HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition review: this little printer is built for instant 2×3 photo prints from your phone, not gallery-grade output.
If you want a portable, easy-to-use way to turn snapshots into stickers and keepsakes, it is one of the most practical options in its class.
![HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition) – Instantly print 2x3" sticky-backed photos from your phone – [Luna Pearl] [1AS85A]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41FSFWCynNL._SL500_.jpg)
HP Sprocket Review Summary
The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition is best for casual buyers who want fast, fun, shareable photo prints without the mess of ink cartridges. It fits especially well for travelers, students, scrapbookers, party hosts, and anyone who likes turning smartphone photos into physical keepsakes.
If your goal is to print small, sticky-backed photos with minimal setup, the HP Sprocket delivers the right mix of portability, app tools, and convenience.
What makes the HP Sprocket appealing is that it focuses on the right priorities for its category: pocket-friendly size, Bluetooth connectivity, no-ink Zink printing, and an app that adds creative value.
You are not buying it for large-format detail or professional output.
You are buying it because it is easy to carry, quick to share, and genuinely enjoyable to use.
That said, the HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition also has clear limits.
The 2×3-inch format is small, the print pace is modest, and the included paper supply is limited.
For the right buyer, though, those trade-offs are acceptable because the overall experience is smooth and playful.
Scorecard
| Category | Score | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Print Quality | 7.0 | Produces full-color 2×3-inch prints with stated 313 x 400 DPI, good for snapshots and casual display photos. |
| Portability | 9.0 | At 6.1 ounces and pocket-sized, it is easy to carry for travel, parties, and everyday use. |
| App Features | 8.0 | The companion app adds borders, stickers, text, social printing, sharing, and AR functions. |
| Connectivity | 8.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 and multi-device support make pairing simple and flexible. |
| Convenience | 8.0 | Zink zero-ink printing, rechargeable power, and sticky paper reduce maintenance hassles. |
| Print Format | 7.0 | The 2×3-inch peel-and-stick output is fun and useful, though it is limited for detail-heavy photos. |
| Value for Casual Use | 7.0 | Strong choice for novelty prints and memory keeping, less ideal for high-volume or archival photo needs. |
Verdict: If you want a compact smartphone photo printer that is easy to carry, easy to personalize, and easy to share, the HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition is a smart buy.
If you need larger prints, faster output, or more serious photo fidelity, look elsewhere.
Key Features and Specifications of HP Sprocket
The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition is a print-only Bluetooth photo printer designed for smartphones.
It uses Zink zero-ink technology, which means there are no ink cartridges to replace and no messy refills to worry about.
For buyers who want low-maintenance portability, that is a major advantage.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | HP |
| Model | 1AS85A#B1H |
| Color | Luna Pearl |
| Printer Type | Zink technology |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Output | Color |
| Ink | No ink |
| Print Speed | 1 ppm |
| Resolution | 313 x 400 DPI |
| Weight | 6.1 ounces |
| Dimensions | 3.15 x 4.63 x 0.98 inches |
| Compatible Devices | Smartphones |
| Control Method | App |
| Paper Type | Glossy photo paper |
| Included Paper | 10 sheets of 2×3-inch Zink paper |
| Warranty | One-year limited hardware warranty |
| Supported Platforms | Android 5+ and iOS 10+ |
Those specs tell you exactly what kind of product this is.
The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition is designed for convenience first, not office use or high-volume printing.
The small footprint, light weight, and phone-based operation make it a better companion device than a primary printer.
- Portable size: small enough for a pocket, purse, or backpack
- Instant output: prints 2×3-inch color photos directly from your phone
- Zero-ink system: no cartridges, no refills, no ink drying issues
- Sticky-backed paper: ideal for decorating laptops, journals, mirrors, and lockers
- App-driven creativity: borders, stickers, text, and AR printing features
- Multi-device support: useful when several people want to print at a party or event
Pros and Cons of HP Sprocket
Every HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition review should be honest about the trade-offs.
The device succeeds because it makes instant printing fun and easy, but it is still limited by the small-format Zink category.
HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition pros and cons are worth weighing carefully before you buy, especially if you are comparing it with other portable photo printers.
Pros
- Very portable and easy to carry anywhere
- Fun app features for borders, stickers, text, and customization
- Bluetooth 5.0 and multi-device support make pairing simple
- No ink cartridges or messy refills
- Sticky-backed prints work like mini stickers
- Rechargeable battery and sleep mode support quick, casual use
Cons
- Small 2×3-inch prints limit visible detail
- Not suitable for high-volume printing
- Slower than larger photo printers
- Full experience depends on app and phone compatibility
- Included starter paper is limited, so extra refills are likely needed
The biggest strength here is convenience.
The biggest weakness is format.
If you are comfortable with tiny prints, the value proposition is strong.
If you want larger keepsakes or richer photo detail, the compromises will matter more.
Who Should Buy HP Sprocket?
The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition is a strong fit for buyers who value spontaneity, portability, and creative printing over technical print quality. It makes a lot of sense if you want to turn phone images into physical items quickly and casually.
