Portable photo printer is a device that functions as an easy-to-carry printer and prints photos directly from smartphones, tablets, cameras, and other compatible devices. This eliminates the need for heavier devices, like a desktop or laptop, to print photos.
A portable photo printer uses a combination of various technologies, such as thermal dye sublimation and wireless connectivity, to print photos on the go. Due to the fast printing process, a portable printer is preferred by photographers, journalists, students, and tourists, based on their use cases.
The Geekflare team has selected the best portable photo printers based on factors like paper size, printing technology used, connectivity options, and photo quality.
- HP Sprocket Portable – Best for Multiple Users
- KODAK Step Wireless – Best for Instant Printing
- Liene White M200 – Best for Premium Quality
- Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 – Best for Customization
- Memoking T02 – Best for Business Printing
- Polaroid Hi-Print – Best for Features
- Lifeprint 3×4.5 Portable – Best for Augmented Reality Tech
- Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer – Best for Minimalist Design
- HPRT CP4100 – Best for 4 x 6-inch Photos
- Show less
HP Sprocket Portable
Best for Multiple Users
The HP Sprocket Portable Instant Color Photo Printer is a rechargeable, compact device that prints out full-color photos from your smartphone on 2 x 3 inch printer paper using Zink Zero Ink Technology. The printed photos come out in a glossy finish, with a sticky back.
The portable photo printer can print digital photos that are in your phone storage or on social media directly through your smartphone. You will have to connect the photo printer to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
HP claims that the prints are water-and-smudge-proof and also resistant to tears. Using the Sprocket printing app on your smartphone, you can customize your snaps by adding filters, borders, stickers, emojis, and text.
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HP Sprocket 2×3″ Instant Smartphone Photo Printer – Portable Color Wireless Mobile Printer – Zink… | Buy on Amazon |
The HP Sprocket Portable Instant Color Photo Printer supports Bluetooth v5.0. It can connect to multiple devices at once so that your friends can print photos from the same device. The device also comes with personalized LED lights so that you know which one of your friends is using it.
To charge the device, you can use a micro-USB cable that’s provided with the pack. HP claims that with one full charge, the Sprocket portable photo printer can print up to 35 photos.
HP Sprocket Portable Specifications
| Product Details | Product Specifications |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.38 pounds |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 3.15 x 4.63 x 0.98 inches |
| Connectivity Options | Bluetooth |
| Printing Technology | Zink Zero Ink Technology |
| Paper Size | 2 x 3 inches |
HP Sprocket Portable Pros
Multiple people can print at the same time
Personalized LED lights
Includes 10 HP Zink sticky-backed paper sheets and a micro-USB cable in the pack
HP Sprocket Portable Cons
As per some buyers on Amazon, the prints aren’t high quality and turn out to be grainy
Battery backup isn’t great
HP Sprocket Portable Price
The HP Sprocket Portable 2×3″ Instant Color Photo Printer is priced at $71.99.
KODAK Step Wireless
Best for Instant Printing
The KODAK Step Wireless Mini Color Printer is a portable, rechargeable mobile photo printer that prints 2 x 3 inch sticky-backed physical photos with a glossy finish. You can connect your smartphone or tablet to the Kodak Step Wireless via Bluetooth for printing your favorite photos. You can also print photos directly from your social media feed. As per Kodak, it takes the Kodak Step Wireless printer under a minute to print a 2 x 3 inch photo.
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KODAK Step Instant Smartphone Photo Printer – Portable Mini Color Wireless Mobile Printer – Zink… | Buy on Amazon |
Using the Kodak Step Prints printing app on your phone, you can edit the photos in the camera roll before printing them out. Adjust brightness and color temperatures and/or add borders, text, or filters to the captured snaps and then print them within 60 seconds.
Kodak states that the Step Wireless Mobile Mini Color Printer can print out 25 photos on a single charge.
KODAK Step Wireless Specifications
| Product Details | Product Specifications |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.55 pounds |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 3 x 5 x 1 inches |
| Connectivity Options | Bluetooth |
| Printing Technology | Zink Zero Ink Technology |
| Paper Size | 2 x 3 inches |
KODAK Step Wireless Pros
Compact and easy-to-carry photo printer
Offers multiple filters and effects to apply before printing the photo
KODAK Step Wireless Cons
Some Amazon users complain that the photo quality degrades with use
Amazon users also say that the prints curl up within weeks
KODAK Step Wireless Price
The KODAK Step Wireless Mobile Photo Mini Color Printer is priced at $69.99.
