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10 Best Color Photo Printers 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Print, scan, Copy, ADF, Duplex Printing, Home & Office, 3 Months of Instant Ink Included (405T6A)

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e is a solid choice for home and small office users who want quality color printing without too much fuss. It offers good print resolution, up to 4800 x 1200 dpi for color, which helps produce sharp and vibrant photos and documents. Its dye-based inks deliver accurate and lively colors, making it suitable for business documents, flyers, and casual photo printing. Print speeds are decent—up to 10 pages per minute in color and 20 ppm for black and white—which is quite good for an inkjet printer in this category.

This printer supports automatic double-sided printing and has a 225-sheet input tray, which means you can handle bigger jobs without constantly refilling paper. The auto document feeder (ADF) is handy for scanning or copying multi-page documents efficiently. Connectivity options are broad: Wi-Fi (with dual-band for better reliability), Ethernet, USB, and wireless direct printing. Plus, the HP app makes printing from a smartphone straightforward. One notable feature is the inclusion of 3 to 6 months of HP Instant Ink service, which can simplify ink replacement by delivering cartridges to your door, although after the trial, there’s a monthly fee to consider. The printer only works with HP cartridges that have chips, which might limit cheaper third-party options and could raise ink costs over time.

The touchscreen interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate, and the printer’s design includes recycled plastics, which is a plus for environmentally conscious users. However, photo print quality may not match specialized photo printers, especially for professional photo enthusiasts who need the highest color precision. This printer is well-suited for users who want a versatile color inkjet printer with good speed, decent photo quality, and convenient wireless features, though the ongoing ink cost and limited cartridge compatibility are worth keeping in mind.

#2

KODAK Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer, 4x6 inches, 90 Sheets Bundle

The Kodak Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer is designed mainly for users who want quick, easy photo printing at home or school, especially from their smartphones or tablets. It uses dye-sublimation ink combined with Kodak’s 4PASS technology, which layers colors and adds a protective laminate to create sharp, water-resistant, and fingerprint-proof 4x6 inch photos. The print resolution is quite good at 1200 x 1200 dpi, meaning your pictures will look clear and vibrant with accurate colors. Connectivity is flexible, supporting wireless Bluetooth, USB-C, and even a docking station for Apple devices, making it simple to print directly from your phone without needing a computer.

Paper handling is straightforward with a single tray holding up to 90 sheets of glossy photo paper, and you can choose between border or borderless prints to customize your photos. However, the print speed is quite slow at only one page per minute, so it’s not ideal if you need many photos printed quickly. Since it only prints 4x6 inch photos, it’s best suited for casual photo printing and not for larger formats. The solid dye-sublimation ink tends to be cost-effective and long-lasting, especially with bundles that include extra paper, making it an affordable choice for users who want quality prints without high running costs.

On the downside, there are no scanning or copying functions, and it handles just one sheet at a time, so it’s not a multi-purpose printer but focused on photo printing. This printer works well for those who value photo quality, convenience, and device compatibility, but it might feel slow or limited if you need faster or larger-scale photo printing.

#3

Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer. for Home Use, Print, Scan and Copy

Rating
9.4
Print Resolution
Print Speed
Ink Type

Most important from
4214 reviews

Print Resolution
The print quality is excellent, and while the speed isn't the fastest, it's more than adequate for home use.
Print Speed
The print quality is excellent, and while the speed isn't the fastest, it's more than adequate for home use.
Ink Type
Canon's MegaTank system is very cost-effective, saving a significant amount of money on ink in the long run.
Connectivity Options
The printer works great with both desktop and mobile devices, offering versatility for different needs.
Cost of Consumables
Canon's MegaTank system is very cost-effective, saving a significant amount of money on ink in the long run.

The Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer is a versatile option for home use, offering printing, scanning, and copying capabilities. Its standout feature is the MegaTank system, which includes up to 2 years of ink, allowing you to print up to 6,000 black & white and 7,700 color pages from a single set of inks. This can save you up to $1,000 on ink costs, making it very economical in the long run. The printer boasts a high print resolution of 4800 x 1200, ensuring detailed and vibrant color photos.

