We Ranked the 3 Best Photo Printers for iPhone

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By

Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Jun 11, 2024 2:40 PM

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When you’re seeking the best photo printers for your iPhone, you need models that deliver superior photo quality, swift connectivity, and ease of use. Key features like wireless printing, high-resolution output, and compatibility with iOS devices are essential. Our selection of top photo printers ensures you get stunning prints directly from your phone, capturing every detail with vibrant color accuracy​​​​​​.

After analyzing over 26 printers and verifying their performance, we found three that excelled. We covered 148,832 reviews and filtered out 67% of experts who were unreliable. Our thorough process, combining True Score and Trust Rating, guarantees only the best products make our buying guide. These top-performing printers not only meet but exceed expectations in photo printing quality. These models were recognized not just for their quality specific to iPhone compatibility but also as some of the best printers overall in today’s market, ensuring all-around excellence in performance.

How Did We Rank the Best Photo Printers for iPhone?

Our evaluation of photo printers for iPhone incorporated data from more than 200 sites, combining customer reviews, testing methods, and expert analyses. The criteria that matter most—2 required test results, 1 nice-to-have test results, and 1 must-have specifications—were identified and prioritized. Our true score system ensures each recommendation is accurate and reliable.

Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must have Mobile Printing.

? Test Criteria

  • Color Accuracy: Color accuracy is maintained with a deviation (dE) of less than 6.
  • Printing Costs: Printing costs are less than 40 cents per page.

? “Nice To Haves”

  • Print Speed: Color Printing Speed surpasses 12 pages per minute (ppm).

Latest Updates

  • 06/11/2024: Republished the list to include the best photo printers for iPhone based on our True Score system.

Top Photo Printers for iPhone For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300

    The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300, while not the cheapest, offers outstanding value for serious photographers and designers due to its exceptional color accuracy and efficient printing costs.

    Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 Review →

    True Score

    89
    88
    4

    Experts

    90
    460

    Customers

    SAVE $51
    $899.99
    $849.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Canon Pixma TR8620A

    The Canon Pixma TR8620A is ideal for casual photographers and busy office environments. It offers fast, versatile printing from iPhones. While it does not deliver top-tier print quality, its efficiency and comprehensive features provide excellent value.

    Canon Pixma TR8620A Review →

    True Score

    75
    73
    4

    Experts

    83
    4k

    Customers

    SAVE $3
    $199.99
    $197.01

    Category Snapshot

    Printers

    • Total Brands/Products Tested

      5 Brands, 26 Products

    • Top 2 Brands

      Epson, Canon

    • Price Range (Budget-Premium)

      $30-$1,000

    • Average True Score

      80.95

    • Important Test Criteria

      Mono & Color Print Speed (in/s, cm/s)

      Color Accuracy (dE)

    • Most Trusted Testers

      rtings and tech gear lab logos

    • Top Printer Experts

      Ryan Lim, Lesley Robinson

    • Typical Warranty

      1 year

    • Covered by Insurance

      Yes – AKKO

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Canon Pixma MG3620

    The Canon Pixma MG3620 is a budget-friendly, all-in-one printer perfect for home users and students needing straightforward, wireless printing. Its simplicity and efficiency make it ideal for casual, low-volume printing.

    Canon Pixma MG3620 Review →

    True Score

    72
    70
    4

    Experts

    79
    31k

    Customers

    SAVE $35
    $79.99
    $45.39

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Photo Printers for iPhone?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 1 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these printers and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a printer that will print from an iPhone.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Color Printing Costs> 40 centsYesHow much a color page costs to print.
Color Accuracy< 6 dEYesHow much the color printed by a printer deviates, on average, from the reference color.
Color Print Speed> 12 ppmNo (Nice to have)How fast a printer can produce color pages and photos while printing.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 80+ printers reviewers and found that 23 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for printers.

