Small printer for home: The 4 Best Small Printers – Summer 2023: Reviews

October 10, 2023July 14, 2023alexxlab

The 4 Best Small Printers – Summer 2023: Reviews

Table of Contents
Intro
Best Printer
1. Best Mid-Range
  1. Best Budget
    1. Best Compact Photo
      1. Notable Mentions
      2. Recent Updates
      3. All Reviews
      4. Discussions
      Updated Jun 01, 2023 at 10:18 am
      
      By Ryan Lim
      
      While small printers generally lack features and don’t have the best print quality, they’re very convenient, especially if you need to travel with one or have a small room where every inch counts. Small printers come in many forms; you can find all-in-ones designed for home use, portable models with a built-in rechargeable battery, and even film-based printers that produce polaroid-like pictures. To help you with your purchasing decision, we’ve put together a few top picks for different budgets. The list is short for now but will grow as we review more printers.
      
      We’ve tested over 125 printers, and below are our recommendations for the best compact printers you can buy. You can also check our picks for the best printers, the best printers for college students, and the best wireless printers.
      1. Best Small Printer
        
        HP OfficeJet 250
        
        Searching
        
        Finding Store
        
        Searching
        
        Finding Store
        
        Family
        
        6.8
        
        Small/Home Office
        
        4.4
        
        Student
        
        7.0
        
        Black & White
        
        4.8
        
        Photo
        
        6.6
        
        Weight
        
        6. 8 lbs (3.1 kg)
        
        Scanner Features
        
        6.4
        
        Advertised Battery Life
        
        ~225 prints
        
        Cost-Per-Print
        
        6.6
        
        Connectivity
        
        8.0
        
        See all our test results
        
        The best small printer we’ve tested is the HP OfficeJet 250. This compact all-in-one is a great option if you travel for work, as it fits easily into most mid-size backpacks, and you don’t even need an outlet to use it because it has an internal rechargeable battery. The battery is good for about 225 prints and takes around two hours to charge. Despite the printer’s compact size, you still get a sheetfed scanner that produces high-quality scans and a touch-sensitive color display to make navigating the settings easier. It has USB and Wi-Fi connectivity and can print directly from a USB flash drive.
        
        As for its print quality, it produces sharp black and color documents that look good enough for a professional work environment. However, it prints very slowly at three black or six color pages per minute when plugged in and even slower when running on battery. Also, it can only print 100-150 pages before the ink runs out, meaning you’ll need to replace the cartridges often. The cartridges aren’t overly expensive, but the cost will add up quickly if you print a lot. On the upside, you can get XL cartridges that’ll last longer, and the printer accepts third-party ink, which might help save some money.
        
        See our review
      2. Best Mid-Range Small Printer
        
        Canon PIXMA TR150
        
        Searching
        
        Finding Store
        
        Searching
        
        Finding Store
        
        Family
        
        6.1
        
        Small/Home Office
        
        4.2
        
        Student
        
        6. 5
        
        Black & White
        
        5.2
        
        Photo
        
        7.1
        
        Weight
        
        5.1 lbs (2.3 kg)
        
        Scanner Features
        
        Advertised Battery Life
        
        ~330 prints
        
        Cost-Per-Print
        
        7.8
        
        Connectivity
        
        7.0
        
        See all our test results
        
        If you find our top pick too expensive, check out the Canon PIXMA TR150. It’s even smaller than the HP OfficeJet 250, so it takes up less space and is easier to carry around, but it’s a print-only unit, meaning it doesn’t have a scanner. You can connect to the printer via USB or Wi-Fi, and thanks to its support for Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service, you can print easily from your mobile device without installing any drivers or third-party apps.
        
        The print quality for black and color documents is good; text looks sharp, and fine elements are present. However, colored areas, like in a graph or pie chart, look noticeably grainy, and that graininess is also visible in photos. As for its printing speed, it’s very slow at seven black or three color pages per minute, and while it can print double-sided sheets, it can only do so manually, meaning you have to flip the pages yourself when prompted. The cartridges yield about 180 black and 190 color prints, which isn’t a lot, but they’re cheap, so it won’t cost too much to maintain over time.
        
