Best Portable Photo Printers in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update March 3, 2024
Although smartphones and other mobile devices with cameras have given us the ability to carry our pictures with us wherever we go, sometimes it would be nice to be able to have a physical copy of a great photo that you wish to share with your friends and family. At times like these, a portable photo printer is a great idea. Read on for our reviews of five of the best portable photo printers available! ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Connection
Compatibility
Size of Photos
Resolution
Photo Capacity (sheets)
Power Source
Dimensions
Warrranty
 
PROS

The presence of a 3.2" color LCD screen in combination with intuitive button labels allows you to easily control the device. The Zoom-In Feature will be great if you want to print only a fragment of the picture.

CONS

To achieve natural color reproduction, you need to configure it in the application.

OUR VERDICT

The SELPHY CP1300 is a welcome gift to many professional photographers who are used to storing the best photos in print. So, it allows you to print photos not only from phones, laptops or computers, but also directly from memory cards and USB-flash drives.

detailed parameters
Connection

Wi-Fi, USB, SD slot, slot for USB-flash drives

Compatibility

Android, iOS, Windows 10 mobile, Amazon fire devices, Windows and Mac OS

Size of Photos

148 x 100 mm

Resolution

300 x 300 dpi

Photo Capacity (sheets)

18 sheets

Power Source

AC (battery pack is an optional feature)

Dimensions

18.1 x 13.6 x 6.3 cm

860 g

Warrranty

1 year

PROS

The AR feature lets you print a frame directly from videos. And since the HP Sprocket is able to connect to Facebook, you'll be able to print photos right from your stories.

CONS

Some users say that the USB cable is lacking in quality. 

OUR VERDICT

The HP Sprocket looks more like a stylish accessory rather than a portable printer, so it may become a perfect gift for selfie-addicts searching for a great addition to their smartphone. It can be connected to social media and cloud sites to print directly from them.

detailed parameters
Connection

Bluetooth

Compatibility

Android, iOS devices

Size of Photos

76.2 x 50.8 mm

Resolution

400 x 313 dpi

Photo Capacity (sheets)

10 sheets

Power Source

Rechargeable battery (Up to 35 photos)

Dimensions

11.8 x 8 x 2.5 cm

173 g

Warrranty

1 year

PROS

On the case, LED indicators are provided that indicate the status of the gadget: for example, the status indicator notifies you of the photo printing progress.

CONS

The app interface is not very intuitive.

OUR VERDICT

The Polaroid company is one of the leaders among photo and printing equipment, and their mobile version of this printer will also pleasantly surprise you: bright and clear pictures, easy connection and printing, as well as a stylish case design - it is truly a joy to use.

detailed parameters
Connection

Bluetooth, NFC

Compatibility

Android, iOS devices

Size of Photos

76.2 x 50.8 mm

Resolution

400 x 314 dpi

Photo Capacity (sheets)

10 sheets

Power Source

Rechargeable battery (Up to 25 photos)

Dimensions

12 x 7.4 x 2.2 cm

186 g

Warrranty

1 year

PROS

The box includes a pack of ZINK photo paper that is highly resistant to finger marks (smudge-free). Also, it's water- and tear-resistant. The reverse side has an adhesive layer.

CONS

It can print only 15-20 photos per charge.

OUR VERDICT

Thanks to the ridiculously small dimensions of 11.8 x 8.2 x 1.9 cm and weight of 160 grammes, the Canon Zoemini is surely one of the smallest and lightest mobile printers out there. It'll easily fit into your pocket or bag, allowing you to always keep it at hand.

detailed parameters
Connection

Bluetooth, NFC

Compatibility

Android, iOS devices

Size of Photos

76.2 x 50.8 mm

Resolution

400 x 314 dpi

Photo Capacity (sheets)

10 sheets

Power Source

Rechargeable battery (Up to 20 photos)

Dimensions

11.8 x 8.2 x 1.9 cm

160 g

Warrranty

1 year

PROS

The design provides an Android Dock Pin so that you can connect your smartphone and directly print photos stored in it - this is very convenient if the phone’s charge is not enough for wireless printing.

