How To Print From An Android Phone

Printing documents and photos directly from your phone has become increasingly easy and convenient over the years.

Whether you need to print a family photo or a work document, many of the best Android phones and printers offer a seamless printing experience to let you turn digital to physical in a matter of moments.

Here’s how to get started.

How to print from an Android phone

Printing from an Android phone involves a few simple steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Connect your printer

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Ensure your printer is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Android phone.

For Bluetooth printers, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices and they are paired.

Add a printer to your Android phone

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Most modern Android phones can automatically detect printers on the same network. However, sometimes you might need to add a printer manually.

To do so, go to your phone’s settings, type “printing” in the search bar and select ‘Printing’ from the results.

Then, tap ‘Add service’ to download and install the necessary print service plugin for your printer brand.

Once the plugin is installed, your printer should appear in the list of available printers.

Print a document or photo

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Now that your printer is connected, you can print directly from apps that support printing. Use an app like Google Docs, Gmail, the Gallery app or simply go through your files to open the one you want to print.

Next, tap the menu icon (three vertical dots) and select ‘Print’. You may need to tap ‘Share’ first and then select ‘Print’.

And finally choose your printer from the list of available devices and tap the print icon to send the document or photo to your printer.

Use manufacturer apps

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

For more control and additional features, you can also use printer-specific apps. Here are some popular ones:

• HP Smart : Allows you to print, scan, and troubleshoot HP printers.
• Canon PRINT : Supports printing and scanning for Canon printers.
• Epson iPrint : Enables printing and scanning for Epson devices.
• Brother iPrint&Scan : Provides print and scan functionality for Brother printers.

Download the relevant app from the Google Play Store, follow the setup instructions and use it to manage your printing tasks.

Which Android phones can you print from?

Most Android phones manufactured in the last several years support printing. This includes phones from popular brands like:

• Samsung: Models from the Galaxy series, including S, Note and A lines
• Google: Pixel phones, including the Pixel 3, 4, 5, 6 and newer models
• OnePlus: Devices like the OnePlus 6, 7, 8 and later
• Huawei: Models from the P series, Mate series and others
• Sony: Xperia series.

Most Android devices running Android 4.4 (KitKat) and above come with native printing capabilities integrated into the operating system. This makes it possible for a wide range of Android devices to support printing without additional software.

Which printers let you print from an Android phone?

To print from an Android phone, you need a compatible printer that is connected directly via Bluetooth to your phone or to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.

Popular printer models compatible with Android printing include:

• HP: Models like HP Envy, HP OfficeJet and HP LaserJet.
• Canon: PIXMA, MAXIFY and imageCLASS series.
• Epson: EcoTank, WorkForce and Expression series.
• Brother: MFC series, HL series and DCP series.
• Samsung: Xpress and ProXpress series.

If you need one, be sure to check out our list of the best printers you can buy right now. You can also opt for one of the best 3D printers or best portable printers to print on the go.

Author: Artur Tomala, Mobile Writer, Tech Advisor

Artur is a Mobile Writer at Tech Advisor, where he covers a range of smartphone, tablet and smartwatch-related topics. He has been working in the tech industry since 2021, including time spent leading a team focused on mobile news, reviews and product rankings. As an ambassador for the productivity app Notion, he runs training workshops and creates advanced templates to help people stay organised and productive.

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Printers might not be as exciting as a new smartphone but it’s likely we all need one at some point in our lives, even if it’s just occasionally. Whether you’re working from home or need an office printer for many people to use, we have reviewed and ranked ten of the best you can buy from tank system inkjets to large laser printers.

You might want to print a calendar, gig tickets, a boarding pass or some photos you’ve taken on your phone. Many printers are multi-function and therefore also handy for scanning and copying, too.

Whatever your needs, buying a new printer can be a confusing process. Not only do you have to worry about the upfront cost and whether it can print a good photo, but you’ve also got to consider print speeds, ongoing costs and a host of potential features.

It’s worth bearing in mind that the printer market moves slowly, and the latest printers aren’t always the best. Printer tech moves slowly so reviews might not be from this year or even the year before that but they stay on sale for a long time unlike phones or laptops .

Read on below our chart for more in-depth printer buying advice on things like whether to choose inkjet or laser.

Best printers 2023

1. Canon Pixma TS7450/1 – Best Overall

Pros

• Prints quickly
• Excellent quality
• Inexpensive to buy and run

Cons

• Mobile apps aren’t always intuitive
• Bulky design
• Photos need glossy paper

Printers are hard to even find in stock right now so a great value all-rounder from Canon at under £100 is worth snapping up, even though it is quite heavy.

This is a great value all-in-one printer that’s easy to set up and use. It’s also no slough with lots of features and versatile printing including documents and photos. Cheaper printers can be expensive to run but the TS7450 doesn’t even fall into this category.

The mobile apps are a little frustrating at times but print quality is good, although you’ll want to stick to proper glossy paper for photos. Note that the TS7451 is the same printer, only in white.

Read our full Canon Pixma TS7450 review

2. HP Envy Inspire 7220e – Best Compact Family Printer

Pros

• Attractive price
• Fast printing speeds
• 2-sided printing
• Good text and photo quality

Cons

• No ADF
• Can’t print on A4 glossy paper

Those looking for a compact and easy-to-use printer for the whole family might have just found it.

The Envy Inspire 7220e is an excellent all-rounder for those needing to regularly print text and photos at good speeds and affordable costs. The printer looks nice, has wide support for different wireless printing services and offers high-quality results.

It doesn’t have an automatic document feeder but that’s normal, so as long as you don’t need to print on A4 glossy paper, it’s a bit of a steal.

