Best Photo Printers for Home, iPhone & Professional Prints

The best photo printers depend on one question: how many prints do you make, and at what size? For 4 x 6 snapshots from a phone, the Canon SELPHY CP1500 is the steady pick. For lots of prints at home, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 and ET-8500 run cheapest. For photographers who frame or sell work, the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S (dye) and imagePROGRAF PRO-310 (pigment) are where I’d start.

Jump to top picks Cost per print Which size do I need?

Find your list

Home use Photographers Professionals iPhone Scrapbooking 4x6 13x19 Ink tank Portable Cheap

4 x 6Canon SELPHY CP1500, Kodak Dock Plus8 x 10Epson ET-8500, XP-870013 x 19Canon PRO-200S, Epson ET-8550

Hover a print to see which printers make that size

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Best photo printers at a glance

21 printers, ordered by how well they answer the most common searches, then by owner rating and running cost. Each row links to a full review and straight to Amazon.

Photo printers at a glance, in the order I would shop for them. Rating counts and price tiers from Amazon listings pulled Oct 30, 2026. $ under 150, $$ under 400, $$$ under 800, $$$$ above.
#	Pick	Best for	Max print	Owner rating	Price tier	Buy
1	Canon PIXMA PRO-200SBest for photographers	Photographers who print on glossy and luster paper	13 x 19 in borderless	4.1 (249)	$$$	View on Amazon
2	Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550Lowest cost per print at 13x19	Best when you print a lot and want one machine to do everything	13 x 19 in	4.0 (2,725)	$$$	View on Amazon
3	Canon SELPHY CP1500Best 4x6 dye-sub	Album prints and event stations	4 x 6 in	4.4 (2,755)	$$	View on Amazon
4	Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310Best pigment 13-inch	Matte, fine-art and long-keeping prints	13 x 19 in	4.3 (118)	$$$	View on Amazon
5	Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500Best letter-size photo tank	Families who print photos and paperwork on the same machine	8.5 x 11 in	4.1 (1,279)	$$$	View on Amazon
6	Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100Best 17-inch for selling prints	Gallery-size prints and print sales	17 x 22 in	4.4 (87)	$$$$	View on Amazon
7	Epson Expression Photo XP-8700Best compact photo all-in-one	Best when desk space and a low sticker price matter most	8.5 x 14 in	3.8 (241)	$$	View on Amazon
8	HP Sprocket Studio PlusBest app for decorated 4x6	People who like to add frames and stickers before printing	4 x 6 in	4.3 (314)	$$	View on Amazon
9	KODAK Dock Plus 4x6Best dock for phone prints	A printer that lives on the shelf and charges your phone	4 x 6 in	4.2 (20,100)	$	View on Amazon
10	Canon PIXMA G620 MegaTankBest budget photo tank	Cheap 4x6 and 8x10 prints with a wider gamut than 4-color tanks	8.5 x 14 in	3.9 (1,200)	$$	View on Amazon
11	Epson SureColor P900Best 17-inch for black and white	Monochrome work and mixed paper stocks	17 x 22 in	3.7 (286)	$$$$	View on Amazon
12	Liene M100 4x6Best value 4x6	A low entry price in 4x6	4 x 6 in	4.5 (2,242)	$	View on Amazon
13	Fujifilm Instax Link WideMost fun instant	Wide landscape prints you hold the second they finish	Instax Wide film	4.7 (197)	$$	View on Amazon
14	Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3Best pocket instant	Journals, wallets and party tables	2 x 3 in	4.7 (531)	$	View on Amazon
15	Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000Cheapest way into 13x19	Occasional 13x19 prints on a tight budget	13 x 19 in	3.9 (2,352)	$$	View on Amazon
16	HP Sprocket 2x3Best sticker printer	Scrapbooks, planners and phone cases	2 x 3 in	4.5 (25,637)	$	View on Amazon
17	Canon IVY 2 MiniBest-rated pocket Zink	Pocket sticker prints from the highest-rated Zink printer here	2 x 3 in	4.6 (4,480)	$	View on Amazon
18	KODAK StepLowest-priced pocket printer	The cheapest way into peel-and-stick prints	2 x 3 in	4.4 (20,695)	$	View on Amazon
19	Polaroid Hi-Print 2nd GenerationPocket dye-sub	Small dye-sub prints you can take anywhere	2 x 3 in	4.0 (599)	$	View on Amazon
20	HP Envy Photo 7975Best all-rounder with a photo tray	Best when the printer is mostly for homework and paperwork and occasionally for photos	Letter and A4	4.0 (606)	$$	View on Amazon
21	Epson PictureMate PM-400Compact 5x7 inkjet	Small inkjet prints if you already like Epson paper	5 x 7 in	4.5 (1,435)	$$	View on Amazon

If you only read one thing: the three printers below answer most searches for the best photo printers. The Canon PIXMA PRO-200S is the photographer's pick, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the cheapest to feed at 13 x 19, and the Canon SELPHY CP1500 is the steady 4 x 6 machine. Everything else on this page is for the ways your needs differ from those three.

