A small printer earns its place by doing the essentials without dominating a desk, shelf, or carry bag. Whether you are printing shipping labels in a studio apartment, scanning forms for school, or running off boarding passes in a hotel room, a compact footprint matters as much as print quality. The right machine wakes up fast over Wi-Fi, sips ink or runs on thermal paper, and gets out of the way when you are done.
When shopping, weigh four things: footprint and weight, connectivity (wireless versus cable), whether you need all-in-one scanning and copying, and the cost of ongoing consumables. Inkjet all-in-ones suit busy households that need color and copies, while portable and thermal models win for travel and grab-and-go printing. Match the machine to where it will live and how often it will run, and a small printer will quietly outperform its size.
HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-home, 3 month Instant Ink trial included. This printer is only 2.4 ghz capable. (588S5A)
The HP DeskJet 2855e packs wireless color printing, scanning, and copying into a genuinely compact all-in-one body. It is the most versatile small printer here for everyday home and student use.
- The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm color, 7.5 ppm black
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI - Print web pages and emails with precision-no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- KEY FEATURES - Color printing, copy, scan, and a 60-sheet input tray
- WIRELESS PRINTING - Stay connected with our most reliable Wii-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues.This printer is only 2.4 ghz capable.
Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer for Duplex Printing, White - Home Printer with Copier/Scanner, Compact Design, Easy Setup, 1 Year Limited Warranty
The Canon PIXMA TS4320 adds automatic duplex printing to a small wireless color inkjet, saving paper on longer documents. Its balance of all-in-one features and tidy footprint makes it a smart pick for steady home use.
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
NDYIN Portable Printers Wireless for Travel, N80 Wireless Thermal Printer Bluetooth Inkless Printer Support 8.5" X 11" US Letter & A4, Compatible with iOS, Android, Laptop
The NDYIN N80 portable thermal printer is the lightest, most travel-ready option, printing wirelessly over Bluetooth with no ink to buy. It is ideal for receipts, labels, and notes when you want the smallest possible unit and minimal running cost.
- Wireless Bluetooth Printer: Portable thermal printer compatible with iPhone, Android phones, iPad and tablet computers via Bluetooth. For smartphones, please download the "Nada Print" App. You can also connect to laptops and computers for printing using a USB-C cable. (Note: Laptops and computers can only be connected via USB and require the installation of a driver first. Bluetooth connection is not supported.)
- No-ink printing: Only supports US Letter and A4 size thermal paper.(Doesn't support regular paper) The no-ink portable thermal printer uses direct thermal technology, requiring no ink, toner or ribbons, making it environmentally friendly, cost-effective and time-saving. The thermal printer package comes with a roll of US Letter thermal printing paper. Note: When installing the paper, remember to switch the paper size switch on APP
- Clear Print: NDYIN N80 portable printer adopts high-definition printing technology, with a 203DPI resolution to provide you with clear printing results. This mobile printer is compatible with roll paper, folded paper and tattoo transfer paper, supporting printing from your mobile phone PDF, Word, pictures and web pages anytime and anywhere. It is recommended to use our NDYIN thermal paper to achieve good printing quality
- Portable wireless printer for travel: The portable printer is equipped with a built-in 2600mAh rechargeable battery, which can print 160 sheets of 8.5" x 11" thermal paper after being fully charged. It weighs only 1.5 pounds and is compact in size. This ink-free portable printer can be easily carried in a backpack or briefcase! It is perfect for business travel, cars, small offices, construction sites, schools and homes. You can print documents, contracts, invoices and boarding passes anytime and anywhere
Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer, 50-Sheet Paper Tray and 1.44" Display
The Canon PIXMA TR160 is a wireless portable color inkjet with a 50-sheet tray and a handy 1.44-inch display for on-the-go printing. It suits mobile users who still need full-color document output away from a desk.
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE - Connect and print on the go with the PIXMA TR160. This lightweight portable printer can fit into a bag or backpack with room to spare.
- HIGH-QUALITY PRINTING ON THE GO - Print documents and photos up to 8.5” x 11” that showcase sharp black text and vibrant details with rich color thanks to a 5-Color Hybrid Ink System, including square and borderless prints.
- SIMPLE & EASY CONNECTIVITY - Printing is only an app away when using the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint4, or Mopria Print Service5 with your compatible device(s) or the cloud.
- WIRELESS DIRECT MODE - Connect your compatible device to the printer even without a wireless router.
Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer Duplex Printing, White - Home Printer with Copier/Scanner, 1.42” OLED Display, Intuitive Control Panel, Compact Design
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 delivers wireless color printing with automatic duplex and strong photo quality in a still-compact home unit. It is the step-up choice for households that want better output and two-sided printing in one machine.
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
Key buying factors
A small printer should fit a narrow desk, shelf, or closet without blocking other gear. Measure your space before buying, and remember that paper trays and lids often extend the footprint when in use. Portable units add the option of stowing the printer entirely between sessions.
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth let you print from phones, tablets, and laptops without cables. Look for support for AirPrint and Mopria so the printer works across mixed device ecosystems. Reliable wireless setup is the single biggest factor in day-to-day satisfaction.
All-in-one models add a flatbed or feed scanner and copy function, which is invaluable for forms, IDs, and documents. Print-only and portable units stay smaller and lighter but cannot scan or copy. Decide whether scanning is a must before narrowing the field.
Inkjet all-in-ones print color and photos but need periodic cartridge replacement. Thermal portable printers use no ink at all, instead printing on special heat-sensitive paper, which keeps running costs and bulk low for receipts and labels. Match the technology to what you print most.
Automatic two-sided printing saves paper and looks more professional on multi-page documents. Check tray capacity too, since a larger input tray means fewer refills during longer jobs. Models like the PIXMA TS6520 offer duplex, while compact units may print single-sided only.
Travel printers benefit from optional battery packs and rechargeable operation so you are not tethered to an outlet. For desk-bound use, a standard plug is fine and keeps the unit lighter. Consider where you will actually print before paying for portability you may not need.
Types explained
A small inkjet that prints, scans, and copies in color over Wi-Fi. It fits a home desk or dorm and handles the widest range of everyday tasks.
Best for: Households and students who need scanning and copying alongside printing.A lightweight color inkjet designed to travel, often with a small display and optional battery operation. It prints documents and photos on the go without sacrificing color output.
Best for: Mobile professionals and travelers who still need full-color prints.An ink-free printer that uses heat-sensitive paper for receipts, labels, notes, and lists. It is the smallest and lightest option and runs with almost no consumable cost beyond paper.
Best for: Travel, quick labels, and anyone who wants zero ink maintenance.A compact all-in-one that adds automatic two-sided printing and a roomier paper path. It suits steady home use where double-sided documents and photo output both matter.
Best for: Home offices printing multi-page and two-sided documents regularly.Care & usage tips
Connect the printer to your network using the manufacturer app before your first print so phones and laptops discover it automatically. Place the unit within solid signal range of your router to avoid dropped jobs. Update firmware during setup to fix early bugs and improve compatibility.
Inkjet printers can clog if left idle for weeks, so run a test page or short document every week or two. If output looks streaky, use the built-in cleaning cycle before assuming the cartridge is empty. For thermal models, store heat-sensitive paper away from sunlight and heat to prevent premature fading.
Have a spare cartridge or roll of thermal paper on hand so a low-ink warning never stops an urgent job. Use the paper type the printer recommends to avoid jams and feed errors. Wipe the exterior and clear dust from the tray periodically to keep feeding smooth.
The biggest hidden cost of a small printer is rarely the machine itself, it is the consumables. A thermal portable printer that needs no ink can be cheaper to live with over a year than an inkjet, even though both look similarly affordable up front, so think about what and how much you print before deciding on the technology.
Install the manufacturer's mobile app before buying ink in bulk, because it tells you real-time levels and lets you order the exact cartridge your specific model uses, avoiding wasted purchases of the wrong size.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best small printer overall?+
The HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One is our top pick because it combines compact size with color printing, scanning, and copying over Wi-Fi. It covers the most common home and student tasks without taking up much desk space.
Do I need an all-in-one or just a printer?+
Choose an all-in-one if you ever need to scan documents or make copies, since adding those later is not possible. If you only print and want the smallest possible unit, a portable or print-only model will be lighter and more compact.
Are thermal printers better than inkjet for travel?+
Thermal printers like the NDYIN N80 are ideal for travel because they use no ink and stay extremely light, printing on heat-sensitive paper instead. Inkjet portables such as the Canon TR160 are better when you need full-color documents or photos on the road.
Can small printers print double-sided?+
Some can. Models like the Canon PIXMA TS6520 and TS4320 offer automatic duplex printing, while many compact and portable units print single-sided only. Check the spec for automatic duplex if two-sided printing matters to you.
How do I keep a small inkjet from clogging?+
Print at least a page every week or two to keep ink flowing through the nozzles. If prints look streaky, run the printer's built-in head-cleaning cycle before replacing the cartridge, and store the unit away from extreme heat.