CONS

The cost of printing one photo is quite high.

OUR VERDICT

Kodak knows a lot about printing photos, and therefore this printer will pleasantly surprise you with the quality of the finished pictures: D2T2 Thermal Transfer Technology makes the image clear with high contrast, and the photos will not fade even after many years.

detailed parameters
Connection

Wi-Fi, Android Dock Pin (iOS Lightning Adapter included), slot for USB-flash drives

Compatibility

Android, iOS devices

Size of Photos

148 x 100 mm

Resolution

300 x 300 dpi

Photo Capacity (sheets)

~20 sheets

Power Source

AC

Dimensions

16.6 x 10 x 6.9 cm

760 g

Warrranty

1 year

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Canon Selphy CP1300

Control With Ease

Ask many people what one of the most complicated pieces of computer equipment are, and many of them will point immediately to their printer. This is with very good reason, as printers have always seemingly been one of the most difficult pieces of equipment to configure and setup properly. Furthermore, they often have a bevvy of features that most users just can't use because they are too complicated to take advantage of, even with companion software that often promises to help make things easier but rarely delivers. If there is one area that printers can be improved in, it would definitely be ease of use.

The Canon SELPHY CP1300 Compact Photo Printer is definitely a huge step in the right direction by being a printer made from the ground up to be easy to configure and use. The presence of a 3.2" colour LCD screen in combination with intuitive button labels allows you to quickly learn all the features of the device, making it much easier to take advantage of them than with many contemporary models. The Zoom-In Feature will be indispensable if you want to print only a fragment of the picture, a much needed feature for people who often want to print a photo of one person in a photo of many people crowded together.

Review of Canon Selphy CP1300 Compact Photo Printer

Print from Any Device

The SELPHY CP1300 is a welcome gift to many professional photographers who are used to putting their best photos in print. On top of that, the flexibility in use of this device lets you print photos from virtually any source. So, it allows you to print photos not only from phones, laptops or computers, but also directly from memory cards and USB-flash drives, something that many photographers will find to be extremely convenient when they want to print a photo directly after their photo shoot.

This particular model is made specifically for printing photos, which will sit well with many people who often find multi-purpose printers to be less than ideal with the quality of their photo printing. This model, however, doesn't take any shortcuts with the quality of the prints. The only negative that users may run into is in regard to natural colour reproduction, which will need to be configured through the application. Regardless, most photographers of any level will be more than pleased with the quality of prints created by this printer. If you need a mobile printer that you can take with you and immediately print out high-quality prints on demand, then this model is definitely the right choice.

Canon Selphy CP1300 Compact Photo Printer in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £129.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B074XFPC3D

 

HP Sprocket (1AS85A)

Like a Stylish Accessory

After the striking success of the Sprocket portable printer, the folks at HP has released a new Sprocket 2nd edition with an updated design and functions. Nearly everything in this printer, including the housing, is new. The first impression is that it resembles a stylish accessory rather than a mobile printer allowing for printing photos instantly from mobile devices.

While the original Sprocket has a practical black design with silver trim, the Sprocket 2nd edition comes in not actually colours but moods - Luna Peral, Noir, and Blush. Each of them has a pattern of dots or flecks, which breaks up the monotony of solid-coloured printers. Plus, those dots have an interesting function - when you scan them with your phone camera (using HP's Sprocket App), the status information is shown up on the screen. HP calls this Reveal.

Other than that, the design of the Sprocket 2nd Edition is pretty basic. It's about the size of a smartphone but slightly chunkier. It's fitted with a print-output slot and a status light above it. Also, you'll find a power button, a micro-USB jack, a reset hole, and a battery-status LED on the rear edge. As a nice touch, the Sprocket 2nd edition stays connected to your gadgets even when sleeping and instantly wakes up if you send it a print job. Another new feature is AR that lets you print a frame from your videos.

Review of HP Sprocket (1AS85A) Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition)

Improved Printing Quality

Although the HP Sprocket 2nd edition differs from previous generations with its unique design and quirky AR function, the most impressive feature about it is the improved print quality. Unlike printers that use no-ink technology, this one doesn't fuse external ink or toner - it releases colours embedded in the compatible ZINK paper. In other words, it heats the stock paper to a certain temperature, and different sections of the surface change the colour depending on that temperature.