- Travelers: Great for printing memories on the road or in hotel rooms
- Students: Easy way to personalize dorm spaces, planners, and notes
- Scrapbookers and journalers: The sticky-backed prints are especially useful for crafts
- Party hosts: Fun for events, guest books, and instant photo sharing
- Parents and gift makers: Good for decorating cards, albums, and keepsake boxes
Who should skip it?
Buyers who want large, detailed prints, photographers who care about color fidelity, or anyone planning to print in bulk should probably choose a different product.
The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition is not trying to compete with full-size photo printers or studio-style output.
How the HP Sprocket App Works
The companion app is one of the main reasons people buy the HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition.
It does more than simply send photos to the printer.
It helps shape the experience, which matters because this product is about entertainment and personalization as much as printing.
From the app, you can print images from your camera roll or social feeds, add borders, place stickers, and include text.
That matters because the 2×3-inch format is small; customization helps each print feel intentional rather than cramped.
The app also supports album sharing and augmented reality features, including a virtual photo queue viewed through AR scanning.
That gives the device a playful edge that most portable printers do not offer.
For casual users, the app is a real strength. It lowers the friction of printing and adds creative utility.
For more practical buyers, though, app dependence is a double-edged sword because the printer is only as smooth as your phone connection and software compatibility.
Print Size, Paper, and Stickiness
The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition uses 2×3-inch glossy Zink paper, and that print size defines the entire product.
This format is small enough to be fun and cheap enough to use casually, but it is also the reason this printer is not the right match for buyers expecting rich, detailed photo output.
The peel-and-stick backing is one of the best design choices here. It makes each print more versatile than a standard wallet-size photo.
You can stick prints into scrapbooks, on notebooks, inside lockers, on desktops, or anywhere you want a personal touch.
For journaling and memory-keeping, this is a big win.
At the same time, the limited print area means you should think of the HP Sprocket as a creative accessory rather than a true photo reproduction device.
The stated 313 x 400 DPI is respectable for the category, but the result is still a small-format print meant for fun and display, not fine detail.
Battery Life and Portable Use
Portability is one of the strongest reasons to choose the HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition.
At 6.1 ounces and under one inch thick, it is easy to bring along without thinking twice.
That makes it a better fit for spontaneous printing than any desk-bound alternative.
The rechargeable battery and sleep mode add to the appeal.
You do not have to keep it plugged in while using it, and the sleep function helps reduce battery drain between sessions.
For party hosts, travelers, and students who may not print every day, that balance makes sense.
Real-world portability is where this printer stands out. A bigger printer might offer better output, but it will not travel as easily or disappear into a bag as neatly as this one.
If that matters to you, the HP Sprocket is hard to dismiss.
Best Uses for Parties, Travel, and Journaling
The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition is at its best when the goal is instant, shareable, and decorative output.
Its design choices make it especially suitable for situations where the printed photo is part of an activity, not just a final product.
- Parties: Great for quick guest photos, mini souvenirs, and photo boards
- Travel: Print highlights from trips while the memories are fresh
- Journaling: Add photos to planners, diaries, and memory books
- Scrapbooking: Sticky-backed prints save time and reduce the need for glue
- Decorating: Nice for dorm rooms, mirrors, desks, and small displays
If you use photos as part of a craft or memory project, the HP Sprocket feels very well thought out.
If you primarily want beautiful photo prints for framing, the small size will likely disappoint.
Comparable Alternatives to Consider
If you are comparing portable photo printers, a few Amazon-friendly alternatives are worth considering.
Each one leans a little differently, so the right choice depends on whether you value app features, print size, or instant-photo style.
- Canon Ivy portable photo printer: A close rival for pocket printing and casual sticker-style photos.
Good if you want a familiar portable-photo-printer format.
- Kodak Mini portable photo printer: Another compact choice for phone-based printing, often appealing to buyers who want a similar no-ink experience.
- HP Sprocket Studio: Better if you want larger prints and do not mind giving up some portability.
- Fujifilm Instax Mini Link instant printer: A strong alternative for buyers who prefer the Instax ecosystem and instant-film style output.
Compared with those options, the HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition stands out most for easy portability and playful app-driven printing.
It is less about maximum print quality and more about convenience and fun.
HP Sprocket Review Summary
To decide whether this printer is right for you, ask one simple question: do you want a portable creative printer, or do you want a better photo printer?
The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition clearly belongs in the first category.
If your answer is yes to casual printing, sticky-backed photos, phone-based convenience, and easy travel use, then this product makes a lot of sense.
If your answer is yes to large prints, deep detail, or serious photo quality, you should keep looking.
Bottom line: the HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer 2nd Edition is a well-designed, genuinely useful portable printer for the right buyer.
It is fun, compact, and low-maintenance, and its app features make it more engaging than many rivals.
The trade-off is small print size and modest output quality, which is exactly why it works best as a lifestyle accessory rather than a primary printer.
Buying advice: choose the HP Sprocket if you want instant prints for trips, crafts, and social moments.
Skip it if you need larger, sharper, or more serious photo output.