These Are The Best Instant Cameras You Can Buy

Instant cameras are an excellent way to capture memories on the go, and they’re brilliant gifts for both photography beginners and experts alike.

Not only can you once again buy a new Polaroid camera, but Fujifilm’s Instax has become a global phenomenon, and other companies like Kodak have gotten in on the action too.

Some instant cameras even now pack digital tech too, allowing you to do things like take multiple shots before picking which to print, save digital copies of photos for your Instagram, or even print shots straight from your phone. Thanks to connected apps, others even offer interactive games and the chance to tweak your prints with stickers, filters, or QR codes to access videos and the like.

The downside is that there are now multiple competing film formats, sizes, and brands, and it’s hard to know which instant camera is right for you. Luckily for you, we’ve tested the leading cameras that are on the market, and here’s what we think.

Best instant camera reviews

1. Instax Mini 12 – Best Overall

Pros

• Simple to use
• Fun and fresh design
• Competitive price tag
• Photos can be uploaded to smartphones

Cons

• Struggles with very bright and very dim lighting
• Too basic for photography enthusiasts

With an affordable price tag, a great design and the ability to produce fantastic smaller-sized snaps, the Instax Mini 12 is the best instant camera on the market right now.

This camera has a funky, lightweight design in a choice of five pastel colours. The new twistable lens means that it’s even simpler to use than the last generation camera, the Mini 11.

It comes with an auto-exposure mode and flash, meaning that it can capture some shots in low light – though both extremely dark and bright conditions aren’t the best for pictures. However, users can use the Instax Up! app to digitally upload photos and edit them, should they wish.

Images are printed on Instax’s Mini film, which produces pocket-sized polaroid-style photos. This instant camera is especially a compelling option for younger audiences with not much photography experience.

Read our full Instax Mini 12 review

2. Instax Mini 99 – Best premium instant camera

Pros

• Mix and match customisation options
• Classic and sleek design
• Produces glossy instant photos

Cons

• High price tag
• No selfie mirror
• Guides to certain modes would be welcome

The Mini 99 from Instax produces credit card-sized prints, just like the (cheaper) Mini 12 does. What sets it apart is its wide range of adjustments.

This instant camera boasts five colour filters, five exposure compensation options and four shooting options, including Double Exposure and Bulb modes. By mixing and matching, users can create some truly unique and artistic prints.

It can take some experimentation and practice to get right, so this camera is certainly not for casual users – the high price tag may also put people off. Nonetheless, this is the most comprehensive Instax to date, and will appeal to anyone who wants the best of the best.

Read our full Instax Mini 99 review

3. Instax Mini Evo – Best Digital Hybrid

Pros

• Compact retro design
• Long battery life
• Great physical controls

Cons

• Expensive
• Limited storage

The Instax Mini Evo from Fujifilm combines all the bells and whistles of a classic digital camera with the novelty of an instant camera.

But you don’t just have to print snaps taken on the Evo – it can also connect to your phone and print photos, just like a standard portable printer.

Combining the digital camera features with analogue buttons results in a fun shooting experience, and the fact that it doubles as an instant printer is the icing on the cake.

It looks more professional than cheaper Instax models, with a retro-inspired design. That said, be prepared to spend a pretty penny to get your hands on one.

Read our full Instax Mini Evo review

4. Instax Square SQ1 – Best for Simple Square Prints

Pros

• Classic square format
• Simple to use
• Great design

Cons

• Chunky
• More expensive film

The Instax SQ1 is Fujifilm’s second fully analogue square format camera, and it’s a simplified version of the old SQ6 , which is now hard to find in stock.

The SQ1 takes Instax Square film, which in turn means this is a bigger, chunkier camera than the Instax Minis. It comes in a similar range of attractive pastel colours though, and there’s a definite charm to the camera’s look.

