Digital picture frames are a great way to share photos with friends and family. The technology allows you to display your images in seconds, plus their apps and touch-screen displays allow you to interact with images. Let’s take a look at some of the best digital picture frames on offer, comparing display size, resolution, connectivity, storage, functionality, and other features. Here is a summary of the 5 choices for the best digital picture frame. Please scroll below for full reviews of each item.
Top 5 Best Digital Picture Frames
|
Name
|
Image
|
Resolution (px)
|
Dimensions (in)
|
Storage
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluratek 17.3-inch Wi-Fi |  |
1920 x 1080 | 17.3 x 9.7 x 0.8 | 16GB internal |
| Feelcare 15.6-inch 16GB Wi-Fi |  |
1920 x 1080 | 15.9 x 10 x 0.9 | 16GB internal |
| Nixplay Seed Ultra 2K High Definition Wi-Fi 10-Inch |  |
2048 x 1536 | 10.2 x 6.7 x 1 | 8GB internal, plus 10GB cloud storage |
| Pix-Star 15-Inch Wi-Fi Cloud FotoConnect XD |  |
1024 x 768 | 15 x 11 x 1.2 | 4GB internal, plus unlimited cloud storage |
| Skylight Frame 10-inch Wi-Fi |  |
1280 x 800 | 10.7 x 7.4 x 0.9 | 8GB internal |
1. Pix-Star 15-Inch Wi-Fi Cloud FotoConnect XD
A feature-packed, high-end frame that offers fantastic quality
Resolution: 1024 x 768 pixels | Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 1.2 inches | Touch-screen: No | Wi-Fi: Yes | Remote: Yes | Built-in storage: 4GB internal, plus unlimited cloud storage | Motion sensor: Yes | Video: Yes | USB/SD slots: Yes | Cloud services: Google+, Facebook, Dropbox, Smugmug, Shutterfly, Flickr, OneDrive, Photobucket and RSS Photo feeds
Image Quality of FotoConnect XD
The Pix-Star 15-Inch Wi-Fi Cloud FotoConnect XD the display offers the best balance of features and image quality to price. Larger displays can cut down on image quality, especially if the resolution is too low. But the 1024 x 768 HD resolution of this frame allows you to view images full-screen, and still retain sharpness and clarity. The Hue Correction feature brings color vibrancy to photos, and the 4:3 aspect ratio is preserved with the Smart Fill feature. This adjusts the image to fit the screen when the ratio is close to 4:3; thus avoiding image distortion. This high-end frame uses a motion detector to conserve power; so if there’s no one in the room, the device shuts off.
How to Add Photos to FotoConnect XD
You can upload images via USB, SD, or adapted Micro SD cards. Plus you can also share photos via a dedicated e-mail address or Wi-Fi connectivity, meaning you can add your photos without a computer or remotely. The frame also allows you to add images from websites such as Facebook, Smugmug, Flickr, and Google Photos.
Extra Features
In addition, the Pix-Star includes quite a few extra features:
- Games: Sliding Puzzles, 2048, Sudoku, Mine Sweeper, and several other classic games come pre-loaded;
- Weather: You can get 3-day weather forecasts for your chosen area;
- Music: You can access web radio broadcasts and stream music from hundreds of different stations. Plus, you can request a favorite station through your Pix-Star account, and connect to an external speaker via USB or 3.5mm jack.
What Buyers Say
“The ability to easily send photos via PC, smartphone or tablet to the Pix-Star digital frame is a wonderful feature. It was simple to register the frame, pick a unique email address for it, and begin sending photos that automatically showed up on the frame after it was connected to wireless internet. My sister and I now have a way to share photos of our kids with their grandmother almost instantaneously.” Andrea Polk, Amazon verified buyer.
If you’re looking for a high-resolution device with minimal setup, the Pix-Star 15-inch Wi-Fi cloud digital photo frame FotoConnect XD is a top choice.
2. Nixplay Seed Ultra 2K High Definition Wi-Fi 10-Inch
A super simple set-up makes this frame hard to beat
Resolution: 2048 x 1536 pixels | Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.7 x 1 inches | Touch-screen: No | Wi-Fi: Yes | Remote: Yes | Built-in storage: 8GB internal, plus 10GB cloud storage | Motion sensor: Yes | Video: Yes | USB/SD slots: No | Cloud services: Google Photos, Facebook, Instagram, Alexa, Flickr, and Dropbox
Image Quality of Nixplay Seed Ultra
The Nixplay Seed Ultra 2K High Definition Wi-Fi 10-inch digital picture frame boasts a high-resolution display With a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels (2K), your images will look sharp with great contrast, regardless of the viewing distance. This is the best display if you view your photos close-up, e.g. from a coffee table or bedside table.
