Do you ever look at a plain white piece of paper and think, “This needs more color!”? Maybe you love creating vibrant drawings, printing out photos of your friends, or making colorful flyers for a school event. Whatever your reason, adding a splash of color to your world is exciting! But when it comes to finding the perfect small color printer, it can feel like a rainbow of confusing choices.
Choosing a printer isn’t always easy. You want something that makes your projects pop, but you also need it to fit on your desk and not cost a fortune. There are so many different types, and figuring out which one is best for your needs can be a real headache. You might worry about ink costs, print quality, or if it’s even easy to use.
Don’t worry! This blog post is here to help. We’re going to break down what makes a great small color printer. You’ll learn what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to avoid common mistakes. By the end, you’ll feel confident picking a printer that will bring all your colorful ideas to life without any hassle.
Our Top 5 Small Colour Printer Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Small Colour Printer Detailed Reviews
1. KODAK Step Instant Smartphone Photo Printer – Portable Mini Color Wireless Mobile Printer – Zink 2×3” Sticky-Back Photos – Bluetooth Compatible with iOS & Android Devices – Fun Editing App – White
Rating: 9.1/10
Step up your photo game with the KODAK Step Instant Smartphone Photo Printer! This little printer lets you turn your favorite phone pictures into real, physical photos you can hold and share. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket or bag, making it super easy to print memories wherever you go.
What We Like:
- It connects easily to any iPhone or Android phone using Bluetooth or NFC.
- The ZINK paper is amazing! It has dye crystals built right in, so you don’t need ink.
- Your prints will look great and last a long time. They won’t smudge and are even water-resistant.
- The KODAK app is fun to use. You can add cool filters, borders, stickers, and even text to your photos before you print them.
- It’s really small and light, weighing less than a pound.
- The printer has a rechargeable battery that can print about 25 photos on one charge.
- The sticky-back paper lets you easily stick your photos onto notebooks, lockers, or any surface.
What Could Be Improved:
- The starter pack of photo paper might run out quickly if you love printing a lot.
- While the prints are durable, they are small (2×3 inches), so they might not be ideal for large projects.
This KODAK Step printer is a fantastic way to bring your digital memories into the real world. It’s perfect for anyone who loves taking pictures and wants to add a personal touch to their crafts or everyday life.
2. Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer with Mobile and Tablet Printing
Rating: 9.2/10
The Canon Pixma MG3620 is a black, wireless all-in-one inkjet printer that makes printing, copying, and scanning simple. It connects to your phone or tablet, so you can easily print photos and documents from wherever you are.
What We Like:
- It’s a 3-in-1 printer, meaning it can print, copy, and scan.
- You can print and scan directly from your mobile devices, which is super convenient.
- It has auto 2-sided printing, saving you paper.
- The printer is compact and won’t take up much space.
- It’s ENERGY STAR certified, so it’s good for the environment.
- You can connect it to Alexa to get alerts when you’re low on ink and even have it reorder for you automatically. This means you’ll never run out of ink!
What Could Be Improved:
- The print speeds are a bit slow at 9.9 pages per minute for black and white and 5.7 for color.
- The paper tray only holds 100 sheets, so you might need to refill it often if you print a lot.
The Canon Pixma MG3620 is a solid choice for home use, offering wireless convenience and smart ink management. It’s a great printer for anyone who wants easy printing from their phone.
3. HP DeskJet 4255e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 9.3/10
Meet the HP DeskJet 4255e, your new best friend for home printing needs. This all-in-one printer handles everything from to-do lists and letters to recipes and important financial papers. It’s designed to make your life easier with smart features and a user-friendly setup.
What We Like:
- Smart Printing with HP AI: This printer uses AI to perfectly format web pages and emails, so you don’t waste paper or get weird layouts.
- All-in-One Convenience: It prints in color, scans, copies, and even has an auto document feeder.
- Reliable Wireless Connection: The Wi-Fi automatically finds and fixes connection problems, keeping you printing smoothly.
- Easy Mobile Printing: Use the HP app to print, scan, and copy from your phone, tablet, or computer.