Best 13x19 dye printer

Canon PIXMA PRO-200S

Best for photographers who print on glossy and luster paper.

Max print: 13 x 19 in borderless
Ink: 8-color dye
Running cost: about 40-48c per 4x6

4.1 out of 5 from 249 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Lowest cost per print at 13x19

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Best when you print a lot and want one machine to do everything.

Max print: 13 x 19 in
Ink: 6-color Claria ET Premium
Running cost: about 12-19c per 4x6

4.0 out of 5 from 2,725 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Best 4x6 dye-sub printer

Canon SELPHY CP1500

Best for album prints and event stations.

Max print: 4 x 6 in
Ink: Dye-sublimation
Running cost: about 42c per 4x6

4.4 out of 5 from 2,755 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Photo printer quick answers

Short answers first. The sections below show the working.

What is the best photo printer overall?

The Canon PIXMA PRO-200S for photographers, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 for the cheapest 13 x 19 ink, and the Canon SELPHY CP1500 for 4 x 6 prints.

What is the best photo printer for home use?

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500, with the ET-8550 if you want 13 x 19.

What is the best photo printer for photographers?

The Canon PIXMA PRO-200S for glossy color work and the imagePROGRAF PRO-310 for matte and fine art.

What is the best photo printer for iPhone?

The Canon SELPHY CP1500, with the HP Sprocket Studio Plus or Kodak Dock Plus if you prefer an app or a dock.

What is the cheapest photo printer to run?

A six-color photo tank: the Canon G620 by Canon’s claim, then the Epson ET-8500 and ET-8550.

What is the highest rated photo printer on Amazon?

Among printers with at least 100 ratings in my data: the Instax Mini Link 3 and Link Wide at 4.7, then the Canon IVY 2 at 4.6.

Which photo printer should you buy? A 30-second match

Three questions. The answer points to a printer type, two products and a page that goes deeper.

What will you print most? 4 x 6 album and snapshot prints 8 x 10 and smaller frames 13 x 19 wall art or prints to sell Tiny prints and stickers

Where do your photos live? On my phone On a camera and in editing software

How many prints a month? Under 20 20 to 100 More than 100

Answer all three and the match appears here.

Photo printer cost per print calculator

Printers are cheap next to what you’ll spend on ink and paper. Put in your numbers and see three years of total cost, printer included.

Pick your numbers. The cheapest options over your time frame show up here.

Planning figures, not lab results. Ink: makers' own claims for tanks, estimates for cartridges. Dye-sub: from refill packs priced Oct 30, 2026. Printer prices are rounded from the same listings and move daily.

How the numbers are built

Best photo printers for home use

For most homes the best photo printer is a six-color ink tank: the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 for letter size, or the ET-8550 if you want 13 x 19. If all you print is 4 x 6 for albums and frames, the Canon SELPHY CP1500 is simpler and cheaper to start with.

Best letter-size photo tank

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500

The all-rounder. Photos, homework and shipping labels on one machine, with ink costs that don’t make you hesitate before pressing print. Pick the 8550 instead only if 13 x 19 is a real need.

Max print: 8.5 x 11 in
Ink: 6-color Claria ET Premium
Running cost: about 12-19c per 4x6

4.1 out of 5 from 1,279 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Lowest cost per print at 13x19

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Same ink, bigger paper. Good for a family that also makes posters, crafts and the odd framed 13 x 19. It’s the larger purchase and needs more desk.

Max print: 13 x 19 in
Ink: 6-color Claria ET Premium
Running cost: about 12-19c per 4x6

4.0 out of 5 from 2,725 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Best budget photo tank

Canon PIXMA G620 MegaTank

The cheaper tank with a proper photo ink set. Go for it if the budget is tight and you don’t need Ethernet or disc printing.

Max print: 8.5 x 14 in
Ink: 6-color dye with red and gray
Running cost: about 10-18c per 4x6

3.9 out of 5 from 1,200 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Also in the running: Epson Expression Photo XP-8700, Canon SELPHY CP1500, KODAK Dock Plus 4x6, HP Envy Photo 7975.

Count your prints before you pick a type

Fewer than a few dozen photos a year and a cartridge all-in-one like the XP-8700 is hard to beat on total cost. A few hundred and tanks start winning. If it’s 4 x 6 only, dye-sub kits at roughly 40 cents a print are predictable and clean.