Read our full HP Envy Inspire 7220e review

3. Canon Pixma TS3350 MkII – Best Budget Printer

Pros

• Cheap
• High quality printing
• Connectivity

Cons

• Slow printing
• Expensive ink

If you’re looking for a cheap printer to handle day-to-day tasks then the TS3350 MkII (or TS3320 in the US) is an excellent choice.

This is not only affordable but offers great quality printing for a range of jobs, including colour images. This is even a copier and scanner too so you’re getting a lot for your money.

It’s quite slow so isn’t a workhorse and you’ll want to get XL cartridges to keep running costs down. For printing the occasional letter, boarding pass or family photo without breaking the bank it’s perfect.

Read our full Canon Pixma TS3350 MkII review

4. HP DeskJet Plus 4120 – Excellent Value Inkjet

Pros

• Very cheap
• Easy to use
• Good photo & graphics quality

Cons

• Average text quality
• Needs Instant Ink to keep running costs down

Those on a budget needing a printer for a mix of different tasks should consider the DeskJet Plus 4120 – known as the 4155 in the US.

It’s basic in style and design with things like a simple LCD display but keeps costs down, especially if you use HP’s Instant Ink subscription service.

Read our full HP DeskJet Plus 4120 review

5. Epson EcoTank ET-3850 – Best Ink Tank Printer

Pros

• Cost per page is very low
• Good print speed
• Excellent print quality

Cons

• Pigment black isn’t ideal for photos
• Lack duplex copying
• One year warranty

Anyone against traditional cartridges should consider this EcoTank model from Epson. The ET-3850 offers high-quality printing at decent speeds while keeping the cost down, even if you’re printing A4 colour pages on a regular basis.

It’s more expensive to buy the device itself than cartridge rivals but may well work out better value in the long run. And it has virtually the same specs as higher-end EcoTank models, including the PrecisionCore print head.

One of the main practical downsides is that it doesn’t offer duplex printing and Epson only offers a one year warranty or 50,000 pages – whichever comes first.

Read our full Epson EcoTank ET-3850 review

6. HP Smart Tank 7605 – Best Small Office Printer

Pros

• Fax function
• Dual-band WLAN
• Touch display
• Additional XL-BK ink bottle

Cons

• Limited USB host functions
• No real off switch

If you’re looking for a great all-rounder then the Smart Tank 7605 is a hot contender with its wide range of functions and large amount of ink included in the box – enough for up to 12,000 pages.

It’s highly suitable for home or small office use, even if there’s a slight overreliance on the HP Smart app. Still, it can wirelessly print, copy, scan and fax, plus has an automatic document feeder.

The compact printer looks stylish and has a 3in touchscreen, the tank system keeps costs low and print quality is good. There’s little more we could ask for at this price.

Read our full HP Smart Tank 7605 review

7. Epson EcoTank ET-18100 – Best Photo Printer

Pros

• Inexpensive photo prints
• Great print quality
• Mess-free ink refills

Cons

• No display
• No scanner / copier
• Expensive to buy

The ET-18100 has niche appeal because it’s been designed with a particular user in mind.

If you want to print a lot of photos at up to A3 sizes without breaking the bank, then you’re the target market. The printer itself is costly, but the ink tank design keeps running costs down.

The mess-free design is great and refill bottles are better for the environment, too. Print quality is excellent but as mentioned, you will need to print a lot of photos to justify this model.

With no display or copier/scanner functions, this isn’t an all-rounder.

Read our full Epson EcoTank ET-18100 review

8. HP Smart Tank 5105 – Best Value Ink Tank Printer

Pros

• Cheap running costs
• Borderless on A4, A5
• Ink tank sensors
• Affordable printer

Cons

• Flimsy
• Awkward paper path
• Only 50ml coloured inks included
• No display

It’s great to see HP taking on Epson at ink tank printers and the 5105 is a practical solution for any home or small office customer that would like to worry less about the cost of printing.

Normally there’s a high initial price for the printer with an ink tank model but HP offers good value here, even if the supplied colour bottles are only 50ml and the build quality is on the flimsy end of the scale.

There’s also no display and this isn’t the fastest printer around either, but the quality is good for a range of tasks including surprisingly vibrant photos, and you can print borderless on A4 and A5 sheets.

It’s not all singing, all dancing but if a value for money ink tank printer is what you need then the 5105 is worth a look.

Read our full HP Smart Tank 5105 review

9. Epson Ecotank ET-8500 – Best Value Photo Printer

Pros

• Very high print quality
• Top for greyscale photos
• Processes many types of material
• Very low cost per page despite 6 colours

Cons

• No real off switch
• High purchase price

If printing photos is your thing, then the EcoTank 8500 is an excellent choice as this printer is designed for the task, although it can do regular printing and scanning as well.

It’s a fairly expensive printer at first but if you’re planning to print a lot of images then it should work out as a good investment in the long term with reliability and print costs.

Importantly, print quality is excellent and you can print on a variety of materials including fine art paper. It’s also got a large 10cm screen and no less than three different paper feeds.

Read our full Epson Ecotank ET-8500 review

10. Brother DCP-L3510cdw – Best Laser Printer

Pros

• 2-sided printing
• Decent performance

Cons

• Single-sheet scanning
• No colour screen
• Running costs

If you don’t need to print photos on photo paper but instead need a printer primarily for documents then a laser is a great choice.

The Brother DCP-L3510cdw uses LEDs instead of a laser, but it’s very similar and can reliably handle lots of printing with crisp quality at a decent speed.

You’ll need more room for it than a typical inkjet printer but running costs over the long term are more affordable and with Brother’s EcoPro subscription you get the printer for just £1.20!

