In this day and age where almost everyone owns a digital camera, printed photos have become a rarity. Instead of keeping them in an album like the good old days, people now prefer to show their pictures off on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms. Going to a print shop to have the photos framed is no longer the norm.

But you should know that your social media accounts are at risk of hacking and if you’re not lucky, you could end up losing all the pictures that you have saved there! Even if you keep them in your SD card or your computer and mobile phone’s storage, there’s still a risk of these devices getting damaged sooner or later.

In this case, you should consider investing in the best digital picture frame. This device works just like a typical picture but the only difference is that you no longer have to go through the hassles of having your photos printed! What’s more, it’s capable of displaying not only your photos but also the videos you have taken. The digital picture frame allows you to treasure and shows off several of your favorite pictures at the same time!

Digital Picture Frames vs. Tablets

Digital frames have similar size and shape with tablets. Yet, they differ in purpose and come with different price tags as well. Sure, tablets have more functionality and allow you to check your email, play games, watch videos, and more.

But the best digital photo frame is ideal for “old school” users who simply want to watch photos or videos and not do anything else! In fact, this device is a great gift for your grandparents who may not find it comfortable to use a tablet or smartphone. It’s perfect for anyone who is not tech savvy and those who find it a challenge to learn how to use a tablet.

The overall functionality of the digital photo frame is more straightforward. It doesn’t come with any complicated and confusing features. Furthermore, the device usually comes with a remote, which makes it easier to control without the need to go near the frame and touch the screen. When you need to change the images on the frame, simply plug a new SD card or USB and the images will be updated.

Features to Look for in the Best Digital Picture Frame

When looking for the best electronic picture frame, there are certain features that you must take into consideration.

Resolution

Although the resolution is not really that big of a deal, this feature is not something that you should ignore. When it comes to this feature, the lowest resolution that you should consider is at 640 x 480 pixels.

Anything that’s less than that will make your photos look grainy and pixelated. So before you make a purchase, carefully check the resolution. Even with similar frame models, the frame’s resolution could change the overall size of the frame.

Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio is also an important factor to consider, which would vary from 4:3 to 16:9. 4:3 is the ratio that’s ideal for photos taken by point and shoot cameras, while the 16:9 ratio gives the frame a widescreen look although some parts might actually be cut off the shot just so the photo can fit the screen.

Consider the look that you want to achieve when it comes to figuring out the most suitable aspect ratio for your digital picture frame.

Storage Capacity

The best electronic photo frame comes with three basic memory options; memory cards, internal memory, and cloud storage. Internal memory makes it possible for you to store photos into the frame itself so there’s no longer a need to stick a memory card into the frame.

Due to the limited size of the digital photo frame, most of the frames don’t have enough internal memory and some don’t have anything at all. Most of the digital frames have card slots for SD/SDHC as well as USB ports that will allow you to view photos using external storage.

With this method, there will be a cord or card sticking out or connecting the frame to a computer. Some of the photo frames provide a free email address and offer online or cloud storage options either through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

All you need to do is email the photos to the email address and these pictures will automatically be displayed on the digital photo frame. As for the cloud storage, it gives you the option to organize the pictures into playlists, add music, or even upload videos into your frame.

Connectivity

Some of the most basic connectivity options include Bluetooth, USB, and Wi-Fi. The best WiFi digital photo frame allows you to download photos from your computer or online storage site into the frame. Using a suitable camera or smartphone, the Bluetooth will be able to wirelessly download the photos from your camera or phone and into the frame.

When deciding on the most ideal connectivity option for your digital photo frame, consider your own personal preferences. Of course, you need to also take into consideration the devices that you use to take the photos. You will also find frames that have both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. These frames allow you to load photos from anywhere you are through Wi-Fi.

Extra Features

The best digital picture frame also comes with extra features that can certainly make a huge difference in the overall user experience. Some of these features include the automatic adjustment of the photo orientation, which helps to ensure that your photos are displayed either in portrait or landscape.

There are also digital frames that allow you to browse the Internet, display news feed, and stream radio stations. But it should be noted that the more features you get, the more complicated the setup could turn out.

How Much Do Digital Picture Frames Usually Cost?

The cost of digital picture frames varies a lot. For $40, you can have a basic digital frame that’s around 7-8 inches. This frame already comes with a USB port and a card slot for SD/SDHC. However, you cannot expect excellent functionality and quality at this price range. But there are some models of digital frames that may work well even if they are cheap.

If you go for the price range of $50 to $100, you can already find digital frames that have resolutions of 1024×768 pixels. At this price range, some of the digital frames may also include features like stereo speakers, calendar, clock, and remote controls. The smaller frames in this range of price offer a good balance between quality and extra features.

If you go for those models that cost around $100 to $150, you’ll find screens that are 10 to 15 inches. Most of the frames that are in this price range are already equipped with internal storage and ports for external photo storage.

