ConsFirst / Digital photo frames / Compare
Aura Walden (15-inch) vs Skylight Frame 2 (10-inch)
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Aura Walden (15-inch) ranks higher (#3 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on screen quality, app & sharing, no hidden costs.
The biggest complaint about the Aura Walden (15-inch) is big, with a visible power cord; for the Skylight Frame 2 (10-inch) it's skylight plus paywall. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Aura Walden (15-inch) | Skylight Frame 2 (10-inch) | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in digital photo frames | #3 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Wi-Fi app frame | Wi-Fi app frame |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 4% | 4% |
| Overall score | 4.5 | 3.6 |
| Screen quality | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| App & sharing | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Easy setup (for older relatives) | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| No hidden costs | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Reliability | 4.0 | 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 Walden (15-inch)
- Big, with a visible power cord
Wirecutter says it takes up a lot of space, reaching just past 20 inches diagonally with the mat. Its 9.6-foot cord means an outlet must be nearby, and the only way to hide the wire is through the wall. Amazon's summary says reactions to the screen size are mixed.
- Pillarboxing and per-photo cropping
Wirecutter says portraits are noticeably pillarboxed when it hangs horizontally. Showing the whole image means changing each photo in the app, which can be time-consuming, so it suggests dedicating the frame to one orientation.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) - Needs Wi-Fi
Like all Aura frames, it won't function without a Wi-Fi connection (Wirecutter).
Source: Wirecutter (NYT)
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 Walden (15-inch) if
Hanging on a wall (hook and stand included)
A big, short slideshow of favorite shots
No-subscription families
Skip it if: You don't have wall space and a nearby outlet; You want to mix portrait and landscape photos; You want the lowest price
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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