Best Instant Cameras Right Now

Instant cameras are back, and the best one is shockingly simple.

Instant cameras have graduated from retro novelty to real-life, everyday gadgets, and The Verge’s buying guide tests a slate of modern options from Fujifilm, Polaroid, Kodak, Leica, Canon, and others. In hands-on reviews, testers found that print quality, ease of use, and affordability are the three pillars that separate a fun throwaway from a camera you’ll actually reach for. Among the field, Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12 emerges as the standout pick for most people, balancing a familiar silhouette with genuinely approachable operation. It’s a camera that makes printing a moment feel effortless, not an expedition.

That simplicity matters because there’s a quiet math behind instant photography that can derail the romance fast. There are no subscription hoops to jump through for the camera itself, but there is an ongoing cost that sneaks up: film. The Verge notes a spectrum of models from entry-level to more feature-rich, and the cost of film packs—typically sold in multi-shot packs—adds up quickly if you’re printing photos regularly. The upshot: the value of a camera barely matters if you don’t budget for film. The nonfiction truth is clear: you’re paying for pictures as you go, not just a one-time hardware price.

If you want more creative control, the Instax Mini Evo is the obvious alternative in the current landscape. It trades off some of the Mini 12’s rock-solid simplicity for features that let you experiment—filters, manual modes, and the ability to curate prints. That tier is not for everyone and comes with a steeper learning curve and, often, higher per-shot costs. Leveled against those tradeoffs, Polaroid and Kodak options tend to emphasize a different kind of immediacy and vibe, but the basic calculus remains the same: you buy the camera, you buy the film, and you decide how big a role tangible prints should play in your life.

Two pragmatic takeaways for shoppers: first, plan the workflow around film costs. A camera with a big feature set is appealing, but you’ll burn through prints faster than you expect if your kids’ birthday party or vacation is involved. Film packs typically run in the double-digit per pack ballpark, and you’ll want to factor in storage and handling to avoid faded or damaged prints. Second, durability and battery life should not be afterthoughts. The most charming camera in the world won’t help you if you’re stuck hunting for a charger or a replacement battery in a pinch.

The obvious alternative—sticking with your smartphone and a printer—offers convenience and cost-per-photo advantages, but it misses the tactile thrill of peeling a print from the camera and watching the image develop in real time. For many, that tactile moment is the entire point, a charming contrast to the instantaneous universality of digital shares.

Verdict: Buy the Instax Mini 12 if you want a reliable, easy gateway into printable photography and you don’t want to tinker. If you crave creative control and don’t mind paying a bit more per shot, the Instax Mini Evo is worth a look. If you’re chasing the fastest digital-to-print loop or a wide suite of advanced features, you might skip the instant route altogether and stay with a smartphone-and-printer setup for now.

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The best instant cameras you can buy right now