Best Inkjet Printers for Printing Photos (Home & Enthusiast)

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If you care about photo prints, two things matter most: ink system + paper handling. Pigment inks usually win for longevity and neutral B&W; dye inks often pop more on glossy and dry fast. Also check max print size (8.5×11 vs. 13×19), support for panoramas/rolls, and warranty/service.

Top picks

Epson SureColor P700 — Best for gallery-quality, pigment prints (13×19)

A 10-ink pigment photo printer that nails color and black-and-white and even supports 13-inch rolls for panoramas.
Why it wins: UltraChrome PRO10 (with Violet) delivers a wide gamut; dedicated Photo/Matte Black avoids ink-swapping; and the gloss overcoat improves uniformity on photo media.

Pros

• Superb color and B&W neutrality

• No matte/photo black switching

• Supports 13″ roll panoramas

• Handles thick fine-art media

Cons

• Not an all-in-one; print-only

• Pigment less “poppy” on high-gloss

• Larger and heavier than basics

Social proof
Enthusiast and pro users consistently praise tonal control and media flexibility—see reviews on Amazon.

Trade-offs / Who should skip
If you mostly print glossy and want ultra-vivid color at lower upfront cost, a dye model like Canon’s PRO-200 is easier to live with.

Scores: Performance 5/5 · Photo quality 5/5 · Ease of Use 4/5 · Value 4/5

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Canon PIXMA PRO-200 — Best for vibrant glossy color (13×19 dye)

A compact 8-color dye printer that shines on glossy/luster and can print long panoramas.
Why it wins: Eight dye inks deliver smooth gradations and punchy color; supports borderless up to 13×19 and long-sheet panoramas; wireless is straightforward.

Pros

• Glossy/luster prints look vivid

• 13×19 borderless, long panoramas

• Compact for the class

• Easy wireless setup

Cons

• Dye inks: longevity not archival-first

• Matte/fine-art papers less ideal

• No roll-paper support

Social proof
Well-reviewed by photo testers for glossy output; see reviews on Amazon.

Trade-offs / Who should skip
If display longevity is your priority or you print on matte/fine-art, a pigment printer like the P700 fits better.

Scores: Performance 4/5 · Photo quality 4.5/5 · Ease of Use 4.5/5 · Value 4/5

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Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 — Best for high-volume photo printing (A3+ all-in-one)

A 6-color dye ink-tank AIO that makes frequent photo printing affordable, with 13×19 capability.
Why it wins: Claria ET Premium 6-color system (including photo gray) delivers lab-quality photos up to 13×19; feeds specialty media; and the tank system slashes cost per print.

Pros

• Extremely low cost per photo

• Prints up to 13×19 borderless

• Scanner built in; AIO convenience

• Good grayscale thanks to photo gray

Cons

• Dye inks: not for archival longevity

• No ADF; flatbed only

• Slower than pro photo-only models

Social proof
Independent tests highlight strong photo output with very low running costs—see reviews on Amazon.

Trade-offs / Who should skip
Serious B&W on fine-art papers is better on a pigment printer. If you rarely print, a cartridge model may be simpler.

Scores: Performance 4/5 · Photo quality 4/5 · Ease of Use 4.5/5 · Value 5/5

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Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 — Best budget 13×19 photo printer

An affordable 6-color dye printer with Red and Gray inks for wider gamut and nicer B&W than basic 4-color units.
Why it wins: 13×19 borderless output with Claria Photo HD (C/M/Y/K/Gray/Red), small droplets for detail, and a rear specialty tray for photo media.

Pros

• 13×19 prints at a friendly entry point

• Red + Gray inks improve gamut/B&W

• Simple photo workflow, rear tray

• Compact for wide-format

Cons

• Dye inks: longevity trade-off

• Print-only; no scanner

• Not tuned for heavy fine-art stocks

Social proof
Popular with hobbyists moving up to 13×19—see real-world experiences on Amazon.

Trade-offs / Who should skip
If you’re framing for long-term display, step up to a pigment model.

Scores: Performance 3.5/5 · Photo quality 4/5 · Ease of Use 4.5/5 · Value 4.5/5

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Canon PIXMA G620 MegaTank — Best for ultra-low-cost 4×6 & 8×10 albums

A 6-color MegaTank photo AIO built for inexpensive, frequent small-format photo printing.
Why it wins: Six dye inks (including Red & Gray) and huge yields make albums and family prints affordable; borderless up to 8.5×11.

Pros

• Exceptionally low cost per print

• 6-color system with Red & Gray

• Borderless up to 8.5×11

• Compact, easy day-to-day use

Cons

• No 13×19 output

• Dye inks: longevity trade-offs

• Slower than pro photo models

Social proof
Well-liked by scrapbookers and families for low-cost, good-looking prints—see reviews on Amazon.

Trade-offs / Who should skip
If you want 13×19 or fine-art matte, consider the XP-15000 or a pigment printer.

Scores: Performance 3.5/5 · Photo quality 4/5 · Ease of Use 4.5/5 · Value 5/5

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Quick compare

• Epson SureColor P700 — Best for gallery-quality pigment: 10-ink pigment, roll/panoramas; biggest, most flexible; slower than dye.

• Canon PIXMA PRO-200 — Best for glossy/luster pop: 8-color dye, 13×19 + long panoramas; less archival than pigment.

• Epson ET-8550 — Best high-volume AIO: 6-color ink-tank, 13×19, very low running costs; dye-ink longevity trade-off.

• Epson XP-15000 — Best budget 13×19: 6-color dye with Red/Gray; great value, print-only.

• Canon G620 — Best low-cost 4×6/8×10: 6-color MegaTank; tops out at 8.5×11.

Buying guide

1) Pigment vs. dye (longevity vs. pop)
Pigment inks generally offer better fade resistance for long-term display; dye inks tend to look glossier and more saturated on shiny papers. Pick pigment for archival/fine-art or serious B&W; pick dye for vivid glossy color and speed.

2) Print size & panoramas
If you want wall-worthy 12×18 or 13×19, choose a 13-inch class printer. Panoramic shooters: the P700’s built-in roll support is ideal; the PRO-200 supports long sheets (no roll).

3) Cost per print vs. absolute quality
Ink-tank models (ET-8550, G620) slash running costs and are perfect for frequent printing. Cartridge-based pro models (P700, PRO-200) prioritize maximum quality and paper flexibility.

4) Media you plan to use
Thick matte/fine-art papers favor pigment printers; glossy/luster favors dye. Check supported thickness and feeds (rear/manual) on the spec sheets.

5) Warranty & support
Canon photo printers typically include a 1-year limited warranty; Epson’s ET-8550 is commonly 2 years with registration; XP-15000 is typically 1 year. Always confirm the current US terms before you buy.

Note on Canon PRO-300/PRO-310: If you find a new PRO-300, it’s an excellent pigment alternative with a gloss optimizer. Availability in 2025 has been inconsistent in the US—we couldn’t verify steady stock.

FAQs

Q: Do I really need a pigment printer for black-and-white?
A: Not strictly, but pigment sets tend to deliver more neutral, durable B&W—especially on matte/fine-art papers. Dye looks great on glossy but isn’t the longevity champ.

Q: Will I see a difference between 8.5×11 and 13×19?
A: Yes—13×19 reveals more detail and presence at typical viewing distances, and it’s the sweet spot for wall display.

Q: I love panoramas—what should I buy?
A: The P700 offers built-in 13-inch roll support for long panoramas. The PRO-200 can run long sheets (no roll) up to its driver limits.

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