Best Polaroid camera in 2025
Instant photography has made a big comeback in recent years. As smartphone camera quality increases, so does the nostalgia for grainy, retro pictures with a tangible nature. Thanks to the evolving technology behind modern instant cameras, you’ll be able to capture the world around you. Printed photos will be in your hands within seconds.
However, as there are numerous instant film camera options on the market, I decided to help you make the right choice. Today, I’ll guide you in choosing the best Polaroid camera based on my and the Cybernews team’s thorough analysis and expert insights. So, let’s go through my detailed reviews of my top seven picks and learn more about the best instant cameras.
Best Polaroid camera – shortlist
- Polaroid Now Black Everything Box – overall best instant camera
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 – best Instax camera for vibrant photos
- Polaroid Now – best instant camera 2025 with photo filter compatibility
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 – best practical instant print camera
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 – best affordable camera that prints pictures
- KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro – best instant print camera with excellent photo quality
- Zink KODAK Step Camera – best instant film camera with seven picture modes
The best Polaroid camera compared
Before I move on to my detailed reviews of the best Polaroid cameras, I’ll walk you through my comparison table. So, let’s look at the features, price, and other side-by-side differences:
| Model | Price | Resolution | Field of view | Setup | AI detection | Storage options | Best for |
| Polaroid Now Black Everything Box | Mid-tier | I-Type film and 600 film | Horizontal 40°, vertical 41° | Battery | No | SD and microSD | Taking the sharpest instant photos |
| Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 | Premium | 1:12.7 | 35mm | Battery | No | Dedicated Instax app | Fast capturing of retro photos |
| Polaroid Now | Premium | I-Type film and 600 film | Horizontal 40°, vertical 41° | Battery | No | Dedicated app | Sharper pictures in light environments |
| Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 | Premium | 25.1MP | 35mm | Battery | No | InstaxUp app | Travelers who want to capture cool photos |
| Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 | Low-tier | 1:12.7 | 35mm | Battery | No | InstaxUp app | Taking retro photos on the go |
| KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro | Mid-tier | 13MP | Not specified | Battery | No | None | Capturing photos in dim lighting environments |
| Zink KODAK Step Camera | Low-tier | 10MP | Not specified | Battery | No | Micro SD cards | Affordable printed photos |
7 best Polaroid camera – our detailed list
Now that you get the basics, let’s move on to my detailed reviews of the seven best picks and see which will be the best Polaroid camera 2025 for your needs:
1. Polaroid Now Black Everything Box – best Polaroid camera in 2025
| Resolution: | i-Type film and 600 film |
| Setup: | Battery |
| AI detection: | No |
| Best for: | Incredibly sharp printed pictures |
The Polaroid Now Black Everything is my list’s best Polaroid camera overall. I put it at the top because it lets you take sharp photos that you can keep forever. You can capture every life moment on this Polaroid camera.
But this Polaroid camera really got my attention due to its double exposure feature. Thanks to it, you can frame two moments in one. You can even take a photo of yourself that will last forever due to the self-timer.
2. Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 – best digital instant camera with double exposure
| Resolution: | 1:12.7 |
| Setup: | Battery |
| AI detection: | No |
| Best for: | Instantly producing photos |
If you’re looking for the best digital cameras, you’re in the right place. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 is the best Instax camera because it prints photos in seconds. I also liked that you can take up to 40 photos.
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Camera is pretty feature-rich. Its optical image viewfinder, auto exposure, and built-in flash help you capture and frame the best moments. But you’ll also enjoy the fact that this Fuji instant camera is fashionable and practical. So, you can take it anywhere.
3. Polaroid Now – best instant camera Polaroid with sharpness optimization
| Resolution: | i-Type film and 600 film |
| Setup: | Battery |
| AI detection: | No |
| Best for: | Sharpening photos in bright conditions |
Polaroid Now is my third choice. Thanks to its new and improved features, it’s now one of the cameras that print pictures with a relatively high quality. So, you can capture sharp photos of all of your moments, especially in brighter environments.
If you decide that this analog camera is the one for you, you’ll enjoy a better light meter position, improved ranging sensor, and upgraded two-lens autofocus system. There’s also photo filter compatibility, self-timer, and double exposure. Thus, taking the perfect photo shouldn’t be a hassle.
4. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 – best instant camera for kids
| Resolution: | 25.1MP |
| Setup: | Battery |
| AI detection: | No |
| Best for: | Using it on vacations |
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is my fourth top pick. This digital camera immediately caught my attention because of its accessories and mint-green color. Because of this, it can be the best instant print camera for kids or people who like lively colors. You can frame all of your vacation memories, for example.
The 25.1MP resolution and features like auto exposure help you take clear photos that will capture all details. But what’s really great is that using the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is a breeze. Just click the button and see how the photo develops in front of your eyes.
5. Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 – best instant picture camera for travelers
| Resolution: | 1:12.7 |
| Setup: | Battery |
| AI detection: | No |
| Best for: | Capturing photos when traveling |
Another camera that you can use when traveling is the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11. Unlike the Mini 12 model, this camera is much more affordable. Still, it’s incredibly practical, allowing you to take it with you anywhere.
The Mini 11 automatically selects the optimal shutter speed, which is something that many instant film cameras lack. I also loved that you can get bright pictures even from darker scenes, thanks to the built-in flash. But the best part is its selfie mirror mode. You can now easily take the perfect selfie without any issues.
6. KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro – best instant picture camera with 4PASS technology
| Resolution: | 13MP |
| Setup: | Battery |
| AI detection: | No |
| Best for: | Printing photos from mobile devices |
While cameras like Instax Mini Evo and Instax Square film are incredibly popular, the KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro also deserves attention. I selected it as one of the best cameras for instant photos because it’s compatible with mobile devices. In other words, you can choose the image from your phone and print it out within seconds.
You’ll also get excellent photo quality. The Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro utilizes 4PASS technology, which allows you to capture flawless photos. The best part is that each image is laminated, meaning it’s safe from water and fingerprints.
7. Zink KODAK Step Camera – best instant photo camera with a timer setting
| Resolution: | 10MP |
| Setup: | Battery |
| AI detection: | No |
| Best for: | Cost-efficient printing of photos |
Last but not least, I selected another KODAK camera for you. The Zink KODAK Step Camera is the most budget-friendly option on my list. Still, it focuses on quality and provides seven different photo modes, which is the most I’ve seen in a digital camera.
Printing a photo has never been easier. Thanks to this all-around camera, you can take pictures with a 10MP resolution, set a timer, use the pop-up viewfinder, and print your image in a few seconds. You can use its full color, black-and-white, vintage sepia tone, or even take a selfie in selfie mode.
How did we select the best Polaroid cameras?
To select the best Polaroid cameras, I followed our Cybernews testing methodology. That said, I conducted an in-depth research of user reviews and expert insights in terms of:
- User experience: First, I reviewed the ease of use, photo quality, and portability of each Polaroid camera. This ensured me that you’ll get high-quality photos in no time.
- Build quality and design: I also focused on the aesthetics, durability, and handling of the best digital cameras. This is crucial for your usage experience.
- Film type and cost: Since you’ll eventually run out of film, I made sure that each camera has an affordable film type that is easily available.
- Special features: I also considered extra functionalities, such as Bluetooth connectivity, app support, or double exposure modes, when making my list
- Customer feedback: Ultimately, I thoroughly investigated community reviews and reliability scores as part of the decision-making process. Thus, I could share first-hand information with you about each Polaroid camera.
What is a Polaroid camera and how does it work?
A Polaroid, or instant camera, is a device that develops tangible photos in a few moments after you take them. These cameras have been around since 1948. But nowadays, you can find hybrid digital-instant models with features like Bluetooth connectivity and mobile device compatibility.
However, you must be curious about how Polaroid cameras work. It’s easy. The process of printing the photo consists of four parts.
Such cameras have rollers inside that remove one negative and put it in front of the lens when you click the shutter button. Then, the camera object opens, letting the reflected light inside. The negative goes down, provokes a reaction, and that’s it. You get a tangible photo you can save for years.
Types of Polaroid camera
Nowadays, you can find various types of Polaroid cameras. So, let’s briefly explore them to learn more:
- Classic analog Polaroid: This is the most traditional model, which utilizes integral film. You can’t make any edits, just capture your moments in their raw form.
- Modern instant Polaroid: Unlike traditional Polaroids, newer models have some extra features. You can benefit from Bluetooth and app connectivity for storing or sharing your photos.
