10 Best Compact Photo Printers 2026 in the United States

The Liene M100 is a compact and portable photo printer designed to print vibrant 4x6 inch photos directly from smartphones and PCs, making it a good choice for anyone wanting quick, on-the-go photo prints. It uses thermal dye sublimation technology, which produces sharp, colorful images with a water- and smudge-resistant finish. This ensures your photos will look great and last longer. The printer connects via Wi-Fi by creating its own hotspot, so you don't need an internet network or cables to print. It supports up to five devices at once, which is convenient for sharing with family or friends. The Liene app lets you customize photos by adding borders, filters, or adjusting brightness, adding creative flexibility.

The print speed is about one page per minute, which may not be ideal if you need many photos quickly. The printer weighs over 6 pounds, making it somewhat bulky for a portable model and potentially limiting how easily you carry it around. Consumables such as proprietary cartridges and photo paper come in a large initial pack, but replacement costs could accumulate over time.

The printer offers borderless printing with a decent 300 dpi resolution, providing good quality for casual or home use. It lacks duplex printing and higher-resolution options that professionals might require. The Liene M100 is well-suited for personal photo printing at home or small social gatherings, delivering easy connectivity and solid print quality in a portable format with some trade-offs in speed and cost.

The Kodak Mini 2 Retro is a compact and lightweight photo printer designed for those who want quick, on-the-go printing from their smartphones or tablets. It uses Bluetooth to connect easily with both iPhone and Android devices through the Kodak app, which also lets you edit photos and add fun frames. Its 4PASS dye sublimation technology produces sharp, colorful prints that are water resistant and fingerprint proof, so your photos can last a long time. The print size is small at 2.1 by 3.4 inches, ideal for personal keepsakes like scrapbooks or pocket photo albums.

Portability is a strong point here—the printer weighs just 0.4 pounds and fits easily in a bag or even a large pocket. The print speed is about one photo per minute, which may not be ideal for printing many pictures quickly. The printer only supports single-sided printing and comes with a limited 64 MB memory, but since it prints directly from your device, this isn’t a major issue. It requires D batteries, which are included, making it easy to use anywhere without needing a power outlet.

Considering the typical cost of dye sublimation paper, consumables might be more expensive than regular inkjet paper, which is something to keep in mind if you plan to print frequently. This printer is well suited for casual users or creative hobbyists who prioritize portability and photo quality over speed or larger print sizes.

The Canon SELPHY CP1500 is a compact photo printer designed for people who want to print high-quality photos on the go. It uses dye sublimation technology, which produces sharp and vibrant 4x6 inch prints with good water resistance and durability—your photos can last up to 100 years. The built-in 3.5-inch screen makes it easy to preview and edit photos before printing, including adding filters. Connectivity options are versatile, with Wi-Fi, USB, and memory card support, allowing you to print directly from smartphones, cameras, or computers. Its lightweight design (about 3.5 pounds) and small size make it very portable, and with an optional battery pack, you can print almost anywhere.

The print speed is quite slow, at roughly one color photo per minute, which might not be ideal if you need fast results. Consumables like ink and paper use dye sublimation cartridges, which can be a bit pricey over time, so keep that in mind if you plan to print frequently. This printer is ideal for casual users who prioritize photo quality and portability over speed and cost efficiency.