The accessories that matter for an instant camera are a case, spare film, an album or frame, and the right batteries. What to buy for Instax and Polaroid, and what to skip.
Each section below is short and points to the page that covers that accessory in full. Prices are from the November 2026 check (11 November) and change often. Nothing here has been handled by us: what fits is what the maker or the listing says, or arithmetic from published sizes.
Spare film
Film is the accessory you’ll buy again and again, so it’s the one to get right. Every camera takes one format only, and the boxes look alike on a shelf.
At the November 2026 check:
- Instax Mini: a twin pack (20 shots) was often found for about $19, about $0.95 a shot. See Instax Mini film for which cameras take it and the editions on sale.
- Polaroid i-Type: a single color pack (8 shots) was $18.99 at polaroid.com, about $2.40 a shot.
- Polaroid Go: a color double pack (16 shots) was $21.99 at polaroid.com, about $1.40 a shot.
Square and Wide cameras have their own film pages: Instax Square film and Instax Wide film. For Polaroid, Polaroid film types shows which of i-Type, 600, SX-70 and Go fits your camera. Price per shot for every format sits on cheap instant film.
A case or bag
Cases are cut for one body, so buy by model number, not by look.
Instax Mini: the Instax Mini camera cases page has picks for the Mini 8, 9, 12, 13, 41 and 99. Fujifilm’s own Mini 12 case was often found for about $14 at the November 2026 check, and owners typically rate it about 4.5 out of 5.
Polaroid: Polaroid camera cases covers the Now, Now+, Go and Flip. Polaroid’s own Now Camera Bag was $24.99 and its Go Camera Bag $34.99 at polaroid.com at the November 2026 check.
A strap
Polaroid sells straps that clip to its cameras. At polaroid.com at the November 2026 check:
- Camera Flat Strap, $14.99: 110 cm long and 3.5 cm wide, adjustable, with a plastic release. Polaroid lists it for the Now+, Now, OneStep 2 and OneStep+. Amazon sells the same strap; check the current price there. Owners typically rate it about 4 out of 5.
- Camera Strap (round), $9.99: 104 cm by 1 cm, for the same four cameras.
- Go Adjustable Camera Strap, $17.99: a nylon cord, adjustable to 75 cm, for the Go only.
- Go Wrist Strap, $9.99: a 29 cm loop with an alloy clip, for the Go.
For Instax, check what came in your camera’s box before you buy one. Some Instax cases come with their own strap: Fujifilm’s Mini 12 case has an adjustable shoulder strap.
An album
Instax Mini prints need 2 x 3 in pockets. Full-size Polaroid prints need 3.5 x 4.25 in pockets. Polaroid’s Photo Album holds 160 i-Type, 600 or SX-70 prints and was $22.99 in black at polaroid.com at the November 2026 check. Its Go Pocket Photo Album was $17.99.
The Polaroid and Instax photo album page has a pick for each film size and the plastics to avoid.
Frames and display
Polaroid’s Acrylic Photo Frame ($14.99 at the November 2026 check) stands on a shelf with one print in front. Polaroid says the L-shaped stand leaves room to store up to 50 prints behind it. Its UV Protective Photo Frame - Single was $24.99, and the Go Acrylic Multiframe, which holds three Go prints, was $9.99.
Most frames sold as “Polaroid” on Amazon are 2 x 3 in, which is Instax Mini size. Polaroid picture frames sorts frames by the print they fit. For clips, string lights and wall grids, see how to display Polaroid pictures. If you want a digital frame for a phone photo instead, our free Polaroid frame template has PNGs.
Batteries and chargers
Instax and Polaroid power their cameras in different ways. The Instax Mini 12 and Mini 41 take 2 AA batteries, the Instax Wide 400 takes 4 AA, and the Instax Square SQ1 takes 2 CR2 lithium cells. The Polaroid Now Gen 3, Go Gen 3 and Flip have a built-in battery that charges over USB-C.
So an Instax owner wants a spare set of the right cells in the bag. A Polaroid owner wants a USB-C cable and a power bank. Instant camera batteries lists the battery for every model.
Lens filters and close-up lenses
Polaroid sells a Now & Now+ Filter Set for $19.99 (November 2026 check): starburst, red vignette, orange, blue and yellow filters, plus a lens cap. Polaroid says it fits the Now and Now+ Generation 3 and is not compatible with Generation 1 or 2 cameras. So check your generation before you order. Polaroid Now Gen 2 vs Gen 3 covers what changed between the two.
The Go Color Filter Set (red, blue and yellow, $19.99) was out of stock at polaroid.com at the November 2026 check.
On Instax, skip clip-on close-up lenses for the Mini 12. Its close-up (selfie) mode focuses from 0.3 to 0.5 m and corrects for parallax.
