Digital picture frames shuffle your photos into a slideshow, so those wedding photos have a permanent place to live, and you don’t have to choose just one. Although smart displays can do the same thing, you may prefer a digital photo frame because you can set it and forget it, and not have to deal with a voice assistant. They often have more design options available, which is nice if you want a photo frame for its beauty and not just its tech. Digital picture frames have been around for a while, and they’ve had time to get better and smarter. And there are plenty to choose from. I’ve rounded up the best digital picture frames (both Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi) to help you showcase photos. These were hand-picked based on my own testing and the opinions of photographers as well as other ZDNET editors. Also:
The best smart speakersTop smart lightsThe best smart hubs for controlHow to transfer photos from your Android phone to Windows computer
The Nixplay Touch 10 Smart Frame has great features to showcase your memories, and after trying it out myself, it is my top pick for the best digital photo frame. It’s easy to set up, and the accompanying app gives you unlimited photo storage, the ability to upload photos and videos from your smartphone or through a cloud service like Google Photos, and the ability to invite your friends and family to add photos to your playlists. Adam Khan, a photographer and founder of his company, WeShootYou, agreed with me in that the Nixplay photo frame is a good choice for most consumers. “It has a high-resolution screen (1280x800) which is great for displaying more pixels so images appear sharper and cleaner,” he said. “It also supports multiple image formats including JPEG, PNG, and TIFF (for you photoshop fanatics), and offers features such as motion sensors and cloud connectivity.” Review: Nixplay Touch 10 Smart Frame Kahn noted that Nixplay has a good balance of storage and ease of use, especially with its touchscreen. One bonus is that this digital photo frame also has a motion sensor that wakes up the frame when you are in the room and turns it off when you’re not. In addition, the company promises all your data is encrypted, so your photos and videos are secured. If you want to forgo uploading photos to a cloud and connecting to your email, the Loop Digital Picture Frame makes it super easy to add photos to the frame. All you have to do is text an image or video to a number, and it automatically adds your photos instantly. In addition, with this frame, you can add video clips up to five minutes long. This digital frame has a touchscreen display that can shuffle photo albums, add transition times, and even automatically dim at night. While the Loop frame requires Wi-Fi to receive new photos, play videos or video chat, you can still view photos without a Wi-Fi connection. For a more budget-friendly price, this digital picture frame still has great features like a built-in clock and calendar, an included remote to control it from afar, and the ability to add music to your photo slideshow. If you’re especially concerned about privacy, this frame also forgoes Wi-Fi and allows you to add photos via a USB flash drive or an SD card up to 32GB. However, while it has true-digital LCD panels to display your favorite memories, the resolution isn’t as crisp as the pricier options on this list. If you’re looking for a more stylish design, the Aura Mason is carved from natural stone like white quartz or graphite. It has a resolution of 1600 x 1200 with 224 pixels per inch, making your photos look sharp and detailed. Professional photographer Kevin Mercier said this frame stands above other digital photo frames he has used to display his work. “I found the 4:3 screen aspect display perfect for adding some color to my room with my photos and getting an up-close look at them as well,” he said. “The color is natural-looking and well-saturated as well, so I can be sure that I see a fair representation of the photos that I fling its way. Like other digital photo frames on this list, you can invite friends and family to send photos to the frame. “Everyone in this inner Aura circle can like and comment on the photos, creating a cozy and private social network,” Mercier added. With unlimited storage, you can store endless amounts of memories on the Aura Mason frame. You can also get calendar reminders, traffic updates, set timers, or even enjoy your favorite playlist via Spotify. There is even access to streaming services like Prime Video and Netflix. And as an Alexa device, the Echo Show can control other smart devices in your home. “My Echo Shows all display photos from my Prime photo storage when not in use,” Windsor said. “I like that I can customize which photos each device shows based on folders I create.” “If you plan to use the frame in a bright room or in direct sunlight, look for one with a high luminance rating to ensure that your photos are visible,” Kahn adds. Other important features include image format support, frame size, and how easy the frame and accompanying app are to use and add photos to. “Most digital cameras and smartphones capture photos in a 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, while some newer devices have a 16:9 aspect ratio,” he said. “I believe a 4:3 aspect ratio frame is ideal, as it displays most photos without any distortion or cropping, while a 16:9 frame might require some cropping of photos taken in the 4:3 aspect ratio.” However, Kahn adds that 16:9 ratio is good if you’re looking to use a mix of video content and photography. The non-Wi-Fi digital photo frames on this list are the Loop frame and the Aluratek frame.