See all 7 picks for home use

Best photo printers for photographers

For photographers, the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S is the best 13 x 19 printer for glossy and luster color work, and the imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is its pigment twin for matte and fine-art paper. Step up to the PRO-1100 or Epson P900 only if you really need 17 inches.

Best 13x19 dye printer

Canon PIXMA PRO-200S

The default recommendation: eight dye inks, up to 13 x 19, a color screen. Expect real money on cartridges.

Max print: 13 x 19 in borderless
Ink: 8-color dye
Running cost: about 40-48c per 4x6

4.1 out of 5 from 249 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Best 13-inch pigment printer

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310

Same body, pigment inks. Choose it when your papers are matte, textured or fine art, or when prints need to last.

Max print: 13 x 19 in
Ink: 9-color pigment + Chroma Optimizer
Running cost: about 32-39c per 4x6

4.3 out of 5 from 118 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Lowest cost per print at 13x19

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Not a photographer’s printer in the strictest sense, but at 13 x 19 with very cheap ink it’s the right tool for proofs, test prints and volume.

Max print: 13 x 19 in
Ink: 6-color Claria ET Premium
Running cost: about 12-19c per 4x6

4.0 out of 5 from 2,725 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Also in the running: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100, Epson SureColor P900, Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000.

Dye or pigment?

Dye for punchy glossy color. Pigment for matte, fine-art paper and long keeping. If you can’t decide, read the dye vs pigment guide first, then the PRO-200S vs PRO-310 comparison.

See all 6 picks for photographers

Best professional photo printers: selling prints and fine art

For selling prints and fine art, the best professional photo printers on this site are pigment machines: the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 at 13 inches, and the PRO-1100 or Epson P900 at 17 inches. The PRO-200S is the dye choice if your customers buy glossy.

Best 13-inch pigment printer

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310

The practical center of the lineup: pigment, matte black, anti-clogging features, and a footprint that fits a studio desk.

Max print: 13 x 19 in
Ink: 9-color pigment + Chroma Optimizer
Running cost: about 32-39c per 4x6

4.3 out of 5 from 118 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Best 17-inch for selling prints

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100

For 16 x 20 and larger. Eleven pigment inks and Canon’s layout software.

Max print: 17 x 22 in
Ink: 11 pigment inks + Chroma Optimizer
Running cost: about $0.94-$1.19 per 8x10

4.4 out of 5 from 87 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Best 17-inch for black and white

Epson SureColor P900

The lighter 17-inch choice with no black-ink switching; strong for monochrome.

Max print: 17 x 22 in
Ink: UltraChrome PRO10
Running cost: about $1.02-$1.27 per 8x10

3.7 out of 5 from 286 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Also in the running: Canon PIXMA PRO-200S.

Paper and profiles

Fine-art papers ship with ICC profiles for specific printers. Check the paper maker’s site for your exact model before buying a stack; it saves a lot of wasted sheets.

See all 4 picks for professionals

Best photo printers for iPhone

The best photo printer for iPhone for most people is the Canon SELPHY CP1500: Wi-Fi printing, a screen, a battery option and prints that come out dry. Choose the HP Sprocket Studio Plus if you want an app full of frames and stickers, or the Kodak Dock Plus if you want a dock.

Best 4x6 dye-sub printer

Canon SELPHY CP1500

The steady choice. Its app was updated with Siri shortcut support on iOS, and prints are 4 x 6 that look like lab prints.

Max print: 4 x 6 in
Ink: Dye-sublimation
Running cost: about 42c per 4x6

4.4 out of 5 from 2,755 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Best app for decorated 4x6 prints

HP Sprocket Studio Plus

The most playful app of the group. Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, dye-sub quality, lots of editing tools.

Max print: 4 x 6 in
Ink: Dye-sublimation
Running cost: about 44c per 4x6

4.3 out of 5 from 314 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Best dock for everyday phone prints

KODAK Dock Plus 4x6

Set the iPhone on the dock and print; Kodak says it charges the phone meanwhile. Check the listing for your phone model’s compatibility.

Max print: 4 x 6 in
Ink: 4PASS dye-sublimation
Running cost: about 49c per 4x6

4.2 out of 5 from 20,100 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Also in the running: Liene M100 4x6, Fujifilm Instax Link Wide, Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3, Canon IVY 2 Mini, Polaroid Hi-Print 2nd Generation.

App or AirPrint?

All of the printers here print from iPhone through their own apps. If you want to print from iOS without an extra app, check whether the listing mentions AirPrint; the inkjets and some dye-sub models vary.

