Pocket printer or home printer: which do you need?
A pocket printer prints small photos from your phone, and the Liene, Xiaomi, HP and Fujifilm listings all list Bluetooth. The Canon SELPHY CP1500 is bigger: its A+ text lists 4x6 inch prints and its product table lists USB and Wi-Fi. Decide which job you want first, because the cards below split along that line.
If documents are the main job and photos are the occasional extra, start with our home printer guide. The product tables of the Liene, Xiaomi, Fujifilm, HP and Canon cards all list Print Only under additional printer functions, and the Epson Expression Photo XP-970 card has a dated note in its own section.
How the photo printers compare at a glance
| Printer | Print size | How it prints | Power and charging |
|---|
| Liene Pearl K100 | 2x3 inch (product table) | Zink inkless printing (bullets) | Type-C charging port, 30 photos per charge (bullets) |
| Xiaomi 1S | 2 x 3 inch (bullets) | ZINK (Zero Ink) technology (bullets) | USB Type-C charging, approximately 20 sheets per charge (bullets) |
| Fujifilm Mini Link3 | mini (product table) | Cheki (product table) | No charge figure in the listing |
| HP Sprocket | 2x3 inch (bullets) | ZINK Zero Ink technology (bullets) | Micro USB cable, 35 prints per charge (bullets) |
| Canon SELPHY CP1500 | 4x6 inch (A+ text); 148mm x 100mm (product table) | Dye sublimation (A+ text); Inkjet (product table) | Compact power adapter and power cord (product table) |
The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 is not in this table because its card has a dated note.
Best overall: Liene Pearl K100 2x3 Photo Printer
The Liene Pearl K100 is our best overall printer here because its listing shows 4.5 stars from 1,832 ratings, the highest star rating of the cards on this page without a dated note, and it names LieneDirectAU as the seller, shipped from Amazon. The title describes a 2x3 inch photo printer in a bundle with 50 Zink adhesive paper, Bluetooth 5.2, for iOS and Android.
The bullets say it connects over Bluetooth 5.2 with no Wi-Fi connection needed, can print 30 photos wirelessly with one charge through a Type-C charging port, and prints on 2x3 sticky backed Zink paper, with an extra 50 sheets of Zink photo paper 2x3 included. They also say the film on the surface of the photo paper greatly enhances its water and dust resistance, and that you could buy extra mono papers to print mono photos.
Two limits come from the listing itself. The bullets say photos can only be printed through the Liene app, and that a blue calibration card is required when cleaning the print head. They also say photos will not fade, even after 10 years; that is the listing's claim, not our test. The product table gives two sheet capacity figures, a maximum sheet capacity of 10 and an output sheet capacity of 50, so we do not state how many sheets it holds at once. It also lists a 200 gram item weight, 12.5D x 8.5W x 2.5H centimetres and Print Only under additional printer functions.
Xiaomi Portable Photo Printer 1S
The Xiaomi Portable Photo Printer 1S listing shows 4.4 stars from 359 ratings. Its title promises Zero Ink Printing for Instant Results, and the bullets describe ZINK (Zero Ink) technology with 313 x 512dpi resolution, delivering 2 x 3 inch prints in approximately 45 seconds, in an ultra lightweight 180g body with compact dimensions of 124 x 82 x 22mm.
The bullets list Bluetooth 5.2 for smartphones and tablets running Android 8.0 or iOS 12.0 and above, and a built in 7.4V lithium ion polymer battery that supports printing of approximately 20 sheets per charge, with USB Type-C charging. They also list multiple collage templates, 8 photo filters and customisable borders. The product table lists a 180 gram item weight, 12.4D x 8.2W x 2.2H centimetres, Print Only under additional printer functions and a 2 Year Manufacturer warranty.
This listing gives two facts two ways. The product table lists a wattage of 50 watts and an item type name of Laser Printer, while its printer type row says Zink Technology and its bullets describe a built in battery and ZINK (Zero Ink) printing. We use the bullets and the printer type row and leave the wattage and item type name out.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link3 Smartphone Printer
On 24 October 2026 this listing showed Amazon Japan as the shipper and seller, with an Amazon Global Store notice that Japan imports may differ from local products and that additional terms apply. The listing shows 4.4 stars from 82 ratings.
