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Buying Guide
Digital Calendar Buying Guide: How To Choose A Smart Family Calendar
A digital calendar can help busy households keep schedules, chores, lists, meals, reminders and family routines visible in one shared place. This guide explains what to look for before buying one, including app compatibility, touch screen control, subscription costs, privacy, placement and power requirements.
Between school runs, work shifts, sport, appointments, shopping lists, pets, meals and weekend plans, family organisation can quickly spread across phones, paper notes, fridge magnets and group chats. A digital calendar brings that daily planning into one clear home display so everyone can see what is happening next.
The best digital calendar for your home is not just the biggest screen or the most expensive device. It should be easy for the household to understand, simple to update, compatible with the calendar apps you already use, and practical enough to become part of the daily routine.
Best for
Busy families and shared routines
Check first
Google, Apple and Outlook compatibility
Big watch-out
Ongoing subscription costs
What is a digital calendar?
A digital calendar is an electronic calendar or family planner that shows events, reminders and daily tasks on a screen. Unlike a paper calendar, a digital calendar can be updated, shared and synced so the family can keep plans current.
A family digital calendar is usually designed for a central space in the home, such as the kitchen, living room, hallway, study area or family command centre. It can make schedules easier to see than checking separate phones throughout the day.
Quick buying checklist
- Check ongoing subscription costs first. Some digital calendars may charge extra for everyday features such as calendar syncing, chores, routines, lists or photo sharing.
- Confirm calendar app compatibility. Check whether it works with popular calendar apps such as Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or iCloud Calendar, and Outlook.
- Choose a screen size that is easy to read from a few metres away.
- Check whether the screen is touch enabled, not just a display-only photo frame.
- Look for family-friendly features such as chores, lists, routines, meal planning and colour-coded views.
- Check Wi-Fi requirements before setup, including whether your home network uses 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or both.
- Consider privacy and security, including how calendar access, photos and shared family information are handled.
- If you want wall placement, check whether you have the right hook or mounting method for your wall type, and make sure you know where wires, pipes and power points are before installing anything.
- Plan for mains power. The supplied power cable may not reach your preferred location, so you may need a suitable extension cord or a different placement.
Digital calendar vs paper planner vs phone calendar
| Option | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Paper planner | Simple weekly planning, notes and fridge reminders. | Low cost and easy to use, but updates usually need to be written manually. |
| Phone calendar | Personal reminders, appointments and alerts. | Great for individuals, but family visibility depends on sharing settings and who checks their phone. |
| Digital family calendar | A shared home screen for schedules, routines, lists, reminders and family photos. | Works best when placed somewhere visible, connected to Wi-Fi and set up with the calendar apps your household already uses. |
Looking for a family-sized display? See the Laser 15.6 inch digital calendar.
What to check before buying a digital calendar
1. Screen size and readability
A family calendar should be easy to read at a glance. A 15 inch to 16 inch screen is a practical size for many homes because it gives enough space for schedules, tasks and lists without taking over the room.
2. Touch screen controls
Check that the screen is interactive, not just display-only. Some digital photo frames can show calendar information, but may still need a phone for most changes. A touch screen lets the family interact directly with the display.
3. Calendar app compatibility
Check whether the digital calendar can bring together the calendar apps your family already uses, such as Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or iCloud Calendar, and Outlook.
4. Family member colours
Colour-coded family views make it easier to see who needs to be where. This is useful for school, work, sport, activities and appointments.
5. Chores, tasks and routines
A good family digital calendar should do more than show dates. Look for task lists, chore tracking, routines or checklists that help manage daily jobs.
6. Shared lists and meal planning
Shopping lists, errands, school supplies and meal planning are common reasons families look for a digital planner.
7. Photo display and remote sharing
Some digital calendars can also work as a photo display when they are not being used for planning. Check whether photos can be added remotely through the supported app, so family members can help keep the display updated.
8. Wi-Fi requirements
Before buying, check whether the digital calendar needs 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, 5 GHz Wi-Fi or supports both. This is one of the most common setup points to check before placing the screen.
9. Power and placement
Most family-sized digital calendars are designed for mains power. Check where the power point is, whether the cable reaches, and whether an extension cord is needed for the location you have in mind.
10. App model and subscriptions
Check which app powers the calendar and whether everyday features need an ongoing subscription. For the Laser 15.6 Inch Digital Calendar, the Whale Framely app supports family planning features without a paid subscription requirement for everyday calendar use.
11. Privacy and security
A digital calendar may contain family schedules, photos and household information. Check how the app handles privacy, calendar access, content sharing and security certifications before buying.
Important buying tip
Do digital calendars need a paid subscription?
Some smart calendar products may place certain features behind a paid plan. Before buying, check whether everyday features such as calendar management, lists, routines, phone syncing, photo display or reminders require an ongoing monthly or annual fee.
A good digital family calendar should help organise the household without adding another everyday subscription cost.
Feature comparison
Use this comparison as a quick way to check whether a digital calendar is likely to suit your household. Features can vary by product, app and setup, so always check the latest product details before buying.
| Feature | Paper or basic calendar | Premium smart calendar | Laser 15.6 inch digital calendar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price and value | Low upfront cost, mostly manual | Can cost significantly more and may include paid feature tiers | Strong value with no paid subscription required for everyday calendar features |
| Shared schedules | Manual or limited | Yes | Yes |
| Google, Apple and Outlook calendars | No | Usually yes | Yes, through Whale Framely |
| Calendar update speed | Manual updates | Varies by product, app and service | Tested to update quickly, typically around a minute under normal Wi-Fi conditions |
| Touch screen interaction | No | Usually yes | Yes |
| Chores and routines | Manual or limited | Yes | Yes |
| Meal planning and lists | Manual or limited | Yes | Yes |
| Photo display | No or limited | Yes | Yes |
| Remote photo sharing | No | Sometimes | Yes, through compatible app |
| Ongoing subscription | No subscription, but no smart features | May require a paid plan for some features | No paid subscription required for everyday calendar features |
Where should you place a digital calendar at home?
