Best 4×6 Photo Printer for the Printing of All Life’s Precious Moments

Capturing life special moments and occasions has become a regular practice in society. However, most times these photos are left in our phone’s memory, memory card, flash drive, or in the cloud somewhere. Time to free those special moments by using the best 4×6 photo printer and share them with others.

For as long as humans have been around, they have been trying to capture all the special and big moments in life. Even without the introduction of technology, they were drawing on canvas and the walls of caves to convey what happened at that exact moment. With time people were drawing others, posing for self-portraits, etc. Today, we have the technology to produce true to life photos reflecting bright bold colors by using the best 4×6 photo printer. 

When choosing a printer specifically for photo printing you have to be careful. If you are looking for photo printers to provide remarkable prints of the highest quality, then follow closely as we get into it. Regardless if you’re a professional photographer or just an amateur, I will help you, all things considered, find the best 4×6 photo printer.

Comparison Of Best 4×6 Photo Printers In 2020

The Best 4×6 Photo Printer Lineup

The list of the top 4×6 photo printers according to us. Keep reading as we breakdown and analyze the features and functions that each printer offers.

1.Canon Selphy Cp1300 – Print From Any Device, Anywhere

Canon not only makes some great cameras but also makes some great printers. It is a company you can depend on to deliver quality and affordable products.

The Canon SELPHY CP1300  with use of an optional battery back will have you printing on the go instantly. This printer utilizes dye-sublimation technology to transfer your priceless moments onto paper. Reaching max resolutions of 300 x 300 dpi on different media such as 2.1 x 2.1″ stickers and 4 x 6″ postcards, printing out those priceless moments has never been easier. Receive your first print in 47 seconds while printing up to 18 photos in one cycle. 

Moreover, print directly from your digital camera through PictBridge or from your memory card or USB thumb drive. You will also be able to print from any social media platform with the Canon Print App connecting your device to the printer by wifi. View and control print jobs on the 3.2″ tilting LCD screen with a basic control button set.

2.Primera Impressa Ip60 – Versatile Printer

Are u looking for a quick and efficient printer and at the same time, print on different sizes of media? Your search comes to an end here because you will be impressed with the Impressa IP60. 

Impressa IP60 is a versatile professional-grade printer perfect for the use of printing photos and even props and signs. Manufacture high-quality visuals at 1200 x 4800 dots per inch due to the thermal inkjet technology and a single dye or pigment CMYK cartridge. Print from your computer through USB on any photo media. 

The main advantage of this printer is that it is capable of printing on a variety of media sizes without changing paper. For instance, you can print images of   2 x 6″, 4 x 6″, 6 x 6″, 6 x 8″, 6 x 12″, 6 x 18″, and 6 x 24″ in seconds. Hence, print speed for a small 2×6 photo is 3.5 seconds while the largest 6 x 24″ photo is 42 seconds. 

3.Hp Sprocket Studio – Largest In The Sprocket Line

From the line of the Sprocker family from HP, here comes the Sprocket studio. The Studio shares some features as the other Sprocket models but also has its differences.

In like manner to the others, you can print from your smartphone or tablet running Android or iOS through Bluetooth after downloading the HP Sprocket App. Similarly use the HP App to view, print, and customize your photos any way you like. 

Whereas the Sprocket family uses zink technology, the Studio uses dye-sublimation technology instead. In that case, the photo that looks like it came from a photo kiosk or lab and not from an at-home printer. Furthermore, prints take a while longer since they are bigger,  the paper passes over the ribbon a total of 4 times and adds a layer of color with each pass. Thus you get your first 4×6 print in 2 minutes, 5 seconds. 

The studio is much larger, therefore, allowing larger print jobs and comprises 2 parts chiefly the part that houses the mechanism and ribbon and the paper tray. In contrast, the studio does not have a rechargeable internal battery and requires a power cord or purchase of a Sprocket Power Bank 

4.Epson Picturemate Pal (Pm 200) – Handy Design

The Epson PictureMate 200 features a unique design that makes for easy handling and protects the printer when not in use. Looking like an ice cooler box right down to the handle and lid, you can take the printer with you wherever you go whilst protecting it during transport

Generate amazing borderless photos without even turning your computer with the Epson PictureMate 200. This particular model allows for printing from all memory cards, and digital cameras with Pictbridge or mobile phones. Simply insert your storage device, view, and select the photos you want to print on the 2-inch photo viewer and print with just one touch of a button. In the event, you must use a computer, connect to the printer by way of the USB connection.

Micro Piezo inkjet technology delivers superior 5760 x 1440 dpi glossy or matte prints that are going to be around for years to come. To put it differently, photos are resistant to scratching, fading, and water so you can trust the PictureMate 200 with your precious memories. Additionally, print stacks of pro-quality, 4×6 photos at a reasonable cost with your first print in just 60 seconds. 

5.Victure Portable Photo Printer – Android Dock

Do you print specifically from your smartphone? Let us introduce you to the Victure photo printer. 

