An all in one photo printer that is too slow, produces muddy colors, or eats through cartridges in a single weekend can sabotage your creative projects before they begin. The difference between a frustrating machine and one that delivers gallery-quality prints on demand comes down to ink architecture, paper handling, and the specific color gamut each model targets.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve spent years analyzing aggregated owner feedback, comparing print head durability data, and studying the real-world ink yield of consumer-grade photo printers to separate marketing claims from reliable output.
Whether you need vibrant borderless 8x10s, durable stickers, or dependable document printing, the right all in one photo printer will balance print speed, color accuracy, and long-term operating cost without forcing you to compromise on quality.
How To Choose The Best All In One Photo Printer
Choosing a photo-centric all-in-one requires looking past the brand name at three specific pillars: ink delivery system, print resolution and color depth, and paper path flexibility. Ignore these, and you risk a printer that produces washed-out prints or costs more to feed than the machine itself.
Ink Architecture: Cartridge, Tank, or Dye-Sublimation
Standard cartridge models keep upfront costs low but often deliver the highest cost per page. Supertank systems (Canon Megatank, Epson EcoTank) provide thousands of pages per bottle refill, which drastically reduces per-print cost for high-volume users. For pure photo quality, dye-sublimation transfer printers produce continuous-tone prints with a protective laminate layer, but they are slower and typically only accept standard photo paper sizes.
Color Accuracy and Ink Configuration
A six-ink system (CMYK plus light cyan and light magenta) produces smoother gradients and more natural skin tones than a standard four-color setup. Models like the Epson Expression Photo XP-970 rely on six separate cartridges to achieve a wider color gamut. If you print portraits, fine art, or product photography, prioritize a printer with at least five or six ink colors rather than a standard four-color system.
Paper Handling and Media Flexibility
Dedicated photo paper trays prevent the need to swap between plain paper and glossy sheets manually. Automatic duplex printing saves paper for documents, while a rear specialty feed allows thick media like cardstock. For small business use, an automatic document feeder (ADF) is essential for scanning multi-page contracts or receipts.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon PIXMA TS7720 | Budget Inkjet | Casual home photo & document printing | 2.7″ touchscreen, auto duplex | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-J1365DW | Mid-Range Inkjet | Home office with high page yield | INKvestment high-yield cartridges | Amazon |
| Liene Amber M110 | Portable Dye-Sub | On-the-go 4×6 photo printing | Dual tray: 4×6 & 3×3 sticker | Amazon |
| HP Envy Photo 7975 | Mid-Range Inkjet | AI-enhanced web printing & photos | Separate photo tray, AI layout | Amazon |
| Canon Megatank G3290 | Supertank Inkjet | High-volume photo & document printing | 6,000 B&W / 7,700 color pages per ink set | Amazon |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2980 | Supertank Inkjet | Family printing with low ink cost | Up to 3 years of included ink | Amazon |
| Liene PixCut S1 | Specialty Dye-Sub | Custom stickers & labels with auto-cut | AI auto-cutting, 300 DPI | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-L2820DW | Monochrome Laser | High-speed B&W document printing | 36 ppm, 50-page ADF | Amazon |
| Epson XP-970 | Premium Photo Inkjet | Professional-quality fine art & photo prints | 6-color Claria Photo HD ink | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Epson EcoTank ET-2980 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer
The Epson EcoTank ET-2980 redefines value for home printing by bundling enough ink in the box for up to 6,600 black pages and 5,500 color pages. The PrecisionCore heat-free printhead delivers 50% faster print speeds than its predecessor, reaching 15 ppm black and 8 ppm color without the heat-induced wear that shortens the life of thermal inkjet heads. The 1.44-inch color screen is functional but compact, and the lack of an ADF means multi-page scanning requires manual feeding.
Print quality from the four-color dye-based ink system is solid for family photos, school projects, and office documents, though it does not match the color gamut of six-cartridge photo printers. The EcoFit refill system is genuinely mess-free — each bottle is keyed to its tank, preventing the wrong color from being poured into the wrong reservoir. Setup is involved, particularly connecting to Wi-Fi Direct, but once configured the Epson Smart Panel app provides reliable mobile printing and scanning.
Owner reports highlight excellent smear resistance once prints are dry, good text sharpness, and straightforward ink refilling. The primary complaints center on the narrow viewing angle of the LCD and a paper output tray that feels flimsy when closed. For a family that prints hundreds of pages per month and wants to avoid cartridge swaps, the ET-2980 delivers the lowest per-page cost in this lineup.