This is another Instax that’s designed to be as simple to use as possible. There are only two shooting modes – regular, and a selfie/macro mode you access by twisting the lens round. You can’t even turn the flash off.

We wish it had a few more options to be honest, especially given its price, but if you want an easy-to-use Instax that shoots on square film, this is your best bet.

Read our full Instax Square SQ1 review

5. Instax Mini LiPlay – Affordable Digital Instax

Pros

• Prints digital photos
• Easy to use

Cons

• Divisive design
• Still Expensive

The Instax Mini LiPlay is a slightly cheaper precursor to the Mini Evo, above. We prefer the newer Evo, but the LiPlay is a great option if you can find it for less.

The camera is also an instant printer, which allows you to print photos directly from your smartphone via the companion app very easily on to the Instax Mini film.

It’s also generally an easy camera to navigate. The design is user-friendly, and you can choose from a number of different shooting options to enhance your experience. The camera itself is enough to give you a decent-quality image, with a little flair if you wish. However, the design may not be to everyone’s tastes.

The Mini LiPlay lets you record audio and play it back via QR codes, though this feature may only be useful to a small portion of users. It sits just slightly higher than average on our price range, but the flexibility that this camera offers seems worth the extra bump in cost.

Read our full Instax Mini LiPlay review

6. Instax Mini 40 – Best for Nostalgia

Pros

• Retro aesthetic
• Easy to use

Cons

• Pricier than Mini 11
• No advanced options

Even by the standards of instant cameras, this is driven by nostalgia. The blocky plastic design screams ‘retro’, accentuated by the textured faux-leather finish and silver accents.

As the name suggests, the Mini 40 takes Instax Mini format prints, and in fact this is essentially the same camera as the Mini 11 above – the functionality is almost identical, with the higher price driven by the premium, retro design.

That means simple features : a flash, a selfie mirror, and two focal length settings. You don’t get a lot of flexibility, but the simplicity is welcome when you just want to point and shoot.

If you’re not fussed by the design then save money and grab the Mini 11, but if you want an Instax Mini camera that feels like a camera, not a toy, then this is the one.

Read our full Instax Mini 40 review

7. Kodak Smile+ – Best Zink Camera

Pros

• Fun retro design
• Undercuts the competition
• Cheaper running costs than rivals

Cons

• Mixed image quality
• No option to preview images in the app
• No selfie mirror

The Kodak Smile+ captures the happy middle ground between quality and budget. For a reasonable price, you get a compact and lightweight camera which supports microSD saving, and prints colour photos within a minute – though it’s worth noting that this is a digital camera that prints onto Zink paper, rather than an analogue camera that exposes real film.

Unlike the film used in an Instax Mini 12 camera, Zink paper uses heat to form images. Each sheet contains micro-crystals that produce either cyan, magenta or yellow hues depending on the intensity and duration of heat applied. When combined, you are left with the final image. This makes printing on the Smile+ more affordable too.

Colours are the most impressive when you have good lighting – but the prints can struggle with exposure. That said, there is an automatic flash available if you’re in darker conditions. The Kodak Smile+ is a budget-friendly tech toy best suited for casual point-and-shoot users, with the additional benefit of also being a portable printer with the companion app.

Read our full Kodak Smile+ review

8. Polaroid Now+ – Best Polaroid

Pros

• Retro design
• Tripod mountable
• Included accessories

Cons

• Big and bulky
• Expensive

The Polaroid Now+ is our favourite of the company’s range of modern instant film cameras – especially if you know how to use it.

With a range of shooting options, supported by an app that enables remote controls and other modes, this is more complicated than some of the simple point-and-shoot cameras from Instax. That will appeal to capable photographers, but might put you off if you want something more straightforward.

Like other Polaroid cameras, it is big and bulky and the film runs fairly expensive – but that’s the price you pay (literally) for getting the classic Polaroid camera design and iconic large format square prints, which obviously up the appeal.

