After comparing 18 small-footprint AirPrint-compatible printers, these 7 picks cover the categories that matter for iPhone and iPad users: budget inkjet, photo-focused inkjet, compact laser for text, all-in-one with scanning, and portable photo printers. All have native AirPrint support, all fit in spaces under 16 inches wide, and all are stocked at major retailers in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Pick | Type | Print Speed | Approx Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP DeskJet 2755e | Inkjet all-in-one | 7.5 ppm | $80-110 |
| Brother HL-L2400D | Mono laser | 32 ppm | $130-160 |
| Canon PIXMA TR4720 | Inkjet all-in-one | 8.8 ppm | $90-120 |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2400 | Inkjet tank | 10 ppm | $200-250 |
| HP LaserJet M110we | Mono laser | 21 ppm | $130-160 |
| Canon Selphy CP1500 | Dye-sub photo | 4x6 in 41 sec | $130-160 |
| HP Sprocket | Zink portable photo | 2x3 in 60 sec | $100-130 |
HP DeskJet 2755e - Best Overall
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The HP DeskJet 2755e is the most compact inkjet all-in-one with AirPrint that still handles full-size paper. 14.4 inches wide, 7.5 ppm color, scan and copy functions, and HP Instant Ink eligibility (subscription that ships ink before you run out). Wi-Fi Direct for travel use. Sleep mode draws under 2 watts.
The trade-off is the slower print speed versus laser, and the 60-sheet paper tray fills more often than larger trays. For a household printing 20-50 pages a month with occasional photo prints, this is the easiest pick. Around $80-110 and frequently bundled with 3-6 months of Instant Ink. Native AirPrint setup takes 90 seconds.
Brother HL-L2400D - Best Laser
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The Brother HL-L2400D is a compact mono laser with 32 ppm print speed, automatic duplex (two-sided) printing, and a 250-sheet paper tray that holds a full ream. AirPrint, Wi-Fi Direct, and USB. 14 inches wide, 7 inches tall. Toner cartridges last 700-3000 pages depending on yield variant.
The trade-off is black and white only - no color. For home offices printing shipping labels, contracts, receipts, and forms, the speed and toner economy beat any inkjet. Toner runs $40-70 and lasts months for typical users. Around $130-160. Best long-term value pick for text-heavy households.
Canon PIXMA TR4720 - Best Inkjet All-in-One
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The PIXMA TR4720 adds a 20-sheet automatic document feeder for multi-page scanning and faxing - useful for tax forms, contracts, and notarized documents that come as multi-page stacks. AirPrint, Wi-Fi Direct, 8.8 ppm black, 4.4 ppm color. 17.3 inches wide, slightly above our compact threshold but functionally sized.
The trade-off is the document feeder bulk - the printer is taller than the DeskJet. For households dealing with paperwork (real estate, healthcare, freelance contracts), the ADF saves real time. Around $90-120. Canon ink runs $25-40 per cartridge set.
Epson EcoTank ET-2400 - Best Ink Economy
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The EcoTank ET-2400 uses refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges. The included ink lasts 4500 black and 7500 color pages - roughly 2 years of typical household use. Replacement ink bottles cost $10-20 each and refill in seconds. AirPrint, 10 ppm black, scan and copy.
The trade-off is the upfront price - $200-250 - versus $80-110 cartridge inkjets. Over three years the EcoTank costs less than half of cartridge equivalents for moderate-to-heavy users. 14.8 inches wide. Best pick for households printing 30+ color pages a month.
HP LaserJet M110we - Best Compact Laser
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The HP LaserJet M110we is a print-only mono laser (no scanning) with 21 ppm speed, AirPrint, and HP+ subscription compatibility for automatic toner delivery. 13.6 inches wide, 6.6 inches tall - the smallest laser pick here. Toner lasts 1000-3000 pages.
The trade-off versus the Brother is the lack of automatic duplex (manual duplex requires flipping pages by hand) and the print-only design. For students or small offices needing fast, cheap text printing in a small footprint, this is the most compact reliable pick. Around $130-160.
