Aura Frame and Skylight are leading brands in the digital photo frame market. Choosing between them can be tough without real-life experience, so I tested them side-by-side for more than a month. Digital photo frames cater to all ages, not just older generations. They simplify the process of enjoying your favorite photos, sparing you from endless phone scrolling. These frames also boast other noteworthy features, making them excellent gifts.
Here’s a detailed evaluation of these brands and my recommendation.
Testing Aura and Skylight Frames
Aura and Skylight offer various digital photo frames. I tried the Aura Aspen and Skylight Frame 2, which share similarities in size, price, and functions. Over a month, I assessed their setup, interface, design, and picture quality. I also involved Lindsay Schneider and Caitlin Cusack from NBC Select in the testing; Schneider used Skylight, while Cusack used Aura.
Aura vs Skylight: Setup
Aura Aspen’s setup is swift. Less than five minutes is all it takes via the Aura app, involving pairing, Wi-Fi connection, and photo uploads. A QR-code setup option adds convenience, especially for gifting purposes.
Meanwhile, Skylight Frame 2’s setup involves both the app and the frame. Wi-Fi credentials and email setup for photo sharing are required. This extra step makes Skylight’s setup more involved.
Winner: Aura for simplicity.
Design Comparison
Both frames are sleek and similar in size.
Aura Aspen’s design is understated and blends with home decor. It has touch bars that allow swiping through photos and adjusting settings. However, some find the swipe touch bar too sensitive.
Skylight Frame 2 offers more styles and colors, including options with faux frame mats. The touchscreen control is intuitive but attracts fingerprints. Certain Skylight settings, accessible only on the frame, also contribute to smudges.
Winner: Draw. Personal preference varies between Aura’s touch bars and Skylight’s touchscreen.
Ease of Use
Aura frames are controlled via an app, making the process seamless. Uploading photos, inviting others to share, and adjusting settings are straightforward.
Skylight is similarly easy to use but has slightly more steps. Optional Skylight Plus subscription offers additional features like photo album editing but introduces complexity. Skylight’s built-in storage allows offline photo display, unlike Aura.
Winner: Aura for intuitive control through its app. Skylight is favorable for offline usage.
Picture Quality
Aura Aspen’s photo quality impresses despite its modest resolution. The frame’s 4:3 aspect ratio aligns with most smartphones, minimizing borders and cropping.
Skylight Frame 2 has a higher screen resolution but its 16:9 aspect ratio results in more cropping and borders. The adjustable brightness feature can make the display overly bright.
Winner: Aura for better aspect ratio compatibility with smartphone photos.
Choosing Between Aura and Skylight
Overall, Aura Aspen emerges as a preferred choice for its simplicity. It offers a more genuine photo frame experience without resembling a tablet. Skylight’s offline functionality and additional features might be deciding factors for others.