In the not-so-distant past, digital photo frames were a tad — how can we put this delicately? — tacky. When they first arrived on the scene in the early aughts, digital picture frames featured clunky designs, overly pixelated images and cheesy PowerPoint-style transitions.
But now, in the brave new age of 2022, digital photo frames have come a long way since the pixilated, low-res clunky image displays of yore. Today, many digital frames boast HD screens with crisp, clear resolution and vibrant colors, and come loaded with features like video and audio playback, touch-screens, auto light-dimming and more.
A single digital photo frame can showcase a parade of treasured photos, cycle through images and allow you to add new ones to the rotation effortlessly. That’s why they make a pretty fabulous gift idea — particularly for parents, grandparents and anyone else who tears up photos of weddings, babies and family pets dressed in sweaters.
What to Look for in Digital Wi-Fi Picture Frames
Before we launch into our recommendations for digital Wi-Fi picture frame gifts, here’s a quick rundown of what we looked for when choosing our picks:
- Resolution: As a rule of thumb, we primarily looked for options with a screen resolution of 720p or higher. Resolution measures pixels per inch (PPI), so anything less than 720p can make your images look grainy and blah.
- Screen Size: This one is kind of subjective, but you probably want a screen that is large enough to display your photos in a way that doesn’t make your viewer squint. Generally speaking, most frames fall in the 9- to 10-inch range. You can find large digital picture frame options that measure up to 15 inches long, which is bigger than your average laptop screen.
- Design: Here’s another important but-subjective feature: Do you want a more classic, picture frame style or a tablet-like design? To decide, consider the aesthetic preferences of your giftee, as well as the design scheme of their home.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: Another important thing to consider is whether you want your frame Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled. Wi-Fi connectivity makes adding photos easier, but if it’s a gift for someone who doesn’t have reliable internet access, it makes sense to go for a frame that has internal storage and gives you the option to transfer photos via a USB drive, old-school-style.
- Ease of Use: This one is key if your giftee isn’t tech-savvy. Consider whether your user would prefer a touch screen, remote, or app and whether they’d prefer an always-on slideshow or one activated by light or motion.
- Extra Features: Some digital frames can handle videos and audio, while others offer calendars, reminders, weather updates and even puzzle games. These extra bells and whistles may seem superfluous, but may be useful and appreciated by someone on your gift list.
1. Best Over All Digital Frame
Aura Digital Frame: Aura Mason
The Aura Mason represents everything that’s great about modern digital photo frames. The sleek frame displays images that are vivid without glowing like a digital screen. It automatically adjusts an image’s brightness based on the light that’s available, so it doesn’t shine brightly when you turn off the lights. The Aura digital frame even automatically crops and curates photo displays using smart technology.
Setup is quick and easy right from your smartphone device. Simply download the app, pair your phone to the frame and connect the frame to the internet. The app lets you set up the Aura digital frame as a gift, and then invite family members and friends to contribute photos.
Frame Specs:
- 1200p resolution
- 9-inch screen
- Unlimited cloud storage
- Video capability
- Audio capability
Price: $199 at Amazon.com
2. Best Large Picture Digital Frame
Pix-Star Digital Frame
The Pix-Star Digital Frame sets itself apart from other digital Wi-Fi picture frame gifts with its massive 15-inch screen, which displays crisp, vibrant photos and videos. The large digital picture frame also comes with 8 GB of internal storage, as well as unlimited cloud storage and the option to link to Instagram, Facebook and others. Because you can set it up remotely using the app or via a MicroSD slot or USB port, it’s a worthy gift for someone with or without Wi-Fi connectivity in their home.
The Pix-Star Digital Frame also comes loaded with extras. It’s pre-programmed with hundreds of radio stations, which you can play as a soundtrack over slideshows, and features a time and weather forecast display. The frame even lets you set reminders and play senior-friendly brain games like Sudoku.
Frame Specs:
- 768p resolution
- 15-inch screen
- Unlimited cloud storage
- Video capability
- Audio capability
Price: $219.99 at Amazon.com
3. Best Touch Screen Digital Frame
Nixplay Smart Digital Picture Frame
One of the major players in the digital photo frame game, Nixplay, released its first touch-screen model just last year. You control the Nixplay Smart Digital Picture Frame via a touch-screen panel, which features an easy-to-navigate menu that lets you adjust the display, volume and brightness.
Nixplay requires internet connectivity in order to upload photos, which you can do via the Nixplay app, or by importing them from Google Photos, Instagram, Facebook or Dropbox. You can also invite friends and family to share photos directly to the frame. And if the owner’s internet goes out, the Nixplay will continue displaying photos uploaded to its 8GB internal storage.
Frame Specs:
- 720p resolution
- 10-inch screen
- 10GB cloud storage; 8GB internal storage
- Video capability
- Audio capability
Price: $189.99 at Amazon.com
4. Best Digital Frame for the Less Tech-Savvy
Loop Digital Photo Frame
Even if you are a tech whiz, you can still likely appreciate the wonderful streamlined system of the Aluratek Digital Photo Frame. You simply plug it in, connect the frame to your Wi-Fi and start texting photos to a special phone number. Once texted, pictures are displayed on your Loop photo frame instantly.
Besides its ease of use, the Loop has a large 10-inch screen with ultrahigh resolution. It also comes with a touch-screen panel that lets you shuffle photo albums, add transition times and more.
Frame Specs:
- 1080p resolution
- 10-inch screen
- 16GB internal storage
- Video capability
- Audio capability
Price: $159 at Amazon.com
5. Best Budget-Friendly Digital Frame
Aluratek Digital Photo Frame
Much like the Loop, one of Aluratek Digital Photo Frame’s major selling points is its simplicity. It’s a great option for a giftee who isn’t the most tech-savvy and doesn’t have a reliable internet connection, as the frame lets you add photos via SD/SDHC card or USB flash drive.
Easy-to-use push controls can control the Aluratek Digital Photo Frame on the back of the frame or via the included remote. The handy frame even includes a calendar, built-in clock and auto-off timer to boot. Its screen is lower res than we’d usually recommend going, but if you’re looking for ease of use and affordability, the Aluratek is hard to beat.
Frame Specs:
- 600p resolution
- 8-inch screen
- 4GB internal storage
- Video capability
- Audio capability
Price: $49.99 (reg. $76) at Amazon.com
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