The best digital picture frames of 2024, tested and reviewed
Free your photos from your phone and enjoy a running slideshow of all those precious memories.
Here's something I'll never understand: We all snap zillions of photos on our phones, but the only place we ever see most of those photos is... on our phones. That's crazy! And it's why I'll go to my grave championing digital photo frames, which display these precious memories as a running slideshow on a stylish screen. I can't tell you how much joy my wife and I get from catching glimpses of friends, family, past vacations and special moments. Where a photo album must be hauled out and paged through, a photo frame is full-time. You might notice it as you pass by throughout the day; you might sit and look at it during breakfast.
Aura Walden 15-inch WiFi Digital Picture Frame
Best overall digital picture frame
YunQiDeer Frameo 10.1-Inch Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame
Best budget digital photo frame
PhotoSpring 10 Charge Pro Portable Digital Picture Frame
Best portable digital photo frame
Loop 10-inch Digital Picture Frame
Best digital photo frame that can receive texts
Nixplay 10.1-Inch Digital Picture Frame
Best digital photo frame for families
Samsung The Frame 43-inch QLED 4K TV
Best big digital photo frame
Table of contents:
However a frame weaves itself into your life, I consider it an unrivaled source of happiness — and, consequently, a great gift, especially for parents and grandparents.
I've been testing and reviewing tech products for over 30 years, and during that time I've owned or evaluated a lot of photo frames. I know what's most important when choosing one and what to avoid (any kind of subscription requirement). This is a product category I'm especially passionate about; for me it's right up there with TV soundbars.
By the way, if you tried one of these years ago and it left a bad taste in your mouth, I'm not surprised. Early-generation frames were small, expensive and a pain to use. But trust me: They're way better now, and way more affordable, too. It's time to free your photos from the tiny confines of your phone. Digital picture frames have come a long way since the early days. Below you'll find my picks for the best digital photo frames you can buy right now.
The best overall digital picture frame
Screen size: 15 inches | Resolution: 1,600 x 1,200 | Storage: Cloud (unlimited) | Touchscreen: No | Orientation options: Landscape/portrait | Motion sensor: Yes | Dedicated email address: Yes
Aura makes some of the most stylish photo frames you can get, so it's a bit surprising the company's new Walden model looks fairly plain: Just a basic black frame and white matte surrounding a roomy 15-inch screen.
But that screen is glorious, one of the brightest and sharpest I've seen, and Aura is still a top choice if you're looking for a gift. One of my favorite features is that you can upload photos in advance and even set it up for use with the recipient's Wi-Fi network — great for gifting grandparents or anyone who's not super tech-savvy. This works a little differently depending on whether you purchase from Aura proper or a retail partner like Amazon; be sure to read Aura's gifting page to learn more.
Setup is easy, and the Walden accepts photos from your phone, iCloud and Google Photos — but not Facebook, Instagram or other services. The Aura app is one of few that flags photos you've already sent, handy for avoiding duplicates. Friends and family can use that app as well, or send photos directly to the frame’s dedicated email address. The built-in motion sensor not only detects when people are present, but also adjusts screen brightness depending on the room's ambient light.
This is the rare frame that doesn't have a touch screen. All settings are managed in the app, though there are touch bars embedded on the top and side edges; you swipe these to page through your photos. I thought this a bit inconvenient at first, but it actually makes sense: It keeps the screen free of fingerprints.
Because the Walden relies solely on cloud storage, it requires a full-time Wi-Fi connection. If there's an outage, or you try setting this up somewhere without a Wi-Fi network, you won't be able to see any photos. That's my only real complaint — and it's a minor one. The Aura Walden is an excellent choice for yourself or as a gift.
- Easy to set up
- Can be preconfigured for gifting
- Big, beautiful screen
- Unlimited cloud storage with no monthly fees
- Must be connected to Wi-Fi
- Lacks the design flair of Aura's other frames
- Limited integrations
- Brightness setting can't be adjusted manually
Other top digital picture frames we recommend for 2024
Screen size: 10.1 inches | Resolution: 1,280 x 800 | Storage: 16GB (expandable) | Touchscreen: Yes | Orientation options: Landscape/portrait | Motion sensor: No | Dedicated email address: No
Amazon is home to dozens of off-brand photo frames like this one, with prices typically ranging between $60 and $100. I've chosen this model as representative of those "generics" — the digital picture frames that all look pretty much the same and offer similar specs. The YunQiDeer is one of the better deals for a frame of this size.
Here you've got decent resolution, auto-rotation and expandable storage. To add photos to the frame, you use an app called Frameo, which is available for Android and iOS and admirably easy to use even if you aren’t tech-savvy. Friends and family will need to install the app as well in order to send their own photos to the frame, which can even showcase or video clips up to 15 seconds in length. The frame lacks a dedicated email address to send photos to, but that wasn’t a make-or-break factor for this frame.
