The Best Photo Printers
The prevalence of smartphones means that most of us carry high-quality cameras with us wherever we go, ready to capture the moment like never before. The downside is that we don't often get the pleasure of physically viewing and sharing our favorite photos, subjecting them to the limitations of tiny screens and image-crunching social media apps. Investing in a good photo printer could change the way you see all those pictures, giving you the freedom to print all your favorites from the comfort of your home. Check out our snapshot of the best photo printers on the market today and find the one to bring your pictures to life.
Epson PictureMate PM-400 Wireless Color Photo Printer
For Desktop Excellence
Epson’s been at the top of the list of the best printer companies for years now, and this PictureMate wireless photo printer makes it easy to see why. Everything about this printer is built for convenience and quality. All you have to do is connect the printer to your WiFi and hit “print” on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, and you’ve got a high-quality photo in minutes.
Epson allows for various photo sizes with their 4”x6” and 5”x7” options. This printer is also lightning fast, touting print speeds as fast as 36 seconds. Best of all, the photographs from this printer will stand the test of time. They’ll be scratch-, water-, and fade-resistant and can last up to 200 years in a photo album. This printer is a bit pricier than some other picks, but you can’t deny quality, and Epson’s got that in spades with the PictureMate.
Pros:
- The wireless, compact design makes for easy placement in your bedroom or office
- The versatility of the size options can come in handy for many situations
- The photos are durable and can last up to 200 years in a photo album
Cons:
- Epson allows Epson brand cartridges only
- This printer is on the more expensive side, but the quality it offers makes it a great deal
Kodak Mini 3 Square Retro Portable Photo Printer
Mini Moments to Treasure
If you’re looking for the perfect way to print tiny photos on the go, the Kodak Mini 3 Square is the pick for you. It’s super portable, so you’ll be able to fit it right inside your purse or backpack, connect it to your smartphone, and print wherever you are. The Mini 3 Square prints 3”x3” photos coated with lamination to make them fingerprint resistant and waterproof. To upload and print pictures as easily as possible, Kodak built an easy-to-use app for use with the Mini 3 square.
The printer also offers print speeds as quick as 50 seconds. Kodak provides the option to put borders on the photo, making it easy to add names and dates to them. The printer even comes with 60 sheets of photo paper and a pack of ink cartridges. For the price and the bundle of add-ons that come included, the Mini 3 Square is our pick for fun, pint-sized photos.
Pros:
- It comes with 60 sheets of photo paper and a pack of ink cartridges
- More portable than other similar devices
- Fast printing speeds
Cons:
- The cartridges may run out after six or seven photo prints
Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro Portable Photo Printer and Wireless Instant Camera
Tiny Two-for-One
This pick from Kodak removes the need for a separate printer altogether because you can print photos right from the camera. The images are laminated, making them fingerprint resistant and waterproof. One of the best features this camera has to offer is that it can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and print pictures that you’ve taken from your phone.
The photos from this camera/printer are wallet-sized and perfect for sharing with loved ones. Kodak also includes 60 sheets of high-quality photo paper, so you don’t have to worry about making a second purchase. You can download the free Kodak mobile app to spruce up your pictures with filters, stickers, and frames before printing. Considering the price of other products similar to the Mini Shot 2, this camera/printer is a total steal.
Pros:
- Great price when compared to similar camera/printer combos
- Offers bordered and borderless photos
- The lamination process creates waterproof photos that resist fingerprints
Cons:
- The cartridges tend to jam sometimes
Lifeprint 3”x4.5” Portable Photo and Video Printer
Print for Life
Lifeprint changed the game with this super-cool, innovative offering. Its video printing feature allows you to turn your physical photos into videos viewable from your phone via the Lifeprint app. It doesn’t print actual videos, but being able to see the picture in your hand turn into a video on your phone screen is a pretty magical experience nonetheless.
Lifeprint added a unique sharing feature that allows you to print photos on loved ones’ Lifeprint printers from all over the world. The 3”x4.5” photos from this printer are a bit larger than those of other portable photo printers. To top it off, the photos from the Lifeprint can also be used as stickers. If you’re in the market for a photo printer that’s portable, affordable, and forward-thinking, the Lifeprint is the pick for you.
Pros:
- The video printing and sharing features are super innovative and unique to Lifeprint
- The Lifeprint prints photos that double as stickers
- It prints bigger photos than comparable products
Cons:
- The video printing feature might come across as gimmicky to some
Canon PIXMA TS6220 All In One Photo Printer
Versatile Virtuosity
Canon lives up to its reputation with this versatile, high-end home photo printer. While some printers are best suited for on-the-go use, the PIXMA is built for printing large, studio-quality photos at home. The PIXMA also functions as a traditional printer, with regular printing, copying, and scanning features.
The printer is compatible with the popular Amazon Dash Replenishment feature, which detects when your printer is running low on ink cartridges and orders them from Amazon without you having to move a muscle. This printer is pricier than our other picks, but if you need a versatile home printer that can print larger sized, more high definition photos, we think the PIXMA is worth the extra money.
Pros:
- The Amazon Dash Replenishment feature also saves you 10% on ink cartridges
- Unlike our other picks, the PIXMA can function as a traditional printer as well
Cons:
- It is far more expensive than any other pick, but its quality and plethora of features is unmatched
- Can be difficult to connect to some devices
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of different photo paper can I buy?
Yes, there are more than several options for photo paper. Glossy paper is the most common, known for producing vibrant, rich colors. Matte photo paper is a smooth, non-glossy paper that isn’t as susceptible to fingerprints and smudging. The contrast in matte photos is more pronounced, mainly because they can utilize the color black exceptionally well. Canvas paper is a more expensive option that’s best for photos meant to be framed. Pearl photo paper is probably the costliest variety because it combines the gloss and high definition of glossy paper with the deep colors and contrast of matte paper. Read up on the benefits and drawbacks of the different photo paper styles to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Can my photo printer copy, scan, or fax?
The majority of photo printers are made for one purpose: printing photos. Some high-end models will provide those extra capabilities, but they will tend to cost you a bit more than dedicated photo printers.
