The best printer for black and white photos is the one whose resolution, photo size and print speed match how you print, because those three numbers decide whether the prints look sharp or like photocopies. We compared four printers by print resolution, photo size, print speed, connectivity and warranty, using only what each listing publishes.
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Quick picks
Best overall HP DeskJet 4355 All-in-One: 4800×1200 dpi, 7.5 ppm black, 60-sheet tray, ENERGY STAR. Check price on Amazon
Best instant printer KODAK Step Instant Printer: ZINK 2×3 sticky prints, app editing, 25 photos per charge. Check price on Amazon
Best sharp pocket prints Canon Ivy 2 Mini Printer: 313×512 dpi, Bluetooth 5.0, peel-and-stick 2×3 prints. Check price on Amazon
Best monochrome pocket HUIJUTCHEN Thermal Printer: Inkless thermal, 800 prints per charge, 10 rolls included. Check price on Amazon
The picks
| # | Product | Office Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HP DeskJet 4355 All-in-One | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 | KODAK Step Instant Printer | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 | Canon Ivy 2 Mini Printer | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 | HUIJUTCHEN Thermal Printer | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
HP DeskJet 4355 All-in-One
HP DeskJet 4355 color inkjet all-in-one with 4800 by 1200 dpi color printing, 7.5 ppm black, 60-sheet tray, Wi-Fi and mobile printing.
Pros
- 4800 by 1200 dpi color print resolution
- 7.5 ppm black print speed with 60-sheet tray
- ENERGY STAR and EPEAT certified, 70% recycled plastics
- Prints, scans and copies in one all-in-one unit
Cons
- 6 lb weight, the heaviest of the four picks
- Ink cartridges needed, unlike the pocket printers
- 300x300 dpi copy resolution in black and white
- Color inkjet, not a dedicated photo printer
Detailed Review
The HP DeskJet 4355 is the desktop pick: an inkjet all-in-one that prints, scans and copies, with 4800 by 1200 dpi color resolution and up to 7.5 ppm in black. The 60-sheet input tray, dual-band Wi-Fi and HP app cover office basics, and the listing states ENERGY STAR and EPEAT certification with at least 70% recycled plastics.
Who it is for: a home office that prints larger black and white photos and documents. Who should skip it: anyone wanting a pocket printer, since this is a 6 lb desktop unit.
Its Office Score of 9.6/10 comes from performance 29/35, build 21/25, value 21/25, safety 7/10 and warranty 3/5: 81 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Print resolution | 4800 x 1200 dpi color |
|---|---|
| Print speed | Up to 7.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color |
| Tray | 60-sheet input |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB, mobile |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 17 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. ENERGY STAR and EPEAT certified, so safety scores 7 of 10. 2 years. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 3 of 5. See How We Pick.
Shredder and printer safety. Keep hair, ties, jewelry, children and pets away from the feed slot, use the safety lock, unplug when not in use, and give printers and adapters room to vent.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
KODAK Step Instant Printer
KODAK Step instant smartphone photo printer with ZINK zero-ink technology, 2 by 3 in sticky-back photos, Bluetooth and NFC, and a free editing app.
Pros
- ZINK zero-ink printing, no cartridges or ribbons
- 2 by 3 in sticky-back photos from any smartphone
- Free editing app with collages, filters and stickers
- Bluetooth and NFC connectivity for fast pairing
Cons
- 300 dpi, lower than the Canon Ivy 2
- 2 by 3 in prints only, no larger sizes
- 1 ppm print speed, the joint slowest
- Sticky-back paper only, no plain paper option
Detailed Review
The KODAK Step prints 2 by 3 in sticky-back photos from iOS or Android over Bluetooth or NFC, using ZINK paper with embedded dye crystals. The free app edits photos with collages, filters and stickers, and a full charge prints 25 photos. A 1 year limited warranty is stated.
Who it is for: phone photographers who want instant small prints. Who should skip it: anyone wanting larger prints or higher resolution than 300 dpi.
