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HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition) Review

The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer is a pocket-sized ZINK photo printer built for quick 2 x 3-inch sticky-backed prints from a smartphone. It stands out most for portability, easy setup, and app-based creative features, making it a strong casual option for journaling, scrapbooking, and social events. Its main trade-off is print fidelity, with mixed feedback around color accuracy, blur, and long-term reliability.
Expert reviewed
79
Overall score
Data-driven scoring Expert reviewed Updated analysis

Why we ranked it highly

The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition) is a compact smartphone photo printer designed for casual, on-the-go printing rather than traditional home photo printing. It uses ZINK zero-ink paper to produce small 2 x 3-inch color prints with peel-and-stick backs, which makes it especially relevant for journaling, crafts, scrapbooks, and event sharing. At 6.1 ounces and roughly smartphone-sized, it is clearly positioned as a portable accessory rather than a desktop device. Based on the scores and customer feedback, its strongest appeal is convenience. Setup is straightforward, portability is excellent, and the HP Sprocket app adds editing, album sharing, and augmented reality functions. Value also looks strong for this type of device. The main caution is print quality consistency. Reviews suggest acceptable results for casual use, but not dependable color accuracy or high detail, and some customers report reliability concerns over time.
90-day review Expert reviewed User feedback Data scoring

Key specs

Additional details

Printer Type
Zink Technology
Other Special Features of the Product
Augmented Reality Capabilities, Connect to Multiple Devices, Network-Ready, Rechargeable Battery, ZINK Zero Ink Technology
Printer Output Type
Color
Item Weight
6.1 Ounces
Item Dimensions D x W x H
3.15"D x 4.63"W x 0.98"H
Controller Type
iOS App
Print media
Glossy photo paper
Scanner Type
Photo
Maximum Copy Speed Black and White
1 ppm
Compatible Devices
Smartphones
EU Spare Part Availability Duration
1 Years
Additional Printer Functions
Print Only
Control Method
App
Number of Trays
1
Processor Count
1
Resolution
313 x 400 DPI
Display Type
LCD

Paper Handling

Maximum Media Size
2 x 3
Maximum Sheet Capacity
10
Paper Size
2 x 3
Output sheet capacity
10

Connectivity

Printer Connectivity Type
Bluetooth
Hardware Interface
Bluetooth
Total USB 2.0 Ports
1
Total Usb Ports
1

Duplex Printing

Dual-sided printing
No
Duplex
Simplex

Item details

Brand
HP
Model Name
1AS85A#B1H
Model Number
HPISPW
Built-In Media
1AS85A HP Sprocket 200 Photo Printer, Regulatory sheet, USB cable, HP ZINKTM Sticky-Backed Photo Paper (10-sheets), Warranty sheet
Series Number
1
Model Series
Sprocket Luna Pearl
Specific Uses For Product
Photo Printer
UPC
192545379274
Global Trade Identification Number
00192545379274
Manufacturer
HP
Item Type Name
Multifunction printer.
Unit Count
1.0 Count

Print Speed

Color Pages per Minute
1 ppm
B&W Pages per Minute
1 ppm

Color

Color
Luna Pearl

Print Resolution

Maximum print Resolution Color
313 x 400 DPI
Maximum Print Resolution Black and White
313 x 400 DPI

Power

Power Consumption
315 Watts
Wattage
32 watts
Is Electric
No

Copy Resolution

Maximum Copy Resolution Color
313 x 400 dpi
Maximum Copy Resolution Black and White
313 x 400 dpi

Scores breakdown

72 /100

Performance

84 /100

Features

91 /100

Usability

88 /100

Design

83 /100

App experience

58 /100

Display quality

50 /100

Audio quality

50 /100

Camera quality

Strengths

  • Very compact and lightweight design at 6.1 ounces, making it easy to carry in a pocket, bag, or purse.
  • Simple app-based setup and operation, supported by strong usability and setup scores.
  • Sticky-backed 2 x 3-inch ZINK prints are well suited to journaling, scrapbooking, and casual decoration.
  • Bluetooth 5.0 support and multi-device printing make it convenient for sharing at events or with friends.
  • HP Sprocket app adds editing tools such as borders, stickers, album sharing, and augmented reality features.
  • Strong value profile for a portable photo printer, especially given the included starter paper and high customer satisfaction.

