Are you shopping for a printer that will not consume lots of your office space or a printer that you can always move around with wherever you go? There are a wide variety of compact printers in the market which you can always travel with anywhere you go and print both photos and documents of high quality with ease. You will in no away be sacrificing the quality of the print since a good number of the best compact printers do deliver similar or better results when compared to their larger siblings.
If you are in the market looking for something portable, then you need not to worry as we have put together w great selection of compact printers with wireless connectivity and are battery-powered. They are a perfect solution for anyone who travels regularly.
Comparison of 10 Best Compact Printers in 2020
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HP OfficeJet 250 All-in-One Printer |
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HP DeskJet 3755 Compact All-in-One Printer |
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Epson Workforce WF-100 Printer |
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Canon PIXMA TS9520 All In one Printer |
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Brother PocketJet PJ-773 Compact Printer |
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HP Deskjet 1112 Compact Printer |
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HP Deskjet 460c Mobile Printer |
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HP Envy 5540 All-in-One Printer |
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HP OfficeJet 200 Portable Printer |
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Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Printer |
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Top 10 Best Compact Printer Reviews in 2020
We will be looking at the top 10 best compact printers currently available in the market. You will get to understand each product feature together with its pros and cons.
1. HP OfficeJet 250 All-in-One Portable Printer
It is one of the best compact printers currently available in the market. It is small enough capable of fitting into a carryon bag or a backpack.
Weighing 6.5 pounds and with a dimension of 14.9 inches in width, 7.8 inches in length and 3.6 inches in height, its battery is capable of seeing off up to 500 pages of printing, meaning one can take this printer on a two or three-day trip or a weekend and have enough power to print whatever he or she needs even when they leave the power cable back at home.
The HP OfficeJet 250 All-in-One Portable Printer does have a high print quality; it does not matter if you are printing off a straightforward text or printing full-color PowerPoint slides. During the research process, quality of this printer did appear to be in the same level as other large printers.
It produced documents with very few or no errors as the printer was built to print sharp images and crisp text on legal size paper and letters. With a pretty high resolution, this printer is in a position of making prints in bulk.
This best compact printer scanner uses a two cartridge system with one for magenta, cyan, and yellow inks while the other one for black ink. It does have an input paper feeder that is capable of holding up to 50 standard papers. Also comes with an automatic document feeder making it possible for one to run several pages through the scanner.
- It is energy star certified
- Very durable printer
- Comes with a fast-charging battery
- Can support Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, etc.
- Uses a two cartridge system
- Manual duplexing
- It is a slightly expensive
2. HP DeskJet 3755 All-in-One Compact Printer
One of the best compact wireless printer that completely stands out from the rest of other small printers in the market. It is a single printer but one of the very few nonportable units currently available in the market that is nonportable but has been built easy to move.
In case you need the best home printer, you might be tempted to go for another model, but if you need the best compact printer for college students, then the HP DeskJet 3755 Compact Printer is a perfect option.
Measuring 15.86 by 6.97 by 5.55 inches, it is not more significant than the shoebox, and it weighs 5.13 pounds only. It does have excellent print quality, although not perfect. It comes with an input tray that can hold up to 60 pages at and does have a fold-out dish capable of holding up to 25 printed pages.
This printer is covered by a one year warranty period, and one can always contact the technical support using different channels like social media, email, phone, and live chat on the HP site. The regular documents are usually marked with pinprick size ink pots while the color printing does suffer from noticeable banding.
- It can scan and make copies
- It is a save spacing printer thanks to its compact design
- Prints in amazing colors
- Offers wireless direct printing
- Comes with an input tray
- It cannot fax. Hence, one has to make a trip to the fax machine
- Color printing does suffer from noticeable banding
- Regular documents are usually marked with pinprick size ink pots
3. Epson Workforce WF-100 Compact Printer
It is a perfect and top quality printer that has been designed with business travelers in mind. It is a compact printer that has been designed to handle a relatively more significant number of documents and does have all the connectivity options that one can expect from any portable work printer.
Measuring 12.2 by 6.1 by 2.4 inches, the Epson Workforce WF-100 Printer weighs 3.5 pounds, which makes it light and small enough to travel with anywhere you go. It is a convenient printer since it does not come with a battery as its battery is built-in and starts charging whenever you plug in the printer.
When it’s the built-in battery is fully charged, it is capable of printing up to 100 pages. It does have an input tray that can hold 20 pages, which is a reasonable amount for any printer which will only be printed in small batches. This printer supports Mac and Windows operating systems and can connect to your computer and other devices through Wi-Fi and USB.
It supports both Google Cloud Print and Apple AirPlay for mobile printing. However, the company does offer its own EPSON iPrint app for android and iOS. It does add support to features like sending documents for printing through emails, which enables one to print from anywhere. It comes with a warranty period of one year.