Canon Selphy CP1500 - Best Photo Printer
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The Canon Selphy CP1500 is a dedicated dye-sublimation photo printer for 4x6 and smaller prints. AirPrint, Wi-Fi, SD card slot, USB-C. 7 inches wide and battery-pack compatible for fully portable photo printing. Dye-sub prints are smudge-resistant and water-resistant out of the printer.
The trade-off is the per-print cost ($0.30-0.40 each for paper plus dye ribbon) and the inability to print on standard 8.5x11 paper. For families printing photo albums, school project photos, and event keepsakes, the print quality beats any inkjet photo output. Around $130-160. Best dedicated photo pick.
HP Sprocket - Best Pocket Printer
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The HP Sprocket is a 4-inch wide Zink (zero-ink) instant photo printer that prints 2x3 sticker-back photos from any AirPrint phone. Bluetooth or AirPrint, USB-C charging, fits in a jacket pocket. Paper packs include 20 or 50 sheets at $10-20.
The trade-off is the small print size (2x3 inches, smaller than a credit card) and the lower color quality versus dye-sub. For travelers, parties, and on-the-go photo gifts, the portability is unmatched. Around $100-130. The most pocket-friendly AirPrint device of any kind.
How to choose
Decide between document and photo first. Compact printers split into general-purpose (DeskJet, PIXMA, EcoTank, LaserJet) and photo-only (Selphy, Sprocket). Buy two units rather than expecting one to do both well.
Match technology to volume. Under 30 pages a month, cartridge inkjet works. 30-100 pages a month, laser or EcoTank pays back. 100+ pages a month, laser is the only economical choice.
Check connectivity beyond AirPrint. Wi-Fi Direct lets you print from phones at hotels or job sites without router setup. Ethernet helps in spotty Wi-Fi homes.
Subscription vs no subscription. HP Instant Ink and similar services reduce per-page cost for moderate users but lock you into the manufacturer. EcoTank avoids subscriptions entirely with bottle refills.
For complementary office picks, see our best compact air purifier for home office air quality and our best compact air fryer oven for small-kitchen workspaces. Full review and ranking criteria are documented in our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
What is AirPrint and do I need a special printer?+
AirPrint is Apple's built-in wireless printing protocol for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Printers with AirPrint support appear automatically in the iOS print dialog without needing a driver download or vendor app. Most printers from HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother released in the last five years include AirPrint. Look for the AirPrint logo on the box or check the manufacturer's product page. Older printers without AirPrint can sometimes be bridged through a Mac or AirPrint server software, but native support is simpler.
Does AirPrint work over cellular or only Wi-Fi?+
AirPrint requires the iPhone or iPad and the printer to be on the same Wi-Fi network or connected directly via Wi-Fi Direct. It does not work over cellular alone. If you're traveling and want to print from your phone, you need either local Wi-Fi for both devices or a printer with Wi-Fi Direct (which broadcasts its own short-range network for direct device-to-printer connection). Some printers also offer cloud printing via vendor apps as an alternative.
Inkjet vs laser for a compact AirPrint printer?+
Laser printers are faster, cheaper per page for text, and don't dry out if unused for months - good for households printing 10-50 pages a month of mostly black text. Inkjets handle photos and color better and have a lower upfront cost. For families with kids who print color homework, inkjet wins. For home offices printing shipping labels and contracts, laser wins. Ink subscription services like HP Instant Ink reduce inkjet costs significantly if you print regularly.
Do compact AirPrint printers also work with Android and Windows?+
Yes. Every AirPrint printer also supports standard wireless printing for Android (Mopria), Windows, and macOS through normal driver installation. AirPrint is the Apple-branded wireless protocol but the underlying hardware is universal. Manufacturer apps from HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother provide additional features like scanning, ink monitoring, and cloud print on all platforms.
What's the smallest AirPrint printer I can buy?+
Portable photo printers like the HP Sprocket and Canon Selphy are pocket-sized at 4-7 inches wide and print 2x3 or 4x6 photos directly from phones. For full-size 8.5x11 documents, the smallest practical AirPrint printers are about 14-15 inches wide and 8-10 inches tall - the HP DeskJet 2755e, Brother HL-L2400D, and Canon PIXMA TR4720 fit in this category. Don't expect a full-size printer to be smaller than 14 inches wide; the paper feed itself requires that width.
Riley Cooper
Riley Cooper writes for The Tested Hub.