Others may also come with multimedia photo frames that have cloud storage options. If you go higher than $150, you’ll find digital picture frames that have screens up to 21.5 inches and have a truly impressive resolution. At this range, the frames also come with features like cloud storage, Wi-Fi connectivity, and internal storage.

Smart Displays

The Smart Display is a new product category launched during Amazon’s Echo Show. This device features stationary displays that come with a virtual assistant. It incorporates Alexa, Amazon’s assistant. You can also opt for Smart Displays that are powered by Google Assistant.

The Echo Show works just like a digital picture frame and comes with high-tech features, such as the ability to showcase photographs through a slideshow along with a wide range of functionalities such as watching videos on YouTube, listening to music, and more! Of course, you can also use the device to ask for assistance from Alexa or Google Assistant.

The Smart Displays have almost the same price as some of the best WiFi photo frames in the market. However, there are certain disadvantages to consider. First of all, the high-tech functionality might be a bit more difficult to navigate, especially for non-techie individuals.

Another downside is that they are usually connected to specific digital photo services. For instance, Google Photos is linked with Google Assistant displays while the Prime Photos is linked with the Echo Displays.

If you are already using these services or you wouldn’t mind giving them a try, then these devices are great. However, if you prefer to display photos coming from a USB stick or display images from other photo sharing services like Instagram and Flickr, then you should opt for the other models.

Activity Sensors

The best digital picture frame is one that comes equipped with an activity sensor, capable of detecting any activity in the room. It will only activate once it detects that somebody is around. This feature is a great way to save energy. Just remember that if you’ve got pets roaming around the house, this could trigger the sensor and will unnecessarily activate the digital frame.

Another option would be to set a sleep timer, which will automatically turn on or off the frame at a particular time of the day. Some of the best frames in the market have both options, which is a great way to ensure that the frame will only be turned on whenever you want it to.

FAQs about Digital Picture Frames

How many digital photos can the frame hold?

This will depend on how much your internal storage is capable of holding and the amount of the extra storage that you’ll buy, which comes in the form of SD cards. Of course, this will also depend on the size of the photos that you’re going to upload on the digital frame.

For your reference, a memory of 1GB is capable of holding up to 450 of 6 megapixel JPEG photos. From here, you can calculate the approximate amount of storage space that your digital frame should have. Remember that if the photos have higher resolutions, the 1 GB storage will hold fewer photos.

Do the frames need to be plugged into a power outlet?

Most of the digital photo frames have to be plugged into a socket for them to work although there are also a few models that are powered by rechargeable batteries, such as the Kodak EasyShare. However, the batteries will only last a few hours at a time so you cannot just simply rely on the battery alone.

Can the digital frames be mounted into the wall?

There are some models that come with the kit that allows you to easily mount them into the wall. However, some of the digital frames need to be plugged into an outlet so this must be taken into consideration when mounting the frame. If you want to mount the frame, you’ll have to take into consideration the power cord, which might appear unsightly on your wall.

What is the best place to put your digital photo frame?

The LCD screens of the digital photo frame may not be able to work well if displayed under sunlight since the glare will make it difficult to view the pictures. Thus, it’s highly recommended that you display the frame in an area of your house that’s relatively shady and is far from direct sunlight.

Best Digital Picture Frames in 2019

You’ll find several different models of digital picture frames in the market today and it can be hard to decide which of them you should buy. This is why it’s important that you take time to do your research. Reading electronic picture frame reviews is also highly recommended. To help you with this process, we have prepared a top 10 list of some of the best digital picture frames in 2019.

1 – Aluratek ADMPF310F 10″ Digital Photo Frame Review

The Aluratek ADMPF310F has limited video file compatibility. However, it has an excellent ability to play good music and display slideshows. It’s also among the cheapest digital picture frames in the market today. This device is recommended if you don’t mind uploading music and images into it. But if you want to play those photos and videos taken using your phone, you might as well choose something else.

This digital frame features a 10-inch LCD screen, which is a decent size compared to other models. It comes with up to 4 GB of internal storage plus an SD card and USB card slot, giving you plenty of options to upload photos. You can view the images on the screen in either portrait or landscape, but the frame itself can be positioned in a landscape way.

One of the issues that you’ll encounter when installing this device is that the cord is a bit difficult to conceal. It also has a limited length so you’ll be limited with the place to mount the device. Furthermore, the digital frame doesn’t come equipped with a remote control so you won’t be able to control the device without having to go near it.

Pros

Easy installation and setup
It’s possible to use a camera card or thumb drive
Audio and video capability

Cons

The colors may appear a bit faded
Loading photos into the internal storage requires a lot of effort
The internal storage capacity is only limited to 512MB

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2 – Pix-Star 10.4 Inch Wi-Fi Cloud Digital Photo Frame Review

This digital picture frame from Pix-Star offers impressive versatility allowing you to organize your photos in your own way wherever you may be in the world. It allows you to control several aspects such as how long each photo will be displayed and how the frame will transition in between photos.

