Print out your favourite photos from your camera or smartphone with the Canon Selphy CP1300 Compact photo printer. This portable Wi-Fi printer can be connected to any compatible device through the Canon Mopria Print Service for Android and the Airprint support for Apple. It also comes with an optional battery pack so you can instantly share your printed memories anytime, anywhere.

The Selphy CP1300 is equipped with the new Wi-Fi Shuffle print mode which allows you to combine images from multiple devices to form a single photo collage. You can also print up to 54 photos on a variety of paper sizes from a 148 x 100 mm postcard down to a 22 x 17.3 mm mini.

Why we love it:

— Fast and wireless printing — Compatible with Windows, Android, Amazon Fire, and Apple devices — Can also print on sticker paper

With over 25 design templates, the Instax 16640682 Link printer lets you create fun mini picture prints within seconds. Wirelessly connect your smartphone through the mini link’s social app so you can preserve happy and special moments in mini-films that fit in your wallet. You can even print your photos directly from Instagram or Facebook!

This mini photo printer also captures video frames and features fun modes like the Party Print and Match Test to add more excitement. Just one charge can have you churning out 100 photos every 12 seconds.

Why we love it:

— Can also be connected via Bluetooth — Compatible with selected Fujifilm Digital cameras — Allows for reprints of the photo that was last printed

Capture the moment and share it instantly with the Canon Zoemini printer. Put it in your pocket or bag, either way, this photo printer’s slim design makes it your ideal printing partner wherever you go. You’ll get tear-proof, smudge-proof, and water-resistant photos every time thanks to Zoemini’s ink-free Zink technology.

Unleash your creativity and add a touch of personality to your photos by adding filters, frames, and even doodles through the Mini Print app. You can even make a standout poster from smaller prints with the app’s tiling feature.

Why we love it:

— Has a sticky side so you can attach your prints anywhere — Comes with a pack of Zink photo paper — Lightweight and stylish design

Get high-quality and vibrant photos instantly when you print using the Kodak PD460 Dock Plus. Its 4PASS patented technology churns vivid printouts with a layer of laminated protection so your photos stay colourful and eye-catching. The laminated protection also provides water, solar, and fingerprint resistance so your prints will always look new.

The Kodak PD460 offers a variety of photo prints like postcards, ID photos, and even business cards. Whether it’s with or without a border, this dock printer gives you the option to do either using the same type of photo paper.

Why we love it:

— Allows photos to dry instantly — Protective layer prevents colours from fading — Can also be used as a phone charger

To find the best photo printers, in addition to image quality, we factor in criteria such as speed, price, maintenance costs, and any unique features that help them one-up the competition. With their moving parts, we also look at durability.

Our selections are based on our long- and short-term testing; experience with earlier models; familiarity with the companies’ technologies; consultation with industry experts, fellow journalists, and users; online forums; lab results; and other third-party reviews. We look across the board – not just our own experiences – to find consensus on what we think are the best-performing cameras you can currently buy. We also look at list pricing to determine if a product is worth the cost, product availability, and future proofing qualities. We will even recommend printers that aren’t new, provided the features are still best-in-class.

The printer market evolves constantly, with manufacturers either introducing better models with new features, or basic upgrades. So, you can expect our picks to change, as well. But don’t worry: The models you see here will be with you for some time, and if we anticipate there could be better models in the horizon, we will state that upfront to help you decide whether you should buy now or wait.

What should you look for in a photo printer? That depends on what your needs are. If you want to frame a large print to put on a wall, you may want to consider a single-function, wide-format inkjet printer. If you need a device that can print both photos and documents, a multifunction inkjet printer could be a better fit. If you want to print while on the go, a portable unit might be handier. And, if you shoot a lot on your phone’s camera, you may want to look for a unit that supports wireless printing from a phone.

Regardless, your options will most likely revolve around an inkjet, dye-sublimation, or any print technology that’s designed to handle photos; laser printers, for example, are not right for the job. (If you rarely print, using an online photo service or the photo kiosks at your local drugstore may be more economical.)