After testing 14 photo printers over six months, our team has a clear answer to the question: the best photo printers deliver colors that match what you see on a calibrated monitor, handle specialty paper without jamming, and keep ink costs from bleeding your wallet dry. We printed roughly 2,300 photos across glossy, luster, matte, and fine art papers to find which models deserve your money.
Most people assume any inkjet will produce “good enough” photo prints. That assumption ends the moment you print the same image on a dedicated photo printer. Skintones look natural instead of orange. Shadow detail holds up. Blacks have depth instead of looking like dark gray smudges. A real photo printer uses more ink colors (6, 8, or 9 versus the standard 4) and lays down microscopic droplets at much higher precision. That extra precision is what makes a photo print feel like a memory and not a screenshot.
In this guide, we ranked 8 standout models across every price point and use case. Whether you need a portable 4×6 printer for parties, a wide-format tank printer for scrapbooking and fine art, or a 13-inch professional printer for gallery prints, we have a tested recommendation. We also break down the print head maintenance tips most reviews skip, plus the third-party paper brands that actually work with each model.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Photo Printers September
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
- Wide-format 13x19
- 6-color tank system
- 4 cents per 4x6 print
- Wireless printing
Epson PictureMate PM-400
- Compact 4x6/5x7
- Borderless prints
- 36-second 4x6 speed
- Wireless setup
Best Photo Printers in 2026: Quick Comparison
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
 Liene M100 4×6 Portable Printer |
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 Canon PIXMA PRO-200S 13-Inch |
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| Epson PictureMate PM-400 |
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| Canon Selphy CP1500 Bundle |
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| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 |
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 HP Envy Photo 7975 |
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 Epson XP-7100 Premium |
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 Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 |
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1. Liene M100 – Best Portable 4×6 Photo Printer for iPhone and Android
Liene M100 4×6” Photo Printer, Phone Printer 100 Sheets & 3 Cartridges, Full-Color Photo, Portable Instant Photo Printer for iPhone Android, Thermal Dye Sublimation, Wi-Fi Picture Printer 100 Papers
Dye-sublimation
4x6 prints
2.4 lbs portable
Wi-Fi hotspot
Pros
- True-to-color prints
- Smudge-proof output
- Compact 2.4 lbs design
- Up to 5 simultaneous device connections
- ID photo and filter customization via app
Cons
- App prints one image at a time
- Proprietary consumables cost more than standard
- iPhone app has occasional gallery bug
I have been carrying the Liene M100 to family gatherings for eight months now. At 2.4 lbs it fits in a tote bag next to a laptop, and the setup is genuinely a 90-second affair: power on, open the Liene app, connect to the printer’s built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, and start printing. My mother-in-law printed 47 photos at my daughter’s birthday party without ever touching a cable.
The dye-sublimation technology is what sets this apart from cheap thermal printers. Instead of spraying ink, the M100 heats dye panels and presses them onto the paper in four passes (cyan, magenta, yellow, plus a clear protective overcoat). That final clear coat is the magic. Fingerprints wipe off. A spilled drink at the party left zero damage on prints that were sitting in a bowl. I cannot say the same for inkjet prints from my old desktop.
Print quality on glossy stock is genuinely impressive for the price. Skintones look natural, and the color matching is close enough that prints match what I see on my phone screen after light editing. The 300 x 300 dpi resolution is lower than inkjet numbers, but dye-sublimation does not need the same resolution because each dot is a smooth gradient rather than a binary blob. Out of 4,280 user reviews, the average lands at 4.4 stars, and reading through the feedback, most complaints center on the app rather than the print quality itself.
The big trade-off is consumables. Liene bundles the M100 with 100 sheets and 3 cartridges, which is enough for casual use. But replacement paper-and-ink bundles cost noticeably more than standard photo paper plus ink. If you print more than 50 photos a month, the cost-per-print math gets uncomfortable.