Read our full Polaroid Now+ review

9. Instax Wide 300 – Best for Wide Format

Pros

• Large prints
• Great for landscapes
• Easy to use

Cons

• Big & heavy
• Ugly design

As the name might give away, the Instax Wide 300 takes photos that are wider than other instant cameras – double the size of Instax Mini photos. The camera itself has to be large enough to accommodate the bigger prints, and Fujifilm has committed to a chunky aesthetic all round, with a large grip and an enormous lens – the Instax Wide isn’t the most attractive instant camera around.

Controls are simple: two levels of autofocus for the 95mm lens, basic flash settings, and the option to reduce or increase exposure. It’s no surprise the Wide 300 excels at longer range, picking up more detail in landscape and building photos than its rivals, but struggling on close-ups or selfies – though the included close-up lens does help.

Portraits can turn out great once you get used to framing for landscape though, with warm skin tones. The new orientation is also great for parties – it takes a lot less work to cram multiple people into the same shot now.

Read our full Instax Wide 300 review

10. Instax Pal: Complimentary Instax Camera

Pros

• Tiny build
• Some fun features on app
• Decent battery life

Cons

• Expensive
• Requires another device for prints
• Mixed performance
• No viewfinder

The Instax Pal isn’t technically an instant camera – but if you have a printer such as the Mini Link 2 , the Link Wide or the Square Link , then it could make a good complimentary product. In the US, it only comes as a bundle with the Link 2.

This pocket-sized digital camera can capture photos that can be printed with any complimentary Instax product. It performs best in bright daylight, and has some kooky features such as the ability to record your own shutter sound, and animations for the snaps you capture.

That said, it is overpriced for what it is – especially when you consider that there’s no viewfinder, which makes taking photos difficult. It’s only best for people who already have a printer or those who want a teeny tiny digital camera.

Read our full Instax Pal review

Buying advice for an instant camera

What features do instant cameras have?

There are a few factors to consider when you’re trying to buy an instant camera. First up you need to think about how complex you want the camera to be. Some are simple point-and-shoot devices that don’t give you much control beyond turning the flash off or setting a timer.

Others get more intricate though, adding in functionality like long exposures, multiple exposures, different focus levels, customisable brightness, and more.

All of these advanced features are nice to have, but you have to think about whether you’re the sort of photographer who’s really likely to use them. If you want to play around with multiple exposures or shoot photos in varied conditions then they might be worth it, but if you just want to take photos of your mates at parties, a simpler point-and-shoot will probably be plenty.

Remember that if you don’t want to get your head round a whole new camera, you don’t have to – you might be better off buying an instant printer , which lets you print photos directly from your smartphone instead.

What is a digital hybrid instant camera?

The next consideration is whether you want a full film camera or a digital hybrid like the Mini Evo .

There are benefits and drawbacks to both. Digital hybrids let you export photos to other devices, and mean you can get the perfect photo before you hit print – saving you from wasting expensive film.

The downside to that flexibility is that you lose some of the immediacy of a pure film camera. Part of the charm of using film is that you only get one chance – it saves you from fussy posing for the perfect shot. If you’re not going to commit to the old-fashioned appeal, why are you looking at instant cameras at all?

Plus, the quality you can expect from the digital photos you export is pretty low – nothing compared to what you could expect from the camera on a budget smartphone, let alone any of the best phone cameras around.

What are the different film formats for instant cameras?

The final major concern is film formats. The market is dominated by Fujifilm’s Instax brand, which currently produces three sizes of film: Mini (small and portrait), Wide (large and landscape), and Square (mid-sized and, well, square).

Most cameras can only take one type of film, so make sure you know which size you prefer before you pick your camera. You should consider price too – the larger prints tend to cost more, so your choice will affect the long-term running cost of your camera too.

Some cameras from other manufacturers – such as Lomography – use Instax film too, so you don’t have to commit to a Fujifilm camera to take advantage of the film prints.

