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10 Best Color Photo Printers 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

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

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,124
Print Speed
Color Accuracy
Ink Type

Most important from
678 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
10.0
Chosen by1,124
Print Speed
Color Accuracy
Ink Type

Most important from
678 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.
#2

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax, Best-for-Office

Rating
9.4
Paper Handling
Connectivity Options
Cost of Consumables

Most important from
4475 reviews

Paper Handling
Known hardware issues cause persistent false paper jam errors, severely impacting usability and leading to repeated costly repairs.
Connectivity Options
Setup is wireless, straightforward, and error-free, supporting reliable and intuitive operation over both wired and wireless connections.
Cost of Consumables
Replacement parts sent by HP are often refurbished and can introduce new problems like streaked printouts and loud screeching noises.

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw is designed with small teams and office environments in mind, offering a solid mix of printing, scanning, copying, and faxing functions. It delivers fast color printing speeds (up to 33 pages per minute), which is great if you need quick turnaround on reports or documents. The print resolution is 607 x 600 dpi for both color and black-and-white, which is decent for clear text and standard graphics but may not fully satisfy users aiming for high-precision photo prints with exceptional detail or color depth. As a laser printer using toner cartridges, it generally offers sharper text and less smudging than inkjets, but laser technology usually falls a bit short of inkjets when it comes to vibrant photo color accuracy and gradient smoothness.

Paper handling is practical with a 300-sheet capacity and automatic two-sided printing, supporting envelopes and glossy photo paper up to 8.5 x 14 inches, which adds flexibility for various document types. Connectivity is strong, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, Bluetooth, and compatibility with multiple devices like PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets, making wireless printing easy from nearly any device.

On the downside, the printer requires original HP toner cartridges with specific chips, which can increase the cost of consumables over time compared to generic alternatives. Its weight (45 pounds) and size may also be a consideration if space is limited. Security features are a plus, offering protection for sensitive data through HP Wolf Pro Security. This printer suits small offices needing reliable, fast color printing and multifunction features, though those seeking premium photo print quality or lower ongoing ink costs may want to explore other technologies.

Rating
9.4
Paper Handling
Connectivity Options
Cost of Consumables

Most important from
4475 reviews

Paper Handling
Known hardware issues cause persistent false paper jam errors, severely impacting usability and leading to repeated costly repairs.
Connectivity Options
Setup is wireless, straightforward, and error-free, supporting reliable and intuitive operation over both wired and wireless connections.
Cost of Consumables
Replacement parts sent by HP are often refurbished and can introduce new problems like streaked printouts and loud screeching noises.
#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
8.8
Color Accuracy
Ink Type
Connectivity Options

Most important from
5591 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
8.8
Color Accuracy
Ink Type
Connectivity Options

Most important from
5591 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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