What Batteries Do Instax and Polaroid Cameras Use? Every Model Listed

The Instax Mini 12, 13 and 41 take two AA alkaline batteries; the Square SQ1 and SQ40 take two CR2. Current Polaroid cameras charge by USB, and vintage ones run on the film pack.

The tables below list every Instax and Polaroid camera we track, with the battery Fujifilm or Polaroid names for it. Find your model, then read the section for its battery type. The battery price is from the November 11, 2026 check.

Battery by model

Current Instax cameras:

Current Polaroid cameras:

Older and discontinued cameras:

Fujifilm’s newer spec pages say the shot count “depends on usage conditions”. A Polaroid pack holds 8 shots, so 15 packs is about 120. The Polaroid I-2’s page also gives a second, higher figure (28 packs of consecutive photos); we quote the 15 packs in its feature list.

Instax cameras that take AA batteries

The Mini 12, Mini 13, Mini 41 and older Mini 8, 9, 11 and 40 take two AA batteries. The Mini SE, Wide 400, Wide 300 and the new Square 2 take four.

What kind of AA battery

Fujifilm names alkaline AA cells for every one of these cameras, size LR6 on the newer spec pages. Its pages for the Mini 12, Mini 41, Mini 13 and Wide 400 all say “Manganese batteries cannot be used.” So check the pack says alkaline before you load it.

The batteries in the box are for first use only, Fujifilm says. When they run out, it tells you to replace them with new alkaline ones, and on the Mini 12 and Wide 400 it adds that “the performance of alkaline batteries varies depending on the brand.” We haven’t tested brands, so we don’t rank them. Any alkaline AA from a search for AA alkaline batteries on Amazon meets Fujifilm’s spec.

Rechargeable AA batteries are a model-by-model question. The Mini 13 and Square 2 spec pages also allow nickel metal hydride (NiMH, size HR6) rechargeables, and both say: “Do not mix alkaline and nickel metal hydride batteries.” The Mini 12, Mini 41 and Wide 400 pages name alkaline only. If you’re weighing the Mini 12 against the Mini 13, that’s one more small difference between them.

Instax cameras that take CR2 batteries

The Square SQ1 and SQ40 take two CR2 lithium batteries, and so did the older Square SQ6 and Mini 70. Fujifilm rates a set at about 30 Square packs on the SQ1, SQ40 and SQ6, and about 30 Mini packs on the Mini 70. That’s three times what a set of AAs gives a Mini 12.

A CR2 is a small 3-volt lithium photo cell, and it isn’t an AA. Check the battery says CR2 before you buy it. Energizer’s listing describes its CR2 as non-rechargeable and says it replaces cells labelled DLCR2, CR15H270 and KCR2.

Energizer’s CR2 two-pack, enough for one set, was often found for about $7 at the November 2026 check, and owners typically rate it about 4.5 out of 5. The four-pack was usually around $14. Fujifilm’s pages list CR2 lithium batteries only; we haven’t seen anything from Fujifilm about rechargeable CR2s, so we don’t suggest them. The Square SQ1 vs SQ40 page covers the rest of what separates those two cameras.

Instax cameras with a rechargeable battery

Two Mini models take a removable battery pack:

• Instax Mini 99: one NP-70S lithium-ion battery, about 10 packs a charge. Buy a spare whose listing names the NP-70S.
• Instax Mini 90: one NP-45A lithium-ion battery, about 10 packs a charge. Fujifilm Canada lists an NP-45 battery and a BC-45C charger in the box.

The rest have a battery you can’t remove. You charge the camera itself by cable:

• Instax Mini Evo: Micro USB, or USB-C on units made since the brown edition, Fujifilm’s spec page says. About 100 prints a charge.
• Instax Wide Evo: USB-C, about 100 prints a charge and 2 to 3 hours to charge.
• Instax Mini Evo Cinema, Mini LiPlay, LiPlay+, Pal and Pal 2: USB-C, per our product records.

If you’re choosing between the two newest Minis, Mini 99 vs Mini Evo compares more than the battery.

Polaroid cameras: built-in batteries

Every Polaroid camera made today has a built-in lithium-ion battery that you charge by cable. Polaroid’s pages for the Now Gen 3, Now+ Gen 3, Flip and I-2 say USB-C. Its Go Gen 3 page lists a lithium-ion battery but doesn’t name the port; our product record has it as USB-C. Polaroid rates all five at up to 15 packs a charge.

Charge it before the first shot. Polaroid says the Now, OneStep 2 and Flip are not fully charged when they arrive. A full charge takes about 2 hours from a wall socket, according to Polaroid’s guides for the Now and the Flip. For the Flip, Polaroid asks for a 5V/1A adapter at minimum and recommends a wall socket over a laptop. It also says the Flip’s USB-C cable isn’t in the box.

