Imagine a world where your desk isn’t cluttered with a printer, a scanner, and a copier all taking up precious space. What if one smart device could do it all, fitting perfectly into your busy life? It sounds like a dream, right? But that’s exactly what a compact multifunction printer (MFP) offers!
Choosing the right one, however, can feel like a puzzle. There are so many brands and features to consider. You want something that prints clear documents, scans important papers easily, and copies quickly, all without taking over your entire workspace. It’s tough to know which one will be the best fit for your home or small office without feeling overwhelmed by technical jargon.
This blog post is here to help! We’ll break down what makes a compact MFP a game-changer and guide you through the most important things to look for. By the end, you’ll feel confident about finding the perfect all-in-one solution that saves you space and makes your printing, scanning, and copying tasks a breeze.
Our Top 5 Compact Multifunction Printer Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Compact Multifunction Printer Detailed Reviews
1. Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex Printing and 1.8” Color Display
Rating: 9.3/10
Meet the Brother Work Smart 1360, your new go-to for printing, copying, and scanning right at home or in your home office. This all-in-one printer is built to handle your daily tasks with ease and produces great-looking prints that really stand out.
What We Like:
- It’s a true all-in-one, perfect for home and home offices.
- You can easily print from and scan to cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox using the simple color screen.
- Automatic duplex printing saves paper by printing on both sides.
- The 20-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) makes scanning and copying multi-page documents quick.
- It prints at decent speeds, up to 16 pages per minute in black and 9 pages per minute in color.
- You have flexible connection options, including wireless and USB.
- The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you manage your printer from your phone and even track your ink levels with Page Gauge.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 1.8” color display is quite small, which might make navigating menus a bit tricky for some.
- While it offers a Refresh Subscription Trial, the long-term cost of LC501 Series inks could be a factor for heavy users.
- Print speeds, while adequate, might not be the fastest for very demanding professional environments.
This Brother Work Smart 1360 is a solid choice for anyone needing a reliable and feature-rich printer for their home or small office. It offers great convenience and connectivity for your everyday printing needs.
2. Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan
Rating: 9.1/10
The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact, black and white laser printer designed for busy small businesses. It combines printing, scanning, and copying into one handy device. This printer helps you get more done quickly and easily.
What We Like:
- It’s a 3-in-1 machine: printer, scanner, and copier.
- It prints and scans fast, saving you time.
- It has a 50-page automatic document feeder for scanning and copying many pages at once.
- You can connect it in different ways: dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB.
- The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you print and scan from your phone.
- It works with Alexa for voice commands.
- The Refresh EZ Print Subscription offers savings on toner and ensures you don’t run out.
- It includes a free trial for the Refresh Subscription.
What Could Be Improved:
- This printer only prints in black and white.
- It’s designed for small businesses, so it might be too basic for very large offices.
The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a strong choice for small businesses needing a reliable and efficient monochrome printer. Its smart features and mobile connectivity make it easy to manage your documents.
3. Canon Color imageCLASS MF652Cw – Wireless Laser Printer
Rating: 8.9/10
Meet the Canon Color imageCLASS MF652Cw, a white, wireless laser printer designed to handle all your home or small office printing, scanning, and copying needs. This versatile machine delivers vibrant color prints at a speedy 22 pages per minute and gets your first page out in about 10.3 seconds. It’s ready for your mobile devices, making printing on the go super easy.
What We Like:
- It’s a 3-in-1 printer: it prints, scans, and copies, saving you space.
- Printing is fast, with up to 22 color or black and white pages per minute.
- You can print from your phone or tablet using apps like Canon PRINT.
- It holds a lot of paper, with a 250-sheet tray and a single-sheet multipurpose tray for different paper types.
- You can create cool posters and signs for free with Poster Artist Online.
- It’s good for the environment, being ENERGY STAR Certified and EPEAT Silver.
- A 3-year limited warranty gives you peace of mind.
- It works with Chromebooks, which is great for school or work.
What Could Be Improved:
- It uses specific Canon Genuine Toner (067 / 067 high capacity), so you need to buy those particular cartridges.
- The design is functional but not exceptionally stylish.
This Canon printer makes managing your documents simple and efficient. It’s a reliable choice for anyone needing a capable and connected multifunction printer.
4. HP Laserjet MFP M140w Wireless Black & White Printer
Rating: 9.3/10
The HP LaserJet MFP M140w is a fantastic choice for small teams needing a reliable black and white printer, scanner, and copier. It’s designed by America’s most trusted printer brand, making it a smart pick for anyone printing professional documents. This compact printer fits easily into any workspace, and setting it up is a breeze. It’s perfect for 1-3 people who need to print, scan, and copy efficiently.
What We Like:
- It’s the world’s smallest laser printer in its class, so it saves space.
- It prints up to 21 black and white pages per minute, which is fast.
- Wireless printing with self-reset keeps you connected easily.
- You can easily copy both sides of ID cards onto one page.
- Print from any device like your phone, tablet, or computer, using Wi-Fi.
- The HP Smart app helps you scan to the cloud and print from your smartphone.
- It works with many operating systems and devices like Windows, Mac, and Android.
What Could Be Improved:
- The printer only works with original HP cartridges, which means you can’t use cheaper third-party ones.
- Firmware updates are periodic and will maintain the blocking of non-HP cartridges.
This printer is a strong contender for small teams. Its compact size and wireless capabilities make it a convenient and efficient addition to any office.
5. Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer
Rating: 9.0/10
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is a fantastic all-in-one wireless printer that handles all your home printing, copying, scanning, and faxing needs. Its black design looks neat on any desk. You can easily print from your phone or computer without messy cables. It even has a special feature to help you keep ink on hand.
What We Like:
- It’s a 4-in-1 printer: it prints, copies, scans, and faxes.
- It has an Auto Document Feeder (ADF) to easily copy or scan multiple pages.
- You can print wirelessly from your phone or tablet.
- It prints on both sides of the paper automatically, saving paper.
- It makes borderless prints up to 8.5″ x 11″, which is great for photos.
- It has a small power usage, so it’s good for the environment and your electricity bill.
- The ink cartridges are simple to swap out.
- It comes with a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
- You can connect it to Alexa to get alerts when you’re low on ink and even have it reorder ink for you automatically from Amazon.
What Could Be Improved:
- The print speed is a little slow, especially for color pages.
- The paper tray only holds 100 sheets, so you might need to refill it often if you print a lot.
This printer is a convenient choice for many home tasks. It makes managing your documents simple and smart.
Your Guide to Choosing a Compact Multifunction Printer
Are you looking for a printer that can do it all without taking up too much space? A compact multifunction printer is your answer! These handy devices combine printing, scanning, and copying into one small package. This guide will help you find the perfect one for your needs.
What to Look For: Key Features
When you shop for a compact multifunction printer, keep these important features in mind:
- Printing Speed: How fast does it print pages? Look for pages per minute (PPM) for black and white and color. Faster speeds are great for busy homes or small offices.
- Print Quality: This is about how sharp and clear your prints look. Check for resolution, measured in dots per inch (DPI). Higher DPI means better quality.
- Connectivity Options: How can you connect your computer or devices?
- USB: The most common way to connect directly.
- Wi-Fi: Lets you print wirelessly from computers, phones, and tablets. This is super convenient!
- Ethernet: A wired network connection, good for offices.
- Cloud Printing: Services like Google Cloud Print or Apple AirPrint let you print from anywhere.
- Ink or Toner Type:
- Inkjet: Good for color photos and graphics. Ink cartridges can sometimes be expensive.
- Laser: Better for sharp text and faster printing. Toner cartridges often last longer.
- Scanner Capabilities: What can the scanner do?
- Resolution: Like printing, higher DPI means better scans.
- Document Feeder (ADF): Some printers have a tray that automatically feeds multiple pages for scanning or copying. This saves a lot of time.
- Paper Handling: What sizes and types of paper can it handle? Can it print on both sides (duplex printing)? Duplex printing saves paper.
- Size and Weight: Make sure it fits where you want to put it. Compact means small, but check the exact dimensions.
Materials and Build Quality
Most compact multifunction printers are made from durable plastic. The quality of the plastic can affect how sturdy the printer feels.
- Sturdy Construction: A printer that feels solid is less likely to break. Check reviews to see if users mention wobbling or flimsy parts.
- Button Placement: Easy-to-reach buttons make using the printer simpler.
What Makes a Printer Great (or Not So Great)?
Several things can make your printer experience better or worse.
- Factors That Improve Quality:
- High Resolution: Both for printing and scanning, a higher DPI means sharper results.
- Good Ink/Toner: Using genuine ink or toner from the manufacturer usually gives the best results.
- Reliable Drivers: The software (drivers) that connect your computer to the printer should work smoothly.
- Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Low Resolution: Prints might look fuzzy, and scans might be unclear.
- Cheap Ink/Toner: Non-brand ink can sometimes clog the print heads or produce dull colors.
- Outdated Drivers: Old software can cause printing errors or slow down your computer.
- Paper Jams: Frequent paper jams are frustrating and can damage your documents.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use your printer. This will help you choose the right features.
- For Students: You’ll need a printer that’s good for printing homework and essays. Wi-Fi is a big plus so you can print from your laptop or phone. A scanner is useful for digitizing notes.
- For Home Offices: Speed and good text quality are important for documents. Duplex printing saves paper and money. Wi-Fi is essential for connecting multiple devices. An automatic document feeder (ADF) is great for scanning lots of papers.
- For Casual Home Use: If you only print a few pages now and then, a basic model might be fine. Ease of use is key.
A compact multifunction printer can make your life easier by handling all your document needs in one small device. By considering these features, you can find the perfect printer to fit your space and your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a multifunction printer?
A: A multifunction printer is a single device that can print, scan, and copy documents.
Q: Why choose a compact printer?
A: Compact printers are small and don’t take up much space, making them ideal for tight areas.
Q: What does “PPM” mean?
A: PPM stands for “pages per minute.” It tells you how fast the printer can print.
Q: What is DPI?
A: DPI means “dots per inch.” It measures the sharpness of printed or scanned images. Higher DPI means better quality.
Q: Is Wi-Fi important for a printer?
A: Yes, Wi-Fi lets you print wirelessly from many devices, which is very convenient.
Q: What’s the difference between inkjet and laser printers?
A: Inkjet printers use liquid ink and are good for color photos. Laser printers use toner powder and are great for sharp text and fast printing.
Q: What is an ADF on a scanner?
A: ADF stands for Automatic Document Feeder. It’s a tray that feeds multiple pages automatically for scanning or copying.
Q: What is duplex printing?
A: Duplex printing means the printer can print on both sides of the paper automatically. This saves paper.
Q: Should I buy genuine ink or toner?
A: Genuine ink or toner usually gives the best print quality and helps your printer last longer.
Q: How do I know if a printer is easy to use?
A: Read reviews from other users. They often mention if the printer is simple to set up and operate.
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.