This model has a basic LCD screen but still has useful features including 2-sided printing, a single-sheet scanner and Wi-Fi, complete with AirPrint support.

Read our full Brother DCP-L3510cdw review

How to choose a printer

There’s no single printer that will suit everyone, so while the list below is ordered it’s best not to worry too much about the number beside it. We’ve mixed together home and business printers, multifunction, colour and mono.

Inkjet vs laser

Printers come in two main forms: inkjet or laser, with colour and mono flavours of each. Lasers tend to be more expensive to buy, but provide better quality output, particularly where lots of text is involved. And they can be faster. Notice we said ‘tend’ – lasers aren’t always best.

As a basic rule, if you need to print only text, and a lot of it, a mono laser printer will offer the crispest text output and the best combination of fast page-per-minute output and low ink costs. If you need to print photos, choose an inkjet printer. A dedicated photo printer with individual cartridges for each colour will suit those who print only photos.

If you’re working from home and need to print a lot, a laser printer is likely going to be a better option.

You can also read our more in-depth comparison of the pros and cons of each type of printer .

What are printer running costs?

When buying a printer, remember that the price you pay in the store is just the beginning. Be sure to consider the cost of replenishing toner and other consumables over the lifetime of the printer. This is particularly important if you print a lot. A set of toner cartridges can easily approach the cost of a colour laser printer.

Most manufacturers quote a ‘page yield’ estimate for their ink cartridges, which is the typical number of pages you can expect to print before the cartridge runs out of ink. You can use the page yield to calculate the average cost per page and you’d be surprised to find how much this can vary from one printer to another.

Of course, if output quality matters more to you than cost, scoot over to the other end of the cost spectrum where there are more specialised printers that use five or even six inks for printing photographs. Those additional inks can produce excellent results for your photo prints, but they add to the cost, sometimes pushing the cost for photos up to 10p or more per page.

Some brands offer a cartridge subscription service, like HP’s Instant Ink , to keep costs to a minimum.

What is a multifunction printer?

Most modern printers are multifunction ‘all-in-one’ devices that include a scanner too. This allows you to scan photos and other documents and convert them into digital files that you can store on your computer or share with friends or colleagues. You can also print copies of your scanned documents, allowing the printer to stand in for a photocopier too.

Some models even include a fax machine. If you require a scanner and a photocopier as well as a printer, you’ll save money by buying in all-in-one – but if a standalone printer suits your needs, you may be able to spend less.

What about print speed and features?

Speeds quoted by manufacturers are almost never matched by real-world performance. If you often need to print in a hurry, look for independent reviews when choosing your printer.

Other useful features to look out for include additional USB ports and memory card slots that will allow you to print photos direct from a camera.

High-capacity paper trays capable of holding hundreds of sheets of paper, or an automatic document feeder that can handle scanning and copying work while you go and do something more important, might be worth looking out for.

Double-sided printing is handy for halving your paper usage.

It’s also worth thinking about the bundled software that comes with your printer. Some printers include software that provides basic editing features, such as red-eye removal or adjusting the colour balance – some even allow you to perform simple editing tasks using controls on the printer itself.

Author: Chris Martin, Managing Editor, Tech Advisor

Tech Advisor Managing Editor Chris got his break as a reporter at infamous site The Inquirer and has been with us for more than 12 years. With a BA degree in Music Technology, audio is his specialism, but over the years he has reviewed all kinds of gadgets, from smartwatches to mesh Wi-Fi to coffee machines.

Recent stories by Chris Martin:

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Just a few years ago, 3D printing was a hobby for geeks and nerds. It was difficult, frustrating and slow.

Fast forward to 2024, and that has all changed completely. Now, you can buy – for a very reasonable sum – a printer that works out of the box, doesn’t require hours of tweaking and adjusting and prints large models in hours – not days. Small models can take mere minutes.

Since you’re reading this, you’ve probably made it past the point of wondering what on earth you’d use a 3D printer for, but if not, there are many useful tools and gadgets as well as fun things to print, all of which are available to download free from sites such as Thingiverse and Printables .

Here we’ll explain what to look for in a 3D printer and recommend what you should buy.

First, a brief word on colour: consumer 3D printers are single-nozzle devices which print one colour at a time. If you want to multicolour prints, then Bambu’s P1S Combo and A1 Combo can hold four spools of filament and change colour automatically. Multicolour prints can take a long time, though, and waste filament.

One other thing: until you’ve spent time getting to grips with a 3D modelling app such as Fusion 360 or Tinkercad , you’ll be limited to printing objects that other people have designed. There are lots of them, but if you want something bespoke, you’ll have to create it yourself.

Don’t be put off buying a 3D printer, though. Choose wisely and you’ll be rewarded with a device that can print intricate, articulated models from the off.

We’re focusing mainly on FDM (fused deposition modelling) printers here because these are the most popular type. The other type is a resin 3D printer, such as the Creality Halot One Plus, which works very differently, and are designed for printing small, intricate, solid models.

Best 3D printers 2024

1. Bambu P1S – Best 3D printer for most people

Pros

• Excellent print quality
• Automatic colour changing
• Fast CoreXY motion system

Cons

• Basic non-touchscreen control panel
• Filament wastage can be high in multicolour printing
• No failed print detection

With so many tech products you get what you pay for. This inevitably means the “best” will also be the most expensive. It’s certainly the case here, but just because the P1S is expensive doesn’t mean it isn’t good value.

If you buy the P1S Combo, it will come with an AMS, a unit that sits on top of the printer. It holds four spools of filament and can load and unload them automatically and print in multiple colours without any assistance from you.

With only one nozzle, multicolour prints aren’t exactly fast. But the AMS also takes the pain out of changing filament when you want to print something in a different colour to the previous print.

