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We help you decide if this compact photo printer is the right purchase for your needs and budget.
The Canon Selphy QX20 is a fun, portable printer that excels for its niche. Buy it if you regularly create small-format projects and value instant sticky prints. Skip it if you need larger, higher-quality photos or want to keep ongoing costs low.
Are you on the fence about buying the Canon Selphy QX20? You're not alone. With so many portable photo printers on the market, it's tough to know if this $150 device is worth the investment. Common concerns include print quality, cost per print, and whether you'll actually use it regularly.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from key reasons to buy and skip, to real-world scenarios, and honest alternatives. By the end, you'll have a clear answer: Is the Selphy QX20 right for you?
Based on our research, the verdict is: it depends on your specific needs and usage habits.
The Canon Selphy QX20 is a compact, portable photo printer that produces 2x3-inch (credit card size) glossy prints with a sticky back. It uses ZINK (Zero Ink) paper, which contains dye crystals embedded in the paper—activated by heat during printing. No ink cartridges needed.
It connects via Bluetooth and the Canon Mini Print app (iOS/Android), allowing you to print photos from your phone’s camera roll or social media. The built-in battery makes it fully wireless, so you can print on the go. It prints only in the square-ish 2x3 format, which is great for scrapbooking, journals, or giving as stickers.
The QX20 is the successor to the QX10, offering faster printing (about 47 seconds per print) and improved color reproduction. It's available at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Canon's online store.
Most hesitation stems from comparing it to other portable printers. The biggest concern is print size: it only prints 2x3, not 4x6 like some competitors (e.g., Canon Selphy QX10). Users worry they'll want larger prints later.
Cost per print is another issue. ZINK paper packs vary, but each print costs about $0.50–$0.70. That's more than printing at a drugstore (~$0.30 for 4x6). People wonder if the convenience justifies the price.
Print quality feedback is mixed. ZINK prints are more like Polaroid—soft, slightly pastel, and prone to yellowing over time. Photo enthusiasts may prefer dye-sublimation printers like the Canon Selphy CP1300 for sharper, longer-lasting prints.
Lastly, some question the need for a dedicated printer. Many smartphones can print to a home inkjet or at a kiosk. The QX20 is a luxury for instant gratification.
A college student who wants to print photos for a scrapbook but has limited funds.
Budget: Under $100 for setup, wants low ongoing cost
Usage: Occasional use for a few projects per semester
Why: The $150 price plus $20 per paper pack is too high for occasional use. The student can use free in-store kiosks or a friend's printer for larger, cheaper prints.
Consider instead: Skip it. Use a smartphone app to order prints from Shutterfly (often $0.15 each for 4x6) or a local drugstore.
A dedicated scrapbooker who creates monthly layouts and loves the sticky, small format.
Budget: $150–200 initial, $50/month ongoing
Usage: Weekly use, prints 20-30 small photos per month
Why: The QX20 is a perfect fit: portable for crop sessions, sticky back eliminates glue, and print size fits typical scrapbook spots. Ongoing cost is acceptable for the convenience.
Someone who runs a mobile photo booth at small events and needs instant print-outs.
Budget: $200–400 setup, low cost per print
Usage: Heavy use at events, prints 50-100 per session
Why: The QX20 is too slow (47 sec/print) and expensive per print for volume. Battery life also limits continuous use. A dye-sublimation printer like the Canon Selphy CP1300 (prints 4x6 in 47 sec, lower per-print cost) is better.
Consider instead: Consider Canon Selphy CP1300 for faster, larger, and cheaper prints per sheet.
A parent whose child wants to print photos from their phone for a bedroom collage.
Budget: Under $200 initial, occasional paper packs
Usage: Once or twice a week, prints 5-10 photos
Why: The QX20 is easy enough for a tween to use independently with the app. The sticky backs are perfect for decorating walls or notebooks. Cost is manageable for weekly use.
The Canon Selphy QX20 is best suited for people who value instant, small-format prints for creative projects or social sharing. Its main strength is portability: you can pull it out at a get-together and print memories on the spot. The sticky back makes it ideal for scrapbookers, journalers, and crafters who want to add photos to their work without glue.