Extra Features
The Nixplay Seed boasts several extra features:
- Software: Smart Fill Software ensures images with an aspect ratio other than the native 4:3, will display without distortion;
- Motion detector: It powers down if there is no one around;
- Amazon Alexa integration: Can be controlled via the Amazon Fire TV Cube or Stick; and
- Internal storage: It boasts 8GB of internal storage.
How to Add Photos to Nixplay Seed Ultra
The Nixplay Seed Ultra comes with an app that connects the frame to your smart device. You can upload photos from Google Photos, Dropbox, Facebook, and Instagram via the app. The trade-off, however, is that’s the only way to upload; there are no USB or SD card slots. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of features such as digital radio or weather forecasts. But in terms of image quality and simplicity, the Nixplay Seed is hard to beat.
What Buyers Say
” This is our second Nixplay Seed frame and we love them! The HD pics look beautiful and clear! Easy App on phone to add or remove pics, can have family and friends send frame pics directly to frame! You can play short videos, music, has a clock feature to see what time it is at a glance!” dbishopp, Amazon verified buyer.
If you’re looking to buy a high-quality digital frame that’s simple to set up, the Nixplay Seed Ultra digital picture frame is a safe bet.
3. Skylight Frame 10-inch Wi-Fi
A simple touch-screen control takes the fuss out of loading photos
Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels | Dimensions: 10.7 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches | Touch screen: Yes | Wi-Fi: Yes | Remote: No | Built-in storage: 8GB internal | Motion sensor: No | Video: No | USB/SD slots: Yes/No | Cloud Services: None
Image Quality of Skylight 10-inch
The Skylight Frame 10-inch Wi-Fi digital picture frame gets the job done with minimal fuss, at a fair price, and with good image quality. The resolution is a respectable 1280 x 800 pixels; not as sharp as the 2K Nixplay Seed at close distance, but plenty of resolution for distant viewing from a mantle or shelf.
Extra Features
The Skylight Frame has a couple of extra features worth noting:
- Simple controls: A pull-down menu allows you to delete images, find particular photos, and more.
- Display speed adjustment: You can adjust the speed of image display from 5 seconds down to 240 seconds per image.
How to Add Photos to Skylight 10-inch
The simplicity of the Skylight Frame makes it a great gift for less tech-savvy adults; simply turn it on, set up an e-mail account, connect to Wi-Fi, and you’re off! Once set up, the frame’s unique e-mail lets you send images from anywhere in the world. You can also send a ‘thank you’ message if someone sends you an image, by tapping the heart icon in the corner of the screen. There is no remote or SD slot, but the USB port will provide USB stick in the future.
What Buyers Say
“It was super easy to set up and send photos to. My mom placed it in her living room and I send her photos of the kids all the time!! The photos immediately pop up on her frame and she’s able to let me know that she likes the photos by tapping the heart. Thank you Skylight for allowing my mom to easily see photos of her grandkids!!” Tina M, Amazon verified buyer.
So if you’re looking for a frame with a simple set-up and great connectivity, the Skylight Frame may be the one for you.
4. Feelcare 15.6-inch 16GB Wi-Fi
Great quality frame boasts security and personalized upload capability
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Dimensions: 15.9 x 10 x 0.9 inches | Touch-screen: Yes | Wi-Fi: Yes | Remote: No | Built-in storage: 16GB internal | Motion sensor: No | Video: No | USB/SD slots: Yes | Cloud services: None
Image Quality of Feelcare 15.6-inch
The Feelcare 15.6-inch 16GB Wi-Fi digital picture frame offers great image quality, advanced sharing options, plus a personalized upload process. It boasts a respectable 1920 x 1080 pixels of image quality, ample for viewing from a distance, or much closer.
Extra Features
The Feelcare 15.6-inch also boasts a host of extra features:
- Sync with contacts: Up to 500 contacts can be synced and granted access to upload images;
- Personalize images: Each user can personalize images with captions or messages;
- Versatile display options: It has been designed to operate via the detachable stand or hung on a wall (mountable once you remove the stand).
