With the best photo printers, you can turn your images into something that lasts. Digital files are fleeting things, and when it comes to making memories that’ll last for many generations, nothing beats a high-quality physical print.
Which printer to choose? There are models out there to suit all different needs and budgets – some designed to work with desktop computers, others that are more geared to work with smartphones. We’ve assembled this list of the best on the market right now to help you sort through the noise and find the printer that’s right for you. Whatever your needs, aims and budget, we’re confident that somewhere here, we’ll have the printer for you.
So let’s get started!
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Our top picks
Pros:
- Brilliant prints from 12-ink system
- Accepts 1200ppi high-resolution image data
- Chroma Optimizer delivers brilliant monochrome performance
Cons:
- Requires a lot of space
For those with a bigger budget and bigger prints in mind, this pro-grade A2 printer from Canon should fit the bill nicely. Render your images in glorious professional colour and detail with this printer that boasts a 12-ink pigment-based system – it’s especially good if you’re already a Canon EOS user, as you’ll be able to take advantage of the new ‘Crystal-fidelity’ functionality to produce prints of unmatched sharpness.
Even if you’re not a Canon user, there’s still plenty to recommend here. The printer offers Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity that allows you to download updates as well as sending images directly to the printer, and its 3-inch display makes operation easy for even the novice user. The Canon printer has been designed with today’s high-resolution sensors in mind, and accepts 1200ppi high resolution image data for smooth, fine lines.
Canon PIXMA iP8750 Photo Inkjet Printer
The Canon PIXMA iP8750 Photo Inkjet Printer is an A3+ wireless printer ideal for photo enthusiasts looking to step up and print high quality images from home. The iP8750 produces exceptionally stunning colour photos and smooth gradations in mono prints using its 6-ink system, which includes an individual grey ink, and its FINE print head technology with up to 9600 dpi resolution. Furthermore, by downloading the Canon PIXMA Printing Solutions app, users can select photos to be printed direct from a smartphone or tablet. The Canon PIXMA iP8750 will accept a variety of paper in a range of sizes, from 10x15cm up to A3+ (not canvas).
£239.00 View
Pros:
- A3 printing with impressive detail
- Speedy printing option
- Great for monochrome and colour
Cons:
- No scanner
Bet you didn’t think you could get a high-quality A3 printer for a price as low as this! The Canon PIXMA iP8750 Photo Inkjet Printer may be an absolute steal, but it’s also a highly capable wireless printer, able to make use of a sophisticated six-colour system that also makes use of grey ink for excellent monochrome prints as well as colour ones.
Accepting paper in various sizes and thicknesses, the PIXMA iP8750 Photo Inkjet Printer is a reliable printer that will suit most photographers’ purposes and do so impressively quickly – it’s capable of producing a lab-quality borderless photo measuring 10x15 cm in approximately 36 seconds.
Wireless connectivity is present and correct for easy image transfer, and the printer also has a handy single-ink system with individually replaceable cartridges, meaning you only have to top up the colour that runs out and can stand to save a fair bit of money on cartridges. All this adds up to make this the best printer for those on a budget.
Canon SELPHY Square QX10 Printer - Black
The Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 instant smartphone printer provides you with a portable tool to immortalise those important moments with in the form of vibrant, rich photo-prints. These will last you for up to 100 years - so that generations can enjoy and live through your memories with you. The printer is easy and convenient to use; simply operate it through your smartphone to create 2.7 x 2.7-inch prints.
£149.00 View
Pros:
- Extremely portable
- Easy to charge via USB
- Quick connection to smartphone
Cons:
- Limited paper compatibility
When you think of printers, you don’t necessarily just need to consider desktop models – why not try a dedicated smartphone printer? The Canon SELPHY Square QX10 Printer is a small, portable, square-format printer that you can carry around with you and whip out at a moment’s notice to quickly produce 2.7x2.7-inch prints of images sent via Wi-Fi. This makes it great fun for parties or days out – performing a similar function to an instant camera.
The printer can be quickly charged via USB if needed, and thanks to the Canon SELPHY Photo Layout app, you can also quickly assemble stylish collages for print if you so desire. The QX10 uses the dye-sublimation printing technique, which uses heat to transfer ink to paper for fast, long-lasting results.