Limitations

  • Print quality is inconsistent, with recurring reports of pink color cast, blur, and occasional striping.
  • Print resolution is limited to 313 x 400 DPI, so output is better suited to casual use than high-fidelity photo printing.
  • Reliability feedback is mixed, with some customers reporting units that stopped working after a few months.
  • Battery performance appears only moderate, with user reports suggesting limited prints per charge in heavier sessions.
  • Print speed is slow at around 1 page per minute, which limits usefulness for larger batches.
  • Only supports small 2 x 3-inch media, so it is not suitable for users wanting larger photo formats.

Ideal user profiles

  • Scrapbookers and journal users who want small sticky-backed prints from a phone.
  • Casual users looking for a fun, portable printer for trips, parties, and everyday memories.
  • Students or hobby users who value convenience and size over photo-lab print accuracy.
  • Gift buyers seeking an easy-to-use gadget with broad smartphone compatibility.

Use cases

  • Printing quick photo stickers for journals, planners, and notebooks.
  • Creating small decorations for walls, lockers, and personal spaces.
  • Sharing instant prints at parties, travel meetups, or family events.
  • Making scrapbook inserts directly from a smartphone camera roll.
  • Printing social media photos in a small physical format.
  • Creating simple visual materials for school, craft, or fundraising projects.

Fit and positioning

Who this works for

Category positioning

This model sits in the casual, portable, app-driven part of the photo printer market. It is not a premium image-quality device and does not aim to replace a larger inkjet photo printer. Instead, it focuses on convenience, low-friction setup, creative social use, and small sticker-style output. The score profile supports that positioning, with especially strong marks for portability, usability, setup, app experience, and value. It looks best suited to buyers who prioritize fun and practicality over print precision.

Best for

The HP Sprocket is best for users who want quick smartphone prints in a very compact format. Its strongest fit is for journaling, scrapbooking, travel keepsakes, party printing, and small decorative stickers. High usability, setup, portability, and app scores suggest it works well for casual buyers and gift recipients who want something simple and fun rather than technically demanding or professionally accurate.

Not best for

This printer is a weaker fit for buyers who want true-to-screen color accuracy, larger photo formats, or dependable high-volume output. Review patterns mention pink color cast, blur, striping, and some failures after a few months, which matches the lower accuracy and reliability scores. If image fidelity matters more than portability, a larger photo printer is likely the better direction.

Performance analysis

How it performs in practice

Each scoring dimension is separated into a compact card so the strengths and tradeoffs are easier to compare without reading one long block.

Performance analysis

The HP Sprocket performs best when judged as a casual pocket photo printer rather than a serious photo output device. Its performance score of 72 reflects a usable but clearly compromise-based result. It can produce fast-enough small prints for journaling and events, and many buyers find the output good enough for illustrative use. However, customer feedback is mixed on print consistency, with recurring mentions of blur, striping, and a pink hue in some photos. That makes its real-world performance practical for memories and crafts, but less dependable for buyers who expect accurate or polished photo reproduction.

Feature analysis

The feature set is one of the stronger parts of this product, reflected in its feature score of 84. Beyond basic smartphone printing, it includes sticky-backed ZINK media, multi-device printing, Bluetooth 5.0, sleep mode, album sharing, editing tools, and augmented reality functions in the app. For a small portable printer, that is a solid mix of social and creative extras. The main limitation is that the hardware output itself remains narrow in scope, with only 2 x 3-inch printing and no broader media flexibility.

Usability analysis

Usability is a major strength here, supported by a score of 91 and repeated review comments describing the printer as easy to use. The app-led workflow is simple, paper loading appears straightforward, and Bluetooth pairing is generally seen as low friction. In day-to-day use, that makes the device approachable for casual users, gift recipients, and hobby crafters. The only practical usability drawback is learning how images crop into the 2 x 3-inch format, which some users note takes a little adjustment.

Design

Design is one of the product's stronger areas, with a score of 88. The printer is smartphone-sized, lightweight, and clearly built for portability, which fits the product's purpose well. Reviews also respond positively to its appearance and convenience. The small footprint and peel-and-stick photo format make it easy to integrate into crafts, travel, and social use. Its design is practical and appealing, although the tiny format also limits output size and more serious printing use.