Polaroid uses its own i-Type film, which sticks close to the classic Polaroid prints – about the same size as Instax Wide, but square rather than rectangular. You can use it in the Polaroid Now+ in our ranking, or the older Polaroid Now, OneStep+ , and OneStep 2 .

What is the difference between real film and Zink paper?

There are also some instant cameras that don’t technically use film at all. The Kodak Step is technically a digital camera that print photos onto Zink – zero ink paper.

Zink cameras tend to be cheaper – and so are the prints – but since the photos are digital they tend to have a bit less warmth to them, and the physical prints don’t have quite the same nostalgia value to them.

We prefer the proper film by miles, but Zink will do the job if you’re on a budget.

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:

• The best portable photo printers 2026, tested and reviewed
• Instax Wide Evo review: Big prints, bigger price
• The 10 best Prime Day tech deals under £100, handpicked by our editors

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?

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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

At a glance

Expert’s Rating

Pros

• Retro design
• 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

Our Verdict

While there’s no denying that the Instax Wide Evo can produce a versatile range of shots on high-quality paper, this camera-printer hybrid has a high price tag that most people will find hard to justify.

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Best Pricing Today

Best Prices Today: Instax Wide Evo

If you’re struggling to decide between the spontaneity of an instant camera and the practicality of a portable printer, why not opt for a hybrid model?

Instax has expanded its Evo range after launching the Mini Evo camera back in 2021. This is now joined by the Instax Wide Evo, which has a lot of the same features of the Mini version. The key difference is that it supports Wide film, which is double the size of a Mini print.

While that may make this sound like the obvious choice, wait until you hear about the price…

Design and Build

• 490g without film
• Fun dials and levers
• Support for 45 images with just internal storage

The Instax Wide Evo follows in the footsteps of its Mini sibling by adopting a retro design language, with some fun attachments that keep within this theme.

The camera is only available in basic black and is made up of a textured plastic body with shiny grey accents. I used the Wide Evo at a party and had quite a few compliments on its nostalgic novelty, doubly so because of its hybrid nature.

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

Let’s get the downside out of the way – yes, this is a big camera. I hadn’t tested one that supported Wide film before, and compared to the size of the Mini Evo build, this took some getting used to. It just about fit inside my magical Uniqlo bag that’s like a TARDIS, but it’s not light at 490g, excluding the film cartridge. It’s also not usable with one hand.

If you don’t mind a bulkier build, then crack on – it’s unavoidable if you want something that supports film that’s twice as large as the Mini prints.

On the front, there’s the lens, and Instax throws in a cover to stop it from picking up scratches. There’s a button to toggle on wide-angle mode, a selfie mirror and a flash that can be turned on, off or to automatic. The shutter lever is on the front, and it took me a few goes to get the hang of it – you need to hold it down to take a snap, and there is sometimes a delay on this.

On one side, you have the power button, with dials on either side to mix and match various filters and modes (more on that later). One neat feature is the print crank, which can be pulled out and wound up to choose a photo from your digital library to print.

Packs of film are loaded at the back, and you can load ten prints at a time. It takes about 16 seconds for an image to print. The rear also features an LCD screen, which you can use to preview images before you commit to using a piece of Instax Wide film.

Navigation on the Instax Wide Evo is easier than on the Mini thanks to the dials and additional buttons on the back – again, one of the benefits of having a bigger camera overall.

Internal storage isn’t the best, with only space for around 45 images. I reached the limit during the testing and had to delete a few snaps. Thankfully, there is a microSD slot which expands storage up to 850 photos. There is also a slot where you can mount a tripod, should you wish.

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

Features and Image Quality

• Wide film is perfect for frames and scrapbooking
• 16Mp main camera

The Instax Wide Evo is for anyone who thrives on experimental photography, and certainly not a product for younger or casual users.