- Free Ink Trial: Get 3 months of HP Instant Ink delivered to your door when you activate HP+.
- Compact and Eco-Friendly: It has a small design that fits anywhere and is made with recycled plastic. It’s also ENERGY STAR and EPEAT Certified.
- Simple Control Panel: The ICON LCD makes printing basic documents easy.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print Speed: Color printing is a bit slow at 5.5 pages per minute.
- Cartridge Restrictions: It only works with HP cartridges that have HP chips.
The HP DeskJet 4255e is a solid choice for busy households. Its smart features and convenience make it a worthwhile addition to your home office.
4. Gloryang Inkless Portable Printer for Travel
Rating: 8.7/10
Meet the Gloryang Inkless Portable Printer, your new best friend for printing on the go. This blue, wireless thermal printer is designed for travelers, students, and busy professionals. It prints US Letter size documents without any ink, making it super cost-effective and mess-free. It even comes with a handy carry case and plenty of paper!
What We Like:
- Inkless printing saves money and hassle; no need to buy ink, toner, or ribbons.
- Super portable, weighing only 1.75lb and fitting easily into bags.
- Connects easily via Bluetooth to your smartphone (iOS & Android) using the “Jadens Printer” app.
- Can also print from laptops and computers by installing a driver.
- Prints clear black and white documents, photos, and designs.
- Long-lasting rechargeable batteries provide up to 3 hours of printing.
- Built-in paper bin keeps things tidy, perfect for printing in tight spaces like a car.
- Includes a protective carry case and 3 rolls of thermal paper, making it a complete kit.
- It makes a great gift for holidays like Christmas and New Year.
What Could Be Improved:
- This printer only works with special Gloryang thermal paper, not regular paper.
- It can only print in black and white, not in color.
This Gloryang printer is a fantastic choice for anyone needing to print documents away from home. Its portability and inkless technology make it a practical and budget-friendly solution for many printing needs.
5. HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.9/10
Meet the HP DeskJet 2855e, your new best friend for all your home printing needs. This all-in-one printer is designed to make printing, scanning, and copying super simple. It’s perfect for printing to-do lists, important letters, your favorite recipes, and even your financial documents. Plus, with its smart AI features, it makes sure your web pages and emails print out perfectly, without any wasted paper or weird layouts. It’s also built with the environment in mind, using recycled plastics and being energy efficient.
What We Like:
- Prints web pages and emails perfectly with HP AI, so no more awkward layouts.
- Easy wireless printing that automatically fixes connection problems.
- Control everything from your smartphone, PC, or tablet using the HP app.
- Comes with a 3-month Instant Ink trial for convenient ink delivery.
- Compact design fits nicely in any home.
- Made with at least 60% recycled plastics and is energy efficient.
- Intuitive control panel makes printing basic documents a breeze.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print speeds are on the slower side at 5.5 ppm for color and 7.5 ppm for black.
- The printer only works with HP cartridges, which can be a limitation.
- A monthly fee applies after the 3-month Instant Ink trial unless canceled.
The HP DeskJet 2855e is a solid choice for everyday home printing tasks. Its smart features and ease of use make it a convenient addition to any household.
Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Small Colour Printer
Buying a small colour printer can be exciting! You want something that fits your space and makes your projects pop with vibrant colours. This guide will help you find the best one for your needs.
What to Look For in a Small Colour Printer
When you shop for a small colour printer, keep these important features in mind:
Key Features to Consider
- Print Quality: Look for printers that offer high resolutions. Higher dots per inch (dpi) mean sharper images and clearer text.
- Speed: How fast does the printer print? If you need to print many pages quickly, a faster printer is better.
- Connectivity: How can you connect to the printer? Wi-Fi is super convenient. USB is also a common option. Some printers even let you print from your phone or tablet.
- Ink Cartridge Type: Printers use either ink cartridges or ink tanks. Ink cartridges are usually cheaper to buy upfront, but ink tanks can save you money in the long run because they hold more ink.
- Size: Since you want a small printer, measure your space. Make sure the printer will fit comfortably.
