Canon SELPHY QX20 Review (2026): Sticker Prints on the Go

This Canon SELPHY QX20 review looks at a small dye-sublimation printer built for one job: turning photos from your phone into sticker-backed prints you can stick into a journal, scrapbook or planner. It is aimed at phone photographers who want physical prints they can carry anywhere, not at anyone who needs to churn out photos in bulk. This review is based on Canon's published specifications and what independent experts report, not on hands-on testing by us.

What the Canon SELPHY QX20 is

The QX20 is a compact, battery-powered photo printer that connects to your phone wirelessly. It prints on sticker paper in two formats: square at 2.7" x 2.7" and card-size at 2.1" x 3.4". It sits in the mid-range part of the market, and it is recommended in four independent expert buying guides.

The appeal is simple. Instead of a stack of loose glossy photos, you get small prints that peel and stick. The printer is portable enough to bring along to a trip, a party or a crafting session, and you can print on the spot.

Design and build

Canon describes the body as roughly clutch-bag size, and the weight is about 1 lb. That puts it in the category of things you can drop in a bag without thinking about it, rather than a printer you set up on a desk and leave there. Reviewers single out the pocketable form as one of its strengths.

The paper tray is integrated, so there is no separate loose tray to carry or lose. The printer comes in three colors: dark gray, white and terracotta red, which suits a gadget meant to be seen and used socially as well as tucked away.

The battery is built in and cannot be replaced by the user. Charging is through a USB-C port, which is for charging only. You cannot use it to send photos from a computer over USB, because the port is for charging only.

Features and what they mean day to day

Two sticker formats

Printing both square and card-size stickers from a single device is a real selling point. Reviewers praise being able to switch between the two. The catch is that switching formats means swapping both the paper and the ink cassette, so it is not something you do mid-print on a whim. Canon lists three compatible paper and ink sets: XS-20L, XC-20L and XC-60L.

Borderless with room for a note

Prints are borderless on three sides, with room left at the bottom to write a note. In practice that gives you a photo that fills the sticker, plus a built-in spot for a date, caption or name. For journaling and scrapbooking, that small design choice is more useful than it sounds.

Dry, durable prints

Because the QX20 uses dye-sublimation thermal transfer, prints come out dry rather than damp or smudgy. Canon says they are marker-ready and water resistant, and rates them for up to 100 years. That marker-ready surface is what makes the note area practical: you can write directly on it.

Wi-Fi and the app

The printer connects to iOS and Android devices over Wi-Fi, and you pair by scanning a QR code. Wi-Fi support is 802.11 b/g on 2.4 GHz, plus a Direct Connection mode. The companion SELPHY Photo Layout app (version 4.0 or later) adds filters, stickers and layouts before you print.

A common criticism from reviewers is that the app is basic. Editing tools are limited, and there is no display of how much paper or ink is left. If you like to edit photos in detail, you will probably want to finish them in another app first and only use SELPHY for printing and simple layouts.

Performance, print quality and battery

Print quality

The print engine is rated at 287x287 dpi with 256 shades per color, which Canon describes as 16.8 million colors. The print engine uses dye-sublimation, and reviewers consistently praise the output. Their comments centre on accurate color and smooth gradations, which is high praise for a portable printer.

Speed

Each print takes approximately 40 seconds. Canon positions that as faster than earlier models, and reviewers also call it fast for dye-sub. It is not instant, but if you are printing a handful of photos at a gathering, it is quick enough that nobody is left waiting long.

Battery life

This is the area where you need to plan. Canon's rating, as reported by reviewers, is 20 prints per charge, and a full recharge takes about 80 minutes, again as reported by reviewers. Reviewers list the 20 prints per charge as a drawback, so plan around it if you print a lot. The printer charges over USB-C.

Running costs

A common criticism from reviewers is the cost of consumables. Ink and paper sets are expensive to keep refilling. The printer itself sits in the mid-range tier, but a common criticism is that ink and paper sets are expensive to keep refilling. If you plan to print often, factor that in before you buy.

What experts like and what they criticise

On the numbers, the QX20 averages 8/10 across 2 expert reviews. Digital Camera World and Tech Advisor each give it 4 out of 5.

What reviewers praise:

• Print quality that is excellent for a portable printer, with accurate color and smooth gradations.
• The ability to print both square and card-size stickers from one device.
• Borderless printing on three sides, with space for a handwritten note.
• A print time of about 40 seconds, which is fast for dye-sublimation.
• A pocketable body with a built-in USB-C rechargeable battery.

What reviewers criticise:

• Ink and paper sets are expensive to keep refilling.
• Only about 20 prints per charge.
• Changing formats means swapping both paper and ink cassette.
• A basic app, with few editing tools and no sheet or ink level display.

The praise is about the output and portability, and the criticism is about running it day to day. That is a fairly typical profile for a compact photo printer: lovely prints, but you pay for them in consumables and convenience.

Who should buy the Canon SELPHY QX20

The QX20 suits phone photographers who want portable sticker prints for scrapbooks and journals. It is a good fit if:

• You like sticking small photos into notebooks, planners or albums.
• You want prints that are dry and ready to handle straight away.
• You value a printer that is small enough to carry rather than one that lives on a shelf.
• You mainly print from a phone and are happy with simple layouts and filters.
• You print in short bursts rather than in large batches.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you print in volume or care a lot about cost per print. Consumables are pricey, and each charge only covers about 20 prints. It is also a weaker choice if you want to print from a computer over USB, since the USB-C port is for charging only, or if you want a rich editing toolkit built into the app. If you swap often between square and card-size formats, the paper-and-cassette swap will get tedious.

How it fits in its category

Compact photo printers generally trade running costs and convenience for portability and print quality. The QX20 fits that pattern: it focuses on quality, sticker-backed prints and a small body, and it accepts limits on battery life and app features. If you want a printer for occasional, special prints rather than everyday volume, that trade-off makes sense. If you want cheap, high-volume printing, a different type of printer will probably serve you better.

Verdict

The Canon SELPHY QX20 is a focused, well-regarded pocket printer. It earns its place through print quality, a useful pair of sticker formats and a body that is easy to carry. Its weak points are the cost of keeping it supplied, the modest number of prints per charge and a basic app. If your idea of photo printing is a few special stickers for a journal or scrapbook, it is an easy one to recommend. If you want to print in quantity, look elsewhere.

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