
The Imaging World
Get notified when the price drops. Track this product on BigBangPrice, our price tracking partner.
Polaroid Lab is a portable instant film printer that uses a built‑in lens to photograph a smartphone screen and expose i‑Type or 600 film, producing classic square Polaroid prints. It combines a rechargeable battery, simple app workflow, and support for both color and black‑and‑white film, but requires dark development and can suffer from screen‑related image artifacts.
Pros
Current
$169.99
Average
$161.72
Lowest
$154.99
Highest
$169.99
Lower = better sales rank
Please sign in to leave a review
No reviews yet. Be the first to review!
Cons
From Expert Reviews
Praised by Experts
Criticized by Experts
From User Reviews
Users Love
Users Complain About
Expert Opinion
Professional reviewers applaud the Polaroid Lab for its innovative analog recreation, calling it more of a camera than a scanner and highlighting the 3‑element lens that delivers a genuine Polaroid aesthetic. They value its simplicity, portability, and creative possibilities such as emulsion lifts, yet they caution that screen glare and the reliance on smartphone exposure can lead to variable image quality and that the 15‑30 minute development time limits its suitability for fast‑turnaround workflows.
What Users Say
Everyday users celebrate the Lab’s ease of use, one‑button operation, and the nostalgic joy of turning digital photos into tangible Polaroid prints, especially for events and travel. Recurring frustrations center on inconsistent print quality due to screen artifacts, the need for a dark space and waiting time for development, occasional app compatibility hiccups, and the ongoing cost of film packs.
Common Complaints
Common recurring issues include rainbow or glare artifacts caused by phone screen protectors, the necessity of a dark environment and 15‑30 minute wait for each print to develop, occasional app or phone compatibility problems, and the need to manage battery life and purchase film packs regularly.
How It Compares
vs. Kodak Dock
Advantages
Disadvantages
Choose Polaroid Lab if you value the classic Polaroid film experience; choose Kodak Dock for fast, durable 4×6 prints without film handling.
vs. Polaroid Hi-Print
Advantages
Disadvantages
Polaroid Lab is preferable for artists seeking authentic analog prints, while Hi‑Print is better for users who want quick, rectangular Zink prints with minimal setup.