Best overall		Pioneer Photo Albums Fabric Frame Cover Photo Album		SEE IT
Best value		GPIRAL Small Photo Album 2 Pack		SEE IT
Best for instant camera photos		Hapeper 256 Pockets Mini Photo Album		SEE IT

Photographs hold a storied past, and preserving them well in dedicated photo albums can keep those memories intact for decades to come. While people mostly take and store photos on their phones or computers nowadays, there’s still something to be said for printing out physical copies. Or, perhaps you have a family archive of old photos sitting in shoe boxes needing a proper home. No matter what, storing your photos in an organized way can help you enjoy them more frequently and keep them safe over the years. Keep reading to learn more about our top picks for the best photo albums.

• Best overall: Pioneer Photo Albums Fabric Frame Cover Photo Album
• Best value: GPIRAL Small Photo Album 2 Pack
• Best scrapbook: Vienrose Photo Album Self Adhesive
• Best archival: Pioneer Photo Albums 3-Ring Photo Album
• Best for instant camera photos: Hapeper 256 Pockets Mini Photo Album

How we picked the best photo albums

In selecting the best photo albums, we read reviews and reports from photo archivists. We utilized that information, as well as our own experience as photographers, to determine some of the criteria for the best photo albums. Additionally, we based the selections on extensive research and multiple years of experience testing and reviewing products.

The best photo albums: Reviews & recommendations

Best overall: Pioneer Photo Albums Fabric Frame Cover Photo Album

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The Fabric Frame Cover Photo Album hits all the marks with its durable and photo-safe materials, memo pad feature, and high-value storage.

Specs

• Dimensions: 2 x 9.25 x 9.5 inches
• Cover material: Fabric
• Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Capacity: 100 pages display up to 200 4×6 inch photos

Pros

• Memo writing area
• Simple but stylish
• Photo-safe materials
• Comes in 23 colors

Cons

• Fits only 4×6-inch photos

The best photo albums include high-quality materials, an attractive exterior, and a convenient interior. Customers and experts love Pioneer’s photo albums because they’re affordable, archival, and appealing to the eye. This particular photo album from Pioneer combines everything we love about photo albums: a classic look, high-quality construction, easy storage, and personalized flair. 

A photo album shouldn’t only hold your photos, it should capture your style and personality too. The durable fabric cover comes in more than 20 colors, so you can choose the right hue to display in your home. For storage, the interior features patented bidirectional pockets that can hold both horizontal and vertical images. You can store up to 200 4-by-6-inch photos safely because—like all of Pioneer’s albums—the Fabric Frame Cover Photo Album is acid-, lignin-, and PVC-free. 

The best part about this album is that it includes a memo area next to each photo so you can jot down names, dates, places, and more. And you can slip a photo into the fabric cover to highlight your favorite image and set the tone for the curated album—perfect for displaying on your coffee table.

Best value: GPIRAL Small Photo Album 4×6 2 Pack

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This two-pack set checks every quality we looked for in a photo album, all at a low price, making it our pick for the best value.

Specs

• Dimensions: 7.68 x 6.1 x 2.36 inches
• Cover material: Linen
• Weight: ‎10.5 ounces
• Capacity: 52 pages in each album hold 52 4×6-inch photos

Pros

• Simple but stylish
• Photo safe
• Comes in six colors
• Pack of two

Cons

• Fits only 4×6-inch photos

GPIRAL’s Small Photo Album is a fun-size version of Pioneer Photo Albums’ Fabric Cover Album without the personalized frills. Simply slip your 4-by-6-inch photo into a page’s top-slit clear acid- and PVC-free pocket. The archival-quality pocket sheets won’t stick to your photos, preventing unnecessary photo damage. This album is perfect for storing a smaller collection of images, postcards, flashcards, and more. And you can title your collection by using the album’s front window.

You can even take this album on the go! Similar to a compact journal, this photo album closes with an elastic strap and can easily fit into a backpack or tote. The best part about this set is that you get two high-quality albums for the price of one.

Best scrapbook: Vienrose Photo Album/Scrapbook

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Vienrose is the only company that offers an archival-safe scrapbook photo album at this price point.