If you don’t care about multicolour, you can buy the non-Combo version of the P1S for quite a bit less.

Overall, the P1S is a remarkably good printer. It’s really fast thanks to the use of a coreXY system, and as it’s fully enclosed it’s reliable even when printing with ASA, nylon, polycarbonate and other filament types because of the stable internal temperatures. More importantly, print quality is absolutely superb.

If there’s a downside, it’s the rubbish dot-matrix screen which seems very out of place on a printer this expensive. But, there are other ways to control the P1S, such as printing from a PC or phone via Wi-Fi. The Creality K1C is a good alternative if you must have a touchscreen, and it also has a few other features such as failed print detection.

If you just want to print with PLA, PETG and other filament types that don’t require an enclosure, take a look at Bambu’s A1 which is a lot cheaper.

Read our full Bambu P1S Combo review

2. Bambu A1 – Best budget 3D printer

Pros

• Fast, reliable printing
• Fully automatic levelling
• Excellent value

Cons

• Doesn’t support more exotic filament
• AMS Lite adds significantly to the price

In our full review, we call the A1 “the 3D printer you’ve been waiting for”, and with good reason. It’s as close to ‘one click’ printing as you’ll get right now: it adjusts itself automatically for reliable printing and has all the features most people want, at a surprisingly affordable price. Bambu’s desktop and mobile apps are really good, too.

Like Bambu’s more expensive P1S, it can print models up to 256mm³ and you can buy the optional AMS Lite (shown to the right of the A1) for automatic multicolour printing.

The only drawback is that the A1 can’t really print nylon, ABS, ASA and other ‘exotic’ filaments because they require an enclosure. Without one, they tend to warp. The A1 can print carbon-fibre filaments if you buy Bambu’s hardened nozzle, which is very easy to fit.

Print quality, when using supported filament types, is sensational.

Read our full Bambu A1 review

3. Creality K1 Max – Best large 3D printer

Pros

• Fast, reliable printing
• Large build volume
• Fully automatic bed levelling

Cons

• Some features exclusive to Creality’s slicer
• No multi-colour capabilities

Some may say the K1 is just a poor copy of the Bambu P1S, but that does it a disservice when so many 3D printers are basically copies of each other. There are two models, the smaller K1 which is cheaper than the larger K1 Max.

The Max offers a 300x300x300 build volume, something not currently available from Bambu and it has an easy-to-use touchscreen. Bed levelling is fully automatic and it even has a LiDAR system that helps ensure prints are successful and good quality.

There’s built-in Wi-Fi and an ‘AI’ camera that can detect when prints are failing, as well as when you might have accidentally left a model or some tools on the build plate.

As both K1 and K1 Max use coreXY systems, they’re just as fast as the Bambu and although quality isn’t quite up to the P1S’s level, it’s still very good.

Read our full Creality K1 Max review

4. Elegoo Neptune 4 – Best cheap 3D printer

Pros

• Fast printing
• Automatic bed levelling
• Intuitive touchscreen controller

Cons

• No Wi-Fi
• More expensive in UK than US
• Elegoo’s slicer isn’t the best

The Neptune 4 offers everything most people are looking for in a first 3D printer. It’s easy to set up, has auto bed levelling, a colour touchscreen and is pretty fast to boot.

That’s already a lot for the low price, so it’s not too surprising it doesn’t have Wi-Fi. Unlike some of the budget models here, it competes with the coreXY printers for speed thanks to an upgraded print head with much improved cooling over the Neptune 3.

It’s a shame that like the Ender 3 S1 Pro levelling isn’t completely automatic, but once you’ve adjusted the knobs, subsequent levelling is automatic.

Print quality is very good at the default 300mm speed, but it’s a good idea to use an alternative to Elegoo’s slicer which caused us quite a few headaches when prints failed.

Read our full Elegoo Neptune 4 review

5. Creality K1C – Best for exotic filaments

Pros

• Can print carbon fibre filaments out of the box
• Can print ASA, nylon, ABS as well as PLA and PETG
• Built in camera

Cons

• Single colour printing only
• Can be very noisy
• Frustrating to change filament

The K1C can print models up to 220x220x250mm, and comes almost fully assembled. It’s fully automatic, which means there’s no need to make any manual adjustments: it prints reliably from the word go.

Effectively, it’s an upgrade of Creality’s K1 and has a hardened steel nozzle that can print abrasive filaments like carbon-fibre infused PLA and PETG. Unlike the K1 it also has a camera for monitoring print progress remotely, and it’ll detect and notify you of problems like foreign objects left on the build plate and failed prints.

The touchscreen makes it easy to use, and Creality’s desktop and mobile apps aren’t bad, although they lack the polish and ease of use of Bambu’s.

The only real limitation is that the K1C can’t print in multiple colours, but if you don’t need to do that, it’s a great choice.

6. Anycubic Kobra 2 Plus – Best for printing huge models

Pros

• Massive build volume
• Fast

Cons

• Takes up a lot of space
• Not suitable for filaments which require an enclosure

With a build volume of 320 x 320 x 400mm (WDH), the Kobra 2 Plus can print very large models. If that’s not enough, there’s also the Kobra 2 Max with an even larger 420 x 420 x 500mm volume.

It’s a bed slinger, which means the build plate moves backwards and forwards. In turn, this means you need quite a lot of desk space for the Kobra 2 Plus. It’s fast and capable of good print quality, and is pretty easy to use thanks to automatic bed levelling, vibration compensation and a colour touchscreen.

