The ability to print out images on location, on vacation or visiting loved ones appeals to a wide variety of photo enthusiasts. It allows them to create something more tangible than an image file—and they can leave a gift that friends and family members will cherish in years to come. Enter mobile printers.
Having an actual print can also be of considerable promotional value to professional photographers, artists and craftspeople, real estate agents and countless others. That’s why mobile printers comprise a robust and enduring product category. This is especially true for photo specialty retailers who are uniquely positioned to present them knowledgeably to their customers.
To give you a better handle on this small but crucial marketing niche, we’ve selected cool contemporary mobile printers ranging from basic ultracompact devices to high-spec units with impressive firepower.
A Sample of Mobile Printers
HP OfficeJet 250
This robust high-capacity compact HP inkjet printer/scanner can operate on AC power or via an optional Li-ion battery pack. It’s also equipped with USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity for efficient printing on the go. The mobile all-in-one printer provides impressive high-res printing at up to 4,800×1,200 dpi. Moreover, it can turn out 10 prints per minute (ppm) in black and white and 7 ppm in color.
HP OfficeJet 250
In addition, the OfficeJet 250 delivers an optical scan resolution of 600 dpi and can scan up to 10 pages using its auto document feeder (ADF). It also handles documents up to 8.5×14 inches; features a 50-sheet capacity ADF for printing; is rated at a monthly duty cycle of 500 pages; and incorporates a 2.65-inch touch-screen display for convenient monitoring and control. $379.99.
Canon Ivy Mini
This sleek, little Canon beauty is only one inch tall, yet it works with any iOS or Android smart device via Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. The mobile photo printer prints out borderless 2×3-inch smudge-proof, adhesive-backed photos on ZINK (Zero Ink technology) paper in as little as 50 seconds.
In addition, the printer runs on a rechargeable Li-ion battery. It also comes with a downloadable Canon Mini Print Mobile app that facilitates sharing and adjustments. The app also allows users to add frames, emojis, stickers, filters and text before printing, as well as tile prints and create a photo collage. In rose gold, mint green or slate gray, $129.99.
Brother PJ773 PocketJet 7
This mobile thermal printer is the flagship of Brother’s line of PocketJet 7 printers. The advanced unit can turn out prints in sizes ranging from 4.1×1 inches up to 8.5×18 inches at speeds up to 8 ppm. It also delivers a maximum resolution of 300 dpi.
The device provides USB 2.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity and is powered via an AC adapter. However, it also operates with an optional rechargeable Li-ion battery rated at 600 pages per charge! By using direct thermal printing, it can create crisp, detailed documents without requiring ink or a ribbon. Other features include: an optional DC car adapter; support for Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print and Mopria; and Wi-Fi Direct mobile printing protocols. $459.99.
Kodak Mini 2
This cleanly styled, ultracompact instant photo printer from Kodak connects to Android or iOS smart devices via Wi-Fi. Moreover, thanks to NFC, it can perform one-touch connections to print quickly and easily from a variety of sources. The printer uses D2T2 dye diffusion thermal transfer technology to produce vivid full-color 2.1×3.4-inch prints in about a minute, then overcoats them to protect the photos from damage caused by fingerprints, water, etc.
The power supply for the Kodak Mini 2 is an integrated 620mAh LiPo battery that charges in about 1.5 hours via a micro-USB connection; it provides enough power for 20 prints. With an all-in-one ink and paper cartridge, the printer comes with a free Kodak app for adding filters and cropping, as well as card templates and ID photo printing. In black, white, pink, purple and blue models, $99.99.
Canon Pixma iP110
This Canon mobile inkjet photo printer features an impressive maximum resolution of 9,600×2,400 dpi. In addition, the high-spec unit can turn out prints up to 8.5×23 inches at speeds of 9 inches per minute (ipm) in black and white and 5.8 ipm in color.
This Pixma unit can also make borderless 4×6 photos in 53 seconds, as well as borderless prints in widths up to 8.5 inches. It also incorporates a 50-sheet automatic document feeder, comes with an AC adapter and cord, and accepts an optional battery pack. In addition, the iP110 offers USB 2.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity options. It is also compatible with Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print. Bundled with the printer are My Image Garden and Full HD Movie Print software. $249.99.
Kodak Smile
This instant digital printer from Kodak offers a quick and easy way to print pictures with its intuitive design. Users just load the 2×3-inch adhesive-backed ZINK photo paper with a quick slide insert that makes loading one fluid motion. And, the photos are both smudge-proof and waterproof.
Moreover, using the free Kodak Smile companion app, users can send images to the printer from a smart device via a Bluetooth connection. Pictures can be edited and decorated right in the iOS/Android app, then printed or seamlessly shared on social media. The app also comes with editing, features, color filters, frames and augmented reality technology to bring photos to life. $99.99.
Polaroid Zip
This svelte, compact mobile printer turns out smudge-proof, adhesive-backed 2×3-inch prints in vivid color in about a minute. It prints on thermally based ZINK (Zero Ink technology) paper. The printer interfaces with Android and iOS smart devices via built-in Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC connectivity.
In addition, it includes the Polaroid Print app that allows users to place up to nine images on a single print, apply color filters and HDR effects, as well as enhance brightness, contrast and saturation. Its integrated 500mAh Li-ion battery can produce 25 photos on a single charge. In black, red, aqua or white, $99.99.
Canon Selphy CP1300
This compact Canon photo printer is an attractive, versatile dye-sublimation/thermal transfer printer. While it won’t fit in a pocket, it’s small enough to take along anywhere. And it is powered by AC or an optional battery pack.
The CP1300 turns out prints from 2.1×2.1 inches to classic 4×6 photos at resolutions up to 300 dpi. In addition, it can produce a 4×6 in as little as 47 seconds. The compact unit offers wireless PictBridge printing as well as provides USB 2.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity. It also has a convenient SD card slot and a USB host port. In addition, the printer integrates a 3.2-inch, tilting LCD screen for direct viewing. The Selphy CP1300 comes with Apple AirPrint as well as Canon Print Mobile and Party Shuffle Print apps. In black or white versions, $129.99.