Liene White M200
Best for Premium Quality
The Liene White M200 Photo Printer Battery Edition is a portable printer that prints 4 x 6 inch photos. The photo printer uses Dye Sublimation technology for printing, which uses 3 primary colors to be deeply infused in the layers of the paper.
To ensure that you don’t run into connectivity issues, the Liene photo printer comes with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Up to 5 people can use the photo printer simultaneously through their cell phones to print photos. Additionally, the device can print 40 sheets on a single charge.
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Liene White M200 4×6” Photo Printer Battery Edition, Wireless Photo Printer for iPhone Android, Dye… | Buy on Amazon |
The Liene photo printer includes a photo cassette in the box, along with a power adapter, a guide, a film pack with 20 paper sheets, and 1 ink cartridge. The top surface of the printer is magnetic; you can place the photo cassette on the top after you finish printing. This ensures that the cassette doesn’t fall and also provides extra storage space.
Liene White M200 Specifications
| Product Details | Product Specifications |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.47 pounds |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 7.48 x 9.88 x 7.48 inches |
| Connectivity Options | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Printing Technology | Dye Sublimation |
| Paper Size | 4 x 6 inches |
Liene White M200 Pros
Easy to use
Prints high-quality photos
Comes with an inbuilt Wi-Fi hotspot
Liene White M200 Cons
Expensive photo printer
Uses an ink cartridge, which adds to the expenditure
Liene White M200 Price
The Liene White M200 Photo Printer Battery Edition is priced at $149.99.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2
Best for Customization
The Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 Smartphone Printer is a compact, rechargeable device that prints 2 x 3-inch photos. Along with printing the camera roll photos, you can also print photos from videos. Before printing, you can edit photos and add filters, frames, or stickers.
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Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 Smartphone Printer – Clay White | Buy on Amazon |
One of the highlights of the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 is that it can be used to insert certain shapes in photos by holding it in the hand and drawing that shape in the air. Fujifilm calls this feature the INSTAXAir feature. Hence you can further customize your prints by adding doodles and other shapes.
The Fujifilm Instax MINI LINK 2 Printer product package includes the printer unit, 1 USB Cable. In addition, the product comes with a 1-year warranty.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 Specifications
| Product Details | Product Specifications |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.46 pounds |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 3.6 x 4.9 x 1.4 inches |
| Connectivity Options | Bluetooth, USB |
| Printing Technology | Thermal |
| Paper Size | 2 x3 inches |
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 Pros
Compact size and lightweight form factor
Easy to set up and use, even for beginners
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 Cons
Does not come with 2 x 3 paper sheets
Amazon users have complained about the printer ejecting the paper and ruining the print
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 Price
The Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 Smartphone Printer comes at a price tag of $99.00.
Memoking T02
Best for Business Printing
The Memoking T02 Mini Printer is a portable photo printer that prints black and white images. You can use the Memoking T02 Mini Printer to print content like memos, educational sheets, work plans, personalized bookmarks, or shopping lists.
The device does not need ink or toner. It uses thermal printing, which is a low-cost option. You just have to install the Phomemo companion app on your Android or iOS device and then use Bluetooth to connect the printer.
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Memoking Mini Portable Printer – T02 Print Pods Mini Inkless Printer Pocket Thermal Sticker Printer… | Buy on Amazon |
The Memoking T02 Mini Printer also has an OCR scan option through which users can scan words on a document. The company has also included 3 complimentary rolls of paper with the printer in each pack.
Memoking T02 Specifications
| Product Details | Product Specifications |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.22 pounds |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 3.54 x 1.57 x 3.43 inches |
| Connectivity Options | Bluetooth |
| Printing Technology | Thermal |
| Paper Size | 50-53mm (1.96-2.08 inches) |
Memoking T02 Pros
Very compact and portable
Affordable pricing
Memoking T02 Cons
Does not print color photos
Photo quality is sub-par
Memoking T02 Price
The Memoking T02 Mini Printer is priced at $37.49.
Polaroid Hi-Print
Best for Features
The Polaroid Hi-Print Pocket Photo Printer prints 2×3 inch business card size prints on glossy paper with a sticky back. According to Polaroid, the Hi Print Pocket Photo Printer uses dye sublimation technology to produce high-quality prints in under 50 seconds.
