We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. We love photography and instant cameras, so we’ve tried out almost all of the available options on the market to find the best ones for you and your budget.
Polaroid Mint Pocket Printer
Print anywhere, anytime
Pros
- Slim, compact, highly portable
- Uses Zink paper
- Rechargeable battery lasts up to 50 prints
- Connects wirelessly to smartphone via Bluetooth
- Companion app has editing tools
Cons
- Does not come with a lot of starter paper
- Zink paper isn’t the cheapest
The Polaroid Mint Pocket Printer is super slim and compact, so you can even stuff it in your pocket. It connects to your smartphone (Android or iPhone) via Bluetooth, and the companion Polaroid Mint app has built-in photo editing tools that allow you to make sure your pictures are perfect before printing them out on 2-by-3-inch sticky-backed Zink paper. The Mint is also rechargeable, and a single full charge lasts for 50 prints.
Prynt Pocket Instant Photo Printer
iPhone instant camera
Pros
- Connects to iPhone via Lightning, turns it into instant camera
- Prints out new iPhone shots or existing images
- Uses own Zink paper
- Rechargeable battery lasts a few days
- Prynt offers a subscription plan for "unlimited" paper
Cons
- Very bulky
- Only connects to iPhone
- No Bluetooth support
- Complicated setup
- Prynt-specific Zink paper is harder to find
The Prynt Pocket is a unique product that attaches and connects to your iPhone through Lightning, turning it into an instant camera. It instantly prints out any new photos you take with it on, or you can use the companion Prynt app to edit and print out your Camera Roll photos. However, the device itself is bulky, you must connect via Lightning since there’s no Bluetooth support, and loading the paper into the printer is complicated compared to the competition.
Both the Polaroid Mint Pocket Printer and Prynt Pocket are good options if you just want a device to print your iPhone’s photos, with the Prynt doing just a little bit more. However, whether those extra features are worth the hassle of carrying around something bulky is up for debate.
Let’s break it down
While both the Polaroid Mint Pocket Printer and Prynt Pocket are capable of printing photos that you already have on your mobile device, the Prynt goes one step further and turns your iPhone into an instant camera. However, the setup process is a bit cumbersome and we don’t think the bulk is worth carrying around if you just want to print out existing photos and don’t need an instant camera.
| Polaroid Mint Pocket Printer | Prynt Pocket | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $130 | $130 |
| Dimensions | 3 x 0.5 x 1 inches | 3.3 x 2.8 x 1.9 inches |
| Profile | Slim and compact | Bulky |
| Battery | Rechargeable via microUSB, lasts 50 prints | Rechargeable via microUSB, lasts a few days depending on usage |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth | Lightning |
| Compatibility | iOS or Android | iPhone only |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Instant Camera | No | Yes |
| Paper | Polaroid 2×3" inch ZINK paper | Prynt 2×3" inch ZINK paper |
| Easy-to-use | Yes | No |
| Photo paper subscription service | No | Yes |
While the Prynt Pocket is pretty cool for turning your iPhone into an instant camera, it’s just not that easy to use and very time-consuming to figure out. Considering how bulky the product is, by the time you get it all set up, perhaps that moment has already left.
Plus, you need to load the Zink paper into a separate cartridge, while making sure it’s in the right orientation, and then that cartridge must be loaded into the part that connects to the phone via the Lightning port. It’s cumbersome and not worth it, in our opinion. Since you can print out photos in your Camera Roll with the Prynt Pocket, what’s the real point in turning your iPhone into an instant camera aside from novelty?
What’s the point in turning your iPhone into an instant camera aside from novelty?
And if you’re looking at these two products because you want a device that can just print out your photos on your device, the Polaroid Mint is clearly the superior choice. It’s slim and compact enough to slide into your pocket and easily connects to your Android or iPhone device via Bluetooth. The app lets you edit photos before printing, and prints come out on sticky-backed 2-by-3-inch Zink paper. Plus, you’re able to print out about 50 photos on a single charge, which is nice.
Even dealing with the paper is easier with the Polaroid Mint. This camera uses normal Zink paper, while the Prynt Pocket can only use Prynt’s own Zink paper, which is much harder to find and purchase. Prynt does have a subscription for "unlimited paper," but that’s extra money you might not need to spend.
If all you need is a portable photo printer for your existing Camera Roll photos, then the Polaroid Mint Pocket Printer is all you need.
Polaroid Mint Pocket Printer
Our pick
Compact printing on-the-go
The Polaroid Mint Pocket Printer is slim, compact, and lightweight enough to go with you anywhere. You can connect it to your Android device or iPhone with the companion app, which has built-in editing tools. Then print out your existing photos on the sticky-backed Zink paper.
Prynt Pocket
Snap and print
Turn your iPhone into an instant camera printer
The Prynt Pocket attaches to your iPhone via the Lightning port and turns your iPhone into an instant camera with a printer. Take new captures and print them immediately, or you can use the companion app and print out your Camera Roll photos. Just know that things get more complicated from there.
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