The best mini photo printer in 2021

In the age of smartphones and social media, many have lost the desire for a printed photo. But, they still have their place, and mobile printers are rising in popularity. Looking at photos on our phones is great. But, there’s something special about a picture we can hold, show friends and family, and stick to the walls. And if you want a more personal experience than just viewing photos on a screen, it’s time to start printing again.

Few people would consider bringing along a printer on their next trip. Thankfully, the typical bulky printers of the past have scrunched in size, now to only the size of a palm. And it’s easier than ever to turn your phone into an instant camera to share your favorite memories, giving your traditional pictures new life.

Sure, portable printers (mini printer) tend to be more expensive than your average accessory for smartphones. But, they’re worth the investment. Yet, several types of printers are available on the market, all offering different capabilities and features. And some are better than others. So it’s important to have an idea in mind beforehand. With that, we’ve summarized the top ten best printers today. And we’ve also created an in-depth guide so you’ll know how to access the various options as you’re shopping around.

Here, we listed the best mini photo printer in 2021:

1. Canon SELPHY Square QX10:

Canon aims its sights squarely at Instagrammers with its latest flashy portable printer, the Selphy Square QX10, which produces a printed image in a 6.8cm x 6.8cm square format. The prints, which come in a brand new XS-20L pack, are rated to last more than 100 years if stored responsibly, and come with a smudge-proof, water-protected coating. Not bad for something that's produced in as little 43 seconds! The QX10 is also small enough to fit in a handbag, making it perfect for travel and parties, and thanks to its pro-quality dye-sub technology, its prints will look really great.

2. Fujifilm Instax Mini Link:

The Instax Mini Link, and the special edition Instax Mini Link SE, makes printing pictures fun – and is a brilliant alternative to using an instant camera. It uses the same film the most popular Instax Mini cameras – but the advantage here is that by taking the pictures with your camera phone, you get more control over your results, and can just print our the edited highlights of your night out!

The app enables you to add borders, fun overlays, and even combine several shots into a montage. And not only can you print directly from your phone, you can also use the Mini Link SE app to print Instax photos from your Nintendo Switch!

The Instax Mini Link is about 20% lighter and 23% smaller than the previous Instax SP-2 – and is undoubtedly one of the most stylish looking portable printers around. Printing on Instax is a little more expensive than some other types of media, particularly as the image size is a pretty miniscule 62x46mm .

3. HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer:

The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer is available in a range of colors, including red, black and gold, and features a fun speckled design. These high-quality phone photo printers also sport a built-in loop for attaching a wrist strap to make carrying your device easy. This feature is particularly ideal for parties, days out with friends and any moments when you want a print straight away. Whether the photo is on your smartphone or tablet, the HP Sprocket App and Bluetooth connectivity make the printing process simple. You can also take your photos to the next level by adding filters, borders and emojis to the image.

With a recent price drop, we believe the HP Sprocket is the best phone photo printer for most people. It offers great picture quality on 2×3″ photo paper and is really user-friendly. Plus, the new edition of the HP Sprocket allows multiple users and devices to connect easily to the printer, which means everyone can get in on the fun.

4. Kodak Smile Instant Digital Printer:

The Kodak Smile Instant Digital Printer is the perfect tool for creating photo wall collages for your dorm room. Whether you’re a new student moving into a dorm room or a family looking for a way to capture and print fun-filled moments, this colorful and highly portable printer could be the answer you’re searching for. This palm-sized printer comes in five color options and uses Bluetooth to instantly connect to your smartphone for a reliable and local connection. You can use the Kodak Smile app for quick and easy photo editing. The result is sticky-backed photos that are photo wall or diary-ready. Additionally, this smart device offers AR functionality which lets you embed video into your images. These videos are only revealed when the app passes over the photo.

5. Fujifilm INSTAX Share SP-3 Mobile Printer:

The Fujifilm INSTAX Share SP-2 Mobile Printer was a fantastic pocket printer, but it’s now been replaced by the newer SP-3 model. There’s a lot to love with the Share SP-3, but unfortunately, it still lacks Bluetooth connectivity. However, it’s easy enough to connect to this printer via Wi-Fi, and it still creates clear and vibrant prints in seconds. An improved laser exposure system lets you create prints in just 13 seconds. Finally, the SP-3 prints 2.4×2.4″ square prints, so if you prefer this type of picture, you’ll want to go with this model over the Mini Link 2 featured above. Its modern design and user-friendly features mean this little gadget remains one of the best portable phone photo printers for sale in 2021.

Buyers Guide

What to look for in a portable printer?

Let’s cover a few things you’ll want to consider when looking at a portable photo printer. Although they seem deceptively simple, there is quite a lot to consider beforehand. And, in total, you’ll want to weigh eight factors before picking the best option. Let’s cover these now.

Size & Portability:

Portability is one of the main reasons for buying these kinds of printers. But, for some, a slight trade-off in size for added quality could be a worthwhile trade. Otherwise, if you want maximum portability, you’ll have to give a little in print size and quality. Nevertheless, the size and form factor is a crucial area to consider. Pocketable options exist, but so do miniature desk printers. And each has its pros and cons.

Paper, Dye, and Inkless vs. Print Cartridges:

Most printers will ship with 10-20 sheets of paper so you can start printing immediately. But, after that, it’ll be on you to maintain the refills. Smaller printers use the 2×3-inch size paper. Though, not always. Occasionally, the photo size will range from 2×2, or smaller, and as large as 4×6. And the prices will vary based on the size of the paper needed for the printer. But, in general, the larger the paper, the more expensive a replacement set is.

Another consideration here is the type of dye used. Today, most printers use Zink or Zero Ink, that embedded the dye crystal into the paper. Zink saves money in the long-run but is slightly worse in print resolution, dynamic range, and black reproduction. Others can work like traditional printers with dedicated cartridges and use dye sublimation, instead, to apply color. With these, you’ll have to buy both paper and replacement dye, increasing the price. But, they almost always provide better results. So there’s a trade-off here.

Print Speed:

Most printers will have a rated print speed that varies between 10-15 seconds to upwards of a minute. If you plan on printing countless photos, the longer print times will slow your workflow. It won’t matter much if you plan on only printing single photos for fun. But, for high volume printing, it’s something to consider as well.

Power:

Most printers use rechargeable batteries, which charge over USB. However, the drawback is that their battery life isn’t great. Expect somewhere between 10-40 prints before they’ll need to recharge. Other printers use wall connections, increasing their power, but they’re usually not as portable. So there’s another trade-off here, and something to consider if you plan on printing a lot.

Connectivity:

You can connect to a printer in several ways, and each printer uses different methods of connectivity. Some printers use faster direct connections or docks; others Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Most printers will also support both Android and iOS devices, but not all of them. So consider the devices you’d like to use with the printer, especially if you plan to use tablets. And double-check the compatibility before making a purchase.

Companion App:

Most printers have a companion app, where you import and edit photos before printing. Some offer only basic editing functionality, like cropping or adjusting brightness or color. Others have more advanced features like filters, text, emojis, to give you more customization. If this level of customization is essential to you, it’ll help narrow down your selection process.

Price:

Most printers range between $60-100. But this price only covers the printer and the first round of papers (and ink, if applicable). So, it’s worth looking at the costs of paper and the price per print beforehand. Most printers also use proprietary brands of paper, and not all accept generic brands. But know this: the cost for a print ranges from 50 cents to $1.

Extras:

Some printers offer niche extras like photo booths, augment videos, or printing from supported cameras, for example. If these extras are vital to you, they’ll help narrow options.