The Best Instant Photo Printers of 2024 (2024)

A picture is worth a thousand words, but it’s even better when you can hold it in your hands, thanks to an instant photo printer. These handy devices let you print photos from your smartphone or digital camera right after you take them. People love them because they’re portable, easy to use, and perfect for printing memories at events and parties. Plus, they bring a nostalgic feel for those who remember the days before smartphones.

What to Look for in an Instant Photo Printer

The best instant photo printers should be compact, lightweight, and portable, so you can take them anywhere. While 4x6-inch printers are bigger than 2x3-inch ones, they’re still easy to carry in your tote bag or car. Other printers, such as 3D printers, are much larger and more complicated to use.

Speaking of use, the best instant photo printers are usually easy to set up and use. Also, think about how big you'll want your photos to be. Instant photos typically range from 2x3 to 4x6 inches, so choose a printer that matches your preferred size. The size is usually mentioned in the product name.

Printing technology is also key. Many modern instant photo printers use zero ink technology (ZINK), which doesn’t require ink, toner, or cartridges. Instead, they use special printing papers embedded with colors. These papers often have a sticky back and are resistant to tears, smudges, and water.

The best instant photo printers work with iOS and Android devices; some even support PCs. They can connect via Bluetooth, USB, or hotspot. All featured printers have intuitive apps that let you edit and personalize your photos before printing.

Printing speed is equally important if you want to print lots of photos quickly. The best instant photo printers can print a photo in under a minute. With a powerful rechargeable battery, some printers, like the HP Sprocket 2x3-inch Printer, can print up to 35 photos on a single charge.

Instant photo printers often come with some printing paper, but you’ll need to buy more once you run out. You can easily find these special papers from the printer’s manufacturer or other vendors.

Best Instant Photo Printer Overall: HP Sprocket 2x3-inch Instant Photo Printer

Instant photo printers come in all shapes and sizes, but the HP Sprocket 2x3-inch Instant Photo Printer stands out as our top pick. It's super compact and lightweight, so you can easily slip it into your pocket, purse, or travel bag and take it anywhere.

The HP Sprocket 2x3-inch connects to your iOS or Android phone via Bluetooth or USB. With over 64MB of storage space and the intuitive HP Sprocket Photo App, you can personalize your photos with fun filters, emojis, effects, and borders. Plus, it supports borderless printing for a slightly larger image.

One cool feature we love about the HP Sprocket 2x3-inch printer is that multiple users can connect to it simultaneously. Personalized light indicators show who’s printing, making it a hit at parties and events. Each print takes about a minute, and you can get up to 35 prints on a full charge.

This printer uses zero ink (ZINK) technology, so there’s no need for ink, cartridges, or toners—saving you money in the long run. It prints on sticky-back paper that you can peel and stick anywhere. The prints are vibrant, durable, and resistant to tears, smudges, and moisture. You can get it in black noir, eclipse, luna pearl, lilac, and in a 2.3x3.4-inch size.

Best Instant Photo Printer Overall

HP Sprocket 2x3-inch Instant Photo Printer

The HP Sprocket 2x3-inch Instant Photo Printer is a portable 64MB printer that connects via Bluetooth to
Android and iOS phones. It also supports multiple simultaneous connections.

$79 at AmazonSee at Best BuySee at HP

Best Budget Instant Photo Printer: KODAK Step Instant Photo Printer

Looking for a great instant photo printer without breaking the bank? The KODAK Step Instant Photo Printer is your best bet. It's about $20 cheaper than the HP Sprocket 2x3-inch Instant Photo Printer but still packs many features, making it a top choice for budget-conscious shoppers.

This pocket-sized printer is super easy to set up and use, so you can use it even if you're not tech-savvy. Plus, it's ultraportable, fitting easily into your back pocket or purse. Perfect for capturing memories on a first date or at a class reunion. It comes with 64MB memory storage.

The KODAK Step connects to your iPhone or Android phone via Bluetooth or NFC. With its intuitive app, you can add fun filters, effects, and borders to your photos before printing them. It uses zero-ink technology to print monochrome or color photos in under a minute.

Transform your selfies, portraits, or social media posts into instant 2x3-inch photos on sticky-back paper embedded with dye crystals. These photos are not only vibrant and detailed but also durable and resistant to rips, tears, smudges, and moisture. Available in black, blue, pink, and white, this printer is as stylish as it is functional.

Best Budget Instant Photo Printer

Kodak Step Instant Photo Printer

$61 $70 Save $9

The KODAK Step Instant Photo Printer is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to capture and share memories on the go without spending a fortune.

