"When I first moved into my home, I debated for months on whether to mount a TV above the fireplace in the living room. The fireplace and surrounding built-ins are the true focal point of our open-concept living area, and I didn’t want anything to detract from their beauty. However, without a TV on the main level, I missed being able to pop on a show whenever I pleased or put something on in the background while I cooked in the adjacent kitchen. Finally, I caved and spent a couple hundred bucks on a basic TV to mount up there, but ever since, that big black rectangle has haunted me whenever I walk in the room. Yes, it’s convenient, but it’s also an eyesore in my otherwise meticulously decorated living room.
However, because we live in the age of technology, there are better options out there—namely, the Samsung Frame TV. With a design that sits flush with the wall and the ability to display stunning artwork when you’re not watching something, it turns what would otherwise be an eyesore into a literal piece of art. But with prices ranging from $600 to a few thousand dollars depending on the size, it’s not a purchase I’d take lightly. Luckily, several members of The Everygirl team own a Samsung Frame TV, so I tapped them to share their first-hand experiences and unfiltered thoughts. So if you (like me) are wondering whether the Samsung Frame TV is actually worth it, keep reading for our editors’ honest review.
What is the Samsung Frame TV?
The Samsung Frame TV’s main draw is that it’s designed to look like framed artwork. It comes equipped with a feature called Art Mode that allows you to display artwork on the screen when you’re not watching something. The screen itself has a matte finish that reduces glare, and it comes with an extra-slim wall mount that allows it to hang almost flush with the wall like a real piece of art. You can also customize the TV with magnetic bezels that snap into place around the screen like a picture frame. “When the TV is not in use, it looks like a piece of art hanging on the wall and immediately beautifies the space,” said Alaina Kaz, The Everygirl’s CEO.
“The Frame TV is truly beautiful, and picking out or swapping the art display is such a fun experience. It hangs flat against the wall, blending seamlessly with our decor, and really does look like a piece of art. For someone who passionately loves decorating, it’s amazing how the TV no longer feels like the focal point of the room—and I love that.”
In terms of functionality, it has all the features you’d expect from a smart TV, including built-in apps like Netflix, voice control, and the ability to pair with Google Assistant or Alexa. With a 4K QLED display, it offers similar picture quality to most other top TV brands on the market. “To me, it’s the exact same as the other high-definition TVs we have in our basement and our bedroom,” Alaina said. “I cannot tell the difference.”
The Everygirl’s Editor-in-Chief Allyson Trammell mentioned seeing some negative reviews about poor picture quality and glare before purchasing hers, but fortunately, that hasn’t been her experience. “I’ve always been impressed by the picture quality and haven’t had any issues with glare,” she said. “Plus, my husband has only had good things to say about it, so if it passes his test, that’s good enough for me.”
“We knew the best place for a TV was above the fireplace in our family room, but I don’t love the look of a TV being the focal point, and I especially didn’t want to hang a giant black box above a beautiful mantel. The Samsung Frame TV is the perfect solution because it looks like a beautiful piece of art in the room 95 percent of the time but functions as a TV when it is on for the time we want to watch it.”
How does Art Mode work?
Art Mode is easily the Frame TV’s biggest selling point. “I love art, and the ability to change the art on such a large screen was what made me want the Frame TV so badly,” said Kirra Wallace, The Everygirl’s Deputy Art Director. When you’re not watching TV, you can simply hit the power button to enable Art Mode and transform the screen into a work of art. “I usually switch the TV to Art Mode when we have people over or when we’re just hanging out in the living room,” Allyson said. In Art Mode, the brightness and color tone automatically adjust to the room’s lighting for the most realistic look. It also features a motion sensor, so the TV will turn off when you leave the room to conserve energy.
“I always have the Art Mode on when I am in the room and not watching TV. It really is the focal point of my living room, and it makes me smile every time I see it! Most of my favorite artists sell digital Frame TV art versions of their paintings, which is so cool because I can get the art I love for a fraction of the price, while still supporting a small business!”
The Frame TV comes with a small selection of art, but you can also upload your own photos or art you’ve downloaded elsewhere. “I love buying custom art downloads from Etsy based on the season or my mood—it’s an incredibly affordable way to change up the decor, especially if you have it displayed above the mantel like we do,” Allyson said. The Samsung Art Store also offers art for purchase and a subscription for $4.99 a month, which Alaina uses to access more options.
And yes, it really does look like art. “I’ve had so many people come into our home who were shocked to learn it was a TV,” Alaina said. She noted that there are several settings you can adjust to help it look more realistic, including the brightness and the option to add a mat around the artwork. As Allyson said, “If you’re willing to play with the app, it’s almost scary how real you can make it look.”
What are the disadvantages?
The price
For most people—myself included—the biggest downside is the price. A 55-inch model (the most common size for a living room) will set you back nearly $1,500 at regular price. That’s about double or triple what you’d typically pay for a regular smart TV of that size. However, the Frame TV’s design-forward look makes it much more aesthetically pleasing than a regular TV, so you have to determine whether that makes the cost difference worth it. Kirra also noted that large-scale art is generally expensive on its own, and the Frame TV offers multiple functions. “It felt like it was on par with the pricing of some large-scale art from my favorite artists, plus it was a TV, so it basically sold itself,” Kirra said.
The mounting process
Additionally, mounting a Frame TV can be tricky without professional help. Unlike traditional TVs, the Frame achieves its slim profile by housing all the hardware in a separate black box, which connects to the screen via a single cable. If you have a spot to hide this box (like a cabinet) directly below the TV, you’re golden. However, Allyson noted that in her living room, the only way to get the seamless, flush-mounted look was to cut a large hole behind the TV for the box to live. You can find kits to help you achieve this or hire a professional to do it for you, but that requires an additional investment on top of the cost of the TV. “Before you buy, I’d definitely recommend assessing your space to see if hiding the box will be as tricky as it is for us,” she said.
The remote
The Frame TV also comes with a remote that charges via a cord or solar power, which can be an adjustment for those used to battery-operated remotes that don’t need frequent charging. “There’s no warning when the battery is low—it just stops working, which is incredibly frustrating for someone who can barely remember to charge their phone,” Allyson said. “You can use a remote app on your phone as a backup, but honestly, I’d prefer a regular remote with batteries I only have to replace once a year.”
Is the Samsung Frame TV worth it?
The Samsung Frame TV is an investment, but if you have the budget and aesthetics are a priority for you, our editors agree that it’s worth the splurge. Especially for something you’ll look at every single day, paying a bit more for a version you really love makes sense. “If you plan on placing the Samsung Frame in a main focal area of a room or home, it is absolutely worth the money,” Alaina said.
However, Allyson noted that for her, the price is only justifiable if you can buy it on sale. The Frame TV generally goes on sale during major sales events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, often dropping hundreds of dollars in price. So if you’ve been considering buying one, Samsung’s Black Friday sale going on right now is one of the best times all year to take the plunge.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.