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Give the gift of precious memories 13.3 Inch Desktop Touch Screen
Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE.com with 2 years’ experience in journalism and digital media. She regularly tests the best and buzziest products in the beauty and lifestyle spaces and has researched and written about moisturizers, blow dryers, clothing, and luggage, among many other popular products.
The fastest way to make your house feel like home is by decorating your space with meaningful photographs. And, if you have a camera roll full of cherished snaps that you haven’t displayed, the easiest way to enjoy your memories is with a digital picture frame.
Digital picture frames look like standard picture frames but offer so much more. The best digital frames present your memories on a loop, cycling through photos that you and your loved ones send to the frame. Some digital frames offer extra features, like smart home connectivity or daily reminders, while others simply shuffle through your favorite pictures. With so many frame options to choose from, we’ve created a comprehensive list of the very best digital picture frames to make your shopping experience easier.
Our top pick, the Aeezo 10.1-Inch Digital Photo Frame, makes it easy to upload photos no matter how far away you are — and makes a sweet gift for Father's Day.
We tested the most popular digital frames on the market, analyzing every detail, from how easy the photo uploading process was to the picture quality on the screen. Discover which of the best digital picture frames will make the perfect present for you or a loved one as a holiday or even a wedding gift.
Super simple to set up — took us less than 10 minutes
Connected app is easy to use
Automatically adjusts photos to portrait or landscape mode when the frame is flipped
Video playback sound is a little quiet
It’s never been easier to share and display photos, thanks to the straightforward Aeezo digital picture frame. From setup to display, it took us less than 10 minutes to have the frame up and running. We sent the frame link to an older, less tech-savvy parent, and they were able to easily enter the individualized code into the app and start sharing photos from their camera roll onto our frame. That feels like solid evidence of just how easy the Aeezo frame is to use.
The frame has a simple and elegant design that, at first glance, looks just like a standard non-digital picture frame. We love that we can display the frame horizontally or vertically, and it automatically rotates photos to display correctly, no matter how you set it up. We found it easy to adjust the brightness and the length of each photo displayed with the touchscreen.
Our photos looked crisp and clear on the display screen, with only slightly less resolution than the original images that appeared on our phone screen. The Aeezo frame can also show videos with or without sound, but we found the video audio to be too quiet, and we couldn’t figure out how to adjust the volume.
We tested every frame without knowing how much it cost (to judge the value of each one fairly), so we were completely shocked at how affordable this frame was compared to the others we tried. It has all the features of a much more expensive model but for less than $100. So, if you’re looking for a digital frame to give to a loved one (it would make a great sister-in-law gift!) or to keep for yourself, we couldn’t recommend the Aeezo frame more.
Size: 8 x 10 inches | Resolution: 1200 x 800 | Memory Capacity: 8 GB | Wi-Fi Enabled: Yes | Extra Features: Automatic rotation, weather display, sleep mode
One of the best values compared to others we've tested
You can watch a security camera feed, play music, watch videos, and more
Photo uploading process was a bit difficult
The Echo Show 8 is one of the least expensive digital frames that we encountered, but you wouldn’t know it from the quality. Not only does it present our photos in crystal-clear quality, but the Echo also allows you to watch a security camera feed, play music, or watch videos, all with the convenience of voice control.
Setting up the Echo Show 8 took us about 10 minutes in our testing labs and an extra five after that to download the app that connects with the frame. If you don’t already use Amazon Photos, then you’ll also need to download it to sync the photos from your phone to the frame. From there, you’ll select which photos to add to the frame and send the link to loved ones so they can upload their own snaps. The whole process was a little more complicated than with some of the other frames we tried, but once we downloaded the necessary apps and got the hang of it, it wasn’t all too difficult.
For those who are decent with technology or already use Amazon photos, the Echo Show 8 is a spectacular deal, but even for those who aren’t as familiar with the apps, it’s still a great value for the price.
