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Sometimes you want the immediacy of the Polaroid camera—where you snap a photo, and watch it develop in real time (shaking it a bit, for good measure). But the shots are one and done—you don’t get digital files, and you might not be able to fiddle with settings like flash or exposure. A pocket photo printer lets you pick out those favorites from a camera roll or Instagram feed, while still granting the instant gratification and share-ability of a Polaroid camera.
We’ve chosen some of our favorites.
Best overall: Polaroid Hi-Print
Best overall
Quick Shots On The Go
Even if you already own a Polaroid or Instax camera, the Hi-Print is still extremely worth trying—and is a must-buy for Polaroid nerds. Instead of printing your photos before letting you see your shot, this portable printer lets you pick which photos from your camera roll are actually worth printing. Photos are vibrant and business card sized, with a sticker backing that lets you put them anywhere. The Polaroid app includes a basic photo editor, and Bluetooth keeps the whole setup cord-free.
Most nostalgic: Kodak Mini 2 HD Wireless Portable Mobile Instant Photo Printer
Most nostalgic
20, 30, or 50 Refill Packs
Kodak was king in the ’90s, with ubiquitous disposable cameras and rolls of film. They’ve come into the modern age, with a suite of products that recreate the instant print vibes with modern technology. Kodak’s Mini 2 model packs excellent features into an extremely wallet friendly price point.
Best charge speed: Victure 2×3″ Portable Photo Printer
Best charge speed
Quick Charging Device
Victure’s pocket printer comes with an ink cartridge and 10 sheets of photo paper, so you can start printing photos immediately. Setup is a snap. Just download the app—which lets you add emojis, text, and filters to your images before printing—to your iPhone or Android phone. The printer has a clean white interface and only takes an hour to fully charge.
Best for social shots: Kodak All-New Mini 3
Best for social shots
Waterproof Prints
If you’re looking for the perfect pocket printer for your favorite Instagram posts, look no further than Kodak’s Mini 3. Printing images in a 3-by-3-inch square, the Mini 3 was designed to bring your scenic vacation pics and beautiful brunches to life. An easy-to-use phone app lets you design your photos before you print—you can add filters or a clean, white border. These full-bleed photos are even laminated which makes them waterproof and protects them from fingerprints.
Best color selection: HP Sprocket Photo Printer
Best color selection
Create Your Custom Shots
HP’s tiniest printer still delivers excellent photo quality. Like its competitors, this one comes with a photo editor app that lets you add fun stickers and emojis before printing. Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, your friends and family can take turns printing out their favorite pics during events you’ll want to remember—whether at an engagement party, the big game, or just hanging out.