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Customer Ratings & Reviews

Customer reviews

Rating 4.6 out of 5 stars with 824 reviews

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Rating by feature

  • Value

    Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

  • Quality

    Rating 4.6 out of 5 stars

  • Ease of Use

    Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Cons mentioned filter

93%would recommend to a friend

Customers are saying

Customers commend the 10.1" Portal (1st Generation) for its excellent video calling capabilities, ease of use, and clear, large screen. Many appreciate the Alexa integration and straightforward setup process. However, some users wish for a wider selection of available apps and more comprehensive instructions. The device's strengths lie in its user-friendly design and convenient communication features.

This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.

The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 824 reviews
  • Pros mentioned:
    Alexa, Video calling

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Love the portal!

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    Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    So we got two of these, one for us and one for my parents who live out of state. We Skype a lot so my family can see us and the kids and this is an awesome and easy way to do video calling. The camera detects you and follows you around the room so you can move around if needed. It also has tons of other fun features for all including built in Alexa, you can connect to pandora or Spotify for music and there’s also games and fun stories for kids to play with too. You can also search the web and pull up recipes which is great since we have ours in the kitchen are. Also when not in use it acts like a digital picture frame and displays pictures off your Facebook account if you choose to which is nice as well.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Video calling

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    AWESOME PRODUCT-A MUST BUY

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    Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I bought two of these and they work flawlessly. I can see my Grandchildren from over two hundred miles away so clearly and the sound is great with a nice balance of tone from the speakers. This is better than anything out there and Facebook has done an excellent job on this product. Story time is fun and and everything is so easy to to use. No more voice calls because this product is the future in communications.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Ease of use

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    This product is amazing!

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Since I am currently relocating to Denver, Co and would like to keep in contact with elderly parents this is the perfect device. Both my parents are technology handicapped and have had no trouble using the item. Highly recommended.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Video calling

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    A Joy!

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Simply a joy to use. Makes talking with friends via the portal more fun then ever and Alexa opens a new vast area of information and music enjoyment

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Video calling

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Best electronic purchase to date !

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I bought 2 of them, one for my wife and I, and one for my daughter and husband in Vermont so we can enjoy our new (and first) grandson Love It !

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Love the clarity of the puctures

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    This has been so exciting to use and very convenient! I love watching my grandchildren play and they love to show me toys in their room! Thaportal sllows more meaningful interaction with them . I love how easy it is for them to call me as well ! The pandora connection is awesome - the sound is better than if played on my TV .

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Ease of use

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Great gadget for my kitchen

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I love this gadget. It’s so easy to use. I talk to my mom everyday

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Video calling

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Good camera

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    Posted . Owned for 1 year when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    is good for videochats.. the camera fallow you and the others persons..

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Protel facebook

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Great way to connect with family and friends we love it

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Alexa, Ease of use, Video calling
    Cons mentioned:
    App availability

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Excellent device to stay in touch plus Alexa

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Easy to use, voice activated, includes plastic cover for camera, plus physical button to turn off mic and camera. The Alexa integration is nice - we tracked Santa with NORAD through Alexa on it. Weather, Audible audiobooks and music with various services works without a flaw. You can use Alexa to access Amazon Music and other services. Apps run on it for iHeartRadio and a web browser is there, things like kitchen timers and AllRecipes are readily available. The video calls are what make this a killer device, however. The AI used to track the speaker is amazing - best video call experience ever. Only drops a star because of limited apps native to the device and Google Assistant isn't available yet. Great build quality and easy to use.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Video calling

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Wow Factor

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The portal has a definite wow factor; if you have older parents or friends that want to put the item in their house, it’s a great investment, It really is fun, it could be a great addition in a military bunk house. At a hospital if someone is an inpatient for a while. It makes you feel like you are in the room with The caller from the receiving end. For instance, I have the portal in the house, when I am in the office, my family will call, as they are doing chores, cleaning, whatever, the camera moves around the room with them. It’s like I am there, in the kitchen standing watching and talking with them. Alexa is ok, I prefer Google as I have all three AIs in the house, Alexa, google and Siri; google is the only one that will answer the question completely without some type of “I found this on the web” result. Plays music and is able to watch YouTube on it and other videos. YouTube is not a native app and only opens a browser. But still cool. Worth the price tag, probably not right now, but with a few adjustments probably. Or bundled with another portal, sure. You really should be buying 2, to get the full experience. Gift one to Grandma or the office and keep one at home.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Ease of use, Video calling

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Excellent for non-techies!

