Product overview
HP Sprocket Select: What to Know
The Sprocket Select uses HP's Zink ("zero ink") paper, which has color crystals embedded in the paper itself and is heat-activated during printing, so there's no ink cartridge or ribbon to buy or replace. That keeps the printer itself extremely small and light, but it's a real tradeoff against dye-sublimation printers like the SELPHY CP1500 or Kodak Dock Plus: Zink prints are generally regarded by reviewers as having a narrower color range and less fine detail than dye-sub output, and the paper has a peel-off sticky back rather than a standard photo finish.
A quick honesty note on this one: HP's official press materials for Sprocket Select date to 2019, and HP's more recent Sprocket marketing has centered on the newer Sprocket 200 and Sprocket Studio models, which suggests Select is a legacy product being sold through on remaining retail and third-party inventory rather than something HP is actively promoting new. We found real, current-looking Amazon listings for it, so it's not a dead link, but if you want HP's latest hardware and firmware rather than older remaining stock, it's worth comparing the current price and seller against the Sprocket 200 before you buy.
Print size is 2.3 x 3.4 inches, notably smaller than the 4x6 output of the other snapshot printers here, and HP pitches it explicitly as being about 30% larger than the original first-generation Sprocket rather than as a full photo replacement. It connects over Bluetooth to the free HP Sprocket app, which handles filters, frames, stickers, and basic augmented-reality extras, and a full charge is generally reported to be good for around 25-30 prints before it needs a recharge.
Because the paper is self-adhesive, this is the pick in this guide best suited to things like decorating a planner, making party favor photos, or building a scrapbook page directly rather than printing something meant to go in a traditional photo frame.
Key Listed Features
Zink zero-ink printing, no cartridges or ribbons to buy
2.3 x 3.4-inch peel-and-stick photo paper
Bluetooth connection to the free HP Sprocket app
Pocket-sized body, roughly rated for 25-30 prints per charge
Product image from current catalog data

