The Best Cheap Mini Photo Printer
Above-average ratings, below-average prices, no fake reviews.
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A mini photo printer is an alternative to an instant camera like a Polaroid or Fuji Instax. These portable printers are battery-powered and connect wirelessly to a phone or tablet using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or NFC.
Because of their small size, smartphone printers can’t use traditional ink: In fact, many instant printers rely on “Zero Ink” paper licensed by Zink Imaging, a Polaroid spinoff. Zink’s inkless paper is used by Canon, Brother, HP, Prynt, Polaroid, LG, Kodak and Lifeprint. On the other hand, Fuji printers use Instax film and Canon’s Selphy line uses a dye sublimation process. Regardless of the brand, most instant photo printers make 2-inch by 3-inch prints.
What Is Zink Paper (and How Long Do Zink Photos Last)?
“To make ZINK photo paper…researchers start with a white plastic sheet as a base material, then add very thin layers of dye crystals. The dye molecules that make up these crystals are structured in such a way that the crystal is transparent. When heat is applied, the molecules change their physical orientation from a crystal to an amorphous glass, a process that releases color,” according to MIT’s Technology Review. Printers use thermal printheads to activate those crystallized-dyes; specific colors are produced by varying the temperature and duration of the heating.
But, if Zink photos are produced by heat, they can also be destroyed by it.
Zink paper can withstand “temperatures as high as 70 °C (158 °F),” according to lab tests cited by Steve Herchen, the former Chief Technology officer of Zink Imaging. “And if placed in sunlight, the picture will fade at a rate similar to that of other thermal printings.” (As little as five years.)
Nevertheless, inkless photos can look decades old from the moment they are printed. The Verge’s Paul Miller describes them as “grainy, splotchy, uneven, desaturated” and hue-shifted. The upshot is this: It’s better to buy an instant printer for its fun factor rather than for its picture quality.
How Much Does a Portable Photo Printer Cost?
A good portable photo printer (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $91, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Those same mini photo printers cost around $65 while on sale: an average discount of 29%. The best portable printers can print more than 10 photos on a charge, often for less than $0.50 each, but this depends on the price paid for inkless photo paper. Here are the best mini photo printers for the money:
Methodology for Selecting Products
I use data science to discover above-average products that are selling for below-average prices. To find mini photo printers with below-average prices, I first assemble a list of candidates, then organize those products by their 12-month average sale price, determine the median value and then exclude any printer with a price above the mid-point.
To find smartphone printers with above-average reviews, I measure the relationship between 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 star ratings and flag outliers that fall outside of a normal statistical distribution. I also discount paid, sponsored and unverified reviews as well as unhelpful review behaviors from verified customers. Printers with an average adjusted rating of less than 3.9 out of 5 are excluded; in the end, fewer than 20% of the analyzed products remain.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Smartphone Printer
Good Value: $97 | Great Deal: $89
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Fuji’s Instax Mini Link is smaller, lighter and faster than other Instax printers, according to several online customers. Some reviewers were disappointed by Fuji’s app; others wish that Instax paper was included.
Paper Type: Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film
Lifeprint 2x3 Hyperphoto (AR) Printer for iPhone & Android
Good Value: $82 | Great Deal: $60
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Lifeprint’s augmented-reality smartphone printer is a fun way to bring still photos to life (when viewed through an AR-companion app), according to several online customers. Many reviewers caution that the prints have a greenish color cast; others weren’t able to use Lifeprint’s Hyperphoto app.
Paper Type: Lifeprint Photo Paper (Zink)
Fujifilm INSTAX Share SP-2 Mobile Printer
Good Value: $85 | Great Deal: $75
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Fuji’s SP-2 is a good alternative to an Instax camera, according to several online customers. Many reviewers praise the print quality and speed, but criticize Fuji’s app and Wi-Fi connectivity. Additionally, some customers say the reprint button is too easy to press by accident.
Paper Type: Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film
Polaroid Mint Pocket Printer
Good Value: $87 | Great Deal: $60
Polaroid’s Mint is tiny, fun and easy to use, according to several online customers. Many say the Mint is lightweight and truly pocket-sized. Others praise the Polaroid app, battery life and Bluetooth connectivity. A few reviewers were disappointed by the print quality.
Paper Type: Polaroid Premium ZINK Photo Paper
Fujifilm Instax SP-3 Mobile Printer
Good Value: $125 | Great Deal: $89
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The SP-3 has long battery life and makes excellent prints, according to several online customers. Many reviewers complain that this printer disconnects from WiFi when it idles; others say the film is too expensive.
Paper Type: Fujifilm Instax Square Film
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
Kodak Smile Instant Digital Printer
Good Value: $100 | Great Deal: $80
Note: This printer is also available in other colors.
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Kodak’s affordable instant photo printer is compact, reliable and easy to connect, according to several online customers. Some reviewers were disappointed with the quality of prints; others wish the paper was cheaper.
Paper Type: Kodak Zink Photo Paper
Note 2: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
About the Author: John DeFeo has worked as a professional photographer and a photo archivist. He also served as the head of editorial insights for product review sites like Tom’s Guide and Anandtech.