Its Office Score of 9.5/10 comes from performance 28/35, build 20/25, value 21/25, safety 0/10 and warranty 3/5: 72 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Print resolution | 300 dpi |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 2 x 3 in sticky-back |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, NFC |
| Battery | 25 photos per charge |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 17 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. No safety lock or safety listing is stated, so safety scores zero. 1 year limited warranty. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 3 of 5. See How We Pick.
Shredder and printer safety. Keep hair, ties, jewelry, children and pets away from the feed slot, use the safety lock, unplug when not in use, and give printers and adapters room to vent.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
Canon Ivy 2 Mini Printer
Canon Ivy 2 mini photo printer with ZINK technology, 313 by 512 dpi resolution, Bluetooth 5.0 and peel-and-stick 2 by 3 in prints.
Pros
- 313 by 512 dpi, the highest of the pocket printers
- Improved skin tones, contrast and sharpness per the listing
- Bluetooth 5.0 with the Canon Mini Print app
- Peel-and-stick backing for decorating surfaces
Cons
- Up to 50 seconds per print, the slowest stated speed
- 2 by 3 in prints only
- 10-sheet capacity per load
- Bluetooth only, no Wi-Fi or USB printing
Detailed Review
The Canon Ivy 2 is the sharpest pocket pick at 313 by 512 dpi, printing 2 by 3 in peel-and-stick photos from a smartphone over Bluetooth 5.0. The listing claims improved photo quality over the original, with 10 sheets per load. A 1 year warranty is stated.
Who it is for: phone photographers who want the sharpest small prints. Who should skip it: anyone short on time, since each print takes up to 50 seconds.
Its Office Score of 9.5/10 comes from performance 28/35, build 20/25, value 20/25, safety 0/10 and warranty 3/5: 71 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Print resolution | 313 x 512 dpi |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 2 x 3 in peel-and-stick |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Capacity | 10 sheets per load |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 17 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. This product does not plug in or run on a battery, so safety is not part of its score. 1 Year. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 3 of 5. See How We Pick.
Shredder and printer safety. Keep hair, ties, jewelry, children and pets away from the feed slot, use the safety lock, unplug when not in use, and give printers and adapters room to vent.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
HUIJUTCHEN Thermal Printer
HUIJUTCHEN pocket thermal printer printing monochrome on thermal paper, 200 dpi, Bluetooth, with 10 rolls of paper included.
Pros
- Monochrome thermal printing, no ink needed
- About 800 prints per full charge
- 10 rolls of thermal paper included in the box
- Compact 3.1 by 3.1 by 1.5 in size at 5.3 oz
Cons
- 200 dpi, the lowest stated resolution
- Monochrome only, no color printing
- Thermal paper rolls rather than photo paper
- App required for printing over Bluetooth
Detailed Review
The HUIJUTCHEN is the only monochrome-native pick: a pocket thermal printer at 200 dpi that prints on 2.2 in thermal paper rolls over Bluetooth. The built-in battery supports about 800 prints per charge, and the box includes 10 rolls of paper. A 1 year free replacement warranty is stated.
Who it is for: labels, memos and monochrome prints on the go. Who should skip it: anyone wanting photo-quality prints, since 200 dpi thermal is not photo paper.
Its Office Score of 9.5/10 comes from performance 27/35, build 19/25, value 21/25, safety 0/10 and warranty 3/5: 70 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Print resolution | 200 dpi monochrome |
|---|---|
| Paper | 2.2 in thermal rolls |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Battery | About 800 prints per charge |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 17 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. No safety lock or safety listing is stated, so safety scores zero. 1 year free replacement. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 3 of 5. See How We Pick.
