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Review of the new Canon Selphy QX 20 compact photo printer:

Hi! I’m Alison Winterroth, and I am a photographer. I love looking for products and technology that are fun and make life easier. I like to hang photographs I have taken that I love to inspire me to create better imagery and keep moving forward in my work. I recently tested Canon’s latest portable photo printer, the Selphy QX 20. I am slightly addicted to testing portable printers- I want to know which is the easiest to use, has the closest to real life color, and creates a quality print, and I think I finally found one that checks these boxes. The QX20 is compact and easily portable. It is the second iteration of this printer- the previous model was the Canon Selphy QX10, which came before it, and the new model, the Selphy QX 20, has new printing options. It prints card-size stickers and prints that are 2×3 and 2.7 x 2.7. with either borders or no borders on three sides (the bottom will always have a border no matter what). I will break down the benefits and drawbacks of this instant photo printer and show you why I give this one five stars.

A note on how I approach a review: I purchase everything I review myself, so this is an unbiased assessment of the printer. I am honest about it if it doesn’t work well or the color is off. The links to the printer are affiliate links where if you click them and make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This allows me to continue to create reviews and test these products.

If you would like to see an in-depth matchup of several instant printers, you can see that here. Please note- I wrote that review before the QX 20 printer was released. If you would like to see my privacy policy and disclosures you can see those here and here.

• Canon Selphy QX 20 Benefits:

  • Print Quality: The best thing the QX 20 has going for it is excellent print quality with vibrant colors and deep blacks, maintaining bright and close to true life, vivid prints. I can say that the color is SPOT ON with this instant printer including skin tones. I am incredibly picky about color, and this one blew me away. It uses a dye-sublimation printing process to create the prints. This means the printer uses a cartridge and photo paper to layer the ink with a final overcoat layer on its prints. The dye sublimation technology is known for producing durable and long-lasting photos that can last years or decades. Each image is a sticker, so you can use them as a print or in a journal or wall. The entire process of printing takes about a minute and is actually fun to watch.
  • Versatility: This compact printer supports multiple print sizes, including credit card-sized and square format, offering flexibility for various printing needs. Additionally, it allows for borderless printing on three sides, creating something reminiscent of a Polaroid or Instax print with perfect image quality. I love writing notes along the bottom to give reminders or inspirational quotes.
  • Portability: At approximately 1 pound, the QX20 is lightweight and compact, making it convenient for printing everyday life on the go. It’s about the size of a clutch bag, so you can easily slide this baby into your purse or bag for travel. Plus, it’s rechargeable, so you don’t have to bring batteries around—just a USB-C port charger.
  • User-Friendly App: The Canon app is straightforward- you can find it in the app store. The first connection was completely idiot proof; I just connected it with Bluetooth, and it was ready from there. It doesn’t have as many “fun” options as some of the other printers have- like words and images to put on the photos, but that is fine with me; I like the images to stand out. It does have the option to make collages with it as well- but honestly credit card sized prints aren’t great for collages. I like to keep it at one or two, but it has the potential if you have the creativity.

Canon Selphy QX 20 Drawbacks:

• Cost: The initial price of the QX20 is relatively high compared to some of the other printers of its size, and there, you would have to buy both their ink and paper type. Prints are about .63 each. As far as I can tell as well as Canon’s reputation is that it creates a quality product that will last for a long time.
• Battery Life: The internal battery is rated for approximately 20 prints per charge, which may be limiting for extended use without access to a power source. It’s not horrible, but it won’t last you all day.
• Print Durability: While the print quality is high, the physical prints are thinner compared to some competitors, potentially making them more susceptible to creasing or damage. They aren’t exactly a standard print type in feeling; they are a bit lighter.
• App Limitations: To enhance the user experience, the app could benefit from additional features, such as print previews and more comprehensive editing tools.

In short, the Canon Selphy QX20 photo printer is a winner. I love its color and print quality and highly recommend it. Its ease of use is fantastic, and it can produce high-quality images from a digital camera. Please leave any questions or comments below, and if you want to see a video review of the printer, you can watch it on my YouTube channel here.