Of all the digital photo frames in this list, the Pix-Star FotoConnect is the second most expensive. What’s more, it’s the only manufacturer that stands by its product by offering a two-year warranty. This long warranty coverage gives customers the confidence that the frame will last for a long time, making it a great purchase.

With this digital picture frame, you’ll be able to display an extensive collection of photos coming from Instagram, Facebook, Flickr, and Dropbox. It’s also possible to use an app from Android or Apple devices to send photos directly to the frame.

Pros

Equipped with high-tech image sharing features
LED backlight
Capable of displaying up to 25 frames coming from only one web account
Best Wi-Fi picture frame

Cons

It’s more expensive than other models with similar features

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3 – NIX Advance Digital Photo Frame Review

When looking for the best digital picture frame online, the NIX Advance X08E will surely come up on the list. This frame displays photos with excellent image quality without going beyond your budget. Featuring a sleek and slim design, which gives off a truly attractive finish, this digital frame is, without a doubt, one of the best digital frames in the market.

But for those who are looking for the best digital picture frame with WiFi, this frame may not be what you need because it doesn’t come with any Wi-Fi connectivity. However, it does come with a slot for USB and SD card so you can use as much memory as you need to. This digital frame is ideal for those who are not too savvy with technology.

For instance, if you’re going to give this digital picture frame to your grandparents as a gift, you can simply send them the SD card or USB with the photos. They simply have to insert it into the frame instead of having to plug it to a computer.

The display is not touchscreen. However, this device comes with a remote control that you can use to operate the frame from a distance. The square remote has a simple design. It’s not like other remote controls that are filled with unnecessary buttons crammed into a tiny space.

The display interval of the frame can also be set for up to 24 hours per image, which is a great feature if you’re going to use it for a wedding or other events where you need to play a slide show of photos during a presentation. As for the installation, this digital frame can’t be easily mounted since there’s no nail indent.

Pros

Great image quality
Easy to use even for those who are not digital savvy
It can easily play videos and music

Cons

Doesn’t come with internal memory
It cannot connect to Wi-Fi

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4 – Nixplay W08E- Silver Iris 8″ Wi-Fi Cloud Digital Photo Frame Review

You will appreciate Nixplay’s Iris both inside out. Featuring a sleek finish and a high-quality screen, this digital frame is truly smart. It has the ability to dim or brighten the screen, depending on the level of brightness that you want to view the photos. This frame is also capable of sensing sounds, so it will start displaying the most recent photo when it detects motion in the room.

Of all the digital frames in this list, this is one of the easiest to use because it doesn’t rely on SD cards or thumb drives to upload photos on the device. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t come with any slots for any storage device. This digital frame is Wi-Fi enabled. Therefore, you can easily add images to it using an app on your phone.

You just need to download the app on your mobile phone and you’ll be able to connect to as many as five frames! This will also come with a cloud account that will give you up to 10 GB of free storage. Therefore, you’ll not have to worry about running out of space when using this digital frame. With this device, you’ll be able to take new pictures for display, search for old photos from your phone and send them to the frame.

Pros

Provides incredible image quality
Can be integrated with Alexa
Offers free storage of up to 10 GB

Cons

One of the most expensive digital frames in the market

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5 – Andoer 15 inch Digital Picture Frame Review

This digital frame is different from the other frames on this list because of its white color. Also, the frame of this device is pretty big, measuring at 15 inches, which is almost as big as a laptop. For those who are looking for the best large digital photo frame, this device may be just what you need.

The screen doesn’t have the same quality as the more expensive models and although the remote control looks pretty cheap, it has excellent functionality. It allows you to easily display videos or photos even from afar and you can even use it to play music. With its features and capabilities, this device works just like a mounted tablet. In fact, it also lets you read e-books and view the calendar.

When you browse through the digital picture frame reviews online, you’ll know that most customers are buying this digital photo frame because of its qualities. It may not come with an onboard media, however, it can support any type of physical storage media and it’s extremely easy to set up.

Pros

Displays great picture quality
Easy to set up
Sleek and gorgeous design

Cons

You could encounter issues when viewing the pictures from the side

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6 – Nixplay Seed 10 Inch WiFi Cloud Digital Photo Frame Review

The Nixplay Seed digital photo frame features a display resolution of 1024×768 with a screen size of 9.7 inches. It comes equipped with a dedicated motion sensor so there’s no longer a need to turn the device on and off.

Furthermore, the frame has an internal memory of 8 GB, which means that there’s more than enough space to store hundreds of images, including those coming from your social media accounts. In fact, this digital frame allows you to come up with a playlist from your favorite images and choose a combination of images to appear on the display.