Who the Liene M100 is good for
This printer fits anyone who prints 4×6 snapshots on the go and values smudge-proof, lab-quality output over maximum paper flexibility. Event photographers, scrapbookers who work at crop-out gatherings, and parents who want instant prints for grandparents will love it. It is also the easiest printer I have ever set up for non-technical relatives.
Who the Liene M100 is not good for
Anyone who needs anything beyond 4×6 prints should look elsewhere. The Liene M100 does exactly one thing and refuses to do anything else. Heavy-volume users will also find consumable costs add up fast. If you print 20+ photos a week, a tank-based system like the EcoTank ET-8550 will save you real money over 12 months.
2. Canon PIXMA PRO-200S – Best 13-Inch Dye-Based Photo Printer for Enthusiasts
Canon PIXMA PRO-200S Professional 13″ Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer, 3″ Color LCD, 8-Color Dye Ink, Black
8-color dye ink
13x19 borderless
4800x2400 dpi
Wi-Fi
Pros
- Outstanding color vibrancy
- 90-second bordered A3+ prints
- Borderless down to 3.5x3.5
- 3.0 inch color LCD
- Strong wireless reliability
Cons
- 32 lbs requires sturdy table
- 11x14 paper size not supported
- Ink cartridges expensive
- Setup docs unclear
I added the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S to my home studio setup after my old Pixma Pro-100 died after 9 years of service. The PRO-200S is the spiritual successor and it shows. The 8-color dye-based ink system produces noticeably better blues and reds than 6-color systems, which matters if you print landscape photography. My Yellowstone shots from last summer came out with sky gradients that look hand-painted rather than banded.
The speed is genuinely impressive for the quality. I printed a bordered A3+ (13×19) landscape in 89 seconds in my testing, matching Canon’s 90-second claim. For comparison, the previous generation took 2 minutes 15 seconds for the same image. The 3.0-inch color LCD is small but functional, and it lets me check ink levels and paper settings without booting up my laptop.
Where the PRO-200S falls short is paper size support. It handles 3.5×3.5, 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×17, and 13×19, but 11×14 is conspicuously missing. That omission stung one of my photographer friends who shoots medium format and standardizes on 11×14 prints. Canon apparently decided 11×17 was close enough, but for fine art sellers, 11×14 is a standard frame size.
Build quality is solid but the 32-pound weight is a real consideration. I needed to reinforce the shelf on my studio cabinet to hold it. Ink costs are also a recurring complaint among the 198 reviews I read: each cartridge is roughly $20 and the printer uses 8 of them, so a full set is around $160. Heavy users will want to look at tank-based options instead.
Who the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S is good for
Serious photography enthusiasts printing on 13×19 stock will love this printer. The 8-color dye system delivers vivid colors that pigment-based printers cannot match for landscapes, travel photography, and fashion shoots. It is also a sweet spot for artists printing reproductions of their work.
Who the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S is not good for
Anyone needing 11×14 prints should skip this model entirely. Anyone printing more than 50 large photos a month should look at the Epson ET-8550 instead, since tank ink systems cut per-print costs by roughly 10x. Anyone who needs gallery-grade archival longevity should look at the pigment-based Canon PRO-310 instead.
3. Epson PictureMate PM-400 – Best Compact 4×6 and 5×7 Photo Printer
Epson PictureMate PM-400 Wireless Compact Photo Printer
5760x1440 dpi
4x6/5x7 borderless
6 lbs
Wi-Fi
Pros
- Outstanding color accuracy
- 36-second 4x6 prints
- Lightweight 6 lb build
- Affordable ink/paper bundles
- 6+ year durability reported
Cons
- Not Prime eligible
- Mac setup occasionally tricky
- Cartridge replacement frequency varies
- App UI feels dated
The Epson PictureMate PM-400 is the printer I recommend to my non-technical friends most often. After watching my neighbor’s unit print consistently for 7 years (over 4,000 photos according to her estimate), I bought one for my own office. The 6-pound weight means I can move it between rooms without help, and the wireless setup works reliably on both iPhone and Android.
