Nowadays, it’s easy to lose track of the photos you take on your smartphone. With so many images saved in a photo dump, it’s easy to forget about our favorite memories and then struggle to find them again. This is why it’s important to print our photos. Fortunately, we have a quick and affordable solution at our fingertips that we can keep with us on the go. Portable photo printers allow us to print photographs and display our best memories whether we’re at home or traveling. Plus, portable printers allow us to share our photos with others. You can find a number of options on the market, of course, so we’re here to help you find the best portable photo printer for your needs. Read on to see our top picks.
Canon Selphy CP1300
The Canon Selphy may be bulky and heavy-duty, but it will get the job done. It earned its place on the list as a best portable photo printer because it prints out pictures in a jiffy and features outstanding image clarity and quality.
Why You Might Buy This:
- Photo-finish quality 4×6 inches prints
- Cartridge/ink paper system
- Print photos from memory card or USB connection
- Easily connected to Wi-Fi network
- Great value for money considering print quality and cost-per-use
Why You Might Avoid This:
- Heavy and large
- No dedicated app for connecting printer to smartphone
- Requires power outlet to work (optional paid-for battery pack for travelling)
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link
The Fujifilm Instax Mini Link is a must-have when style and creativity are top priorities. It not only has an attractive appearance but also a dedicated photo app, which you can use to edit photos on your phone before printing them out! You can add cute overlays or borders to further customize your prints.
Why You Might Buy This:
- Fast printing (12 seconds per print)
- High-quality photos (320 dpi)
- 20% lighter and 20% smaller than other Instax printers
- Dedicated Mini Link SE app (can print Instax from your Nintendo switch)
Why You Might Avoid This:
- Small printing size (1.8”x2.4”)
- More expensive cost-per-print
[Related Reading: 9 Fun Ideas for Instant Photography]
Polaroid Hi-Print Mobile Printer
It should come as no surprise to find a Polaroid product in our search for the best portable photo printer. If you love printing photos on the go with your camera, the Polaroid Hi-Print Mobile Printer is a great option. Whether you’re in a hotel room or at some other remote location, you can print travel pics from your smartphone within minutes to keep or share with others!
Why You Might Buy This:
- 6 ounces in weight (one of the lightest portable printers in the market)
- Comes in a variety of colors (white, red, blue, or black)
- Vibrant and smudge-proof prints
- Unique sticky-back photo paper (can be utilized as photo cards, decorations, stickers)
- Customizable prints through the Polaroid app (design images with borders and stickers)
- Great value for money
Why You Might Avoid This:
- Slow printing process
- Battery life is comparatively shorter than other printers
Kodak Mini 2 Instant Photo Printer
Kodak is known as one of the pioneers in photography. In a somewhat crowded market of portable photo printers, the Kodak Mini 2 Instant Photo Printer pretty much ticks all of the boxes that you might require for an awesome portable printing device. What really sets this device apart from other printers, however, is its quick and easy connectivity with Android smartphones.
Why You Should Buy This:
- Wireless connectivity to both Android or iOS devices through NFC One Touch app.
- Compact and portable build (8 ounces, 1”x3”x5.2” dimension)
- Waterproof and smudge-proof images
- Box includes lithium-ion battery
Why You Might Avoid This:
- Cartridge only holds eight sheets of photo paper
- Bluetooth connectivity sometimes disconnects
HP Sprocket
If you want to express yourself and be creative, the HP Sprocket is a perfect match for your spunky side. The HP Sprocket allows you to not only showcase but also edit your photos by adding emojis, borders or even stickers!
Why You Should Buy This:
- Perfect for parties or events who wants to connect and print photos with easy connectivity
- Reasonable battery life
- Simple and intuitive HP Sprocket app
- Lightweight and compact
Why You Might Avoid This:
- Slow printing process
- Only uses 2”x3” photo paper
[Related Reading: The Ultimate 3-2-1 Data Workflow with the GNARBOX 2.0]
Conclusion
We hope this roundup helps in your search for the best portable photo printer. While these portable printers cannot provide you with as many options as a large, professional studio printer, you can find one that will give you crisp and sharp image quality at a smaller size and an affordable price. The plus side of having numerous choices is that you also have plenty of options to meet your specific needs.
Before you purchase a portable photo printer, consider your usage and purpose. Look into battery life, portability (size/weight), connectivity options, as well as application compatibility before making a final decision. Doing so will help you get the best value for your money.
What other options have you tried that didn’t make the list? Share us your thoughts in the comments below!
