HP Sprocket Buying Guide

Devices are more focused than ever on taking great pictures. With each new smartphone that comes out, endless claims are made about how this camera is “the best on the market” or “our most advanced camera ever”. More and more, people are turning to their smartphones to help them capture and preserve meaningful moments.

Having cameras connected to our phones has made it incredibly easy to capture memorable moments. But for most people, hundreds and hundreds of photos get taken that are never seen again. Instead of letting memories live clearly in our minds, they never end up making it out of your camera roll.

Fortunately, the HP Sprocket is here to help bring your pictures to life. This line of mobile printers works seamlessly with your smartphone to turn digital pictures into beautiful prints. With a few taps on your phone, a picture from years ago can go from the cloud to your kitchen fridge in minutes.

Over the last few years, mobile printers have grown in popularity. Whether they have been used to capture moments at events, turn photo shoots into instant prints, or convert social media pictures into physical photographs, mobile printers go a long way in helping your photos get out of the digital world to preserve your most cherished memories. The rise in mobile printers, however, has led many to question what the best mobile photo printer actually is.

The HP Sprocket line looks to provide you with the simplest, most exciting mobile printing experience on the market. Each HP Sprocket is designed to bring the most out of your photos and produce fun, invigorating prints.

This all leads to a very important question: which HP Sprocket is best for you? The answer will depend on the way you plan on using your Sprocket. Whether you prioritize mobility, print quality, or low-cost operation, there is an HP Sprocket that is perfect for you.

This article is meant to serve as an HP Sprocket comparison guide that will help you see the distinctions between each model. We’ll go over the technical differences and best uses for the HP Sprocket, the HP Sprocket Select, and the HP Sprocket Studio. With these guidelines and suggestions in mind, you will be better able to decide which HP Sprocket to get for your specific needs.


 

HP Sprocket

HP Sprocket

  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 3.15” x 4.63” x 0.98”
  • Weight: 0.38 lbs.
  • Print size: 2” x 3”
  • Print technology: Zink Zero Ink printing
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth only
  • Compatible operating systems: Android 4.4 and above; iOS 10.0 and above

The HP Sprocket is the most compact mobile printer HP offers. Small enough to fit in your jean pockets, the HP Sprocket is as easy to bring with you as your iPhone to make photo printing more mobile than ever. By deliberately simplifying the photo printing process, the HP Sprocket makes the joy of mobile printing quick, accessible, and hassle-free.

Within the compact design, the HP Sprocket packs powerful printing into a small package. This Sprocket offers 313 x 400 dpi printing without the complicated procedures that come with cartridges and ink. Compatible with most Android and iOS operating systems, the HP Sprocket can be controlled entirely from your smartphone via the HP Sprocket app. This printer can connect to your social media accounts to print Instagram and Facebook photos, and the included USB cable lets you charge the printer in 2 hours or less and provides about 35 photos per charge.

To maximize mobility, this printer offers Bluetooth connectivity to help you print even without Wi-Fi. The compact size makes this printer easy to pack for vacations or carry throughout the day so you can print your pictures whenever inspiration strikes. By delivering quality prints time after time, the HP Sprocket clearly stands among the best 2” x 3” photo printers. This printer is up for an adventure whenever you are and works so well because it blends into your day.

The HP Sprocket focuses on giving you the tools you need to express yourself in any situation. This model comes in 4 unique colors (Luna Pearl, Noir, Blush, and Lilac) so that the printer matches your aesthetic even when it isn’t printing. With the HP Sprocket app, you have the ability to edit your photos and add fun personal touches to make your photos truly yours.

With Bluetooth connectivity, you can invite your friends to join you on the photo printing fun. Whenever a friend of yours downloads the HP Sprocket app on their iPhone or Android device, they can connect to your printer via Bluetooth and print their very own memories. This feature makes the HP Sprocket great for parties and other events as guests can print their own photos from the same printer.

The HP Sprocket runs on Zink technology so you get beautiful prints without any ink or cartridges. Zink paper is designed to respond to specific levels of heat to produce your image. The Sprocket heats the paper up to add the right colors in the right places of your photo. This means you can see your picture instantly after printing is complete and you never have to worry about replacing ink cartridges. This technology also makes this model cheaper to run as there are no ink costs.

Overall, the HP Sprocket is the simplest, most affordable way to dive into the world of mobile printing. Designed for easy travel and use, this Sprocket makes mobile printing as fun as possible by removing complications for the simplest photo printing experience.


