Canon SELPHY QX20 Compact Photo Printer Dark Gray - Portable Dye

Our review of the Canon SELPHY QX20 finds it best suited to scrapbookers, travelers, and anyone who wants quick, durable prints from a phone. The SELPHY QX20 is a genuinely portable dye sublimation photo printer with a built-in battery and USB-C charging, so it can be used on the go without a power outlet. The single biggest reason to buy is reliable, water-resistant 2.1 x 3.4 in and 2.7 x 2.7 in sticker-style prints that come out dry and marker-ready, making it ideal for journaling, gifts, or small keepsakes.

Key Features

• Built-in battery: Print anywhere without needing a wall outlet, then recharge conveniently via USB-C for fast top-ups between uses.
• Dual paper support: Works with the new XC-20L card-size sticker paper and the existing XS-20L square sticker paper so you can choose borderless or square formats.
• Easy phone connectivity: Connect directly from Android or iOS using a QR code Wi-Fi link for quick, app-driven printing from the Canon SELPHY Photo Layout v4.0 App.
• Dye sublimation prints: Produces vivid colors and smooth gradations with a protective overcoat so prints are water-resistant and dry immediately.
• Fast updated engine: The newer print engine reduces wait times, producing a finished print in roughly 40 seconds for quick sharing and journaling.
• Customization options: Use in-app filters, stickers and borderless printing to personalize photos before printing.

Who It's For

The SELPHY QX20 is ideal for people who collect printed memories in scrapbooks, planners, or on-the-go photo projects and who value portability and instant, durable stickers. Travelers and event attendees will appreciate the compact size and battery operation for quick prints without carrying large hardware.

It is less appropriate for someone who needs large-format prints or high-volume photo lab replacements, since this model is optimized for small card and square sticker prints and requires separate purchase of paper packs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Produces high-quality, color-accurate prints with a protective overcoat that keeps images water-resistant and marker-ready.
• Very portable with a built-in battery and USB-C charging, convenient for travel or mobile journaling.
• Flexible paper options with both card-size XC-20L and square XS-20L sticker support and new borderless choices.
• Fast print speed of about 40 seconds per photo and easy QR code Wi-Fi setup from phones.

Cons

• Paper is not included in the box, so initial use requires an extra purchase of XC-20L or XS-20L paper packs.
• Not designed for large prints or high-volume professional photo production.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Canon SELPHY QX20 is a solid portable photo printer for users who want quick, durable sticker prints from a phone. It delivers excellent color accuracy, reliable dye sublimation durability, and true portability with USB-C charging. Buy it if you make small prints for journals, gifts, or travel; look elsewhere if you need larger format or professional volume output.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does paper come with the printer?
No, paper is not included in the box; purchase XC-20L or XS-20L packs separately before printing.

Can I print from both Android and iOS devices?
Yes, the printer connects to Android and iOS using an easy QR code WiFi setup for direct printing from the Canon SELPHY Photo Layout v4.0 App.

Are prints water-resistant and ready for scrapbooking?
Yes, prints have a protective overcoat that makes them dry, marker-ready, and water-resistant for long-lasting journaling and crafts.