Imagine this: you need to print a school project, a recipe, or even a fun photo, but your old printer is a giant, clunky beast that takes up half your desk! Or maybe you’re tired of spending a fortune on ink cartridges that seem to run out in a blink. Choosing a printer for your home can feel like a maze, with so many choices and technical jargon. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and end up with something that doesn’t quite fit your needs.
But what if there was a way to find a printer that’s just right for your space and your budget? We’re talking about small printers – the ones that are compact, efficient, and surprisingly powerful. In this post, we’ll dive into the world of small printers for home use. We’ll help you understand what makes them great and how to pick the perfect one for you. Get ready to discover printers that won’t hog your precious desk space and will keep your wallet happy!
Our Top 5 Small Printers For Home Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Small Printers For Home 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: 9.2/10
Meet the Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer. This printer does it all: print, copy, and scan. It’s designed to make your printing life easier.
What We Like:
- The bright 1.44″ OLED screen makes it simple to see and choose what you need.
- Setting it up on your smartphone or computer is a breeze.
- Built-in Wi-Fi means you can print from any room in your house.
- Print directly from your phone or tablet using the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria.
- Get creative with the Easy-Photo Print Editor App or Canon Creative Park App.
- It works with Alexa, so you can use voice commands.
What Could Be Improved:
- Ink cartridges can be a bit pricey.
- The print speed is average, not the fastest on the market.
For home users who need a reliable all-in-one printer, the Canon PIXMA TS6420a is a solid option. It offers great convenience and creative features.
2. Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer with Mobile and Tablet Printing
Rating: 8.8/10
The Canon Pixma MG3620 is a fantastic wireless printer that makes printing, copying, and scanning super easy. It’s perfect for your home or small office needs, letting you print directly from your phone or tablet. Its compact size means it won’t take up much space, and it even prints on both sides of the paper automatically!
What We Like:
- It’s a 3-in-1 printer: you can print, copy, and scan all from one device.
- You can easily print and scan photos and documents straight from your mobile devices.
- It saves paper with its auto 2-sided printing feature.
- The compact and space-saving design fits anywhere.
- It’s ENERGY STAR certified, meaning it’s good for the environment and your electricity bill.
- You can connect it to Alexa to get reminders when you’re low on ink and even have it reorder ink for you automatically from Amazon, with no extra subscription.
What Could Be Improved:
- The print speeds (9.9 ppm for black, 5.7 ppm for color) are okay, but not the fastest for heavy-duty printing.
- The 100-sheet paper capacity might require frequent refills if you print a lot.
This printer is a smart choice for anyone who wants convenience and smart features without a big price tag. It’s a reliable helper for all your printing tasks.
3. HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.7/10
The HP DeskJet 2855e is a fantastic printer for your home. It can print in color, scan documents, and make copies. It’s designed for everyday tasks like printing homework, letters, and recipes. Plus, it comes with a 3-month trial of HP Instant Ink, so you’ll get ink delivered right to your door!
What We Like:
- It makes printing web pages and emails neat and tidy with HP AI. This means no more wasted paper or weird layouts!
- It’s super easy to connect wirelessly. The Wi-Fi automatically finds and fixes connection problems.
- You can print, scan, and copy from your phone, computer, or tablet using the simple HP app.
- It has a compact design that fits well in any room.
- The printer is made with recycled materials and is good for the environment.
- You get a 3-month trial of HP Instant Ink, which is a great way to save money on ink.
What Could Be Improved:
- The print speed is a bit slow, especially for color prints.
- This printer only works with HP ink cartridges.
Overall, the HP DeskJet 2855e is a smart choice for home printing needs. It makes printing easy and convenient.
4. Portable Printers Wireless for Travel
Rating: 9.0/10
Say goodbye to bulky printers and hello to freedom with the Portable Printers Wireless for Travel, Inkless Thermal Printer, A285M. This small but mighty Bluetooth mobile printer is your perfect companion for printing on the go. It supports standard 8.5″ x 11″ Letter and A4 thermal paper, making it versatile for any task, whether you’re in a coffee shop, a client’s office, or even your car. It’s compatible with your phone, laptop, and tablet, so you can print documents, receipts, and more, anytime, anywhere.
What We Like:
- Super portable and lightweight, weighing only 1.5lb and fitting easily into your bag.
- Prints without ink, toner, or ribbons, saving you money and hassle.
- Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to your iPhone, Android, iPad, or tablet.
- Also connects to laptops and computers using a USB-C cable.
- Supports multiple thermal paper sizes, including US Letter and A4.
- Great for various users like mobile notaries, truck drivers, and students.
What Could Be Improved:
- Only prints in black and white.
- Requires specific thermal paper, not regular copy paper.
- Laptop/computer printing needs a driver download.
- Charging requires a specific 5V 2A charger.
This inkless thermal printer offers incredible convenience for anyone needing to print away from a traditional office. It’s a smart choice for staying productive wherever you are.
5. Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer for Duplex Printing
Rating: 9.4/10
The Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer in white is a fantastic, budget-friendly choice for your home or hybrid workspace. It’s an all-in-one machine that handles printing, scanning, and copying with ease. This printer offers great value for its price, making it a smart pick for anyone needing a reliable device without breaking the bank. Plus, its sleek, compact design means it won’t take up too much space.
What We Like:
- It’s very affordable, making it a great value for home users and those working from home.
- Prints are sharp and colorful thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system.
