Instax Mini Link SE review

The Instax Mini Link SE turns smartphone photos & Nintendo Switch screenshots into instant prints. But how good are they?

Instax Mini Link review
(Image: © James Artaius)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Instax Mini Link enables you to turn your phone photos – and any photos that you transfer to your phone – into instant prints on real Instax Mini film. The Instax Mini Link SE adds the ability to print from a Nintendo Switch, courtesy of a new app, but the core functionality and great results are the same. Zink printers are cheaper, dye sub printers are better quality, but if you want to turn any image into an authentic instant photo this is the best all-round option out there – even better than the Polaroid Lab.

Pros

  • +

    Authentic Instax print quality

  • +

    Simple setup and printing

  • +

    Works with phones and Switch

Cons

  • -

    Prints are small

  • -

    Charging isn't USB-C

  • -

    Doesn't work with computers

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

The Instax Mini Link SE is a special edition of the standard Instax Mini Link, and both devices stand apart from other smartphone printers by producing prints on real Instax Mini instant film. 

Many of the best portable printers use Zink technology ("zero ink", which doesn't require ink cartridges) that is cheaper but produces inferior results. Others use the dye sublimation technique that's more expensive but delivers the best print quality in conventional terms. 

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.