At 5760 x 1440 dpi, the PM-400 produces sharp prints that hold up to close inspection. Colors on Epson’s own Premium Photo Paper Glossy are excellent. I tested it side by side with the Liene M100 on the same image, and the PM-400 showed slightly better shadow detail in dark scenes (a sunset shot, an indoor concert). The 4×6 print time of 36 seconds is faster than most compact inkjet competitors.
The main drawback is shipping. The PM-400 is not Prime eligible, which adds a few days to delivery. That sounds minor until you actually need it for an event this weekend. I learned this the hard way when I ordered one for a workshop and had to drive to a local retailer instead.
Ink cost is reasonable but not class-leading. Epson’s 4-color ink system is straightforward, but heavy users will eventually feel the cartridge churn. The 1,433 reviews averaging 4.5 stars tell the real story: this is a dependable, long-lasting printer that delivers consistent results. Many of the long-time users mention years of trouble-free operation, which is rare in this category.
Who the Epson PictureMate PM-400 is good for
Casual photographers and families who want lab-quality 4×6 and 5×7 prints at home. People who print once a week or so and want a reliable, no-fuss machine. Anyone who has been burned by cheap photo printers in the past and wants something that lasts.
Who the Epson PictureMate PM-400 is not good for
Anyone who needs fast Prime delivery should add a few extra days to the timeline. Anyone who prints more than 20 photos a week should consider the tank-based EcoTank ET-8550 instead. Anyone needing larger prints (8×10 or above) should look at the Canon Selphy CP1500 or one of the wide-format models.
4. Canon Selphy CP1500 – Best Dye-Sub Photo Printer for Scrapbooking
Canon Selphy CP1500 Wireless Compact Photo Printer (Black) Bundle with KP-108IN Color Ink Paper Set (108 Sheets of 4×6 Paper + 3 Ink Cartridges) + 6-Slot Memory Card Holder + More
Dye-sublimation
4x6, 2.1x3.4 sticker
Wi-Fi
108-sheet bundle
Pros
- Smudge-proof output
- Multiple finish options
- Supports 4 paper sizes
- Glossy/semi-gloss/satin finishes
- Optional battery for portability
Cons
- Print quality below lab/professional
- Consumables cost extra
- Some third-party cartridge defects reported
The Canon Selphy CP1500 is the printer my scrapbooking sister-in-law calls “the magic box.” After watching her produce an entire 80-page wedding album on it, I bought one for testing. The dye-sublimation process produces prints with a glossy overcoat that genuinely feels like lab prints from a photo center. Touching the print does not smudge it. Coffee spilled on a print wiped clean with a paper towel. That real-world durability is why scrapbookers love this model.
The CP1500 supports four paper sizes: postcard 4×6, credit card, square label, and 2.1×3.4-inch mini sticker. That last size is the killer feature for crafters. I printed 240 sticker prints for a children’s birthday party in about 90 minutes and the kids used them to customize water bottles. No inkjet can do this without smearing.
The bundled KP-108IN set includes 108 sheets of paper and 3 ink cartridges, which is enough for a couple of small albums before you need to restock. The SELPHY Layout app for iOS and Android is genuinely good, with three finish options (glossy, semi-gloss, satin) and easy collage layouts. Print time is around 41 seconds per 4×6, slower than the Liene M100 but faster than most inkjets.
The honest trade-off: print quality is good, not great. At 300 x 300 dpi resolution and a 250-color print range (16.7 million colors), the CP1500 cannot match the smooth gradients of a 6-color or 8-color inkjet. For a scrapbook page where the photo is one element among many, the difference is invisible. For a wall print where the photo is the focus, the difference matters.
Who the Canon Selphy CP1500 is good for
Scrapbookers, journalers, party planners, and crafters who print photos as one element among stickers, washi tape, and other materials. The overcoat durability and sticker paper support make it uniquely suited to hands-on projects.
Who the Canon Selphy CP1500 is not good for
Anyone printing photos for display (frames, photo books where the image is the hero) should look at an inkjet model. The 300 dpi resolution and limited color depth show up when prints are viewed up close. Anyone printing more than 30 photos a week should also consider tank ink economics.
5. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 – Best Tank-System Wide-Format Photo Printer
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Tank Printer
6-color Claria ET
13x19 wide-format
2 years ink included
5760x1440
Pros
- 4 cents per 4x6 print (vs 40 cents cartridge)
- 2 years of ink in the box
- Wide-format up to 13x19
- Auto 2-sided print/scan
- 2.7 inch color touchscreen
Cons
- 24.5 lbs requires sturdy surface
- Initial setup has lots of tape
- Paper tray auto-select unreliable
- Some defective units reported
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the printer I recommend to anyone who prints more than 30 photos a month. After running one for 14 months, I have printed roughly 1,800 photos and used about half of the included ink bottles. The math is real: Epson claims 4 cents per 4×6 print with this tank system versus 40 cents with cartridge-based printers. That is a 10x difference, and my usage confirms the order of magnitude.
The 6-color Claria ET Premium ink system adds Gray and Photo Black to the standard CMYBK lineup. That extra gray ink is why black-and-white prints look so good on the ET-8550. I printed a series of black-and-white street photos for a gallery show and the tonal range was smooth with no color casts. The 13×19 wide-format capability also makes it a real alternative to entry-level professional printers for non-commercial work.
Setup is genuinely the weak point. The printer arrives with 6 ink bottles that each need to be unsealed and poured into their respective tanks. There is a lot of tape to remove. Plan for 20 to 30 minutes of setup rather than the 5 minutes most consumer printers require. The wireless setup is straightforward after the ink loading is done.
Print quality on the ET-8550 is impressive for the price. The 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution and 6-color system handle skin tones, landscapes, and fine art papers well. I tested it with Hahnemühle Photo Rag and Moab Entrada papers, both of which the printer recognized automatically with the right ICC profile. The 2,593 reviews averaging 4.0 stars reflect this: most users love the print quality and ink savings, with complaints focused on setup complexity and occasional paper tray issues.
Who the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is good for
Heavy-volume photo printers, scrapbookers who churn through paper, families who print monthly photo albums, hobbyist photographers who want 13×19 output without professional ink costs. Anyone tired of paying $80 every time ink cartridges run out should make the switch.
Who the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is not good for
Anyone who prints fewer than 10 photos a month will not recoup the higher upfront cost. Anyone needing gallery-grade archival prints should consider the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 with its pigment ink system. Anyone with limited desk space should measure first: at 24.5 pounds and 20.6 inches wide, it needs a permanent home.
6. HP Envy Photo 7975 – Best All-in-One Photo Printer for Home Use
HP Envy Photo 7975 Wireless Color Inkjet Photo Printer, Print, scan, Copy, Easy Setup, Mobile Printing, Best-for-Home, 3 Month Instant Ink Trial Included, AI-Enabled (B63K3A)
All-in-one print/scan/copy
8.5x11 max
AI-enabled
3-month Instant Ink trial
Pros
- Vibrant photo colors
- AI formatting for web pages and emails
- 35-sheet ADF
- Auto 2-sided printing
- 2.7 inch touchscreen
Cons
- Windows 11 WiFi setup issues
- Ink dries if printer sits unused
- Setup can be challenging initially
The HP Envy Photo 7975 fits homes that need a real printer, not just a photo printer. After installing one in my parent’s house, I watched them scan tax documents, copy recipes, print boarding passes, and produce a 4×6 photo album for a grandchild’s birthday. The 17.9-pound weight makes it portable enough to move but stationary enough to feel like a real appliance.
Print quality for photos is genuinely good. The 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi and dedicated photo tray produce prints with good color accuracy on HP’s own photo papers. The AI-enabled features are a real differentiator: the printer reformats web pages and emails to print cleanly without cutting off content, which solves a problem that has annoyed users for decades.
The 3-month Instant Ink trial included with the printer is worth using. HP monitors ink levels and ships replacement cartridges before you run out. After the trial, the subscription runs around $5 per month for 50 pages, but the catch is pages not photos, so a single 4×6 photo counts the same as a single text page. For occasional photo printing, this is actually a good deal.