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I am not big on reading directions or spending more than a few minutes when attempting to use a new device. However, this device is as advertised. Answer a couple of questions, comb your hair and tell it to call one of your facebook friends or family members. You will be video chatting within a few seconds. The only thing that I was unaware of when I made my purchase was the people you are calling need facebook messenger (cell phone) for you to call them. Other than that, I am 100% happy with this device.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Ease of use, Video calling

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Love The Portal

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    This was the perfect item that I could get because my brother is overseas and my father and mother are not tech savvy, don’t own mobile phones, so they don’t do anything tech and this was the easiest way for them to talk to my brother whenever they chose to. They didn’t have to rely on my phone to use Facebook Messenger to communicate with him plus the Portal displays beautiful live images. It’s perfect, thanks Facebook for the Portal. Amazing product. I use it now and I don’t have to be carrying my phone.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Ease of use, Video calling

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    best Christmas present ever!

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I purchased this for my 3 adult children and my father and was unsure how it would be received by any of them. We set one up right away and started calling family immediately. Setup was super easy and just as easy to use. By the end of Christmas week, everyone was set up and calling each other. The grand kids are young and enjoy seeing and talking with their cousins without having to hold a cell phone. And grandpa can use this easily to see all of his family and friends whether they have a Portal or not.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Video calling

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Great videophone for those who have it or FB Msngr

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    Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    It is a great videophone for speaking to others who have one and good speaking to those who do not through video calls on Facebook Messenger. The camera is amazing with great video clarity if both users have good WiFi speed. The camera also follows the people in the room by automatically panning or zooming in or out to keep all people in the picture. It is much better than trying to hold your phone and keeping the camera focused on your face (no more jerky camera or weird camera angles pointed up at your face or part of your face). One can be walking around in the kitchen making a meal and talk at the same time making the call seem like the other person is in the same room since the camera will pan or zoom in or out to keep you in the picture. You can also make and receive calls to others who do not have a Portal by using the Facebook Messenger app’s videophone. It would be nice if other videophones/apps worked with it but at least currently it does not. I have made frequent video calls to my mother who lives in assisted living in another state and so nice to see each other and talk (talking is a bit harder for her now after a mild stroke so seeing each other helps). I have also made video calls when I am on WiFi with my iPhone with FB Messenger app from Europe to my family to their Portal from the Eiffel Tower! It has Amazon’s Alexa built into it for those who also want Alexa at home. The integration of the 2 systems however is not the best since one needs to use the wake up word “Alexa” for it and “Hey Portal” for the main Portal features. It would be nice and less confusing if they would fave just one wake up work for both features. I also bought it when it was on sell for only $80 at BestBuy instead of the normal $199.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Ease of use, Video calling

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Thumbs up

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Great price for what this Portal does. Easy setup, calls through Messenger are clear both in video and audio. The camera tracking you during the call is interesting but sometimes tracks to someone that isn't speaking, and we had some issues with not being able to call the Portal through Messenger on an Android phone, but Facebook tech support was quick to respond and provide an update to the Portal to fix. Great for seniors who have trouble with using a phone.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Ease of use, Video calling

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Works flawlessly!

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    Posted . Owned for 8 months when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Bought three and have two to my family in Europe and use it to communicate with them through it. It’s super simple and basically a one-click experience. Tried FaceTime before and it was too complicated for my older family members to handle The iPad with all the others things that were confusing them. The Facebook Portal is simplifying the calling process enormously and the quality is also very good so far.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Cons mentioned:
    App availability

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Excellent video calling device

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    + Excellent video calling quality. + No lag + Camera Panning - Always keeps me in focus. + sound quality is excellent. It picks up minute sound as well + super frame- I made a hack way to make it work. Created a private album and I have uploaded few photos to be displayed on portal. - Alexa/ Portal 2 assistants - confusing. - Some apps need to be polished. - more apps needed - Whatsapp video calling might be game changer for lot of us who use whatsapp. Having said that, 5 stars for amazing video calling experience.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Ease of use, Video calling

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Great family connecting device

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Our children and grandchildren live in Phoenix, Denver and Jupiter FL. We have tried unsuccessfully for many years to connect via various teleconferencing programs. We got all our families the Portal for Christmas and everyone took to it immediately. Easy to use - verbal commands make my wife happy, very good video and it follows faces as people move around. We are very happy withe the Portal.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Ease of use, Video calling

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Love them

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    We used the buy two save $100 and bought six for a thank you to our family helping out during our wedding. They have been so much fun. The younger kids love using the storytelling option and filters. As long as your wifi connection is strong the video quality is amazing and you don't have to stand right in front of the camera.

    I would recommend this to a friend
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