What works
- Three years of included ink dramatically reduces operating cost
- Heat-free printhead extends printer longevity
- No-mess EcoFit bottles eliminate ink cartridge waste
What doesn’t
- No automatic document feeder for multi-page scanning
- Small LCD with limited viewing angle
- Output tray mechanism feels less durable than the chassis
2. Epson Expression Photo XP-970 Wireless Color Photo Printer
The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 is the only printer in this roundup that uses a six-color Claria Photo HD ink set — black, cyan, magenta, yellow, plus light cyan and light magenta. This configuration produces noticeably smoother tonal transitions and more natural skin gradations, making it the clear choice for portrait photographers and fine art reproducers. The fold-over scan lid holds thick books or originals flat, and the front-loading photo tray handles 4×6 through 8×10 media without manual alignment.
Print speeds are moderate at 8.5 ppm black and 8 ppm color, but the output quality justifies the pace. The six separate cartridges mean you replace only the color that runs out, reducing waste compared to tri-color cartridges. The LCD control panel is intuitive, and duplex printing is standard. Some owners note that the 4×6 photo tray can occasionally feed labels crookedly, and the rear specialty feed is required for 11×17 sheets.
Aggregated feedback from heavy users indicates that the six-ink system achieves the widest color gamut here, but regular use is required to prevent ink from drying on the printhead nozzles. For anyone whose priority is uncompromising photo quality in a compact all-in-one, the XP-970 sets the benchmark.
What works
- Six individual ink cartridges deliver superior color accuracy
- Fold-over scanner lid handles thick books without distortion
- Dedicated photo tray for borderless 8×10 prints
What doesn’t
- Printhead cleaning consumes significant ink if unused for days
- Photo tray feed can misalign custom media sizes
- Moderate print speed at full photo quality
3. Canon Megatank G3290 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer
The Canon Megatank G3290 includes enough ink in the box for up to 6,000 black pages and 7,700 color pages, a volume that typically lasts the average home user two years or more. The four-bottle GI-21 ink system uses a pigment-based black for crisp text permanence and dye-based CMY colors for photo vibrancy. The 2.7-inch tilting color touchscreen is a significant upgrade over the smaller displays on competing supertanks, and auto duplex printing is included without requiring manual page flips.
Print speeds of 11 ppm black and 6 ppm color are adequate for the supertank segment. Wireless setup via the Canon PRINT app is generally smooth, though a small percentage of owners report needing to manually connect to the router through the printer’s settings menu. The rear paper path feeds heaviest media without curl, and the front cassette holds plain paper for daily documents.
Owners consistently praise the low refill cost — replacement GI-21 bottles are a fraction of what cartridge-based systems charge per page. The most common critique is that default color profiles lean slightly warm, requiring adjustment in the Canon app for neutral whites. The printhead is user-replaceable, which extends the printer’s life beyond the typical cartridge-based unit. For volume photo and document printing on a budget, this is the strongest supertank option.
What works
- Two years of included ink provides exceptional long-term value
- Pigment black ink produces sharp, permanent text
- User-replaceable printhead extends device lifespan
What doesn’t
- Default color output can appear slightly warm out of box
- Wi-Fi setup occasionally requires manual configuration
- Top paper feed may require clearance in tight spaces
4. HP Envy Photo 7975 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer
The HP Envy Photo 7975 targets the home user who wants a single device capable of both crisp document output and vibrant photo prints. Its standout feature is HP’s AI-assisted web page printing, which strips clutter, ads, and unnecessary page breaks before output, saving paper and ink. The separate photo tray allows instant switching between borderless 4×6 glossy prints and plain paper documents without touching the main paper cassette.
Print speeds reach 15 ppm black and 10 ppm color, and the auto document feeder (ADF) makes multi-page scanning efficient. The 3-month Instant Ink trial is included, but after the trial, HP’s subscription model calculates cost per page differently than buying cartridges outright. The HP 64 ink series offers standard and XL cartridges, with the XL providing significantly lower per-page costs. The touchscreen interface is responsive and the HP Smart app reliably handles mobile print jobs.
Owner sentiment is split between those who had a flawless setup and those who encountered scanning issues or reliability problems requiring replacements. The printer is quiet during operation, and text output is well-formed with good edge definition. The tradeoff is that aggressive ink subscription prompts may frustrate users who prefer to buy cartridges independently. For households that want a polished AI-enhanced workflow, the Envy Photo 7975 is a strong mid-range contender.