Read our full Anycubic Kobra 2 Plus review

7. Creality 3D Ender 3 S1 Pro

Pros

• Great print quality
• Almost all the features you’d want

Cons

• Auto-levelling requires manual input
• Slow by today’s standards

The S1 Pro is really a budget 3D printer but it’s more expensive than the cheapest because it has had all the bells and whistles thrown at it.

There’s the Sprite direct drive print head with dual metal gears for reliable extrusion. It’s capable of heating to 300C, so you can print with a wide range of filaments. The bed goes up to 110C, too, which helps prints adhere when working with more awkward types of filament.

It isn’t enclosed, though, and is a bed-slinger, so needs room in front and behind it to accommodate its range of travel. There’s a useful LED strip which is really bright, and a colour touchscreen. Its interface could be improved a bit, but it’s not bad.

Print quality is very good, but it isn’t fast. To improve it you can buy Creality’s Sonic Pad – a Klipper-based touchscreen – but this adds a lot of cost and hassle. If speed is important, choose a printer that offers 300mm/sec out of the box like the Bambu A1.

Read our full Creality 3D Ender 3 S1 Pro review

8. Creality Halot One Plus

Pros

• Easy to use & reliable
• Works with various slicers
• Great print quality

Cons

• Fan runs constantly during printing
• Requires post-printing cleanup + curing (like all resin printers)
• More expensive than some rivals

The Halot One Plus is an easy-to-use resin 3D printer that has a good-sized build volume, prints reliably and at high quality. It’s quite expensive compared to rivals, especially in the UK.

The Halot One Plus is a resin printer, so is very different to the others here. Instead of using filament on a reel, it prints using liquid resin which is cured, layer by layer, using UV light.

Build volume is smaller than the FDM printers here, but it’s still relatively large for a resin printer, and the screen’s high resolution means models have lots of fine detail.

The Halot One Plus printed ultra-reliably in our tests, but if you are keen on a resin printer, bear in mind that you have to clean up prints afterwards, which usually means buying a separate washing and curing device that looks a lot like a resin printer and takes up the same amount of desk space.

Read our full Creality Halot One Plus review

Buyer’s guide

Here are the key things you should look out for when choosing a 3D printer.

Automatic levelling

Unless the surface on which objects are printed is perfectly level, prints won’t stick to it and will fail sooner or later.

Manual levelling is a chore you could do without, so go for a printer with auto levelling. Be careful: some printers claim to have auto levelling, but rely on you to do a lot of the work. Which is why it pays to read reviews as well as knowing what to look for.

Heated bed

Almost all 3D printers have them, but it’s a must have. A heated bed will help prints to stick: don’t buy a printer without one.

PEI sheet

Models can be difficult to remove from the build plate. A PEI (polyetherimide) sheet helps immensely. It’s a flexible metal sheet with a textured coating is used, and held in place with magnets. When the model finishes printing, you simply lift the sheet off, flex it and the model pops off.

Touchscreen

Some printers still use a monochrome screen with a rotary dial or buttons. This isn’t nearly as easy to use as a touchscreen. Bambu P1S (and P1P) would be much better with a touchscreen, but it’s not the end of the world with those as you can print from your PC or phone using Bambu’s apps. When a printer doesn’t have Wi-Fi (or any networking) you are stuck using the screen it comes with.

Build volume

A printer’s build volume tells you how big an object it can print. It’s wise to assume that the actual maximum volume is a bit smaller than the specifications suggest, and go for one with a slightly larger volume than the biggest object you will need to print.

It can be hard to know this, and remember that a bigger volume means a bigger printer, which you’ll need space for.

Really large models can be printed in sections and superglued (or otherwise fixed) together, so you don’t necessarily need a huge printer.

Nozzle and bed temperatures

Most people print using PLA, the most common type of filament. It’s easy to work with, strong and durable.

All 3D printers have nozzles that go up to the 220°C or so that PLA requires. But if you want to print with ABS, PETG or another type that needs high temperatures, be sure to opt for a printer that can go up to around 300°C. But see Enclosure below, too.

Similarly, watch out for heated bed temperatures. Some won’t go beyond 80°C, but you’ll need 100°C or more for successful ABS prints.

Enclosure

Some materials such as ABS, ASA, polycarbonate and nylon need carefully controlled ambient temperature to prevent them from warping while printing. If you need to use these – perhaps because you want to print models that can survive exposure to sunlight, then look for an enclosed printer – essentially a self-contained box.

Run-out sensor

With large models taking many hours to print and the fact that you can’t always know if there’s enough filament left on the reel to complete it, a run-out sensor can be a life saver. It does it what it says: detects when the filament runs out and halts printing automatically, allowing you to load a new reel and carry on printing.

Without one, the filament could run out and the printer will carry on printing thin air, and you’d be none the wiser.

What’s the best 3D printer for beginners

The Bambu A1 is an excellent choice for beginners. It’s relatively affordable and is very easy to use because it handles so many things automatically. It’s also fast and offers top notch print quality.

How much does a beginner 3D printer cost?

Printers start from as little as $130 / £130, but you may want to spend more to get a better model with more features, faster speeds and better print quality. There are a lot of great printers under $500 / £500.

What type of 3D printer is best?

The most common type is FDM (printers that use filament on a spool), but the absolute best quality is from SLA printers, which use resin and are capable of printing much finer detail. There are lots of pros and cons of each type, but put simply, resin printers are best for small, intricate figurines, while filament printers are best for printing things that are useful around the home as well as models that hinge or articulate.

Is it cheap to use a 3D printer?

Spools of filament typically weigh 1kg and cost from $15 / £15 to $30 / £30. It’s therefore the weight of the model that matters most, not the size. So-called slicing software turns a 3D model into instructions a 3D printer can understand, and you can adjust the settings to save weight by minimising the amount of infill. Sometimes it’s cheaper to print your own parts, but sometimes you might find it’s cheaper to buy pre-made plastic things than to 3D print them.