What's more, the app doesn't flag photos you've already sent, so you'll have to manually review what's already on the frame to avoid sending duplicates. Unfortunately, the reality is that this is a feature that a lot of digital photo frames are missing.
Although Amazon shows a list price of $100, the frame routinely fluctuates between $60 and $80. So unless you're in a hurry, wait for a sale.
- Low price (and very often on sale)
- Stylish frame design
- Expandable local storage
- No integrations with social media or photo services
- New photos must be sent via app
Screen size: 10.1 inches | Resolution: 1,200 x 800 | Storage: 32GB (non-expandable) | Touchscreen: Yes | Orientation options: Landscape/portrait | Motion sensor: No | Dedicated email address: Yes
Photo frame to go? That's the unique promise of the PhotoSpring Charge Pro, the only model here with a rechargeable battery. You can not only use it at home, but also take it to, say, a party and run a photo slideshow as part of the celebration.
That's the standout feature in an otherwise basic frame, which looks a little dated and has software to match: The app is pretty rudimentary, offering few frame- or photo-management options; nearly everything is handled via the frame itself, which has an agreeably simple touchscreen interface. You can use a web portal to upload batches of photos, but it limits you to 500 at a time — a pretty major inconvenience if you have a large library to add.
What's more, although you can link to a Google Photos account, that's the extent of PhotoSpring's integrations: no Facebook, Instagram or the like. But I did notice that the Charge Pro is smart enough to detect and ignore duplicate photos, something I wish more frames did.
If you're looking for a photo frame that's intended to stay put, it's hard to recommend this one over others that have better software. However, if battery-powered operation is at the top of your list, the Charge Pro is your best — arguably only — choice.
- Quick and easy to set up
- Bright screen, wide viewing angle
- Can run up to four hours on battery power
- Doesn't support Facebook or Instagram
- Web uploader limited to 500 photos at a time
- Limited, outdated companion app
Screen size: 10 inches | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Storage: 16GB (non-expandable) | Touchscreen: Yes | Orientation options: Landscape only | Motion sensor: No | Dedicated email address: No, instead has a dedicated phone number for texts
Every frame here can accept new photos via app; some also have dedicated email addresses, which simplifies things a bit for friends and family. The Loop relies on an app as well, but instead of email, it has a phone number, meaning you can actually send photos via text message — arguably the simplest solution of all.
Less simple: Frame setup, which was more complicated than it should have been owing to some conflicting instructions between the setup guide and the app. Thankfully, things went smoothly after that, and, in fact, the Loop proved one of the more novice-friendly frames I've used. The app and onscreen settings menus are simple and straightforward, allowing you to set up different albums and tweak things like photo transition time and sleep mode.
However, there are some limitations to consider. The frame works only in landscape orientation and doesn't have a motion sensor. It can display two photos side by side but doesn't offer any transition choices beyond a basic fade. Finally, although you can configure the Loop for gifting, you have to go all the way through the setup process first; you can't preconfigure and preload the frame like you can with Aura's.
My main complaint is that the app doesn't flag photos you've already uploaded to the frame, meaning you might accidentally send the same ones, resulting in duplicates. (Unfortunately, this is true with a lot of frames.)
These gripes aside, I like the screen’s brightness and the Loop's overall simplicity. And it's the only frame that lets you text new photos. That option alone may make it the preferred choice for some buyers.
- Sharp, bright touchscreen
- Dedicated phone number for receiving photos via text message
- App doesn't remember which photos you've uploaded
- Doesn't support portrait orientation
Screen size: 10.1 inches | Resolution: 1,280 x 800 | Storage: 8GB internal / unlimited (cloud) | Touchscreen: Yes | Orientation options: Landscape/portrait | Motion sensor: Yes | Dedicated email address: Yes
Nixplay has been in this biz as long as I can remember, so it's no surprise the company makes a damn fine frame. The current-gen 10-inch model looks lovely, with your choice of bezel and trim colors and even a stylish, patterned backside in case you display it somewhere you can actually see the back (like on an end table).
In my tests, I found the Nixplay frame easy to set up, thanks to simple onscreen instructions that eventually lead you to the Nixplay app. Unfortunately, the app takes some learning, as it's heavily playlist-oriented and not super-intuitive overall. Even so, I think if you're looking to outfit not only yourself but one or more family members with a smart photo frame, this is a top choice. The app lets you set up "family circle" playlists for easy sharing between frames, plus you can pull photos from social networks like Facebook, Instagram and Google Photos.