The bullets say the mini Link series features a new body design with the instax logo over an uneven vertical line, and that when the power is on, the 3 color LED around the logo illuminates colorfully. The description calls it a 3rd generation model in the instax mini Link series and says you can print images from your smartphone using the special app, which can magnify an image and adjust its brightness and color. It adds that you can print anywhere and share your memories on the spot.
The product table lists Printer Type Cheki, Printing Technology Cheki, a mini maximum media size, Bluetooth under printer connectivity type, 3.7D x 9W x 12.5H centimetres and Print Only under additional printer functions. The title, bullets, description and product table give no battery or charge figure and no cost per print figure, so we state none.
HP Sprocket 2x3 Instant Photo Printer
On 24 October 2026 this listing showed Amazon US as the shipper and seller, with an Amazon Global Store notice that US imports may differ from local products and that additional terms apply. The listing shows 4.4 stars from 12,672 ratings, the highest rating count of the cards on this page.
The bullets say the HP Sprocket 2nd Edition printer prints 2x3 inch photographs from your smartphone or social media, for iOS 10+ and Android 5+ with Bluetooth 5.0, on ZINK Zero Ink technology with no toner or ribbon replacements. They add that the glossy sticky back photo paper has colors embedded inside for resistance to water, smudges and tears.
The HP app adds stickers, borders and emojis, and the Tag to Print feature lets you hashtag a photo on Instagram and other social media for quick printing in the HP app. The bullets list a micro USB charging cable with 35 prints per charge. The product table lists Output Type Colour, Print Only under additional printer functions, 8D x 11.8W x 2.5H centimetres and a 1 Year, Limited warranty.
Canon SELPHY CP1500 Compact Photo Printer
The Canon SELPHY CP1500 listing shows 4.4 stars from 139 ratings, its title says AU Version and it shows Amazon AU as the shipper and seller. The bullets say you can print from any device, a smart phone, tablet, camera, SD card, USB sticks or computer, and that you get fast lab quality prints in 41 seconds. They also say the print over coating protects against colour bleed and fading for up to 100 years when stored in an album, and that guests at parties and other events can print their own photos one after another.
Canon's A+ text describes dye sublimation: the prints exit the printer completely dry and ready to handle, and with the final overcoat layer they are water resistant and marker ready, in sizes from 4x6 inch and 2.1 x 2.1 inch square to mini label stickers. Its disclaimer bases the 100 year figure on accelerated testing by Canon in dark storage under controlled temperature, humidity and gas conditions, simulating storage in an album with plastic sleeves, and says results may vary.
The listing gives two facts two ways. The A+ text says dye sublimation and 4x6 inch, while the product table lists Printer Type Inkjet, Ink Color Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, compatible cartridges KC36IP / KP36IP / RP54 / RP108 and a maximum media size of 148mm x 100mm. Check the paper size and supplies you need before you buy.
The product table lists USB and Wi-Fi, a compact power adapter and power cord in the box, an item weight of 0.85 Kilograms and 13.3D x 18.2W x 5.8H centimetres, which is larger than the 200 grams and 12.5D x 8.5W x 2.5H centimetres in the Liene table. It also lists a 2 Years warranty and Canon Australia as the manufacturer. The A+ disclaimer says wireless printing requires a working network with wireless 802.11b/g 2.4ghz compatibility.
Epson Expression Photo XP-970 A3 All in One
The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 card has a dated note, so we cannot point you to it today. Its listing shows 4.6 stars from 39 ratings, and the title calls it a Multifunction Printer. The bullets describe 6 color Claria Photo HD Inks, 4 inch x 6 inch photos in as fast as 11 seconds, a rear paper feed for specialty paper with direct printing onto CD/DVDs, a fold over scan lid, and a 4.3 inch touchscreen with built in USB and memory card slots.
The listing gives its largest print size three ways. The bullets say borderless photos up to 11 inch x 17 inch, the description says borderless photos up to A3, and the product table lists A3+ as the maximum media size. The product table also lists Ethernet, USB and Wi-Fi under printer connectivity type, Scanner Type Flatbed, Additional Printer Functions Copy and an item weight of 8.5 Kilograms.
