As the world moves towards more and more digital devices, it’s important to keep in mind the best displays of 2022. Here are five of the best displays that we can expect to see in the near future.
- OLED: OLED is a type of display that uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). OLEDs are much brighter and have a longer life than other types of displays, making them perfect for use in high-definition applications such as gaming or movies.
- LED: LED is another type of display that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LED displays are much brighter and have a longer life than other types of displays, making them perfect for use in low-light applications such as reading or watching videos.
- VA: VA is another type of display that uses organic light-emitting diodes (VA). VA displays are much brighter and have a longer life than other types of displays, making them perfect for use in LCD or Plasma TVs.
- TFT: TFT is another type of display that uses transistors to create images on screens. TFT screens are usually much smaller than LCD or Plasma TVs, making them ideal for use in small spaces or on devices that need low power consumption.
- AMOLED: AMOLED is a type of display that uses organic light-emitting diodes (AMOLEDs). AMOLEDs are much brighter and have a longer life than other types of displays, making them perfect for use in tablets, laptops, or smartphones.
However, all of these products cater to a specific audience. Some are built with massive screens and premium cameras for crisp video calls, a few remove cameras for an affordable price tag, and others still attempt to be a jack-of-all-trades. Before you set out on a journey to find a smart display for your home, there are a few things you should consider.
First and foremost—do you need a camera built into your smart display? If you plan on using this for a video call device, you’ll need a good camera, but that comes with a higher price tag. On the flip side, if you’re looking to turn your display into a smart home hub, you probably won’t need a camera and can save a lot of cash.
It’s also important to determine your current smart home ecosystem. Many smart displays play well with either Google Assistant or Alexa, but it’d be a shame to pick up a shiny new gadget only to realize it won’t connect with the rest of your setup. Compatible voice assistants and smart home ecosystems are listed front-and-center on the spec sheet, making it easy to ensure it’ll fit your needs.
Once you’ve answered those questions, take a look at our favorite smart displays. No matter your needs, one of these highly-rated products is bound to serve you well.
Best Smart Display Overall: Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
Google’s second iteration of the Nest Hub is without a doubt the best smart display on the market. It won’t be for everybody, as the Nest Hub lacks a camera for video chats, but if you don’t mind the omission, there’s a lot to love about the tiny gadget.
✓ Affordable✓ Supports Quick Gestures✓ Built-in voice control
✗ Lacks a camera
One of the biggest improvements to second-generation Google Nest Hub is the inclusion of Soli and its Sleep Sensing technology. It also makes use of Quick Gestures and voice controls for touchless operation.
Aside from those standouts, it does everything you’d expect from a smart display. You can watch videos from Netflix and YouTube, listen to music through Spotify, or use it as a digital photo frame with a vibrant seven-inch display.
Despite the Google Nest Hub’s lengthy list of features, you’ll be happy to know it’s still as affordable as ever—the best smart display around can be had for $100.
✓ Affordable✓ High-end camera✓ Mechanical shutter for privacy
✗ Slow auto-framing
Compatible with Zoom, Skype, or any device with the Alexa app, there’s no shortage of ways to connect with family and friends around the globe. Its auto-framing capability is a bit lackluster, but that’s a minor complaint about an otherwise robust, frugal device.
Best Smart Display for Video Calling: Facebook Portal+
The Facebook Portal+ was built for video calls. Its massive 14-inch HD adaptive screen captures facial expressions and nuance not seen on smaller devices, and its 12MP camera is among the best in any smart display. Its touchscreen is also one of the easiest to use, with a clean UI for touch controls and voice commands for hands-free operation.
✓ Premium camera✓ Gigantic 14-inch screen✓ Sleek design
✗ Missing popular apps✗ Facebook branding
The biggest downfall for Portal+ is its Facebook (or Meta) branding. The company has had recent data and privacy breaches, although the company says it’s making changes to better secure personal information.
Portal’s app library is also lacking compared to other smart displays—notable absences include Instagram, WhatsApp, and even Facebook itself. Don’t expect to be doing much else with this smart display other than video chatting, though thankfully you can do just that perfectly.
✓ Built-in Alexa voice assistant✓ Motorized screen for auto-framing✓ Zigbee integration
✗ Lackluster audio✗ Bulky design
Best Smart Display for Google Home: Google Nest Hub Max
The Google Nest Hub Max is one of the most expensive products in the Google Nest lineup, and for good reason. Its sleek design puts a gorgeous 10-inch touchscreen front and center, although it’s backed by a 3-inch woofer for incredible sound and a 6.5MP camera for clear video calls. It also allows you to use Quick Gestures to control the action if you’d rather not make use of voice commands with Google Assistant.
✓ Vibrant 10-inch screen✓ Face Match for personalized info✓ Supports Duo, Meet, and Zoom
✗ Lacks support for Skype✗ Expensive
Video calls through Google Duo or Zoom are both possible on the Nest Hub Max, but its library of apps also consists of Spotify, Pandora, Netflix, and YouTube TV. It doesn’t have perfect app support, but the Nest Hub Max has a deep catalog of other popular software.
And when you’re not using one of its dozens of apps, you can turn the Nest Hub Max into a digital picture frame to show off your favorite memories.
Best Smart Display for Apple Homekit: Apple iPad
Oddly enough, not a single smart display on the market is compatible with Apple Homekit. However, if you don’t mind picking up a few additional accessories, you can easily turn a standard iPad into a makeshift smart display.
✓ Versatile✓ Vivid HD display
✗ Expensive✗ Requires a dock✗ Not really a smart display
The standard 10.2-inch tablet already looks a bit like a smart display—and its Retina display with True Tone is actually one of the nicest looking screens on this list. It’s also capable of streaming music or videos across any of the apps in the Apple App Store catalog, making it a highly versatile “smart display.”
Since the iPad can’t prop itself up, you’ll need to spring for an additional stand—although our list of the best iPad stands makes that an easy task.
It won’t look quite as nice sitting on your kitchen counter as the Echo Show 10 or Google Nest Hub Max , but if you’re building out an Apple Homekit smart home, there’s no other option. But with its A13 Bionic Chip, 12MP ultra-wide front camera, and stereo speakers, you’re the iPad won’t be lacking for features.
