Digital Picture Frames Reviews

Digital picture frames allow you to display your collection of photos electronically. In our research, we found dozens of reviews for one model or another, but the very best testing includes comparisons of image quality and ease of use among several photo frames, not just a single model. Consumer Reports, CNet.com and PC Magazine offer highly credible reviews based on laboratory and hands-on use. Major newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today also have run recent review roundups on digital picture frames. Currently Consumer Reports has the best ratings, but you'll need a subscription to see how the 12 models rank.

Although the owner-written reviews at Amazon.com are confusingly organized (reviews for all Kodak frames, for example, are grouped in one place), owner reviews give us the best glimpse into real-world setup and usability issues. Since many people are looking at digital photo frames as a way to share photos with grandparents and distant relatives, easy setup is a particular concern. While Wi-Fi features (which let you send photos wirelessly to the frame) are touted in professional reviews, users say that setup isn't as easy at it could be.

Wi-Fi-capable digital photo frames are able to connect to a wireless home network so you can load photos from your computer's hard drive. Some digital picture frames, like Ceiva and Kodak EasyShare Wi-Fi frames, offer their own photo-sharing sites. And some digital photo frames from i-Mate, such as the Momento 100 (*est. $170), let users send pictures remotely to the frame with a special e-mail address. However, reviews say all of these frames require some tricky setup on the user's part -- so if you're thinking of one of these as a gift for a far-away relative, you'll need to consider the recipient's level of computer savvy.

If you're looking to spare distant relatives from wireless setup issues, one solution is to skip wireless features entirely and go with memory cards. Almost all digital photo frames accept memory cards; you can load up the cards with photos and mail them to your relative. It's not a particularly modern or slick solution, but it is simple. Some photo frames can also accept USB thumb drives filled with photos. If you're comfortable troubleshooting your wireless network, a Wi-Fi frame is an option.  ... Continued

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

Kodak EasyShare EX811 and EX1011 Wireless Digital Frames are chosen most often as best in professional reviews, but user reviews paint a different picture when it comes to setting up wireless features. The Pandigital PAN150 doesn't have wireless features, but it does have a large 15-inch display size. Pandigital products tend to fare better in professional reviews than customer reviews, a common complaint being connectivity issues. The Westinghouse DPF-0802 is easy to use; it also has a random mode and the ability to display four photos at a time, but it does not play audio. The Smartparts SP8PRT has a self-contained printer, but the two reviews we saw for this model were not very detailed, and it's expensive.