The best portable photo printers 2025, tested and reviewed

Price When Reviewed:

$139.95

The Instax Square Link is the sole portable printer dedicated to square prints, and it stands as Instax’s finest offering to date.

Its lightweight and contemporary design allows for simple use, producing vibrant, high-quality medium-sized prints through the accompanying app with ease. Expect to see prints eject in just 12 seconds and fully develop in about 90 seconds.

Seasonal preset frames are available from Instax’s library for holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day, alongside basic editing tools. The unique AR print mode adds digital effects or animations using a QR code through the app.

Unlike its siblings, the Instax Link Wide or Instax Mini Link, it features USB-C charging for quicker results. Worry not about battery life, as around 100 prints can be produced per charge.

Minor improvements could be made to the app’s layout for easier navigation and larger text. Nevertheless, these constitute minor drawbacks of an otherwise outstanding portable printer.

Who should buy the Instax Square Link?

Ideal for those seeking a dedicated square printer with a great feature set.

Instax Square Link: Considerations

Consider a more cost-effective option if long-term operating costs are a concern.

Price When Reviewed:

$99.99

The Polaroid Hi-Print is a straightforward digital printer that offers excellent print quality at a price lower than many competitors, though consumables can be costly.

The print speed is relatively slow at about 50 seconds, which stems from the dye-sublimation technology that prints in multiple layers for depth and protection.

The end result is exceptional quality with vivid, detailed images that surpass those from quicker models.

Its companion app provides an easy-to-use interface for customizing prints with frames, filters, aspect ratio adjustments, text, and stickers, while also linking to various social media platforms and image folders.

This first-generation product is gradually being phased out, but the updated second-generation model is available at a comparable price on Amazon.

Who should buy the Polaroid Hi-Print?

Perfect for those seeking high-quality prints without breaking the bank, along with an intuitive app.

Polaroid Hi-Print: Additional considerations

Explore other options if you prioritize speed, lower printing costs, and better battery life.

Price When Reviewed:

$149.95

The Instax Link Wide creates impressive large glossy prints without hassle. It boasts an elegant design for both home décor and portability.

Prints are twice the size of those provided by Mini models, and print speed is swift at around 12 seconds, with a development time of around 90 seconds.

As with other Instax units, prints have a vibrant quality with a nostalgic appearance. However, the print quality does not reach the standards of the Polaroid Hi-Print. Ongoing costs are high due to the expense of Instax Wide film.

The companion app presents several customization options like filters, collages, and the ability to append QR codes, yet it would benefit from an improved layout.

Who should buy the Instax Link Wide?

Ideal if you prefer large prints and a host of editing options.

Instax Link Wide: Additional considerations

Consider alternatives that offer modern USB-C charging options.

Price When Reviewed:

$99.99

The Instax Mini Link 2 employs Fujifilm’s Instax Mini film, showcasing a stylish design with lively color choices and a youthful vibe.

Bluetooth connectivity via the Mini Link app allows for printing photos from both your device’s gallery and social media platforms.

You can select various frames and options in the app, including split prints (dividing one image into two prints) and collages. Photo editing within the app allows adjustments to color filters and settings for brightness, contrast, and saturation.

With a print speed of approximately 12 seconds and the ability to print up to 100 photos on a single charge, shots are produced clear and vibrant on Mini film, along with a convenient option to create instant duplicates.

Interactive choices include a ‘match test’ for compatibility scores based on a photo and a ‘party print’ mode where up to five devices can contribute to a shared print. The InstaxAir feature enables you to doodle air patterns on photos, though user experience can be inconsistent.

Another interesting capability is using the printer as a camera remote control, allowing for zoom adjustments by tilting the printer.

Who should buy the Instax Mini Link 2?

If you need small prints that can be produced rapidly.

Instax Mini Link 2: Additional considerations

Look for models that provide USB-C charging or lower price points.

Price When Reviewed:

$149.99

For those torn between print sizes, the Canon Selphy QX20 delivers the versatility of both square and credit-card sizes.

Utilizing thermal dye technology, much like the Polaroid Hi-Print, it yields gorgeous results, particularly on larger prints. The accompanying app is straightforward to use, facilitating the selection of different paper options.

However, enhancements are recommended for the app, since the ink and paper supply cannot be tracked, leading to vague battery readings.

With battery life lasting just over 20 prints, it falls short when compared to Instax printers. Its dual-print capability makes it slightly heavier, reducing portability. That said, few products on the market compare, making this printer an excellent choice for versatility.

Who should buy the Canon Selphy QX20? 

If you prefer varied print sizes paired with exemplary quality.

Canon Selphy QX20: Additional considerations 

Seek alternatives for a lighter device with more extended battery life.

Price When Reviewed:

$99.99

The Kodak Step is one of the most budget-friendly options for Zink printing available. While Zink photos might not match the quality of prints from Instax or Polaroid, they come with lower running costs and no waiting time for development.

