Independent since 2019 · No sponsored reviews

The #1 independent resource for digital picture frames

Two ways to get a frame you'll actually keep — pick yours.

Path one · 40 frames reviewed

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Off-the-shelf frames I've lived with and tested. Reviews, comparisons, and a finder that shortlists for you.

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Path two · Raspberry Pi

Build your own

117 step-by-step guides, from picking the Pi to voice control and Home Assistant. No soldering required.

Start the build guide
40 Frames tested
Since 2019 Publishing independently
Unbiased Opinions from my own research and experience. I don’t even have advertising on my site
Raspberry Pi Full DIY build guides, start to finish

Build your own

The Raspberry Pi frame, in four stages

13 articles, ordered the way you'll need them. Start at stage one even if you've built one before — the software changed with Bookworm.

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A paddleboarder alone on calm water at dawn, a headland in the pink haze behind — the kind of photograph a good frame is for
Start here · The main guide

How to build the best Raspberry Pi digital picture frame (2026 Edition, Pi 4/5)

A complete rebuild of the picture frame software for today's Raspberry Pi OS. No desktop, no compositor, no hand-written service files — one command, and your frame is running.

2026 edition~30 minutesPi 4 / 400 / 5
Read the build guide
Stage 01

Pick your parts

Two decisions do most of the work: which Pi, and which card you feed it.

Which Raspberry Pi model should you get for your digital photo frame?
Hardware

Which Raspberry Pi model should you get for your digital photo frame?

Find the answer to which Raspberry model is best suited for your digital photo frame depending on display size, resolution and functionality.
Which SD card is best for a Raspberry Pi?
Hardware

Which SD card is best for a Raspberry Pi?

Your Raspberry Pi is only as fast as the SD card you feed it—discover which ones deliver top performance.
Discover the complete hard- and software setup of my Raspberry Pi digital picture frame
Parts list

Discover the complete hard- and software setup of my Raspberry Pi digital picture frame

I ofter get asked for recommendations, so in this article I will show which hard- and software I am personally using for our living room photo frame.
Stage 02

Build and install

The 2026 guide, the one-click shortcut, and the older guide for pre-Pi 4 boards.

A paddleboarder alone on calm water at dawn, a headland in the pink haze behind — the kind of photograph a good frame is for
Pi 4 / 400 / 5

How to build the best Raspberry Pi digital picture frame (2026 Edition, Pi 4/5)

A complete rebuild of the picture frame software for today's Raspberry Pi OS. No desktop, no compositor, no hand-written service files — one command, and your frame is running.
Install the Pi3D PictureFrame software with one click (2025 Edition, Raspberry Pi 2/3/4/5)
Software

Install the Pi3D PictureFrame software with one click (2025 Edition, Raspberry Pi 2/3/4/5)

Automate all the various steps in the main PictureFrame article with this script and save a lot of time.
How to build the best Raspberry Pi digital picture frame with Bookworm Wayland (2025 Edition, Pi 2/3/4/5)
Pi 2 / 3 / Zero 2 W

How to build the best Raspberry Pi digital picture frame with Bookworm Wayland (2025 Edition, Pi 2/3/4/5)

Learn how to build the best Raspberry Pi picture frame in a few simple steps. This guide covers installation with the latest OS Bookworm.
Stage 03

Make it smart

Optional, and the part people enjoy most. Sensors, voice, phone control, matting.

How to fully integrate your Raspberry Pi digital picture frame into Home Assistant even showing the current image
Home Assistant

How to fully integrate your Raspberry Pi digital picture frame into Home Assistant even showing the current image

Learn how Helge tightly integrated Home Assistant and the Pi3D PictureFrame image viewer to achieve a great level of comfort and functionality.
How to pause, go back or delete an image on your Raspberry Pi digital picture frame with a simple Alexa voice command
Voice

How to pause, go back or delete an image on your Raspberry Pi digital picture frame with a simple Alexa voice command

Did you always want to tell your picture frame to delete an image that you don’t want to see anymore? Now you can.
Activate the power of the magic matting feature on your Raspberry Pi picture frame
Presentation

Activate the power of the magic matting feature on your Raspberry Pi picture frame

A matte in a picture frame increases the value perception of an image and also provides a solution for photos in different aspect ratios.
Stage 04

When you get stuck

Two FAQs that between them answer nearly every question that reaches my inbox.

The ultimate Pi3D PictureFrame FAQ Page – All the questions, all the answers and more
FAQ

The ultimate Pi3D PictureFrame FAQ Page – All the questions, all the answers and more

In this Pi3D FAQ, I have compiled questions that we received, commands you may frequently use, and several tidbits you may want to discover and try for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) when building your own digital picture frame
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) when building your own digital picture frame

All the questions you always wanted to ask but were too afraid to.
Get inspired for your Raspberry Pi project in The Digital Picture Frame User Gallery
Community

Get inspired for your Raspberry Pi project in The Digital Picture Frame User Gallery

Discover hacks & botches from your fellow digital photo frame home brewers.

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Reviews of every frame worth your money

40 frames tested to date. If you'd rather not read 33 reviews, the Frame Finder narrows it down in about a minute.

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Frame Finder

Answer what matters — where it'll sit, who's sending the photos, what you'll spend — and get a shortlist with my verdict on each. Every result links to the full review.

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Newest review My review of the Reflection Frame with its paper-like e-ink display
Review · E-ink

My review of the Reflection Frame with its paper-like e-ink display

You may have noticed an exciting shift in the digital frame world lately: frames are quietly moving toward something that looks… well, printed.
My review of Nixplay’s first WiFi touchscreen photo frame
Review · Nixplay

My review of Nixplay’s first WiFi touchscreen photo frame

The first Nixplay touchscreen photo frame has arrived on my doorsteps. Here are the results of my test drive.
Meet the largest table-top picture frame: The Netgear Meural WiFi Photo Frame
Review · Netgear

Meet the largest table-top picture frame: The Netgear Meural WiFi Photo Frame

The Meural is unusually large for a table-top picture frame. But photos are meant to have space to come to life. The bigger, the better.
Read this before you go out and buy Samsung’s The Frame as an ultra-large digital picture frame
Buyer's guide

Read this before you go out and buy Samsung’s The Frame as an ultra-large digital picture frame

The Frame is a real beauty in the digital picture frame area. But before you are being seduced by its looks, read this first.
How much does a digital photo frame cost, and what are the differences between the models?
Buyer's guide

How much does a digital photo frame cost, and what are the differences between the models?

Why do some digital frames cost $39 and others $3,000? How can I get the best photo frame for my needs? Can I save money by building it myself?
Your personal online shopping consultant to find the best digital picture frame
Frame Finder

Your personal online shopping consultant to find the best digital picture frame

Find the best digital picture frame based on your individual requirements with my digital frame finder. With links to all my product reviews.

About This Website

Digital picture frames are like a time machine. They constantly bring up memories, start conversations and make you smile. They are a great way to remain close to those who are far and bring joy to everyday friends & family.

On this website, you will find unbiased product reviews and recommendations on off-the-shelf digital picture frames as well as many do-it-yourself instructions that will enable you to build a customized digital picture frame based on the famous Raspberry Pi.

Information

This page may include affiliate links. When you click on any link from Amazon, I receive a small commission on the sale. It doesn’t cost you a penny and helps support the site. The opinions on this blog are solely motivated by my research and experience.

If you want to show your appreciation for my efforts, please use the affiliate links throughout the website should you wish to make a purchase. It’s a wonderful token of appreciation and encouragement to continue this work. Thank you.