A compact all-in-one printer gives you print, scan, and copy in a package that fits on the corner of a desk or a small shelf. The five models below represent the best options across inkjet, laser, and ink-tank categories for home and small office use in 2026.
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-J497DW | Inkjet home use | 4.5/5 |
| HP LaserJet MFP M140w | Laser home office | 4.6/5 |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | Low ink cost | 4.7/5 |
| Canon PIXMA TR8620a | Photo and documents | 4.5/5 |
| Brother HL-L2370DW | Fast mono laser | 4.6/5 |
Brother MFC-J497DW - Best Inkjet for Home Use
The Brother MFC-J497DW is a compact wireless all-in-one inkjet with a 20-sheet auto document feeder for scanning or copying multi-page documents without manual page feeding. Print speed reaches 12 ppm for black and 10 ppm for color, which is adequate for home documents. The unit footprint is under 15 by 13 inches, fitting on most desks. Wireless and USB connectivity cover standard home setups, and the Brother mobile app supports printing from phones. At it is the most accessible all-in-one on this list. Cartridge costs are moderate; for high-volume printing consider upgrading to a high-yield cartridge set to reduce per-page costs.
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HP LaserJet MFP M140w - Best Compact Laser
The HP LaserJet MFP M140w is a monochrome laser all-in-one that fits in a surprisingly compact chassis given its laser print engine. It produces sharp, fast black-and-white text and handles scan and copy duties via a flatbed scanner. Print speed is 21 ppm. Wireless setup is straightforward via the HP Smart app. At the upfront cost is higher than inkjet alternatives, but toner cartridges last significantly longer and do not dry out from weeks of non-use. For a home office where documents and forms make up most print jobs and color printing is not a priority, the M140w is a reliable and low-maintenance pick.
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Epson EcoTank ET-2850 - Best Low Ink Cost
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 uses refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges, eliminating the recurring cost of replacement cartridges. The included ink bottles at purchase provide enough ink for approximately 7,500 black pages and 6,000 color pages. After that, ink refill bottles cost tocurrent pricing each versuscurrent pricing or more for a standard cartridge. The ET-2850 also has a flatbed scanner, copier, and wireless connectivity. Color print quality is strong for documents and photos. At the initial cost is higher than cartridge models, but for households that print more than 50 pages per month, the savings accumulate quickly. The compact footprint fits comfortably on a home office shelf.
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Canon PIXMA TR8620a - Best for Photos and Documents
The Canon PIXMA TR8620a is a six-color inkjet all-in-one that produces photo-quality prints alongside standard document printing. The six-ink system (adding photo blue and photo gray to the standard CMYK set) delivers smoother gradients and more accurate skin tones in printed photos. It includes a 20-page auto document feeder, a dual rear and front paper tray for holding two paper types simultaneously, and wireless plus USB connectivity. Print speed is 15 ppm black and 10 ppm color for documents. At it is one of the few compact all-in-ones that handles both high-quality photo printing and efficient document use without requiring a dedicated photo printer.
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Brother HL-L2370DW - Best Fast Monochrome Laser
The Brother HL-L2370DW is primarily a printer (not a full all-in-one with a scanner) but earns inclusion for its exceptional print speed of 36 ppm, making it the fastest compact option on this list for pure document output. It supports automatic duplex printing for two-sided pages and connects via wireless or USB. If your main need is fast, high-volume text printing without the need for a built-in scanner, the HL-L2370DW is the most efficient small-footprint laser available near thecurrent pricing price point. Toner cartridges are affordable, and the high-yield option brings the per-page cost to among the lowest in the compact category.
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How to Choose a Compact Printer Copier
Decide between inkjet and laser first. Inkjet handles color photos well but cartridges dry out from infrequent use. Laser is faster for text, has lower per-page toner costs, and toner does not dry out. If you print photos regularly, inkjet or an EcoTank model makes more sense. For documents only, a compact laser is lower maintenance. Check whether you need an auto document feeder: scanning or copying multi-page documents without one requires lifting the lid for each page. Wireless connectivity is standard in 2026, but confirm your home network is 2.4GHz compatible as many compact printers do not support 5GHz Wi-Fi.
For more office gear, see our guide to best home office desks and best paper shredders for home. For how we evaluate products, visit our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best printer copier for occasional home use without high ink costs?+
For occasional home use, a printer with a high-yield ink tank or cartridge-free system like the Epson EcoTank or Canon PIXMA MegaTank series is the most cost-effective choice. These refillable ink tank models have a higher upfront cost but the per-page cost drops to a fraction of standard cartridge printers, which suits homes that print irregularly and find cartridges drying out between uses.
Is a laser or inkjet all-in-one better for a home office?+
Inkjet all-in-ones are better for photo printing and color documents. Laser all-in-ones print text faster, produce sharper black text, and toner cartridges do not dry out from infrequent use. For a home office that prints mostly documents and forms, a compact monochrome or color laser is often the more reliable long-term choice despite a higher initial purchase price.