- It is of compact design
- Print quality is perfect
- It is very lightweight
- Offers wireless operation
- Supports both Google Cloud Print and Apple AirPlay
- It has a very less print capacity
- Speed of print is poor
- Very costly even on sale
4. Canon PIXMA TS9520 All-in-One Printer
The Canon PIXMA TS9520 is one compact printer that will do it all using a reasonably sized design. It’s a wireless connectivity feature that can support Mopria and AirPrint print service and is in a position of printing crisp documents of up to 11 by 17 inches and can paint beautiful pictures.
It does have a built-in SD memory card slot and has an ADF on top that helps in carrying paper stacks. This best compact printer scanner copier also supports a two-sided printing and does have a 4.3-inch touch LCD that helps in controlling it all.
It’s comes with a five-color individual ink system, which means this printer is always ready for a considerable number of detailed documents with great looking pictures and sharp black text. It is also in a position of supporting different paper sizes and types.
When you have a Canon PIXMA TS9520 printer, you will be in a position of printing documents from all your favorite devices; it does not matter if it’s a computer, tablet It or Smartphone. It is a very versatile printer and capable of handling lots of different printing needs. Also it has features like an inbuilt ADF, Auto Power On/Off, Wi-Fi and Wireless connect 5.
- It prints beautiful photos and crisp documents
- Can support papers of different sizes and types right from 3.5 by 3.5 inches to 11 by 17 inches
- It is compatible with Amazon Alexa
- Comes with an Auto Document Feeder that helps in scanning several documents
- Comes with a five-color individual ink system for printing daily need
- It is a relatively costly printer
- Has a high running cost
- No two-sided scanning
5. Brother PocketJet PJ-773 Compact Printer
It is considered to be the smallest every compact printer. So, how small is this printer? Yes, it measures 10.04 by 2.17 by 1.53 inches and only weighs 1.34 pounds that is lighter than the majority of the HP printers that come with their batteries included. It is a thermal printer and does not require any ink printing.
It works like most of the printers, but with the reduction of its abilities such that it can only print the black and white colors that do need thermal paper or sheets. However, these are not readily available at any nearby shop, so one needs to be prepared beforehand.
When it is well equipped with a battery, this compact printer is capable of enjoying enough power to print up to 600 pages until its next charge. There are up to 18 models that are present for the Pocket7 series. However, when you need the smallest, you do not have to waste your time anymore, the PocketJet PJ-773 Compact Printer is the best option currently available in the market.
However, this printer cannot perform as a scanner. In case you are interested in a colored or letter sheet printing using the smallest wireless printer scanner, then the PocketJet PJ-773 Compact Printer is not the right printer for you.
- It is best for people who travel a lot due to its small size
- Capable of printing inside your coat pockets
- Its battery has enough power to print up to 600 pages
- Comes well equipped with a battery
- Super lightweight
- It cannot work as a scanner
- Only functions with a thermal paper
- Has high running cost
6. HP Deskjet 1112 Compact Printer Best for Color Prints
The HP Deskjet 1112 Printer is a perfect compact printer for small jobs. It is a very reliable printer and best suitable for people who are always on the move. It is available at a very affordable price and does comprise of features that any ordinary printer has for better functioning.
The HP Deskjet 1112 is perfect in making color prints. One can get different formats of prints when he or she uses this printer. The printer also handles prints measuring 8 by 10. It does not weigh much and uses Inkjet Technology and capable of average printing quality.
The printer can function well even with USB 2.0 and can be use with computers on any OS. One will, however, need to install a driver for it to function well. It comes with a large input tray that can hold up to 60 sheets for more extended operation. Most people do like this printer due to its speed as it is capable of delivering black prints at 20 ppm and the color prints at 16 ppm. It is perfect for people who need a faster printer.
- Has a high print speed
- It is less costly
- Has an excellent build quality
- Offers average print quality
- Can use any operating system
- It does not provide wireless prints
- It lacks an inbuilt battery
- Prints slowly
7. HP Deskjet 460c Compact Printer
It is one the best compact laser printer that is meant for traveling business people who will need to print their documents while on the go. It does not matter if it’s in a hotel room or up on the airplane.
Also it is one computer that setting up is straightforward since one can easily insert two cartridges, one black color and the other one with color. The HP Deskjet 460c Compact Printer does have an appealing silver casing and measures 13.4 by 6.45 by 3.17 inches, and it does weigh 4.5 lbs.
It is a very portable printer that one can use as they move from one location to the next area. Since several printer versions support features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and do have direct access from the Compact Flash media, we do base this review entirely on the 460c model that offers USB 2.0, PictBridge connectivity, and compact flash media slot.