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Printer
The Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is a wireless wide-format A3 printer with 6-colour Ultra HD inks for delivering pro-quality borderless prints up to 13"x10". The HD XP-15000 features a red and grey ink for an ultra-wide colour gamut and enhanced black and white prints, in addition to automatic two-sided printing, a large 50-sheet rear tray, a 2.4" colour LCD, and wireless connectivity.
£299.00 View
Pros:
- Excels at reproducing skin tones
- Claria Photo HD inks deliver brilliant results
- Compact for an A3 printer
Cons:
- Other printers are faster
A particularly good printer for portrait photographers, the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Printer uses six-color Claria Photo HD inks to produce images with smooth tonal gradation and excellent skin tones. Producing professional-quality borderless prints up to 13 x 19 inches in size, so if you want glorious A3 prints of your images, look no further.
Able to handle plenty of different types of photo paper, the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is simple to set up and easy to use, and thanks to its relatively small footprint, you don’t have to worry about it taking up too much space on your desktop. Printing speeds are fast too, which is handy if you anticipate producing lots of copies of your images, and it has both wired and wireless connectivity.
Epson SureColor SC-P900 Printer
The Epson SureColor SC-P900 Printer is the next in line of Epson's professional-level quality printers. It offers accuracy and high printing performance for home, office and studio use, printing up to A2+ paper size; all encased in a sleek, clean and compact design. The new innovative design features a 10 Colour UltraChrome Pro 10 system and offers the deepest blacks tones currently on the market. It's easy-to-use with a customisable user interface, accessed by the highly-intuitive 4.3-inch LCD optical touchscreen.
£1,079.00 View
Pros:
- Outstanding colours with deep blacks
- Useful touchscreen control
- Up to A2 printing
Cons:
- Priced for professional use
This is part of Epson’s professional-quality line of printers for studios, so as you might expect, it has all the most up-to-date features and technology, with a 10-colour UltraChrome Pro 10 system that produces some of the deepest blacks on the market. Your images will look fantastic on paper, and thanks to the easy-to-use interface, you won’t have to bury yourself in manuals to figure out how to do it.
The generously sized 4.3-inch touchscreen makes operating the printer a breeze, and it has all the connectivity features you’d expect from a modern printer, allowing you to send images via Wi-Fi for quick printing from a smart device. You can print at up to A2 size, so dream big, and make those gorgeous home prints of your photos a reality with this Epson printer!
FAQs
What should I look for when buying a photo printer?
Photo printers are different to your standard printer - you’re looking for something that will correctly reproduce your images the way you shot them - so, you should think about print quality, colour accuracy, ink type and the cost of replacement ink cartridges. High resolution, accurate colour reproduction, and the type of ink used (dye-based or pigment-based) are crucial for achieving the best photo prints.
Do I need to clean my photo printer?
It is important to regularly clean the print heads to prevent clogs, use the printer's self-cleaning functions, and keep the printer dust-free. Use the correct type of paper and ink cartridges recommended by the manufacturer and update the printer's firmware and software to keep it running smoothly.
Can I print high-quality photos with an all-in-one printer?
Yes, you can print high-quality photos with an all-in-one printer, but the quality may not match that of a dedicated photo printer. All-in-one printers are versatile and convenient for general use, including printing photos, documents, scanning, and copying. However, for the highest photo quality, a dedicated photo printer with advanced color management and higher resolution is often preferred.
What type of paper should I use for photo printing?
For photo printing, use high-quality photo paper designed specifically for your printer type. Glossy, semi-gloss, and matte finishes are common options, each offering different visual effects. Glossy paper provides vibrant colors and sharp details, while matte paper gives a more subdued and professional look. But with which ever paper your choose, make sure the paper is compatible with your printer and ink type to achieve the best results.
How do we decide?
Our in-house photography experts, store staff and partners all work collaboratively to pour over these guides. We also consider emerging trends and customer feedback to make sure our guides are always up-to-date and reflective of what people are truly looking for. By curating only the best products, our guides provide trustworthy recommendations, making it easier for customers to make informed choices with confidence.
If you would like more advice on any purchase our contact centre staff are here to help. Alternatively, you can reach us via email or social media. And don't forget. If you were to purchase anything based on our recommendations you'll be covered by our full returns policy
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