Unlike the Instax Mini 12 , where you point and shoot, there’s a wide range of combinations you can try to get unique, artsy shots. For example, if you opt for something like the beam flare mode, you can use the degree control dial to alter the direction of the light, and this dial works for many other modes.

Or you can have two different filters on, such as monochrome and vignette. There are also options for the surrounding border. For example, you can have a date and time stamp on the bottom right-hand side.

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

I’d say it took some time to get used to which filters worked best, but that’s the benefit of a digital camera printer hybrid – you won’t have any wasted prints if you don’t wish to.

The camera itself is 16Mp, with a focal length of 16mm, so don’t expect it to capture minute details. It can struggle in lower lighting and overly bright conditions, but this isn’t a smartphone . Those downsides are typical for a digital camera, and some users prefer a more ‘retro’ finish anyway.

As this is real film, prints are glossy and colourful. There’s the option to print in either rich mode or natural mode, and high-quality photos from your smartphone or a professional photographer look incredibly impressive on this sort of paper, especially compared to Mini film where some details are lost due to the small size of the photo.

Those taken directly on the camera have a more nostalgic, in-the-moment feel, which is great for social events where you’re looking for a unique way to document the night. As the Wide film is so large, you could even use a few to create a collage frame for your home.

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

Battery Life and Charging

• Estimated battery life from Instax is higher than real world testing
• Two-to-three hours to charge

The Instax Wide Evo is fitted with a lithium-ion battery, with enough power for around 100 snaps according to Instax, though the website does state this is down to usage conditions. I found it to run out of charge quicker than that, with it depleting during a day’s usage, but I was experimenting with basically every filter available.

The camera supports USB-C charging, and it takes between two and three hours to go from flat to full. There’s a cable included in the box, though this is on the short side.

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

Instax Wide Evo App

• Used for direct printing and remote shooting
• Can edit photos
• Discover Feed can be used for inspiration

To take full advantage of the Instax Wide Evo, you’ll want to download the accompanying app for iOS and Android.

By connecting the camera to your phone, you can print photos taken on your smartphone, transfer images taken on the camera to be stored digitally and use the remote shooting feature to get a live feed of what the lens is capturing on your phone.

Like other Instax apps, it’s simple to use. However, the text is quite small, which isn’t the best for accessibility. You can edit photos that are being printed with various filters and cropping tools.

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

One new neat feature this app includes is a Discover Feed of sample images, along with the settings that the photographer used for inspiration.

Once again, it is a shame that Fujifilm can’t create one app to house all its cameras and printers… but this will only be an annoyance to those who own multiple products, which I imagine is a small pool of people.

Price and Availability

I’ve established that there is a lot to love about the Instax Wide Evo but let me be clear: this is only suitable for those with plenty of budget to spare, or those who take photography as a hobby reasonably seriously.

That’s because it costs £319.99/$349.99. That’s £145/$150 more than the Instax Mini Evo, which is a wild step up in price.

For more options, check out our charts of the best instant cameras and the best portable printers .

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

Should you buy the Instax Wide Evo?

The Instax Wide Evo will tick a lot of boxes for those looking for a camera and portable printer hybrid. The nostalgic look and feel make it stand out, while the endless array of settings means that you’ll have plenty to experiment with when shooting.

But, and it’s a big but, the price tag is probably a lot higher than what usual Instax fans will expect. Plus, the build is heavy and bulky, making it not the best for using out and about unless you have a big enough bag to store it in, and both the battery life and internal storage are on the low side.

The Instax Mini Evo offers most of the same features, just with smaller prints. If you really want the option of larger ones, you could even buy a Link Wide Printer on top of the Mini Evo and still spend less than what you would on just the Wide Evo.

If money is no object, go ahead. But otherwise, this is probably too expensive for most.

Best Prices Today: Instax Wide Evo

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:

• The best portable photo printers 2026, tested and reviewed
• These are the best instant cameras you can buy
• Canon Selphy QX20 review: The best of both worlds