10 Best Photo Printers

The Instax Fujifilm Mini Link 3 is a compact and portable photo printer designed for quick, fun instant prints directly from your smartphone. It uses Fujifilm's instax mini film, producing small, credit-card-sized photos (54 x 86 mm) with a print resolution of up to 320 dpi for black and white and 600 dpi for color, delivering decent image clarity for casual snapshots though not comparable to larger photo printers. The printer uses Zink technology, which means it doesn't require traditional ink cartridges but does necessitate purchasing separate instax mini film packs.

Printing occurs at a steady speed of about 4 prints per minute, making it suitable for casual use rather than bulk printing. Connectivity is managed via Bluetooth and the dedicated instax LINK app, compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing easy printing from your phone’s gallery or social media accounts. The app also provides creative features like collage making and a remote camera mode to enhance user experience. Paper handling is simple with glossy instax mini film sheets, though the print size is fixed and very small, ideal for instant, pocket-sized photos rather than large prints.

Weighing just 210 grams and featuring rechargeable capabilities, the device is great for on-the-go printing. It does not support duplex printing or large paper capacities, so it is not suited for professional or high-volume photo printing. The Mini Link 3 is an excellent option for casual users, social media enthusiasts, or anyone wanting instant physical keepsakes from their phone photos in a fun, portable format.

The Canon PIXMA IX6860 is a solid choice for those who want high-quality photo prints with large size options. It delivers impressive sharpness and detail thanks to its high print resolution of 9600 x 2400 dpi and FINE print head technology, which uses very small ink droplets for smooth color transitions. It supports borderless printing up to A3+ size, making it great for larger photos or posters. The printer is reasonably fast for photo and document printing, producing a color photo in about 36 seconds and up to 14.5 black and white pages per minute.

It uses multiple ink cartridges to maintain vibrant colors, and you get a complete set included to start right away. The printer connects via USB, which is reliable but may feel a bit limiting if you prefer wireless options like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Paper handling is straightforward with a 100-sheet input capacity and compatibility with glossy photo paper, ideal for photo enthusiasts. One downside is its relatively heavy weight (8.1 kg), which may make it less convenient to move around. Also, while duplex (double-sided) printing is supported, it might not be automatic, which can slow down document printing if you need both sides.

This printer is well suited for users prioritizing photo quality and larger print sizes but might be less ideal for those wanting wireless convenience or very fast multi-page document printing.

The Canon Selphy Square QX20 is a lightweight and portable photo printer that uses dye sublimation technology, producing vibrant, smooth, and rich images with colors that can last up to 100 years. It is designed to print square photos and stickers (around 68 x 68 mm), making it ideal for users who want small, high-quality prints mainly for personal use or crafting. Its print resolution of 287 x 287 dpi is decent for this size, delivering clear and colorful images, though not as sharp as larger photo printers designed for bigger prints.

The printer connects via Wi-Fi, allowing easy printing directly from smartphones without cables, which is convenient for casual photo printing on the go. Charging through a USB cable adds to its portability since it can be powered from various sources. However, the print speed is quite slow at 1.5 pages per minute, so it is not suitable for those needing large batches quickly. Additionally, the device handles only small paper sizes (labels and plain paper up to about 3 x 3.3 inches) and doesn't support double-sided printing, limiting its flexibility for other printing tasks.

This printer is best suited for users seeking a compact device to create lasting, high-quality small photos and stickers easily from their mobile devices. It may not meet the needs of those looking for faster printing, larger photo sizes, or more paper options.