Sharing physical photo prints and building albums offers a tangible connection to memories. If you’re passionate about preserving your photos in this way, a dedicated photo printer might be a worthwhile investment. Manufacturers optimize these printers specifically for images, often surpassing the quality of standard printers. Printing at home gives you greater control and faster feedback than using a photo lab or office store. Need a quick color or exposure adjustment? Simply make the change and reprint without delay. A quality photo printer provides instant gratification, convenience, and long-term cost savings. With portable options available, you can even take your photo printing on the go.
This guide explores the best photo printers currently available, offering a diverse selection to meet various needs and budgets.
Top Photo Printers at a Glance
- Epson SureColor P700
- Epson EcoTank ET-8500
- Canon MegaTank PIXMA G620
- HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301dw
- HP Sprocket Select
- Canon Selphy CP1500
Epson SureColor P700: Best for Photographic Quality
Epson SureColor P700 Printer
Why buy this? Impress even the most discerning eye with exceptional photographic prints without a hefty price tag.
Who’s it for? Photographers seeking accurate color reproduction and excellent dynamic range.
The Epson SureColor P700 transcends the limitations of typical four-color inkjets. Its 10-ink system captures subtle midtones and shades that other printers miss, delivering professional-quality results for around $800. Epson’s UltraChrome Pro10 ink achieves a wider color gamut, staying true to the original photo. Epson boasts archival qualities of up to 200 years for color and 400 years for black-and-white prints. The P700 automatically switches between photo black and matte black ink, optimizing output for both photos and documents. While it utilizes ink cartridges, resulting in a higher cost per print than tank printers, the quality is undeniable. For wide-format printing up to 17 inches, consider the Epson SureColor P900, which offers the same exceptional image quality.
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-8500: Best Inkjet Tank Photo Printer
Walk-up printing is easy since the EcoTank ET-8500 supports SD cards and USB drives.
Why buy this? Top-tier photographic quality combined with the cost-effectiveness of a tank printer.
Who’s it for? Frequent photo printers who prioritize image quality and low ink costs.
The Epson EcoTank ET-8500 is a remarkable all-in-one inkjet tank printer capable of producing stunning photographic prints. Its six-color ink system, including gray and photo black in addition to CMYK, elevates image quality. Epson claims its Claria ET Premium inks can last up to 300 years in an album. Beyond printing, the ET-8500 includes a high-resolution flatbed scanner and produces high-fidelity color copies. It’s also fast, printing color documents at up to 12 pages per minute and 4×6 photos at up to four per minute. While the $700 price point may seem high for home use, it’s a worthwhile investment for those seeking the best quality with minimal ink expenses. The included ink lasts up to two years, and refills come in inexpensive bottles. For larger borderless prints up to 13×19 inches, consider the Epson EcoTank ET-8550.
Canon MegaTank PIXMA G620: Best Value Inkjet Photo Printer
Canon
Why buy this? An affordable inkjet tank printer designed with photo printing in mind.
Who’s it for? Home users seeking a budget-friendly all-in-one photo printer.
The Canon MegaTank PIXMA G620 is an all-in-one inkjet tank printer featuring six inks, including dedicated gray and red for enhanced photo printing. Like the Epson SureColor series, the G620 uses long-lasting inks, rated for up to 100 years in an album. It also functions as a scanner and copier. The tank system minimizes ink refills, and when needed, you use inexpensive bottles instead of cartridges. At around $300, the G620 offers an affordable entry point into photo printing with low running costs. The trade-off is a slower print speed of four pages per minute for color documents.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301dw: Best Color Laser Printer for Photos
The HP Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw is sturdy super fast.
Why buy this? Need speed? This laser printer offers a quick way to print a high volume of good-quality photos.
Who’s it for? Photographers and business users who prioritize speed and acceptable image quality.
The HP Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw delivers speed for high-volume photo printing. At 35 pages per minute for both black-and-white and color, it outpaces most inkjets. While its image quality doesn’t quite match the subtlety and dynamic range of inkjet or dye-sublimation printers, it offers good color accuracy, detail, and dynamic range for various projects. Photographers might find it a useful complement to a dedicated inkjet photo printer. Featuring two paper trays, a fast duplex automatic document feeder, and a large color touchscreen, the 4301fdw provides simple, reliable operation. Downsides include the lack of borderless printing and a higher cost per color page compared to inkjet tank printers.
HP Sprocket Select: Best Battery-Operated Photo Printer
HP Sprocket Select shown beside a photo and a phone.
Why buy this? Ink-free, portable, and affordable, ideal for on-the-go printing.
Who’s it for? Mobile photographers who want to share prints instantly.
The HP Sprocket Select is a compact, battery-powered printer designed for mobility. Connecting wirelessly to your phone, it uses HP Zink sticky-backed paper and prints at a size of 2.3 x 3.4 inches. At around $100, it’s an inexpensive option for instant photo sharing. While Zink technology doesn’t offer the highest quality or longevity, its convenience is a significant advantage. For larger prints (up to 4×6 inches), consider the HP Sprocket Studio Plus.
Canon Selphy CP1500: Best Portable Photo Printer
Canon
Why buy this? Portable dye-sublimation technology delivers instant prints with impressive longevity.
Who’s it for? Mobile photographers who prioritize print quality and durability.
The Canon Selphy CP1500 offers a step up in portable photo printing. Unlike Zink-based printers, the Selphy CP1500 uses dye-sublimation technology, resulting in higher-quality prints that can last up to 100 years. Priced slightly over $100, it supports various paper sizes up to 4×6 inches and connects easily to phones, Windows PCs, and Macs. While not pocket-sized, it’s still portable at around two pounds. It requires a power adapter for printing, but a battery pack is available for truly mobile use. Dye sublimation produces sharp images and vibrant colors, but the specialized ink cartridges and paper increase running costs.
Are Laser Printers Good for Photo Printing?
Laser printers generally can’t match the image quality of inkjets or dye-sublimation printers, especially those optimized for photos with additional ink colors and finer print resolution. Ink’s liquid nature allows for smoother blending compared to the waxy toner used in laser printers. Photo printers also accommodate a wider range of paper types, unlike laser printers which require heat-resistant paper. However, modern color laser printers like the HP Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw handle photos considerably better than earlier models. While not recommended solely for photography, they can be suitable for color documents containing images. For a fast photo printer, consider inkjet tank models like the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850.
Can Photo Printers Print Documents?
Most desktop inkjets handle photos, documents, and labels reasonably well, making them versatile options. However, not all photo printers are designed for document printing. Portable photo printers, for instance, often require small, adhesive-backed paper. Desktop photo printers excel at both documents and photos, producing high-quality output for both text and images. However, ink costs can be a concern. Cartridge-based photo printers like the Epson SureColor series aren’t ideal for high-volume document printing. For cost-effective document and photo printing, consider inkjet tank models like the Canon Pixma MegaTank G620 or Epson EcoTank ET-8500.
Is Buying a Photo Printer Worth It?
The value of a photo printer depends on individual needs. Frequent photo printers who value physical prints will find it a worthwhile investment. However, be mindful of ink and paper costs. For occasional photo printing, a budget-friendly printer combined with photo lab services for high-quality prints can be a good compromise. Portable printers are great for events and instant sharing, while desktop photo printers offer superior speed and quality. All-in-one inkjet photo printers provide versatility and long-term value. Artists and photographers benefit greatly from the control and quick feedback offered by a dedicated photo printer, allowing for experimentation with image adjustments, paper types, and sizes.
