10 Best Zink Printer 2025 in the United States

The HP Sprocket Select is a compact and stylish portable photo printer designed for quick and easy printing of 2.3 x 3.4-inch photos using Zink (zero ink) technology. It stands out by producing photos about 30% larger than the original HP Sprocket, which is great if you want bigger sticky-backed photos for scrapbooking or sharing. The print quality is decent for casual use, offering smudge-proof, water-resistant, and tear-resistant prints with a maximum resolution of 313 x 400 dpi. This resolution is basic compared to standard photo printers, making it best suited for fun, casual snapshots rather than professional-quality prints.

Connectivity is straightforward via Bluetooth, allowing seamless printing from iOS and Android devices through the HP Sprocket app. The app adds value by letting you personalize photos with frames, filters, stickers, and even augmented reality features, making the printing experience more engaging and creative. The printer is very lightweight (180 grams) and slim, making it highly portable and easy to carry around for events or travel.

Battery life is generally sufficient for casual use, powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer battery, but the print speed is quite slow at about one photo per minute, which might feel sluggish if you want to print many photos quickly. The printer uses sticky-back glossy photo paper, compatible only with HP’s Zink sheets, which can add to the ongoing cost. The included paper capacity is only 10 sheets, so you’ll need to keep extra paper handy for longer sessions. This printer is ideal for users who want a fun, on-the-go way to instantly print small photos for crafts, parties, or social media sharing rather than those needing fast, high-volume, or professional-level photo printing. It offers convenient portability and creative app features but compromises on speed and print resolution.

The Kodak Step Instant Smartphone Photo Printer is a compact and portable device designed for quick, fun photo printing from your iOS or Android smartphone via Bluetooth or NFC. It uses Zink (zero-ink) technology to produce 2x3 inch sticky-backed photos that are moisture-resistant and tear-proof, making them good for scrapbooking or sharing on the go. The print quality is decent for its size, with a maximum resolution of 300 dpi, providing colorful and clear images, though it might not match larger photo printers in detail.

Print speed is quite slow at about one photo per minute, so it's best for casual use rather than bulk printing. The battery lasts for around 25 photos per charge, which is handy for carrying around without needing constant recharging. It supports only one paper size (2x3 inches) and works with a single tray holding up to 10 sheets, limiting longer print sessions. The accompanying Kodak app adds fun editing features like filters, stickers, and text, enhancing personalization.

The printer is very lightweight and easy to set up. Its small size means it’s designed mainly for quick snapshots and creative, casual photo projects rather than high-volume or professional-quality printing. This makes it an excellent choice for photo lovers who want a portable, simple printer to transform smartphone pictures into physical keepsakes with minimal fuss.

The Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer is a compact and portable option for anyone wanting to quickly print small 2x3 inch photos directly from their smartphone or tablet. Its standout feature is the ZINK (Zero Ink) technology, which means no ink cartridges are needed—photos come out using special paper with embedded color crystals. This makes printing mess-free and straightforward. The print quality is improved compared to previous models, offering sharper images with better skin tones and contrast, though it’s still limited to a modest 300 dpi resolution, typical for instant photo printers.

Connectivity is convenient with Bluetooth 5.0, allowing easy wireless printing via the Canon Mini Print app on both iOS and Android devices. The printer is lightweight and portable, weighing just over a pound, and comes with a protective case and LED light bar which can help in dim lighting. Battery life is decent, with a fast charging time of about 45 minutes, so it’s ready to print on the go. The print speed is quite slow (around 0.01 minutes per page), which may not suit users who want quick batch printing.

The included paper bundle of 110 peel-and-stick sheets is great for sharing photos that can be stuck onto surfaces, but this printer only supports this specific ZINK thermal paper, limiting paper options. This printer is ideal for casual users who value portability and ease of use for fun, quick photo prints, but less suited if you want larger prints, faster output, or varied paper types.