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These 3 Spruce-Tested Digital Picture Frames Are Simply the Best

Keep your most precious memories on display with these winning picks

Kenedee Fowler By
Kenedee Fowler
Kenedee Fowler
Kenedee Fowler
Kenedee Fowler is a writer for The Spruce. She's constantly researching and testing the best home products. Kenedee has been a writer for two years and is always on the hunt for the best duvet covers, pillows, sofas, bath towels, and more. If she's not writing about the best home products, you can find her adding plants and decor to her own home.
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Updated on 01/09/25
Aura Mason WiFi Digital Picture Frame in portrait mode displaying the outdoors
Credit:

The Spruce

It's time to finally set the physical scrapbooks and bulky photo albums to the side and upgrade to a high-quality, digital photo frame. If you love traditional frames with a print-out photo, don't worry; these digital alternatives will still give off the same aesthetic.

I've had my fair share of dabbling in the digital photo frame world, in the store, and in the homes of family friends. I'm left in awe each time about how you can upload your phone gallery straight to the digital frame, and it presents your memories in a slideshow. And each time, I can't help but think how they'll make for an excellent family gift. 

These digital frames are also great conversation starters. Before you know it, you'll be sharing all about last year's family vacation trip with your guests. And while most digital frames are constructed for tabletop use, some can actually be wall mounted. 

So, which digital picture frame is worth adding to your cart? We tested a dozen top sellers for 1,344 hours to help you find the best option for your home, so you can get ready to cue your highlight reel.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:
Aura Mason Digital Frame at Amazon $199
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Best Value:
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) at Amazon $130
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Best for Gifting:
SALE
Aeezo Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame at Amazon $50 $40
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Best Overall

Aura Mason Digital Frame

Aura Mason WiFi Digital Picture Frame in landscape mode displaying a cat
Credit: The Spruce
$199 at Amazon $200 at Target $199 at The Container Store
What We Like

  • Unlimited cloud storage

  • Crystal clear, 1,600 x 1,200 resolution display

  • Dual-orientation frame

  • Non-techy frame

What We Don’t Like

  • Must manually turn on sound for each video clip

  • No option to create albums within app

After testing a dozen digital picture frames for the equivalent of about 55 days, the Aura Mason earns our recommendation for the best digital picture frame. It's simple to set up, only taking us six minutes. It streamlines the process of selecting and uploading photos, and offers unlimited cloud storage, so you'll never run out of space to add new photos.

In our experience, it also stands out as the best digital picture frame for displaying video content—playing 30-second clips of your moving memories. However, you do have to manually turn on the sound for each video clip.

If you like the appearance of a traditional frame, you'll love the Aura Mason. It doesn't scream tech, but a luxe, high-end, non-digital frame instead (which we love). Like all other digital picture frames, it has the added benefit of displaying a carousel of your favorite moments rather than a static picture.

During testing, we were quickly impressed with how intuitive it was to add and manage photos within the Aura app. The app also automatically grays out the photos you've already added—a convenient touch that other frames didn't include—so you don't wind up seeing duplicate photos of last summer's vacation.

The sharing option, which we loved exploring, also lets you invite family or friends to send photos to your digital frame and receive a notification within the app each time they add a new picture. And since this device has unlimited storage, you and your family can upload as many videos and photos as you'd like. 

The resolution is 1,600 x 1,200 with 221 pixels per inch and a 4:3 aspect ratio, but if that sounds overly technical, here's the bottom line: the display is very clear, and the photos view so beautifully. Even if an uploaded photo didn't match the frame's orientation (it can be set up as a portrait or landscape display), the app did an excellent job of compensating and every picture filled the frame. 

Dimensions: 9.7 x 2 x 7.6 inches | Frame Size: 9 inches | Resolution: 1,600 x 1,200 pixels | Amount of Storage: Unlimited

Who This Is Best For: With unlimited storage and many unique features, the Aura Mason is a great option for families who live in different states and want to stay connected through updated family photos.

Best Value

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)
Credit: Amazon
$130 $113 at Amazon View on Simon.com $130 at Kohls.com
What We Like

  • Extra storage for Amazon Prime members

  • Offers extra features beyond photo display

  • Touchscreen functionality

What We Don’t Like

  • Not ideal for those who aren’t tech-savvy

  • Must download multiple apps to control device

The best digital picture frames display your photo memories, but the Echo Show adds value to your purchase with its suite of features and helpful actions. With Amazon Alexa built-in, we felt as if there was no end to the functionality of this device.