Specs

• Dimensions: 11 x 10.6 x 1.8 inches
• Cover material: Linen
• Weight: 2.38 pounds
• Capacity: 40 pages hold up to 120 4×6-inch or 40 8×10-inch photos

Pros

• Accommodates most standard photo sizes
• Acid-free pages
• Linen cover
• Comes in 14 colors, two volumes, and two sizes

Cons

• The adhesive can damage photos

Not all scrapbooks look kitschy. Vienrose’s sophisticated scrapbook can easily blend into your bookshelf. The photo album comes in 12 colors and two sizes. That means you can choose the best option to fit your photo collection and decor. Even better, each page can accommodate standard photo sizes up to 8-by-10 inches. That’s larger than our other picks, so if you have photos bigger than 4-by-6 inches, this is the way to go.

To start scrapbooking, all you need to do is peel off the film, arrange your pictures on the semi-adhesive page, and then place the protective film on top. Some users mentioned that putting on the protective layer without air bubbles was challenging. We suggest taking your time when covering your pages. You’ll also want to use your thumb or a squeegee to smooth out any air bubbles.

Vienrose’s product is the only self-adhesive photo album on this list. We generally advise against purchasing this type of album for cherished photographs, such as older images you’re hoping to preserve because the adhesive yellows over time. If you want to create a scrapbook featuring older images, we suggest scanning, printing, and using copies of those images. You can best protect your cherished photographs in an archival photo album or a photo storage box.

Best archival: Pioneer Photo Albums 3-Ring Photo Album

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This classic photo album allows users to safely store hundreds of precious photos that can easily be rearranged.

Specs

• Dimensions: 2.75 x 8.5 x 13.5 inches
• Cover material: Leatherette
• Weight: 1.85 pounds
• Capacity: 168 pages hold 504 4×6-inch photos

Pros

• High capacity
• High-quality construction
• Classic appearance
• Three-ring binder style

Cons

• Fits only 4×6-inch landscape photos

Pioneer Photo Albums makes the list once again with this antique-style photo album. The elegant and simple design includes a leatherette cover with gold stamping. Inside you’ll find clear interior pockets with a white paper background. Unlike other photo albums on the list, this album is a three-ring binder. That means you can add and rearrange pages as you please. 

Additionally, this archival photo album holds the most photos—upward of 504 images if you purchase refill pages separately. Each page stores three 4-by-6-inch landscape photos. Unfortunately, it doesn’t allow images to be stored vertically, so you’ll have to have them turned on their side.

This product offers the best possible value for an archival photo album because it’s affordable, constructed with high-quality materials, and appealing to the eye. Like other products from Pioneer Photo Albums, you can safely store hundreds of photos for centuries to come because this photo album is acid-, lignin-, and PVC-free. 

Best for instant camera photos: Hapeper 256 Pockets Mini Photo Album

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Compared to other instant photo albums, Hapeper offers a high-capacity, contemporary product at a low price.

Specs

• Dimensions: ‎8.3 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Cover material:
• Weight: ‎9.1 ounces
• Capacity: 32 pages hold 256 photos

Pros

• Affordable
• Classic and simple style
• Practical design
• Holds lots of photos

Cons

• PVC inner pockets
• Pockets only accommodate 3.54 x 2.36-inch photos

If you’re looking to purchase an easy-to-use and stylish photo album for your instant photos, the Hapeper 256 Pockets Mini Photo Album is an affordable entry-level product. The album can accommodate film taken by most Fujifilm Instax Mini cameras, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printer, or any other device that produces 2-by-3-inch photos. In addition, it can hold up to 256 photos, so it should last you quite a while.

Each page includes four PVC inner pockets for holding photographs. We mainly prioritized choosing PVC-free albums because PVC is an unstable plastic that may corrode your photos over time. That said, archivists say they don’t yet know how plastic interacts with photographs over a long period. But if you are concerned about the longevity of your instant photos, this album may be best used as a temporary solution. 

Things to consider before buying a photo album

While photo albums are simple things without any real technology behind them, there are still some important considerations when selecting one for your photos. The items below are some of the most important things to look out for as you make your decision.

Number of pages

When it comes to choosing a photo album, you want to choose one that will accommodate all of your desired photos. Make sure to pay attention to the provided product description because it will detail how many photos the album can store and how the images will be organized. For example, an album with 40 pages consists of 20 double-sided sheets. Some will even specify how many images fit on each page and what orientation they need to be.

