Smart home displays have revolutionized how families stay organized, and the Skylight Calendar stands out as one of the most popular options. But with so many questions about subscription costs, camera features, and model differences, many potential buyers find themselves confused about what they're actually getting.
The Skylight Calendar is essentially a digital display that acts as a central hub for your family's schedule, photos, and important information. Unlike traditional wall calendars, this sleek device connects to your home WiFi and syncs with popular calendar apps like Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook to keep everyone on the same page.
Understanding Skylight Calendar Subscriptions
One of the most common questions potential buyers ask is whether the Skylight Calendar requires a subscription to function. The answer isn't entirely straightforward, which explains why so many people are searching for clarification.
The basic calendar functionality works without any subscription fees. You can sync your existing calendars, display family schedules, and use the core organizational features right out of the box. However, Skylight offers a premium subscription service called Skylight Plus that unlocks additional features.
With Skylight Plus, you gain access to advanced capabilities like unlimited photo storage in the cloud, premium themes and layouts, enhanced sharing options with extended family members, and priority customer support. The subscription typically costs around $5-10 per month, depending on current promotions and billing cycles.
For many families, the free tier provides everything they need. The calendar syncing, basic photo display, and scheduling features are robust enough for typical household organization. The subscription becomes more valuable for larger families or those who want to share extensively with grandparents and extended relatives.
Skylight Calendar 10 vs 15: Choosing the Right Size
Skylight offers their calendar in two main sizes: the 10-inch and 15-inch models. The size difference might seem minor on paper, but it significantly impacts the user experience and where you can effectively place the device.
The 10-inch model works well in smaller spaces like kitchens, bedrooms, or office nooks. It's more discreet and fits easily on most walls without overwhelming the room's aesthetic. This size is perfect for couples or small families who primarily need basic calendar viewing and don't require extensive detail visibility from across the room.
The 15-inch version, on the other hand, becomes a true family command center. The larger screen makes it easier to read from various angles and distances, which is particularly helpful in busy common areas like family rooms or kitchen islands. Families with multiple children, busy schedules, or those who frequently host gatherings often find the 15-inch model more practical.
Beyond screen real estate, both models offer identical functionality. The camera quality, processing power, and software capabilities remain the same regardless of size. Your choice should primarily depend on your available wall space and how many people will be regularly viewing the calendar from different distances.
Camera Functionality and Privacy Considerations
The calendar camera feature often raises questions about functionality and privacy. The built-in camera isn't designed for video calls or security monitoring like some smart displays. Instead, it serves specific organizational and family connection purposes.
Primary camera uses include taking quick photos to add to your calendar events, capturing whiteboard notes or important documents for digital storage, and enabling certain interactive features that respond to gestures or movement. Some users also utilize the camera for time-lapse photography of family activities or special occasions.
Privacy-conscious families can disable the camera entirely through the settings menu. Skylight has implemented several privacy safeguards, including physical camera covers on newer models and clear indicators when the camera is active. All photo processing happens locally on the device initially, and users control what gets uploaded to cloud storage.
Screensaver and Display Options
The Skylight Calendar screensaver functionality transforms the device from a simple calendar into an attractive digital photo frame when not actively displaying schedule information. This feature adds significant value since the device remains mounted on your wall 24/7.
During inactive periods, the display cycles through your chosen photo collections, creating an ambient slideshow that keeps your space feeling personal and dynamic. You can customize which albums appear, adjust timing between photos, and even set different screensaver themes for different times of day.
The screensaver integrates with major photo storage services like Google Photos, Apple Photos, and social media platforms. This means your latest family vacation pictures or grandchildren's photos can automatically appear without manual uploading.
Advanced screensaver options include weather integration, inspirational quotes, news headlines, and custom family messages. Some users create seasonal photo rotations that automatically adjust based on the calendar date, keeping the display fresh and relevant year-round.
My Personal Experience With Skylight
After using a Skylight Calendar 15-inch model for eight months in our busy household of five, I can share some practical insights that might help your decision-making process.
Initially, I was skeptical about whether we'd actually use a digital calendar consistently. Our family had tried various organizational apps and systems with mixed success. However, the always-visible nature of the Skylight display changed our behavior significantly.
The most valuable feature turned out to be the automatic syncing with everyone's individual phone calendars. No more asking "what do you have going on Thursday?" or double-booking activities. The kids started checking the calendar independently, which reduced the mental load on parents significantly.
I opted for the free tier initially and found it perfectly adequate for our needs. The premium subscription might be worthwhile for families who want extensive photo sharing with distant relatives, but the core functionality doesn't require it.
The 15-inch size was definitely the right choice for our main living area. It's readable from the kitchen, dining room, and family room, making it accessible during various daily activities. However, if we were to add a second unit for a bedroom or office, I'd probably choose the 10-inch model for those more intimate spaces.
Installation and Setup Considerations
Setting up the Skylight Calendar requires some basic technical comfort, but it's not overly complicated for most users. The device mounts to the wall using included hardware, and you'll need access to reliable WiFi in the installation location.
The initial software setup involves connecting to your home network and linking your various calendar accounts. This process typically takes 15-30 minutes, depending on how many different services you want to integrate.
Consider the viewing angles and height when choosing your mounting location. The screen should be easily visible to family members of different heights, and you'll want to avoid glare from windows or light fixtures that might make the display difficult to read during certain times of day.
Power requirements include a standard electrical outlet nearby, as the device doesn't run on batteries. The cord is reasonably long, but you may need to plan for cable management to maintain a clean appearance.
Making the Right Choice for Your Family
The Skylight Calendar works best for families who are already comfortable with digital calendar systems and want a centralized, always-visible display. If your household still relies primarily on paper calendars or informal scheduling, this might represent a bigger change in habits than you're ready for.
Consider starting with the free tier to evaluate whether the core functionality meets your needs before committing to a subscription. Many families find that the basic features provide excellent value without additional monthly costs.
The device investment makes most sense if you're planning to use it as both a calendar and photo display. If you only need scheduling functionality, simpler alternatives might be more cost-effective. However, if you want to replace both a family calendar and create a dynamic photo display, the Skylight Calendar offers compelling value.