Are 3D printers good for beginners?

3D printing is much easier than it used to be thanks to modern printers that automate a lot of the fiddly things like bed levelling. They can also compensate for vibrations, resume printing after a power cut or when the filament runs out. The difficult part is designing your own models to print, but there are thousands of pre-made models available online to download free.

Author: Jim Martin, Executive Editor, Tech Advisor

Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.

Recent stories by Jim Martin:

• Creality K1C review
• Bambu A1 review
• Bambu A1: a full-size bed slinger 3D printer

We’re all taking more and better quality photographs these days, thanks to smartphones, but we’re less likely to turn them into physical media. However, if you do, a portable printer – also known as an instant printer – is the answer.

These handy, pocket-sized gadgets will let you take your best phone images and print them out wherever you are, with the option to add filters, effects, stickers and other fun additions in the process. You might think of them as a ‘phone printer’ or ‘phone photo printer’ as they connect wirelessly via Bluetooth.

Top brands include Instax, Polaroid, Canon and there’s a range of options at different prices, including photos which develop with a bit of time or ‘Zink’ models which print instantly. Typically, they are compatible with both Android and iPhone as well as potentially other platforms, too.

Some new models we’ll be testing soon, and likely adding to this list, include the Polaroid Hi-Print (2nd Generation) and freshly announced Instax mini Link+, which goes on sale 28 January. For now, the best models we’ve reviewed are below with detailed information, followed by an in-depth buying guide.

If you want something a little more retro and even more instant, you can also buy a camera that prints photos as you shoot them, just like an old-fashioned Polaroid. Take a look at our round-up of the best instant cameras to see if any take your fancy.

Best portable photo printer reviews

1. Instax Square Link – Best Overall

Pros

• Portable and stylish design
• Impressive prints
• USB-C charging
• Decent range of editing options

Cons

• Running costs add up over time
• App could do with some improvements
• QR codes on AR prints on the larger side

The Instax Square Link is currently the only dedicated portable printer that uses square prints, and is also Instax’s best portable printer yet.

It comes with a stylish and lightweight design, and produces bright, high-quality medium-sized snaps easily via the accompanying app. Prints take 12 seconds to eject, and around 90 seconds to develop.

There is a range of seasonal preset frames available from the Instax library for holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day, as well as simple editing tools – including a dedicated AR print mode that adds either a digital animation, special effect or doodle to an image via a QR code and the app.

Unlike the Instax Link Wide or Instax Mini Link, it comes with USB-C charging, which gives faster charging speeds. This gives it the edge of its two sister products. That said, you won’t need to worry about battery life too much, as you can get around 100 prints on a single charge.

The app layout could do with a few tweaks, including making the text size bigger and improving the navigation. However, these are minor downsides to what is an excellent portable printer overall.

Who should buy the Instax Square Link?

You want a dedicated square printer with a great set of features.

Instax Square Link: Further considerations

Consider a cheaper alternative for long-term running costs.

Read our full Instax Square Link review

2. Polaroid Hi-Print – Best Dye-Sublimation Printer

Pros

• High quality prints
• Portable and refined design
• Easy app navigation

Cons

• Expensive printing costs
• Slow printing speeds
• Only 20 prints on one charge

The Polaroid Hi-Print is a simple, no-nonsense digital printer that costs less than most rivals while delivering superior print quality – though pricey paper means it’ll cost you in the long run.

Printing is slightly slower than most rivals at around 50 seconds – but this is due to it being a dye-sublimation printer, which means that the print ejects in and out at least four times to add each layer of colour, plus a protective film.

The wait is worth it, as print quality is overall extremely high and more detailed, vivid, and striking than you would get from a quicker digital instant printer.

The accompanying app is simple and user-friendly, with options to customise photos with frames, filters, aspect ratio changes, text, and stickers – but few unnecessary frills to over-complicate things.

It also syncs with any image folders on your phone, plus images from WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and more.

Who should buy the Polaroid Hi-Print?

You want high-quality prints at an affordable price with an easy-to-use app.

Polaroid Hi-Print: Further considerations

Look elsewhere for faster printing, cheaper running costs and less frequent recharging.

Read our full Polaroid Hi-Print review

3. Instax Link Wide – Best for Wide Prints

Pros

• Large, glossy prints
• Lots of filters and editing options
• Refined design

Cons

• App needs optimising
• Costs rack up over time
• Slow Micro-USB charging

The Instax Link Wide produces large, glossy prints with minimal fuss. It has a great design that is suited both for sitting in your home and for taking on the road.

Photos on the Instax Link Wide are double the size of what you’ll find on the Mini printers and cameras, but the printing speed is very quick at around 12 seconds, with 90 seconds of development time.

Like other Instax products, the prints are bright and colourful with a vintage feel. However, the quality isn’t quite as impressive as what you will find on the Polaroid Hi-Print. The running costs of this printer will stack up over time due to the cost of Instax Wide film.

The companion app provides multiple customisation options such as filters, collages and the option to add QR codes, though it could do with some improvements with its layout.

Who should buy the Instax Link Wide?

You want large, wide-angle prints with lots of editing features

Instax Link Wide: Further considerations

Choose another for modern USB-C charging.

Read our full Instax Link Wide review

4. Instax Mini Link 2 – Best for Small Prints

Pros

• Portable and funky design
• Excellent prints
• Lots of editing tools in the app

Cons

• InstaxAir can be confusing to use
• Outdated Micro-USB charging
• Expensive running costs

The Instax Mini Link 2 uses Fujifilm’s Instax Mini film. The Mini Link looks great, with funky colour options and a young and fresh feel.

