Best Photo Printers in Canada

We strive to bring the best of the best products to the attention of Canadian consumers. We evaluate hundreds of items, including electronic devices, appliances, household goods, lifestyle products, and the newest gadgets on the market. You can trust we will only recommend products we truly enjoy and benefit from using.

We compile our list based on evaluations made by our experts. After we have thoroughly researched every product, we choose the best of the best for each category before sending those recommendations to you. For our list of the best photo printers in Canada, we looked for the following features.

• Size. Some Canadians are looking for a photo printer that is small and portable enough to fit right into their purse or pocket. Others may be looking for a photo printer that can handle printing full-sized photos – and plenty of them. When compiling our list, we looked for a variety of sizes to suit different needs.
• Connectivity Options. There are a lot of different ways that Canadians can print photos using a photo printer. Some use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity to print directly from their smartphone or tablet. Others use USB technology to connect to a variety of devices. And some are compatible with SD or memory cards like you find in a typical digital camera. We tried to include a variety of options with varying connectivity abilities so you can find the photo printer that works best for you.
• Multi-function. For our list, we included a variety of photo printers and even some that do more than just print photos. Some Canadians may enjoy having a multi-function device that doubles as a printer, copier, and scanner – as well as a photo printer.
• Quality and Speed. We looked for photo printers that are best-sellers and got great reviews for printing high-quality, smudge-free photos. And we tried to include options that are well-known for printing very quickly, so you won’t be waiting around for your photos to print.

How to Choose a Photo Printer in Canada

Before you begin shopping for a photo printer in Canada, there are a few things you should consider. You should know what to look for for your lifestyle, as well as consider how you plan to use your photo printer. These factors and more can help determine which printer works best for you. 

Number of Photos

If you want to print many photos, you want to be sure your photo printer can handle a high quantity of prints. A larger printer with more ways to connect and print may be a good option for someone printing a lot of photos. If you want a lot of photos printed at once, consider a photo printer that Customers who want to print smaller quantities might enjoy a more compact style.

Potential Users

Customers of varying ages may enjoy different functions in a photo printer. Young people and children may enjoy a printer that allows photos to be edited and turned into stickers. Professionals may want to look for the fastest and most high-quality photo printing. Consider who will be using your photo printer, as well as the people who will be using it.

Printing Technology

The way a printer works can determine the quality of your photos, the depth of colour you can expect, and more. Here are a few of the most popular printing technologies. Most of the best photo printers in Canada use one of these methods.

• Inkjet. The standard, inexpensive printers you purchase for your home or small office are usually inkjet printers. They can print high-quality images with the right settings, though they print somewhat slower than other models. The ink is usually inexpensive but needs to be replaced frequently. Inkjet printers can also handle specialty papers, including labels, transfers, and special types of photo paper.
• Dye Sublimation. Dye Sublimation printers are made to print on surfaces other than paper. These printers can print on plastic or other solid materials without fading or smearing, as the ink is embedded into the material rather than sitting on the surface. Thermal printers are a type of dye sublimation printer. Both options provide high-quality, professional results with a high cost of entry.
• Laser. Laser printers can print documents and some photos quickly, but the quality of photos might suffer as a result. These printers are typically used for high-volume printing, especially in an office setting.
• SuperTank. SuperTank printers are inkjets that use multiple large, refillable tanks rather than replacement cartridges. You might choose this option for low-cost printing, as each ink refill can print more pages than a cartridge might. Expect a high entry cost but reduced maintenance costs. These printers are also sturdy and durable, with high-quality performance.

Choose the type of printer that will work best for your purposes, including how frequently you print photos, the photo quality you need, and how fast you need your photos to print. Consider how you plan to use your printer, as well as how often you plan to print photos. Asking yourself these questions can take some of the mystery out of shopping for a photo printer.