$61 at AmazonSee at KodakSee at Walmart

Best Premium Instant Photo Printer: Liene 4x6-inch Instant Photo Printer

If you're ready to splurge on a top-notch instant photo printer with all the bells and whistles, the Liene 4x6-inch Instant Photo Printer is the way to go. It's our favorite pick for a premium option, offering a lot more features and accessories than budget models like the HP Sprocket 2x3-inch Instant Photo Printer.

While it might not be the best choice for casual meetups, it’s still portable enough for home or office use. Setting it up is a breeze, and it works seamlessly with iOS, Android, and PC. Plus, you can connect via its built-in hotspot or hook up your PC wirelessly or with a cable. It comes with 32MB of storage.

The Liene App makes adding effects, filters, and borders to your photos easy and fun. You can even print your ID or visa photos with it. What’s helpful is that you can connect and print photos from up to five devices simultaneously—perfect for sharing memories at family gatherings or parties.

The Liene 4x6-inch Instant Photo Printer has a dustproof cassette and uses thermal-dye sublimation printing to produce vibrant, laminated photos. These 4x6-inch prints are durable, resisting tears, smudges, and moisture. They're perfect for framing or sticking up as keepsakes.

Best Premium Instant Photo Printer

Liene 4x6-inch Instant Photo Printer

$150 $230 Save $80

The Liene 4x6-inch Instant Photo Printer is an excellent choice if you want high-quality prints and a feature-rich experience.

$150 at AmazonSee at Liene

Best Instant Photo Printer for Larger Prints: KODAK Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer

Looking for a more compact and budget-friendly 4x6-inch photo printer? The KODAK Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer is a great alternative to the Liene 4x6-inch Instant Photo Printer. It’s not only more portable but also about $30 cheaper, with 64MB of memory storage to go with it.

One of the coolest features of the KODAK Dock Plus is that it lets you dock and charge your phone while printing. This is perfect if you prefer not to use Bluetooth. It’s compatible with iPhones, iPads, and Android phones, so you can easily print all your favorite photos from any device.

Using the KODAK Dock Plus is just plain fun, especially with its augmented reality app. You can add filters, effects, and other enhancements to your photos before printing. Plus, you can print with or without borders, and the photos are durable, tear-resistant, smudge-proof, and water-resistant.

The 4PASS printing technology ensures high-quality photos in under a minute, making printing passport and photo ID pictures easy. And since it’s a 4x6-inch printer, your photos are perfect for sticking up or framing to keep those special moments alive.

Best Instant Photo Printer for Larger Prints

KODAK Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer

$130 $200 Save $70

The KODAK Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer is a great choice for anyone looking to print larger, high-quality photos without breaking the bank.

$130 at AmazonSee at KodakSee at Walmart

Best Compact Instant Photo Printer: KODAK Mini 2 Retro 4PASS Instant Photo Printer

If you’re looking for a super compact instant photo printer, the KODAK Mini 2 Retro 4PASS Instant Photo Printer is a fantastic choice. It’s our top pick for the best compact instant photo printer, perfect for those who need portability above all else.

While the HP Sprocket 2x3-inch Instant Photo Printer is slightly smaller, the KODAK Mini 2 Retro prints larger photos at 2.14x3.4 inches, giving you a bit more space to write dates or notes around the edges. This small difference can make your memories even more special and memorable.

The KODAK Mini 2 Retro is not just about size—it also comes with 64MB of memory storage and supports both iOS and Android phones. Bluetooth lets you easily print your favorite selfies, gallery pics, or social media posts. Plus, it offers both bordered and borderless photo options.

The KODAK Photo Printer app is super intuitive, letting you add fun effects, filters, and even create custom frames and collages. The 4PASS printing technology ensures your photos are vibrant, durable, and resistant to tears, smudges, and moisture. It’s available in black, white, and yellow.

Best Compact Instant Photo Printer

KODAK Mini 2 Retro 4PASS Instant Photo Printer

$90 $140 Save $50

The KODAK Mini 2 Retro 4PASS Instant Photo Printer is perfect for anyone who wants a compact, easy-to-use printer that still delivers vibrant, high-quality photos.

$90 at AmazonSee at KodakSee at Walmart

FAQ

What size photos can I print with an instant photo printer?

You can print different sized photos with an instant photo printer. They include 2x3-inch, 3x3-inch, 3x4-inch, and 4x6-inch photos.

How long does it take to print photos with an instant photo printer?

It takes about a minute to print with an instant photo printer. The featured printers typically have a ppm of 1, that is, one print per minute.

Are there other costs associated with using an instant photo printer?

Yes, there are other costs that may be associated with using an instant photo printer. They include the costs for replacing photo paper, cartridge (if applicable), and battery,

How do I maintain and care for my instant photo camera?

You can care for and maintain your instant photo camera by keeping it clean and dust free, using the right/recommended paper, handling with care, avoiding accidental drops, preventing moisture buildup, updating the software/firmware, and storing it properly.