- Paper Handling: How much paper can the printer hold? Does it handle different types of paper, like photo paper or cardstock?
Important Materials and What They Mean
The main materials involved with a printer are the plastic it’s made from and the ink it uses.
- Plastic: Most small printers are made of durable plastic. This keeps them light and affordable.
- Ink: This is the most important material for colour printing!
- Dye-based inks: These inks produce very bright and vibrant colours, especially on glossy photo paper. They can fade over time, though.
- Pigment-based inks: These inks are more durable and resist fading better. They look great on plain paper but might not be as bright as dye-based inks on photos.
Making Sure Your Prints Look Great
Several things affect how good your printed colours look.
Factors That Improve Quality
- High Resolution: As mentioned, a higher dpi (dots per inch) means more detail. Aim for at least 600 dpi for good text and 4800 x 1200 dpi for photos.
- Good Ink: Using the right ink for your printer and paper type makes a big difference.
- Quality Paper: Using good paper designed for colour printing helps colours look their best. Plain copy paper is okay for documents, but photo paper is best for photos.
- Printer Driver Settings: Your printer’s software (driver) has settings that control colour and quality. Experiment with these settings.
Factors That Can Reduce Quality
- Low Resolution Images: If the picture you are printing is blurry or pixelated on your screen, it will look that way when printed.
- Old or Low Ink: When ink levels get low, colours can look faded or streaky. Using generic or old ink can also harm quality.
- Wrong Paper: Printing photos on regular copy paper will not give you good results.
- Dust or Debris: Sometimes, dust can get inside the printer and cause streaks or spots on your prints.
User Experience and Fun Ways to Use Your Printer
A small colour printer is perfect for many different tasks.
Making Life Easier and More Fun
- Home Office: Print reports, presentations, and colourful charts for work or school.
- Crafting: Create custom invitations, greeting cards, stickers, and decorations for parties.
- Photos: Print your favourite memories from family vacations or special events.
- Kids’ Projects: Print colouring pages, school project materials, or fun drawings.
- Personal Organization: Print labels for jars, planners, or organizing boxes.
The best small colour printer will fit your budget, your space, and your printing needs. Happy printing!
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Colour Printers
Q: What is the most important feature to look for in a small colour printer?
A: The most important feature is print quality. You want to make sure your colours look bright and your images are clear.
Q: How do I know if a printer is truly “small”?
A: Check the dimensions listed by the manufacturer. Compare these to the space you have available. Look for printers that are under 15 inches in width and depth.
Q: Is Wi-Fi printing really useful for a small printer?
A: Yes, Wi-Fi printing is very useful! It lets you print from any device connected to your home network without needing cables.
Q: What’s the difference between dye-based and pigment-based ink?
A: Dye-based inks give very bright colours, good for photos. Pigment-based inks are more durable and resist fading, good for documents.
Q: Will using generic ink cartridges save me money?
A: Generic ink can be cheaper, but it might not produce the same quality. Sometimes, it can even cause problems with your printer.
Q: How can I improve the colour quality of my prints?
A: Use high-quality paper, make sure your ink cartridges are full, and adjust the print settings in your printer’s software for the best results.
Q: Can I print photos on a small colour printer?
A: Yes, many small colour printers are designed to print photos. Look for printers that mention photo printing capabilities and support photo paper.
Q: How often will I need to replace the ink?
A: This depends on how much you print. If you print a lot, you will need to replace ink more often. Ink tank printers usually last longer between refills.
Q: What is resolution (dpi) and why does it matter?
A: Resolution is how many tiny dots of ink a printer can place on an inch of paper. Higher dpi means more detail and sharper images.
Q: Are all small colour printers easy to set up?
A: Most modern printers have easy setup guides. Many connect wirelessly, which simplifies the process.
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.
My name is Gary Flores, the creator of deepskyblue-owl-132507.hostingersite.com.. With a passion for creating cozy, functional, and beautiful spaces, I share my personal experiences and expertise about everything related to home improvement. From practical tips to design inspiration, my goal is to help you make your home the best it can be.