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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

HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-Office (499Q3F)

Rating
9.8
Print Speed
Color Accuracy
Ink Type

Most important from
557 reviews

Print Speed
Switching to this laser printer significantly improved printing speed and reliability, making it a true workhorse for home office use.
Color Accuracy
Prints deliver vibrant colors without oversaturation and crisp text, suitable for client presentations and basic photo prints.
Ink Type
Toner cartridges last much longer than traditional ink, though they come at a higher price point.
Connectivity Options
Setup is straightforward, with the HP Smart app simplifying wireless connection despite occasional router restarts.

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw is designed primarily for office use, offering solid features for small teams needing color printing, scanning, and copying. It delivers decent print speeds up to 30 pages per minute for both color and black-and-white, which helps keep up with busy workloads. The print resolution of 600x600 dpi is adequate for everyday documents and charts, but it might not capture the fine details or smooth gradients expected in high-quality photo prints.

Using HP's original 218A and 218X toner cartridges ensures reliable color reproduction with vivid tones, thanks to a special toner technology, but this also means you’ll need to stick with HP supplies, which could be pricier over time. The printer supports automatic double-sided printing and has a good paper capacity with a 250-sheet input tray, making it convenient for larger print jobs without frequent refills. Connectivity options include USB, Ethernet, and wireless, plus smartphone compatibility, allowing flexible setup in an office environment.

The color accuracy and resolution are better suited for professional documents rather than detailed color photos. Additionally, being a laser printer, it uses toner instead of ink, which is great for sharp text and faster printing but not ideal for photo-quality color depth. The cost of consumables might add up if you print color documents often, especially since the printer blocks non-HP cartridges. This model is a dependable and efficient choice for offices needing quick, reliable color prints and multifunction features, while those looking for premium photo print quality might want to explore dedicated photo printers.

Rating
9.8
Print Speed
Color Accuracy
Ink Type

Most important from
557 reviews

Print Speed
Switching to this laser printer significantly improved printing speed and reliability, making it a true workhorse for home office use.
Color Accuracy
Prints deliver vibrant colors without oversaturation and crisp text, suitable for client presentations and basic photo prints.
Ink Type
Toner cartridges last much longer than traditional ink, though they come at a higher price point.
Connectivity Options
Setup is straightforward, with the HP Smart app simplifying wireless connection despite occasional router restarts.
#3

Liene M100 4x6'' Photo Printer, Phone Printer 100 Sheets & 3 Cartridges, Full-Color Photo, Portable Instant Photo Printer for iPhone Android, Thermal Dye Sublimation, Wi-Fi Picture Printer 100 Papers

Rating
9.7
Color Accuracy
Ink Type
Connectivity Options

Most important from
5341 reviews

Color Accuracy
The photo quality surpasses expectations with accurate colors and a balanced finish, not too glossy or matte.
Ink Type
Setup is straightforward: just insert the ink cartridge and connect via Wi-Fi Direct, which is ideal for offline photo printing.
Connectivity Options
Setup is straightforward: just insert the ink cartridge and connect via Wi-Fi Direct, which is ideal for offline photo printing.
Cost of Consumables
An incredible value for money, especially with the included 100 sheets and 3 ink cartridges.

The Liene M100 4x6'' Photo Printer offers a compact and user-friendly option for printing high-quality photos at home or on-the-go. Utilizing thermal dye-sublimation technology, it produces vibrant, water-resistant, scratch-proof, and fade-resistant photos. However, the maximum print resolution of 300 x 300 dpi might be lower than some other high-end photo printers, potentially affecting the sharpness of detailed images.

The print speed is relatively slow, with a maximum of 1 page per minute and an initial print time of 59 seconds, making it less ideal for high-volume printing needs. The printer supports Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, allowing easy connection with smartphones and PCs without the need for additional cables or Bluetooth. The Liene App enhances the user experience by offering customizable photo editing options and printing from multiple devices simultaneously.

Paper handling is straightforward with a maximum input capacity of 20 sheets, and the package includes 100 sheets and 3 color cartridges, which is convenient for initial usage. However, the cost of consumables may be higher over time due to the need for proprietary cartridges. The printer's portability and compatibility with different operating systems (Windows, iOS, Mac, Android) make it a versatile choice for personal use, especially for those who enjoy printing photos directly from their smartphones. With a positive user rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, the Liene M100 is a solid option for casual photo printing despite some limitations in print resolution and speed.

Rating
9.7
Color Accuracy
Ink Type
Connectivity Options

Most important from
5341 reviews

Color Accuracy
The photo quality surpasses expectations with accurate colors and a balanced finish, not too glossy or matte.
Ink Type
Setup is straightforward: just insert the ink cartridge and connect via Wi-Fi Direct, which is ideal for offline photo printing.
Connectivity Options
Setup is straightforward: just insert the ink cartridge and connect via Wi-Fi Direct, which is ideal for offline photo printing.
Cost of Consumables
An incredible value for money, especially with the included 100 sheets and 3 ink cartridges.

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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