Aura Carver Mat 10" (AFM900-M series) vs Skylight Frame 2 (10")
Skylight Frame 2 (10")
The short answer
Aura Carver Mat 10" (AFM900-M series) and Skylight Frame 2 (10") finish almost level in our scoring (8.1 vs 8.0 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. Aura Carver Mat 10" (AFM900-M series) is stronger on ease of use for the grandparent, family photo sharing, privacy, security and safety and value. Skylight Frame 2 (10") is stronger on display quality and size and reliability and offline behavior. At current verified prices, the Aura Carver Mat 10" (AFM900-M series) costs about $10.99 less.
- Choose the Aura Carver Mat 10" (AFM900-M series) if: Families who will set it up and fill it from their own phones, for a grandparent with stable 2.4 GHz home Wi-Fi who only needs to plug it in.
- Choose the Skylight Frame 2 (10") if: Big families where some relatives would rather email photos than install an app, and the grandparent likes a simple touchscreen.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Aura Carver Mat 10" (AFM900-M series) | Skylight Frame 2 (10") |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use for the grandparent | 9.2Family set it up remotely and add photos from the app; auto on/off and auto brightness, so the grandparent never needs the app. | 8.6Simple touchscreen that can be preloaded before gifting (NBC Select). |
| Family photo sharing | 8.8Unlimited invites and unlimited free cloud storage; video sound is limited to 30-second clips. | 8.5Email-to-frame plus the app; video may need Plus because Skylight's pages conflict. |
| Display quality and size | 7.01280x800 at 10.1 inches, landscape only; not as sharp as 2K rivals. | 8.21920x1200 at 10 inches; the touchscreen picks up fingerprints. |
| Reliability and offline behavior | 5.0Cloud-only with no local storage and 2.4 GHz only (Engadget, Aura). | 8.316GB of on-frame storage keeps showing photos offline. |
| Privacy, security and safety | 8.5Established company app, no recall found, uses about 2 Wh asleep. | 7.5Established brand; the old adapter recall covered Series I adapters only. |
| Value | 7.8$149.95 to $179 with no subscription ever. | 6.3$189.99, plus $39/yr for remote settings and likely for video. |
Specifications
| Spec | Aura Carver Mat 10" (AFM900-M series) | Skylight Frame 2 (10") |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 10.1 in | 10 in |
| Resolution | 1280 x 800 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes |
| Orientation | Landscape only (pairs portrait photos side by side) | — |
| On-frame storage | — | 16 GB |
| Shows photos without Wi-Fi | No | Yes |
| Email photos to frame | — | Yes |
| Sharing app/platform | Aura app (unlimited free cloud) | Skylight email address + app + web |
| Paid plan notes | None | Skylight Plus $39/yr is required for remote settings and doodles. The product page says video is free, but the Frame 2 FAQ and manual say video and captions need Plus. |
| Wi-Fi bands | 2.4 GHz | — |
Aura Carver Mat 10" (AFM900-M series)
Pros
- Giver-side setup; nothing for the grandparent to configure
- Free unlimited cloud storage and no subscription
- Auto brightness and room-light sleep
- Simple app sharing for the whole family
Cons
- Landscape only; portrait photos are paired side by side
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
- No local storage, so it needs a constant connection
- Modest 1280x800 screen
The best choice for families who will manage everything remotely and whose grandparent has stable home Wi-Fi. Walmart lists it below Amazon and Best Buy, so compare prices before buying. For weak internet, look at the Pexar instead.
Full Aura Carver Mat 10" (AFM900-M series) review →Skylight Frame 2 (10")
Pros
- Email-to-frame plus app sharing
- Sharpest 10-inch screen in the lineup
- 16GB storage keeps photos showing offline
- Simple touchscreen
Cons
- Remote settings require Skylight Plus, about $39 a year
- Video and captions may need Plus too
- Touchscreen collects fingerprints
- Rests on one independent Frame 2 test
The best fit for big families with mixed tech comfort. Budget for the Plus plan if relatives will send video or you want to change settings remotely.
Full Skylight Frame 2 (10") review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Digital Frames for Grandparents of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.