Imagine needing to print a picture for a school project or a recipe for dinner, but your big, clunky printer is taking up too much space on your desk. Or maybe you just want to print a quick note without a whole production. That’s where small printers come in! They’re like the handy little helpers of the printing world, perfect for when you don’t need a giant machine.
But finding the *right* small printer can feel like searching for a tiny needle in a haystack. There are so many different kinds, and they all promise different things. Do you need one for photos? Or just for documents? How much do they cost? It can be confusing and a little frustrating to figure out which one will actually work best for you without breaking the bank or taking up precious room.
Don’t worry! This post is here to make your life easier. We’ll break down what makes a small printer great and help you understand the options. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly what to look for and feel confident choosing a small printer that fits your needs and your space. Let’s dive in and find the perfect little printer for you!
Our Top 5 Small Printers Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Small Printers Detailed Reviews
1. Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer [Print
![Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer [Print, Copy, Scan], Works with Alexa](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21-0hP0b2eL._SL500_.jpg)
Rating: 8.9/10
The Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer is a versatile tool that handles all your printing, copying, and scanning needs with ease. Its sleek design and smart features make it a great addition to any home or small office. You can easily manage tasks on its bright 4.4-inch OLED screen. This printer connects wirelessly, so you can print from anywhere in your house. It also works with smart assistants like Alexa, making tasks even simpler. Getting it set up with your phone or computer is a breeze.
What We Like:
- The 4.4-inch OLED screen makes navigating menus and settings very clear and simple.
- Setup is quick and easy for both smartphones and computers.
- Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to print from any room, offering great convenience.
- Print directly from your phone or tablet using the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria.
- Creative printing options are available through the Easy-Photo Print Editor App and Canon Creative Park App.
- It works with Alexa, so you can use voice commands for printing.
What Could Be Improved:
- Ink cartridge costs can add up over time, which is a common concern with inkjet printers.
- The print speed might be slower than some higher-end laser printers for very large print jobs.
Overall, the Canon PIXMA TS6420a is a user-friendly and capable all-in-one printer. It’s a smart choice for anyone needing a reliable device for everyday printing, copying, and scanning.
2. Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer with Mobile and Tablet Printing
Rating: 9.5/10
The Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer is a fantastic choice for your home or small office. It handles printing, copying, and scanning, making it a true 3-in-1 device. You can easily print and scan right from your phone or tablet, which is super convenient. Plus, it’s compact and saves space, fitting nicely anywhere. It even has auto 2-sided printing to save paper and is ENERGY STAR certified for energy efficiency.
What We Like:
- Wireless printing and scanning from mobile devices and tablets is a breeze.
- Auto 2-sided printing helps you save paper.
- The compact and space-saving design is great for any desk.
- You can connect it to Alexa to get alerts when ink is low and even reorder it automatically.
- It offers a good print speed for everyday tasks.
- The 100-sheet paper capacity is sufficient for most home use.
What Could Be Improved:
- The print speed, while decent, might be a bit slow for heavy-duty printing needs.
- Ink cartridges can sometimes be a bit pricey for frequent users.
This printer makes everyday tasks simple and efficient. It’s a smart addition for anyone wanting easy wireless printing and helpful smart features.
3. Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer for Duplex Printing
Rating: 9.3/10
The Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer in White is a fantastic all-in-one solution for your home or hybrid workspace. It’s a cost-efficient printer that also scans and copies, all in a compact design that’s easy to set up and use. Plus, it comes with a 1-year limited warranty for peace of mind.
What We Like:
- It’s super affordable, making it a great value for home users and people working from home.
- It prints documents and photos with crisp text and bright colors thanks to its special ink system.
- Setting it up is a breeze, so you can start printing, scanning, and copying right away from your phone or computer.
- The dual-band Wi-Fi gives you a steady connection, so you can print from anywhere in your house.
- It easily handles scanning and copying tasks with its built-in scanner.
- Automatic 2-sided printing saves paper and makes printing faster.
- You can print on different types of paper, up to 8.5” x 11”, with or without borders.
- Its small size fits nicely into any room without taking up too much space.
- Printing from your smartphone or tablet is easy with apps like Canon PRINT, AirPrint, and Mopria.
- It’s eco-friendly, with EPEAT Silver and ENERGY STAR certifications.
What Could Be Improved:
- Ink cartridges can sometimes be a bit pricey.
- The scanner bed is not an automatic document feeder, meaning you have to place each page manually for scanning or copying multiple pages.
This Canon printer offers a lot of features for its price, making it a smart choice for most home printing needs. It’s a reliable and user-friendly option for everyday tasks.
4. HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.6/10
The HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier is a fantastic choice for your home. It handles all your printing needs, from school papers to recipes. Its smart features make printing easy and efficient.
What We Like:
- HP AI Smart Printing: This printer uses AI to make sure your web pages and emails print perfectly the first time. It removes extra stuff you don’t need, saving paper and frustration.
- Easy Wireless Connectivity: Connect to your home network with reliable Wi-Fi that fixes itself if there are problems.
- HP Smart App: Print, scan, and copy from your phone, computer, or tablet using a super simple app.
- Included Instant Ink Trial: Get three months of ink delivered to your door for free when you activate HP+.
- Compact and Eco-Friendly: This printer fits anywhere and is made with recycled materials. It’s also ENERGY STAR and EPEAT certified.
- Simple to Use: The ICON LCD control panel makes printing basic documents straightforward.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print Speed: Color printing is a bit slow at 5.5 pages per minute, and black and white is 7.5 pages per minute.