What works
- AI web page printer removes ads and wasted pages automatically
- Separate photo tray enables quick media switching
- Consistent wireless printing via HP Smart app
What doesn’t
- Instant Ink subscription prompts may annoy non-subscribers
- Ink subscription costs grow for high-volume users
- Some units reported reliability and scanning defects
5. Liene PixCut S1 Color Sticker Printer & Cutting Machine
The Liene PixCut S1 breaks out of the traditional all-in-one mold by combining a 300 DPI thermal dye-sublimation photo printer with an intelligent die-cutting system. It prints and cuts stickers in a single step, which eliminates the need for a separate cutting machine. The four-layer lamination process renders prints waterproof, scratch-resistant, and fade-resistant — an upgrade over standard inkjet sticker paper that can smear when handled.
The Liene app integration includes AI image extraction that detects the subject and sends its contour to the cutting blade. The result is clean sticker shapes without manual tracing. The print area is limited to 4×6 inches and 4×7 inches, which restricts use to smaller sticker sizes rather than full-sheet labels. The ink cartridge is a consumable internal component rated for approximately 36 sticker prints, and replacement costs are higher than standard inkjet cartridge equivalents.
Owner feedback after a year of use reports excellent color vibrance, durable sticker adhesion, and consistent cutting alignment. Complaints focus on the proprietary consumable pricing, a buggy app that occasionally requires reinstallation, and the device slowing down during heavy print-and-cut batches. For crafters, small-scale sticker sellers, and scrapbookers who currently juggle a printer and a separate cutter, the PixCut S1 consolidates both workflows into a single, compact device.
What works
- Prints and cuts stickers in a single automated step
- Dye-sub lamination produces waterproof, durable prints
- AI-driven contour matching is accurate and easy to use
What doesn’t
- Proprietary cartridges and paper are expensive per print
- App stability varies across updates
- Limited to 4×6 and 4×7 print media sizes
6. Liene Amber M110 Bluetooth Photo Printer
The Liene Amber M110 is a pure photo and sticker printer, not a document all-in-one, but its specialty capabilities fill a genuine need for mobile scrapbookers and event photographers. The dual-tray design holds both 4×6 standard photo paper and 3×3 adhesive sticker paper, with the user selecting the tray through the app. Bluetooth pairing completes in roughly 13 seconds, and the device supports simultaneous connections from multiple phones or tablets during gatherings.
Print quality from the thermal dye-sublimation process produces vibrant, laminated prints that are water-resistant and scratch-proof. The 300 DPI resolution is adequate for 4×6 prints, though fine details like snowflakes or distant raindrops may appear slightly less defined compared to a six-ink inkjet. The Liene app includes color adjustment sliders, border options, and ID photo templates, though some users note that prints appear slightly darker than the on-screen preview.
Owners consistently praise the compact footprint and the convenient USB-C charging. The per-print cost, roughly estimated by comparison to mail-order services, is higher than a tank system but lower than a kiosk. The main drawbacks are the slow single-print speed and the proprietary paper/cartridge system that limits media sourcing. For an on-the-go enthusiast who values instant physical prints over the lowest cost, the Amber M110 is a purpose-built delight.
What works
- Dual paper trays for switching between standard photos and stickers
- Bluetooth connections are fast and multi-device friendly
- Laminated prints resist water, scratches, and fading
What doesn’t
- Single-print speed is slow for batch runs
- Proprietary consumables limit paper sourcing and increase per-print cost
- Prints slightly darker than the smartphone screen preview
7. Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Monochrome Laser All-in-One
The Brother MFC-L2820DW is a monochrome laser all-in-one, which means it prints exclusively in black and white. Its inclusion here is for the user who needs lightning-fast document printing alongside a second photo printer. With a print speed of 36 ppm and a first-page-out time of 8.5 seconds, this machine handles high-volume text and graphic printing without hesitation. The 50-page automatic document feeder supports multi-page scanning, copying, and faxing without manual interaction.
Connectivity is robust: dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB 2.0 are all onboard. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen is a significant improvement over the button-only panels found on earlier Brother lasers. The TN830 toner cartridge yields approximately 1,200 pages in standard configuration or 3,000 pages with the high-yield TN830XL. The built-in Cloud app integration allows direct scanning to Google Drive, Dropbox, and Evernote without needing a PC.
Owner feedback highlights fast and quiet operation, reliable Wi-Fi, and excellent Linux compatibility for both printing and scanning. Setup requires some manual steps — the quick-start guide is sparse, and the printer prompts for the Refresh subscription trial during initial configuration. The MFC-L2820DW is not a photo printer, but it is the ideal companion to a dedicated photo unit, delivering crisp black text at industry-leading speed and the lowest per-page operating cost in this lineup.