I also like the frame's variety of display modes, which include fit-to-screen, pan-and-zoom and snapshot (which digitally frames each photo like a Polaroid and lays them down in a virtual, ever-growing pile). Most of these modes include nearly a dozen nifty transition options (push, wipe, cross-fade, etc.), including one that'll randomly cycle through them all.
Your frame purchase includes unlimited cloud service for your photos, though that means you need an active internet connection to see your full slideshow. Without one, the frame displays only your most recent additions, which are stored in local memory.
I did encounter a few image quality issues, starting with Nixplay's SmartFace Framing feature: It promises to automatically put faces near the center of the screen, but with some of my photos, it cut them off instead. Another oddity: SmartFace Framing can be enabled only via the frame's settings menu; it's not accessible in the app, even though most other display settings are. Meanwhile, the prominently featured Gift Prints option, which lets you order prints, photo books and the like, doesn't actually integrate with the Nixplay app. Instead, it leads you to a mobile browser, where ordering is a confusing process.
Of course, no frame is perfect, and I believe Nixplay's model makes a great choice for far-away families that want to easily exchange photos.
- Stylish frame and choice of colors
- Easy setup
- Family-friendly photo playlists
- Unlimited cloud storage
- App doesn't remember which photos you've uploaded
- Steep app learning curve
- Internet connection required to see full photo library
Screen size: 32 inches and up | Resolution: 4K | Storage: 16GB | Touchscreen: No | Orientation options: Landscape only | Motion sensor: Yes | Dedicated email address: No
Samsung's super-popular the Frame TVs are designed to blend seamlessly with your decor, to mount on a wall much like a framed work of art. In fact, when they're not pulling television duty, they can display world-famous paintings, photography and even — you guessed it — photos of your kids or grandkids.
That makes these arguably the fanciest photo frames around. And because the screens are so large (the Frame ranges from 32 to 75 inches), you can show multiple pictures at once on a virtual matte background. The effect here is shockingly realistic and surprisingly cost-effective when you think about it: Instead of paying a framing store hundreds of dollars for a single framed matte-photo collage, here you can swap between dozens of them.
The current-generation models start at $600, but watch for seasonal sales; discounts can be significant. Just take note that the actual television is typically sold with a basic black bezel so if you want a different color or a larger, fancier wood frame that looks more like a piece of artwork it'll cost you extra.
When it comes to uploading photos to the Frame, it can be challenging to queue up the ones you want it to display, as well as add new ones. As for inviting others to contribute their own snapshots, that’s also a bit of a challenge, as the Frame doesn’t include a dedicated email addresses.
Thus, while I wouldn't buy this expressly for photo-frame duty, if you're in the market for a new TV anyway, this is like getting three products in one: TV, art frame and photo frame.
- Spectacular screen
- Also a 4K TV
- Nifty virtual matte background
- Expensive compared to other frames (and TVs)
Factors to consider when choosing a digital photo frame
With prices for digital picture frames ranging from as low as $50 and rocketing up to nearly $300, there’s a lot of choice. You can also get super-splurgy if you want something really big, like the Samsung Frame we mentioned above.
But with a price range so wide, what’s really important when considering which digital photo frame is the best one for you? Here are the key features to consider when choosing a frame:
Size: The average photo frame measures about 10 inches diagonally, roughly the same as an entry-level iPad. I'd consider that the minimum size; anything smaller will make it hard to view photos from a distance. In my experience, when it comes to photo frames, bigger is almost always better.
Resolution: Similarly, the higher the frame's resolution display, the sharper your pictures will look. Don't settle for anything lower than 1,280 x 800 pixels. If you have the budget, I recommend looking for 1,920 x 1,080 or higher for the best clarity.
Aspect ratio: Although most modern phones can snap 1:1 (square) or 16:9 (wide) photos, the default setting tends to be 4:3. Some frames, however, have 16:9 screens, meaning you'll end up with black bars or similar cropping on some pictures. If you want the best chance of filling the screen from edge to edge, look for a frame with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Wi-Fi: Sure, you can buy a frame for as little as $40, but it won't have Wi-Fi — meaning you'll have to manually add photos via your PC, a memory card or a USB stick. That's a huge hassle and, based on my testing, just not worth it. I definitely recommend choosing a frame that has Wi-Fi so you can easily add photos from your digital camera or phone (which is where most of them are kept anyway, right?).
Storage: Most frames come with at least 16GB of internal storage, which is enough to hold a couple thousand photos. If you think you'll need more space, look for one that's expandable (usually in the form of an SD card or microSD memory card) or offers cloud storage.
Dedicated email address: I'm a big fan of this option, which makes it easy for friends and loved ones to send their favorite photos to your frame remotely. Some models use an app for this instead, but then your peeps have to install that app, learn to use it, etc. I like the email option better for its ease of use. Many frames can also directly import pictures from social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Google Photos, so look for that option if you have albums parked there that you’d like to upload.
