A rather interesting gadget to add a different touch to your home could be a digital photo frame. But forget those archaic, low-contrast frames that read your photos from an SD card. Today's models are smarter, called Smart Displays (a truly original name), and in addition to showing you family photos, they can tell you the weather, show you which restaurants are open, and essentially provide you with a virtual assistant that acts as your personal butler at home.
Which Smart Display to choose?
If you're looking for one of these devices, the first thing you should consider is which assistant you're going to use. This doesn't mean you can only use one assistant at home, but it's generally best to focus on one to avoid fragmenting the ecosystem you're creating. When choosing a Smart Display, you'll have two options: Alexa or Google Assistant.
Apple doesn't currently offer any products of this type that integrate Siri, so those are the only options. Once you choose your virtual assistant, you'll then have to decide between one model or another. And if you haven't yet adopted either of them at home, now is a great time to choose, and a Smart Display is perfect for taking the first steps.
Advantages of Smart Displays
These smart frames have a very clear advantage over the most basic assistants based on a simple speaker. By having a screen, the answers and information offered allows obtaining additional content in the form of graphics, texts and photos, so that in addition to obtaining more complete information, the handling is also more intuitive.
Knowing all this, we are going to show you the most interesting options that you can find on the market:
Echo Show
Screen: 8 inches | Assistant: Alexa | Speakers: 2 x 10W and bass radiator | Front camera : 5 megapixels | Resolution: 1.280 x 800 pixels | Price: €229,99
One of Amazon's proposals with its assistant Alexa is the Show. The original model is this 10,1-inch version that offers excellent sound thanks to two powerful speakers and a passive bass radiator with Dolby technology. It is the most expensive model on Amazon, but also the most complete.
Best
- Amazon's own device
- Seamless Alexa integration
- Great sound
- Ability to disable microphones and camera
Worst
- High price
Echo Show 8
Screen: 8 inches | Assistant: Alexa | Speakers: 2 x 10W | Front camera : 2 megapixels | Resolution: 1.280 x 800 pixels | Price: €79,99
Amazon's intermediate model is the 8-inch version of the Echo Show, a fairly practical size that has the advantage of a much more interesting price. It cuts some things like the sound power or the resolution of the webcam, but in general terms it is a very successful model.
See offer on AmazonBest
- Amazon's own device
- very good resolution
- Price
- Ability to disable microphones and camera
Worst
- It may be a little small to show photos
Echo Show 5
Screen: 5 inches | Assistant: Alexa | Speakers: 2 x 10W | Front camera : 2 megapixels | Resolution: 960 x 800 pixels | Price: €49,99
If what you want is something more compact and without too many complications, Amazon has the Echo Show 5, a 5-inch model that you can almost carry in your pocket. It offers the same features as the Echo Show 8, so it's also a good option to consider, although it won't be the best for displaying photos.
See offer on AmazonBest
- Amazon's own device
- Seamless Alexa integration
- Very good price
- Ability to disable microphones and camera
Worst
- Screen too small to display photos
Lenovo Smart Tab M10
Screen: 10,1 inches | Assistant: Alexa | Speakers: 2 x 3W (dock); 2 front speakers with Dolby Atmos on the tablet | Front camera : 2 megapixels | Resolution: FullHD | Price: 189 euros
This is a very interesting product, since it is a Tablet that can function as a Smart Display thanks to the dock that it includes. The advantage of this device is that we can take it wherever we want and use it as a tablet, and all we have to do is get home and place it on its stand for its battery to start charging and start working as an intelligent assistant.
See offer on AmazonBest
- 2-in-1 hybrid device
- take it wherever you want
Worst
- normal speakers
- camera without much resolution
Google Nest Hub
Screen: 7 inches | Assistant: Google Assistant | Speakers: Stereo | Front Camera : No | Resolution: Not available | Price: 79 euros
One of the options with Google Assistant obviously goes through Google, and this is where we find the Nest Hub, a screen with an intelligent assistant that offers a rather fresh and interesting design that closely resembles that of a table placed on a magnetic dock. The screen, although it may seem like it, cannot be detached from the body, so forget about using it as a tablet.
Buy Google Nest HubBest
- Chromecast built-in
- Automatic brightness adjustment
Worst
- slightly high price
- simple speaker
- does not have webcam
Lenovo SmartDisplay 7
Screen: 7 inches | Assistant: Alexa | Speakers: 2 x 5W and a passive radiator | Front camera : 2 megapixels | Resolution: 1.024 x 600 | Price: 119 euros
Another option with Google Assistant is this option from Lenovo. It is a 7-inch Smart Display with a webcam, capable of receiving content via Chromecast, with a rather interesting design that places the speakers on the front and has a very elegant fabric finish that will help you place it in any corner of the house.
Best
- Fabric finished front speaker
- Good sound
- Chromecast built-in
Worst
- High price compared to other options
- slightly small screen