Its simple rectangular design is compact and comes in multiple colors. It’s user-friendly for novices and supports up to 25 images per charge.

The prints measure 2×3 inches, making them ideal for quick, wallet-sized photos. Each image features a peelable back for sticker use, though some details may not transfer in high fidelity.

The app provides basic editing features but can present bugs. Despite these issues, its affordability makes the Kodak Step a practical portable printing solution.

Who should buy the Kodak Step?

Ideal for those seeking an economical printer with swift output.

Kodak Step: Additional considerations

Seek alternatives for improved print quality and USB-C charging options.

Price When Reviewed:

$149.99

The HP Sprocket Select is the third iteration in the Sprocket series, enhanced with Bluetooth 5.0 to allow multiple devices to connect seamlessly via the intuitive Sprocket app (available on both Android and iOS).

Notably, this model prints larger images at 2.3 x 3.4 inches—comparable to a credit card—making it an appealing choice for those who prefer larger prints.

It continues to use Zink paper, which has lower costs than traditional photo film but can yield less vibrant colors overall.

Although Zink images can sometimes appear muted, the Sprocket Select pleasantly surprised us with better detail, contrast, and noteworthy improvement in color saturation, especially reds.

Who should buy the HP Sprocket Select?

Perfect for those wanting larger prints quickly, along with the capacity to connect various devices.

HP Sprocket Select: Additional considerations

Look for alternatives if you desire straightforward paper loading mechanics.

Price When Reviewed:

$79.99

The Kodak Step Slim is one of the most transportable choices available, measuring just 2.29cm thick and weighing 240g, allowing it to slide into larger pockets effortlessly.

Its simple operation is complemented by the user-friendly Kodak Step app, even though some bug issues persist compared to its competitors. Nonetheless, the app includes various filters and frames you can apply to your pictures.

Like others in the Zink category, print quality won’t match that of Instax or Polaroid, as it lacks genuine film qualities. The trade-off is that the running costs are generally lower.

Though not as affordable as the Kodak Step, it still offers a cost-efficient option for quick prints.

Who should buy the Kodak Step Slim?

Perfect for those seeking a highly portable printer with swift output.

Kodak Step Slim: Additional considerations

Seek alternatives for better print quality.

Price When Reviewed:

$199.95

The Instax Mini Evo from Fujifilm is primarily a hybrid camera but offers all the functionalities of a traditional portable printer, making it an exceptional multifaceted device. 

The Instax Mini Evo app allows photo styling with a variety of filters, stickers, and frames—alongside the ability to transfer images taken on the camera to the app for digital storage.

This camera fuses analog controls with digital enhancements for an enjoyable photography experience. With its stylish and vintage vibe, this model doesn’t appear overly childish. A long battery life combined with compact dimensions enhances portability.

However, the appealing features come at a hefty initial price, coupled with the ongoing costs for Instax film.

Who should purchase the Instax Mini Evo? 

For individuals desiring an instant printer integrated with a camera.

Instax Mini Evo: Additional considerations 

Explore other options if the camera feature isn’t essential and affordability is a priority.

Price When Reviewed:

$349.99

The Instax Wide Evo is yet another hybrid model that uniquely employs Wide film rather than the Mini, accompanied by a considerably higher price tag, making it better suited for users willing to invest.

There’s no doubt that the Wide Evo features a premium build with retro-inspired flair, alongside a complete array of settings that offer considerable creative freedom. Images captured by the camera can also be transferred to the corresponding app for easy digital access.

However, its bulkiness and heavier design may deter portability for casual outings, as sufficient bag space is necessary. Additionally, both the battery life and internal storage limits are lower than preferred. Alternatives exist that may better suit consumers.

Who should consider the Instax Wide Evo?

This hybrid is for those who seek enhanced features with larger print capabilities.

Instax Wide Evo: Additional considerations

Comparing the Instax Mini Evo provides a similar experience at a more reasonable cost.

1.

How Does a Portable Photo Printer Function?

2.

What Sizes of Photos Can a Portable Photo Printer Create?

This is contingent on the printer model selected! We provide specifications for photo dimensions in each linked review, but the most prevalent formats are similar to credit card sizes. For those who prefer larger prints, options are available. Typically, each portable printer is designed to print a single size.

3.

What Distinguishes a Portable Photo Printer from an Instant Camera Hybrid?

Some instant cameras can print images immediately upon capturing, in addition to allowing photo printing from other devices—similar to a portable printer. An example is the Instax Mini Evo.

4.

Can Edits Be Made in a Portable Photo Printer App?

Leading portable photo printer manufacturers usually offer editing features in their companion apps, ranging from filters and stickers to text options and advanced features like QR code integration.

5.

Where Can I Purchase More Instant Printer Film?

Many retailers provide options to buy consumables for your portable photo printer. Both Amazon and Currys are excellent sources for a wide range of formats; ensure you select the correct type for your printer.