The only instant cameras worth your money

There’s something magical about using instant cameras that smartphones can’t match. You can capture a moment, print it out, and then give the photo as a gift or hold onto it. Image quality won’t be all that good, but imperfections are part of the allure.

We tested instant camera models from popular brands and landed on a handful that we think are the best. Some aim to preserve the classic experience above all else, while others support companion apps and the ability to print stored photos.

Fujifilm’s latest Instax cameras are the best out there for most people. The company’s Instax Mini Evo is a bit pricey, but it produces great-looking images and offers a lot of creative control. If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, the Instax Mini 13 also takes good photos but has fewer features. The Polaroid Flip is the best retro-focused experience (be warned: prints are pricey!), while Kodak’s Mini Retro 3 might be a better purchase for some because its prints are quite affordable by comparison.

The best instant camera

Film type: Fujifilm Instax Mini film / Film size: 2 x 3 inches / Weight: 285 grams / Charging method: USB-C / Companion app: Yes / Other features: LCD screen, smartphone printing

Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Evo is a hybrid instant camera that bears a resemblance to its premium X100 line of cameras that cost hundreds more. Its vintage dials and buttons look so stylish that they caught the attention of passersby as I walked around Los Angeles.

It’s easy to balk at its price tag, but this camera offers a level of flexibility that sets it apart (and could save you from wasting a bunch of prints). The camera’s dials also let you apply lens options and effects, from retro filters to monochrome shades, and you can even remotely trigger shots from the app. Its 3-inch LCD screen can be used as a viewfinder, and it also lets you preview and select which images you want to print. The camera’s internal storage tops out at 45 images, which is more limited than we’d prefer, though you can send photos from a smartphone to print. Plus, unlike the Instax Mini 13 (a more budget-friendly pick mentioned below), the Evo uses a USB-C port for charging.

Read our full Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo review.

The best instant cameras if you’re on a budget

Film type: Fujifilm Instax Mini film / Film size: 2 x 3 inches / Weight: 327 grams / Charging method: AA batteries / Companion app: None / Other features: Built-in selfie mirror, self-timer, film counter

Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 13 is a more budget-friendly option that can take great photos mostly on par with the Mini Evo. It’s easy to use (just twist its lens to turn the camera on or off), it outperforms other budget instant cameras we tested, and we like its bright, playful designs. Its biggest improvement over the Mini 12 is its self-timer, with both two- and 10-second countdown options. Meanwhile, the Instax Mini 41 looks more sleek, but it lacks the Mini 13’s self-timer and costs about $23 more usually.

The Mini 13 produced more true-to-life photos than the non-Fujifilm instant cameras I tested. I also appreciated the Mini 13’s generously sized physical viewfinder and that it shows your remaining shots, which is useful given that each print costs about $1.

Like many instant cameras, it struggles in low light, though the built-in flash brightens dark scenes. The flash can’t be disabled, and it’s very powerful, which resulted in a handful of overexposed shots during testing. It lacks Bluetooth connectivity along with creative shooting modes found on pricier cameras, so you can’t edit photos, apply filters, or choose from different lens effects before printing.

Fujifilm’s Instax cameras produce excellent-looking photos, but each print costs around $1. Kodak’s hybrid Mini Shot 3 Retro is pricier up front (it retails for $159.99 but it often on sale for much less) but much cheaper to buy film for, making it the better budget pick (or beginner-friendly pick). Replacement cartridges are often around $20 for a 60-print pack. And, because you can preview photos before printing, you’re less likely to waste prints.

The Mini Shot 3 Retro affords you more controls than the Instax Mini 13; it sports an LCD screen for previewing photos, it lets you print photos from your phone via Bluetooth, and you can upload ones you shoot to social media using Kodak’s Photo Printer app. The companion app features frames, stickers, filters, and other effects that would look great in a scrapbook. There’s even a beauty mode and Snapchat-style filters. However, photos taken with the Mini Shot 3 Retro lack sharpness and sometimes have an excessive pink tint, and the prints also feel flimsier.

The best instant cameras for retro fans

Film type: Polaroid i-Type Color Film / Film size: 4.2 x 3.5 inches / Weight: 648 grams / Charging method: USB-C / Companion app: Yes / Other features: Scene Analysis

If you’re looking for an instant camera that offers a retro-inspired experience, the Polaroid Flip might be for you. Its classic design and flip-up lid resemble vintage instant cameras like the Polaroid 600, and its square I-Type film prints iconic white-framed photos that look like authentic Polaroids. Yet the camera has modern features like Bluetooth, USB-C charging, and a beginner-friendly companion app that adds convenience and creative control.

The Flip improves on my former retro pick, the third-gen Polaroid Now Plus, with clearer shots and fewer wasted photos. That’s important, as you don’t want to waste any of the eight I-Type sheets that come in a pack that’s $18.99. The Flip’s sonar autofocus and a four-lens hyperfocal system result in sharper images, plus it has an excellent flash — it’s the most powerful of any Polaroid camera I’ve tested. The Scene Analysis feature also helps by warning if a shot is likely to be over or underexposed, or if you’re too close to your subject (these warnings didn’t always get the exposure right).

The Flip has a few downsides, in addition to its costly film. It’s the heaviest camera on this list, not to mention it’s awkwardly sized, making it tough to slip into a purse or easily carry around. Prints also take 15 minutes to develop, during which they must be shielded from light. Low-light performance remains a weak spot as well, and I struggled to capture indoor shots given the contrast and saturation are lower than with Instax film. Sometimes, this gave my pictures a more dreamy, vintage look that felt artistic, but you might not be into it.

If the Flip seems too bulky or expensive for you, the third-generation Polaroid Go is a smaller retro-inspired alternative. It weighs just over a pound and fits easily in the palm of my hand. At $89.99, the latest Go is the most affordable Polaroid camera available, with film that costs only a little more than Fujifilm’s Instax sheets (a 16-sheet pack runs $21.99).

The Go skips advanced features found in the Flip, including creative shooting modes, Bluetooth connectivity, and a companion app for editing photos. It’s a straightforward point-and-shoot camera with a self-timer and large selfie mirror. The smaller prints may disappoint those who prefer traditional Polaroid sizes, but its simplicity and portability make it an approachable way to enjoy the classic Polaroid experience at a much lower price.

Update, August 6: Added the Instax Mini 13 and Polaroid Go Gen 3, made the Instax Mini Evo our top pick, and designated the Kodak Mini Retro and Instax Mini 13 as our budget picks.