TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Having a camera ready to go in your back pocket is an undeniable convenience of owning a smartphone. Before this technology, you’d have to bring a bulky camera with you to document special occasions, making it a staple at birthday parties, weddings, and graduation ceremonies. While it could be a pain lugging around this expensive electronic, it was worth it to have hard copies of these important milestones.Film and digital cameras are less common these days, and as a result, so is printing photographs. Instead of having physical photos to frame or send to the grandparents, we keep our images in the cloud, sharing snapshots mostly through social media and email. Maybe it’s the nostalgia, but there’s just something extra special about holding an actual photograph in your hand compared to displaying it on a screen. Previously, visiting a photo center was your only way to develop these memories, but there’s also a modern-day solution: A portable photo printer.What is a portable photo printer?Portable photo printers are exactly what they sound like. The small device prints photographs directly from your smartphone and is usually compatible with both iPhones and Androids. Designed to work anywhere, these compact printers are small enough to slip into a bag or fit within the palm of your hand. The biggest advantage of this on-the-go design is that you can share these snapshots with friends and family the second the printer spits them out. One popular option is the Kodak Mini 2 Retro Portable Photo Printer, and it’s currently on sale for just $80 — its lowest price at Amazon in the past 90 days. Additionally, the Kodak Dock Plus Photo Printer, which prints full-size photos, is on sale for $110, and it’s the no. 1 bestseller in photo printers.Kodak Mini 2 Retro Portable Photo Printer
Courtesy of Amazon
Check price at AmazonKodak Dock Plus Photo Printer
Courtesy of Amazon
Check price at AmazonWhat is the most affordable way to print smartphone photos?If the only factor you’re looking at is cost, then generally the most affordable way to get your smartphone photos printed is by sending them to a local store for pick-up. Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS all have online platforms that allow you to upload your smartphone pictures and then pick them up at your local store. It typically costs less than 50 cents per photo, and Walmart Photo is the most affordable, with options starting as low as 16 cents per photo. However, you’ll spend on gas to pick them up and run the risk of making other spontaneous purchases while you’re in the store. Although the initial cost may be lower, you could end up spending more in the long run. And what if you only need a couple of photos printed? The trip to the store becomes an inconvenience. A portable photo printer will cost more upfront. The purchase price will vary depending on the printer model, with budget-friendly options starting around $75 and higher-end versions reaching upwards of $200. On top of the cost of the printer itself, you’ll also need to factor in ink and paper costs. All in all, you’ll pay around 50 cents to $1 per photo print on average, depending on the cost of the printing device and the supplies. This is going to be slightly more expensive compared to picking up your prints at a store, but considering CVS starts at 42 cents a picture, it’s not necessarily a huge difference. The real value of a portable photo printer is its overall convenience. You can print photos anywhere at any time and don’t have to waste time or money making a special trip to the store. Benefits of a portable photo printerWhile it may be a bit more expensive than printing your photos at a local store, owning a portable photo printer comes with four major benefits.Get your photos in an instant. No matter how fast your local printer works, there is still going to be a wait time while your photos are being processed. Most portable printers will have your photographs ready to go in a minute or less after sending them through. If you’re hosting a birthday, you could send your attendees home with a keepsake photo from the party. Seamlessly connect with multiple devices. Does your friend’s phone have the photo you took together? Most smartphone printers pair with multiple devices, so they can print it off for you. Additionally, it means you stay connected to your phone and laptop simultaneously when printing out your favorite shots.It’s perfect for journaling and scrapbooking. Showcasing pictures in a travel journal or your personal diary allows you to reminisce more easily on your past adventures. If this is how you intend to use your printouts, consider a photo printer that supports sticker paper, so you can easily fix them to the page by peeling off the back.Maximize your creativity. The majority of phone printers come with a smartphone app you need to install to begin printing images. Many of these apps also offer photo editing software, so you can correct imperfections or add a colorful frame, text, or icons to your photo before printing. What to consider when purchasing a phone photo printer?There’s a large market of smartphone photo printers available, so sifting through all these models can lead to decision fatigue. The main thing to consider when purchasing this device is what size photos you want.The most compact devices will typically have the smallest printouts. The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition) is small enough to fit into the back pocket of a pair of jeans, but the sticky-back photos it prints are quite petite at 2 inches wide by 3 inches long. The Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer has a similar size, and it’s also available for under $100 with an Amazon deal. If you don’t want sticker-style photographs, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 Smartphone Printer uses a unique film-style technology with print-outs that look like polaroids. If you want a standard 4-inch by 6-inch photo, the Yoton Photo Printer is a popular choice at just $90, but it’s not small enough to fit in your pocket, requiring a tote bag or backpack if you want to carry it around. If you don’t mind a larger size, you can also find options that print multiple sizes of photos, like the Liene Amber M110 Bluetooth Photo Printer. The Canon Selphy CP1500 Wireless Compact Photo Printer is one of the best-reviewed options for printing standard-sized photos, but the $179 price tag for just the printer (and no supplies) makes it one of the most expensive selections.HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition)
Courtesy of Amazon
Check price at AmazonCanon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer
Courtesy of Amazon
Check price at AmazonFujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 Smartphone Printer
Courtesy of Amazon
Check price at AmazonYoton Photo Printer
Courtesy of Amazon
Check price at AmazonLiene Amber M110 Bluetooth Photo Printer
Courtesy of Amazon
Check price at AmazonCanon Selphy CP1500 Wireless Compact Photo Printer
Courtesy of Amazon
Check price at AmazonIs a portable photo printer a worthwhile investment?In terms of affordability, it depends on how often you want to print. The cheapest way to print photos from your smartphone is likely by visiting a local store with a photo center when you have a large batch ready. However, if you want an affordable and convenient way to print a couple of photos here and there or to share photos with loved ones during special occasions, a portable phone printer can be a worthwhile investment. No longer will your cherished photos be floating around in the cloud — they can be framed and displayed without paying a middleman. While you may not frequently swipe through photos of your family reunion or a friend’s retirement party, you will remember the event when you have a picture of it hanging on your refrigerator. TheStreet Shopping is your guide for shopping insights and advice. We look beyond the price tag to find the best value in home, tech, and wellness gear based on product features and real-world use. Read more about our Editorial Standards and How We Choose Our Shopping Deals.