The best digital photo frames of 2024 (If your grandkids live far away, you need one)
Bulky photo albums are a thing of the past. They take up space, they’re often covered in dust and sitting down to flip through them is a pastime reserved for special occasions. But the fact remains that we’re taking more photos than ever these days, and unless you’re taking time to print those images, chances are you don’t usually look through them. That’s where a digital picture frame comes in. Not only are these space-saving devices a fun and easy way to share your photos on a rotating basis, they’re also one of the best ways to keep in touch with family and grandkids near and far.
The best digital picture frames aren't just for your snapshots, either; friends and family can send them as well, usually just with a few taps of an app (and your permission, of course). Part of the fun is spying new pics — or even videos — of the kids, grandkids, special events and so on that magically appear and play back over time.
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There are plenty of digital picture frames on the market, so which one should you put on your wish list? Consider one that's easy to "gift," meaning a friend or family member can preload it with photos — and maybe even preconfigure it for your home Wi-Fi network. That way, all you have to do is unpack it, plug it in and enjoy the (slide)show.
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. This is a product category I'm especially passionate about; for me, it's right up there with TV soundbars.
Below, you'll find my picks for the best digital picture frames to buy for yourself or put on your wish list.
The best digital picture frames of 2024
Factors to consider when choosing a digital photo frame
There are lots of choices, with prices starting as low as $50 and rocketing to nearly $300. So what's important? 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. Indeed, 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; do look for 1,920 x 1,080 or higher if it fits your budget.
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 just not worth it; definitely choose 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. 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.
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 view 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 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 I 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.
From there, I evaluated overall screen quality (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?
I also paid special attention to each frame's app because that's likely to be your primary tool — and the tool for friends and family — 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.
FAQs
Why buy a digital picture frame instead of using a TV, tablet or smart screen?
Let's also address the rectangular elephant in the room: the screen you already have. Yep, I get this question a lot. Why not just use a tablet as a digital frame? Or a smart screen? Heck, what about the TV? You absolutely can, though be aware of some considerations and limitations.
As noted above, dedicated frames look like real picture frames. A tablet looks like, well, a tablet — not something I'd enjoy seeing propped up on an end table — and it's going to have limited slideshow capabilities. There are apps that can help, so this is worth a try if you've got an old tablet lying around, but be prepared for some hoop-jumping. Speaking of tablets, here’s a list of the best tablets on the market for seniors.
As for smart screens, all Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub products have photo-slideshow capabilities, and in fact you can set that to be the fallback mode when the screen is idle. For me, the challenge lies in choosing what photos you actually want to display (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. Plus, big televisions consume considerably more electricity than digital frames, something to consider if you're leaving it on all day. (Looking for a way to upgrade your TV? Try these smart speakers for seniors.)
All that being said, there's no harm in experimenting with the screen you already have. 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 you need internet for a digital picture frame?
Yes, all modern frames require an internet connection (by way of your home Wi-Fi network), because that's how they're able to receive new photos and software updates. Granted, some models also have a USB port and/or SD card slot, which would allow you to view photos stored on a flash drive or memory card. Others (notably those from Aura) store the bulk of your library in the cloud, meaning internet is essential.
How many pictures does a digital picture frame hold?
This varies from one frame to another and typically depends on how much local storage is available — typically anywhere from 8GB to 32GB. Even with just 8GB, a frame could likely hold a couple thousand pictures.
As noted above, some frames rely in part (or in whole) on cloud storage, effectively allowing an unlimited number of pictures.