As for the compatibility, the Sprocket 2nd edition boasts an updated app with expanded functionality. Now, the unit accepts multiple connections and, accordingly, can print from different devices (up to 3 at a time). You can also connect to social media (Facebook, Google, or Instagram) and cloud sites to print directly from them.

With a redesigned unique design, upgraded app, and better printing quality, the Sprocket 2nd edition will help you make, share, and post memories wherever and whenever you want. It may also be a perfect gift for selfie-addicts.

HP Sprocket (1AS85A) Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition) in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £85.01
Stock In stock
ASIN B07GFP7H8C

 

Polaroid ZIP

Best Name in Instant Photos

Although the advent of digital photography has caused them to take a back seat in recent years, Polaroid was by far the most well-known name in instant photos in years past. The special Polaroid cameras were able to take a snapshot and have a physical photo ready in just minutes, giving rise to a huge instant photo industry that lasted for many years. Although the Polaroid cameras of old have given way to digital cameras on mobile devices, Polaroid continues the great tradition of instant photos with a line of high-quality portable photo printers.

The Polaroid Zip POLMP01W Photo Mini Printer continues this great tradition by allowing users with mobile devices to take snapshots and then instantly print them anywhere, ensuring that physical copies of their recent snapshots are no more than a few seconds away. This special portable photo printer is small enough to slip in your pocket and take with you anywhere, and the specially colored case gives it a sleek, fun look that is sure to draw the attention of your friends. Just take a photo, pair the printer with your mobile device via Bluetooth, and then print your photos. Going from concept to reality takes just the span of a few seconds with this device.

Review of Polaroid ZIP Mobile Printer

Great-Quality Prints

Although most people may think of portable photo printers as not being especially high-quality devices, nothing could be further from the truth where this device is concerned. This printer is capable of reproducing your favorite photos in stunning detail, with rich, vibrant colors and crystal clear image quality. The printer uses the ZINK ZERO INK printing technology to print out photos without using ink, ensuring that your high-quality prints remain high-quality even after being handled. There is no need to worry about smudging or blurring the photos, even after they are freshly printed.

This Polaroid portable photo printer connects to your mobile device through a free Polaroid mobile app, which lets you print photos directly from multiple sources, whether it be from your social media pages, or your mobile device's photo library. The app works on both iOS and Android devices, so most mobile devices should be compatible. The battery life of this device is also great, as it can print up to 25 different photos on a single charge, which should be more than enough for almost any situation. Anyone who needs a great wireless mobile printer will do well to stick with the best name in instant photos.

Polaroid ZIP Mobile Printer in the use

Additional Info

User Manual

Last updated price £215.90
Stock In stock
ASIN B00TE8XKIS

VIDEO
REVIEW: Polaroid Zip Instant Printer (Zink/Bluetooth/NFC)
 

Canon Zoemini

Ultra Compact

The majority of people who already have some experience with printing digital photos on-the-go are familiar with some quality limitations that often occur. Smudged and blurred photos are quite a common case with portable printers. However, thankfully not all of the portable photo printers are stuck with those limitations. The Canon Zoemini prides itself in the ability to create only high-quality and durable photos. Owing to the special photo stock used by this model, you can rest assured knowing your prints will be free from annoying smudges or blurs. The Zink paper combines distinct yellow, cyan, and magenta layers that are initially in clear crystals. Yet, by applying heat pulses, the Zoemini printer easily melts the dyes, revealing them to create a full-colour picture. With that, the prints get tear-proof and water-resistant. So, you won't need to handle a just-printed photo too gently, for fear of ruining the print.

Another perk of the Canon Zoemini is its compact, slim form factor. At just 11.8 x 8.2 x 1.9 cm and weight of 160 grammes, the printer is small enough to fit into your bag or pocket, making it a great portable option to take with you wherever you go. So, if you agree that a durable, high-quality printer should always be at hand, this model can be a strong fit. 