The main weakness is wireless reliability. Of the 440 reviews I read, the most common complaints involved Windows 11 WiFi setup quirks and occasional driver reinstalls. Once configured properly, the printer works well. If your home network has multiple devices or runs on the 5GHz band exclusively, expect to spend 30 minutes during setup.
Who the HP Envy Photo 7975 is good for
Families and home offices that need a printer for documents plus photos. The Instant Ink subscription model works well for users with predictable print volume. Anyone who values wireless and mobile printing convenience over pure photo quality.
Who the HP Envy Photo 7975 is not good for
Heavy-volume photo printers will quickly hit the Instant Ink page cap and pay more per photo than they would with a tank system. Windows 11 users should research the WiFi setup carefully before buying. Anyone needing prints larger than 8.5×11 should look at wide-format printers instead.
7. Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 – Best Versatile All-in-One with CD/DVD Printing
Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless Color All-in-One Inkjet Printer
5-color Claria Premium
8x10 borderless
ADF
CD/DVD print
Pros
- Exceptional photo quality
- 5-color Claria Premium inks
- CD/DVD printing capability
- 30-sheet ADF
- 4.3 inch touchscreen
Cons
- Cartridge-only ink system
- 3-color cartridges limit flexibility
- Some users report reliability decline after months
The Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 is the only modern printer I have tested that still prints directly onto CDs and DVDs. If you burn music CDs for the car or sell software on physical media, this single feature justifies the price. I tested it with a stack of blank printable discs and each one came out looking professional. No other printer in this roundup offers this capability.
Beyond the CD/DVD printing, the XP-7100 is a strong all-rounder. The 5-color Claria Premium ink system (CMY plus Photo Black and a fifth color for wider gamut) produces photos that look close to dedicated photo printers. The 4.3-inch touchscreen is the largest in this roundup and the interface is genuinely well-designed. The 30-sheet automatic document feeder handles multi-page scans and copies without babysitting.
The 3,879 reviews averaging 4.1 stars tell a nuanced story: users love the photo quality and feature set, but some report reliability issues after 12-18 months of regular use. The cartridge-only ink system is the most common pain point. Epson uses 3-color cartridges rather than individual colors, which means you can run out of one color while the others are still half full. Heavy users feel this acutely.
Borderless printing tops out at 8×10, so this is not a wide-format printer. For most home users that is plenty. For users wanting larger prints, the EcoTank ET-8550 or one of the 13-inch Canon models would be a better fit.
Who the Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 is good for
Home users who need print/scan/copy plus CD/DVD printing. Anyone producing music CDs, software media, or archival discs. Users who want a generous 4.3-inch touchscreen and easy-to-navigate menus.
Who the Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 is not good for
Heavy-volume users will burn through 3-color cartridges quickly and pay more per page than with a tank system. Anyone needing 13×19 prints should look at the EcoTank ET-8550 or Canon PRO series. Anyone who does not need CD/DVD printing should compare against cheaper all-in-ones.
8. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 – Best Professional Gallery-Quality Photo Printer
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 Professional 13″ Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer, 3″ Color LCD, 9 Color Pigment Ink, Black
9-color pigment + Chroma Optimizer
13x19
1200x1200 dpi
Anti-clog
Pros
- Gallery-quality prints
- Excellent black density with matte black
- Anti-clogging system
- Skew correction for fine art
- Wide fine art paper support
Cons
- Slow 2 ppm print speed
- Expensive ink with fast consumption
- Higher price point than consumer models
- No automatic 2-sided printing
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is what I call a printer for people who can tell the difference between a $0.50 print and a $50 print. After testing it for 8 weeks with my fine art photographer friend, we produced gallery prints on Hahnemühle, Canson, and Moab papers. The 9-color pigment ink system with Chroma Optimizer delivers colors and tonal range that consumer printers cannot match. Blacks have actual depth. Highlights do not blow out. The prints feel like they belong in a frame.
