best photo printer

The 3 Best Photo Printers To buy in 2019

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Introduction to tthe Best Photo Printer

Smartphones cameras have improved tremendously, and some of them are even rivaling with digital cameras out there. Thanks to insane camera software and AI, smartphones such as the Google Pixel 3 and the Huawei P30 are more than capable of capturing dynamic pictures at wide angles, under bright sunlight, during the night and in a dozen other conditions. While we appreciate the major strides made by these smartphones, there is still something about physical photos that we are still attached to fondly, and since you are reading this review, I take it that you also want a physical album filled with your photos. The good news for us is that technology has also improved photo printing significantly. Not only can you now print dozens of photos almost instantly, the overall quality and detailing of the photos has also improved significantly. However, not all photo printers out there can deliver this. It’s for that reason that we invested the time and tested dozens of printers in search of the ultimate photo printer. But before all that:

What factors should you consider when looking for the best photo printer?

The following are some of the key aspects that you need to look into in your quest for the best printer:

Type of Printer

In general, we have two distinct types of printers:

Ink Jet – Ink Jet photo printers are good in that they can also double up as a reliable printer for your school assignments and other formal documents. This printer is a good choice if you are into photography, but you also have a lot of school or office stuff to do, and you don’t want to invest in two separate units.

Dye Sublimation – Dye Sublimation printer is the perfect choice for all the professionals. These printers make high-res photos with lots of details. Sadly, most of these printers are usually very expensive, and they are also exclusively meant for photo printing.

Ink Quality

Color printers have two key sources of inks, and the choice you make will directly determine how stunning your photos will look:

  • Coloring Agent-Based Inks – These produce standard photos, but they are typically very affordable.
  • Pigment Based Inks – These light-resistant inks produce vivid photos, but they can be quite expensive.

Resolution

It doesn’t matter whether you are doing photography as a side thing or if it is a serious hustle to you, but resolution is the one place you don’t want to compromise. There is really no point in engaging in photo printing in the first place if you are not even going to get quality prints. At the bare minimum, we’d recommend that you go for a 4800 x 1200 dpi printer. We understand that other low-res printers may be very luring with low prices but they are just not worth it. Here is an idea for you, save the cash and get yourself a high-res printer that will make phots that you can actually be proud of. A printer that you can use for the foreseeable future before you are forced to make an upgrade.

Other factors you need to take into consideration include:

  • Speed
  • Number of prints
  • Compatibility with digital storage devices
  • Size of the printer

Our Top Picks

Canon iP8720 Inkjet Wireless Printer

The Canon iP8720 Wireless Printers has so many brilliant things going for it. This item boasts of 9600 x 2400 dpi and 6-color ink system that works together to deliver astonishing photos. Whether you are looking for highly-detailed black and white prints or detailed color photos, the iP8720 will definitely do some worthy justice to your photographs and documents.

The printer’s performance is further enhanced by a myriad of other features including Google cloud print, Airprint, and PIXMA Printing Solutions or PPS. In simple terms, Canon has harnessed all this tech not just to increase the quality of your photos but also to enhance your experience. For instance, the PIXMA Printing Solutions allows you to print photos from all compatible mobile devices. The inbuilt Wireless support also makes it easy to print photos from anywhere in the room through Wi-Fi. On the other hand, AirPrint allows you to print through compatible iPads, iPhones, and iPods, and the best part is that you don’t have to install any additional drivers to get started. 

The printers also support printing on DVDs and CDs and through the Full HD Movie Print software, the iP8720 makes it possible to make amazing prints.

Other Features

  • Massive 13” by 19” prints
  • Supports borderless prints at 4 by 6 inches
  • ChromaLife 100+
  • My Image Garden for a fun and organized printing experience
  • Creative Park Premium
  • Quiet Mode
  • Google Cloud Print
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • 1, 2 and 5 ink droplet sizes

HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Wireless Printer

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 is in this list due to its versatility. Not only can this printer serve as a reliable and high-quality photo printer, but you can also use it to copy, scan, and even fax documents. What I find really crazy is not the inclusion of all these functions but rather how brilliantly they’ve all been achieved. Other than getting your high-res photos, you can also do two-sided color prints, and make copies and scans at lightning speeds to save yourself just enough personal time to do some exceptional borderless prints; all in a single unit; just how brilliant is that?

The printer features a color touchscreen which should make it very easy for you to navigate through the various configurations. It is also instant ink ready, and the automatic document feeder makes printing an effortless endeavor.

The HP Pro 8720 is configured to support wireless printing. This has been achieved in two key ways to make sure that mobile devices running on different operating systems are compatible with the printer i.e. through the HP ePrint App, Android smartphones and tablets can do wireless prints on the OfficeJet Pro 8720 while iOS gadgets are catered for through AirPrint. If there is no network connection, you can still print wirelessly through Wi-Fi Direct and NFC.

Other Features

  • HP Instant Ink saves you up to 50%
  • HP Print Forward Design boosts savings on space
  • Scan to email
  • Color touchscreen
  • Two-sided auto document feeder
  • NFC touch to print
  • Legal-size scan bed
  • Ethernet networking
  • High-yield cartridges (optional)

HP Envy 4500 Wireless All-in-One Color Photo Printer

The HP Envy 4500 is a best-selling photo printer popular for excellent print quality and fast speeds. The print achieves ISO speeds of up to 5.2 ppm (Color) and 8.8 ppm (black). It also supports borderless printing of photos (4″ by 6″) and documents (8.5″ by 11″). With automatic 2-sided printing, you will also save yourself a lot of time and paper.

The HP Envy 4500 Wireless Color Photo Printer gives the option of choosing an ink replenishment service that is convenient and efficient for you. Here, you can decide to go for the HP Instant Ink which can save you up to 50% or the Amazon Dash Replenishment. By using these services, the printer will constantly keep track of ink usage and give you alerts before the ink runs out.

The Envy 4500 comes with one of the most efficient wireless printing technology in the industry. You can print here using virtually all types of devices thanks to the HP Auto Wireless Connect and Wireless Direct. Printing from your smartphone and tablets has is even easier now.

Other Features

  • HP All-in-one printer remote
  • Scan to email
  • Auto 2-sided printing
  • HP Printables
  • Black & Color ink cartridges
  • Hi-Speed USB 2.0
  • Wi-Fi 802.11n
  • Borderless printing of both photos and documents
  • Energy efficient