To print, you need to install the Polaroid Hi-Print mobile app, which is available on both Android and iOS. Next, you connect the Polaroid Hi-Print Pocket Photo Printer to your phone via Bluetooth for printing. The Polaroid mobile companion app allows users to edit the photos they are about to print using frames, emoticons, filters, and text.
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Polaroid Hi-Print – Bluetooth Connected 2×3 Pocket Photo, Dye-Sub Printer (Not ZINK compatible) | Buy on Amazon |
The Polaroid Hi-Print Pocket Photo Printer does not come with Polaroid Hi-Print photo paper cartridges. You’ll have to purchase them separately.
Polaroid Hi-Print Specifications
| Product Details | Product Specifications |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.55 pounds |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 3.13 x 5.9 x 1.06 inches |
| Connectivity Options | Bluetooth |
| Printing Technology | Dye Sublimation |
| Paper Size | 2 x 3 inches |
Polaroid Hi-Print Pros
Provides photos of decent quality
Lightweight and portable
Polaroid Hi-Print Cons
Battery life could have been better
Only compatible with Polaroid Hi-Print paper
Polaroid Hi-Print Price
The Polaroid Hi-Print Pocket Photo Printer comes at a price tag of $82.99.
Lifeprint 3×4.5 Portable
Best for Augmented Reality Tech
The Lifeprint 3×4.5 Portable Photo Printer is a rechargeable printer that prints bigger, 3 x 4.5 inch full-color glossy photos. It uses Zink Paper for high-quality printing without requiring the use of any ink.
Lifeprint claims that it uses Augmented Reality tech called Hyperphoto in the Lifeprint 3×4.5 Portable Photo Printer. According to the company, the Hyperphoto feature adds the watermark of your username on the image, adding proof that you took the print.
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Lifeprint 3×4.5 Portable Photo and Video Printer for iPhone and Android. Make Your Photos Come to… | Buy on Amazon |
You can print photos taken from your smartphone and also via social media like Facebook, Instagram, and Apple Live Photos. The photo printer supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Lifeprint claims that the device is the only portable photo printer in the world that lets people instantly share real photos from anywhere using the Lifeprint smartphone app.
Lifeprint 3×4.5 Specifications
| Product Details | Product Specifications |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.75 pounds |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 1.9 x 5.3 x 7.5 inches |
| Connectivity Options | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Printing Technology | Zink Technology |
| Paper Size | 3 x 4.5 inches |
Lifeprint 3×4.5 Pros
Excellent social media connectivity options for sharing photos
Decent photo size and quality
Lifeprint 3×4.5 Cons
Expensive for the features it provides
Color reproduction can be better
Lifeprint 3×4.5 Price
The Lifeprint 3×4.5 Portable Photo Printer is priced at $149.99.
Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer
Best for Minimalist Design
The Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer is a rechargeable portable printer that uses Zink Technology to print photos on 2 x 3-inch-glossy sheets.
To print the photos you clicked or have them stored, you need to download the Canon Mini Print App on your smartphone. You’ll then have to connect it to a charged Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer using Bluetooth. Fortunately, Canon ships a USB-C charger with the unit. The company claims that the built-in rechargeable battery of the printer takes about 45 minutes to be fully charged.
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Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer, Print from Compatible iOS & Android Devices, Sticky-Back Prints,… | Buy on Amazon |
With the Canon Mini Print App, you can make a host of changes to your photos, like adding frames, stickers, or emojis for personalization. You can also add Vivid or B&W (Black and White) filters. The Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer includes 10 complimentary printing sheets in the package.
Canon Ivy 2 Specifications
| Product Details | Product Specifications |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.55 pounds |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 13.07 x 16.85 x 7.87 inches |
| Connectivity Options | Bluetooth |
| Printing Technology | Zink Technology |
| Paper Size | 2 x 3 inches |
Canon Ivy 2 Pros
Very good print quality
Offers stable Bluetooth connectivity
Canon Ivy 2 Cons
Exorbitant pricing
Battery life isn’t great
Canon Ivy 2 Price
The Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer comes at a price point of $95.99.
HPRT CP4100
Best for 4 x 6-inch Photos
The HPRT CP4100 Photo Printer prints out full-color 4 x 6-inch photos using Dye-Sublimation technology.