See all 8 picks for iphone

Best photo printers for scrapbooking and journals

For scrapbooking, the HP Sprocket 2x3 is the best photo printer for peel-and-stick journal pages, the Instax Mini Link 3 is best for small instant prints, and the Canon SELPHY CP1500 is best when you want 4 x 6 prints you can trim to any shape.

Best sticker printer for journals

HP Sprocket 2x3

Sticky-backed Zink paper means no glue. It has the biggest owner sample of any photo printer in the data, around 25,600 ratings.

Max print: 2 x 3 in
Ink: Zink zero-ink paper
Running cost: Zink paper, price not in my data

4.5 out of 5 from 25,637 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Best pocket instant printer

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3

Small instant prints with a white border, good for planners and gift tags.

Max print: 2 x 3 in
Ink: Instax Mini instant film
Running cost: about $1.15 per print

4.7 out of 5 from 531 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Best 4x6 dye-sub printer

Canon SELPHY CP1500

4 x 6 prints you can cut into stickers, tags or collage pieces; water-resistant surface helps with tape and glue.

Max print: 4 x 6 in
Ink: Dye-sublimation
Running cost: about 42c per 4x6

4.4 out of 5 from 2,755 Amazon ratings (Oct 30, 2026)

View on Amazon Read the review

Also in the running: HP Sprocket Studio Plus, Liene M100 4x6, Canon IVY 2 Mini, KODAK Step, Polaroid Hi-Print 2nd Generation.

Choose the paper first

Sticky-back Zink, instant film and 4 x 6 dye-sub all behave differently with glue, tape and pens. Zink and Instax won’t take much more than a pen; dye-sub prints are smooth enough for tape.

See all 8 picks for scrapbooking

Ink tank, cartridge, dye-sub, instant or Zink: which kind of photo printer?

The printer type decides the cost per print and the kind of prints you get more than any brand does.

Five ways to print a photo at home
Type	How it works	Suits	Running cost	The catch	On this site
Ink tank (EcoTank, MegaTank)	Refillable bottles feed fixed tanks.	Lots of prints a month, 4 x 6 up to 13 x 19	A few cents of ink per 4 x 6 by the makers’ claims	Big, and it wants regular use	Epson ET-8550, ET-8500, Canon G620
Cartridge photo inkjet	Individual cartridges, 6 to 11 colors.	Photographers and occasional large prints	Roughly 25 to 40 cents of ink per 4 x 6, and a few dollars per 13 x 19	Cartridges are the bill	Canon PRO-200S, PRO-310, PRO-1100, Epson P900, XP-8700, XP-15000
Dye-sub 4 x 6	Ribbon of dye is heated onto paper in four passes.	Albums, events, reliable snapshots	About 36 to 49 cents a print from kits	4 x 6 only	Canon SELPHY CP1500, HP Sprocket Studio Plus, Kodak Dock Plus, Liene M100
Instant film	Fujifilm film develops after exposure.	Parties, journals, wall prints	About $1.15 to $1.25 a print	Film is expensive	Instax Link Wide, Mini Link 3
Zink or pocket dye-sub	No-ink paper, or tiny dye-sub cartridges.	Stickers, planners, gifts	Paper price decides; not in my data for Zink	2 x 3, softer detail	Canon IVY 2, KODAK Step, HP Sprocket 2x3, Polaroid Hi-Print

Dye vs pigment ink: which lasts and which pops?

Dye ink soaks into the paper coating and gives vivid color on glossy and luster paper. Pigment ink sits as tiny particles on the surface and keeps longer, with better results on matte and fine-art stock. Both can make a beautiful print; the choice is about paper, display life and budget.

Choose dye if

Most prints are glossy or luster.
Color punch matters more than display life.
You want the lower price of entry into 13 x 19.

Printers here: PRO-200S, ET-8550, ET-8500, XP-8700, XP-15000, G620.

Choose pigment if

You print matte, textured or fine-art paper.
Prints will be sold, exhibited or kept for decades.
You print black and white and want deeper blacks.

Printers here: PRO-310, PRO-1100, P900.

Canon PIXMA PRO-200SvsCanon imagePROGRAF PRO-310

Read the full dye vs pigment guide

4x6, 8x10 or 13x19: picking the right print size

A 4 x 6 print is 24 square inches. A 13 x 19 is 247, ten times the paper and roughly ten times the ink. Match the printer to the biggest print you’ll genuinely make, not the one you imagine making.

Common print sizes
Size (in)	Square inches	Shape	Good for
4 x 6	24	3:2	Albums, wallets, scrapbooks
5 x 7	35	7:5	Cards, small frames
8 x 10	80	5:4	Standard frames
13 x 19	247	about 3:2	Wall art, portfolio prints
17 x 22	374	about 4:3	Exhibition and sales

Aspect ratios and cropping explained

Photo printer comparison chart

Click a column heading to sort. Ratings are Amazon’s, dated; cost per 4x6 is ink plus mid-priced paper.

