Imagine needing to print a quick note, a fun sticker, or even a tiny label, but your big, bulky printer is just too much. It takes up too much space and feels like overkill for such small tasks. That’s where the magic of small printers comes in!
Finding the perfect small printer can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. So many choices, so many features! You want something that fits your needs without taking over your desk or your wallet. It’s frustrating when you just want something simple and portable.
But don’t worry! This post is your friendly guide to navigating the world of small printers. We’ll break down what makes a good one, what to look for, and help you find the best fit for your projects. Get ready to discover how easy and fun printing small can be!
Our Top 5 Small Printer Recommendations at a Glance
| Image | Product | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
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HP DeskJet 2827e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer | 8.9/10 | Check Price |
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Portable Printers Wireless for Travel | 8.7/10 | Check Price |
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TATTMUSE Portable Printers Wireless for Travel | 8.6/10 | Check Price |
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Canon TS202 Inkjet Photo Printer | 9.3/10 | Check Price |
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Portable Printers Wireless for Travel | 9.3/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Small Printer Detailed Reviews
1. HP DeskJet 2827e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 9.2/10
The HP DeskJet 2827e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer is a fantastic choice for any home. It handles printing, scanning, and copying with ease, making it ideal for daily tasks like printing to-do lists, letters, and recipes. Plus, it comes with a 3-month Instant Ink trial to get you started!
What We Like:
- HP AI makes sure your prints look great, removing extra stuff from web pages and emails so you don’t waste paper.
- It’s super easy to print, scan, and copy right from your phone, computer, or tablet using the HP app.
- Wireless printing is reliable and automatically fixes connection problems.
- The printer is compact and fits nicely in any room.
- It’s made with over 60% recycled plastic and meets energy efficiency standards, which is good for the planet.
- The 3-month Instant Ink trial means you get ink delivered to your door before you run out.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print speeds are a bit slow for color (5.5 ppm) and black (7.5 ppm), so it’s not the best for high-volume printing.
- It only works with HP ink cartridges, so you can’t use off-brand ones.
- You need to activate HP+ to get the Instant Ink trial, and there’s a monthly fee after the trial ends unless you cancel.
This HP DeskJet 2827e is a solid all-around printer for home use. It’s user-friendly and has smart features to make printing easier.
2. Portable Printers Wireless for Travel
Rating: 9.4/10
The N80 Portable Wireless Printer is your go-to solution for printing on the move. This inkless wonder is super light, weighing only 1.5 pounds, and small enough to fit in your backpack. It runs on a rechargeable battery that lasts for about 160 sheets, making it perfect for business trips, your car, or even a small office. You can print important papers like contracts, invoices, and boarding passes wherever you are.
What We Like:
- It’s very portable and lightweight, making it easy to carry around for travel or work.
- Printing is inkless, which saves money and is better for the environment.
- It connects easily via Bluetooth to your phone or tablet, and you can also use a USB cable for laptops.
- The print quality is clear and sharp, with a 203DPI resolution.
- It supports various paper types, including thermal paper, folded paper, and even tattoo transfer paper!
- A roll of US Letter thermal paper is included in the package.
What Could Be Improved:
- Laptops and computers can only connect via USB and require driver installation; Bluetooth isn’t supported for them.
- A charging adapter is not included, so you’ll need to provide your own.
- It only works with special thermal paper, not regular paper.
- You need to download the “Nada Print” app for smartphone printing.
- Remember to switch the paper size in the app when you change paper types.
This printer offers great convenience for anyone needing to print on the go. Its versatility and ink-free design make it a smart choice for various needs.
3. TATTMUSE Portable Printers Wireless for Travel
Rating: 8.7/10
The TATTMUSE Portable Printer is a game-changer for anyone on the go. This compact, inkless printer lets you print documents, invoices, and even boarding passes right from your phone or laptop, no matter where you are. It’s super light, weighing only 1.3 pounds, so it easily fits into your bag for travel or commuting. Plus, it uses thermal technology, meaning no messy ink cartridges or cleaning needed – just thermal paper!
What We Like:
- Super portable and lightweight, perfect for travel.
- Inkless technology means no extra costs or mess.
- Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to your phone or tablet.
- Prints clear, sharp black and white documents.
- Long-lasting battery prints up to 150 sheets on a single charge.
- Supports US Letter (8.5″ x 11″) and A4 sizes.
- Great for printing important documents like contracts and invoices anywhere.
What Could Be Improved:
- Only prints in black and white, not color.
- Requires special thermal paper, not regular paper.
- Computer connection via USB requires driver download and doesn’t support Bluetooth.
This printer is a fantastic tool for busy individuals needing to print on the fly. It’s a convenient and smart solution for your printing needs.
4. Canon TS202 Inkjet Photo Printer
Rating: 9.4/10
The Canon TS202 Inkjet Photo Printer, Black is a great choice for printing photos and documents at home. It uses a special ink system to make your pictures look sharp and detailed. This printer is also small, so it won’t take up much space on your desk. Setting it up is easy with the included CD and ink cartridges.
What We Like:
- The fine hybrid ink system makes your photos and documents look really clear and detailed.
- It’s super compact, so it fits almost anywhere.
- Refilling paper is a breeze thanks to the dedicated rear paper tray.
- You get a full set of ink cartridges right in the box to get you started.
- It works with Windows and Mac computers.
What Could Be Improved:
- You need to buy a USB cable separately; it’s not included.
- The paper tray can only hold a limited number of sheets, especially for photo paper.