        See our review
      3. Best Budget Small Printer
        
        HP DeskJet 3755/3772
        
        Searching
        
        Finding Store
        
        Searching
        
        Finding Store
        
        Family
        
        6.1
        
        Small/Home Office
        
        4.8
        
        Student
        
        5. 6
        
        Black & White
        
        5.2
        
        Photo
        
        6.9
        
        Weight
        
        5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)
        
        Scanner Features
        
        6.1
        
        Advertised Battery Life
        
        N/A
        
        Black & White Documents
        
        6.0
        
        Color Documents
        
        7.0
        
        Cost-Per-Print
        
        4.3
        
        Connectivity
        
        7.0
        
        See all our test results
        
        For those on a tighter budget, we recommend the HP DeskJet 3755, the best small home printer we’ve tested. You may find this printer under a different model number, as it changes depending on the region and retailer, like the HP DeskJet 3772 or 3752. You can see all the variants in our full review. Unlike our picks above, this model is less suitable for on-the-go use as it lacks an internal battery, meaning you must use it plugged in. It’s also a little more cumbersome because it’s wider and taller. It’s still a very compact printer and a great choice for tight spaces, like a bedroom or dorm room.
        
        The biggest drawback is its page yield. The ink cartridges are only good for about 100 black and 40 color prints, and even though they’re cheap, you’ll have to buy them often, which adds up quickly. Another downside is its slow printing speeds; it prints five black or three color pages per minute and takes over a minute and a half to print a 4″ x 6″ photo. It has the usual Wi-Fi and USB connectivity and even packs a sheetfed scanner to scan sheets up to 8.5″ x 14″.
        
        See our review
      4. Best Compact Photo Printer
        
        Canon SELPHY Square QX10
        
        Searching
        
        Finding Store
        
        Searching
        
        Finding Store
        
        Family
        
        3. 9
        
        Small/Home Office
        
        3.3
        
        Student
        
        3.6
        
        Black & White
        
        1.3
        
        Photo
        
        5.2
        
        Weight
        
        1.0 lbs (0.5 kg)
        
        Scanner Features
        
        Advertised Battery Life
        
        ~20 prints
        
        Black & White Documents
        
        Color Documents
        
        Cost-Per-Print
        
        5.5
        
        Connectivity
        
        1.0
        
        See all our test results
        
        If you need a portable photo printer to take to parties or gatherings, the Canon SELPHY Square QX10 might be what you’re looking for. This model feels well-built and is tiny enough to fit easily into a handbag. It supports Wi-Fi Direct, meaning it can generate its own Wi-Fi signal, so you can use it anywhere, even outdoors. Naturally, as it’s a portable printer, it runs on battery, and the battery is only good for about 20 prints.
        
        As for its print quality, it isn’t nearly as good as a desktop printer; however, that’s normal because it’s designed to produce Polaroid-like pictures that you can put in a wallet or stick on a fridge door. The dye cartridge and proprietary film always come together in packs of 20, and unfortunately, the package isn’t exactly cheap, so it can get very expensive if you print a lot. It works with Canon’s SELPHY Photo Layout mobile app, which you can use to create collages and add decorative elements like borders and overlays.
        
        See our review
      Notable Mentions
      - HP Tango X:
        The HP Tango X is a good alternative to the Canon PIXMA TR150. However, it lacks USB connectivity, and its ink cartridges run out faster, costing it more to maintain. It’s also hard to find since it’s discontinued.
        See our review
      - Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer:
        The Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer is a cheaper alternative to the Canon SELPHY Square QX10. Its cost per print is lower than the QX10, but the print quality isn’t as good, as printed pictures look more muted and less detailed.
        See our review
      Recent Updates
      1. Jun 01, 2023:
        Verified that all picks are valid and available. No change in recommendations.
      2. Apr 03, 2023:
        Verified accuracy of picks. No change in recommendations.
      3. Feb 02, 2023:
        Minor text changes to improve clarity. No change in recommendations.
      All Reviews
      
      Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best compact printers for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
      
      If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here’s the list of all our printer reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no printer is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
      
      Canon PIXMA TR150 Review – RTINGS.com
      
      Sort Category───────────RATINGSFamilySmall/Home OfficeStudentBlack & WhitePhoto
      
      Category AllDesignDocumentPhotoMobile App And Connectivity
      
      Design
      
      Type
      
      Printer Only
      
      The Canon TR150 feels fairly well-built. You can easily access paper jams and ink cartridges by lifting the main top cover. The power cable and adapter are removable, making the printer easier to travel with; however, because they’re separate from the printer, you may forget to bring them with you when traveling. The two LED lights on the cartridge tray indicate the status of each cartridge, and there’s a battery level indicator on the battery, which connects to the rear of the printer. The top cover doubles as the input tray, which has a width slider to adjust to different paper sizes. Unfortunately, the hinges are made of plastic that may not hold up over time. Note that the printer needs to be on to change the ink cartridges.
      