Photo printer comparison chart. Ratings and counts from Amazon listings, Oct 30, 2026. Per-4x6 cost is ink plus mid-priced paper, a planning figure.
Printer	Type	Max print	Ink	Scan	Owner rating	Per 4x6	Buy
Canon PIXMA PRO-200S	Cartridge	13 x 19 in borderless	8-color dye	No	4.1 (249)	46c	Amazon
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310	Cartridge	13 x 19 in	9-color pigment + Chroma Optimizer	No	4.3 (118)	38c	Amazon
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100	Cartridge	17 x 22 in	11 pigment inks + Chroma Optimizer	No	4.4 (87)	n/a	Amazon
Epson SureColor P900	Cartridge	17 x 22 in	UltraChrome PRO10	No	3.7 (286)	n/a	Amazon
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550	Ink tank	13 x 19 in	6-color Claria ET Premium	Yes	4.0 (2,725)	18c	Amazon
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500	Ink tank	8.5 x 11 in	6-color Claria ET Premium	Yes	4.1 (1,279)	18c	Amazon
Epson Expression Photo XP-8700	Cartridge	8.5 x 14 in	6-color Claria Photo HD	Yes	3.8 (241)	54c	Amazon
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000	Cartridge	13 x 19 in	6-color Claria Photo HD	No	3.9 (2,352)	54c	Amazon
Canon PIXMA G620 MegaTank	Ink tank	8.5 x 14 in	6-color dye with red and gray	Yes	3.9 (1,200)	17c	Amazon
Canon SELPHY CP1500	Dye-sub 4x6	4 x 6 in	Dye-sublimation	No	4.4 (2,755)	42c	Amazon
HP Sprocket Studio Plus	Dye-sub 4x6	4 x 6 in	Dye-sublimation	No	4.3 (314)	44c	Amazon
KODAK Dock Plus 4x6	Dye-sub 4x6	4 x 6 in	4PASS dye-sublimation	No	4.2 (20,100)	49c	Amazon
Liene M100 4x6	Dye-sub 4x6	4 x 6 in	Thermal dye-sublimation	No	4.5 (2,242)	46c	Amazon
Fujifilm Instax Link Wide	Instant	Instax Wide film	Instax Wide instant film	No	4.7 (197)	$1.25	Amazon
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3	Instant	2 x 3 in	Instax Mini instant film	No	4.7 (531)	$1.15	Amazon
HP Sprocket 2x3	Zink	2 x 3 in	Zink zero-ink paper	No	4.5 (25,637)	n/a	Amazon
Canon IVY 2 Mini	Zink	2 x 3 in	Zink zero-ink paper	No	4.6 (4,480)	n/a	Amazon
KODAK Step	Zink	2 x 3 in	Zink zero-ink paper	No	4.4 (20,695)	n/a	Amazon
Polaroid Hi-Print 2nd Generation	Instant	2 x 3 in	Dye-sublimation cartridge	No	4.0 (599)	$1.16	Amazon
HP Envy Photo 7975	Cartridge	Letter and A4	4-color thermal inkjet	Yes	4.0 (606)	n/a	Amazon
Epson PictureMate PM-400	Cartridge	5 x 7 in	Combined multicolor cartridge	No	4.5 (1,435)	n/a	Amazon

Highest rated photo printers on Amazon

Only printers with at least 100 ratings, as of Oct 30, 2026. A high score tells you owners are happy, not that it’s the right printer for your job. A 4.7 instant printer and a 4.4 pro printer aren’t competing.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 4.7 from 531 ratings
Fujifilm Instax Link Wide 4.7 from 197 ratings
Canon IVY 2 Mini 4.6 from 4,480 ratings
HP Sprocket 2x3 4.5 from 25,637 ratings
Liene M100 4x6 4.5 from 2,242 ratings
Epson PictureMate PM-400 4.5 from 1,435 ratings
KODAK Step 4.4 from 20,695 ratings
Canon SELPHY CP1500 4.4 from 2,755 ratings

Best photo printers by budget

Sorted by the price tier on the listings I pulled. Entry price is only half the story: a cheap printer with 49-cent prints can cost more over time than a pricier tank.