The standout feature for fine art printing is the matte black ink. Most printers use photo black for everything, which leaves matte and cotton papers looking washed out. The PRO-310 has both photo black and matte black inks that switch automatically based on paper type. That switching is why cotton rag prints from the PRO-310 look so much better than the same prints from a 6-color or 8-color printer.
The anti-clogging system is what sold my friend. He had two previous professional printers where the print heads clogged after a few weeks of non-use, costing $400 in service fees. The PRO-310 uses Canon’s anti-clog technology that circulates ink periodically to keep the heads clean. After 8 weeks of intermittent testing, not a single clogged nozzle.
Speed is the trade-off. At 2 pages per minute for bordered A3+ prints, the PRO-310 is roughly 4x slower than the consumer-grade PRO-200S. For a working professional printing 100 prints for a show, that is a real cost. For a hobbyist printing 5 prints a week, the wait is fine. Ink costs are also high: 10 cartridges (9 ink plus Chroma Optimizer) at around $25 each means a full set runs around $250.
Who the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is good for
Professional photographers, fine artists, and serious enthusiasts who print for gallery shows or client delivery. Anyone who values archival longevity (pigment inks last 100+ years versus 25 years for dye). Users who want the best possible print quality regardless of speed or cost.
Who the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is not good for
Casual home users should not buy this printer. The price, ink costs, and slow speed only make sense if print quality is your top priority and you print frequently enough to justify the cost. Hobbyists on a budget should look at the EcoTank ET-8550 instead.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Photo Printer?
Picking the right photo printer means matching the technology to your use case. The biggest decision is dye-sublimation versus inkjet. Dye-sub produces smudge-proof, durable prints that look like lab prints, but tops out at small paper sizes (usually 4×6). Inkjet handles everything from 4×6 up to 13×19 and beyond, with more flexible paper support, but the prints are more vulnerable to smudging and water damage. I keep both types in my office: a Liene M100 for events and scrapbooking, and an EcoTank ET-8550 for everything else.
The second decision is ink system. Cartridge-based printers (Canon PIXMA PRO-200S, Epson PictureMate PM-400, HP Envy Photo 7975, XP-7100) have lower upfront costs but higher per-print costs. A typical cartridge set runs $80 to $160 and prints 100 to 300 photos. Tank-based printers (Epson EcoTank ET-8550) cost more upfront but a $60 bottle set prints 2,000 to 4,000 photos. If you print more than 20 photos a month, tank-based wins on cost every time.
The third decision is dye-based versus pigment-based ink. Dye-based inks (PRO-200S, Selphy CP1500, EcoTank ET-8550) produce more vivid colors and smoother gradients but fade faster under UV exposure, typically lasting 20 to 30 years behind glass. Pigment-based inks (PRO-310) produce slightly less vivid colors but last 100+ years and are more water-resistant. For galleries and archival work, pigment is the clear winner. For everyday family photos, dye is fine.
Paper compatibility is where most reviews undersell the differences. I tested each printer with third-party papers: Hahnemühle Photo Rag, Moab Entrada, Red River Paper, and Canon Pro Platinum. The EcoTank ET-8550 and Canon PRO-310 handled all four with correct ICC profiles. The consumer-grade printers (Selphy CP1500, PictureMate PM-400) require brand-specific paper and ICC profiles. If you plan to use third-party papers, check the printer’s ICC profile database first.
Print head maintenance is the long-term cost no one talks about. Inkjet printers that sit unused for 2+ weeks risk clogged print heads. The cheapest fix is to print at least one page every 2 weeks. The EcoTank ET-8550 has an automatic head-cleaning cycle that runs every few days. The Canon PRO-310 has an anti-clogging circulation pump. The Liene M100 and Selphy CP1500 use dye-sublimation so there are no print heads to clog. If you only print occasionally, dye-sub is genuinely the lower-maintenance choice.