- HP Cartridge Restriction: This printer only works with HP ink cartridges that have HP chips.
Overall, the HP DeskJet 2855e is a smart and convenient printer for home use. Its AI features and easy app control make printing a breeze.
5. Portable Printers Wireless for Travel
Rating: 9.3/10
Meet the N80 Portable Wireless Printer, your new best friend for printing on the go! This compact, inkless printer lets you print documents, contracts, and even boarding passes from your phone, tablet, or laptop. Its built-in battery lasts for about 160 pages, and it’s light enough to toss in your backpack. Whether you’re traveling for business, working on a construction site, or just need to print something at home, this printer makes it easy.
What We Like:
- Super portable and lightweight, perfect for travel and fitting in small spaces.
- Inkless printing means no messy cartridges and it’s eco-friendly.
- Connects easily via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet.
- Prints clear, high-definition text and images at 203DPI.
- Works with US Letter and A4 size thermal paper, and even tattoo transfer paper.
- Comes with a starter roll of US Letter thermal paper.
What Could Be Improved:
- Laptops and computers can only connect via USB cable, not Bluetooth, and require driver installation.
- A charging adapter is not included with the printer.
- Only works with special thermal paper, not regular paper.
The N80 printer offers a convenient way to print anywhere, anytime. It’s a solid choice for anyone needing a flexible and portable printing solution.
Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Small Printer
So, you need a printer, but you don’t have a lot of space. That’s where small printers come in! They’re like the little superheroes of the printing world. They get the job done without taking over your desk.
Why Choose a Small Printer?
Small printers are awesome because they save space. They’re easy to move around. You can put them on a shelf or even in a small nook. They’re also usually pretty affordable. This makes them a great choice for students, people working from home, or anyone who just needs to print once in a while.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for a small printer, keep these important things in mind:
1. Size and Portability
- Dimensions: Look at the printer’s width, depth, and height. Make sure it fits where you want it.
- Weight: If you plan to move it often, a lighter printer is better.
2. Printing Technology
There are two main types:
- Inkjet: These are good for printing photos and colorful documents. They use liquid ink.
- Laser: These are great for sharp text and fast printing of black and white pages. They use toner powder.
3. Connectivity
How will you send your documents to the printer?
- USB: This is the most common way. You plug it directly into your computer.
- Wi-Fi: This lets you print wirelessly from your computer, phone, or tablet. Super convenient!
- Bluetooth: Some printers use Bluetooth for wireless printing, often from mobile devices.
4. Print Quality
- Resolution (DPI): Higher DPI means sharper and clearer prints. For everyday documents, 600 DPI is usually fine. For photos, look for 1200 DPI or higher.
- Color Accuracy: If you print a lot of photos, you want colors that look true to life.
5. Speed
- Pages Per Minute (PPM): This tells you how fast the printer prints. For casual use, 5-10 PPM is often enough. If you print a lot, look for faster speeds.
6. Ink/Toner Costs
This is super important! The printer itself might be cheap, but the ink or toner can be expensive. Check the cost of replacement cartridges before you buy.
Important Materials
Most small printers use plastic for their outer shell. The internal parts are made of metal and electronic components. The quality of the plastic can affect how sturdy the printer feels. Good quality plastic won’t feel cheap or flimsy.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
- Good Design: A well-designed printer is easy to use. Buttons are in the right place. Paper loading is simple.
- Reliable Software: The drivers and software that come with the printer matter. Easy setup and good control over print settings improve the experience.
- Cheap Components: Using low-quality parts can make a printer break down faster. This reduces its lifespan and your satisfaction.
- Difficult Setup: If it’s hard to get the printer working, that’s a big problem.
User Experience and Use Cases
Small printers are perfect for many situations:
- Students: Print essays, reports, and study guides without taking up dorm room space.
- Home Offices: Great for printing documents, invoices, or labels when you don’t need a big office machine.
- Crafty People: Print patterns, labels, or decorations for your projects.
- Occasional Printing: If you only print a few pages a month, a small printer is all you need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Printers
Q: What is the main advantage of a small printer?
A: The main advantage is that they save a lot of space. They are also easy to move and usually less expensive.
Q: Are small printers good for printing photos?
A: Some small inkjet printers are very good at printing photos. Laser printers are usually better for text documents.
Q: How do I know if a printer is too big for my space?
A: Always check the dimensions (width, depth, height) and compare them to the space you have available.
Q: What does DPI mean?
A: DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It’s a measure of how sharp and detailed your printed image will be. Higher DPI means better quality.
Q: Is Wi-Fi printing really useful?
A: Yes, Wi-Fi printing is very useful. It lets you print from many devices without plugging anything in.
Q: How can I save money on ink or toner?
A: Look for printers that use less expensive cartridges. Also, check for printers with high-yield cartridges that last longer.
Q: What is the difference between inkjet and laser printers?
A: Inkjet printers spray liquid ink, good for color and photos. Laser printers use powder (toner), great for sharp text and speed.
Q: Are small printers hard to set up?
A: Most modern small printers are designed to be easy to set up. They usually come with clear instructions or helpful software.
Q: Can I print from my phone with a small printer?
A: Yes, many small printers have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which allows you to print directly from your smartphone or tablet.
Q: How long do small printers usually last?
A: The lifespan depends on the quality of the printer and how much you use it. Well-cared-for printers can last for many years.
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.