If you’ve ever wanted to combine the talents of your smartphone with the charm of physical instant photo printing, this could well be the device for you. The Sprocket, then, is perhaps a second (or third) coming of instant photography, and it’s a charming blend between the ease and permanence of digital shots and the physicality of pinning a photo up on your wall. This can prove to be an issue if important elements of your photo are at the edges of your composition. Feel free to take selfies, pics of your pet, or download and print out your favorite moments from top social media apps.

the New HP® Sprocket Printer | HP® Tech Takes Meet the New HP® Sprocket Printer | HP® Tech Takes

Both the HP Sprocket Plus and the HP Sprocket 2-in-1 come in white and feature gold details for a stylish approach to creating the perfect photo memories. It creates 2 x 3-inch photos instantly from a smartphone or other mobile device with no need to connect to a desktop computer or laptop.Print quality remains of key importance but, given their nature, these devices are as much about their size, handling, portability (and even pocketability), print / paper format, battery life, and connectivity.

Printers - Cheap HP Printers Deals | Currys HP Printers - Cheap HP Printers Deals | Currys

Instead, you’ll just be grateful that this innovative, compact printer was there to help make those memories into ones you’ll treasure forever. Add the HP Sprocket 3x4 Instant Photo Printer to the list of highly portable printers that can serve nicely as a cell phone or tablet companion. By using thermal imprinting, instead of impact printing which requires ink and many more moving parts, this battery-powered device requires no consumables other than the special thermal paper. Of course, that’s not what the Sprocket is about, though, as it’s the convenience of printing instantly and on-the-spot that you’re paying for.It uses Zink paper, which means you don't have to add ink, but on the downside this means the picture quality isn't the best," says Tom May in our review. There are other small format printers, of course, including Canon’s SELPHY range, which use a form of dye sublimation and print up to a more regular 15 x 10cm. Add its larger size into the equation, and it’s not as immediately portable as HP’s other instant printers – although an optional Power Bank (available in select regions) will let you take it on the road (although availability of the Power Bank was poor at the time of writing this review.

Sprocket Studio photo printer review | TechRadar HP Sprocket Studio photo printer review | TechRadar

But if you want complex graphics and vivid color-accurate photos, you'll want to explore other options. With the new HP Sprocket photo printer, you’ll experience innovative ways to instantly share your favorite photos with brilliant new colors and special features. The computer-free functionality means that Apple and Windows fans alike have found a common way to commemorate those special occasions.

During our testing, we found these editing features quite useful, although some may find them to be a little kitschy. The Instax Mini Link makes printing pictures fun – and is a brilliant alternative to using an instant camera. There are two sizes of paper, one for the HP Sprocket 200 (both generations) and the other for the larger HP Sprocket Plus printer.

Sprocket 3x4 Instant Photo Printer - Sprocket Printers UK HP Sprocket 3x4 Instant Photo Printer - Sprocket Printers UK

For those looking for something a little larger, however, the HP Sprocket Plus is another option for those who want the ease and design of an HP Sprocket printer with larger photo output.The Instax Link series uses actual instant film (the same as you put in Instax film cameras) to produce an authentic instant print.