The best photo printers in the UK 2023

Now, humans take as many pictures in 2 minutes as they did in the entire 19th century. Most of these pictures end up on social networks. But for those that you want to keep in an album, the purchase of a photo printer is recommended. In addition to the rendering, mobility and quality of the photos, it is important to consider the printing speed and the technology used. Follow the guide.

Imprimante photo – Canon Selphy CP1300 1
8/10

Best value for money

Imprimante photo – Canon Selphy CP1300

The best photo printer in 2021

Almost 4 years after its launch, the Canon Selphy CP1300 remains the reference in photo printing. The main improvement compared to the Selphy CP1200 concerns the size of the configuration screen. For the rest, it keeps its excellent printing quality.

238 £ on Cdiscount

The Canon Selphy CP1300 is not the smallest photo printer. But it remains very compact. It has a slot for SD card and a USB port. In terms of connectivity, everything is there! You can connect the CP1300 to a computer via Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, or USB since it has a mini-USB Type-B port. Thedyesublimation printing technologymakes all the difference . The result? Crisp, clear photos.

For a printer of this size and price, the color quality is impressive. Black and white images are also of very reasonable quality. Note that the ink dries instantly and that the prints are durable. Of course, you should not expect supersonic speed. For example, for a postcard size print, it will take an average of 47 seconds.

Kodak Mini 2 HD 2
8/10

Best cheapest

Kodak Mini 2 HD

The best entry-level photo printer

The Kodak Mini 2 HD produces good quality photos. Its wireless capabilities allow connection to a smartphone. Despite fairly slow print speeds and relatively high operating costs, it remains the best entry-level model.

See the price

The Kodak Mini 2 HD is the size of a smartphone, but thicker. It renders both color and grayscale images with a surprising degree of fidelity to the original image. Its good tonal range falls a little in the darkest blacks and whitest whites. Depending on your smartphone or tablet, you can connect to the Kodak Mini 2 using one of four wireless protocols: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC and Bluetooth.

Of the portable photo printers we've seen recently, the Mini 2 is still relatively slow, averaging about 80s per print. That's about 2s slower than its predecessor, the Kodak Mini, and more importantly, 38s slower than the HP Sprocket. But the Kodak Mini 2 HD offers better image quality.

Epson EcoTank ET-7750 3
9/10

Best high end

Epson EcoTank ET-7750

The best high-end photo printer

Whether for office use or especially photography, the Epson EcoTank ET-7750 is exceptionally versatile. For photo printing, this printer displays an image quality rarely seen while remaining very economical in ink.

See price

The Epson EcoTank ET-7750 printer is unique. Indeed, can print photos up to A3 format. This inkjet model is more for professionals. It is too large and too sophisticated to be suitable for home use. Note also thatthe printing speed of color photos reaches 10 ppm. Depending on the type of photo paper used, the feel of each print may vary, but the print quality remains exceptional.

The Epson EcoTank ET-7750 can also print documents. Best of all, the Epson EcoTank ET-7750 can print borderless photos. Few printers support this feature. This is a great advantage.

HP Sprocket 200 Fotodrucker Zink 4
7/10

Excellent photo printer

HP Sprocket 200 Fotodrucker Zink

Excellent photo printer

For headache-free photo printing, try the HP Sprocket 200 Fotodrucker Zink. Its Zink dye-sublimation printing technology for zero ink or no ink is not only convenient, but also very economical. A must for beginners.

70,34 £ on Amazon

Faced with the competition and the domination of Canon, HP has made many improvements to its Sprocket. This includes the design and the operating software. Very easy to use, the HP Sprocket 200 Fotodrucker Zink offers excellent connectivity options (micro-USB cable, Bluetooth and Sprocket app) and many fun features (filters, etc.) to make your photos even better.

This photo printer supports A5 (5 x 7.6 cm) photo paper, available in packs of 10, 20 or 50 sheets. Just lift the magnetic cover and drop the sheets in the right direction. Printing a photo is simple: tap one or more images in the application gallery, then press the Print button.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best photo printer

Any specific needs?