 

HP Sprocket Select

HP Sprocket Select

  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 3.48” x 5.13” x 0.69”
  • Weight: 0.40 lbs.
  • Print size: 2.3” x 3.4”
  • Print technology: Zink Zero Ink printing
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth only
  • Compatible operating systems: Android 5.1 and above; iOS 10.0.2 and above

The HP Sprocket Select is the goldilocks printer of the Sprocket family; not too big, not too small, but just right. With prints that are 30% larger than the Sprocket and a design that is slightly slimmer, the Sprocket Select gives you all the same portability of the Sprocket with added power and boldness. By keeping the classic Sprocket design, the Sprocket Select takes every element of the printing experience up a level.

The Sprocket Select works with the HP Sprocket app and even grants you access to some exclusive app features. With the Sprocket app, you can add frames, stickers, and other fun edits to your wallet-sized photos. Easily select artistic filters, add helpful text, or access light-hearted embellishments to put the finishing touches on your printable pictures. The Sprocket Select even allows you to access the Sprocket AR feature, adding an extra level of excitement to your printed photos.

With a body design that is 3.5” x 5.1” x 0.7”, the Sprocket Select is easy to carry in larger pockets or pack into purses, backpacks, and any other small bag. Compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, the Sprocket Select offers 321 x 600 dpi printing for crystal clear images. This printer utilizes Zink technology for efficient, environmentally-friendly, and cost-effective printing. Connect via Bluetooth to print new photos or pictures from linked social media accounts on the go.

Each print from the Sprocket Select is 2.3” x 3.4”, making them perfect for decorating all kinds of spaces. This printer uses Zink sticky-backed photo paper so your pictures can stick to scrapbooks, photo walls, and any other area that can use a burst of personality. With larger prints and a higher print quality than the Sprocket, the Sprocket Select helps turn your pictures into lasting memories that truly stand out.

Overall, the Sprocket Select is the ideal printer for anyone looking to catalog memories while maintaining portability. The higher print quality and larger print size makes the Sprocket Select the perfect tool to capture memories from an entire vacation as opposed to an individual moment. The versatility of this printer makes it incredibly useful for anyone looking to take their photo printing a bit more seriously while also taking their printer with them.


 

HP Sprocket Studio

HP Sprocket Studio

  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 6.65” x 10.75” x 2.68”
  • Weight: 2.05 lbs.
  • Print size: 4” x 6”
  • Print technology: Dye-sublimation technology
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth only
  • Compatible operating systems: Android 5.1 and above; iOS 10.0.2 and above

The HP Sprocket Studio makes professional-quality printing more mobile than ever. Boasting the highest print quality among the Sprocket lineup, the Sprocket Studio gives you all the fun of mobile photo printing and turns it into 4” x 6”, frame-ready prints. Bluetooth connectivity makes this printer remarkably easy to use and allows you to invite your friends into the creative process of mobile photo printing.

This printer takes your mobile pictures and turns them into enduring staples around your home by allowing you to print 4” x 6” photos from your Apple or Android device. By combining a larger print size with a higher print quality, the Sprocket Studio gives you the advantages of a mobile printer while operating like a professional photo printer.

The Sprocket Studio offers 300 dpi printing and utilizes dye sublimation technology for a higher print quality. With a body design that is 6.6” x 10.75” x 2.7”, this printer is large enough to give you bigger, bolder prints while remaining small enough for travel. Connect to the Sprocket Studio via Bluetooth and control every operation from the HP Sprocket app. This printer is Energy Star certified for efficient use and works with both Android and iOS devices.

One major distinguishing factor of the Sprocket Studio is that it requires a power connection. The included power supply works with any standard outlet, or you can purchase the additional power bank to use this printer on the go. While not being nearly as portable as the Sprocket or Sprocket Select, the Sprocket Studio can still fit nicely into bags and backpacks for portable use.

Unlike the other Sprocket printers, the Sprocket Studio uses dye-sublimation technology to provide advanced photo printing. Dye sublimation is a process by which colors are added to a photo one layer at a time. This kind of printing is slightly slower than an inkjet printer, but it creates higher quality prints. Dye sublimation is slightly more expensive to operate than Zink printers as you will need to purchase replacement ink over time.

Overall, the HP Sprocket Studio is the highest quality printer in the Sprocket series. The minimal design still offers a degree of portability that many printers do not offer, while the smart technology provides top notch printing.
HP Sprockets

Find Your Perfect Match


Within the HP Sprocket family of printers, there is certainly a printer for everyone. The important question is not to figure out which HP Sprocket is best; rather, the goal is to determine which HP Sprocket is right for you.

If you want to capture fun moments and add exciting embellishments, the Sprocket can be a great fit. If you plan on printing a large number of photos and want to mix quality printing with portability, the Sprocket Select works perfectly. If you want the highest-quality prints possible, the Sprocket Studio is the way to go.

Ultimately, it all comes down to getting started. Mobile photo printing is a compelling way to turn unused photos into memorable prints. No matter which HP Sprocket you wind up selecting, each printer is sure to provide lasting, beautiful photos.