Top 5 Small Scanner Printers: Your Ultimate Guide

Imagine this: you have a super important document, maybe a drawing you made or a permission slip for a school trip, and you need to send a digital copy to someone. But your old printer is HUGE and takes up half your desk! Or maybe you just want to scan a few photos to share with family, but wrestling with a giant machine feels like too much work. Does that sound familiar?

Choosing a small scanner printer can be tricky. There are so many different kinds, and it’s hard to know which one is best for you. You want something that fits your space, works well, and doesn’t cost a fortune. It’s easy to feel a little lost when you’re trying to figure it all out.

But don’t worry! This blog post is here to help. We’ll break down what makes a good small scanner printer and look at some great options. By the time you finish reading, you’ll feel much more confident about finding the perfect little printer for your needs. Get ready to discover how easy it can be to scan and print without taking up all your room!

Our Top 5 Small Scanner Printer Recommendations at a Glance

Top 5 Small Scanner Printer Detailed Reviews

1. HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer

HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-home, 3 months of Instant Ink included, Single-band Wi-Fi connectivity (588S5A)

Rating: 8.9/10

The HP DeskJet 2855e is a fantastic all-in-one printer designed to make printing at home super simple. It can print in color, scan your important papers, and make copies. This printer is ideal for printing everyday things like to-do lists, letters, and even recipes. Plus, it comes with three months of HP Instant Ink, which means you get ink delivered right to your door before you even run out!

What We Like:

  • It’s perfect for printing everyday items like lists, letters, and recipes.
  • HP AI helps make sure your web pages and emails print out perfectly, with no wasted paper or awkward layouts.
  • You can easily print, scan, copy, or even fax from your smartphone, computer, or tablet using the HP app.
  • The Wi-Fi connection is reliable and automatically fixes any connection problems.
  • It includes 3 months of HP Instant Ink, so you won’t have to worry about buying ink for a while.
  • It has a handy 60-sheet input tray for your paper.

What Could Be Improved:

  • Print speeds are on the slower side, with 5.5 pages per minute for color and 7.5 pages per minute for black and white.
  • It only has single-band Wi-Fi connectivity.

For everyday home printing needs, the HP DeskJet 2855e is a solid and user-friendly choice. Its smart features and included ink make it a convenient option for busy households.

2. HP DeskJet 2827e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer

HP DeskJet 2827e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-Home, 3 Month Instant Ink Trial Included, AI-Enabled (6W7F5A)

Rating: 9.4/10

The HP DeskJet 2827e is a fantastic little printer designed for your home. It handles all your everyday printing needs, from school papers and letters to recipes and important documents. Plus, it scans and copies, making it a true all-in-one solution. This printer even has smart AI to make sure your web pages and emails print perfectly, saving you paper and frustration.

What We Like:

  • HP AI makes sure your web pages and emails print without awkward layouts or wasted paper.
  • It’s super easy to print, scan, and copy right from your phone or tablet using the HP app.
  • The Wi-Fi connection is reliable and automatically fixes itself if there are problems.
  • You get a free 3-month trial of HP Instant Ink, so ink is delivered to your door.
  • Its compact size fits easily into any room.
  • The printer is made with at least 60% recycled plastic and meets energy efficiency standards.
  • It has an easy-to-use control panel with an ICON LCD screen.

What Could Be Improved:

  • Print speeds are a bit slow at 5.5 ppm for color and 7.5 ppm for black.
  • The printer only works with HP cartridges, so you can’t use other brands.
  • After the 3-month Instant Ink trial, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee unless you cancel.

The HP DeskJet 2827e is a great choice for families and individuals needing a simple, smart printer for home use. It makes printing everyday tasks easy and efficient.

3. Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex Printing and 1.8” Color Display

Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex Printing and 1.8” Color Display | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1) (MFC-J1360DW) (Uses LC501 Series Inks)

Rating: 9.0/10

The Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer is a fantastic choice for anyone who needs a reliable printer for their home or small home office. It handles printing, copying, and scanning all in one neat package. Plus, it creates really nice-looking prints that will make your documents and pictures pop!

