Best Inkjet Printers for Photo Printing at Home

A standard document inkjet can technically print a photo, but it won’t come close to the color depth and detail a dedicated photo printer delivers. This guide covers five printers from about $80 to $350, ranging from a capable hybrid document-and-photo machine to a true 6-color photo specialist.

The number of ink tanks matters more for photo quality than almost any other spec. A standard 4-color (CMYK) printer can produce a decent photo, but a 6-color system that adds light cyan and light magenta produces smoother gradients and more accurate skin tones, which is where cheaper printers visibly struggle.

Paper handling is the other factor worth checking before buying. Dedicated photo printers usually support thicker glossy and matte photo paper up to a certain weight, and some offer a rear feed specifically for photo stock so it doesn’t have to curve through the same path as regular paper.

1. Canon PIXMA TS8320 — best all-around hybrid for documents and photos

A 6-ink system that handles both everyday document printing and genuinely good photo output, making it the practical pick for a household that needs one printer to do both jobs well. Street price runs $120-$160.

• Why it’s a good buy: 6-color ink system produces noticeably better photos than 4-color printers, doubles as a capable everyday document printer
• Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy

2. Epson EcoTank ET-8500 — best for high-volume photo printing without subscription ink

Epson’s EcoTank system replaces cartridges with refillable ink tanks, which pays off quickly for anyone printing photos regularly instead of occasionally. Street price runs $300-$350.

• Why it’s a good buy: refillable tank system dramatically cuts long-term ink cost, 6-color output built specifically for photo quality
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy

3. Canon SELPHY CP1500 — best compact dedicated photo printer

A dye-sublimation printer built solely for 4x6 photo prints, this is the pick for anyone who wants lab-style prints without a full inkjet setup taking up desk space. Street price runs $100-$140.

• Why it’s a good buy: dedicated dye-sublimation process resists smudging and fading better than inkjet photo prints, compact size fits anywhere
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy

4. HP ENVY Photo 7955 — best budget entry into photo printing

A budget-friendly hybrid printer that handles occasional photo printing reasonably well alongside document duties, for anyone not ready to invest in a dedicated photo machine. Street price runs $80-$110.

• Why it’s a good buy: lowest-cost entry into borderless photo printing, handles both documents and photos in one machine
• Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy

5. Canon PIXMA PRO-200 — best for serious hobbyist photographers

An 8-color professional-grade photo printer that supports larger print sizes up to 13x19 inches, aimed at hobbyist photographers ready to print gallery-quality work at home. Street price runs $300-$350.

• Why it’s a good buy: 8-color system delivers noticeably richer color accuracy, supports large-format prints up to 13x19 inches
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy

How to get the best price

• Compare the long-term ink cost, not just the printer price, since a cheaper 4-color printer can cost more over a year of regular photo printing than a pricier EcoTank model.
• Track photo printer deals around the winter holidays, when gifting demand pushes retailers to discount both printers and photo paper bundles.
• Buy compatible third-party ink or a bulk photo paper pack separately rather than accepting a bundled deal, since bundles don’t always offer real savings.
• Use a store credit card or cash-back portal for the initial purchase, since photo printers are expensive enough that even a small percentage back adds up.

Photo printing at home makes the most sense for people who print regularly enough to offset the printer cost, so match the ink system — cartridge versus tank — to actual print volume rather than buying based on price alone.