Photo and album size

A lot of photo albums will hold the standard photo sizes, especially 4-by-6-inch photos. If you’re hoping to store several photo sizes, we suggest choosing a scrapbook photo album. Additionally, you should consider the size of the actual photo album. Do you want to store the photo album on your bookshelf? Are you hoping to showcase it on your nightstand or coffee table? These are questions to ask yourself before buying a photo album.

Style

You should choose a photo album that reflects your personal style. Photo albums come in a wide range of colors, designs, and materials, so you can find the best product for you and your photo collection.

Material

As stressed throughout this guide, a photo album’s construction can directly impact the longevity of your photos. We recommend choosing photo albums that are acid-free, lignin-free, and PVC-free–some of the components of being archival–to prevent unnecessary damage to your physical images. Fabric-bound and leather-bound photo album covers are the most common and durable.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best photo albums

• Best overall: Pioneer Photo Albums Fabric Frame Cover Photo Album
• Best value: GPIRAL Small Photo Album 2 Pack
• Best scrapbook: Vienrose Photo Album Self Adhesive
• Best archival: Pioneer Photo Albums 3-Ring Photo Album
• Best for instant camera photos: Hapeper 256 Pockets Mini Photo Album

The best photo albums can preserve your cherished photographs for years to come. An album keeps your collection well-organized too. Overall, the Pioneer Photo Albums Fabric Frame Cover Photo Album was our choice for the best photo album for its simple, modern design and high-quality construction. 

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

The post The best photo albums of 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Photographs capture memories or tell stories, and picture frames commemorate them. Displaying your favorite pieces, whether family photos or bold art prints, can enrich the beauty of your home. And choosing the right mat and molding can transform any work into a piece of art. A quality frame will not only elevate a photograph, but it can protect it, too.

The almost endless options on the market may be overwhelming. There’s no shortage of frame and mat styles, sizes, or material options. Not all frames are created equally, however, so it’s important to consider your options carefully. A shoddy frame may not hold up, can cheapen the look of your images, and can even damage your photographs. Whether you’re looking for a classic wood frame or a modern metal one, we’ve found the best picture frames available to highlight your prints.

• Best overall: MCS Archival Matted Frame
• Best value: Mimosa Moments Gallery Wall Frame Set
• Best for tabletop: Mixoo Picture Frame 2 Pack–Rustic Wooden Photo Frames
• Best art frame: MCS Master & Co. Foundry Metal Gallery Wall Frame
• Best digital: Aura Carver Smart Digital Picture Frame
• Best for posters: FrameWorks 20” x 30” Black Brushed Aluminum Poster Picture Frame

How we chose the best picture frames

Before researching the best picture frames, I read guides and reviews from interior designers, framing and hanging experts, and art curators. I evaluated more than fifty products based on experts’ insights, reviewers’ feedback, and the provided description. As a commerce writer for home goods, I regularly vet and review products. I utilized my expertise and research to determine essential criteria for finding the best picture frames, including style, materials, and value.

The best picture frames: Reviews and recommendations

Best overall: MCS Archival Matted Frame

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: MCS’s archival picture frame will protect, preserve, and enhance any image and room with its high-quality construction and simple but elegant design.

Specs

• Frame dimensions: 11×14 inches
• Mat opening: 8×10 inches
• Materials: Wood frame, UV-protective glass 

Pros 

• Includes an acid-free and lignin-free mat
• Wood construction
• UV protective glass layer
• Classic style

Cons

• Somewhat pricey for a single frame

Nothing screams classic like a wide, black wooden frame. MCS’s Archival Matted Frame can tastefully display a host of images, from family photos to art prints. It consists of a black 11-by-14-inch solid wood frame and a white 8-by-10-inch mat. The wide edges of the frame help make a statement on your wall, though the simple design keeps the focus on the work inside.

MCS prides itself on offering high-quality construction at a low price compared to other retailers. The archival picture frame proves them right. This wooden molding is well-crafted and heavy-duty. The acid-free and lignin-free mat and the UV-protective glass prevent discoloration and damage over time, making it a safe place to keep important photographs.

Best value: Mimosa Moments Gallery Wall Frame Set

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Mimosa’s gallery set is an affordable option for people who want to display a mix of their favorite photos and artwork.