However, its print speed is moderate, with a maximum of 11 pages per minute (ppm) for monochrome and 6 ppm for color, which may not be ideal if you require fast printing speeds. The G3270 supports a variety of paper sizes and types, although it only offers single-sided printing, which could be a drawback if double-sided printing is essential for you. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and USB, providing flexibility for different devices, including smartphones and PCs. The 1.35” LCD display is small but functional for basic navigation.

The cost of consumables is low due to the MegaTank system, though the initial cost might be higher compared to standard inkjet printers. With its Energy Star qualification, the printer is also energy efficient. The Canon MegaTank G3270 is well-suited for those seeking a cost-effective, high-resolution color-photo printer with good connectivity options, though you might need to compromise on print speed and the lack of duplex printing.

Rating
9.4
Print Resolution
Print Speed
Ink Type

Most important from
4214 reviews

Print Resolution
The print quality is excellent, and while the speed isn't the fastest, it's more than adequate for home use.
Print Speed
The print quality is excellent, and while the speed isn't the fastest, it's more than adequate for home use.
Ink Type
Canon's MegaTank system is very cost-effective, saving a significant amount of money on ink in the long run.
Connectivity Options
The printer works great with both desktop and mobile devices, offering versatility for different needs.
Cost of Consumables
Canon's MegaTank system is very cost-effective, saving a significant amount of money on ink in the long run.

Buying Guide for the Best Color Photo Printers

Choosing the right color photo printer can be a bit overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can find a model that perfectly suits your needs. The key is to understand the various specifications and how they impact the printer's performance and output quality. By focusing on what you need the printer for, you can make an informed decision that will ensure you get the best results for your photo printing projects.
Print ResolutionPrint resolution, measured in dots per inch (DPI), determines the level of detail and clarity in your printed photos. Higher DPI values mean more detailed and sharper images. For general photo printing, a resolution of 300 DPI is usually sufficient. However, if you are looking to print professional-quality photos, you might want to consider printers with resolutions of 1200 DPI or higher. Your choice should depend on how critical image detail is for your prints.
Color AccuracyColor accuracy refers to how well a printer can reproduce the colors in your photos. This is crucial for ensuring that your prints look as close to the original image as possible. Printers with a wider color gamut and more ink cartridges (such as those with additional colors beyond the standard CMYK) tend to produce more accurate colors. If you are a professional photographer or need precise color matching, look for printers that are known for their color accuracy.
Print SpeedPrint speed, measured in pages per minute (PPM), indicates how quickly a printer can produce prints. While this might not be as critical for occasional home use, it becomes important if you need to print large volumes of photos quickly. For casual use, a lower PPM is acceptable, but for professional or high-volume printing, look for printers with higher PPM values to save time.
Ink TypeThe type of ink used by a printer can affect the quality and longevity of your prints. Dye-based inks are known for their vibrant colors and are suitable for everyday photo printing. Pigment-based inks, on the other hand, offer better longevity and are more resistant to fading, making them ideal for archival-quality prints. Consider what is more important for your needs: vibrant colors or long-lasting prints.
Paper HandlingPaper handling refers to the types and sizes of paper a printer can accommodate. Some printers are versatile and can handle various paper sizes and types, including glossy, matte, and specialty photo papers. If you plan to print on different types of media or need to print larger formats, ensure the printer supports these options. For standard photo printing, a printer that handles common photo paper sizes like 4x6 and 8x10 should suffice.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity options determine how you can connect your devices to the printer. Common options include USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity allow for wireless printing from your smartphone, tablet, or computer, which can be very convenient. If you prefer a more traditional setup, USB connectivity might be sufficient. Choose a printer with the connectivity options that best match your workflow and devices.
Cost of ConsumablesThe cost of consumables, such as ink cartridges and photo paper, can add up over time. It's important to consider the long-term costs associated with the printer you choose. Some printers have more affordable consumables, while others might be more expensive to maintain. Look into the cost and availability of replacement ink and paper for the models you are considering to ensure it fits within your budget for ongoing use.

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