BBy Bikram Nath·Researched from UK Amazon listings·Updated 2026-07-10·6 products compared
What are the best photo printers to buy in the UK?
Our top pick for Photo Printers in the UK is the Epson Expression Photo XP-980.
For UK photographers who want a home printer that produces gallery-quality colour prints without a specialist printing service, the Epson Expression Photo XP-980 is the top pick — A3-capable output and Claria Photo HD inks deliver photo print quality that genuinely rivals professional lab output.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide contains Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you — but it never changes our rankings.
Choosing a photo printer in the UK in 2026 means navigating a surprisingly wide range — from compact dye-sublimation units that fit on a bookshelf to A3-capable all-in-ones that rival pro lab output. Canon and Epson continue to dominate the home printing segment, with HP offering strong value in the all-in-one bracket. The biggest hidden cost is ink: standard cartridge systems can cost 8–15p per print once you factor in photo paper, while dye-sublimation models bundle ink with paper at a predictable flat rate. For most UK households printing holiday snaps, birthday cards, and school projects, a 6-ink wireless inkjet hitting A4 at under £150 is the sweet spot. If you occasionally want A3 gallery prints or plan to print more than 50 photos per month, stepping up to the Epson XP-980 pays for itself quickly. This guide covers six real models, currently available on Amazon UK, ranked by real-world value.
Buying guide
What should you look for in Photo Printers?
1Ink type matters more than price tag — dye-sublimation (Canon SELPHY, Kodak Dock) bundles ink and paper into one cartridge, giving predictable cost per print; inkjet systems are cheaper per page but require separate photo paper stock
2Count your colours — a 6-ink system (Canon PIXMA TS8750, Epson XP-980) produces richer shadows, more accurate skin tones, and deeper blacks than a 4-colour inkjet; worth the premium if print quality is your priority
3A4 vs 6×4 — most all-in-ones print up to A4 (21×29.7cm); dedicated compact printers like the Canon SELPHY or Kodak Dock only print postcard (10×15cm) — confirm your most common output size before buying
4Instant Ink and subscription plans — HP ties several models to HP Instant Ink; great for high-volume users but check cancellation terms and ensure the printer still works at cartridge speeds outside the subscription
5UK paper stock is widely available — Fujifilm, Fotospeed, and Canon's own glossy and lustre papers are stocked by Currys, Ryman, and Amazon; budget £15–£25 per 50-sheet A4 pack of quality photo paper
Our process
How do we choose our picks?
We don’t lab-test products ourselves. Instead we synthesise current Amazon UK listings and published specs into clear, honest recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, but that never changes which products we rank.
Current UK availability
We check each pick against live Amazon UK catalogue data rather than last year’s model lists. Stock moves fast, so a listing can sell out after we publish.
Published specs
We compare manufacturer specifications so each pick is right for a real budget and use-case.
UK-specific fit
We factor in UK voltage and plug/fitting standards — details that generic global lists miss.
A 6-colour home photo printer with a 10.8cm touchscreen and 13-second borderless 6×4" prints — worth a look again when it's back in stock.
Print Resolution
4800 × 1200 dpi
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth, SD Card
Ink Type
Dye (6-colour individual cartridges)
Max Paper Size
A4 (borderless)
Print Speed
15 ipm mono / 10 ipm colour / 13s for 4×6"
What we like
+6-colour individual ink system delivers vivid, accurate photo colours
+Fast 10×15cm borderless photo in just 13 seconds
+Large tilting 10.8cm touchscreen with Switch UI scene modes
+Dual paper trays — keep plain and photo paper loaded simultaneously
+SD card slot enables PC-free printing
Worth noting
–Standard cartridge running costs are higher than EcoTank alternatives
–No ADF — single-page flatbed scan only
View on Amazon UKAmazon UK shows no offer for this product as of 17 Oct, 07:00 (London time). Details
6
Canon
Best Compact
Canon SELPHY CP1500
A dedicated postcard and snapshot printer with a protective laminate coat for water, scratch, and fingerprint resistance — worth a look again when it's back in stock.
Print Resolution
300 × 300 dpi (dye-sublimation)
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, USB-C, SD Card
Ink Type
Dye-sublimation (ink + paper bundle)
Max Paper Size
Postcard (10×15cm)
Print Speed
41 seconds per postcard print
What we like
+Lab-quality postcard prints in 41 seconds flat
+Protective laminate coat — water, scratch, and fingerprint resistant
+Prints last up to 100 years per Canon's archival rating
+SELPHY Photo Layout app adds filters, stamps, and QR code sharing
+Compact and lightweight — easy to store or take to events
Worth noting
–Postcard-size only — not suitable for A4 document printing
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 17 Oct, 07:00 (London time) and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Editor's Note
UK consumers benefit from two cost-management options not widely available elsewhere: HP Instant Ink (automatic cartridge delivery, cancellable monthly plans) and Canon's own ink subscription via its website. Both reduce per-page costs for regular users by 40–60%. All printers listed carry UKCA marking (the post-Brexit replacement for CE certification), ensuring electrical safety compliance for UK sale. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, UK buyers have 30 days for a full refund and up to six years to claim for faulty goods — more robust protection than the standard EU two-year warranty.
Our Take
UK weather means weather-sealing and low-light performance matter more than megapixel counts. The Epson Expression Photo XP-980 is our top recommendation — it delivers the best balance of quality and value, with A3 output that's rare at this price point. If that's out of budget, the YOTON Photo Printer offers solid performance at a lower price point. Avoid the cheapest unbranded options on Amazon UK — UK consumer protection only helps if the seller is still trading.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
What is the best photo printer in the UK?
The Epson Expression Photo XP-980 is the best all-round home photo printer in the UK for 2026. Its A3-capable printing, 5760 × 1440 dpi resolution, and Claria Photo HD inks rated for 300-year album longevity make it the standout choice for UK households who want gallery-quality prints without a specialist print service.
What is the cheapest way to print photos at home in the UK?
Dye-sublimation printers like the Canon SELPHY CP1500 or Kodak Dock Plus bundle ink and paper into a single cartridge — predictable and waste-free. For A4 prints, an EcoTank or Instant Ink subscription on an HP printer can cut costs at high volume.
Can I print A3 photos at home in the UK without buying a professional printer?
Yes — the Epson Expression Photo XP-980 prints up to A3 via its rear specialist feed and uses Claria Photo HD inks rated for 300-year album longevity. A3-capable photo printers are rare at consumer prices, which is why it is the pick here.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. UKPicks earns a small commission from qualifying purchases made via links on this page. This does not affect our editorial recommendations or the price you pay.