Size: 5.5 x 8 inches | Resolution: 1280 x 800 | Memory Capacity: Unlimited | Wi-Fi Enabled: Yes | Extra Features: Alexa compatible, stereo speakers, video calling, movie and music streaming
Unlimited storage over Wi-Fi means you can upload all of the photos and videos that you want
Connected app is intuitive and easy to use
Exterior looks sleek and elegant
Priced a little higher than some of the other digital frames on our list
Aura stands out from its competitors in the digital frame space and is more well-known than a lot of the other digital frame makers in our test, so we already had some expectations for the Aura Carver going into our testing. The results are in: the Aura frame is just as amazing as we hoped it would be.
The Aura Carver frame displays pictures and videos in beautiful HD quality. The colors look bright and vibrant on the screen, and the outer frame looks high-quality and stylish. It took us about 20 minutes to set it up initially, and the process was pretty simple. The companion app is easy to use and send to family and friends so they can upload photos to your frame no matter how far away they are. The frame has unlimited storage space and works over Wi-Fi, so you can upload as many photos as you want. And, if you’re gifting the frame to someone, you can pre-load photos onto it through the companion app for an extra personal touch.
Compared to other frames we tested, this one felt sleek, easy to use, and higher quality than many of the others. The app is easy to use and share with loved ones, and the exterior is simple and elegant. Though it costs a little more than some of the other frames we tried, we think this one is still worth its price, and we’ll definitely be gifting it this holiday season.
Size: 7 x 10 inches | Resolution: 1280 x 800 | Memory Capacity: Unlimited | Wi-Fi Enabled: Yes | Extra Features: Automatic rotation, automatic brightness adjusting, automatic crop-to-fit, nighttime shut-off
High-quality photo resolution is one of the best we’ve seen
Easy to upload and share photos through the intuitive app
For crisp, clear images, the Aura Mason frame is the best we’ve tried, with a 1600 x 1200 display that’s higher resolution than most digital frames on the market. The frame has a super easy-to-follow instruction booklet, so we had the frame up and running within 10 minutes. Just like we’d expect from an Aura frame, it was easy to share the link to our frame with loved ones, who would then be prompted to download an app that allows them to upload their photos to our frame directly, wherever they are.
This frame is more expensive than the other Aura frame that we tested, but overall the only big difference we can find between the two frames is that the Aura Mason has better resolution than the Aura Carver. This was most evident in the quality of the photos that were auto-cropped to fit the frames, which can result in some loss of quality on the Carver frame but still looks bright and clear on the Mason frame. So, if photo quality is important to you, then the extra cost may be worth it to you.
Size: 7 x 10 inches | Resolution: 1600 x 1200 | Memory Capacity: Unlimited | Wi-Fi Enabled: Yes | Extra Features: Automatic rotation, automatic brightness adjusting, automatic crop-to-fit, nighttime shut-off
Moderately priced compared to most other frames we’ve tried
Can play YouTube videos, search online, and connect to your home lighting
Looks more techy compared to the others we tried
You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get a great digital picture frame, and the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen proves it. It has a minimalist design that looks sleek sitting out on the counter, with a customizable display that allows you to see the time and date on top of your photos. It has a slightly techier look than the Aura frames, but that’s because it is techier than almost any other frame we tested: you can also use it to watch YouTube videos, search online, and connect to music and lighting in your home.
This is one of the least expensive digital frames that we’ve come across, and though it performs well in display and function, there are a few aspects of the frame that were not as high-quality as the more expensive frames. For one, the Nest Hub 2nd Gen can only be used landscape-style, not portrait. The display is not as high-quality as some of the other frames we’ve tested, but it does also have a lot of extra features that make the price feel like a great value. It’s easy to set up (even easier if you already use Google Photos), and the Wi-Fi-connected frame allows you to connect to the app to upload photos from anywhere.
Size: 7 x 10 inches | Resolution: 1600 x 1200 | Memory Capacity: Unlimited | Wi-Fi Enabled: Yes | Extra Features: Automatic rotation, automatic brightness adjusting, automatic crop-to-fit, nighttime shut-off
Allows you to upload entire albums of photos through Facebook and Google Drive
Includes a reminder feature, pre-loaded games, and the ability to plug in external speakers and play music
Priced higher compared to other frames on our list
We wish that we could use it in both landscape and portrait mode
The Pix-Star digital frame makes it easy to upload your memories onto the display with either the app or a dedicated email address so you and your family can easily send photos directly to the frame. You can also import entire albums from Facebook, Google Drive, and more. The Pix-Star’s photo quality is crisp and clear, as is its video playback quality.