What We Like:

  • It’s an all-in-one machine, so you can print, copy, and scan with just one device. This saves space!
  • You can easily print from and scan to popular cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox using the handy color screen.
  • It has automatic two-sided printing, which saves paper.
  • The automatic document feeder (ADF) makes scanning and copying multi-page documents a breeze.
  • Printing speeds are pretty good, up to 16 pages per minute in black and 9 in color.
  • You can connect it wirelessly to your home network or use a USB cable.
  • The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you manage your printer from your phone or tablet.
  • Page Gauge helps you keep an eye on your ink levels so you don’t run out unexpectedly.

What Could Be Improved:

  • The 1.8-inch color display is a bit small, which might make navigating menus slightly less convenient for some users.
  • While it’s great for home and home offices, it might not be powerful enough for a very busy business environment.

This Brother printer offers a great mix of features and convenience for everyday tasks. It’s a solid choice for making your home office more efficient.

4. HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer

HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Portobello, Print, scan, copy, Duplex printing Best-for-home, 3 month Instant Ink trial included, AI-enabled (714L5A)

Rating: 9.0/10

The HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer in Portobello is a fantastic choice for busy households. It handles everyday printing tasks like homework and borderless photos with ease. This printer can print, scan, and copy, and it even has a cool AI feature that makes sure your web pages and emails look perfect on paper, saving you paper and frustration. Plus, it comes with a 3-month trial of HP’s Instant Ink service, so you won’t run out of ink anytime soon.

What We Like:

  • The HP AI feature is super smart! It automatically formats web pages and emails so they print perfectly, with no wasted space or weird layouts.
  • It’s a true all-in-one, letting you print, scan, and copy all from one machine.
  • Auto 2-sided printing (duplex printing) saves you time and paper.
  • The 2.4″ color touchscreen is very easy to use and navigate.
  • Reliable dual-band Wi-Fi connects easily and fixes its own connection problems.
  • Prints look vibrant and true to your screen thanks to HP’s P3 technology.
  • The HP app makes printing from your phone or tablet a breeze.
  • The 3-month Instant Ink trial is a great way to get started.
  • It’s made with over 60% recycled plastic and helps support forests.

What Could Be Improved:

  • Print speeds are a bit slower than some other printers, with up to 7 pages per minute in color and 10 in black and white.
  • The printer only works with HP ink cartridges, so you can’t use other brands.

The HP Envy 6155e is a user-friendly and smart printer for home use. It makes printing everyday documents and photos simple and efficient.

5. Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer for Duplex Printing

Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer for Duplex Printing, White – Cost Efficient Home Printer with Copier/Scanner, Compact Design, Easy Setup, 1 Year Limited Warranty

Rating: 9.4/10

The Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer in crisp white is a fantastic choice for anyone needing a reliable and affordable printer for home or a small office. It’s an all-in-one solution, meaning it can print, copy, and scan, making it super handy for all your tasks. Plus, its compact design means it won’t take up too much space on your desk.

What We Like:

  • It’s very budget-friendly, offering great value for its features.
  • It prints documents and photos with sharp text and bright, vivid colors.
  • Setting it up is a breeze, and using it is simple for everyone.
  • The dual-band Wi-Fi connection is stable and lets you print from anywhere in your home.
  • You can easily scan and make copies with the built-in scanner.
  • Automatic two-sided printing saves paper and time.
  • It handles various paper sizes up to 8.5” x 11” and can print with or without borders.
  • Its small size and stylish look fit nicely into any room.
  • Printing directly from your phone or tablet is easy with popular apps.
  • It’s an eco-friendly choice, holding EPEAT Silver and ENERGY STAR certifications.

What Could Be Improved:

  • The ink cartridges are hybrid, which means you might need to replace both for certain colors.
  • While it’s great for everyday printing, it might not be the best for very high-volume professional printing needs.

This Canon PIXMA TS4320 is a smart, cost-effective printer that handles your daily printing, scanning, and copying needs with ease. It’s a great all-around performer for any home or hybrid workspace.

The Ultimate Buying Guide: Finding Your Perfect Small Scanner Printer

Choosing the Right Small Scanner Printer for Your Needs

A small scanner printer, often called an all-in-one or multifunction printer, is a handy device. It lets you print, scan, and copy papers. These machines are perfect for small spaces like home offices or dorm rooms. They save you money and time. This guide will help you pick the best one for you.