Outside of displaying our favorite pictures in a carousel, we used the Amazon Echo Show 8 to set timers, watch our TV shows, and listen to podcasts. While we love all the added features, setting up the device was quite complicated, especially since it’s not designed to be a digital photo frame exclusively. Unlike the other frames we’ve tested, the Echo Show 8 requires two apps: the Amazon Alexa app and Amazon Photos. 

You’ll get 5 GB of free storage space for photos and videos, and Amazon Prime members get unlimited photo storage, plus 5 GB of video storage as well. And like our best overall pick, friends and family can add photos to your album through the Amazon Photos app. 

The 8-inch display shows pictures in clear, crisp detail but only offers a landscape orientation. Sadly, you can’t turn the device to portrait mode like you can with the Aura Mason. We didn’t find this to be a major inconvenience during testing, but it could limit your placement options if you have a limited surface area for a digital photo frame. 

Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 3.9 inches | Frame Size: 8 inches | Resolution: 1,280 x 800 pixels | Amount of Storage: 5 GB (unlimited photo storage and 5 GB video storage for Amazon Prime members)


Who This Is Best For: Those shopping for a reasonably priced digital picture frame with a lot of handy and entertaining features.

Close up of the buttons on an Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)
Credit:

The Spruce

Why Is Resolution Important?

The frame’s resolution reflects how clear or grainy the image is. The higher the resolution, the more pixels there are, and the more crisp the image will appear. For more details on what to consider when buying a digital frame, take a look at our What to Look For section.

Best for Gifting

Aeezo Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame

AEEZO 10.1 Inch WiFi Digital Picture Frame in landscape mode with outdoors shown
Credit: The Spruce
$50 $40 at Amazon View on Sears.com
What We Like

  • Traditional wooden frame

  • Concealable cord

  • Customizable features

  • Can be wall mounted

What We Don’t Like

  • Low video sound

While all of our tested picks are giftable, the Aeezo Digital Picture Frame is an attractive and versatile option that’ll look great in anyone's home. Don’t know if your gift recipient prefers a wall-mounted or horizontal frame? No worries. This device is designed for both orientations, including portrait.

Our favorite feature of this frame is that it has a white border, resembling the appearance of a traditional and matted photo frame. The full, high-definition touchscreen displays photos in 2K resolution as well—the highest resolution of any digital picture frame we tested.

Along with still photos, this frame also displays video clips and has a built-in speaker. However, we found the video volume to be noticeably quieter than the volume level for frame notifications. On the bright side, setting up the frame and uploading our photos was very easy, taking a total of 13 minutes. You also have the option to upload pictures via an SD card or through the app.

The biggest downside of the Aeezo Digital Picture Frame is the small storage space compared to our other two picks, as well as the management of your videos and photos. It has 16 GB of storage, and your uploaded gallery can only be deleted through the album on the frame and not the app. However, the frame’s easy navigation, versatility, and attractive appearance were enough for us.

Dimensions: 9.45 x 7.48 x 0.79 inches | Frame Size: 10 inches | Resolution: 2,048 x 1,536 pixels | Amount of Storage: 16 GB

Who This Is Best For: Those looking for a mountable digital picture frame with a high-definition display.

The back of the AEEZO 10.1 Inch WiFi Digital Picture Frame in portrait mode
Credit:

The Spruce

Final Verdict

Out of the dozen digital picture frames we tested, our overall best is the Aura Mason Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame, because it displays photos with excellent clarity in landscape or portrait orientation, plays video clips up to 30 seconds long, and comes with free unlimited storage. If you’re looking for even more bang for your buck, check out the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) (best value). It not only displays your favorite photos, but it also serves as a smart home hub, playing your favorite shows or music.

How We Tested the Digital Picture Frames

To find the best digital picture frames, we tested 12 options for a total of 1,344 hours. We evaluated each option in our own homes, based on ease of use, quality, and value.

  • Setup: We timed how long it took to initially set up each digital picture frame, as well as the upload time for an initial batch of photos. We also considered how easy it is to add photos from various devices among yourself, friends, and family (if applicable, thanks to a sharing feature). 
  • Ease of Use: As we were using the frame, we paid attention to how simple it is to adjust display options—like how long a photo displays on the screen, or if you can easily switch the frame from landscape to portrait orientation. And since the purpose of a digital frame is to enjoy the photos (or videos, for models that offer this functionality), we made sure to note how clear and bright the screen is when displaying photos. 
  • Appearance: The digital photo frames we tested included traditional-looking frames and more hub and tech-like displays, so we made notes about the overall appearance and aesthetics of each model, as well.