The best place is somewhere the family already passes through during the day. A digital calendar works best when it becomes part of the household routine.
- Kitchen: Useful for meals, school notes, shopping lists and morning routines.
- Hallway: Good for checking the day before leaving the house.
- Living area: Helpful for shared family visibility.
- Study zone: Useful for homework, assignments and weekday planning.
- Command centre: Works well with keys, bags, chargers and school items nearby.
A shared digital calendar can help keep family schedules, lists, routines and reminders visible in one place.
Why choose the Laser 15.6 Inch Digital Calendar?
The Laser 15.6 Inch Digital Calendar with Touch Screen White is built for busy homes that want a practical shared screen for family schedules, tasks, lists, meal planning, reminders and photos.
No paid subscription required
Use everyday calendar features without paying extra each month to unlock core family planning functionality.
Powered by Whale Framely
Bring Google, Apple and Outlook calendars together through the Whale Framely app, so the household can stay in sync from one shared display.
Fast calendar updates
In Laser and supplier testing, calendar changes typically appeared on the display in around a minute under normal Wi-Fi conditions.
Privacy and security focus
Whale Framely states that data transmissions are protected by end-to-end encryption and that it is ISO/IEC 27001 and 27701 certified for information security and privacy management.
Australian compliance and support
Laser products are supplied through Australian compliance processes, including relevant electrical safety and RCM requirements, with local support available through Laser.
Backed by Laser Australia
Laser is an Australian consumer technology company based in Macquarie Park, with over 40 years of experience in consumer electronics.
Remote photo sharing
Show favourite family photos when the calendar is not being used for planning, with support for remotely adding photos through the compatible app.
Before you buy: final checklist
- Are everyday calendar features included without an ongoing paid subscription?
- Does it work with your family’s calendar apps, such as Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or iCloud Calendar, and Outlook?
- Will the screen be easy to see from where your family usually stands?
- Is the screen touch enabled, or is it display-only?
- Is there a suitable power point near where the calendar will sit?
- Will the supplied cable reach, or will you need a suitable extension cord?
- If you want wall placement, do you have the right hook or mounting method for your wall type, and have you checked for wires and pipes?
- Does your home Wi-Fi support the calendar requirements?
- How does the app handle privacy, photo sharing and calendar permissions?
- Can the family understand and use it without needing one person to manage everything?
Digital calendar FAQs
What is the best digital calendar for a family?
The best digital calendar for a family is one that is easy to read, simple to update and useful for everyday household routines. Look for a clear screen, touch controls, calendar syncing, shared lists, chores or routines, remote photo sharing, privacy controls and no unnecessary subscription costs for everyday use.
Do I need a paid subscription for a digital calendar?
Some smart calendars may require a paid plan for certain features. The Laser 15.6 Inch Digital Calendar does not require a paid subscription for everyday calendar features, so check this point carefully when comparing options.
Does it work with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and Outlook?
The Laser 15.6 Inch Digital Calendar uses the Whale Framely app, which supports bringing Google, Apple and Outlook calendars together so the family can view shared schedules from one display.
How quickly do calendar changes appear?
Calendar updates are designed to sync quickly. In Laser and supplier testing, calendar changes typically appeared on the display in around a minute under normal Wi-Fi conditions. Actual timing can vary depending on Wi-Fi strength, app settings and the calendar service being used.
Can multiple people edit it?
Yes, multiple invited family members can help manage shared calendar information through the compatible app, depending on permissions and how the household chooses to set it up.
Can grandparents access the calendar?
Grandparents or other family members can access the calendar when they are invited through the compatible app, subject to account setup and the permissions selected by the main user.
How do I share a family calendar while keeping my work calendar separate?
Use your calendar app settings to choose which calendars are shared or synced. Whale Framely states that calendar access is controlled by the accounts and calendars you explicitly connect, so avoid connecting calendars you do not want visible on the family display.
Can photos be added remotely?
Yes, photos can be added through the compatible app, making it easier for family members to help keep the display updated even when they are not standing in front of the screen.
Is my calendar and photo data private?
Whale Framely states that data transmissions are protected by end-to-end encryption, that users control which photos and videos are shared, and that calendar access is based on the accounts and calendars explicitly connected by the user.
Is the Whale Framely app ISO certified?
Whale Framely states that it is ISO/IEC 27001 and 27701 certified for information security and privacy management. This is useful to check when comparing smart calendars that handle family schedules and photos.
Do digital calendars need Wi-Fi?
Most smart digital calendars need Wi-Fi for setup, syncing and updates. Always check whether the product needs 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, 5 GHz Wi-Fi or supports both before buying.
Can I mount it on the wall?
The Laser 15.6 Inch Digital Calendar is supplied with a table stand and is designed for indoor home use near a power point. If wall mounting is required, check the latest product documentation and only use a supported mounting method. Always consider the wall type, hook or bracket, nearby wires, pipes and power access before installing anything.
Ready to bring the family day into focus?
Explore the Laser 15.6 Inch Digital Calendar with Touch Screen White and check current availability.
View Digital CalendarProduct features, compatibility and availability may change. Check the product page and support information for the latest details before ordering.