Specs

• Frame dimensions: One 11×14, two 7×9, and four 6×8-inch frames
• Mat opening: One 8×10, two 5×7, and four 4×6
• Materials: Recycled Polystyrene, glass

Pros

• Affordable
• Comes in 4 colors
• Frames can hang horizontally or vertically
• Will look good in almost any home

Cons

• Lower-quality molding

Build the gallery wall of your dreams with Mimosa’s affordable and versatile frame set. The seven-piece set is available in four colors and includes one matted 11-by-14 picture frame, two matted 7-by-9 picture frames, and four matted 6-by-8 picture frames. 

Interior decorators advise using picture frames of various sizes to create a gallery wall to create visual interest, and this set allows you to do just that. In addition, you can mount all of the included frames vertically or horizontally, perfect for arranging an eye-catching and eclectic gallery wall.

The frames are surprisingly sturdy and stylish, especially given the price. However, the picture frame’s molding consists of lower-quality, recycled polystyrene, which is less durable than wood or metal. The glass layer will offer your images some protection, though. Mimosa Moments Gallery Wall Frame Set is an excellent option if you’re looking for an affordable, appealing, and simple gallery set.

Best tabletop: Mixoo Picture Frame 2 Pack–Rustic Wooden Photo Frames

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Mixoo offers a unique yet sleek and elegant design compared to other wooden tabletop picture frames, making it our top choice for a tabletop frame.

Specs

• Frame dimensions: Horizontal: 6.5 x 1.8 x 2.4, vertical: 4.4 x 1.9 x 2.4 inches
• Mat opening: No mat included, but holds 4 x 6-inch photos
• Materials: Wooden base, acrylic covers

Pros

• Appealing design
• Natural wood molding
• Available in 3 sizes
• Looks great with either traditional and modern decor

Cons

• Some may dislike the acrylic plate

For anyone who wants to display a cherished photo on their desk, bookshelf, or nightstand, Mixoo Rustic Wooden Picture Frame is a great option to consider. Depending on which set you decide to purchase, this two-pack of frames can fit 4-by-6, 5-by-7, or 6-by-8-inch photographs. You can also select a set that accommodates one vertical and one horizontal image or two vertical.

No assembly is required for installation. All you need to do is remove the protective film on the acrylic plate, insert your photo between the two acrylic covers, and place the covers into the wooden base. And the wooden base style is much sturdier than traditional easel back frames, which can fall over if the surface they are on gets bumped.

Best art frame: MCS Master & Co. Foundry Metal Gallery Wall Frame

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: We chose MCS Master & Co. Foundry Metal Gallery Wall Frame because it offers a sleek, sophisticated style that will preserve and showcase a gorgeous piece of art.

Specs

• Frame dimensions: 16.375 x 20.375 inches
• Mat opening: 11 x 14 inches
• Materials: Metal, tempered glass

Pros

• Comes in 10 sizes and three colors
• Metal molding
• Vertical and horizontal hanging options
• Acid-free mat

Cons

• The pre-attached sawtooth hangers can be a pain

Art curators, framing experts, and interior decorators will tell you that a well-designed combination of frame and mat adds value and visual weight to an image. However, it’s important to exercise restraint when selecting a frame’s molding and mat. You want to choose a combination that doesn’t detract from or compete with the art itself.

MCS Master & Co. Foundry Metal Gallery Wall Frame encapsulates everything an entry art collector would like in a frame. The aluminum molding, tempered glass layer, and acid-free mat will protect the print from damage and discoloration.

The sleek black finish and white mat can add dimension and heightened sophistication to your art. Unfortunately, the flat style of attached sawtooth hangers are a bit annoying to deal with. But they do allow you to hang the frame either vertically or horizontally. And at this price, you won’t find a better quality frame for displaying and preserving your favorite artwork.

Best digital: Aura Carver Smart Digital Picture Frame

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Out of all the digital frames we looked at, Aura’s Carver Smart Digital Frame is the easiest to install, upload photos, and display on the tabletop of your choosing.

Specs

• Frame dimensions: 10.5 x 7.3 x 2.1 inches
• Storage: 10,000 +, unlimited cloud storage
• Resolution: 1920 x 1200

Pros

• High-quality image
• Sleek minimalist design
• Easy photo sharing
• Free unlimited cloud storage

Cons

• Expensive
• Landscape only

Aura’s Carver Smart Digital Picture Frame is truly excellent. Almost anyone can set up this digital frame. Simply plug the cord into an electrical outlet and connect the device to WiFi to get started. From there, you can add upwards of 10,000 photos using their easy-to-use mobile app. 