- Setting it up is super simple, so you can start printing, scanning, and copying right away.
- The dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz) provides a strong and steady wireless connection.
- It can scan and copy documents efficiently.
- Automatic 2-sided printing saves you time and paper.
- It supports various paper sizes up to 8.5” x 11” for different printing needs.
- Its small size and stylish white finish fit nicely into any room.
- You can easily print from your smartphone or tablet using apps like the Canon PRINT App, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service.
- It’s EPEAT Silver and ENERGY STAR certified, which is good for the environment.
What Could Be Improved:
- The ink cartridges might need to be replaced more often for heavy printing.
- The scanner might not be as fast as some higher-end models for large jobs.
This Canon PIXMA TS4320 is a solid, cost-effective printer that offers a lot of features for its price. It’s a smart choice for everyday printing and scanning needs.
Your Guide to Picking the Best Small Printer for Home
Finding the right small printer for your home can make a big difference. Whether you need to print school projects, recipes, or important documents, a good printer saves you trips to the copy shop. This guide will help you choose the perfect one.
What to Look For: Key Features
When you shop for a small printer, keep these important features in mind:
- Print Quality: This is super important. You want sharp text and clear pictures. Look for printers that mention high resolution (measured in DPI – dots per inch). Higher DPI means sharper prints.
- Speed: How fast does it print? If you have a lot to print, a faster printer saves you time. Look for pages per minute (PPM) ratings.
- Connectivity: How does it connect to your computer or phone?
- USB: This is the most common way. You plug it directly into your computer.
- Wi-Fi: This lets you print wirelessly from any device on your home network. It’s very convenient.
- Bluetooth: Some printers use Bluetooth for direct printing from phones or tablets.
- Ink or Toner:
- Inkjet: These printers use liquid ink. They are usually cheaper to buy and great for color photos. However, ink can be expensive to replace.
- Laser: These printers use powder called toner. They are faster for text and toner cartridges last longer. They are usually more expensive upfront but cheaper per page for black and white.
- All-in-One Capabilities: Do you need more than just printing?
- Scanner: Lets you copy documents.
- Copier: Makes copies of existing pages.
- Fax: Sends and receives documents over phone lines.
- Size and Weight: Since it’s a “small” printer, check its dimensions. Make sure it fits where you want to put it.
Materials and What They Mean
Most small printers use plastic for their outer shells. This keeps them light and affordable. The internal parts, like print heads and rollers, are made of metal and rubber.
- Plastic: Makes the printer light and easy to move. It’s also usually cheaper.
- Metal/Rubber: These parts need to be durable for the printer to work well over time.
Quality: What Makes it Better or Worse
Several things affect how good your printer’s prints are:
- High Resolution (DPI): As mentioned, a higher DPI means crisper images and text.
- Ink/Toner Quality: The brand and type of ink or toner matter. Using official brand cartridges often gives the best results.
- Printer Mechanics: Well-made internal parts help the paper feed smoothly and print accurately. This reduces jams and smudges.
- Software and Drivers: Good software helps your computer talk to the printer correctly. This makes printing easier and more reliable.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use your printer matters a lot.
- For Students: You’ll likely print essays, reports, and maybe some colorful projects. An inkjet printer with good color quality is a good choice. Easy Wi-Fi connection is helpful for printing from laptops or tablets.
- For Home Offices: If you print lots of documents and reports, a laser printer might be better because it’s fast and toner lasts longer. An all-in-one with scanning is useful for paperwork.
- For Casual Home Use: Printing recipes, occasional photos, or boarding passes? A simple, affordable inkjet printer will probably do the job.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is DPI?
A: DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It tells you how many tiny dots of ink or toner the printer can place in one inch. A higher DPI means more dots, which makes your printed images and text sharper and more detailed.
Q: Should I get an inkjet or laser printer?
A: It depends on what you print most. Inkjets are good for color and photos and are usually cheaper to buy. Lasers are faster for text and documents, and their toner lasts longer, making them cheaper per page for black and white printing.
Q: What does “all-in-one” mean for a printer?
A: An all-in-one printer can do more than just print. It usually also has a scanner to copy or digitize documents, and a copier to make duplicates of pages.
Q: Is Wi-Fi printing really easier?
A: Yes, Wi-Fi printing is very convenient. You can print from any device connected to your home Wi-Fi network without plugging in cables. This includes laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
Q: How do I know if a printer is truly “small”?
A: Check the product’s dimensions (height, width, depth) and weight. Small printers are designed to take up less desk space. Look for models specifically marketed as compact or mini.
Q: What are ink cartridges and toner cartridges?
A: Ink cartridges hold the liquid ink for inkjet printers. Toner cartridges hold the powdered ink for laser printers. You replace these when they run out.
Q: How much does it cost to run a printer?
A: The running cost mainly comes from replacing ink or toner. Laser printers are often cheaper per page than inkjet printers, especially for black and white text.
Q: Can I print photos with a small printer?
A: Many small inkjet printers can print good quality photos. Look for printers that specify photo printing capabilities and support photo paper.
Q: What happens if my printer jams?
A: A paper jam happens when paper gets stuck. Most printers have simple instructions to help you carefully remove the jammed paper. Good quality printers jam less often.
Q: Do I need special paper?
A: For everyday printing, regular copy paper is fine. For photos, you’ll want to use photo paper for the best results. Some printers also work well with cardstock or envelopes.
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.