Printing Speed

How fast do you need your photos printed? Do you want them immediately, or do you prefer a slower, more accurate process? It all comes down to how you plan to use your photos. Are you printing photos for use at home in your scrapbook or photo album? A slower printing speed might be fine for you. However, if you are printing photos on the go or need to print photos quickly, you’ll need a printer with a higher ppm (‘photos per minute’) rating.

This is a personal choice. The speed of printing will not affect how your photos look in most cases, so you should choose a printing speed that works best for you.

Ink and Paper Requirements

Some Canadians might not want to bother with the ink cartridges or toners that are required for some photo printers. If this sounds like you, then you should look for a photo printer that uses inkless or thermal technology to print photos. This will save you both time and money because you won’t have to worry about replacing the ink when it starts to run low.

You also need to consider the cost of the photo paper itself. Photo paper comes in different styles, thicknesses, and varieties, not to mention different sizes. If you’re looking for a photo printer that is the most cost-effective, you might want to consider a smaller model that uses smaller-sized photo paper to save money. However, if money is not an issue and you want to print lots of high-quality photos in larger sizes, then opt for a full-sized photo printer that can handle full sheets of photo paper for the largest options.

The most important thing to keep in mind when considering the ink and paper requirements is that you should always choose ink and paper that is compatible with your photo printer. Your user manual or manufacturer’s website should fill you in on the specific type of ink and paper you’ll need to get the best results from your photo printer. If you use ink and paper that are not compatible with your printer, you might face adverse results.

Controls

You want your photo printer to be as simple as possible. If it’s difficult to use, you’ll be less likely to reach for it. Look for a photo printer that comes with its own editing apps, as well as simple controls. Some printers use buttons on a standard control panel. Others will use a large touchscreen interface that allows you to select your options. Many modern printers can be controlled exclusively through their connected app or computer software, too. Consider the type of controls you’ll be most comfortable with before purchasing a photo printer.

Photo Quality

If you are interested in a photo printer, it means you’re probably interested in capturing your memories. You want your photos to be of the highest quality. It’s important to choose a photo printer that can produce high-quality images. So how do you know which printer will produce the highest quality?

Printers with more ink colours (and therefore more ink tanks) provide the best depth of colour for your photos. If you want your pictures to be true-to-life, choose a printer with a larger number of photo tanks. Most budget photo printers come with between 2 and 5 tanks, while more professional options can exceed 10 different ink tanks.

Paper and ink quality are important, too. We looked at these options earlier. The final thing you should look for is how the printer produces images. Inkjet printers can produce a higher quality, while laser printers might be able to produce a higher quantity of photos. Sublimation is a newer technology that can produce more durable photos but may be lacking in quality overall.

All these options are important considerations when you need high-quality photos for your scrapbook or photo album.

Connectivity Options

Which devices do you own, and where are your photos stored? If you keep them on your computer’s hard drive, you should look for a printer with Wi-Fi or USB connectivity. If you want to print photos exclusively off your phone, Bluetooth can be a great option, too. Each printer will be able to interface differently with your devices.

We’ve featured a few smaller photo printers that are ideal for printing right from your smartphone. There are also options on our list that are meant to be used with your home or office computer instead. Choose how you want to connect to your printer wisely, as it might impact how simple it is to print all of the photos you need.

Additional Features

While you can find photo printers that exclusively print your photos, it’s common to find options that can perform multiple functions. Some photo printers can also print labels, specialized paper sizes, and more. Still, others may copy or scan in addition to printing photos and documents.

Consider how you want to use your photo printer. Do you already have a home or office printer for documents, scanning, or copying? If you already have access to these features, you can choose a printer that doesn’t offer them.

Additionally, connected applications often have expanded features that allow you to customize your photo prints. You can sometimes customize your photos with filters, borders, and other fun additions. This can be great for teens or scrapbookers. Apps may provide an editing suite that allows you to make the most of your memories before you print them out. Others allow for the use of specialized paper, such as sticky-backed paper that can be used to make your photos into stickers.

Photo printing doesn’t have to be boring or restrictive. With a host of additional features available in many different photo printers, it’s easy to find an option that works for all of your needs.