshow.Other FeaturesLike the best TVs, the most premium digital photo frames offer plenty of other features, too. Some offer a touchscreen display that makes it easier to set everything up, adjust the frame's options, and navigate your slideshows. Auto-brightness and auto-on/off are other features that change the frame's display based on ambient light and motion (for example, turning the frame on when it senses someone in the room). Lastly, the best digital frames also include a scanning function baked into the smartphone app, allowing you to digitize printed photos by scanning and uploading them directly to the frame.
Over the last year, our tech writers researched and personally tested dozens of popular digital frames. We carefully considered every feature and spec, including screen size, multimedia support, WiFi connectivity, price, ease of setup and use, and more. We’ve also included top-selling models with at least 200 positive ratings or reviews on etailer sites like Amazon and Walmart. The list above represents our honest picks of the seven best digital frames for displaying your favorite photos in 2023.
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South Africa, and survived a near-miss great white shark attack in Mexico. His travel advice has appeared on the websites for Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNET, and National Geographic. He loves the great outdoors and good bourbon, and (usually) calls Tulsa, Oklahoma home. Mike also enjoys speaking in the third person.
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