Reviews You Can Rely On

HP Sprocket Review

This mini printer rendered some of the poorest quality photos in the review
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HP Sprocket Review
Credit: Jason Peters
Price:  $80 List
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Manufacturer:   hp
By Nick Miley, Jason Peters and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Mar 30, 2022
36
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#9 of 11
  • Color Prints - 35% 3.0
  • Black and White Prints - 35% 3.0
  • Print Capabilities - 15% 3.0
  • Operating Cost - 10% 6.0
  • Set-up - 5% 9.0

Our Verdict

Unfortunately, the HP Sprocket produced what some might describe as cringe-worthy photos. Despite decent resolution for this size photograph, the color images were cast in magenta and had bleeding along the borders. As for the black and white, let's just say that we would recommend a different mini printer for printing in grayscale. We like the app that controls the printer, as it allows you to print from your phone and stack up multiple photos in the queue.
REASONS TO BUY
Passable resolution
Multi-photo queue
Adhesive photo paper
REASONS TO AVOID
Magenta color cast
Overall poor quality grayscale
Microbanding
Editor's Note: We updated this HP Sprocket review on March 28, 2022, with a new take on value and to provide additional suggestions for other high-performing photo printers.

Compare to Similar Products

 
hp sprocket
This Product
HP Sprocket
Awards  Best Buy Award
Best Value for High Volume Printing
Best Buy Award
Best Value for Wide Format Prints
Top Pick Award
Best Mini Printer
 
Price $80 List
$77.99 at Amazon
$330 List
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$400 List
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Bottom Line This mini printer had some of the worst image outcomes of the classThis printer delivers high-volume, great-quality photos at a delightfully low cost per printThis printer yields high-quality images at a reasonable pricePortable, reliable, and fun to use - this printer delivers in nearly every wayA tiny printer for anyone who misses the days of waving a polariod while waiting for it to develop
Rating Categories HP Sprocket Canon PIXMA G620 Epson Expression HD... Canon IVY 2 Mini Fujifilm Instax Min...
Color Prints (35%)
3.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
3.0
Black and White Prints (35%)
3.0
7.0
7.0
4.0
3.0
Print Capabilities (15%)
3.0
7.0
8.0
3.0
3.0
Operating Cost (10%)
6.0
10.0
7.0
6.0
3.0
Set-up (5%)
9.0
7.0
5.0
9.0
8.0
Specs HP Sprocket Canon PIXMA G620 Epson Expression HD... Canon IVY 2 Mini Fujifilm Instax Min...
Cost Per Print $0.50 $0.05 $0.45 $0.50 $0.75
Measured Print Time 39 seconds 157 seconds 34 seconds 30 seconds 20 seconds
Max Photo Dimensions 2" x 3" 8.5" x 47" 13" x 44" 2" x 3" 2" x 3"
Print Resolution 313 x 400 dpi 4800 x 1200 dpi 5760 x 1440 dpi 313 x 512 dpi N/A
Printing Technology In paper, thermal-activated dye Inkjet Inkjet (Piezo DOD) ZINK™ (Zero Ink) Instant Film
Color Palette (ink cartridges) N/A Gray, Black, Red, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Gray, Red N/A N/A
Measured Dimensions 1" x 3.2" x 4.6" 17.2" x 12.5" x 5.8" 6.3" x 18.7" x 14.5" 5" x 3.3" x 1" 3.6" x 4.9" x 1.4"
Connectivity Bluetooth Hi-Speed USB
Wi-Fi
Wireless PictBridge
Hi-Speed USB
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi Direct
Ethernet
Bluetooth Bluetooth
Memory cards supported No No No No No
LCD screen No Yes Yes No No
Ink type N/A Dye-based Dye-based N/A N/A
Scanner No Yes No No No
Battery Yes No No Yes Yes
Operating system requirements Android
iOS
Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 SP1
macOS v10.12.6 - 10.15
Windows 10 8/8.1/Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit)
Windows Vista (32-bit , 64-bit)
Mac OS X 10.6.8 — macOS 10.12.x6
Compatible OS
iOS: 12.0 or later
Android™: 6.0 or later
Android
iOS
Touch Screen No No No No No

Our Analysis and Test Results

We were not impressed with this machine. The prints looked abysmal when comparing their photos to desktop models. The Sprocket's test images were unsatisfactory even among mini printers. Suffice it to say, there are better options within this model's price range.

Performance Comparison


hp sprocket - even though it is fun and pocket-sized, the hp sprocket produces...
Even though it is fun and pocket-sized, the HP Sprocket produces sub-par prints, even from the perspective of comparable mini printers.
Credit: Laura Casner

Likes


We like the mini printer concept. We think that a picture is not a photograph until you print it, and mini printers like this one make that easier than ever. Additionally, we like that you can do some creative edits on your phone before printing.

hp sprocket - the intuitive app is the only positive aspect of the hp sprocket.
The intuitive app is the only positive aspect of the HP Sprocket.
Credit: Laura Casner

Another check in the pro column for the HP Sprocket — and mini printers in general — is that it is easy to set-up. The process is as simple as downloading an app onto your phone and connecting to the printer via Bluetooth. That's it.

Dislikes


Simply put, this printer did not fare well in our evaluations. Its color renditions were pretty bad, and the black and white test images came out looking bazaar. Suffice it to say that this machine is not cut out for printing in grayscale.

hp sprocket - the color prints have very low definition, but are marginally better...
The color prints have very low definition, but are marginally better than the nondescript black and white prints.
Credit: Laura Casner

Should You Buy the HP Sprocket?


We don't have much positive to say about this printer except that it is a fun and fairly inexpensive way to get pics off your mobile device and into the hands of loved ones. If you're shopping for a mini printer, this review has better devices for about the same price.

What Other Photo Printers Should You Consider?


The HP Sprocket is in the same price range as mini printers rendering much higher quality images, so we do not find it to be a very good value. The Canon IVY 2, a top-notch mini printer, costs less than this model.

Nick Miley, Jason Peters and Austin Palmer