Unfortunately, this digital frame may not be suitable for those who are fond of YouTube since it doesn’t have video or audio capability. Furthermore, Nixplay provides free cloud storage of up to 10 GB of space that you can separately connect to up to five different frames. This digital frame comes with an internal gyroscope so you can either rest it horizontally or vertically and the images will adjust on their own.

Pros

Comes with 8 GB internal memory
High resolution
Highly stylish design
Hi-motion sensor

Cons

A bit complicated to use

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7 – Micca 7-Inch Digital Photo Frame Review

This is among the cheapest digital frames in this list, and given its very cheap price, you cannot expect too much from it. For one, it doesn’t have Wi-Fi and the screen is not IPS. Thus, you won’t be able to view the photos from different angles, unlike with the other digital frames.

This device can store images from flash drives and SD cards up to 32 GB, which is definitely more than what you will need. Furthermore, it can play home videos and comes with a built-in speaker plus a jack for headphones.

Since it doesn’t rely on cloud storage and cannot be connected to your social media accounts, this is the most suitable device for those who are not too savvy with technology.

Also, you have the option to get a remote control with this frame if you don’t want to go through the hassle of having to flip it each time you need to change the settings. If you are in need of an affordable digital picture frame, this device is worth considering.

Pros

Offers incredible picture clarity
Enjoy viewing images with rich and vibrant colors
Features a stylish and sleek design

Cons

Photos have to be resized to fit well

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8 – TENKER PF0070 HD Digital Photo Frame Review

Another great choice for those who are in need of an affordable digital photo frame is the TENKER 7-inch HD photo frame. While it may not have all the great features that other models have, this device is a great start.

This digital photo frame supports a 1024×600 screen and partial 1080p HD video playback. And although the screen quality is not really perfect, it’s pretty decent.

Furthermore, this device doesn’t come with a slideshow feature, which is somewhat unusual. However, the auto-rotate feature makes it a practical choice for those who want to frequently change the orientation when viewing photos from the frame.

The TENKER’s real strength lies in its ease of functionality and use. Simply plug in an SD card or USB drive on the device and it will immediately start displaying videos and photos. However, you cannot expect onboard storage from this device or Wi-Fi connectivity. The frame is pretty basic.

Pros

Auto-rotate functionality
HD resolution
Plug and play feature

Cons

There are complaints that the frame has the tendency to freeze

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9 – PhotoSpring 10-Inch Digital Frame Review

This digital photo frame gives you the option to download photos automatically from your mobile phone through the PhotoSpring app. The frame has a storage capacity of 16 GB and comes with the option to share your photos with other PhotoSpring frames.

This device has a good list of features, which include the ability to automatically adjust photos so they will fit into the frame and auto share photos coming from your mobile phone. Its touchscreen display makes setting up this device so much easier. By merely touching the screen, you can stop the playback of photos and scroll them at your own pace.

This device comes with a mobile app that makes uploading photos into the frame easier and faster. As mentioned on some of the digital photo frame reviews, customers love the fact that they are able to send photos from their phone directly to the frame.

Pros

Automated collection of photos
Easy to use
Highly portable
Simple photo sharing feature

Cons

Photos can only be uploaded using Wi-Fi
May encounter some problems during uploading

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10 – Sungale 10 inch Digital Photo Frame with Remote Control Review

It seems that Sungale has taken the traditional approach when making this digital photo frame. In fact, the Sungale Cloud Frame is highly recommended to users who prefer the “old school” way. With its basic and simple functionality, this device is highly usable and is very versatile. It allows multiple users to connect to one single frame, which means that anyone is able to send photos directly to this frame.

Despite its basic functionality, this digital photo frame is capable of displaying crisp, saturated, and high-quality images. It comes with simple touchscreen controls and an interface that makes navigating easier. It also allows you to watch Netflix and video chat although most users would prefer to use other devices for these things.

Without the matte finish, the display of this digital frame is really glossy and could cause glare. Also, the unsightly fingerprints resulting from the touchscreen can affect the viewing experience.

Pros

Ideas for office use
HD screen
Includes a remote control

Cons

The rotate button is not working as expected

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Conclusion

When it comes to buying the best digital picture frame, there are lots of important factors to consider. It should be capable of displaying quality images and should allow you to easily upload your photos. Above all, it should be of excellent quality and guaranteed to last for a long time so you will not end up wasting your money.

When it comes to this, the Pix-Star 10.4 Inch Wi-Fi Cloud Photo Frame is highly recommended. This digital photo frame offers impressive versatility and allows you to easily upload your photos coming from your social media accounts and Dropbox. What’s more, the manufacturer offers a 2-year warranty for this device, which is an indication that the product is indeed guaranteed to last for a long time.