  1. Ryan Lim – Rtings, LinkedIn
  2. Lesley Robinson – TechGearLab, LinkedIn
  3. Ben Keough – Wirecutter, MuckRack, LinkedIn

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every printer review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Best Photo Printers for iPhone Test Data & Results

1. Color Printing Costs (cents per page)

The other side of the coin when it comes to printing costs is the cost for printing using colored ink or toner. While it’s measured the same was as you’d measure black and white printing costs, the acceptable cost is much, much different. Colored ink is more expensive than black and white ink, and if you’re constantly printing photos, the cost of printing in color will ramp up very fast.

We therefore recommend that your printer print color pages at a cost of 40 cents per page or less. Less is always better – getting the cost as low as possible without compromising print quality is the ideal, after all.

Color Printing Costs (in cents per page; lower is better)

2. Color Accuracy (dE)

Color accuracy with printers uses a mix of standardized references (like the Adobe ColorChecker) and a color control sensor to check the accuracy of the colors printed by a printer and then grades the accuracy on a 10-point+ scale. Unlike most scales, where 10 is good, color accuracy scores are reversed, with 0 and 1 being the most desirable score, as it indicates little to no deviation from the reference color.

Generally speaking, color accuracy should be at least a 5 or lower to be considered “good.” At 6 or higher, the colors are noticeably different, which is an issue if you’re printing photos and hoping for accurate colors.

Color Accuracy (lower is better)

3. Print Speed, Color (PPM)

Much like black and white print speeds, color printing speed is simply a measure of how long it takes a printer to print out color documents and photos. If you’re purely printing photos, you’ll see an ever further reduced speed (given the size of photographs and the detail they demand.)

Color print speed is less important (generally) than black and white speeds, simply because it’s usually done less. However, if you’re constantly printing photos at home or in the office, higher print speeds are good to keep you from waiting around for a print job to finish.

Print Speed, Color (PPM; higher is better)

Best Photo Printers for iPhone: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring Compatibility: Ensure the printer is compatible with iPhones. Look for printers that support AirPrint or have dedicated mobile apps compatible with iOS devices. Avoid printers that only work with specific operating systems or lack wireless connectivity options for iPhone printing. Similarly, when selecting the best printers for Mac, ensure they also offer seamless integration with macOS, enhancing workflow for Mac users with consistent performance and compatibility.

  2. Neglecting Print Quality: The primary purpose of a photo printer is to produce high-quality prints. Don’t compromise on print quality for the sake of other features. Look for printers with advanced printing technologies, such as dye-sublimation or inkjet, capable of delivering vibrant colors and sharp details.

  3. Underestimating Print Size: Consider the maximum print size supported by the printer. Some photo printers are limited to standard sizes like 4×6 inches, while others can print larger sizes up to 8×10 inches or more. Choose a printer that meets your print size preferences for displaying or sharing your photos.

  4. Disregarding Connectivity Options: Wireless connectivity is essential for printing directly from your iPhone. Ensure the printer offers Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity and supports AirPrint for seamless printing from iOS devices. Avoid printers that rely solely on wired connections or lack compatibility with iPhone printing technologies. If wireless options are unavailable, knowing how to print from mobile using a USB cable can be crucial.

The Best Photo Printers for iPhone Tests Compared

Product
True Score
B&W Print Speed
Color Print Speed
B&W Printing Cost (per page)
Color Printing Cost (per page)
Color Accuracy
89
  • 1 ppm

  • 0.75 ppm

  • 27.5¢

  • 2.93 dE

$849.00
$900
$51

Canon Pixma TR8620A

  • Best for Photo Printer For iPhone

75
  • 11.67 ppm

  • 3.97 ppm

  • 7.63¢

  • 16.4¢

  • 4.93 dE

$197.01
$200
$3

Canon Pixma MG3620

  • Best for Best Overall

72
  • 8.43 ppm

  • 2.63 ppm

  • 8.83¢

  • 19.93¢

  • 5.24 dE

$45.39
$80
$35

Photo Printers for iPhones Questions (FAQ)

What features should I look for in a photo printer for iPhone?

Look for printers that support AirPrint, offer high resolution and color accuracy, and have wireless connectivity options like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

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