Kodak Mini 2 Retro Printer Review: Great Prints, Flawed App
Digging into user experiences with the Kodak Mini 2 Retro Portable Photo Printer (White) reveals a product that consistently delivers impressive print quality but struggles with software usability and long-term reliability. Across Amazon, Reddit, Trustpilot, and Best Buy, the consensus lands around a 7.8/10 — great for casual, creative printing, but with caveats for those seeking professional workflow integration.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — excellent print quality and portability for casual or scrapbook use, but frustrating app limitations and potential cartridge availability issues.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-quality prints with 4Pass dye-sublimation | Poor app interface and cropping issues |
| Waterproof, fingerprint-proof laminated finish | Cartridge supply can be difficult to source |
| Compact, highly portable design | Slower print times due to 4-pass process |
| Affordable cost per photo in bundles | Connection issues reported by some users |
| Borderless or bordered photo options | Limited creative controls in collage tool |
| Easy Bluetooth pairing with iOS/Android | Occasional paper jams and reliability concerns |
Claims vs Reality
Kodak markets the Mini 2 Retro as producing “premium 2.1 x 3.4-inch laminated prints that resist water and fingerprints” using its 4Pass dye-sublimation process. Multiple platforms confirm this claim. A verified buyer on Best Buy said: "Great colors, amazing printed outcome... you'd be surprised to see how cutie Kodak Mini 2 is once you start taking photos with it." Trustpilot reviews echo that the lamination makes prints “durable and smudge-resistant.”
Another claim is “simple Bluetooth connection” for quick printing from iOS or Android. While many users praise the ease of pairing, this isn’t universal. A Reddit user reported: "Connection issues with 2 different phones and nonstop 'paper error' messages on Christmas morning... returned and went with the HP Sprocket." This suggests that while the connection can be smooth, certain devices or firmware versions introduce hurdles.
Kodak also promotes its mobile app as “intuitive” with decorative features like stickers, frames, and augmented reality. Here, reality diverges sharply. Reddit user u/AskPhotography noted: "The photo preview is not what it prints... it always crops extra. The collage tool has barely any adjustments... pretty poor software overall." This recurring complaint points to a mismatch between advertised creative control and actual interface capabilities.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon, Best Buy, and Trustpilot, the print quality draws consistent praise. The 4Pass process, layering yellow, magenta, cyan, and a protective coat, produces vibrant, sharp images. A Best Buy customer remarked: "Clear prints... handy device for instant printing pictures on demand." For scrapbookers and event photographers, this means prints that last and can withstand handling.
Portability is another standout. The printer’s compact size — roughly a credit card footprint — fits easily in bags or even jacket pockets. A Best Buy reviewer said: "Super compact (fits in my purse) and very easy to connect and print any photo I can access on my phone." For travelers, this portability allows on-the-spot printing without bulky gear.
Cost per print, especially in bundle deals, appeals to budget-conscious users. Reddit’s u/AskPhotography calculated: "2 x 30 cartridges for £18 in the UK, which is 0.3 GBP/print... cheaper than others." This makes the Mini 2 Retro competitive against rivals like Canon Selphy in running costs.
Common Complaints
The mobile app consistently frustrates users. Cropping mismatch between preview and actual output is the most cited issue. Without numerical aspect ratio tools, precise framing becomes guesswork. This affects anyone seeking accurate composition — wedding photographers, for example, risk cutting off key details.
Reliability concerns emerge in multiple reports. On Revain, user Logan B. shared: "Paper often jams... block broke by itself... didn't last a single year." Cartridge availability compounds this problem. Ronald D. stated: "Too bad you can't get paper in a refill... I have to return this." For frequent users, supply chain inconsistencies can render the printer unusable.
Print speed, while adequate for casual use, feels slow to some due to the multi-pass process. Trustpilot notes the “slightly long” time per photo, which may frustrate event hosts needing quick turnaround.
Divisive Features
The bordered vs borderless print option draws mixed responses. Some love the ability to annotate borders with dates or notes, enhancing memory albums. Others prefer full-bleed images for impact, but complain that borderless mode still crops unpredictably.
Augmented reality and decorative features split opinion. Creative users enjoy filters and frames, with Trustpilot noting “personalization pushed to the max.” However, Reddit feedback highlights limited fine-tuning, making these tools feel gimmicky to those seeking professional polish.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot reviews reveal generally positive sentiment for quality and portability, but repeated mentions of high consumable costs and slow printing. More troubling are long-term reliability stories from Revain, where multiple users report mechanical failures within a year and difficulty sourcing replacement cartridges.
On Reddit, the workaround for cropping issues — manually resizing images with margins before printing — shows a user community willing to adapt, but also underscores ongoing software shortcomings. The fact that generic printing apps cannot detect the Kodak printer limits third-party rescue options.
Alternatives
Canon Selphy is the only competitor mentioned in community discussions. Reddit user u/AskPhotography plans to test it, noting: "Not pocket size... price per photo is higher, but I understand it's an actual printer so you can just share to printer from any photo app." This highlights the trade-off between the Mini 2 Retro’s portability and Selphy’s more open printing ecosystem.
HP Sprocket also appears as a replacement choice after connection issues, suggesting that while it may lack Kodak’s lamination durability, its app integration feels more reliable to some users.
Price & Value
As of recent listings, the Mini 2 Retro ranges from $89.99 on Amazon bundles to $179 on eBay with 60 sheets. Bundle deals significantly improve value, reducing per-print costs to competitive levels. However, users warn that without ensuring cartridge availability, the low entry price can become moot if consumables run out.
Resale value appears modest, with used units on eBay selling between $22 and $62 depending on condition, reflecting both the niche appeal and consumable supply risks.
FAQ
Q: Can I print directly from my computer?
A: No, you must transfer photos to a smartphone and print via the Kodak app. This is a recurring limitation noted across Amazon FAQs.
Q: How many photos can I print per charge?
A: Around 20 photos per full 90-minute charge, according to Kodak’s official specs. Ideal for short events but may require recharging for larger sessions.
Q: Are the prints sticky-backed?
A: Standard paper is non-sticky, but some cartridges offer sticker paper options. Jim B. on Revain noted enjoying the choice to “remove the backing” or keep them as standard photos.
Q: Is the app compatible with all phones?
A: Officially supports iOS and Android via Bluetooth, but some users report connection issues with certain devices, requiring troubleshooting or returns.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a scrapbooker, traveler, or event host seeking high-quality, durable mini prints and can tolerate app quirks. Avoid if you require precise cropping, fast print speeds, or guaranteed cartridge availability. Pro tip from Reddit: resize your images with white margins before importing to the app to counter cropping issues.