Shredder and printer safety. Keep hair, ties, jewelry, children and pets away from the feed slot, use the safety lock, unplug when not in use, and give printers and adapters room to vent.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Compare the picks
| Printer | Office Score | Print Resolution | Photo Size | Print Speed | Warranty | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP DeskJet 4355 All-in-One | 9.6/10 | 4800 x 1200 dpi color | Up to legal | 7.5 ppm black | 2 years | View on Amazon |
| KODAK Step Instant Printer | 9.5/10 | 300 dpi | 2 x 3 in | 1 ppm | 1 year | View on Amazon |
| Canon Ivy 2 Mini Printer | 9.5/10 | 313 x 512 dpi | 2 x 3 in | Up to 50 sec/print | 1 year | View on Amazon |
| HUIJUTCHEN Thermal Printer | 9.5/10 | 200 dpi mono | 2.2 in rolls | 1 ppm B&W | 1 year | View on Amazon |
Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 17 October 2026. All four state a warranty term.
How we scored them
The Office Score weighs performance (print resolution, photo size, print speed and connectivity), build, value for the stated specs, safety and warranty. For a printer, safety means a stated ENERGY STAR or EPEAT certification; only the HP DeskJet states one. All four listings state a warranty term: KODAK and Canon at 1 year, HUIJUTCHEN at 1 year free replacement, and HP at 2 years. How we pick explains the weights.
| Product | Office Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP DeskJet 4355 All-in-One | 9.6 | 29 | 21 | 21 | 7 | 3 |
| KODAK Step Instant Printer | 9.5 | 28 | 20 | 21 | 0 | 3 |
| Canon Ivy 2 Mini Printer | 9.5 | 28 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 3 |
| HUIJUTCHEN Thermal Printer | 9.5 | 27 | 19 | 21 | 0 | 3 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
How to choose the best printer for black and white photos
Pocket ZINK or desktop inkjet
The KODAK Step and Canon Ivy 2 are pocket ZINK printers that print 2 by 3 in sticky-back photos from a phone over Bluetooth, with no ink cartridges. The HP DeskJet 4355 is a desktop inkjet all-in-one that prints, scans and copies on plain paper up to legal size with a 60-sheet tray. The HUIJUTCHEN is a pocket thermal printer that prints monochrome on thermal paper rolls. For general photo printing at home, see our best printer for printing photos at home.
Resolution decides the detail
The HP states 4800 by 1200 dpi in color, far ahead of the pocket printers: the Canon Ivy 2 states 313 by 512 dpi and the KODAK Step states 300 dpi. The HUIJUTCHEN states 200 dpi in monochrome. For small 2 by 3 in prints the pocket printers are fine; for larger black and white photos the HP’s resolution wins.
Speed and battery life
The HP prints up to 7.5 ppm in black, while the pocket printers print about 1 page per minute: the KODAK states 1 ppm and prints in less than 60 seconds, and the Canon prints in up to 50 seconds. On battery, the KODAK prints 25 photos on a full charge and the HUIJUTCHEN supports about 800 prints per charge. For office document printing rather than photos, see our best printer for black and white printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which printer has the highest resolution?
The HP DeskJet 4355 states 4800 by 1200 dpi in color. The Canon Ivy 2 states 313 by 512 dpi, the KODAK Step 300 dpi, and the HUIJUTCHEN 200 dpi in monochrome.
Do the pocket printers need ink?
No. The KODAK Step and Canon Ivy 2 use ZINK paper with embedded dye crystals, and the HUIJUTCHEN is a thermal printer that needs no ink. Only the HP uses ink cartridges.
Which printer is best for monochrome prints specifically?
The HUIJUTCHEN is a monochrome thermal printer by design, printing black on thermal paper. The HP prints black at up to 7.5 ppm on plain paper for larger prints.
What warranty do these printers carry?
The KODAK states a 1 year limited warranty, the Canon 1 year, the HUIJUTCHEN 1 year free replacement, and the HP lists a 2 year warranty type.
Related guides
See every home office printers guide and all office storage guides.
More picks: home office printers, photo printers for home and black and white printers.
