In the high-tech, non-stop scrolling world of today, some of us want to stop and live in the moment. And no, that's not a hippy-dippy, gooseberry yoghurt-eating opinion living in some small recess of the internet. Quite the opposite - everyone is starting to realise that being mindful and living in the moment is kind of cool. This is our complete guide to the best instant cameras on a budget so you can start printing timeless memories in the here and now.
The modern world has completely redefined photography. Long gone are the days when you had to rely on one picture taken on your film camera to go right and hope it develops well enough. Now, with digital cameras and smartphones, we can take a hundred Insta-worthy selfies of our outfits and get them looking just right. But where's the fun in perfectionism? We've noticed a rising trend on Instagram and TikTok of instant cameras. Cameras where you take your shot in the moment and a beautiful snapshot of time is printed out for you instantly. Yes, folks - polaroids are back!
The best instant cameras at a glance:
Editor's Choice: instax mini 90 NEO CLASSIC, £130.25 on Amazon
Best instant camera under £100: instax mini 12 Instant Film Camera, £69 on Amazon
Best instant camera with film included: KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro 4PASS 2-in-1 Instant Camera and Photo Printer + 68 Sheets Gift Bundle, £127.49 on Amazon
Of course, you have your classic brand Polaroid, where the term "Polaroid camera" came from, but in 2023 there are plenty of new camera brands on the market that are taking the world by storm. For example, instax is popping off right now for its adorable cameras and cutely sized pictures that print out instantly. Some instant cameras even allow you to print off pictures from your phone using Bluetooth. We're truly living in the future.
We've collated a list of the best, from cameras under £100 such as the instax mini 12, or the Kodak Smile, to cameras that are just too beautiful to pass on, like the instax SQUARE SQ1. But let's start with our all-time favourite and must-buy, the instax mini 90...
SHOP: The best instant cameras to shop in 2024
Editor's Choice
Under £150
amazonFor snapping those perfect party moments and treasuring your memories the way you remember them, nothing can beat the Instax mini 90 NEO CLASSIC camera.
Classic and nostalgic with the right amount of modernity for great-looking photos, the Instax mini 90 NEO CLASSIC is the perfect way to snap some pictures in a flash. Take group photos in a dark room with High-Performance Flash mode, capture the whole scene with Party Mode and even snap fast-moving objects with Kids Mode – the Instax Mini 90 NEO CLASSIC has you more than covered.
Pros
- Stylish retro look, in black, brown or red
- Has a built-in automatic high-performance electronic flash
- Double exposure modes for night pics
Cons
- Doesn't come with film, sold separately
- May need an EU plug adaptor to charge
Best instant camera under £100
Under £80
amazonFor a much more modern aesthetic (and for less than £100), the Instax mini 12 instant film camera’s bubbly appearance is both adorable and durable, so it’ll outlive those wild nights out - whilst looking flawless.
Mini by name, Mini by nature – the Mini 12 is tiny – so you won’t be lugging it around with you on your next adventure abroad. The Instax mini 12 takes credit card-sized pictures, which are perfect for filling photo boards or gifting to your besties.
Pros
- Comes in five adorable, pastel colours
- Built-in selfie lens and selfie mirror
- Comes with hand strap
Cons
- A super bright light source within frame may unfocus the photo slightly
Best instant camera with film included
Under £130
amazonKODAK’s Mini Shot 2 Retro instant camera is a great value instant camera that’ll practically fit in your pocket it’s so compact. This slightly more modern-looking instant camera is filled with gorgeous photo modes and features that’ll have you taking pictures non-stop.
But what if you want to print off photos from your smartphone? Simply connect to the KODAK Mini Shot 2’s Bluetooth and print directly off your phone in a flash. Grab this little camera and 68 blank sheets for an absolute bargain, you won’t regret it.
Pros
- Works as an instant camera and photo printer (for pictures from phone)
- 4Pass technology means flawless photos
- App includes beauty, filters, frames
Cons
- Not as "in-the-moment" as other classic instant cameras
Best square film instant camera
Under £100
amazonChic and understated, the slick SQUARE SQ1 Instant Film Camera from instax is the perfect cure for your photography cravings – and its boxy aesthetic looks absolutely timeless. Develop pictures within 90 seconds and make a great keepsake to pin to the fridge or frame.
Perfect for special occasions – we’re talking graduations, weddings and those nights out that you never want to forget, the Instax SQUARE SQ1 is an absolute bargain. And with plenty of picture-taking modes, you’ll wish you’d gotten it sooner.
Pros
- Very aesthetically pleasing.
- Automatic exposure
- Built-in selfie lens and mirror
- Comes with batteries and hand strap
Cons
- Landscape mode doesn't work for nighttime pictures
- Less suited to polaroid beginners
Best instant camera with connected mobile app
Under £110
amazonFully embracing the retro aesthetic, Polaroid’s Now+ Instant Camera is for the serious scrapbooker who wants to capture every little detail in one go.
This chunkier camera is certainly a bit of a throwback design-wise, but it’s filled with plenty of tech to help you catch the perfect photographs for you to frame. Use Polaroid’s app to snap a family photo, without the need to click a single button, and use the included funky lenses to add some dazzle to your pictures – this is one instant camera you shouldn’t skip out on.
Pros
- The classic Polaroid retro look with colours white, black or blue
- Big pictures printed
- 5 experimental lens filters included
- Comes with tripod mount
- Autofocus
Cons
- Tends to overexpose outside pictures (fix by underexposing your lens via the settings)
- Less suited to polaroid beginners
Best pocket-sized instant camera
Under £150
amazonPerfectly pocket-sized, the Canon Zoemini S instant camera is simple, yet slick – making it perfect for anyone to pick up at a moment’s notice – no camera experience required.
Take some quick selfies, print yourself some heart-warming pictures to scatter around your home and even print your saved phone selfies on it, the Canon Zoemini S is a clever little camera worth picking up right away.
Pros
- Works as an instant camera and photo printer (for pictures from phone)
- Prints with peel-off sticky back
- Pocket-sized, easy to travel with
- Smudge-proof, tear-proof and water-resistant photos
Cons
- Not as "in-the-moment" as other classic instant cameras
How to take the best photos with an instant camera
Use natural light
Every guide on taking selfies will tell you how important lighting is. Natural light is soft and will compliment your complexion. There will be one room in your house where the light beams in perfectly and it’ll help show how much you’re glowing. And, that’s not just because you’ve gone too hard on the highlighter. With instant cameras, you want a good amount of light going into the lens so it picks everything up printing, but not too much direct light otherwise your print will be overexposed.
Just have fun
If you’re staging a photoshoot laughing with your besties, I’m sorry to tell you but we CAN tell. Nothing is worse than a posed picture - it's not 2012 anymore. When you're genuinely having the best time with your pals and you’ve wacked out your instant camera to capture the moment, you'll take the best pics – especially the cringeworthy ones. And, they make the best birthday posts!
Ryan Houghton is a commercial content writer for What’s The Best, specialising in gaming, PCs, and televisions. As an English Literature and Film graduate, with an unhealthy obsession with PC gaming – when Ryan isn’t engrossed in writing about an enthralling new technological marvel, he’s probably sauntering about inside a decade-old, largely decrepit open-world RPG.
Ruby Barry is a Product Writer for heat, specialising in fashion and beauty. The team has nicknamed her “dupe queen”, as there’s not a product in the world she can’t find a cheaper alternative for.