$

Under about $150, as of Oct 30, 2026

KODAK Step pocket Zink sticker printer
HP Sprocket 2x3 pocket Zink sticker printer
Polaroid Hi-Print 2nd Generation pocket dye-sub photo printer
Canon IVY 2 Mini pocket Zink sticker printer
Liene M100 4x6 4x6 dye-sub printer
KODAK Dock Plus 4x6 4x6 dye-sub dock printer
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 pocket instant smartphone printer

$$

About $150 to $400, as of Oct 30, 2026

Canon SELPHY CP1500 4x6 dye-sub printer
HP Envy Photo 7975 home photo all-in-one
HP Sprocket Studio Plus 4x6 dye-sub printer
Fujifilm Instax Link Wide instant wide-film smartphone printer
Epson PictureMate PM-400 compact 4x6/5x7 inkjet photo printer
Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 compact photo all-in-one
Canon PIXMA G620 MegaTank photo ink tank all-in-one
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 13x19 cartridge photo printer

$$$

About $400 to $800, as of Oct 30, 2026

Canon PIXMA PRO-200S 13x19 dye photo printer
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 letter-size ink tank photo all-in-one
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 13x19 ink tank all-in-one
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 13x19 pigment photo printer

$$$$

Above $800, as of Oct 30, 2026

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 17-inch pigment photo printer
Epson SureColor P900 17-inch pigment photo printer

Three households, three printers

Worked examples with this site’s planning figures: what each printer costs over three years at a realistic volume.

Two parents, one phone, a shoebox of school photos

about 30 4 x 6 prints a month, three years, standard paper

Printer	Per print	Ink and paper	Printer	Total
Canon SELPHY CP1500	42c	$454	$160	$614
KODAK Dock Plus 4x6	49c	$529	$130	$659
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500	18c	$194	$575	$769
Epson Expression Photo XP-8700	54c	$583	$280	$863

At 30 prints a month the cheaper box wins over three years: the SELPHY and the Dock cost less in total than the tank, because the tank’s ink saving never has time to pay back its higher price. Buy for convenience, a dock or a card slot.

A hobbyist who frames 13 x 19 prints

about 10 13 x 19 prints a month, three years, standard paper

Printer	Per print	Ink and paper	Printer	Total
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550	$1.78	$641	$670	$1,311
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310	$3.83	$1,379	$700	$2,079
Canon PIXMA PRO-200S	$4.69	$1,690	$550	$2,240
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000	$5.48	$1,975	$345	$2,320

On the cartridge printers, ink is most of the bill at this size; on the tank, paper is. The tank is far cheaper to run. The Canon pair buys better color accuracy and, with the PRO-310, longer-lasting prints.

A seller running weekend craft fairs

about 120 4 x 6 prints a month, three years, standard paper

Printer	Per print	Ink and paper	Printer	Total
Canon PIXMA G620 MegaTank	17c	$715	$300	$1,015
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500	18c	$777	$575	$1,352
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550	18c	$777	$670	$1,447
Canon SELPHY CP1500	42c	$1,814	$160	$1,974

At this volume dye-sub kits cost more than tanks over three years. The tanks win on money; the SELPHY wins on never clogging between fairs.

Photo printer comparisons: popular head-to-head matches

Each page lines up the two machines on ink, size, running cost, owner ratings and who should pick which.

Canon PIXMA PRO-200SvsCanon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 Canon PIXMA PRO-200SvsEpson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550vsEpson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 Canon PIXMA G620 MegaTankvsEpson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 Epson Expression Photo XP-8700vsEpson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100vsEpson SureColor P900 Canon SELPHY CP1500vsHP Sprocket Studio Plus Canon SELPHY CP1500vsKODAK Dock Plus 4x6 HP Sprocket Studio PlusvsKODAK Dock Plus 4x6 Fujifilm Instax Link WidevsFujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 Liene M100 4x6vsKODAK Dock Plus 4x6 Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000vsCanon PIXMA PRO-200S Canon SELPHY CP1500vsEpson PictureMate PM-400 Canon IVY 2 MinivsKODAK Step HP Sprocket 2x3vsCanon IVY 2 Mini Polaroid Hi-Print 2nd GenerationvsFujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 Epson Expression Photo XP-8700vsHP Envy Photo 7975

All comparisons

Best photo paper and ink for each printer

The paper decides how the print feels in the hand. Ink and kits decide what the next one costs.