The best photo printer in 2021

The best entry-level photo printer

The best high-end photo printer

Excellent photo printer

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best photo printers

TOP OF THE LINE CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Imprimante photo – Canon Selphy CP1300 5
8/10
Kodak Mini 2 HD 6
8/10
Epson EcoTank ET-7750 7
9/10
HP Sprocket 200 Fotodrucker Zink 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
Imprimante photo – Canon Selphy CP1300
Kodak Mini 2 HD
Epson EcoTank ET-7750
HP Sprocket 200 Fotodrucker Zink
Almost 4 years after its launch, the Canon Selphy CP1300 remains the reference in photo printing. The main improvement compared to the Selphy CP1200 concerns the size of the configuration screen. For the rest, it keeps its excellent printing quality.
The Kodak Mini 2 HD produces good quality photos. Its wireless capabilities allow connection to a smartphone. Despite fairly slow print speeds and relatively high operating costs, it remains the best entry-level model.
Whether for office use or especially photography, the Epson EcoTank ET-7750 is exceptionally versatile. For photo printing, this printer displays an image quality rarely seen while remaining very economical in ink.
For headache-free photo printing, try the HP Sprocket 200 Fotodrucker Zink. Its Zink dye-sublimation printing technology for zero ink or no ink is not only convenient, but also very economical. A must for beginners.
Technology
Dye sublimation
Dye sublimation
Inkjet
Thermal (Zink)
Print speed (color photo)
47 s
80 s
10 ppm
1.13 ppm
Connections
Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB
Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, Bluetooth
Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB
USB, Bluetooth, Sprocket app
Maximum print resolution
300 x 300 dpi
-
1440 x 760 dpi
313 x 400 dpi
Format
10 x 15 cm
5.3 x 8.6 cm
10 x 15 cm
5 x 7.6 cm

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Buying guide - photo printer

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How to choose your photo printer

#1 - The number of ink cartridges

Photo printers need to print well shaded and quality colors, with a wider gamut (panel of saturated colors). For more quality, you need more ink cartridges. It is currently undeniable that inkjet photo printers with more than four cartridges offer a more "photographic" rendering, i.e. with more color differentiation.

#2 - Type of ink

The type of ink is a criterion to look at very closely when buying a photo printer. Dye-based inks are less expensive but less lightfast, while pigment inks are more durable and offer exceptionally good rendering. The latter have in fact more than 9 ink cartridges, for better modeled and contrasted renderings. Unlike pigment inks, dye-based inks create extremely fine ink droplets, ideal for text printing and less suitable for photo printing.

#3 - Compatibility

Before you decide to go out and buy a photo printer, you should check its specifications and see if it is compatible with the operating system of the photographic equipment. This will avoid many inconveniences. There are, in fact, models that do not support a certain type of digital camera.

#4 - Printing speed

Speed is often overlooked when printing. However, staying for several minutes on a print is not an option. The slowness can be disabling in the long run. The number of photos to be printed conditions the choice of the printing speed.

#5 - The durability of the ink

When buying a photo printer, you must also consider the number of photos to be printed and their size. Inks with coloring agents are a less expensive option if the quality is not very important. The images will fade if they are exposed to light for a long time. Pigment-based inks are essential for better quality photos that last over time. The fineness and resolution of printing Expressed in picoliters, the fineness of the droplets is crucial in choosing the right photo printer. This will determine the printing resolution. It is the precision of the projection of the ink droplets on the paper.

#6 - The size of the printer

It goes without saying that a more compact printer will be less cumbersome and will fit everywhere, in the office as well as in your bedroom. For people who move around a lot and need to shoot photos on the spot, this one reveals its full utility. Otherwise, a non-portable printer will do. Moreover, they often offer better prints and are more robust.

How to use a photo printer?


A trendy and very practical device, the photo printer allows you to obtain beautiful photos on paper, which are available immediately. Thanks to its compact structure, you can carry it anywhere you go, whether on vacation or on business trips. You can print your souvenir photos on the spot.