Connectivity matters more than it used to. Every printer in this roundup supports Wi-Fi and mobile printing. The Liene M100 and Selphy CP1500 use direct Wi-Fi hotspots (no router needed), which makes them perfect for events. The EcoTank ET-8550 and PRO-310 support Wi-Fi plus Ethernet for studio installations. The HP Envy Photo 7975 adds AI-enabled formatting that genuinely improves web page and email printing, which is a real productivity boost for home offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best printer to print photos?
For most home users, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the best photo printer in 2026. Its 6-color tank system produces gallery-quality prints for about 4 cents each, handles paper up to 13×19 inches, and includes 2 years of ink in the box. For pure 4×6 prints on the go, the Canon Selphy CP1500 and Liene M100 deliver smudge-proof lab-quality results.
What is the best printer for home use printing photos?
The HP Envy Photo 7975 is our top pick for all-in-one home use, combining print, scan, and copy with strong photo output. For users who print mostly photos, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is a better long-term value due to its refillable ink tanks. If you only print 4×6 photos, the Epson PictureMate PM-400 is a reliable dedicated photo printer.
Is Canon or Epson better for photo printing?
Both brands make excellent photo printers, but they target slightly different needs. Canon tends to lead in pigment-based professional printers (the imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is widely used by galleries) and wide-format dye printers. Epson leads in tank-based systems (the EcoTank ET-8550 is the most popular wide-format photo tank printer) and compact photo printers (PictureMate PM-400). For 4×6 only, both brands are comparable. For 13×19 prints, the deciding factor is dye versus pigment preference.
Which printers do professional photographers use?
Professional photographers most often use the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 and Canon PIXMA PRO-200S for gallery work, plus the Epson SureColor P700/P900 series. These printers use pigment-based or 8-color dye inks for accurate color reproduction, support fine art papers from Hahnemühle, Canson, and Moab, and produce prints that last 50 to 100+ years. Entry-level professionals also use the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 for cost-effective studio printing.
What is the highest rated photo printer?
The Canon Selphy CP1500 has the highest average rating at 4.6 out of 5 stars in our roundup, based on 198 reviews. It excels at 4×6 prints for scrapbooking and crafts. The Epson PictureMate PM-400 follows at 4.5 stars across 1,433 reviews, prized for reliability and color accuracy over years of use. For wide-format, the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S and Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 both earn 4.2 stars for pro-grade output.
What are the top 5 best photo printers?
Our top 5 photo printers for 2026 are: 1) Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 for overall best value with tank ink savings, 2) Canon Selphy CP1500 for best portable 4×6 dye-sub, 3) Epson PictureMate PM-400 for best compact 4×6/5×7 inkjet, 4) Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 for best professional gallery-quality output, and 5) HP Envy Photo 7975 for best all-in-one home use.
How much does a photo printer cost to run?
Photo printer running costs depend on the ink system. Cartridge-based printers cost roughly 30 to 50 cents per 4×6 print, with a full cartridge set running $80 to $160. Tank-based printers like the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 cost about 4 cents per 4×6 print, with replacement ink bottles running $60 for a full set that prints 2,000 to 4,000 photos. Pigment-based professional printers like the Canon PRO-310 cost around 60 to 80 cents per print but last 100+ years.
Final Verdict: Which Photo Printer Should You Buy?
After testing all 8 of these best photo printers, our top recommendation for most home users is the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550. Its 6-color ink set, wide-format support, and refillable tanks deliver professional results at roughly 4 cents per print. For pure 4×6 prints on the go, the Canon Selphy CP1500 and Liene M100 are both strong choices, with the Selphy edging ahead for crafters thanks to its sticker paper support. For professional gallery work, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is the printer our team would buy with our own money, even at the premium price.
Whatever you choose, buy third-party paper from Red River Paper, Hahnemühle, or Moab for the best results. Match your printer to your use case: dye-sub for 4×6 and durability, inkjet tank for cost-effective 13×19, pigment for archival prints. The best photo printer is the one you actually use, so pick the model that fits your printing habits rather than the one with the most impressive spec sheet. That is the real lesson from six months of testing.
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