While the Canon SELPHY CP1500 offers vibrant, lab-quality photos printed in 41 seconds.
- Vibrant, lab-quality photos bursting with 16.7 million colours and postcard-sized prints in just 41 seconds are delivered thanks to dye-sublimation technology.
- Users report that the printer's connection is unstable, making wireless use with a phone impossible and requiring a wired connection to a laptop.
- Users report constant defects in prints, such as random sporadic lines or bright spots, despite otherwise good print quality.
Users requiring a consistently stable wireless connection for mobile printing may find the reported issues frustrating. The cost per print is approximately 30 cents per sheet. users report unstable wireless connections and occasional print defects.
Who it suits
Works well if
- Creating vibrant, lab-quality photos for scrapbooks and photo albums.
- Users who value fast print speeds for postcard-sized prints.
- Those looking for prints that last up to 100 years and resist water, scratches, and fingerprints.
Think twice if
- Users who rely heavily on stable and seamless wireless printing from smartphones.
- Those who expect consistently flawless prints without occasional defects.
- Users who may find the cost per print of approximately 30 cents prohibitive.
The numbers that matter
- Marketplace rating of 4.4 / 5 stars across 1,016 ratings.
- Postcard-sized prints are produced in 41 seconds.
- Photos are protected to last up to 100 years.
- The printer weighs 2.4 pounds without the battery.
- Cost per print is approximately 30 cents per sheet.
What the evidence says
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Canon SELPHY CP1500 Compact Photo Printer – Wireless Printing, Long-Lasting Prints, USB-C & SD Card Connectivity – Ideal for Scrapbooks & Photo Albums, Black GB |
| Model | SELPHY CP1500 Compact Photo Printer |
| Marketplace Rating | 4.4 / 5 |
| Rating Count | 1,016 ratings |
| Availability | Usually dispatched within 1 to 2 months |
| Feature: Print Technology | dye-sublimation technology |
| Feature: Vibrant Colours | 16.7 million colours |
| Feature: Print Speed | postcard-sized prints in just 41 seconds |
| Feature: Print Longevity | up to 100 years |
| Feature: Print Resistance | water, scratches, and fingerprints |
| Feature: Print Sizes | variety of sizes, ranging from postcard to mini sticker |
| Feature: Wireless Operation | Print from your smartphone with the user-friendly SELPHY Photo Layout app |
| Feature: Customisation | stamps, filters, and patterns, then easily share your unique creation with printed QR codes |
| Feature: Design | Space-saving & stylish design, large LCD screen, wireless connectivity, 3 chic colour options |
| Usage: Weight | 2.4 pounds |
| Usage: Print Longevity | 100 years |
| Usage: Cost per print | ~30 cents |
This listing does not publish a specifications table. Direct buyer reviews for this product are unavailable.
Where buyers hesitate
Is the print quality of Canon SELPHY CP1500 actually that terrible?
Print quality is generally praised, but users report occasional defects like lines or bright spots. While the Canon SELPHY CP1500 is renowned for its excellent 4x6 inch prints, delivering sharp, vibrant images with dye-sublimation technology, some users report constant defects such as random sporadic lines or bright spots. The listing itself highlights vibrant, lab-quality photos.
How to connect Canon SELPHY CP1500 to phone?
Connecting to a phone via the SELPHY Photo Layout app is intended, but users report unstable Wi-Fi. The printer is designed for simple wireless operation, allowing you to print from your smartphone using the user-friendly SELPHY Photo Layout app. However, some users have reported that the Wi-Fi connection can be temperamental and unstable, leading to frequent disconnections and requiring the app to be reset.
Does the CP1500 include a battery?
The printer's weight is listed without a battery, suggesting it is not included as standard. The product listing does not specify whether a battery is included. The printer weighs 2.4 pounds without a battery, indicating that a separate battery pack or AC adapter is likely required for operation.
Can these printers replace a desktop photo printer?
Compact photo printers are ideal for on-the-go printing but may not match the versatility or cost-effectiveness of some desktop models. Compact photo printers like the Canon SELPHY CP1500 are designed for convenience and specific photo printing tasks, offering features like wireless connectivity and portability. However, they may not offer the same range of paper types, resolutions, or ink options as a dedicated desktop photo printer, and the cost per print can be higher. Buyers of other products in this category note that while some printers are budget-friendly, they can feel that way too, with potential issues arising.
Why we judge it this way
The Canon SELPHY CP1500 aims to deliver high-quality, convenient photo prints. The listing highlights its dye-sublimation technology for vibrant colours and fast printing speeds, producing postcard-sized prints in a mere 41 seconds. Furthermore, the prints are designed for longevity, boasting up to 100 years of vividness and resistance to water, scratches, and fingerprints. Its compact, stylish design and wireless capabilities are also presented as key advantages, featuring a large LCD screen and three chic colour options. The overall marketplace rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars across 1,016 ratings suggests a generally positive reception.
However, the available community evidence points to significant drawbacks, primarily concerning connectivity and print consistency. A recurring complaint is the printer's unstable wireless connection, which can render mobile printing impossible and necessitate a wired connection to a laptop. This instability directly contradicts the advertised 'SIMPLE WIRELESS OPERATION' and presents a frustration for users relying on smartphone printing. The SELPHY Photo Layout app is intended for easy customisation and sharing, but its effectiveness is hampered by unreliable Wi-Fi, with some users reporting the need to frequently reset the app to reconnect.
Beyond connectivity, users have also noted issues with print quality itself. Reports mention constant defects, such as random sporadic lines or bright spots appearing on prints, despite an otherwise good output. While the listing promises 'BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS FAST' and excellent 4x6 inch prints with sharp, vibrant images, these defects indicate a potential inconsistency in the printing process that could detract from the user experience. The cost per print, estimated at around 30 cents per sheet, is another factor to consider, especially if frequent printing is anticipated, as this can add up over time.
When considering the broader category of printers, some users have expressed concerns about the build quality of similar devices, noting flimsy plastic parts that could be susceptible to breakage if handled roughly. This observation, while not directly about the CP1500, suggests that users might need to exercise care during setup and operation. The product's availability is also noted as 'Usually dispatched within 1 to 2 months', which could be a consideration for buyers needing the printer quickly.
The strongest objection we found
The connection is awful. It's not stable AT ALL. You can't use the phone as wireless. I have to wire my laptop to the printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What this page does not answer
- How does the Canon SELPHY CP1500 compare to the Polaroid Hi-Print?
- What are the best compact photo printers available in the UK?
- Canon SELPHY CP1500 Portable Photo Printer Paper Kit
- Canon Ink & Paper Multipack for TS3350 printers
- Kodak Dock Plus 4x6'' Photo Printer
How this analysis was built
This analysis was conducted by reviewing the product listing details, user complaints from community forums, and user statements regarding other products within the same 'Printers Accessories' category. Direct buyer reviews for this specific product were unavailable.
Information regarding potential issues such as unstable wireless connections and print defects is drawn from community forums specific to this product. Observations about flimsy plastic parts are from reports on similar products in the same category.
Sources and verification
Everything on this page traces back to the listing published for this product on Amazon.co.uk. At the analysis date that listing showed 4.4 stars across 1,016 reviews. The write-up works from 14 verified data points, drawn from listings of comparable products in this category. Analysis generated on 2026-10-29.