The photo printer is not very complicated to use, but you should know how to handle this device properly before using it. If you are a beginner, you just need to be used to it. It is also essential to read the manual that comes with the device and follow the instructions so as not to make mistakes and touch what you should not touch.

Thanks to its automatic installation, it is easy to configure. It can be considered as a computer peripheral. Indeed, it works in the same way as any conventional printer. What you need to do is to connect it to your PC or cell phone, or even your camera. Once they are connected, you just have to insert your memory card or USB key to start the process.

Then you have to select the images you want to print in photo format and you don't need to be a computer expert to do it. When you have chosen them, press the appropriate command. You just have to wait for a few minutes so that it can convert all your scanned data into paper images.

After a while, you will see your nicely printed pictures coming out one by one. As you can see, it's not that complicated!

Photo printer or instant camera?

Photo printer

Due to their availability and low start-up costs, most households today use photo printers for their daily printing. Indeed, these printer models are now available at all price points.

Advantages:

  • Faster
  • Ability to print multiple pages
  • Laser printers also handle small fonts and fine lines much better
  • Photo printers are better prepared to handle high volume print jobs.

Disadvantages:

  • Although photo printers run faster, they take time to warm up.
  • Initial costs of laser printing are higher.
  • Cannot handle a variety of papers or printing materials.
  • Anything that is heat sensitive cannot be used.

There are compact photo printers on the market, but in general, they are larger and heavier than their instant counterparts.

Instant camera

A fun and inexpensive camera with a unique look, an instant camera is one of your best options. Smartphones may have revolutionized the way we take and share photos, but instant cameras bring charm and appeal to photos.

Advantages:

  • Instant Photo Printer
  • Easy to use
  • Versatility
  • Compact
  • Many people consider the image quality of these instant cameras to be slightly better than their digital counterparts, which may be subjective.

Disadvantages

  • High cost per picture
  • Instant cameras still rely on dated technology that has not been able to keep up with the digital age of photography and has become somewhat irrelevant.

What has taken over are the pocket-sized instant printers that do a similar job to the Polaroid cameras, but they get the photo from your smartphone instantly, making them compatible with modern technology.

Verdict

A photo printer is ideal if you want to print your own photos at home.

However, if you're looking for a travel printer, you're better off with an instant camera.

Why buy a photo printer?

For an outstanding image quality

Photo printers are specialized in printing photos. They are generally designed to give a better quality output than a multi-purpose printer. Photo printers allow you to produce quality photos with rich and intense colors, for the satisfaction of users. They are distinguished by a multitude of color shades and contrast, for an exceptionally good rendering.

Advanced technology

Photo printers use the most advanced technologies to satisfy an increasingly demanding clientele. Inkjet printers are characterized by nozzles that eject droplets of ink onto the paper for a perfect result, while the dye-sublimation printer reproduces the image by superimposing colors, which are then protected by a protective varnish. These advanced technologies make it possible to produce images of exceptional quality.

For durability over time

The craze of the users for these printers lies in the fact that they promise a quality out of the ordinary, with the great difference of the multipurpose printers. A photo is made to be kept in an album that can be consulted in several years. The pictures produced by photo printers are therefore designed to last over time, to resist light and wear.

For their ease of use

Photo printers are also appreciated for their ease of use. In most cases, all you have to do is plug in the device, connect it to the source and start printing by simply pressing a button.

A printer for individuals and professionals

Photo printers are prized by individuals and professionals alike for their performance and quality of output, with a very interesting price/performance ratio.

The best brands of photo printers

In our opinion, the best brands of photo printers in 2022 are :

Canon
Fujifilm
HP
Epson
Kodak

The company was founded in the 1930s. Today, Canon is one of the world's leading manufacturers of cameras, camcorders, printers and optical products. Canon offers high quality printers and professional products. It also offers cloud-based software solutions and document services and other technologies.

