Aura Carver Luxe HD Smart Digital Picture Frame Single Product Review

We tested the Aura Carver Luxe HD Smart Digital Picture Frame

Digital photo frames are convenient ways to display your favorite memories without hanging pictures throughout your home. The Aura Carver Luxe HD has an intuitive companion smartphone app that lets you upload photos and videos. According to Aura, it's easy to set up and features a gorgeous HD display. 

Oprah and other news outlets praised the Aura Carver Luxe, so the BestReviews Testing Lab decided to use it in a home setting to see if it lives up to the hype.

Testing the Aura Carver Luxe HD

BestReviews Testing Lab uses products while reviewing their functionality, durability and ease of use.

For this article, the tester set up the frame and downloaded the app on their smartphone, paying close attention to the time it took and whether the process was user-friendly. This was the tester’s first time using a digital picture frame, so they had an excellent perspective on what a first-time user may encounter. They tried multiple viewing angles, speed settings and upload methods. Additionally, they added numerous secondary users to assess the friends and family feature.

What is the Aura Carver Luxe HD Digital Picture Frame?

The Aura Carver Luxe is an 8.5 by 11-inch digital frame that lets you display photos and videos as a slideshow. It has built-in speakers so you can hear your videos. They aren't studio-quality, but they're more than adequate for a photo frame.

The crisp 1,280 x 800 HD display has a wide viewing angle that displays photos clearly, even when you aren't directly in front of the frame. However, the glossy screen is prone to reflecting light, meaning you may notice a glare if you place it near a lamp, window or overhead light. 

Images are stored and displayed via the cloud; you can't store photos on the frame or display them using an SD card. The frame has an understated design that matches most decor and is available in charcoal or white. 

See how it compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best digital photo frames. 

Aura Carver Luxe HD Digital Picture Frame Price and where to buy

The Aura Carver Luxe costs around $150, and you can purchase it on Amazon.

How to use the Aura Carver Luxe HD Digital Picture Frame

The package comes with clear directions that are easy to follow. After unpacking it, you must plug it in, download the app, create an account and pair the unit. The app is available for Android and iOS. It takes a while to set up your account, but it isn't difficult. 

You can add photos to the frame via the companion app or email. Both methods are simple, but the app is easier overall.

The Aura Carver displays photos in a slideshow format by default, and you can adjust the speed from 15 seconds to 24 hours. Regardless of the settings, the transition from one photo to the next is seamless. The testing team didn't notice any pixelation or lag.

You can add friends and family to your frame by selecting “add members” in the app and entering the email or phone number of the person you want to add.

Aura Carver Luxe HD Digital Picture Frame benefits

The unlimited cloud storage is the primary thing that sets this frame apart from its competitors. There is no limit to the number of photos and videos you can add and no monthly costs for the cloud service.

The high-definition screen is another standout feature. The testing team was impressed with the wide viewing angle and crisp images.

The companion app's user interface is impressive, and adding friends and family to the app was easier than expected. Loved ones can add memories to your frame from anywhere in the world, making it an excellent way to keep in touch.

The Aura Carver Luxe can also play videos with accompanying audio and allows you to mute the audio, if you prefer. While the sound quality is not high-end, it's perfectly acceptable for watching an iPhone video. 

Aura Carver Luxe HD Digital Picture Frame drawbacks

You navigate the frame using an on-screen touch bar, which is one of the frame's weakest points. The touch bar often has to be tapped multiple times before responding.

The testing team had to use the app to crop pictures in most cases. The smart-cropping feature sometimes works well but often cuts out parts of the photo that it shouldn't have. The auto-dimming feature is also nice but occasionally mistakes a room for being darker than it is. 

The lack of internal storage may be a deal-breaker for some, since you can only view your photos if the frame is connected to Wi-Fi.

Should you get the Aura Carver Luxe HD Digital Picture Frame?

The Aura Carver Luxe is an easy-to-use frame with more storage capabilities than its competitors. Pictures and videos look great on its HD display, and the unlimited cloud storage lets you add as many of your favorite memories as you’d like without paying hidden fees. Most people will be impressed with its features, and it isn’t as expensive as you’d expect.

However, it isn’t a reasonable choice for those with spotty Wi-Fi signals. You’ll need to be careful where you place it, since the screen’s glare can be mildly distracting when light hits it.