The photo printer lets you print photos with the help of the Heyphoto app, available on both Android and iOS. It’s relatively easy to set up and use. After you have inserted the paper into the printer using the photo cassette, power on the printer by holding the power button for 3 seconds. Now, open the Heyphoto app on your phone and connect it to the printer via Wi-Fi for printing.
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HPRT Photo Printer 4×6,+20 Sheets&1ribbon,Wi-Fi Wireless Instant Picture Printer for iPhone,… | Buy on Amazon |
The Heyphoto app comes with 8 filters and an AR Printing function. The device also comes with 20 complimentary sheets of paper and a ribbon.
HPRT CP4100 Specifications
| Product Details | Product Specifications |
|---|---|
| Weight | 4.02 pounds |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 5.11 x 7.86 x 3.42 inches |
| Connectivity Options | Wi-Fi |
| Printing Technology | Dye Sublimation |
| Paper Size | 4 x 6 inches |
HPRT CP4100 Pros
Provides high-quality photos
Very easy to set up and use
HPRT CP4100 Cons
Suffers from some connectivity issues
Slightly heavier than competitor products
HPRT CP4100 Price
The HPRT Photo Printer is priced at $132.99.
Best Portable Photo Printers: A Comparison
| Portable Photo Printer | Weight | Connection Options | Printing Technology | Paper Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP Sprocket Portable | 0.38 pounds | Bluetooth | Zink Zero Ink Technology | 2 x 3 inches |
| KODAK Step Wireless | 0.55 pounds | Bluetooth | Zink Zero Ink Technology | 2 x 3 inches |
| Liene White M200 | 2.47 pounds | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Dye Sublimation | 4 x 6 inches |
| Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 | 0.46 pounds | Bluetooth, USB | Thermal | 2 x 3 inches |
| Memoking T02 | 0.22 pounds | Bluetooth | Thermal | 50-53mm (1.96-2.08 inches) |
| Polaroid Hi-Print | 0.55 pounds | Bluetooth | Dye Sublimation | 2 x 3 inches |
| Lifeprint 3×4.5″ Portable | 0.75 pounds | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Zink Technology | 3 x 4.5 inches |
| Canon Ivy 2 | 0.55 pounds | Bluetooth | Zink Technology | 2 x 3 inches |
| HPRT CP4100 | 4.02 pounds | Wi-Fi | Dye Sublimation | 4 x 6 inches |
How to Choose The Best Portable Photo Printer?
There are 5 major factors you should consider when searching for the best portable photo printer.
- Paper Size: Portable photo printers, in general, print 2 x 3 inch, 3 x 3 inch, and even 4 x 6 inch photos. Choose the photo size according to your requirements.
- Printing Technology Used: One of the most important parameters to check for when buying a portable photo printer is whether it uses ink to print or works on an inkless technology. Printers working on Dye Sublimation technology use solid dye sheets in place of liquid ink to print, while printers using Zink Zero Ink Technology do not use ink. If color accuracy and detailing are your highest priorities and you are not on a tight budget, go for portable photo printers with Dye Sublimation technology. However, if you don’t want to spend too much and want quick photos for informal purposes, portable photo printers that work on Zink Technology work best.
- Print resolution: A higher print resolution means sharper and better-looking photos. Check the print resolution of the printer before purchasing. For example, the HPRT CPRT 4100 photo printer, which works on Dye Sublimation technology, prints images in 300 x 300 dpi resolution. On the other hand, the Canon Ivy 2 Mini photo printer, using Zink Technology, prints out in 314 x 500 dpi resolution.
- Simultaneous use by multiple people: Portable photo printers like the Liene White M200 Photo Printer allow up to 5 people to print photos at the same time. Photo printers that allow for use by multiple people can be useful for larger groups.
- Connectivity Options: Usually, portable photo printers use Bluetooth to connect to your phone or tablet. But some also connect via Wi-Fi as an additional option. The advantages of Wi-Fi over Bluetooth are longer range, wider compatibility with devices, and faster speed.
FAQs
No, it is not mandatory to have a personal computer or laptop for using a portable photo printer. You can directly print photos from your smartphone or tablet through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, based on what your portable photo printer supports.
Yes, you can edit your photos before printing them via a portable photo printer. You can also add filters, emoticons, or borders through the apps of the printer brand.
Printing any document or report using a portable photo printer is not advisable as they lack important features for business printing of documents, like font rendering, paper size options, and print speed. You can, however, print labels, business cards, or stickers.