Polaroid Hi-Print 2nd Generation review
My verdictA pocket printer that uses dye-sub paper and cartridges instead of Zink or instant film. Worth a look if you want 2 x 3 prints with a smoother finish and a battery.
Best forSmall, durable prints you can stick on a notebook or take on a trip
Skip it ifAnyone comparing cost per print with 4 x 6 dye-sub printers
- Owner rating
- 4.0 from 599
- Price tier
- $ Oct 30, 2026
- Biggest print
- 2 x 3 in
- Running cost
- $1.16 per print
By Marius. Listing data pulled Oct 30, 2026. Page built Nov 1, 2026. How I rank printers.
Polaroid Hi-Print 2nd Generation in detail
Dye-sub, pocket size
Polaroid says the Hi-Print uses dye-sub cartridge technology and finishes a print in under 50 seconds. It connects to the Polaroid Hi-Print app (iOS and Android) over Bluetooth, which adds frames, filters, text and emoticons. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery lets you print away from a socket. The prints are 2 x 3 inches and Polaroid describes them as ones you can stick anywhere.
What a print costs
The printer-only listing doesn’t include paper. A bundle with 40 sheets (two packs of Hi-Print paper) cost about $46 more than the printer alone on the day I pulled the data, which works out to roughly $1.16 a print. That’s an estimate built from two listing prices, and it lands within a cent of Instax Mini film. Dye-sub gives you a different finish, not a cheaper print.
Which listing
The printer-only listing shows 4.0 from 599 ratings. The bundle shows 4.3 from 561. The bundle makes more sense for a first purchase, since paper is what you run out of first.
The catches
- About $1.16 a print by my estimate.
- 2 x 3 only.
- Printer-only listing ships without paper.
Hi-Print 2nd Generation specs
| Maximum print | 2 x 3 in |
|---|---|
| Ink system | Dye-sublimation cartridge |
| Cartridges or tanks | Hi-Print paper and cartridge packs |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Scan and copy | No |
| Screen | None (app-controlled) |
| Weight | pocket size |
| Good to know | Under 50 seconds a print, rechargeable battery |
| Running cost | about $1.16 per print (planning figure) |
What it costs to run, worked out
Each print costs about $1.16 in film or paper, estimated from the packs in my data. That is roughly three times a 4 x 6 dye-sub print, and it is the price of the format.
| Volume | Ink and paper | With printer |
|---|---|---|
| 10 a month | $418 | $508 |
| 30 a month | $1,253 | $1,343 |
| 60 a month | $2,506 | $2,596 |
Planning figures from listings pulled Oct 30, 2026. The printer price is rounded and moves daily. Put in your own numbers.
What owners say
Amazon shows 4.0 out of 5 from 599 ratings on the listing I feature, which is a moderate sample. Data pulled Oct 30, 2026. A star average says owners are happy, not why; sort the listing by recent and critical reviews before you buy.
Hi-Print 2nd Generation head to head
Hi-Print 2nd Generation alternatives
Pairs well with: Scrapbook albums
Vienrose DIY scrapbook album kit with pens and stickers
4.6 (3,338)View on Amazon
POPYOLA scrapbook album with writable pages
4.8 (337)View on Amazon
popotop self-adhesive scrapbook album
4.6 (2,263)View on AmazonQuestions people ask
Is the Hi-Print dye-sub or Zink?
Dye-sub, per Polaroid’s listing.
Does it have a battery?
Yes, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
How long does a print take?
Polaroid lists under 50 seconds.