The Japanese firm operates in the following segments: imaging solutions, information solutions and document solutions. The imaging solutions segment handles color film, color paper and chemicals, photofinishing equipment, laboratories, film processing and imaging services, and electronic imaging.

HP is a provider of technology solutions to individuals, businesses, and institutions around the world. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, global services, business and home computing, and imaging and printing. HP Labs continues to invent for the future with groundbreaking technological advances in areas such as nanotechnology, color science, and social and economic systems.

Epson inkjet printers use an advanced printhead technology known as "Micro Piezo." This technology uses special "piezoelectric" materials to propel ink with great precision and reliability, giving Epson inkjet printers the extreme print quality, reliability and cost savings for which they are known

Kodak is an American imaging company that was known in the 19th century as the innovator of photography. While image capture has been the company's primary mission, in recent years it is also known for its high-speed commercial inkjet presses, workflow software, and personal photo printers. Today, many of these products can be found in offices around the world.

What is the price for a photo printer

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
70 £ to 100 £
Mid-range
100 £ to 150 £
High-end
more than 150 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Choose wisely.

If you print a lot of photos, consider a machine with "borderless" printing. But be careful about the paper sizes it can handle. Some "borderless" printers can only print on fairly small sheets.

Choose the right paper.

You

can get great pictures with modern inkjet printers, but not on just any paper. Plain paper, for example, absorbs ink. This washes out colors and completely ignores fine details, reducing the overall sharpness of the print. Plain paper is fine for text, and you can use it to print drafts of your digital images. For best results, use the photo paper recommended by the printer manufacturer.

Use the manufacturer's ink.

We

strongly recommend that you use the ink recommended and sold by your printer manufacturer. Cheap generic ink is great for normal prints, but not for photos.

Check the print settings.

When

you're ready to print a photo, double-check all the important settings. You might think this is obvious, but you'd be surprised how often you get bad prints because some of these settings are in a loop.

Maintain your printer.

If

your printed pages come out with white lines, it's time to clean the printer's nozzles

.

FAQ

What is the best photo printer?

The best photo printer depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best.

How many pictures do you get with one cartridge?

Dedicated photo printers will not give you an estimate of photo yields for each cartridge, as this depends mainly on what you are printing. However, you can compare the capacity of the cartridges to better manage them.

What resolution do I need to make a good photo print?

The standard reference resolution is 300 dpi. Depending on the type of illustration, printer, paper, etc., the resolution can be reduced to 120 dpi.

What type of file should I use to print?

For best results, you should shoot in RAW and stick to an uncompressed image format throughout the editing pipeline, such as TIFF or PSD. A JPEG will take up much less space.

What are the best photo printer brands?

In our opinion, the best photo printer brands are: Canon, Fujifilm, Kodak, HP and Epson.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
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  2. , graffitianalysis.com
  3. , linternaute.com
  4. , actu.fr
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  8. , fr.canon.ch
  9. , pcmag.com
  10. , bhphotovideo.com
  11. , darty.com
  12. , comparateur.leparisien.fr
  13. , futura-sciences.com
  14. , boulanger.com
  15. , clubic.com
  16. , bureau-vallee.fr
  17. , imagenumerique.fr
  18. , lescahiersdudebutant.fr
  19. , cdiscount.com
  20. , ouest-france.fr
  21. , fnac.com
  22. , canon.fr
  23. , guide-gestion-des-couleurs.com
  24. , lesnumeriques.com
  25. , bestbuy.ca
  26. , amazon.co.uk
  27. , quechoisir.org
  28. , canon.fr
  29. , carteperformance.fr
  30. , store.canon.fr
  31. , guide-gestion-des-couleurs.com
  32. , selectos.eu
  33. , fnac.com
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Imprimante photo – Canon Selphy CP1300 9
Imprimante photo – Canon Selphy CP1300
Kodak Mini 2 HD 10
Kodak Mini 2 HD
Epson EcoTank ET-7750 11
Epson EcoTank ET-7750
HP Sprocket 200 Fotodrucker Zink 12
HP Sprocket 200 Fotodrucker Zink

Lecteurs

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