What works
- 36 ppm print speed delivers documents faster than any inkjet in this guide
- 50-page ADF streamlines multi-page scanning and faxing
- High-yield toner option reduces per-page operating cost significantly
What doesn’t
- Monochrome only — no color photo capability whatsoever
- Initial setup instructions are sparse and confusing
- Refresh subscription prompts appear during first-time configuration
8. Brother INKvestment MFC-J1365DW Wireless Color Inkjet
The Brother MFC-J1365DW uses Brother’s INKvestment system, which ships the printer with a 1,200-page black cartridge and 500-page color cartridges, reducing the initial consumable burden significantly. Print speeds of 16 ppm black and 9 ppm color are competitive in the mid-range segment, and the 20-page ADF enables unattended scanning of multi-page documents. The 1.8-inch color display is serviceable, though it is smaller and less responsive than the touchscreens on the Canon and HP units.
Wireless connectivity is reliable, with Wi-Fi Direct supporting direct device-to-printer connections when a network router is unavailable. The Brother Mobile Connect app handles scanning, printing, and device management with clear on-screen menus. The LC504 ink series provides good page yields, but some owners report that ink consumption is noticeably higher than previous Brother models. Text output is crisp, and the stationary print head design contributes to consistent alignment across the page.
Setup is the primary pain point: the included documentation is minimal, and the printer prompts for a Refresh ink subscription during first boot. Once configured, daily operation is straightforward, and print quality for documents is excellent — some reviewers note that output rivals laser quality for everyday text. The MFC-J1365DW is a strong choice for a home office that prints a mix of color documents and occasional photos and wants high-yield cartridges from day one.
What works
- High-yield included cartridges reduce initial consumable cost
- Stationary print head produces consistent text alignment
- Wi-Fi Direct enables printing without a network router
What doesn’t
- Setup documentation is sparse and can be confusing
- Ink consumption is higher than some older Brother models
- Refresh subscription prompts during initial boot
9. Canon PIXMA TS7720 Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer
The Canon PIXMA TS7720 is the most affordable fully-featured all-in-one in this test, offering print, copy, and scan in a compact white chassis. The 2.7-inch touchscreen is bright and intuitive, and automatic duplex printing is included — a rare feature at this tier. Print speeds of 15 ppm black and 10 ppm color are respectable, and the two-cartridge system (PG-285 black, CL-286 color) keeps replacement simple. The flatbed scanner produces clean 1200 DPI scans, though there is no ADF for multi-page stacks.
Photo quality is adequate for casual use: borderless 4×6 prints are decent, but colors appear less saturated than five- or six-ink systems. Some owners report that the included starter cartridges produce muted prints, and swapping to standard-yield cartridges improves vibrancy. The bottom paper cassette must be pulled out manually, and the printer automatically powers off after four hours of inactivity unless the Auto Power On setting is enabled through the software preferences.
Wireless setup is not truly plug-and-play — users must connect manually to their router via the printer’s settings menu rather than relying on auto-discovery. Once online, the connection is stable for both desktop and mobile printing. The TS7720 is best suited for the budget-conscious household that prints occasional photos alongside school assignments and office documents. It delivers solid basics at a low entry point, but savvy buyers should factor in the cost of replacement cartridges against the printer’s price.
What works
- Automatic duplex printing at an entry-level price point
- 2.7-inch touchscreen provides clear navigation
- Compact footprint fits easily on a desk shelf
What doesn’t
- No automatic document feeder for scanning multiple pages
- Starter cartridges produce less vibrant photo colors
- Auto power-off default must be manually disabled to avoid restart delays
Hardware & Specs Guide
Color Depth & Ink Count
Standard four-ink printers (CMYK) work well for documents and basic photos. Five‑ and six‑ink configurations add light cyan and light magenta, which produce smoother tonal transitions and reduce visible grain in skin tones and skies. For portrait or fine‑art photography, a six‑color system is markedly superior.
Supertank vs. Cartridge Architecture
Supertank printers (Canon Megatank, Epson EcoTank) ship with entire bottles of ink that can last two to three years of normal use. Cartridge printers are cheaper upfront but typically cost two to three times more per page over the printer’s life. Dye‑sublimation units use entirely different consumables and are best for media‑specific work like stickers or small photo prints.
FAQ
How many ink cartridges do I need for professional photo prints?
Can a supertank printer compete with a six‑ink photo printer for color quality?
What is the practical difference between dye‑based and pigment‑based ink for photos?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the all in one photo printer winner is the Epson EcoTank ET-2980 because it provides three years of included ink for worry‑free family printing at the lowest per‑page cost. If you want uncompromising color accuracy for portraits and fine art, grab the Epson Expression Photo XP-970. And for high‑volume monochrome documents paired with a separate photo printer, nothing beats the speed of the Brother MFC-L2820DW.









