Hey there! Looking to turn your digital photos into beautiful physical prints? You‘ve come to the right place.
As a tech specialist and imaging professional, I‘ve tested over 50 photo printers hands-on. I‘m here to share my top 5 recommendations to help you choose the perfect model.
A quality photo printer lets you easily print studio-quality photos at home. No more waiting for a pharmacy to develop your film!
Modern printers are surprisingly affordable too. Basic ones start at around $80. Professional models go up to $1,000+.
But with so many options, it can be tricky to pick the right one. This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when buying a home photo printer.
I‘ll also provide detailed reviews of my top picks across 5 categories:
- Best Overall
- Best for High Volume
- Best Portable
- Best for Photos and Documents
- Best Large Format
Let‘s dive in!
How to Choose the Right Photo Printer
The most important factors when shopping for a photo printer are:
Print Quality
This is essential for photo printing! Look at sample prints to evaluate quality. Models with 6+ ink colors printed at high dpi tend to produce the best results.
Some key terms to check for are:
- Lab quality, gallery quality – Top print results
-dpi (dots per inch) – Higher is better, 2400+ dpi optimal
-Color depth – More bits means more color accuracy
Print Cost
Check cost per print based on ink prices. All-in-one ink tank models offer the lowest cost around 1 cent per print. Photos printed with 6-8 ink cartridges average 10-50 cents per print.
Print Speed
Basic printers print around 1-2 ppm. Faster models boast 10+ ppm for 4×6 prints and 1+ ppm for 8.5×11.
Connectivity
Look for WiFi, Bluetooth, WiFi Direct, and USB connectivity. Wireless allows printing from phones and tablets.
Paper Handling
Make sure the printer supports the paper types and sizes you plan to use. Photo printers should take 4×6 and 5×7 photo paper. Large format models support bigger sheets and rolls.
Ink Options
More ink colors and blacks (matte, photo) allow wider color range and accuracy. But they also cost more per print.
Size/Portability
Standard models are 12-22 inches wide. Compact portable printers are designed for travel and fit in bags.
Now let‘s get into the printer reviews and my top recommendations across 5 key categories!
1. Canon PIXMA PRO-100 – Best Overall
The Canon PIXMA PRO-100 offers the best overall combo of high-quality prints, great features, and value.
This printer outputs gorgeous photos with vibrant, accurate color. It has an 8-ink dye system that produces stunning contrast and detail.
Despite its pro output, the cost per print is reasonable at around $1.25 per page.
It can handle prints up to 13”x19” and borderless images up to 13”x32”. Print speeds are fast for the quality, churning out an 8.5”x11” image in just over a minute.
The Pro-100 has built-in Ethernet and wireless connections for flexible setup. Using Canon‘s print plug-in, you get great results when printing from Photoshop, Lightroom, and other photo editors.
For its excellent balance of professional-grade printing, convenient features, and affordability, the Canon PIXMA PRO-100 is my choice for best overall photo printer.
Key Specs:
- Print Resolution: 4800 x 2400 dpi
- Print Speed: 8.5" x 11" in 1 min 6 sec
- Print Size: Up to 13" x 19" bordered, 13" x 32" borderless
- Ink: 8 dye-based colors
- Connectivity: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB
- Prints per Ink Set: Up to 700 with included cartridges
Pros
- Superb photo print quality
- Vibrant, accurate color
- Fast print speeds
- Affordable cost per print
- Wireless connectivity
- Wide support for paper types
Cons
- Ink costs add up over time
- Lacks touchscreen interface
Ideal For:
Photographers, creative pros, and photo enthusiasts looking for excellent quality without spending thousands.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-8550 – Best for High Volume
For high-volume printing without constantly buying ink, the EcoTank ET-8550 is my top recommendation.
This printer features ink tanks instead of cartridges. The ink is much higher yield for far fewer refills.
A single black ink bottle can print a whopping 4,500 pages. The 5 color bottles yield about 7,500 pages each. This brings the cost per print down to just pennies!
Despite the low running costs, the ET-8550 still prints borderless images up to 13”x19” with precise color accuracy.
It has a tilting 4.3” touchscreen and supports printing from USB drives, smartphones, and the cloud.
With such little ink refilling required, the ET-8550 is ideal for studios, workgroups, and high-volume photo printing needs.
Key Specs:
- Print Resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi
- Print Speed: 10.5 ppm black, 5.0 ppm color (4" x 6")
- Print Size: Up to 13” x 19” borderless
- Ink: 5 ink bottles + 4 cartridges
- Connectivity: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB
- Prints per Ink Set: 4,500 pages black, 7,500 color
Pros
- Super low ink costs
- Huge ink yields from bottles
- Fast print speeds
- Excellent print quality
- Touchscreen interface
Cons
- High upfront printer cost
- No rear tray feed
Ideal For:
Businesses, photography studios, creative workgroups with high monthly print volumes.
3. Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer – Best Portable
For pocket-sized printing on the go, the Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer can‘t be beat.
This tiny printer is only 5.4” x 3.2” x 1.2” and weighs just 6.6 ounces! It easily fits into bags and some large pockets.
Despite the miniature size, it prints 2” x 3” sticky-backed photos using ZINK technology.
The IVY links with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth for wireless printing.
Using the Canon Mini Photo app, you can add fun filters, frames, and emojis before printing from your camera roll.
Photos print completely dry and ready to peel and stick thanks to ZINK ink. Battery life gives you about 25 prints per charge.
For pocket-friendly portable printing, the IVY Mini is my top recommendation.
Key Specs:
- Print Resolution: 314 x 600 dpi
- Print Speed: About 50 secs per photo
- Print Size: 2" x 3" sticky-backed
- Ink: ZINK "Zero Ink"
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Prints per Charge: Around 25
Pros
- Extremely compact size
- Easy wireless printing
- App with creative editing tools
- ZINK prints are instantly dry
Cons
- Smaller print size
- Lower print resolution
Ideal For:
Printing photos and stickers on the go from your smartphone. Great for scrapbooking, crafting, parties.
4. Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7840 – Best for Photos and Documents
If you want excellent photos plus hassle-free document printing, the WorkForce Pro WF-7840 is a complete all-in-one package.
This printer has a bulk ink tank system for ultralow printing costs around 1 cent per page. Even with enough ink to print 4,500 pages out of the box, it maintains outstanding photo quality.
It can print borderless images up to 13”x19” using a dedicated photo black ink for vivid results.
The 4.3” touchscreen and dual trays let you load photo paper and plain documents for anything you need to print.
Connect over WiFi, Ethernet, USB, and WiFi Direct. It churns out a 4”x6” photo in as little as 10 seconds.
The WF-7840 is ideal for home offices, creative studios, and businesses wanting a single printer for photos and everyday documents.
Key Specs:
- Print Resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi
- Print Speed: 10 ppm black, 5 ppm color (4" x 6" photo)
- Print Size: Up to 13” x 19” borderless
- Ink: 4 ink bottles + 2 cartridges
- Connectivity: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, WiFi Direct, USB
- Prints per Ink Set: 4,500 pages black, 7,500 color
Pros
- Low 1 cent per page printing
- Dedicated photo black ink
- Fast photo print speeds
- Versatile document printing
- Touchscreen interface
Cons
- High initial printer cost
- No fax capability
Ideal For:
Households, home offices, and small businesses needing to print photos and everyday documents from one machine.
5. Epson SureColor P900 – Best Large Format
For artists, photographers, and galleries seeking high-end large format prints, the SureColor P900 is my top choice.
This is a true professional-grade photo printer engineered for color accuracy and print permanence.
It uses a 10-ink system with dedicated matte and photo black inks for incredible dynamic range.
The P900 supports cut sheets up to 17”x22” and paper rolls up to 17” wide for panoramic prints over 5 feet long.
For color-critical work, it includes advanced calibration tools like a built-in spectrophotometer.
The SureColor P900 features wireless plus Ethernet connections for flexible printing from anywhere.
Standing above competitors in capability and quality, the SureColor P900 is ideal for artists, galleries, and museums seeking large archival prints.
Key Specs:
- Print Resolution: 2880 x 1440 dpi
- Print Speed: 5:34 min for 16" x 20" print
- Print Size: Up to 17" x 22" sheets, 17" rolls
- Ink: 10 ink colors + gloss optimizer
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB
- Prints per Ink Set: Up to 100 with included cartridges
Pros
- Gallery-quality large format prints
- Excellent color accuracy
- Built-in calibration tools
- Prints over 5-feet long
- Designed for sellable exhibition prints
Cons
- High upfront and operating costs
- Large footprint required
Ideal For:
Professional photographers, fine artists, galleries seeking to print show-quality large format photographs.
Transform Your Photos into Cherished Memories
I hope these reviews and tips help you pick out an awesome photo printer tailored to your needs and budget.
With the right printer, you can easily print studio-quality photos from the comfort of home. No more waiting days for a pharmacy to develop your film!
Whether you want wallet-sized prints for scrapbooking, wall art for your home office, or giant gallery wraps, one of these printers will get the job done.
Turn those digital pics into lasting memories to display and share for years to come. If you have any other questions about finding the perfect photo printer, drop me a line in the comments below!