ConsFirst / Digital photo frames / Compare
Aura Carver (10.1-inch) vs Skylight Frame 2 (10-inch)
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Aura Carver (10.1-inch) ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on screen quality, app & sharing, easy setup (for older relatives), no hidden costs. Skylight Frame 2 (10-inch) wins on reliability.
The biggest complaint about the Aura Carver (10.1-inch) is wi-fi drops and units that stop working; for the Skylight Frame 2 (10-inch) it's skylight plus paywall. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Aura Carver (10.1-inch) | Skylight Frame 2 (10-inch) | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in digital photo frames | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ |
| Type | Wi-Fi app frame | Wi-Fi app frame |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 5% | 4% |
| Overall score | 4.6 | 3.6 |
| Screen quality | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| App & sharing | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Easy setup (for older relatives) | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| No hidden costs | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Reliability | 3.5 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $100 · $$ $100–250 · $$$ over $250. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Aura Carver (10.1-inch)
- Wi-Fi drops and units that stop working
Amazon's review summary says reliability is mixed, with some units working well and others stopping. Several 1-star Walmart reviews say the frame wouldn't stay on or reconnect to Wi-Fi, even after troubleshooting with support, and one reports the Aura logo burned into the screen within two years.
- Useless without Wi-Fi and Aura's cloud
Wirecutter notes that all Aura frames need a Wi-Fi connection to function. A 1-star Walmart reviewer objected that their photo library ended up on Aura's servers.
- Wide screen boxes in single portraits
Wirecutter says the 16:10 screen shows large black bars beside solo portrait photos if you turn off the side-by-side Photo Match mode. It also notes the touch strips need a slow, patient swipe. Amazon's summary says some buyers feel it isn't worth the price.
Skylight Frame 2 (10-inch)
- Skylight Plus paywall
A highly rated Amazon review calls the Skylight Plus fee a hidden cost: without $39 a year, the frame is basically an email photo viewer, and app uploads, videos and captions need the plan. Wirecutter, testing the original Frame, says it prompts you to upgrade at nearly every step. ZDNET lists 'need subscription to unlock all capabilities' as a con.
- Pillarboxing and a bulky frame (original model)
Wirecutter found the original 10-inch Skylight landscape-only, with big black bars on portrait photos and a frame that brings it to 14 inches overall. PCMag says the Frame 2 improves resolution and design, but Wirecutter hasn't retested it.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), PCMag - Price feels high to some
Amazon's review summary says some owners consider it overpriced. One 1-star Walmart review of the Frame 2 says manual brightness changes blanked the screen until it was tapped.
Who should pick which
Pick the Aura Carver (10.1-inch) if
Gifting to grandparents (preload photos before it's unboxed)
No monthly fees
Families who all want to add photos
Skip it if: The home has no reliable Wi-Fi; You don't want photos stored in a company's cloud; You mostly shoot single portrait photos and dislike black bars
Pick the Skylight Frame 2 (10-inch) if
Grandparents who like a touchscreen
Emailing photos straight to the frame
Matching room decor with swappable frames
Skip it if: You don't want an annual add-on fee; You show many portrait photos on a landscape frame; You want the most compact frame
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