Key Features to Look For

Print Quality
  • Resolution: Look for a high DPI (dots per inch). This means sharper text and clearer pictures. For everyday printing, 600 DPI is good. For photos, aim for 1200 DPI or higher.
  • Color vs. Black & White: Most small printers offer both. Think about what you print most. If it’s mostly documents, black and white might be enough. If you print photos or colorful charts, color is a must.
Scanning Capabilities
  • Scanner Resolution: Similar to printing, higher DPI means better scans. 300 DPI is standard for documents. For old photos, you might want 600 DPI or more to capture detail.
  • Scan Speed: How fast does it scan? This matters if you have lots of pages to scan.
  • Document Feeder (ADF): Some printers have an Automatic Document Feeder. This lets you stack many pages and scan them all at once without putting them on the glass one by one.
Connectivity and Convenience
  • Wi-Fi: Wireless printing is super convenient. You can print from your phone, tablet, or laptop without plugging anything in.
  • USB: A standard USB port is always useful for direct connection.
  • Cloud Printing: Some printers connect to cloud services like Google Cloud Print or Apple AirPrint. This makes printing from anywhere easy.
  • Mobile Apps: Many brands have apps that let you print and scan directly from your phone.
Ink and Toner
  • Ink Cartridges: Some printers use two cartridges (black and color). Others use four individual cartridges. Individual cartridges are often cheaper to replace because you only buy the color you need.
  • Ink Tank Systems: These printers have refillable tanks instead of cartridges. They cost more upfront but save a lot on ink over time.
  • Cost of Ink/Toner: Always check how much replacement ink or toner costs. This is a big part of the long-term expense.

Important Materials and Build Quality

Most small scanner printers are made of durable plastic. Look for a printer that feels sturdy. Check reviews to see if people mention it breaking easily. A well-built printer will last longer.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

Improving Quality
  • High Resolution Settings: Always choose the highest DPI for printing and scanning when quality matters most.
  • Good Paper: Using good quality paper makes a big difference in how your prints look.
  • Original Ink/Toner: Using the brand’s recommended ink or toner often gives the best results.
Reducing Quality
  • Low Resolution Settings: Using low DPI saves ink but makes prints blurry.
  • Third-Party Ink: Sometimes, cheaper third-party ink can cause color issues or clogs.
  • Dirty Scanner Glass: Smudges on the scanner glass will show up on your scans. Keep it clean!

User Experience and Use Cases

Who Needs a Small Scanner Printer?
  • Students: Perfect for printing assignments, scanning notes, and copying articles.
  • Home Offices: Great for printing invoices, scanning receipts, and making copies of important documents.
  • Crafters: Can print designs, scan artwork, and copy patterns.
  • Anyone with Limited Space: These printers are compact and don’t take up much room.

The user experience should be simple. Setup should be easy, and controls should be clear. Wireless printing is a huge plus for convenience. If you plan to scan lots of documents, an ADF is a lifesaver. For photo printing, look for good color accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the main difference between a printer and a scanner printer?

A: A regular printer only prints. A scanner printer can print, scan, and often copy.

Q: Are small scanner printers good for printing photos?

A: Some are! Look for models with high print resolution (1200 DPI or more) and good color reproduction. Check reviews specifically for photo quality.

Q: How much ink do these printers use?

A: It depends on the model and how much you print. Ink tank printers are very cost-effective for high-volume printing.

Q: Is Wi-Fi printing really useful?

A: Yes! It lets you print from any device in your home without cables. It’s very convenient.

Q: What is an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)?

A: An ADF lets you put a stack of papers in and scan them all without putting each one on the glass. It saves a lot of time for scanning multiple pages.

Q: How do I clean the scanner glass?

A: Use a soft, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water or a screen cleaner. Wipe gently.

Q: Can I use my smartphone to print?

A: Many small scanner printers work with mobile apps. You can often print and scan directly from your phone.

Q: What does DPI mean?

A: DPI stands for dots per inch. It’s a measure of how sharp and detailed a print or scan is. Higher DPI means better quality.

Q: Are ink tank printers worth the extra cost?

A: If you print a lot, yes. They save money on ink in the long run, even though they cost more upfront.

Q: How often should I replace ink cartridges?

A: This depends on how much you print. If you print very little, ink can sometimes dry out in cartridges over time.

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.

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