- Digital hybrid instant cameras: These cameras let you shoot digitally, select which images you like, and edit them before printing them.
- Mini format instant cameras: Lastly, you can find various compact models that use smaller film formats, such as the Polaroid Go.
Features of Polaroid camera
Before you make the final decision, you need to evaluate key aspects of each Polaroid camera. Here are the features you must consider:
- Film size and type: Each Polaroid camera uses a different film. Therefore, you need to consider the type and size, and see whether the camera only produces one-size photos.
- Battery life: You wouldn’t like your camera to go off while making memories. So, I recommend going for instant cameras with a longer battery life.
- Connectivity: The connectivity of the Polaroid camera is also crucial, as this simplifies photo sharing and storing. So, go for cameras with Bluetooth or USB-C connectivity.
- Built-in flash: To maximize the camera’s photo quality, look for a built-in flash. Thus, you can take pictures even in darker environments.
- Manual vs automatic exposure: This depends on your technical expertise. So, to enjoy a hassle-free shooting, look for automatic exposure. But as this can sometimes overexpose, you might want to look for a manual one, especially if you have some knowledge.
- Selfie mirror or lens: Polaroid cameras don’t have a flip screen, so you need a device with a built-in selfie mirror or lens.
- Print quality and color accuracy: Ultimately, the quality and color accuracy of the print are crucial. Due to this, make sure your chosen Polaroid focuses on all the details.
Polaroid vs Instax: what’s the difference?
If you’re wondering what the difference between Polaroid and Instax cameras is, I’ve got you covered. Let’s go through my comparison table to find out more:
| Camera type | Film size | Color profile | Camera options | Film availability | Customization |
| Polaroid | Larger | Warm and vintage | Analog and hybrid digital | More expensive | App editing and advanced settings |
| Instax | Smaller | Cool and vivid | Broader range | Cheaper and readily available | A bit limited |
If you’re looking for a solution with more customization, warmer photos, and a larger film size, then Polaroid can be the perfect choice. However, if you want to save money and aren’t a fan of customization, you may satisfy your needs with Instax cameras.
How to choose the best Polaroid camera?
Choosing the best Polaroid camera depends on what matters most to you. However, to guide you toward the right decision, I pointed out the most common decision-making factors:
- Your budget: The price can often be the deal breaker. So, you should always consider your budget before selecting a Polaroid camera.
- Photo size preference: Some cameras print out smaller photos, while others print bigger ones. Knowing what you prefer will significantly narrow down your choice.
- Analog vs digital-hybrid needs: You should also determine whether you want raw and unedited photos or want to edit them before printing them out.
- Portability: If you plan to travel, portability is crucial. That said, you should look for compact Polaroid cameras without a bulky design.
- Film cost and availability: Another factor significantly affecting your decision is the film's price and availability. So, you might skip on a camera with more expensive or harder-to-find films.
- Extra features: The range of extra features can also impact your decision. These can include Bluetooth, filters, and apps, simplifying your journey even more.
- Aesthetic/design preference: Ultimately, you may like more colorful cameras, like the Instax Mini 12 with accessory bundles. But you can also focus on sleek ones in neutral colors.
Final word on best Polaroid camera
After analyzing numerous Polaroid cameras, my top choice is the Polaroid Now Black Everything. This camera produces high-quality photos, has extra features like double exposure, and is compatible with both i-Type and 600 film.
However, the best Polaroid camera depends on your goals, whether you’re after a fully analog experience, a stylish hybrid for social sharing, or a compact option for everyday use. So, whatever camera you select, remember that all of my recommendations are based on thorough research by me and the Cybernews team.
FAQ
Are Polaroid cameras worth it today?
Yes, Polaroid cameras are worth it today. Despite the retro photos, they also offer modern features, such as editing before printing, double exposure, and other functionalities that help produce sharper pictures.
Can I reuse film in a Polaroid camera?
No, you can’t reuse film in a Polaroid camera. Once you use all the shots, you need to get a new one so you can continue capturing moments. However, make sure your chosen camera comes with affordable and available film.
Do Polaroid cameras need batteries?
Polaroid cameras usually don’t need batteries. Instead, they have a battery in each cartridge that powers the camera. The best part is that they’re rechargeable.
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