4 Best Photo Printers for Quick and Easy Printing

To select the eight models to test, we extensively researched top-rated printer brands and models. We also looked at products we considered to be innovative and different than what is typically thought of when printers come to mind, and tested printers that were portable and paired with smartphones.

We started by assessing how easy it is to interact with the printer's interface. This included testing the buttons, touchscreens and the overall user interface. We wanted to know if the controls felt intuitive, if settings were simple to adjust and if following any Quick Start Guide or tutorial videos made the process a little easier.

Since most printers come with companion apps or software, we installed and tested them to see how easy they were to use for functions like scanning, making edits and adjusting key settings. Besides interacting with software, we also spent weeks printing photos and documents. We paid close attention to how easy it was to replace ink cartridges and refill photo paper based on convenience and time.

For printers with scanning functionality, we scanned images and documents and rated how easy it was to do so and transfer JPGs and PDFs to our computers, smartphones or tablets. If the process required unnecessary steps or felt clunky, we made a note of it. We awarded bonus points to models that featured a diverse connectivity set and believe that a solid photo printer should let you print multiple ways, whether it’s wirelessly over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or using more traditional formats like USB or via a memory card.

Of course, the core feature of any photo printer is how well it prints. We tested each model by printing three types of documents: text, graphics and photos. We compared the prints to the original files on a computer screen, looking at color accuracy, sharpness and overall quality.

For copying, we focused on how well the printer replicated both text documents and photos, paying special attention to detail and clarity. We even timed how long it took to print our documents and photos and averaged the results for accuracy and used a decibel meter to note how loud the printers were, so you don’t have to worry about disrupting your co-workers or loved ones.

✔️ Types of printers and paper: As you’ve probably already realized, there are a plethora of printers to choose with a wide range of different price points and feature sets. Some use traditional ink cartridges, while others rely on photo-reactive paper or even special film. Plus, there are models that can print on both regular paper and glossy photo paper. It's essential to know which type of paper the printer requires before buying because using the wrong kind will waste ink, paper and your valuable time.

✔️ Printer size: Printers come in all shapes and sizes, from bulky all-in-one models to sleek, portable options. The portable ones are great if you want something compact, but they often have limitations when it comes to print size. If you’re planning to print anything larger than an 8.5 x 11-inch page, you’ll need a full-sized model.

✔️ Cost-effectiveness: While the upfront cost of a printer matters, the long-term expenses of ink and paper are just as important. Some printers require expensive ink cartridges, while others use proprietary printing paper. If you plan on printing frequently, it’s worth looking into the cost of refills and special photo paper so you aren’t caught off guard by recurring costs to use your new printer.

✔️ Printer connections: Not all printers connect the same way, so be sure to double-check the printer’s connection options before you buy. Some are smartphone-only and use Bluetooth or a dedicated app, while others can connect over Wi-Fi to your phone or computer. A few even have SD or memory card slots, which are handy if you want to print photos directly from your camera.

Brandon Carte wrote this article. He has over a decade of experience testing and researching products, from instant film cameras to pizza ovens and wireless routers. He has a degree from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, where he specialized in visual communication and computer science.

Alec Scherma oversaw the testing for this guide. He is a mechanical engineer at the Good Housekeeping Institute with a passion for testing tech products and appliances. Over the past couple of years, he's put everything from portable AC units to video game consoles and even solar Christmas lights through their paces. His engineering expertise allows him to develop and refine testing protocols for a wide range of consumer electronics.