What to buy for each printer
Printer	Paper or supplies
Canon PIXMA PRO-200S	Canon LU-101 luster or Pro Premium matte	See options
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310	PFI-5100 ink pack, Pro Premium matte, or an art paper such as Hahnemuhle Photo Luster	See options
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 / ET-8500	Epson 552 bottles; Epson glossy 4x6 for small prints, budget 13x19 matte for volume	See options
Canon SELPHY CP1500	Canon KP-108IN ink and paper kits	See options
HP Sprocket Studio Plus	HP paper and cartridge packs	See options
Liene M100	Liene paper and cartridge packs	See options
KODAK Dock Plus	KODAK PHC-120 refills	See options
Fujifilm Instax Link Wide and Mini Link 3	Instax Wide or Mini film	See options

What a print costs from each pack

Cost per print from the packs on Amazon, listing data pulled Oct 30, 2026. Pack price divided by sheet count; prices change.
Pack	What it covers	Sheets	Per print	Rating	Buy
Canon KP-108IN kit	Ink and paper	108	49c	4.8 (3,440)	View on Amazon
Canon KP-108IN two-pack	Ink and paper	216	36c	4.8 (3,383)	View on Amazon
HP Sprocket Studio Plus pack	Ink and paper	108	44c	4.6 (907)	View on Amazon
Liene M100 refill pack	Ink and paper	80	46c	4.8 (1,493)	View on Amazon
KODAK PHC-120 refill	Ink and paper	120	49c	4.5 (3,393)	View on Amazon
Instax Wide film	Film	40	$1.25	4.6 (1,220)	View on Amazon
Instax Mini film bundle	Film	40	$1.15	4.9 (80)	View on Amazon
Epson Value Glossy 4x6	Paper only	100	8c	4.7 (6,113)	View on Amazon
Epson Premium High-Gloss 4x6	Paper only	100	14c	4.8 (4,374)	View on Amazon
Epson Ultra Premium Glossy 4x6	Paper only	100	15c	4.8 (2,228)	View on Amazon
Goefun 13x19 matte	Paper only	100	39c	4.4 (719)	View on Amazon
Canon LU-101 luster 13x19	Paper only	50	$1.36	4.8 (1,233)	View on Amazon
Canon Pro Premium matte 13x19	Paper only	50	$1.36	4.6 (303)	View on Amazon
HP Advanced Glossy 13x19	Paper only	20	$1.75	4.6 (278)	View on Amazon

Epson 552 ink bottles

Canon pigment ink

Canon PFI-5100 10-color ink pack for the imagePROGRAF PRO-310

4.8 (23)View on Amazon

4x6 inkjet paper

Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Glossy, 4x6, 100 sheets

4.8 (2,228)View on Amazon

Epson Premium High-Gloss Photo Paper, 4x6 borderless, 100 sheets

4.8 (4,374)View on Amazon

Epson Value Photo Paper Glossy, 4x6, 100 sheets

4.7 (6,113)View on Amazon

13x19 paper

Canon LU-101 Luster Photo Paper, 13x19, 50 sheets

4.8 (1,233)View on Amazon

Canon Pro Premium Matte Photo Paper, 13x19, 50 sheets

4.6 (303)View on Amazon

HP Advanced Glossy Photo Paper, 13x19, 20 sheets

4.6 (278)View on Amazon

Goefun 13x19 Matte Photo Paper, 100 sheets

4.4 (719)View on Amazon

Hahnemuhle Photo Luster 290, 13x19, 25 sheets

new listingView on Amazon

Dye-sub and instant refills

Canon KP-108IN Color Ink and Paper Set, 108 sheets

4.8 (3,440)View on Amazon

Canon KP-108IN Ink and Paper Set, 2 pack (216 prints)

4.8 (3,383)View on Amazon

KODAK PHC-120 refill for Dock Plus: cartridges and 120 sheets

4.5 (3,393)View on Amazon

HP Sprocket Studio Plus paper and cartridges, 108 sheets

4.6 (907)View on Amazon

Liene Amber M100/M200 paper and cartridges, 80 sheets

4.8 (1,493)View on Amazon

Fujifilm Instax Wide film, 40 prints

4.6 (1,220)View on Amazon

Fujifilm Instax Mini film, 40 prints

4.9 (80)View on Amazon

Epson 320 cartridge for PictureMate PM-400

4.7 (1,522)View on Amazon

Photo paper guide

Seven mistakes people make buying a photo printer

Each of these shows up in returns, in one-star reviews and in outdated roundups.

Buying the printer and ignoring the refill. A cheap printer with 49-cent prints can cost more than a much pricier tank printer after about a thousand prints. Do the three-year math first.
Paying for 13 x 19 you won’t print. If your largest print is 8 x 10, a 13-inch machine is more printer than you’ll use. The size guide and the ET-8500 page exist for that case.
Trusting a listing’s spec box. The ET-8500 listing says 13 x 19 and the PRO-200S listing says A4. Both are wrong. Check the maker’s page and the paper-size list.
Buying an older model by accident. PRO-300, PRO-200 and P800 still show up in 2025 roundups and on Amazon. Check which generation you’re clicking.
Skipping calibration. Prints that look dark are usually a bright, uncalibrated screen. A colorimeter fixes more complaints than a printer upgrade.
Using the wrong paper in a dye-sub printer. Dye-sub printers need their own matched paper and cartridge. Kodak’s regular 4 x 6 paper says it isn’t compatible with Dock printers.
Leaving an inkjet unused for months. Print a small page every week or two. Dye-sub printers have no nozzles to clog, which is their quiet advantage.

