Unlike traditional artwork, digital frames glow and require a power cord. This combination is a design nightmare if you want to hang the frame on a wall or want the natural look of the art to shine rather than LCD backlighting.
SwitchBot AI Art Frame finally solves all that. If you’ve been waiting for a digital photo frame that doesn’t look like a screen stuck to your wall, this is it. When we first saw this model at IFA 2025, it won the Techlicious award, and after spending two months with the 13.3-inch model at home, we can confirm that it lives up to its promise.
The problem with digital frames has always been that they look like technology. When you plug it in, you’ll see a glowing rectangle with a power cord that connects to the nearest outlet (if there’s no outlet nearby, you’re out of luck). For a screen that’s meant to be part of your interior, you’d expect it to blend in better than a mini TV.
The AI Art Frame uses E Ink Spectra 6-color e-paper instead of an LCD, so there’s no backlight, glow, or blue light. The image on the display looks like it was printed on matte paper. Lately, color E-inks have been popping up in more places. E-readers such as Amazon Kindle Colorsoft and TCL’s NXTPAPER tablet display have already proven that this technology is suitable for everyday use. Digital art frames are clearly the next step, and SwitchBot’s implementation is the most convincing version I’ve seen yet.
Even better, no code is required. The built-in battery lasts up to two years, so you can place it anywhere in your home. The AI Art Frame comes in three sizes: 7.3 inches for $149.99, 13.3 inches for $349.99, and 31.5 inches for $1,299.99 on the Switchbot site.
I’ve had a picture of my cat in a frame for two months now, but I had to tell people it was actually a screen. The aluminum housing has a clean, minimalist look. E Ink reflects ambient light just like a real painting, making this frame blend into your room. I can’t say the same about other digital frames I’ve tried.
Setting up the Switchbot AI art frame is easy
Setup is fairly easy using the SwitchBot app. When you connect your phone to the frame via Bluetooth, you can upload your own photos, choose from AI-generated art, or use the AI Art Remix feature to transform your photos into something like a watercolor or oil painting.
SwitchBot’s AI Studio is powered by a Google Gemini model called NanoBanana and is available with a 30-day free trial that includes up to 400 AI generations per month. After that, it’s $3.99 per month. The AI stuff is fun to play with, but to be honest, I preferred uploading my own photos and actual artwork.
If you want to transform your personal photos into an art style, the Remix feature is probably the most useful AI addition. You can take a regular photo and turn it into something like a watercolor, oil painting, or sketch. Give your personal photos a whole new look instead of just adjusting existing photos.
Read more: Amazon’s $899 Art TV pushes picture frame TVs into the mainstream
Upload your art from your phone’s gallery through the SwitchBot app. If the image doesn’t match the frame’s aspect ratio, the app can crop and reposition the image before sending. The upload process isn’t the fastest, taking about 15-30 seconds as the frame updates when you change the image and some colors flash during the update, but this is all typical E Ink behavior. This is a static display, so video or animation is not an option. You can set it to cycle through photos on a schedule, but I’m perfectly happy leaving one image alone for a few weeks at a time.
The real advantage is battery life
What puts it in a completely different category than traditional digital frames is battery life. SwitchBot says the battery will last up to two years on a single charge, and from what I’ve seen so far, that’s definitely true.
After 2 months of viewing one photo, the frame went from 100% to 91%. This is a great result because you can leave this frame hanging on the wall for years without the need for power cords, outlets, or wall wiring. You can attach it to a nail, place it on a shelf using the built-in kickstand, or if you want a different look, you can also attach the panel to an IKEA RÖDALM frame. With months between charges, you won’t have to mess with the frame as much. When you’re ready to charge, just connect it to your USB-C charging cable and you’ll get another year or two of use.
Although it’s not the only E Ink frame on the market, the SwitchBot is superior when it comes to longevity. Aura Ink ($499, 13-inch) uses the same E Ink Spectra 6 display and claims up to three months of battery life when changing one photo per day. You can also text your photos directly to the frame, which is super convenient. B. SwitchBot is also $150 cheaper with the same screen size and includes AI art generation tools that Aura doesn’t have.
Who is this best for?
At $349.99 for the 13.3-inch model, the Switchbot AI Art Frame is decidedly premium when compared to LCD frames that cost $50 to $150. But I think that comparison is meaningless. This doesn’t compete with cheap digital frames at all. It is intended as a replacement for actual wall art on prominent walls of your home. At this price, it’s much more versatile than a single canvas or paper art print.
This frame is also a good choice for renters who can’t cut holes in the walls or run wiring for new outlets. It’s also a solid choice for those who think traditional digital frames look cheap and flashy. This frame is not like that at all.
What I found useful is the backlight for dimly lit rooms, but if you skip this the frame behaves more like a real piece of artwork. Ordinary paintings also do not glow at night. You also get battery life and a paper-like appearance, so the trade-off makes sense. I’m looking forward to testing the 31.5-inch model next. It should be even more effective as a wall decoration.
I’ve been testing technology products for 13 years and this is honestly one of my favorites. I haven’t thought much about it since I set it up. That’s a sure sign of a great technology product. Just set it up, load your photos or photo sets, and enjoy.
(Image credit: Palash Volvoikar/Techlicious)