How it compares

Within the portable photo printer category, the HP Sprocket compares well on ease of use, size, app-led creativity, and general value. It clearly leans into portability and social printing, helped by Bluetooth connectivity, editing tools, album sharing, and sticky-backed prints that fit crafts and journaling especially well. Where it looks less competitive is in print fidelity and consistency. The available data suggests that buyers prioritizing convenience and portability may find it more appealing than buyers who care most about color accuracy, sharpness, and long-term hardware confidence. In other words, it compares best as a fun mobile printer, not as a serious photo output device.

Ranking summary

With an overall score of 79, the HP Sprocket ranks as a strong casual-use portable photo printer rather than a top-tier print-quality option. Its best sub-scores are portability, setup, usability, customer satisfaction, design, and value, which together explain why it performs well in a convenience-focused ranking. The product is easy to carry, easy to start using, and backed by a feature-rich app that suits journaling and social printing. What stops it ranking higher is its weaker print fidelity and consistency, reflected in lower accuracy, reliability, durability, and only moderate battery and speed scores.

Buying advice

Consider the HP Sprocket if you mainly want a very portable printer for small sticker photos from your phone. It makes the most sense for journaling, scrapbooking, travel keepsakes, parties, and casual gifting. Before buying, check that your smartphone meets the listed Android or iOS requirements and be realistic about the 2 x 3-inch format, modest battery life, and app-dependent workflow. If you are sensitive to color accuracy or want larger, sharper, or more dependable prints, this is probably not the right choice. It is best bought for convenience and fun rather than photo precision.
79
Overall score

Final verdict

The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer is a strong option in the pocket photo printer category for casual users, especially those who value portability, simple setup, and creative app features. Its main strength is how easy it is to carry and use for journaling, scrapbooking, and social printing. Its main limitation is print consistency, with mixed evidence around color cast, blur, and reliability. Overall, this is a good fit if you want a compact, fun smartphone printer and can accept the compromises that come with ZINK-based portable printing.
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Key topics

HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer review, HP Sprocket 2nd Edition review, portable photo printer ranking, best pocket photo printer, HP Sprocket comparison, ZINK photo printer review, smartphone photo printer, HP Sprocket Luna Pearl, sticky backed photo printer, mini photo printer for journaling

Frequently asked questions

Is the HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer worth it?
It looks like a good fit for buyers who want a fun, highly portable photo printer for casual use. Its strongest areas are usability, setup, portability, app features, and value. It is less convincing for buyers who care most about print accuracy, as review data points to pink color cast, blur, and occasional reliability issues.
Is the HP Sprocket good for journaling and scrapbooking?
Yes, that appears to be one of its best use cases. The 2 x 3-inch sticky-backed ZINK prints are well suited to planners, journals, scrapbooks, and quick crafts. Customer feedback repeatedly mentions this kind of use, and the small size plus easy app workflow make it practical for casual creative projects.
How good is the print quality on the HP Sprocket?
Print quality appears acceptable for a pocket printer, but not consistently strong. Some customers say prints look vibrant and detailed enough for casual use, while others report blurry output, striping, and a noticeable pink hue. Based on the score profile and reviews, convenience is a clearer strength than print fidelity.
Is the HP Sprocket easy to set up?
Yes, setup is one of its strongest areas. The setup score is very high, and customer feedback regularly describes pairing and paper loading as simple. It connects through the app and Bluetooth, so most users should be able to get started quickly, provided they are using a compatible smartphone.
Does the HP Sprocket have good battery life?
Battery performance looks adequate rather than outstanding. The battery life score is middling, and one review estimated roughly 10 prints on a full charge, with some cooldown pauses during longer sessions. It should work for light portable use, but heavy printing sessions may require charging access.
What devices is the HP Sprocket compatible with?
It is designed for smartphones and works through the HP Sprocket app. The provided details list support for Android 5 and above and iOS 10 and above. Buyers should confirm their phone software version and preferred app experience before purchase, especially if long-term compatibility matters to them.
Can multiple people print to the HP Sprocket at the same time?
The product details say it can connect with multiple devices so friends can print during shared sessions. That makes it more social than a basic single-user pocket printer. Even so, print speed remains limited, so shared use is best for occasional small batches rather than fast, high-volume printing.
What are the main limitations of the HP Sprocket?
The main limitations are print fidelity, battery limits during longer sessions, and mixed reliability feedback. Review data highlights pink-tinted prints, blur, and occasional striping, while some customers report hardware failures after a few months. It is also limited to small 2 x 3-inch output, so format flexibility is low.

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