      If you want a model with a linen dust cover, check out the HP Tango X.
      
      Height
      
      Lock” (Lock cm)
      
      Width
      
      Lock” (Lock cm)
      
      Depth
      
      Lock” (Lock cm)
      
      Height When In Use
      
      Lock” (Lock cm)
      
      Width When In Use
      
      Lock” (Lock cm)
      
      Depth When In Use
      
      Lock” (Lock cm)
      
      Weight
      
      Lock lbs (Lock kg)
      
      Since it’s designed with travel in mind, the Canon TR150 is a very compact printer that should fit well in backpacks and shouldn’t take up much space on a desk. Note that the depth is 8″ (20.5 cm) with the battery attached to the rear.
      
      If you want something even more compact that prints photos on the go, check out the Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer or the Canon SELPHY Square QX10.
      
      Ink Related Maintenance
      
      Locked
      
      Drum Unit
      
      Locked
      
      Display Screen
      
      Locked
      
      Display Screen Size
      
      Lock” (Lock cm)
      
      Touchscreen
      
      Locked
      
      It has an okay display screen. It’s quite small, and the panel can’t tilt, but the screen has great visibility from every angle. It has nine physical buttons to its right: Power, Cancel, Back, OK, Pairing button, and arrow keys for up, down, right, and left. The screen displays the black and color ink levels.
      
      Photo Cartridge
      
      Locked
      
      Technology
      
      Inkjet
      
      Number Of Color Cartridges
      
      Lock
      
      Black Cartridge Model
      
      Locked
      
      Color
      
      Yes
      
      Tested Black Page Yield
      
      Lock prints
      
      SuperTank
      
      No
      
      Estimated Black Page Yield
      
      Lock prints
      
      Color Cartridge Model
      
      Locked
      
      Tested Color Page Yield
      
      Lock prints
      
      Estimated Color Page Yield
      
      Lock prints
      
      Third Party Cartridge
      
      Locked
      
      Ink Type
      
      Locked
      
      High Yield Cartridge
      
      Locked
      
      The Canon PIXMA TR150 has a very low black page yield, so you may need to replace the cartridge often. However, the color page yield is better, so the cartridge may last you longer than the black cartridge, depending on your use. Since there’s only one color cartridge, you can’t replace only the color running low, which may feel wasteful if you tend to use one color more than others. While the printer accepts third-party cartridges, using them may void the warranty.
      
      Scanner
      
      Locked
      
      Scan Flatbed
      
      Locked
      
      Flatbed Extendable Hinges
      
      N/A
      
      Automatic Document Feeder
      
      Locked
      
      ADF Capacity
      
      N/A
      
      Scan Speed
      
      N/A
      
      Duplex Scanning
      
      Locked
      
      Flatbed Scan Size
      
      N/A
      
      Fax
      
      Locked
      
      Copy
      
      Locked
      
      OCR Included
      
      Locked
      
      Max Scan Resolution
      
      N/A
      
      Max Scan Color Depth
      
      N/A
      
      Letter (8. 5″ x 11″)
      
      Locked
      
      Legal (8.5″ x 14″)
      
      Locked
      
      Tabloid (11″ x 17″)
      
      Locked
      
      A6 (105mm x 148mm)
      
      Locked
      
      A5 (148mm x 210mm)
      
      Locked
      
      A4 (210mm x 297mm)
      
      Locked
      
      Photo (2″ x 3″)
      
      Locked
      
      Photo (4″ x 6″)
      
      Locked
      
      Photo (5″ x 7″)
      
      Locked
      
      Photo (8″ x 10″)
      
      Locked
      
      Max Paper Weight
      
      Lock g/m²
      - Setup CD and Manual
      - Power cord and adapter
      - USB-C to USB-A cable
      - Battery
      - Battery cover
      - Print head (not pictured)
      - PGI-35 BK cartridge
      - CLI-36 CL
      Advertised Battery Life
      
      ~Lock prints
      
      Tested Charging Time
      
      Lock min
      
      Document
      
      Black Cartridge Price
      
      Lock US$
      
      Color Cartridge Price
      
      Lock US$
      
      Black Only Printing
      
      Lock US$/print
      
      Color Printing
      
      Lock US$/print
      
      Photo Printing
      
      Lock US$/print
      
      Ink Subscription
      
      Locked
      
      The Canon PIXMA TR150 has a very good cost-per-print, especially for color and photo printing. While it has a very low page yield, its cartridges are relatively inexpensive, which helps keep the cost low. However, if you print often, the overall cost can quickly surpass the initial price of the printer.
      