It connects to your phone through the Mini Link app and Bluetooth, and can print photos both from your phone’s library and your social media profiles.

From the app, you can choose frames and other options, including split prints (separating one photo into two prints) and collages. You can edit photos within the app, with colour filters and dials to change the brightness, contrast and saturation.

The printer has a speed of around 12 seconds per print, supports continuous printing and can print up to 100 photos on a single charge. Photos come out clear, crisp and vibrant on the Mini film, and after printing, there’s a handy button to get a second copy instantly.

Fun options include a ‘match test’ that prints out a photo with a compatibility score between two people, and the ‘party print’ mode that allows users to add photos from up to five phones to create one Instax print. There is also the InstaxAir feature which allows you to draw patterns in the air on photos – but this can be a faff to use.

You can even use the printer as a remote control for your smartphone camera, tilting the printer back and forth to zoom in and out.

Who should buy the Instax Mini Link 2?

You want small photos which print quickly.

Instax Mini Link 2: Further considerations

Look elsewhere for something cheaper or if you need USB-C charging.

Read our full Instax Mini Link 2 review

5. Canon Selphy QX20 – Most Versatile

Pros

• Dual print sizes
• Gorgeous images
• Simple-to-use app

Cons

• Poor battery life compared to rivals
• No log of how many sheets/ink is left in app
• On the heavier side

If you’re torn between what size prints you want from your portable printer, the Canon Selphy QX20 may be the device for you. It supports both square and credit-card formats, giving you plenty of versatility.

Like the Polaroid Hi-Print, the QX20 uses the thermal dye process, which produces stunning results – especially on the larger formats. The accompanying app is also simple to use, as is changing between the different paper options.

That said, the app could have improvements. There’s no way of viewing how many sheets of paper or ink are left, and the battery indicator only shows a vague estimation.

In addition, the battery life lasts for just over twenty prints, significantly less than Instax printers. Due to its dual-print support, it’s on the heavier side, making it less portable. Nonetheless, there’s nothing else on the market quite like this printer – so if you want something versatile, this is an excellent option.

Who should buy the Canon Selphy QX20?

You want a choice of print sizes with high-quality results.

Canon Selphy QX20: Further considerations

Look elsewhere for something lighter and longer battery life.

Read our full Canon SELPHY QX20 review

6. Kodak Step Instant Printer – Best for Zink Prints

Pros

• Portable design
• Affordable
• Easy to use

Cons

• A few bugs in the app
• Charges via Micro-USB

The Kodak Step is one of the most affordable printers on the market for Zink prints. Whilst Zink images aren’t quite as impressive as what you will find from brands such as Instax and Polaroid, the running costs are much cheaper, and there is no development time.

The Kodak Step keeps its design simple with a compact, rectangular shape that you can get in a range of colours. It is easy to use, even for beginners. It supports up to 25 images on a single charge.

The prints themselves are on the smaller side at 2x3in, so these are best if you’re looking for wallet-sized photos. The images come with an adhesive back so they can be used as stickers, and feature a range of colours – though some details are lost from the original images.

The app includes a range of editing options, but does have a few bugs and issues. That said, the affordable price of the Kodak Step makes this a viable portable printer that gets the job done.

Who should buy the Kodak Step?

You want a budget-friendly printer with quick printing.

Kodak Step: Further considerations

Look elsewhere for USB-C charging and better print quality.

Read our full Kodak Step Instant Printer review

7. HP Sprocket Select – Best for Larger Zink Prints

Pros

• Super lightweight
• Straightforward app UX
• Improved Zink print quality

Cons

• Occasional paper loading issues

The HP Sprocket Select is the third-generation iteration of the Sprocket 200. It boasts Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, which allows multiple phones to connect via the straightforward Sprocket app (free on Android and iOS).

A more significant improvement is that the Select prints larger images at 2.3 x 3.4in instead of 2 x 3in – which is roughly the size of a credit card.

Like past Sprockets, the Sprocket Select prints on Zink, or “zero ink”, paper, which is cheaper than film in the long run – but at the cost of slightly washed colour tones.

Given that Zink images can be slightly dull to begin with, the Sprocket Select trumped expectations with a fair amount of detail and contrast. The colours still appeared slightly washed out but were much more vibrant than on other Zink printers we’ve tested, particularly the reds.

Who should buy the HP Sprocket Select?

You want large prints without waiting and the ability to connect multiple devices.

HP Sprocket Select: Further considerations

Look elsewhere for easier paper loading

Read our full HP Sprocket Select review

8. Kodak Step Slim Instant Printer – Best for Portability

Pros

• Slim and durable build
• Affordable running costs
• Simple to use

Cons

• Not as affordable as the Kodak Step
• Zink paper not as impressive as rival prints
• App has a few bugs

The Kodak Step Slim is one of the most portable options on the list. It is slim at 2.29cm thick and lightweight at 240g – making it easy to fit into a large pocket.

It’s easy to use as well, with the well-laid-out accompanying Kodak Step app. However, this does have a few bugs in comparison to some of the software that rivals boast. Nonetheless, you’ll still have plenty of filters, frames and more to add to your snaps.

This is another Zink printer, so prints aren’t quite as striking as what you’ll find on models from Instax and Polaroid, as this isn’t real film. However, the trade-off is that running costs are cheaper overall.

It’s not quite as affordable as its sister model, the Kodak Step, but it will still get the job done without breaking the bank.

Who should buy the Kodak Step Slim?

A pocketable printer with speedy printing.

Kodak Step Slim: Further considerations

Look elsewhere for higher quality results.