Accessories for vintage Polaroid cameras
Film shield: Polaroid film is still sensitive to light for the first few seconds after it leaves the camera. A film shield is a flap that extends over the print as it ejects. Polaroid says all its current cameras have one built in. For an old camera without one, Polaroid sells two at $11.99 each (November 2026 check):
- Film Shield - Folding Cameras: for the SX-70, SLR 680 and SLR 690.
- Film Shield - Box Type Cameras: for 600 cameras and box-type SX-70 cameras. Polaroid says it does not fit the Polaroid One 600.
Polaroid’s support site has fitting guides for both. The box-type version needs a screwdriver.
Flash for the SX-70: the MiNT SX-70 Flashbar was $104.99 at polaroid.com at the November 2026 check. Polaroid lists it for folding and box-type SX-70 cameras, with a mode that lets you use 600 film in an SX-70. It runs on 2 AAA batteries, which are included.
Are Instax Mini 12 bundles worth it?
A bundle puts the camera, film and a few extras in one box. On Amazon they come in two kinds:
- Camera bundles: for example a Mini 12 with case, stickers, frames and album (B0FQLJZFTV, often rated about 4.5 out of 5 by owners), or a Mini 12 with case, 20 sheets of film and extras (B08WZ2LJV1, often rated about 4.5 out of 5 by owners). Check the current price on each.
- Accessory kits without the camera: for example a kit with a case, album, wall frames, film frames and border stickers (B0BZLH55NB, often rated about 4.5 out of 5 by owners). Check the current price.
Price the parts you’d actually use. At the November 2026 check, the Mini 12 alone had a list price of $79.95, a 20-shot twin pack was often found for about $19 and Fujifilm’s Mini 12 case for about $14. That’s about $113 for camera, film and a fitted case. A bundle with those three is a saving only if it costs less than that. Stickers, frames and a small album add little, so don’t let them push the price up.
Count the film too. B08WZ2LJV1 lists 20 sheets, which is two 10-shot packs. The B0FQLJZFTV title names no film at all.
Skip or check first
- Sticker sheets and “border stickers”: two of the Mini 12 bundles and kits above list them. They go on the print’s white border. The Instax and Polaroid film pages list no sticker-back film. If you want photos that peel off as stickers, that’s Zink paper, a different system (see Instax vs Zink).
- Albums with PVC pockets: several cheap album listings say their pockets are clear PVC. The National Archives says to avoid PVC near photos. The album page lists which pocket plastics are safe.
- “Polaroid” frames sized 2 x 3 in: they fit Instax Mini prints. A full-size Polaroid print (3.5 x 4.2 in) won’t go in.
- “100 pack” film deals: work out the price per shot and compare it with a twin pack before you buy. Cheap instant film has the per-shot figures.
- Polaroid’s Box Camera Bag - White, Go Camera Case, Premium Case and Go Color Filter Set: all four were out of stock at polaroid.com at the November 2026 check.
If you’re still choosing a camera, the best Instax camera and best Polaroid camera guides come first. Buy the accessories after.
FAQ
What accessories do I need for an Instax Mini 12?
Film first: the Mini 12 takes Instax Mini film, and a 20-shot twin pack was often found for about $19 at the November 2026 check. Then a case that names the Mini 12, and a spare set of 2 AA batteries. An album with 2 x 3 in pockets keeps the prints.
Do Polaroid filters fit every Polaroid Now?
No. Polaroid says its Now & Now+ Filter Set fits Generation 3 cameras and is not compatible with Generation 1 or 2.
What is a Polaroid film shield?
A flap that covers a new print as it leaves the camera, because the film is still sensitive to light for the first few seconds. Polaroid’s current cameras have one built in. For vintage SX-70, SLR 680, SLR 690 and 600 cameras without one, Polaroid sells film shields for $11.99.
Can you put stickers on a Polaroid?
Yes, on the white border. Some Instax bundles and kits include border and corner stickers made for that. The Instax and Polaroid film pages list no sticker-back film, so for photos that peel off as stickers you need Zink paper.
How can I turn my photos into Polaroids?
To make a phone photo look like a Polaroid, use our free Polaroid maker. To print phone photos on real instant film, you need an instant printer such as an Instax Mini Link.
Which is better, Polaroid or Instax?
It depends on the print you want and what you’ll pay per shot. Instax vs Polaroid compares the two.
Related reading
- Polaroid Picture Frames: Frames That Fit Polaroid, Go and Instax Prints
- Polaroid Camera Cases: Which Case Fits the Now, Now+, Go and Flip
- Instax Mini Camera Cases: Which Case Fits the Mini 8, 9, 12, 13, 41 and 99
- Instax Mini and Polaroid Photo Albums: Picks for Each Film Size
- How to Display Polaroid Pictures: 10 Ideas, From $5 Clips to UV Frames