The printer controls are kept at a minimum. Apart from the LED lights best dense color laser printer uses to indicate different status conditions, it comes with cancel, resume, and power buttons. All the other settings and activities are managed from the computer.
It does have a fold-up paper tray that can handle up to 50 sheets, and its output opening is protected using a fold-down flap whenever the computer is not in use. Apart from the 802.11b adapters and its optional Bluetooth, this compact printer offers a USB connection for the PictBridge cameras.
- It comes with a rechargeable battery
- Is of great performance
- Top quality Printer
- Has Wi-Fi printing
- Has a USB port
- It is a bit heavy for a portable printer
- It needs a carry bag
8. HP Envy 5540 All-in-One Compact Printer
The HP Envy 5540 Compact Printer will enable one to increase their productivity thanks to its user-friendly design. This does have print, copy, and scanning abilities. It also boasts of having essential accomplishments like borderless printing, duplex printing, USB, and wireless connectivity.
It comes with a completely separate photo tray, a 2.2 inch Mono LCD touch screen display, and an auto-deploying output tray. Having all these features makes it possible for this best compact printer for a home to maintain a lab-quality photo together with a cheaper print. It is a reliable and good printer that comes with lots of top features.
Using it is very easy and an ideal entry-level printer for any person. It produces decent prints, both documents, and photos at high speed. This best compact home printer also boasts of having an auto-deploying output tray that helps in protecting the printed materials from landing on the floor, which is of great importance when doing remote printing.
Its photo tray enables on to print the four by 6-inch photos in colors without having to change the paper. It is also of attractive design and comes with a small touch screen with press buttons that are a bit difficult to use and navigate. It does feature mobile, wireless, or application printing from any place.
- It can support both Mac and Windows operating systems
- It has an optional silent mode
- Can scan to email and scan to file
- Attractive design
- Does lack Ethernet networking and USB printing
- It lacks an auto document feeder
- Also it can easily break down if not well taken care of
9. HP 200 OFFICEJET Compact Printer
As we have mentioned before, HP is always on top of its game. Most of the people at HP are well aware of what they are still doing, and that is why the HP 200 OFFICEJET Compact printer has made it in our top 10 list of the best compact printers in the market.
If you were shocked by the dimensions of this printer, which measures 2.7 by 14.3 inches, then wait till you light it is at a total weight of 4.6 pounds when its battery is in place. Its small and sleek body makes this printer to be easily carried around, and it is a perfect printer for people who travel a lot, especially during their working hours and might need to make some prints.
It is one of the best portable printers for your car and does have an average size of 9.5 pages per minute for a text-only document. In the case of a complex paper that comes with graphs or diagrams, it prints at an average speed of 4.2 ppm.
It does have an input tray that can handle 50 sheets and is best suited for a duty cycle of 300 sheets in a month. The print quality of the HP 200 OFFICEJET Compact printer is as high as the other larger printers. It is one printer that is capable of maintaining high quality at a better price.
- Has an input tray that can hold 50 sheets
- Comes with an average speed of 9.5 ppm
- It can easily be carried around and suits people who travel a lot
- Comes with connectivity choices of Wi-Fi and USB
- Great print quality
- Has high running costs
- The battery does not last for long
10. Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Photo Printer
It is one of the best compacts all in one printer that offers wired and wireless connectivity. It also has access via several platforms such as android and IOS for mobile. This printer does come in a compact footprint that measures 15.25 by 12 by 7.5 inches when the printer tray and the control panel are enclosed.
This best compact photo printer is always shipped securely with all its sections taped to ensure there is no breakage of any parts. It also has a label that helps in highlighting its functionality and features. It has an access door that opens and folds out of the top-loading/feeding try for copying and scanning.
This printer also comes with several whistles and bells. It is effortless to set up, and its user manual is easy to understand. It has an automated printer tray that moves outwards when printing and inwards when shutting down.
- It has a pretty small footprint
- Setting it up is easy
- Has a fantastic color reproduction
- Always securely shipped
- Comes with several whistles and bells
- It is a bit expensive
- A bit heavy to walk around with for a portable printer
- Needs regular maintenance as it can easily malfunction
The Research System We Used
Since portability is important when shopping for a mobile printer, we did use the hands of the test to help us in evaluating the size and weight of every machine. We did research the battery life of every printer. We did a check on the battery that came with the printers or checked if one had to make a purchase of a battery separately. Buying the printer battery separately will for sure affect the overall price.
We did examine lots of sample documents that we printed with each device. During the testing process, we did print the same samples on every machine and made a comparison of their output quality by looking at the printing frequency like bleeding, spotting, and streaking. We also made a comparison of the print resolution.
We did assign each machine a grade based on the performance after looking at the output quality of every computer. All the printers that did produce simple tests but had some errors did receive grade C while grade B performed above but had only a few mistakes. Grade A was reserved for printers that had an easy to read and very minimal errors, if any.
