10 Best Photo Printers

The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 A3+ Wi-Fi Ink Tank Photo Printer stands out with its impressive 6-colour ink system, including a new grey ink for excellent black and white photo prints, and pigment black ink for sharp text. This makes it ideal for both photo enthusiasts and those needing high-quality document prints. The high print resolution ensures detailed and vibrant images, while the ability to print up to A3+ size adds versatility for larger projects.

The printer's ink tank system is very economical, allowing for up to 2,300 high-quality photo prints per set of ink bottles, which also makes refilling easy and mess-free. This is a significant advantage for users who print frequently, helping to save on long-term costs. Connectivity options are robust, with Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Ethernet, making integration into home or office setups simple. The addition of SD card and USB flash drive compatibility, along with a 10.9cm color touchscreen, offers modern flexibility and ease of use.

The printer also supports artistic media, including craft papers and card, as well as direct printing on CDs/DVDs, catering to creative users. However, at 11.1 kilograms, the printer is relatively heavy and may not be easily portable. Additionally, while the monochrome print speed is reasonable at 16 ppm and color at 12 ppm, it may not be the fastest option for heavy-duty office environments. The Epson Smart Panel app provides convenient control from smart devices, enhancing user experience. Despite being energy-efficient with Micro Piezo heat-free technology, the printer's larger size (37.9D x 52.3W x 16.9H cm) might be a consideration for those with limited space. With a solid customer rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, this printer is well-regarded for its print quality and versatility, making it a strong contender for photo printing needs.

The Kodak Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer is designed mainly for users who want quick, easy printing of photos directly from their smartphones or tablets. It supports both Apple and Android devices with Bluetooth connectivity, making it convenient for mobile use. The printer uses 4PASS dye sublimation technology, which produces good quality photos with vibrant colours and a protective laminate layer, helping resist fingerprints and water damage. The print resolution reaches up to 1200 x 1200 dpi, which is decent for 4x6-inch photo prints.

Print speed is quite slow at about 1 page per minute, so it’s best suited for printing a few photos at a time rather than large batches. It handles glossy photo paper sized 4x6 inches, with an input capacity of up to 80 sheets, which is handy if you plan to print regularly. The device also gives the option to print photos with or without borders, and you can add dates or decorative elements through the Kodak Photo Printer app, which adds a fun, personal touch.

In terms of portability, the printer is fairly compact and lightweight (2 kg), but it is corded electric, so it needs a power source during use. The inclusion of a phone charging dock is a nice bonus for phone users. The printer is budget-friendly, especially when buying photo paper bundles, making it an affordable home photo printer. While it supports wireless connection, it lacks other connectivity options like Wi-Fi or USB direct printing, which might limit flexibility for some users. Colour accuracy is good but not professional-grade, so it’s best for casual photo printing rather than high-end photography needs. The Kodak Dock Plus is a user-friendly, affordable photo printer ideal for printing snapshots from your phone with decent quality and some creative app features, but it’s not suited for high-volume or professional photo printing.

The Epson EcoTank ET-8500 is a solid choice for those looking to produce high-quality photos at home without breaking the bank on ink costs. Its 6-color ink system, including a new grey ink, allows for vibrant colors and sharp black and white prints, making it ideal for photo enthusiasts who require excellent color accuracy. With a print resolution of 1200 dpi, the details in photographs are captured well, which is a key consideration for any photo printer.

One of the prominent strengths of the ET-8500 is its cost efficiency. The use of refillable ink tanks rather than traditional cartridges means you can print up to 2,300 photos with a single set of ink bottles, reducing recurring expenses and environmental impact. Additionally, the printer supports a wide variety of media types, from standard A4 to more creative options like CDs/DVDs and thick craft paper, offering great versatility for creative projects.

Connectivity won’t be an issue as this printer offers Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Ethernet options, along with the capability to print directly from SD cards and USB drives. This flexibility is complemented by the Epson Smart Panel App, which allows printing and troubleshooting straight from a smartphone, enhancing user convenience.

Potential buyers should be aware that while the print speed is reasonable at 12 ppm for color, it's not the fastest available, so it may not be ideal for high-volume printing needs. Also, being an all-in-one unit and weighing 11.1 kg, it’s not particularly portable or compact, making it better suited for a stationary setup in a home office or studio.

In essence, the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 offers excellent photo quality and cost-effective printing, making it a strong contender for home users and hobbyists focused on high-quality image reproduction, though its speed and size may not suit everyone.