What print size do you want?
Print size is the first thing to settle. The Liene Pearl K100, Xiaomi 1S and HP Sprocket list 2x3 inch prints, the Fujifilm product table lists a mini maximum media size, and the Canon SELPHY CP1500 A+ text lists 4x6 inch prints while its table lists 148mm x 100mm. Choose the size you will use.
The Liene and HP bullets describe sticky backed paper, and the Xiaomi product table lists self adhesive photo paper among its special features. The Liene bullets say you can paste prints on the surface of your choice. The Fujifilm product table gives its maximum media size only as mini, so we do not state its print dimensions.
If you plan to frame your prints, our photo frame guide compares frames from Amazon Australia listings.
ZINK, dye sublimation and inkjet in the listings' own words
Three printing methods appear in these listings. The Liene, Xiaomi and HP call theirs ZINK or Zink, and the HP bullets say the colors are embedded inside the paper. The Canon A+ text describes dye sublimation, and its product table labels the printer type Inkjet. The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 (has a dated note) lists 6 color Claria Photo HD Inks. The Fujifilm table calls its printer type Cheki.
In the listings' words, ZINK means Zero Ink: the Xiaomi bullets say ZINK (Zero Ink) technology, and the Liene bullets say it uses advanced inkless printing technology in which the mini printer heats the photo paper and images instantly. The HP bullets add no toner or ribbon replacements. Dye sublimation, in Canon's A+ text, is a printing process after which the prints exit the printer completely dry and ready to handle. The Fujifilm listing does not define Cheki, so we only repeat the label.
We do not rank these methods by quality, because our only source is each listing's own wording, and the quality words on each card are the maker's, not our test results.
What the listings say about paper, ink and running cost
The listings say little about running costs, and none of the six gives a cost per print in its bullets, tables, description or A+ text. What they do state is what each printer uses: the Liene bundle includes 50 sheets of Zink paper, the HP lists no toner or ribbon replacements, and the Canon table names compatible cartridge codes.
In the box or the bundle, the Liene title and bullets name 50 Zink paper sheets; the HP product table lists Paper under built in media; the Xiaomi table lists the printer, a USB Type-C charging cable and a user manual; the Fujifilm table lists a printer unit; the Canon table lists a Selphy printer, compact power adapter, power cord and paper cassette, and gives compatible cartridge codes KC36IP / KP36IP / RP54 / RP108; and the Epson Expression Photo XP-970 (has a dated note) table lists inkjet cartridges and a power cord.
Because no listing gives a cost per print, check the paper and cartridges on each listing before you decide, and do not read a bundle size as a running cost.
How will each printer be charged or powered?
Charging details differ by card. The Liene lists a Type-C charging port and 30 photos per charge, the Xiaomi lists about 20 sheets per charge over USB Type-C, and the HP lists a micro USB cable with 35 prints per charge. The Canon lists a compact power adapter and power cord, and the Fujifilm gives no charge figure.
The Xiaomi bullets name a built in 7.4V lithium ion polymer battery. The Canon A+ text adds an optional battery, NB-CP2LH, which it says can produce up to 54 prints per charge. The Canon listing gives no voltage or plug type in its title, bullets, product table or A+ text, so check the adapter before you buy; its title says AU Version. The Fujifilm title, bullets, description and product table give no battery or charge figure, so we state none. The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 (has a dated note) table lists a power cord.
Do you need Wi-Fi, an app or a cable?
Connections differ too. The Liene bullets say no Wi-Fi connection is needed and that photos can only be printed through the Liene app. The Xiaomi and HP list Bluetooth. The Canon table lists USB and Wi-Fi, and its A+ disclaimer says wireless printing needs a working network with wireless 802.11b/g 2.4ghz compatibility.
The Xiaomi bullets list Bluetooth 5.2 for Android 8.0 or iOS 12.0 and above, and the HP bullets list iOS 10+ and Android 5+ with Bluetooth 5.0. The Fujifilm product table lists Bluetooth under printer connectivity type, and its description says you print using the special app. The Canon table lists Controller Type Android, and its A+ text adds AirPrint and the SELPHY Layout app, so read the A+ text if you print from an iPhone.
