The best instant cameras to shop on a budget – because retro is BACK

Get those cute polaroid pics up on your wall, stat.

best-instant-cameras-affordable-budget-retro

by Ruby Barry |
Updated on

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!

credit: julia-villalon

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 2023

Editor's Choice

Under £150

instax mini 90 NEO CLASSIC, Blackamazon
Price: £209.95

For 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. 

Amazon customer review: "Love using this instant camera- the pet, double, and bulb exposure modes are my current go-to. The quality of the camera matches the price and feels substantial without weighing down a backpack/handbag like a brick. I have smallish hands and find the layout works well for me. I've picked up themed prints (Snoopy, Rilakumma, Mickey Mouse etc. ...) whilst in Asia. Bonus points for rechargeable battery (lasts for several packs between charges), tripod socket, choice of plain or themed film packs."

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 £100

instax mini 12 Instant Film Cameraamazon
Price: £96.12
Alternative retailers
Urban Outfitters$80.00View offer
Adorama$79.00View offer
Walmart$79.95View offer
Target$79.99View offer

For 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. 

Amazon customer review: "Absolutely love this product. I've been testing this out for the last few weeks and have captured some brilliant photos. I've taken scenic, animal, and people photos and all have worked well. The only time a photo hasn't come out great is if a main light has been on while inside, it seems the camera focuses on that and not the intended shot. Similarly, if you point the camera to the sun it loses the focus of the picture. Great price, would highly recommend."

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

KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro 4PASS 2-in-1 Instant Camera and Photo Printer + 68 Sheets Bundleamazon
Price: £159.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$149.99View offer

KODAK’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. 

Amazon customer review: "Loving this camera/printer. Love the fact it has filters on it and you can add a border. The prints are of very good quality. I have had an instant camera before where you couldn't disable the flash, all the prints came out overexposed so for me this is a key feature of this camera. The film is quite pricey but worth it, I bought mine to use on holidays and special occasions. The fact you can Bluetooth your phone photos so easily and also print them is genius. Would definitely recommend this camera, it's easy to use and a good price."

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

Instax SQUARE SQ1 Instant Film Cameraamazon
Price: £128.78

Chic 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. 

Amazon customer review: "I bought this camera for my boyfriend as a gift and he loves it. It feels really special and always comes out on special occasions, birthdays, parties, with family etc. The film isn't cheap so that's why we save it for important moments, but not always! The colour of this is so nice and a bit different to other Polaroid cameras out there. It's also really easy to use, feels nice in your hands and the pictures come out great.

There's definitely a learning curve to using a Polaroid camera and it might take you a couple of tries the first time you use it, but don't be discouraged if your first photo doesn't turn out the way you expected. Make sure you read the instructions properly for both the camera and the film, maybe watch a YouTube tutorial and you'll figure it out. The photos look lovely and are really nice to give as small gifts, party favours or to use as decorations or in scrapbooks.

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

Polaroid Now+ Instant Camera i-Type - White - 9062amazon
Price: £99.00
Alternative retailers
Adorama$93.00View offer
Walmart$94.99View offer
B&H Photo Video$139.99View offer

Fully 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. 

Amazon customer review: "I loved taking pictures with my Polaroid camera as a kid, and was excited to try their updated version of their instant camera. This one is very different from the camera I remember but still has a lot of fun features. This still has the same general shape as the classic camera but with a modern twist. It's definitely more compact and it still spits out the photos from the front, which was the most fun part. You can take really simple pictures by just looking and pressing the button, but most of what this camera can do is done on the Polaroid app.

With the app, there are a number of advanced features on there that are above my skill level, but I think if I play around with them more, I could learn to use them better. These features include double exposure, which basically puts one photo on top of the other, manual control, noise trigger and light painting. This set also includes a lens filter kit in five different colours: Starburst, Red Vignette, Orange, Yellow and Blue. These are really fun to play around with and with some practice I think they could make for some really cool photos."

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

Perfectly 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. 

Amazon customer review: "At first I was a bit apprehensive as I hold something so dainty could be a good camera and printer with this new fangal-dangal "Zink" (zero-ink) paper. But all my fears were put aside. The prints come out quickly and smoothly from the moment the shutter is pressed. The Zoemini S is basically a point-and-shoot with the added bonus of 1. A grid square on the mirrored front portion so people can place themselves correctly (no missing heads etc.) and 2. The "S" version has the Canon Zoemini app which allows you to save your photos to your smartphone and also to print your mobile's photos onto the Zink paper held in the Zoemini.

The paper also has a sticky back, once the protective sheet is removed, hence allowing your photo to be stuck onto most surfaces. Zink also allows the photos to be handled immediately upon printing as no drying time is required. Zoemini is small enough to be placed in a jacket pocket or handbag. Zoe is small, cute, totally useful and user-friendly. Best Xmas purchase of 2019."

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.

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