Read our full Kodak Step Slim Instant Printer review

9. Instax Mini Evo – Best Hybrid Camera

Pros

• Compact and retro design
• Long battery life
• Useful buttons and dials

Cons

• Expensive
• Frustrating menu
• Limited internal storage

Whilst the Instax Mini Evo from Fujifilm is foremost a digital and instant camera hybrid, it also has all the capabilities of a standard portable printer, making it a true all-rounder.

The Instax Mini Evo app allows you to edit photos with filters, stickers and frames – just like you can with other Instax printers. You can also transfer photos taken on the camera to the app so that they are digitally stored.

The camera itself combines features such as analogue buttons with digital effects, making for an all-around fun shooting experience. It looks refined and vintage, and not childish like some other products from the brand. The Evo comes with a lengthy battery life, as well as a portable size.

Unfortunately, whilst all these features are compelling, the Instax Mini Evo comes with a hefty price tag upfront, plus the running cost of Instax film on top of this.

Who should buy the Instax Mini Evo?

You want an instant printer with a camera built in.

Instax Mini Evo: Further considerations

Look elsewhere for something more affordable if the camera isn’t a must.

Read our full Instax Mini Evo review

10. Instax Wide Evo – Premium Hybrid Camera

Pros

• Vintage-inspired build
• Large and glossy prints
• Wide range of filters and shooting options

Cons

• Very expensive for what it is
• Cumbersome build
• Battery and internal storage on the lower side

The Instax Wide Evo is another digital and instant camera hybrid, but this uses Wide film rather than Mini film. It also has a much higher price tag than the Mini Evo, so it’s only suitable if you want to splash the cash.

There’s no denying that the Wide Evo has a premium, nostalgic build that stands out from the crowd, while the endless array of settings means that you’ll have plenty to experiment with when shooting. Images taken on the camera can also be transferred to the accompanying app.

However, the build is heavy and bulky, meaning it’s not the best for using out and about unless you have a big enough bag to hand. Plus, both the battery life and internal storage are on the low side. There are better options in this chart.

Who should buy the Instax Wide Evo?

You want an instant camera and printer hybrid that produces larger-sized prints.

Instax Wide Evo: Further considerations

The Instax Mini Evo offers a very similar experience for a fraction of the price.

Read our full Instax Wide Evo review

How we test portable photo printers

In simple terms, we use it no differently than if you bought one, got it out of the box and powered it up. We use it as if it were our own, ensuring we print plenty of different photos to check the quality of the final product, as well as all the features along the way.

Why you should trust Tech Advisor for portable printer reviews and buying advice

Independent buying advice is the reason Tech Advisor exists, and we’ve been doing it for 30 years. Our in-house team and contributors are experts in all things tech and gadgets, and we have your best interests at heart.

Who curated this article?

Hannah is our Entertainment Editor but has been testing and reviewing all kinds of tech for six years at Tech Advisor. She knows everything there is to know about portable printers and has reviewed most of the models you see above.

How to choose the best portable printer

Fortunately, choosing a portable printer isn’t as complicated or as overwhelming as something like a smartphone. There are small number of reliable brands that make the best models, and you should be able to figure out which one is best for your needs quickly.

As well as reading our honest thoughts on each printer above, you first need to make sure the device is compatible with the phone or other device you want to use it with. Most have apps for Android and iOS, so you can then move on to making sure it does everything you need.

The main difference between different portable printers is the size and type of photo they print. Some are square and use Zink paper which prints within seconds, for example, while others offer a choice of sizes and use film, which you have to wait to develop. Your last key decision is how much to spend – ultimately, that’s up to you but budget models cost a little over £50/$50 but you can spend £100/$100-£200/$200 if you want a fancier model.

How does a portable photo printer work?

Portable photo printers essentially connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth, usually via an app. The photos taken on your phone (or downloaded onto your image library) can then be viewed in the app, and printed from here.

There is no need to involve your PC at all, and most printers should support both iOS and Android models.

The actual printing process depends on the model you buy. The Polaroid Hi-Print uses a lengthier dye-sublimation process, whilst Instax printers instantly print photos, which then develop over a short period of time. Zink photo printers print instantly, but this is technically not real film. It all comes down to your preferences for the final look of your photos.

What size photos does a portable photo printer produce?

That depends on which printer you choose! We have the dimensions of all the prints that the devices use in our linked reviews, but the most common format is around the size of a credit card. However, you can opt for something larger if you prefer prints that take up more space. Typically, a portable printer can only print one size of photos.

What is the difference between a portable photo printer and an instant camera hybrid?

Some models of instant cameras (which print photos as soon as you hit the shutter button) also include the ability to print photos from other devices, just as you would on a portable printer – one example is the Instax Mini Evo.

Can I edit photos in a portable photo printer app?

Most leading manufacturers of portable photo printers offer some level of editing in their smartphone apps. These include filters, stickers, frames, text and even more advanced things like QR codes.

Where do I buy more instant printer film?

Related content

• Best instant cameras
• Accessory reviews
• Best phones

Author: Hannah Cowton-Barnes, Entertainment Editor, Tech Advisor

As Tech Advisor’s Entertainment Editor, Hannah is the resident expert in all things streaming, film and TV. Before joining Tech Advisor in 2019, she studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Leeds and created a website dedicated to geek culture and lifestyle. She’s also reviewed a whole range of gadgets including flagship smartphones, wearables and styling tools. Outside of Foundry, she’s written freelance pieces for Polygon, Metro and Den of Geek, and is proud to be a Women Techmakers Ambassador for Google.

Recent stories by Hannah Cowton-Barnes:

• These are the best instant cameras you can buy
• Instax Wide Evo review: Big prints, bigger price
• Canon Selphy QX20 review: The best of both worlds