Review of Canon Zoemini Portable Photo Printer

Super Fun

The ability to print high-quality photos alone is enough to make a choice in favour of this model but, actually, there are a lot of other extra features that appeal to it. And the most prominent of them is the use of special sticker-backed photo paper that allows users to peel it off and use the photos as stickers just moments after you take them. This may be especially great when you're creating a fun photo album while travelling. The photos will be free from stuffy frames, and you'll be able to put the prints anywhere you want.

When it comes to interface, the printer connects to mobile devices via Bluetooth. The Canon Mini Print App works flawlessly on iOS and Android devices, and is fairly straightforward to use. It allows you to easily browse your photo gallery and edit photos as you like. There are options to change layouts, zoom in and out photos, edit colours, change orientation, add emojis or fun icons, and take advantage of tons of other customization options.

For those who value being able to print fun and durable photos while on-the-go, this Canon pocket-sized printer is sure to please. It already comes with a pack of ZINK photo paper (10 sticky-backed sheets), allowing you to use it right after unpacking.
Canon Zoemini Portable Photo Printer in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £108.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07GFBQ2Y9

 

Kodak (PD-450)

The Best in Digital Imaging

When thinking of brand names that have to do with photography, Kodak is usually one of the first names that many people think of. After all, they were basically the kinds of photography for many, many years, providing both high quality film and cameras to the public. With the advent of digital photography, Kodak's stranglehold on the market definitely loosened, but even so, they still remain one of the best known brands. Their impressive array of digital imaging devices still makes them quite relevant in today's digital market, with their products often carrying the same high quality and reliability that they were always known for.

The Kodak PD - 450 Portable Photo Printer carries on this tradition by providing extremely high quality photo prints. Kodak knows a lot about printing photos, and therefore this printer will pleasantly surprise you with the quality of the finished pictures: the D2T2 Thermal Transfer Technology included in this printer makes the image clear with high contrast, and the photos will not fade even after many years. This technology helps put this printer on another level when compared to many other mobile printers, even those that are made specifically for photo printing.

Review of Kodak (PD-450) Portable Instant Photo Printer

Integrated Phone Dock

With the race between the makers of high end smartphone manufacturers in including the best quality cameras in their top-range smartphones, it only makes sense that more and more smartphones are being used for professional digital photography. As such, it makes a lot of sense for a printer to heavily support direct printing from such smartphones, and that is exactly what this model does. The design provides an Android Dock Pin so that you can connect your smartphone and directly print photos stored in it - this is very convenient if the phone’s charge is not enough for wireless printing (Lightning Adapter included for iOS devices). No longer do you need to worry about configuring settings just to get it to print from your smartphone.

Of course, you aren't limited to just printing from your smartphone. This mobile photo printer supports connecting most computers through Wi-Fi. For those who use stand-alone cameras, you can even print directly from SD card, giving you plenty of flexibility in where to print from. The free companion app for this printer gives you a variety of different filters and effects that you can use for your printed photos. For anyone who requires nothing less than the best quality prints, this mobile photo printer from Kodak is exactly what you need.

Kodak (PD-450) Portable Instant Photo Printer in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01KO09L7I

 

What Is a Portable Photo Printer?

Anyone over the age of 40 probably remembers Polaroid or other instant photo cameras - cameras that would take photos and then instantly develop them on some kind of photo stock. They were a great way to capture and share memories instantly long before the age of digital photography. Nowadays, people tend to keep most photos digitally, only sharing them through social media apps. While there is plenty of positive to be said about this aspect of digital photography, sometimes having a physical photo is worth more than its weight in gold.

This is where portable photo printers come in. They are devices that allow you to instantly print a physical copy of a photo that was taken with a mobile device, generally a smartphone or tablet, and they provide a great way to share a physical copy of a photo that your friends or family can hold onto as a keepsake. Sharing physical photos can be a wonderful thing, as for instance, you can write your own personalized message on the back of the photo to help aid the memories that they captured.

If you prefer to keep your photos digital, then perhaps you would be interested in finding a great digital photo frame for displaying them at home or in the office.