We love that you don’t need to physically connect to or plug anything into the device like lots of other digital frames. Instead, you’ll need to use an Android or iPhone device to transfer the pictures. And friends and family can even send photos remotely to Aura’s Carver frame using the mobile app.

The high-quality design features a stunning display with its 1900 x 1200 resolution. Your photos will look crisp and clear. Guests won’t notice it’s a digital frame because it doesn’t give off a computer-like glare. The only downside to this frame is that it only offers a landscape orientation, but the device will automatically pair two portrait photos side-by-side.

Best for posters: FrameWorks 20” x 30” Black Brushed Aluminum Poster Picture Frame

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This FrameWorks poster frame offers modern metal styling to keep the focus on your poster instead of the frame. 

Specs

• Frame dimensions: 30 x 20 inches
• Mat opening: Not applicable (no mat included)
• Materials: Aluminum, plexiglass

Pros

• Comes in 8 sizes and 3 colors
• Affordable
• Can hang vertically or horizontally

Cons

• Included plexiglass isn’t very high quality

Posters require larger frames. And while there are plenty of cheap large frames, they can frequently be flimsy due to the longer sides. However, the FrameWorks poster frame—thanks to the aluminum design—maintains a sturdy structure despite its 30-by-20-inch size. Should that not be the right size for you, it also comes in eight additional sizes for a range of poster formats. 

This black frame works well with just about any poster and decor type. But you can also select a gold or silver frame if that is more your style. It comes with sawtooth hangers already attached to two sides. It even uses two per side to prevent the frame from swinging when hung on the wall. Unfortunately, it comes with rather thin plexiglass. It makes the entire setup lighter, but you will want to take care when cleaning so that you don’t scratch it.

Things to consider before buying picture frames

A picture frame may seem like a small purchase, but the right frame will preserve your memories and add to the appeal of your home. Before you buy, think about the following:

Style

First and foremost, consider where you are going to hang your piece. You don’t want the frame to look out of place in your room. Is your room more traditional, modern, or a mix? Keep that in mind when searching for a picture frame. On the other hand, it’s important to choose a picture frame that will enhance the beauty of your photo. Art curators advise people to choose a frame that will compliment the overall tone of a piece rather than a dominant color that will compete for attention.

Matting

Framing experts and art collectors maintain that most pieces look better with a mat. A mat can make a framed photograph look much more polished than one without. They prefer a contrasting-colored mat and molding because it draws the eyes toward the subject and casts out the frame, allowing viewers to connect easily with the image. White is the safest bet as it won’t compete with the colors in a photograph and offers a classic, sophisticated style.

Size

Of course, you should always look for a picture frame that will fit your image. But measuring the wall space you have for the frame is also essential. You want a bit of wall space around the frame for it to look the best. On the flip side, a tiny frame on a large wall may look out of place. Beyond frame size, if you’re looking for a matted frame, you’ll want to ensure the mat’s window size matches your image’s size.

Material

A high-quality molding and matboard can protect your image for decades. Wood and metal are the most popular choices for moldings due to their durability. They tend to look more polished as well. Fiberboard, plastic, or polystyrene frames tend to be flimsy and prone to getting dented or chipped, so you’ll need to take more care with them.  

The material that covers the art, called glazing, also impacts how your artwork will appear and how well it is protected. There are two glazing materials: Glass and acrylic—also called plexiglass. Glass glazing is common because it doesn’t scratch easily. However, glass can break and is quite heavy. Glass is also more expensive. Plexiglass, on the other hand, is shatterproof, lightweight, and more affordable. Plexi scratches easily, though, so you’ll want to be careful when cleaning them. 

You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune framing photographs and posters. A plaster molding and layer is fine for displaying a piece, though it won’t offer the same protection and may not last as long as other materials.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best picture frames

With so many picture frame options on the market, it can be challenging to determine what’s worth buying. Your best bet is to choose a metal or wood frame with UV-protective glass glazing, especially if you want it to hold up and protect your photographs for the long run. 

The post The best picture frames of 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.