One of the more unique features of the Pix-Star frame is the reminder function, which allows you to set up alerts for important events. The frame also offers the ability to play games, listen to music, and plug in external speakers. We also love the Pix-Star’s motion-detecting feature, which puts the frame into sleep mode when no movement occurs near the frame.
The Pix-Star is controlled via remote or app, but it doesn’t have a touchscreen like many of the other frames in the same price range. It also only works landscape-style, not portrait. But, if you don’t care about touchscreen capabilities, then this is a solid frame with multiple functions that make it well worth its cost.
Size: 7.3 x 9 inches | Resolution: 1024 x 768 | Memory Capacity: 8 GB | Wi-Fi Enabled: Yes | Extra Features: Radio connectivity, pre-loaded games, weather forecasting, social media photo syncing
The first thing to consider when choosing a digital frame is the overall look of the frame and how it will fit into your space. The frames on our list come in a variety of sizes, so think about what surface you’re planning on placing the frame on You’ll also want to make sure you’re picking a spot near an outlet since all of these frames need to be plugged in.
There are lots of options when it comes to the finish of the outer frame, including brushed metal, wood, or a sleek black or white border. If you have any standard photo frames in your home, think about which kind of digital frame will best fit in with the rest of your decor.
While all of the frames on our list display photos beautifully, there is some variation in the display quality. Frames that have higher resolution, like the Aura Mason, will present photos in a crisper, clearer quality than those with a lower resolution. Generally, the frames that have a higher resolution will also be more expensive, so think about whether the increase in photo quality is worth the extra cost to you.
In order to display your memories, you’ll have to upload your photos to the digital picture frame you choose. That process is easier on some frames than others. Some of the frames on our list, like the Echo Show 8, can feel more complicated to use because they offer many extra functions that shouldn’t feel overwhelming to anyone tech-savvy. But, if you or the person you’re gifting the frame to feels less comfortable with technology, then it might be smart to go with one of the simpler frames that gives you a dedicated email address to send photos to, like the Pix-Star Digital Picture Frame.
To figure out which digital picture frame was truly the best, we started by researching the top digital frames on the market and selecting 12 of them to try for ourselves. In order to judge which frames stood out from the rest of the pack, we ranked them for the following attributes:
At the end of our three-week testing period, we ranked each frame on a scale of 1-5 for ease of setup, design, display, features, and value. Using these results, we compiled this list of the very best digital picture frames.
Out of all of the digital frames we tested, the Polaroid 10" Wi-Fi Digital Photo Frame was the easiest for us to set up and send photos to, so it makes a great gift for anyone on your list, including grandparents. It’s also easy to download the app onto loved one’s phones, so anyone can send precious memories to the frame in a second.
With the amount of photos that are likely sitting in your camera roll, it can be tricky to discern which photos you’ll want displayed on your digital picture frame. Of course, adding cherished photos of family and friends is a great place to start. Professional photographer Lexie Schmelzer tells PEOPLE that when choosing what to hang in her home, she opts for nostalgic snaps. “I’m from the mountains in Colorado, so it really scratches the homesickness itch if I have photos of the mountains or cowboys or anything like that surrounding me,” she says.
“I feel like taking good iPhone photos is all about the camera settings,” Schmelzer says. “I always touch the screen and turn down the exposure — something about it just makes every photo more focused and more polished without having to go in and do any editing.”
Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE and often writes about beauty, health, lifestyle, and the best gifts for everyone. For this story, Cai consulted real-life testing results from the PEOPLE Tested labs, which analyzed the best-selling digital picture frames on the market for ease of use, display quality, and overall value. To inform this story, Cai also spoke with professional photographer Lexie Schmelzer on how to take better photos and choose which ones to display in your home.
Lexie Schmelzer is a professional photographer based in New York City and Sydney, Australia.
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