How to read the battery level

Each model shows it differently:

• First Polaroid Now (Micro USB): the LED by the charging port is green when there’s enough for 15 packs, orange for about one pack, and red when the battery is low.
• OneStep 2: the flash LED blinks green for at least 15 to 20 packs, orange for about one pack, and red when the camera has no charge left. For a finer reading, switch the camera off, then on again while holding the self-timer button: the eight film-counter LEDs show how much charge is left.
• Flip: the battery icon on the display always blinks half empty, Polaroid says, so it isn’t a level gauge. Hold the flash button while you open the lid, and the film counter shows a number from 1 (flat) to 9 (90%).

We couldn’t find a Polaroid support article on the Now Gen 3’s battery light, so check the quick start guide that comes with it. Our Polaroid Now Gen 2 vs Gen 3 page covers what else changed.

Vintage Polaroid cameras: the battery is in the film

A vintage 600 or SX-70 camera has no battery of its own. Each 600 or SX-70 film pack carries a battery that powers the camera and its flash, including the motor that pushes each print out. A fresh pack is a fresh battery.

i-Type film has no battery in the pack. That’s why Polaroid says “i-Type film will not work with vintage Polaroid cameras.” It works the other way, though: Polaroid says 600 film runs in i-Type cameras like the OneStep 2. Polaroid i-Type vs 600 film covers the rest of the difference between the two packs, and Polaroid film types shows which film each camera takes.

If a vintage camera won’t eject a print, Polaroid lists a weak pack battery as one cause. Another is dirty or corroded contacts: two copper springs at the bottom of the film compartment. Polaroid suggests taking the pack out and putting it back a few times to scrape them clean. It also says to close the camera when you’re not using it, because a camera left open keeps charging its flash and drains the pack.

How long batteries last

Fujifilm’s figures, from its spec pages:

• About 100 shots (10 packs) from two AAs in a Mini 12, Mini 13, Mini 41 or Mini 11
• About 200 shots from the Mini SE’s four AAs
• About 100 shots from four AAs in the Wide 400 or Wide 300
• About 300 shots (30 packs) from two CR2s in the SQ1 or SQ40, and from four AAs in the Square 2

Polaroid rates its current cameras at up to 15 packs, about 120 shots, per charge. These are the makers’ own figures, not ours. Polaroid’s I-2 page says battery life “may vary by environment, flash usage, number of times charged, usage patterns”, among other things.

Spare batteries and charging cables sit with cases, straps and film on our instant camera accessories page.

Signs the batteries are low

On an Instax Mini 9, 11 or 12, an orange flashing light “is usually a battery issue”, says Fujifilm UK. It gives three causes: the batteries are low on charge, they’re in the wrong way, or they’re the wrong type. “Be sure that alkaline batteries are used,” it adds.

On a Polaroid, a flat battery stops the camera: the OneStep 2 “will cease to operate until it is recharged,” Polaroid says. On a vintage camera that won’t eject a print, Polaroid’s advice is to try a different pack of film before you decide the camera is faulty.

FAQ

What batteries does the Instax Mini 12 use?

Two AA alkaline batteries (LR6). Fujifilm says manganese batteries cannot be used, and a set lasts about 10 packs of film, or 100 shots.

What batteries does the Instax Mini 11 use?

Two AA alkaline batteries (LR6), the same as the Mini 12. Fujifilm rates a set at about 10 packs.

Do Polaroid cameras need batteries?

Current Polaroid cameras have a built-in battery you charge over USB. Vintage 600 and SX-70 cameras have none: the battery is inside each 600 or SX-70 film pack.

Does Polaroid 600 film have a battery?

Yes. Each 600 pack carries the battery that runs a vintage camera and its flash. i-Type packs don’t, which is why i-Type film won’t run a vintage camera.

Which Instax cameras use CR2 batteries?

The Instax Square SQ1 and SQ40 take two CR2 lithium batteries. The older Square SQ6 and Mini 70 did too. The new Square 2 takes four AAs instead.

Can I use rechargeable AA batteries in an Instax?

On some models. Fujifilm’s Mini 13 and Square 2 spec pages allow NiMH (HR6) rechargeables, as long as you don’t mix them with alkalines. The Mini 12, Mini 41 and Wide 400 pages name alkaline batteries only.

How do I know if my Instax needs new batteries?

Fujifilm says an orange flashing light is usually a battery issue. It flashes when the batteries are low, in the wrong way, or the wrong type, so check they’re alkaline and the right way round.

For more on choosing a camera, see our guides to the best Instax camera and the best Polaroid camera.

Related reading

• Instax Mini 12 vs Mini 13: Which Is Better? (2026)
• Instax Square SQ1 vs SQ40 vs SQ6: Which Should You Buy? (2026)
• Polaroid i-Type vs 600 Film: Which Works in Your Camera? (2026)
• Polaroid Now Gen 2 vs Gen 3: What Changed and Which to Buy (2026)
• Instax Mini 99 vs Mini Evo: Which Should You Buy? (2026)