Photo printers in our range are mostly small dye-sublimation and instant-film models that print snapshots from a phone, plus a few inkjet photo printers for sharper, larger output. They suit families, event hosts, scrapbookers and anyone who wants prints at home. Leading brands include Kodak, Liene, Canon and Fujifilm.
How to choose a photo printer
Print technology. Dye-sublimation and instant-film printers use dedicated paper and ink or film packs, and the prints come out dry and finished. Inkjet photo printers, such as those from Epson and Canon, also handle plain paper, borders and larger sizes. Decide whether you want quick snapshots or fewer, larger prints.
Print size. Most portable photo printers produce postcard-size prints (about 10 x 15 cm) or smaller, and instant-film formats are smaller still. If you need A4 or bigger, look at inkjet models rather than pocket-sized ones.
Resolution. The dye-sublimation style models in our range list 287 x 287 DPI or 300 x 300 DPI, which is normal for snapshot-size prints. The 4800 x 1200 DPI figure on an inkjet counts ink droplets, so it is not directly comparable. Do not rank two printers of different types by this number alone.
Connectivity. Most photo printers print from a phone over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or from a computer over USB. Few models in our range list an Ethernet LAN port, so a wired network connection is not something to expect. If several people will print from their own phones, check that the model supports Wi-Fi.
Running costs and power. Look at what a paper-and-ink pack costs and how many prints it gives, because this decides the cost of each photo more than the printer itself. Power consumption while printing is listed from 27 W to 62 W in our range, which matters mainly if you plan to run the printer from a portable power source.
Photo printer brands we carry
- Kodak: known for phone-friendly photo printers that use dedicated cartridge-and-paper packs, and the largest group in our range.
- Liene: sells small home photo printers built around printing standard-size photos from a phone.
- Canon: its SELPHY line of dye-sublimation printers is a long-standing choice for postcard-size prints, and Canon also makes inkjet photo printers.
- Fujifilm: maker of instax instant film, and its instax Link printers print phone photos onto that film.
- Epson: known for inkjet printers with photo-oriented ink sets, including refillable-tank models.
Also in our range: HP, EasyPix and AgfaPhoto.
Photo printer FAQ
Can I print photos straight from my phone?
Yes, most photo printers can print from a phone using a free app over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Some also accept a USB cable or a memory card. Check the connection list on the product page before buying.
What is the difference between a dye-sublimation and an inkjet photo printer?
A dye-sublimation printer transfers dye onto special paper in layers, so each print comes out dry and glossy but needs matching paper packs. An inkjet printer sprays liquid ink and can use more paper types and sizes. Dye-sublimation is simpler for snapshots, while inkjet is more flexible.
Do I need a photo printer or will a normal printer do?
A normal office printer is fine for documents, but a photo printer gives better colour and a proper photo finish. If you only print the occasional picture, an inkjet all-in-one may be enough. If you print photos regularly, a dedicated photo printer is easier to use.
What size photos do photo printers print?
Most portable photo printers print at about 10 x 15 cm or smaller. Instant-film printers use smaller fixed formats set by the film. Larger prints, such as A4, generally need an inkjet photo printer.