- Multiple screen sizes available: If the display is too large, there are 10-inch and 7-inch versions available.
How to Add Photos to Feelcare 15.6-inch
You connect via the app and there’s no need to worry about security, thanks to the Secure Device Grid. This encrypts connections between the app and the frame; ensuring no one can gain access to sensitive information stored on smartphones. It also boasts an impressive 16GB of internal storage. But if that’s not enough, or you want to customize playback without the app, Micro SD and USB connections are supported too. The Feelcare 15.6-inch also uses a 5-point touchscreen that allows you to adjust image sizes to taste, rather than rely on Smart Fill technology.
What Buyers Say
“It is the easiest frame I ever had; simple to set up, transferring pictures from a mobile phone app is incredibly fast, the touch screen is convenient to navigate too. I really like that it can be personalized. I can manage pictures and settings easily. Pictures automatically display in a slideshow and I can also choose to fit the frame.” Simon, Amazon customer.
If you like flexible display options, increased security, and personalized photo capability, this could be the best digital picture frame for you.
5. Aluratek 17.3-inch Wi-Fi
Large frame boasts social media image download and a range of features
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Dimensions: 17.3 x 9.7 x 0.8 inches | Touch-screen: Yes | Wi-Fi: Yes | Remote: No | Built-in storage: 16GB internal | Motion sensor: No | Video: Yes | USB/SD slots: Yes | Cloud services: Facebook and Twitter
Image Quality of Aluratek 17.3-inch
The Aluratek 17.3-inch Wi-Fi is a great choice if you like to display large images. Despite the large screen, you won’t lose out on resolution, thanks to the 1920 x 1080 pixel density and 16:9 aspect ratio.
Extra Features
This picture frame boasts a great collection of integrated functions including:
- Weather apps: Find out the forecast for your region;
- Clock: Keep track of time;
- Calendar: Stay on top of all your appointments;
- Music: Background music can be set to play during image transition if the music files already exist on the storage drives;
- Alarm: Set alarms or reminders; and
- Business usage: You can display business hours, menus, special sales, and more on its large, bright display.
How to Add Photos to Aluratek 17.3-inch
The large internal storage of 16GB means you have room for tens of thousands of images. And if you need more flexibility, there is an SD card slot that supports up to a 32GB card or the USB port. This frame stands out thanks to its social media connection; not only can you upload to Facebook or Twitter, but you can download from them straight to your frame. Simply build a Frame (custom folder), from which you can send images placed on the device. However, there’s no connectivity to Google Photos, Flickr or Instagram.
What Buyers Say
“The frame displays every photo correctly, automatically arranging it so it fits the screen. The quality of the display is beautiful. I run the slideshow, and the frame has several effects when changing pictures; such as zoom out the previous picture, zoom in new, or fade-out of the previous picture. The day, date, and current time show nicely on the top of the frame, and the frame can turn off and on at a designated time.” Joon Hyun Hwang, Amazon verified customer
Despite its limited cloud functionality, the Aluratek 17.3-inch Wi-Fi boasts enough extra features to make it a top choice.
How to Choose Your Digital Picture Frame
There are many great digital picture frames available. It’s best to focus on 3 main points during your search:
- Storage space and port availability;
- Display resolution; and
- Display dimensions.
How Much Storage Space Do You Need?
The more internal storage space provided, the higher the number of photos your digital picture frame will hold. You’ll need extra space if you want to add music or videos, as these files are significantly larger than photos. External storage such as USB drives, micro SD, or SD cards adds space if internal storage is limited. Some of the picture frames even support displaying photos directly from online photo storage services.
Picture Frame Resolution
The display resolution of a frame affects the clarity of your images. Higher resolutions give better clarity. If you’re viewing from a distance, anything HD and above (1280 x 720 pixels) will look great. However, if you have a large screen, or you view it up close, the resolution should be Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) and above. This ensures no loss of clarity or color fidelity.
Display Size
Display size and resolution go hand in hand. A large 15-inch (or larger) frame should never be less than Full HD resolution (1920 × 1080 pixels). A smaller 7-inch display will look fine at HD (1280 x 720 pixels) resolution.
Enjoy Sharing
Digital picture frames are some of the best ways to share images with family and friends. We hope you found a frame that works for you. Don’t worry, all the frames we recommended are easy to navigate, even for the least tech-savvy family members.