However, if print quality and longevity are your top priorities, this is not the best choice. Dye-sublimation printers like the Canon Selphy CP1300 produce sharper, more fade-resistant prints in multiple sizes (including 4x6) for a similar price per print. The QX20's ZINK prints are more reminiscent of instant film—charming but not archival.
User reviews on Amazon (average 4.2 stars) praise the fun factor and ease of use but note the high cost of paper and limited size. Many buyers are parents buying for kids, scrapbookers, or people who love journaling. Complaints mostly focus on app connectivity drops and paper jams.
Compared to competitors like HP Sprocket and Kodak Mini, the QX20 stands out with faster print speed and better color (less blueish tint). But the HP Sprocket has a larger print area (2x3 vs 2x3 same) and a more mature app. The QX20 feels like a step up from the older QX10 but not a game-changer.
Long-term, consider that you'll be buying proprietary paper packs. Over a year of moderate use (e.g., one pack per month at $20), that's $240 in paper—more than the printer itself. If you print infrequently, the cost may be acceptable.
Future considerations: Canon has not announced a successor, but the market for portable printers is growing. The QX20 is a solid choice now, but if you can wait, newer models may offer larger prints or lower paper costs.
The main product under review. A portable 2x3 photo printer using ZINK technology.
This is the device we're evaluating. If you decide to buy, this is the listing.
Anyone who needs a compact, instant photo printer for small format prints.
Official Canon ZINK paper for the QX20. Each pack yields 50 prints.
You'll need replacement paper. Buying a multi-pack can reduce cost per print.
Ongoing users of the QX20.
A dye-sublimation printer that prints 4x6, 5x7, and more. Uses ink ribbons and paper cassettes.
If you want larger, archival-quality prints at a similar price, consider this.
Photo enthusiasts, party operators, anyone needing high-quality larger prints.
A similarly compact printer using ZINK paper, prints 2x3 or 4x6 depending on model.
A lower-cost alternative from HP with a popular app. Good for casual use.
Budget-conscious buyers or those who want slightly larger print options.
A protective case designed to carry the QX20 and spare paper.
If you plan to travel with the printer, a case prevents scratches and damage.
Travelers and those who'll take the printer on the go.
A compact 4PASS printer that produces 2.1x3.4-inch prints with a protective coating.
Offers better print quality than ZINK prints and a slightly smaller footprint.
Users who want better color and durability than ZINK but still need small format.
It depends on your needs. If you value portability, sticky-back prints, and instant sharing, and you're okay with the small size and ongoing paper cost, then yes. If you need larger, higher-quality prints or have a tight budget, consider alternatives like the Canon Selphy CP1300 or HP Sprocket.
Yes, for its target audience: scrapbookers, journalers, and kids. The print quality is adequate for its size, and the convenience is excellent. However, it's not a good buy for those who want photo-lab quality or larger prints.
Choose the QX20 if you need portability and sticky 2x3 prints. Choose the CP1300 if you want to print 4x6, 5x7, etc., with better quality and lower per-print cost (around $0.30).
Worth it if you'll use it regularly for creative projects. The cost per print is high, so infrequent use makes it a poor value.
Buy it when you have a specific project or use case (e.g., a scrapbooking trip, a party). Also look for sales around Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, where the printer can drop to around $100.
Consider: print size limitations, ongoing paper costs, app dependency, and whether you'll actually use it. If you print less than once a month, it's probably not worth it.
Crafters, scrapbookers, parents of tweens, party hosts, and anyone who loves instant, wallet-sized photo stickers.
HP Sprocket Studio ($80, similar size), Kodak Mini 3 ($100, better print quality), Canon Selphy CP1300 ($130, larger prints, better quality), or simply using a smartphone photo printing service.
About $0.40–$0.60 per print, depending on the paper pack. A 50-sheet pack costs ~$20.
No, it only prints via the Canon Mini Print app on iOS/Android via Bluetooth. No direct computer or memory card support.
We hope this guide helped you decide whether Canon Selphy QX20 Photo Printer is right for you.
