The 5 Best Printers for Pictures
A photo printer can mean three very different purchases: a wide-format printer for framed work, a 4-by-6 machine for albums, or a pocket printer for stickers. Start with the size you'll actually keep. An 8-color desktop printer is a costly way to make a few phone snapshots, and a pocket printer cannot become a 13-by-19 art printer no matter how convenient its app is.
I would choose the Epson ET-8550 for someone printing both serious photographs and everyday documents; its six-color tank system and wide-format output give it a broader job than a dedicated photo printer. Canon's PRO-200S is the specialist for 13-inch photo work. Liene and SELPHY are the simpler 4-by-6 paths, while Sprocket is here for small adhesive prints. Paper and replacement ink belong in your budget before any purchase.
Our top 5 printers for pictures
Swipe to compare price, rating and best use →
| Product | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
01 Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550Details ↓ | $662.57 | 4.0/5Amazon | Best photo-and-document all-rounder |
02 Canon PIXMA PRO-200SDetails ↓ | $599.99 | 4.2/5Amazon | Best dedicated 13-inch photo printer |
03 Liene M100 Photo PrinterDetails ↓ | $159.99 | 4.4/5Amazon | Best simple 4-by-6 phone prints |
04 Canon SELPHY CP1500 with RP-108Details ↓ | $199.99 | 4.3/5Amazon | Best compact Canon 4-by-6 bundle |
05![HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition) – Instantly print 2x3" sticky-backed photos from your phone – [Luna Pearl] [1AS85A] product image from Amazon](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41RtiAqOy-L._SL500_.jpg) HP Sprocket 2nd EditionDetails ↓ | $88.99 | 4.5/5Amazon | Best pocket sticker prints |
01 — Epson
Best photo-and-document all-rounderEpson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
The ET-8550 is the photo printer I would buy when it also has to serve as a household printer. Epson's six-color tank design prints up to 13 by 19 inches and adds scanning and copying, so a framed photograph does not require a second machine for documents. The purchase price and physical footprint are substantial, however, and tanks do not make premium photo paper free.
It takes first place for its range of useful jobs. Canon's PRO-200S has a more single-minded photo workflow; choose that instead if document work and tank running costs matter less than a dedicated 8-ink photo printer.
View on Amazon ↗Photographers who also print household documents.
You only need occasional 4-by-6 snapshots.
What I like
+Wide-format photos plus scan and copy in one machine.
What to weigh
−Large upfront cost and desk footprint.
02 — Canon
Best dedicated 13-inch photo printerCanon PIXMA PRO-200S
The PRO-200S is for the person who chooses paper, edits color and wants a dedicated 13-inch photo output path. Canon specifies eight dye inks and prints up to 13 by 19 inches; that is a different buying proposition from a phone snapshot gadget. I would budget for replacement cartridges and good paper before committing, and I would not buy it as the family's general scanner.
Second place reflects specialization rather than inferior photos. I would put it first for a photographer whose sole job is finished prints; Epson leads for a home that needs copying, scanning and a tank system too.
View on Amazon ↗Photo enthusiasts producing larger finished prints.
You need scanning or low-effort casual photos.
What I like
+Eight-color dedicated wide-format photo system.
What to weigh
−Separate ink cartridges and no all-in-one workflow.
03 — Liene
Best simple 4-by-6 phone printsLiene M100 Photo Printer
Liene's M100 is the practical middle ground for someone filling an album from a phone. The exact package lists 100 sheets and three cartridges, and the dye-sublimation format is built around 4-by-6 prints rather than documents. I would check replenishment-pack cost and app compatibility first; a low-effort machine can become expensive if the required paper-and-ink supply is hard to buy.
Third place rewards the right size and included starter supply for casual prints. It outranks the pocket Sprocket for an album, while Epson and Canon remain the choices when large prints are the goal.
View on Amazon ↗Phone photographers making 4-by-6 albums.
You want enlargements or everyday document printing.
What I like
+Album-size prints with starter supplies in this bundle.
What to weigh
−Requires matching consumables and an app workflow.
04 — Canon
Best compact Canon 4-by-6 bundleCanon SELPHY CP1500 with RP-108
This exact SELPHY bundle includes Canon's CP1500 and an RP-108 ink-and-paper set, which makes the first 4-by-6 session easier to price. It is a compact photo appliance, not a replacement for a letter-size printer. I would choose it for a family that wants a fixed place to make small keepsakes and knows it will keep buying the matched Canon supply packs.
Fourth place reflects its narrower output and higher current bundle price than Liene. I would move it above Liene if you prefer Canon's supply ecosystem and the included RP-108 package suits your planned volume.
View on Amazon ↗Families making regular 4-by-6 keepsakes.
You need large prints or ordinary documents.
What I like
+Compact dedicated printer with matched starter bundle.
What to weigh
−Small print size and proprietary replenishment.
05 — HP
Best pocket sticker printsHP Sprocket 2nd Edition
Sprocket belongs in a bag or at a party, where a 2-by-3-inch adhesive-backed print is the point. It is not an inexpensive substitute for a 4-by-6 album: the pictures are much smaller and the special paper changes the per-print budget. I would buy it for scrapbooks or quick labels, and check that the app still supports the phone I plan to use.
Fifth place marks a different, narrower format. It would be first for portable stickers; Liene and SELPHY are better matches for conventional photo albums, while the wide-format printers serve framed work.
View on Amazon ↗Scrapbookers wanting small peel-and-stick phone photos.
You expect standard album or frame sizes.
What I like
+Portable adhesive-backed photo format.
What to weigh
−Tiny prints and special paper costs.
Price information
Amazon price and availability checked Oct 17, 2026, 10:36 PM Lisbon time. Prices and availability are subject to change; the information shown on Amazon.com at purchase applies.
Our process
How we picked.
We compare five relevant products for different needs, using documented specifications, clear use cases and practical trade-offs. Our goal is to make the differences clear and help you choose with confidence.
- 01Relevance
Each product must fit the guide’s intended use, audience and requirements.
- 02Specifications
We compare the key product details that meaningfully affect the buying decision.
- 03Use case and fit
We compare the intended use, configuration and practical fit of every selected product.
- 04Strengths and limitations
We explain where each option performs best and the compromises to consider.
Good questions
FAQ — Printers for Pictures
01Should I buy a wide-format photo printer for phone photos?+
Usually only if you plan to make large prints or want more control over paper. For casual 4-by-6 albums, a dedicated compact printer may be easier to justify.
02Do photo printers include all the paper I need?+
No. Check the exact bundle. Dye-sublimation printers generally need matching paper and cartridge supplies, while inkjet costs depend on ink and chosen photo paper.
The short answer
Start with the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550.
I recommend it for photographers who also print household documents. Choose something else if you only need occasional 4-by-6 snapshots.
View on Amazon ↗Keep looking
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