For a cable, the Canon A+ text lists USB for a computer and a USB flash drive, and the Epson Expression Photo XP-970 (has a dated note) table lists Ethernet, USB and Wi-Fi.
Can these printers print documents?
The product tables of the Liene, Xiaomi, Fujifilm, HP and Canon cards all list Additional Printer Functions as Print Only. The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 table lists Copy and a flatbed scanner, but its card has a dated note. For letters and forms, start with our home printer guide instead.
Print Only is the product table's own wording for additional printer functions, not our test of what each printer can do.
How we checked these printers
We compare Amazon Australia listings. Specs come from the maker's bullet points and the product information on each listing. For every printer we read the title, the bullet points, the product information table, the description and the A+ text on its Amazon AU listing, and we repeat the maker's own wording from those parts, such as Canon's A+ text on the SELPHY CP1500. We take the star rating, rating count and seller exactly as the listing shows them, where the listing gives them. We do not run our own print tests, so claims about print quality, battery life and water resistance are the listings' statements, attributed to them.
Where one listing gives a fact two ways, as the Canon does for its printer type and its print size and the Epson does for its print size, we name both. The card that carries a dated note is named only in its own section or as (has a dated note). Last checked: 24 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best printer to print photos at home?
The Canon SELPHY CP1500 is the printer on this page whose A+ text describes printing at home and on the go. Its bullets say you can print from a smart phone, tablet, camera, SD card, USB sticks or computer, with lab quality prints in 41 seconds. Its product table lists a compact power adapter and power cord.
Is Canon or Epson better for photos?
Neither is better for every job. The Canon SELPHY CP1500 listing describes dye sublimation in its A+ text and lab quality prints in 41 seconds in its bullets. The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 listing describes 6 color Claria Photo HD Inks and a fold over scan lid, but its card has a dated note.
Are photo printers worth buying?
They suit people who want prints straight from a phone. The Liene Pearl K100 bullets say it can print 30 photos wirelessly with one charge. The trade off is size: the Liene, Xiaomi and HP list 2x3 inch prints, while the Canon lists 4x6 inch prints in its A+ text and a power adapter in its product table.
What is the cheapest way to print thousands of pictures?
The listings give no cost per print, so we cannot rank these printers on it. None of the six listings states one in its bullets, tables, description or A+ text. What they do state is the supplies: the Liene bundle includes 50 sheets of Zink paper, and the Canon table names compatible cartridge codes.
Do portable printers print in color?
Yes, the printers on this page do. The Xiaomi, HP, Fujifilm and Canon product tables list their output type as Colour, and the Liene table lists Color/Monochrome. The Liene bullets add that you could buy extra mono papers to print mono photos, and that photos can only be printed through the Liene app.
Which portable photo printer is best?
The Liene Pearl K100 is our best overall pick: its Amazon AU listing shows 4.5 stars from 1,832 ratings, the highest star rating of the cards here without a dated note. The HP Sprocket shows the most ratings, 12,672, and the Xiaomi 1S lists a 180g body. Check print size and charging first.
What is the best instant photo printer?
Several cards call themselves instant printers. The Liene title says Mini Instant Portable Color Picture Printer, the HP title says Instant Smartphone Photo Printer, and the Xiaomi title promises Zero Ink Printing for Instant Results. The Liene has the highest star rating of them, 4.5 from 1,832 ratings. The Fujifilm comes from the instax mini Link series.
What is the best portable photo printer in Australia?
The Liene Pearl K100 is the best overall pick on this page: its listing shows 4.5 stars from 1,832 ratings, the highest star rating of the cards here without a dated note. Its bullets say it connects over Bluetooth 5.2 with no Wi-Fi connection needed and can print 30 photos wirelessly with one charge.
Is it worth buying a portable printer?
It can be, if you want prints away from a desk. The listings give the makers' own charge figures: approximately 20 sheets per charge for the Xiaomi, 30 photos for the Liene and 35 prints for the HP. These are listing statements, not our tests. The Canon lists a compact power adapter and power cord.