Based on our testing, we found it’s generally easy to set up most digital picture frames, and we didn’t encounter any major flaws in picture display or resolution.

What to Look for in a Digital Picture Frame

Consider Display and Resolution

The display of your frame is one of the most important factors to consider, especially in terms of the size, aspect ratio, and overall resolution, according to J. Monroe, an international photographer and owner of a multimedia firm, Monroe Media.

All of the digital photo frames we tested had a 7 to 10-inch frame size, although the actual dimensions of the unit vary somewhat. The frame size notes the size of the display, the screen where your photos are displayed.

The aspect ratio indicates how the image will display in regards to width and height. Keep in mind that most smartphones snap pictures with a 4:3 aspect ratio. The display of the Aura Mason (our best overall) has a 4:3 aspect ratio—and that’s one reason why every picture we uploaded seemed to fill the frame perfectly. 

Resolution determines how crisp the photos appear; Monroe recommends looking for screens with at least 1,080-pixel high-definition (HD) resolutions. One option we tested, the AEEZO Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame (best for gifting), has 2K resolution—but it’s worth noting we didn’t find any fault with the quality of images displayed on any frame we tried.

Think About Frame Design

Digital picture frames can look very similar to a typical frame that holds a still image, with plenty of options relating to the frame style, color, and material. This type of frame is designed to blend into your living room decor or bedroom without looking too much like a connected device. 

Digital frames can also feature an integrated speaker and some, like the Echo Show 8 (our best value pick), have a camera so you can make real-time video calls to other Echo users to stay connected. 

But if you don’t mind the appearance of a smart device, you can pick a digital picture frame with loads of functionality. The only catch is that it will look more tech-like—almost like a tablet or your smartphone on display—and act more tech-like.

All of the digital picture frames we tested have a power cord. The cord, in our experience, is usually not a nuisance, but if you want to wall-mount your digital frame, it might stand out.

Pay Attention to Upload Features and Options

A digital picture frame is only useful if you can load your photos to the device, so it’s important to pay attention to the options for uploading your content. All of the digital picture frames we tested are designed to connect to Wi-Fi and utilize an app for uploading photos and videos. 

Some digital frames can receive photos by means of a USB upload. The AEEZO Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame has an SD card slot so you can upload photos using that method. 

When uploading photos to a digital picture frame, the functionality of the app can vary. The Aura app (used by our best overall) makes it especially easy to identify a photo you’ve already sent to the frame by graying it out so you don’t wind up with a duplicate.

Opt for More Storage Capacity

The fun of a photo frame is to watch a seemingly endless slideshow of your favorite moments, but storing all of those high-resolution photos requires space. Some digital picture frames have a finite amount of built-in storage and it’s usually between 5 and 16 GB (gigabytes). 

For photo aficionados that don’t want to ever run out of storage space, a digital photo frame with unlimited cloud storage is your best bet. That’s a feature we love about the Aura Mason—you can upload as many photos and videos as you’d like with no worries about being short on storage.

Use Additional Smart Features

If you like the idea of using your digital picture frame for more than photo memories, you might be interested in a smart hub. 

These devices give you the ability to control compatible smart home devices, including appliances or lights and using a voice command. For example, the Echo Show 8 harnesses Amazon’s Alexa.

Other smart features you’ll find on smart digital photo frames include time and weather display options, and the ability to receive photos from friends and family. This enhanced functionality usually means a more tech-looking appearance, but the caveat is totally worth it if you plan to regularly use the extra features to streamline your routines.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Kenedee Fowler is a writer for The Spruce specializing in home improvement, decor, and cleaning products, including the best places to buy curtains and wireless doorbells. Kenedee has also had her fair interactions with digital picture frames. They double as decor, and they’re entertaining. For this guide, she referenced our testing insights and narrowed our list down from 13 to three by evaluating each frame’s ease of use, display quality, unique smart features, and overall value.

Our Experts:

  • J. Monroe, photographer and owner of Monroe Media, a multimedia consulting firm specializing in photography, graphic design, and video production
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