The apps for digital photo frames are focused entirely on making uploading photos as unfussy as possible.

Higher resolution doesn’t sound that exciting on paper, but it makes a huge difference in quality. Our main photo display pick, the Aura Mason, has a resolution of 1600×800, and the Aura Mason Luxe has a 2048×800 screen, whereas the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen), our current pick among Alexa smart displays, has the screen resolution of a budget photo frame like the Aeezo Portrait 01-and even then, the Aeezo’s display is brighter. For everyday access to your digital images, here’s why photo frames are the better option (though they also have downsides, notably higher prices and fewer features): Digital photo frames have higher resolutionĪ quality digital photo frame costs more than most smart displays, and the big reason is that frames have higher-resolution screens, which translate to crisper images, and better colors and brightness. Smart displays are voice-controlled smart speakers with an LCD touchscreen, so in addition to playing music, answering questions, and controlling your smart bulbs, they can play videos and show pictures. Although both feature a prominent display that allows you to view photos you’ve uploaded, they’re still very different in a lot of meaningful ways. The devices that do that best are smart displays and digital photo frames. Especially after taking a road trip to Arizona and New Mexico’s national parks, my spouse and I wanted a better way to enjoy all our latest photos on devices that weren’t phones or laptops.

I’ve tested a variety of home tech gear, but the standout favorite devices in our home are those that can show off all our photos.

Photo and audio mixer