- It’s a basic printer, so it doesn’t have wireless printing or scanning features.
This printer is a good option for casual printing needs. If you need a straightforward way to print photos and documents, the Canon TS202 is worth considering.
5. Portable Printers Wireless for Travel
Rating: 9.3/10
The A285M Portable Wireless Printer is your go-to solution for printing on the move. This compact and lightweight device uses inkless thermal technology, meaning no messy cartridges or expensive refills. It easily connects to your phone, tablet, or laptop, making it perfect for business trips, remote work, or even just printing documents at home. You can print anything from contracts and receipts to boarding passes and photos, all in black and white.
What We Like:
- Super portable and lightweight, fitting easily into a backpack.
- No ink needed, saving you money and hassle.
- Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to phones and tablets.
- Also connects to laptops and computers with a USB-C cable.
- Prints various paper sizes, including US Letter and A4.
- Great for mobile professionals like notaries and truck drivers.
What Could Be Improved:
- Only prints in black and white.
- Requires special thermal paper, not regular paper.
- Laptop and computer printing requires driver installation.
- Needs a 5V 2A charger for optimal charging.
This printer offers incredible convenience for anyone needing to print away from a traditional office. Its ease of use and portability make it a valuable tool for modern work and life.
Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Small Printer
So you need a printer, but you don’t need a giant, desk-hogging machine. You’re looking for a small printer! These compact wonders are perfect for small spaces, occasional printing, or for kids’ rooms. Let’s dive into what makes a great small printer.
What to Look For: Key Features of Small Printers
When you’re shopping, keep these important features in mind:
- Size and Portability: This is the most obvious one! Look at the dimensions. Can it fit on a shelf or a small desk? Some are even small enough to take with you.
- Print Quality: Even small printers can print sharp text and clear images. Check reviews for comments on resolution.
- Connectivity: How does it connect to your computer or phone?
- USB: The classic wired connection. It’s reliable.
- Wi-Fi: This lets you print wirelessly from many devices. Super convenient!
- Bluetooth: Some smaller printers use Bluetooth for direct connection.
- Printing Speed: How fast does it print? This matters if you have a lot to print.
- Ink/Toner Type:
- Inkjet: Uses liquid ink. Good for photos and color. Ink cartridges can dry out if not used.
- Laser: Uses toner powder. Great for sharp text and faster printing. Toner usually lasts longer.
- All-in-One Capabilities: Do you need more than just printing? Some small printers also scan and copy.
Materials Matter: What Your Small Printer is Made Of
Most small printers use durable plastics. This keeps them lightweight and affordable. Some might have metal parts for sturdier components. The quality of the plastic can affect how long the printer lasts. A good build feels solid, not flimsy.
Quality Boosters and Reducers: What Makes a Printer Great (or Not So Great)
Several things can make a small printer’s quality shine or falter.
- Good Quality:
- Sharp Print Heads: These are crucial for clear text.
- Reliable Wi-Fi Connection: A strong Wi-Fi signal means fewer printing problems.
- Easy-to-Use Software: The app or program you use to print should be simple.
- Good Ink/Toner Yield: How many pages can you print before needing new ink?
- Quality Reducers:
- Flimsy Construction: A printer that feels like it could break easily won’t last.
- Poor Print Head Alignment: This leads to blurry or crooked prints.
- Unstable Wi-Fi: Dropped connections are frustrating.
- Expensive Ink/Toner: If replacement ink costs a fortune, it reduces the overall value.
User Experience and Use Cases: Who Needs a Small Printer and Why?
Small printers are super versatile. They fit into many parts of your life.
- For Students: Perfect for printing homework, essays, and study guides without taking up precious dorm room space. They can easily connect to laptops and even phones.
- For Home Offices: If you work from home and don’t print much, a small printer is ideal. It won’t clutter your desk. Print important documents or occasional reports.
- For Crafting and Hobbies: Print custom labels, small stickers, or patterns for your projects. Many small printers handle various paper types well.
- For Families: A small printer in a common area can be used by everyone. Kids can print their artwork, and parents can print recipes or school notices.
- For Travel: Some ultra-portable printers let you print on the go, like at a hotel or a client’s office.
The user experience should be straightforward. Setting up the printer should be quick. Printing should be as simple as clicking a button. If the app is confusing or the printer jams often, it’s not a good experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Small Printers
Q: What is the main benefit of a small printer?
A: The main benefit is its compact size. It saves space and is easier to move.
Q: Do small printers print well?
A: Yes, many small printers produce excellent quality prints for text and images.
Q: How do I connect a small printer to my phone?
A: You can usually connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Check the printer’s manual for specific instructions.
Q: Are small printers expensive to run?
A: It depends on the printer and the cost of ink or toner. Some use cheaper cartridges than others.
Q: Can I print photos on a small printer?
A: Many small inkjet printers can print photos. Laser printers are usually better for text.
Q: What does “all-in-one” mean for a small printer?
A: An all-in-one printer can print, scan, and copy documents.
Q: How much space does a small printer usually take up?
A: They are designed to be compact, often fitting on a shelf or a small corner of a desk.
Q: Is a small printer good for a lot of printing?
A: If you print hundreds of pages often, a larger, faster printer might be better. Small printers are best for light to moderate use.
Q: What should I do if my small printer’s print quality is bad?
A: Check the ink levels, clean the print heads, and make sure you are using the correct paper type.
Q: Are small printers easy to set up?
A: Most modern small printers have simple setup guides, often through an app, making them easy to get started with.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.