What Features to Compare

Portable photo printers are not necessarily new, as they have existed for a number of years, but with each year, they continue to gain in features and picture quality. Old photo printers printed low resolution photos that were barely passable, but recent models are able to print photos in high enough quality to rival that of real film stock. Of course, there tends to be much more to many of the models than just the ability to print photos. When looking for a good portable photo printer, it would be helpful to be aware of the different features and characteristics that they have so you can choose the best model of portable photo printer for yourself.

Connection Type

The primary characteristic that you will want to look for is the connection type that the photo printer uses to connect to your mobile device. Some older models used a physical connection through the USB port, but new models have done away with that in favour of wireless connectivity. Some models will use Wi-Fi to connect, whereas others will use Bluetooth or even NFC. It is best to check the connection type of the model you wish to buy to make sure it supports the same connection as your phone.

Compatibility

Another very important characteristic of the photo printer is its compatibility with mobile devices. Most popular mobile devices use either iOS or Android as their operating system. The vast majority of portable photo printers will support both OSes, but it is best to make sure that the one you choose is compatible with your phone or tablet.

Resolution and Photo Size

Of course, as portable photo printers will be creating physical copies of your photos, you will want to make sure that they are printing the best quality photos possible. The resolution and photo size will both be important characteristics to look for here, as a high resolution will ensure that your photos will retain their high quality.

Photo Capacity

Photo capacity is important to know, as this will tell you how many copies of digital photos you will be able to print. Most portable photo printers do not have a large capacity, with the ability to print between 8 to 10 photos on average, so you will want to make sure you have extra printing materials handy should you plan on printing more than a handful of photos.

Battery Capacity

Last but not least, the battery capacity of a photo printer is an important characteristic to be aware of. Rather than a typical charge time, photo printers tend to measure their battery capacity in terms of the number of photos that can be printed. Being aware of this number is a good idea before you purchase a model.

Did you know?

Printed Photos: What Are They Good For?

In today's age, digital photography has taken over from the old days of physical film and photo stock. There's a good reason this has happened, as digital photos are an order of magnitude easier to handle than physical photos. Instead of having stacks of photos to carry around, most people can fit hundreds or even thousands of photos on one small device. What's more, digital photos are much easier to edit, with many advanced tools available for providing minor but important corrections, such as removing red eye, brightening dark areas, and even cropping and resizing.

Of course, just because digital photos have almost entirely replaced physical photos doesn't mean there is no more use for the latter. Far from it, in fact. If anything, digital photography has made things easier for physical photos as well, giving us a wide range of uses for something such as a portable photo printer. If you are looking for some fun, creative ideas on what to do with your printed photos, then read on for some great suggestions.

  • Photo Albums

Anyone who grew up with a physical photo album knows just how special they can be. Although even old photos can now be scanned and stored digitally, having the tactile feel and smell of a physical photo album can help give us more vivid memories than just looking at a digital picture. With a portable photo printer, you can create your own physical photo album as you go, giving you and your loved ones a great way to help document your wonderful memories together on the spot. In fact, with a printed photo, you don't even need to use a huge, bulky standard photo album for this. If you are using photo stock with a sticky back, you can create a wonderful photo album just with a regular scrapbook, giving you plenty of creative ways to adorn your album.

  • Art Collages

Some people have an unbridled creative side to them that always needs to manifest itself in some way. One way for photo lovers to do this is to create a physical photo or art collage using printed photos. Simply use a piece of thick stock within a picture frame, and you can use your printed photos to create a wonderful collage. Using digital enhancements and other editing tricks, you can even create them in wonderfully creative ways that simply aren't possible with real photo stock.

  • Decorations

Do you have a room that badly needs some decorations? Look no further than your portable photo printer. You can take some unique and wonderful photos, or even find professional photos online, and print them out to use as decorations in your room. Line up photos along the edge of your mirror, or create patchworks of creative designs out of photos, and you can instantly brighten a bland room with minimal time and effort.

  • Many More Ideas

Although the ideas above are some of the most popular uses for printed photos, many people can think up their own unique and creative ideas for them. Simply use your imagination, and bring to life a wonderful work of art made of your most precious memories!

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Publish Date: 2020-09-18 10:26:59