      Keep in mind that even if you print only in black, most inkjet printers continue using the color cartridge for servicing tasks, so you may still need to replace it eventually.
      
      – SAMPLE –
      
      Get Insider Access
      for videos & test results
      
      Black Only Text Document
      
      Lock PPM
      
      Color Document
      
      Lock PPM
      
      Photo Printing Time
      
      Lock s
      
      Single Page Out Time (Black Only)
      
      Lock s
      
      Duplex Printing
      
      Locked
      
      Input Tray Capacity
      
      Lock pages
      
      The HP OfficeJet 250’s printing speed is bad. It prints black-only text documents and color prints very slowly. Also, it doesn’t automatically print double-sided documents, so you need to flip over each page yourself.
      
      Color Ink Needed for Black & White
      
      Locked
      
      Photo
      
      Borderless Printing
      
      Locked
      
      The Canon TR150 has good photo printing quality. The colors are well-defined, and there’s only a bit of graininess present. However, some color shows up in gray areas.
      
      The scanned images provided above are for reference only. They look worse than the physical photos due to the scanning and uploading process. The score is based on the actual physical photos.
      
      Average Color dE
      
      Lock
      
      The Canon PIXMA TR150’s color accuracy is passable enough for casual color prints. Most colors print a bit inaccurately, with browns, greens, and blues being the worst. While it isn’t ideal for photos, it’s good enough if you’re just adding a pop of color to a spreadsheet or document.
      
      Mobile App And Connectivity
      
      Ethernet
      
      Locked
      
      USB Input To Computer
      
      Locked
      
      Wireless
      
      Yes
      
      Bluetooth
      
      Locked
      
      Wi-Fi via Router
      
      Locked
      
      Wi-Fi Direct
      
      Locked
      
      External Storage Support
      
      Locked
      
      Apple AirPrint
      
      Locked
      
      Mopria Print Service
      
      Locked
      
      The Canon PIXMA TR150 has decent connectivity options, including wireless and wired methods. Note that Canon states the USB-A port at the back is used for “enhanced functionality,” but they don’t specify what this means. We tried to connect a USB thumb drive to print a PDF, but the printer doesn’t recognize it. Also, it’s compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa, and IFTTT, but we don’t test these.
      
      Mobile App
      
      Locked
      
      App Name
      
      Locked
      
      iOS
      
      Locked
      
      Android
      
      Locked
      
      Photo (JPEG, PNG)
      
      Locked
      
      PDF
      
      Locked
      
      Microsoft Office Files
      
      Locked
      
      Text Files (TXT)
      
      Locked
      
      Webpages (HTML)
      
      Locked
      
      Using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app, you can print documents and photos, check ink levels, order ink, and copy a photo using your mobile device camera. To use the “Create Photo Items” feature, you need to use the Easy-PhotoPrint Editor app.
      
      Windows
      
      Locked
      
      macOS
      
      Locked
      
      Chrome OS
      
      Locked
      
      Portable Photo Printers – Canon UK
      
      Portable Photo Printers – Canon UK
      
      PRINTERS
      
      Print on the go with this compact and lightweight portable printer.
      
      Cool photo cards on the go
      
      From pocket to compact photo printers, Canon’s range of portable photo printers has the right option for you. Check out our collection of portable printers, whether you want to print your photos right away or at home.
      
      Compact photo printers
      
      Compact portable photo printer provides fast, easy and high quality printing from a camera, computer or mobile device ¹ .
      
      LEARN MORE
      
      Pocket printers
      
      Pocket-sized portable photo printer that does not require ink. Combined with the Mini Print app, it allows you to print on 2×3″ adhesive photo paper on the go for complete creative freedom.
      
      LEARN MORE
      - Instant Cameras
        
        Zoemini S2
        
        Take better selfies with this pocket-sized camera printer with mirror, ring flash and remote shutter release shutter and preview.
        
        More
      - Home printers
        
        Zoemini
        
        Photograph, edit and print with this pocketable mobile accessory, wherever you are.
        
        More
      - Home printers
        
        SELPHY CP1300
        
        Stylish, portable printer for wirelessly connecting quality prints and ID photos from compatible mobile devices and cameras.
      - Home printers
        
        SELPHY CP1000
        
        Get professional quality prints instantly anywhere, anytime with this compact and stylish photo printer.
      - Home printers
        
        SELPHY SQUARE QX10
        
        Capture important moments as beautiful printed photos, anywhere in the world, wirelessly.