Smart features: The best frames have smart-home features and can be set to go on and off at certain times of day (no sense running them at night when you're sleeping), while others have sensors that detect motion: They'll switch into a low-power standby mode until there's movement nearby. I also recommend frames that will automatically detect if they're positioned vertically or horizontally and adjust the viewing angles accordingly.
Design: Nearly all these gadgets look like actual picture frames, which makes them a much nicer addition to your decor than, say, a tablet or smart display (see below). Thus you'll see color options like white, wood grain, stone and even metallic. If you're thinking of wall-mounting it, keep in mind the power cord that'll need to run down (or through) the wall.
Subscription: I strongly prefer frames that offer full functionality without any kind of subscription. Skylight, for example, makes a very popular model but limits various features unless you pay for Skylight Plus ($39 per year). Nixplay also has a subscription model, though it feels a lot more optional, adding nonessential perks like extra storage, product discounts and support for multiple frames connected to a single account.
How we tested
Most of these frames are pretty easy to use: Plug them in, install the companion app on your phone, get connected to Wi-Fi, start uploading photos. But clear, illustrated instructions are important, so that was the first thing I looked for in my testing.
From there I evaluated overall screen quality based on metrics like brightness, sharpness, viewing angle, etc., as well as the appearance of the frame itself. Did it seem modern or old-fashioned? Would it suit any decor? Does it look like something you’d actually want to display in your home?
I also paid special attention to each frame's app, because that's likely to be your primary tool for uploading photos. Some are easier to use than others; some are smart enough to flag photos you've already uploaded, the better to avoid duplicates. I'm not saying that feature is essential, but it certainly is useful.
I also considered factors like screen size, screen resolution and whether or not the frame came with a dedicated email address to more easily allow friends and family members to upload their own pictures.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a dedicated digital photo frame and a TV, tablet or smart screen?
Let's address the rectangular elephant in the room: the screen you already have. I get this question a lot: Can you use a tablet, smart screen or even the TV as a digital frame? The answer is yes, but you’ll want to be aware of some considerations and limitations.
As noted above, dedicated frames have the added perk of looking like real picture frames. A tablet looks like, well, a tablet, which isn’t as aesthetically pleasing to see sitting on a side table or a bookcase. A tablet is also going to have limited slideshow capabilities. There are apps that can help, so this could be worth trying out if you've got an old tablet lying around, but be prepared for some hoop-jumping.
As for smart screens like the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub, these products have photo-slideshow capabilities that you can set to be the fallback mode when the screen is idle. For me, the challenge lies in choosing what photos you actually want to display because the default is usually "everything" or "everything in a particular album,” and then figuring out how best to add new photos. Looping in friends and family for the latter can be a struggle.
It's a similar story with TVs. Models from Amazon, Hisense, Roku, Samsung and the like all have a photo-slideshow mode that can be used as a screensaver, effectively turning the big screen into a picture frame when you're not watching The Last of Us. But as with smart screens, it's challenging to queue up exactly the photos you want, add new ones and invite others to contribute new photos. Plus, big televisions consume considerably more electricity than digital frames, something to consider if you're leaving it on all day.
All that being said, there's no harm in experimenting with the screens and options you already have. After all, it’s more sustainable to use the gadget you have lying around the house than to buy a brand new one! I remain a fan of the dedicated photo frame, but in the end, the goal is to see your snapshots once in a while — and a tablet, TV or smart screen can definitely help you do that.
Do digital photo frames need Wi-Fi?
The quick answer here is not necessarily. And whether or not you need a frame with Wi-Fi depends on what kinds of features you want your digital picture frame to have.
Digital photo frames can function without Wi-Fi by storing images locally on the device itself or by using a USB connection to transfer images from a computer or other storage device. But for a lot of these kinds of frames, Wi-Fi connectivity can provide additional features, such as the ability to remotely update and change the photos displayed on the frame, syncing with online photo albums or social media accounts, and receiving software updates wirelessly.
Whether Wi-Fi is needed depends on the specific features and functionality you desire in a digital photo frame. Be sure to check the specs on the frame you’re buying if this is a concern.
How do I transfer photos from my phone to a digital picture frame?
Transferring photos from your phone to a digital picture frame can be done through various methods, depending on the capabilities of both your phone and the digital picture frame.
There are both manual and automatic ways to update photos. The manual methods include a USB connection or memory card. Another way is to send photos via email or text message to the frame itself. You can also upload photos to some frames via wireless transfer using your phone or computer’s Bluetooth. Some frames update automatically through cloud storage.
Check the user manual for both your phone and the digital photo frame for specific instructions on transferring photos, as features may vary between different models and brands.