In order to print with just one touch from your Android phone, simply place it in the Android dock. In addition, download the Victure app on your iPhone or Android phone and connect to the printer via Bluetooth. Personalize prints from the App with a whole host of personalization options. Add filters, stickers, fix contrast and saturation or much more to suit your needs before printing.

Fabricate some of the sharpest photos you will ever see with thermal dye-sublimation technology. Pictures come out waterproof, fingerprint-proof, and oxidation proof, thanks to the automatic photo lamination. Victure even gives you an ink cartridge together with 40 sheets of photo paper to start printing as soon as you receive your printer. 

6.Sharper Image Instant Printer – Compatible With Both Android And Ios

The Sharper Image printer is yet another portable smartphone printer that renders premium quality prints from your smartphone. The best wireless 4×6 photo printer prints from both Android or iOS by way of the Android dock or iOS lightning-fast adapter. Bluetooth allows you to connect to any Bluetooth enabled device.

Download the SI Smartphone Printer app for making edits or adding things to your pictures for easy customization. Print your first LifeProof 4”x6” photo in 60 seconds with the 4pass printing technology. 

7.Polaroid Zip Printer –  Nfc Connection

We just had to pick this printer with attention to the NFC connection option. Both the printer and your NFC phone have to be a few centimeters apart to exchange data. Almost all phones have an NFC chip so no worries. If it doesn’t you can always connect to the printer by Bluetooth or USB cable for computers.

The Polaroid Zip printer is small enough to fit into your pocket so you never miss a chance to print on the go. Take advantage of the rechargeable built-in battery that prints up to 25 photos in a single charge. Perfect for almost every occasion, the best portable 4×6 photo printer will be the best little tool in your arsenal.

The power of Zero ink technology produces photos that are lifelike and stunningly vibrant.  Take your photo editing skill to the next level with the Polaroid app. What you are left with is prints that are going to last a long time. 

Buying Guide For The Best 4×6 Photo Printer

Ensuring you get the best 4×6 photo printer, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Size

If you are going to be taking your printer with you, you need it to be small and not weigh too much. If you are only going to be doing prints at home or in your studio then you can opt for a larger, weightier printer since you won’t be moving it around much. 

Photo Quality

You want your photos to reflect exactly what you’re capturing. Photos that lack color and quality are just going to look shoddy and fade faster than you hope it would. This would be an utter waste of money and time

Running Cost

When you’re doing large volumes of photo printing, look for a printer that will save you money. Producing large batches uses up more ink, paper, and more. Look for bundle deals and printers with systems that print more for less.

Compatibility

Whether you are printing from Android, iOS, Windows or Mac devices, check to make sure the printer is compatible with your devices. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Really Need A Printer Just For Printing Photos?

Of course, you do. Some printers sitting at home can give you a decent looking photo.  Although this may be true, a printer made specifically for photos would give you so much more. The quality is going to be a whole lot better and also you can print on photo paper of various sizes. This may not be so with your printer at home

Which Paper Is Best For Photo Printing?

Photo paper comes in many finishes. Most popular are matte and glossy photo paper. Firstly the matte photo paper gives you the best color accuracy. Secondly glossy paper will emphasize color due to its shiny and reflective nature. This leads to higher quality photos so glossy paper is the best.

Does Speed Matter In A Photo Printer?

When printing photos the speed is not as important as quality. Nonetheless, you don’t want to be waiting for more than 5 minutes for a single 4×6 photo. It is unlikely a single photo is going to take that long. If under any circumstances you need to have pictures at a fast rate go through the manufacturer’s specification and the speed should be listed there.

Should I Go With A Wired Or Wireless Connection?

This will vary from person to person. Do you load pictures from your camera and phone to a computer, edit and then print? In this instance, a wired connection would be just fine since most printers come with a standard USB port. On the other hand, if you print instantly and directly from your phone or tablet then a wireless connection is best. You can connect to the printer and print through wifi or Bluetooth. Some printers even offer standalone print operations from memory cards, USB thumb drives, and digital cameras with PictBridge.

How Does Inkjet, Thermal, And Zink Technology Differ From Each Other?

Photo printers that use inkjet technology consist of tiny nozzles that spray the ink onto paper. Meanwhile, thermal dye sublimation uses a heated print head that passes over a color ribbon or film and makes an impression on photo paper. In contrast, Zink technology uses no ink or ribbons but uses special zink paper instead. The zink paper consists of layers where color crystals are hidden that activates upon heating when passing through a zink printer.

Conclusion

It is important to realize when choosing a photo printer, quality is of utmost importance. That being said, running costs and speeds are equally important so choose wisely. If you cannot make up your mind, we recommend the Epson PictureMate Pal (PM 200). The print quality is outstanding by making use of Micro Piezo inkjet technology. It features a handy design that only protects the printer but also allows for easy portability. In brief, this makes for an investment you won’t regret anytime soon.