Old list, new model: what replaced what

Plenty of 2025 roundups still name machines that have since been replaced. Check the model number before you click through.

Old list, new model: what replaced what
Older lists still say	Newer model	What changed
Canon PIXMA PRO-200	Canon PIXMA PRO-200S	A refresh: same CLI-65 inks, updated Wi-Fi security. RTINGS found the S slightly behind on color accuracy and color yield.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300	Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310	Canon’s newer 13-inch pigment model. Older lists still push the PRO-300.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000	Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100	The newer 17-inch pigment model: 11 pigment inks plus a Chroma Optimizer.
Epson Expression Photo XP-8700	Epson Expression Photo XP-8800	Same six-color ink and 4.3-in touchscreen family; both still sold.
Epson SureColor P800	Epson SureColor P900	The P800 was Epson’s earlier 17-inch pigment model and still appears on Amazon at a higher price and a lower rating.
Fujifilm Instax Link Wide	Fujifilm Instax Link Wide 2	The newer listing had no ratings when the data was pulled.

Best photo printers in the UK, NZ and Australia

If you searched for the best photo printers UK, NZ or Australia, start here.

Same families, different names. 13 x 19 is A3+ outside the US, letter is A4, ink bottle numbers change by region and some listings are grey imports. The regional guide lists what to search for.

Buying outside the US

Watch: print quality side by side

Prints photograph badly in screenshots. A video comparing the same image on different printers shows more than a table.

Photo printer print quality, side by side

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Photo printer FAQ

What is the best photo printer for home use?

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 for letter-size photos plus documents, the ET-8550 if you want 13 x 19, and the Canon SELPHY CP1500 if 4 x 6 album prints are the whole job.

Is it cheaper to print photos at home or at a lab?

With a photo tank, a 4 x 6 costs roughly 12 to 20 cents in ink and paper by this site’s planning figures. Dye-sub kits come to around 36 to 49 cents. Compare against your local lab’s price per 4 x 6.

Dye or pigment ink: which is better for photos?

Dye for vivid color on glossy paper. Pigment for matte paper, fine-art work and prints that need to last. The dye vs pigment guide explains the trade-off.

What is the best photo printer for iPhone?

The Canon SELPHY CP1500 for most people, the HP Sprocket Studio Plus for app-driven fun, and the Kodak Dock Plus if you want a dock.

Can a regular inkjet print good photos?

A six-color photo inkjet or photo tank can. Four-color document printers can print snapshots, but photo channels make a visible difference on skin and skies.

How do I get prints to match my screen?

Calibrate your monitor with a colorimeter, use the paper maker’s ICC profile and let Photoshop or Lightroom manage color. The color-matching guide walks through it.

Do photo printers dry out if I don’t use them often?

Inkjets can clog from long idle periods; dye-sublimation printers don’t have nozzles to clog. Run a test print every week or two on any inkjet.

Is the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S the same as the PRO-200?

Nearly. The S is a refresh with updated Wi-Fi security and the same CLI-65 ink set.

What is the best photo printer under a tight budget?

A pocket printer is cheapest to buy. A photo tank is cheapest to run. The cheap photo printers page lays out both.

What is the cheapest way to print 4x6 photos?

At volume, a photo ink tank printer. At low volume, a cheap 4 x 6 dye-sub printer with its kits. The calculator shows where the lines cross.

What is the best photo printer for scrapbooking?

The HP Sprocket 2x3, Canon IVY 2 or KODAK Step for peel-and-stick prints, and the SELPHY CP1500 for 4 x 6 prints you cut to shape.

Is the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 good for photos?

Yes for home and craft use, with the caveat that independent testing found the Canon PRO-200 more color-accurate. See the ET-8550 review and the PRO-200S comparison.

Should I buy ink from third parties?

Epson and Canon both warn about non-genuine ink, and the third-party Canon cartridges in my data had tiny rating samples. Buy genuine for a printer you care about.

How long do inkjet photo prints last?

It depends on ink, paper, light and humidity. Pigment prints behind glass last longest; dye prints are fine for years when kept out of direct sun.

Is a photo printer worth it in 2026?

If you print a few photos a year, a lab is simpler. If you print monthly or want prints on your schedule, a photo printer pays off. The calculator shows where.