HP Sprocket Select Review: A Pocket Printer for Larger Sticky-Back Photos

This HP Sprocket Select review looks at a portable photo printer for turning phone and social media images into larger, sticky-backed keepsakes. Its appeal centers on ZINK printing, app-based personalization and a travel-friendly design.

Sprocket Select Review Summary

The quick verdict

HP Sprocket Select

A portable phone printer for buyers who want larger adhesive-backed snapshots and simple ways to personalize them before printing.

• Prints 2.3 x 3.4-inch photographs from a smartphone or social media.
• Works with iOS and Android devices over Bluetooth 5.1.
• Uses ZINK sticky-backed photo paper, with no toner or ribbon replacements.
• The HP app offers frames, filters, augmented reality features and custom sticker tools.

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✓ Pros

• Prints larger 2.3 x 3.4-inch photos on a pocket-sized printer.
• Sticky-backed paper is ready for journals, boards and other display surfaces.

− Consider before buying

• The adhesive-backed format is less suited to buyers seeking conventional loose prints without a sticky layer.
• Plan around the printer’s micro USB port when choosing charging cables or accessories.

Read the full review summary

The Sprocket Select is a phone-first printer for buyers who want physical snapshots without adding a separate ink or toner supply.

It prints on glossy, sticky-backed ZINK paper, and the app offers frames, filters and sticker-making tools, making it useful for journaling, decorating and sharing small prints.

Its larger 2.3 x 3.4-inch prints, sticky-backed paper, and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity suit people who want portable phone printing for compact keepsakes.

Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.

Key Features and Specifications of Sprocket Select

• Prints 2.3 x 3.4-inch photographs from a smartphone or social media.
• Works with iOS and Android devices over Bluetooth 5.1.
• Uses ZINK sticky-backed photo paper, with no toner or ribbon replacements.
• The HP app offers frames, filters, augmented reality features and custom sticker tools.
• Tag-to-print connects selected social media posts to printing through the HP app.
• Slim, pocket-sized rechargeable design with a removable magnetic lid and micro USB port.

Pros and Cons of Sprocket Select

Who Should Buy Sprocket Select?

Good fit

Choose the Sprocket Select if you want phone photos in a larger pocket-print format and expect to use adhesive-backed images in a journal, scrapbook or display.

Its 2.3 x 3.4-inch output gives more area than the smallest pocket-photo format while remaining easy to carry.

It is also a good fit for buyers who enjoy editing snapshots before printing. The HP app’s frames, filters and doodle-to-sticker tools can make the printer more engaging for crafts, gifting and casual personalization.

The ZINK system makes sense for someone who prefers not to manage toner or ribbon replacements. Consider how often you expect to print and whether sticky-backed paper matches the way you want to keep or display photos.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you primarily want conventional non-adhesive prints for frames or albums; the supplied paper is glossy and sticky-backed. A different print process and media may better suit that workflow.

It is also a poor fit if your priority is larger wall-ready photographs rather than compact keepsakes. The printer is built around a pocket-sized output and travel-friendly body.

HP Sprocket Select Review Analysis

A useful size for keepsakes

The 2.3 x 3.4-inch print format is the central practical distinction of the Sprocket Select. It offers more space than a smaller pocket photo while preserving the carry-anywhere use case.

That balance favors notebooks, collages and handouts over framed photography that benefits from a larger print.

ZINK keeps supplies simple

ZINK embeds color in the sticky-backed photo paper and removes the need for toner or ribbon replacements. This keeps the printing setup compact, though buyers should be comfortable using adhesive media as their standard output.

The app is part of the appeal

Frames, filters, augmented reality tools and social tag-to-print give the Select a more playful workflow than a bare print button.

These features are most relevant to people who like to curate or decorate images on a phone before making a physical copy.

Portability comes with a compact format

A rechargeable pocket-sized body and travel-friendly design make it convenient to bring along for casual printing. Its small format is the tradeoff: buyers who routinely want larger photographs should choose a printer built for that output instead.

Alternatives to Sprocket Select

Sticker-print alternative

HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition)

Consider the 2nd Edition if you prefer standard 2x3-inch prints and want multiple devices to connect at once; choose the Select if its larger 2.3 x 3.4-inch print size better suits your keepsakes.

• The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition) prints 2x3-inch sticky-backed photos and supports simultaneous connections from multiple devices.
• The Sprocket Select prints 2.3 x 3.4-inch photographs on sticky-backed paper and connects to iOS and Android devices over Bluetooth 5.1.

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Laminated-print alternative

KODAK Mini 2 Retro 2x3 Portable Photo Printer

Choose the KODAK if you want dye-sublimation prints with a clear laminated finish and are comfortable using cartridges and photo paper. The Sprocket Select better fits buyers who want adhesive-backed ZINK prints without toner or ribbon replacements.

• The KODAK Mini 2 Retro uses 4PASS dye sublimation, with each photo finished by a clear protective lamination layer.
• The bundle includes 4 cartridges and 38 sheets of photo paper.
• The Sprocket Select uses sticky-backed ZINK photo paper and does not require toner or ribbon replacements.

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Is Sprocket Select Worth It?

The HP Sprocket Select is worth considering if you want a portable printer for phone photos, value a larger pocket-sized print and expect to use adhesive-backed images.

Its app-based personalization and ZINK paper make it a tidy option for crafts and casual keepsakes.

Pass if you need conventional non-adhesive or larger-format prints. For buyers whose output needs align with small sticky-backed photos, the Sprocket Select offers a focused, portable printing setup with creative app tools.

Your review at a glance

HP Sprocket Select

A portable phone printer for buyers who want larger adhesive-backed snapshots and simple ways to personalize them before printing.

• Prints 2.3 x 3.4-inch photographs from a smartphone or social media.
• Works with iOS and Android devices over Bluetooth 5.1.
• Uses ZINK sticky-backed photo paper, with no toner or ribbon replacements.
• The HP app offers frames, filters, augmented reality features and custom sticker tools.

Check Price on Amazon