Buying Guide for the Best Compact Printers
Most compact printers, especially the first time shoppers, hardly know essential things to look for when shopping for the best small printers in the market. Here are some of the most important factors one needs to consider when buying the best compact printers.
1. Construction
Most of the small printers are usually made of sturdy construction materials. It is what any buyer needs when investing in any printer model. There are times when one might accidentally drop their printers, and no one wants their machine to break into pieces. One needs to take time and check different printer models in the market to determine which suits his or her requirements best.
2. Battery Life
Since it is a compact and portable printer you are interested in, you must understand its battery life. You should go for a battery capable of delivering the best battery life. The model manufacturer will always indicate the number of hours one should expect the battery to last. Also, check on the charging options. Most people do go for models with USB port and AC adapter for charging.
3. Paper Handling
Depending on the type of paper you will be using, you might be forced to go for specific printers in the market. For example, someone who is interested in printing on a photo paper or a cardstock will go for a different type of printer compared to someone who will want to print on a regular paper. Never forget the paper sizes you want. In case you are interested in printing on essential documents, never go for a printer that is too small for the task.
4. Quality of Printed Documents and Photos
It is important that you know the photo or document quality copies the printer will produce. Always go for a printer that can offer them the best performance when it comes to printing quality. Go for models that work well to ensure you enjoy the overall print quality. It does not matter if you are printing photos or documents.
5. Printing Speed
Speed is another essential factor one needs to put in mind. It helps in determining the number of pages one can print in a single minute. Depending on the printer model, the speed of print can vary. One needs to settle on a printer model that has excellent printing speeds. It will make it faster and easier for one to make bulk printing.
6. Connectivity
One needs to go for a model that will offer him several options when it comes to connectivity. Most people do prefer going for models that offer either USB connectivity or Wi-Fi connectivity or both. For sure, one will feel comfortable when you go for a model that works best for you. Ensure you do take some of your time to check the connectivity options and get to see if they can work best for you.
7. Ease of Use
You must go for a model that is easy to use. The model will provide you with the right performance when using it is secure. Depending on the type of manufacturer, different models will have various controls that can work well and deliver excellent performance.
8. Portability
It is one of the essential things you have to consider always. For sure, you will have a reasonable doubt when you go for a highly portable model. You must get a model that is of the right size. The best size will ensure you can carry it easily and ensure it works great.
Frequently Asked Questions on Compact Printers
1. Which Printer is the Best to Buy, Inkjet, or Deskjet?
They are all standard printers. The Inkjet printers do create digital images on the papers with the help of ink droplets. The Deskjets printers are an advanced version of the inkjet printers. They do have a completely different print head that can be disposed of easily and is cheap. They are of higher print quality when compared to the inkjet printers.
2. What is a Printer With a Multifunction Capability?
It is one printer that is all in one and does combine the scanner, photocopier, and printer functionalities into a single device. It helps in reducing the cost and improving the functionality of the printer.
3. What is the Meaning of Duplex Printing?
The majority of the Inkjet and Deskjet printers do print only one side of the paper, which is referred to as Singlex printing. There are modern printers that print documents on both sides and are known as duplex printing.
4. Is the Cartridge Refilling a Great Idea?
In case you are interested in saving money on a new ink cartridge, you will have to choose on refilling cartridges. Not all refills are, however, successful since they can cause damage and leaks on the printer head. Some printers might not approve cartridge refilling at all.
5. Is It Advisable for One to Save on Buying a New Computer and Spend More on Ink?
It depends on the printer type that you have and the ink type it supports. The ink cartridges are a bit expensive and do offer high-quality prints. Some printers do not allow cartridges refilling. The printer will always refuse to run when refills are needed. Some printers can also work well on third party refills.
Verdict
In our comprehensive guide, we have outlined the most distinct features together with the pros and cons of the top 10 best compact printers currently available in the market. The majority of the reviewed printers are multifunction printers and do include scanner, photocopier, and printer functionality. Your final compact printer choice will depend on the frequency of use and scope of usage.
You can always choose from our list above whenever you need a top-quality portable printer. In case you need a low-cost, compact printer, then go for the Canon PIXMA TS9520 Printer, you will enjoy using it thanks to its high flexibility and ease of use. In case your printing requirements are based on Wi-Fi since you will be making prints from anywhere, you can go for the HP 200 OFFICEJET Compact printer or the HP Deskjet 460c Compact Printer.
For people who need a multifunction printer but need one that comes with an added touch up, then the HP OfficeJet 250 All-in-One Portable Printer or the HP Deskjet 1112 Printer will be the compact printer best buy. We do hope that this guide has helped you in getting the next best small printer in the market.
