Compact printers are a game-changer for home offices or anyone short on space. They deliver high-quality printing for documents, photos, and more, without hogging valuable desk real estate. Whether you’re working from a small apartment, need a printer for occasional travel, or simply prefer a clutter-free setup, the best compact printers offer a perfect blend of performance and convenience. Some even boast wireless connectivity and battery options for truly go-anywhere printing.
To simplify your search, we’ve rigorously tested a wide array of compact printers and curated this guide to the top performers across various needs. Compact printers in this category are designed for standard A4/Letter-size paper, offering the functionality of larger printers in a more streamlined form. If you require even smaller, ultra-portable options, you might want to explore our guide to the best portable printers which specialize in smaller paper formats.
The Quick List
[
Product shot of Epson WorkForce WF-110, a top compact printer option](Best Epson Compact Printer)1. Epson WorkForce WF-110
This compact printer truly impressed me with its versatility. It handles everything from glossy photo paper to plain A4 with ease and includes a rechargeable battery for cordless operation.
[
Product shot of Canon Pixma TR150, a highly recommended compact printer](Best Canon Compact Printer)2. Canon TR150
Sharing a similar compact footprint with the Epson, this Canon model delivers excellent print quality on both regular and photo paper. It’s packed with features for a printer that can easily slip into a backpack. Battery power is available as an optional add-on.
[
Product shot of HP Officejet 250, a versatile all-in-one compact printer](Best Compact All-in-One Printer)3. HP OfficeJet 250
This printer is a compact version of a full-fledged desktop all-in-one. It handles letter-size printing on plain and photo paper and integrates a color scanner and copier.
[
Canon PIXMA G620, ideal for high-quality photo printing](Best Compact Photo Printer)4. Canon PIXMA G620 / G650 / G660
This is my go-to choice for standard-size photo printing. Its six dye-based inks produce stunning photo reproduction, and the ink bottles make it incredibly cost-effective to run.
[
Product shot of Canon PIXMA TR7020 / TS7450, a budget-friendly compact printer](Best Budget Compact Printer)5. Canon PIXMA TR7020a / TS7450i
While not a top-tier photo printer, this model offers excellent value for anyone seeking a compact printer for everyday home and office document printing.
Best Compact Printers for Home Use: Detailed Reviews
The Best Epson Compact Printer
Image of an editor's choice badge, signifying a recommended product
(Image credit: Epson)
1. Epson WorkForce WF-110
The best overall compact printer for versatile, high-quality printing at home.
Our Expert Review:
Key Specifications
- Paper type: Plain paper / photo paper
- Print size: A4/Letter
- Number of inks: 4 (2 cartridges)
- Connectivity: Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct
- Footprint: 31 x 6.1 x 15.5cm / 12.2 x 2.4 x 6.1in
- Weight: 1.6kg / 3.53lb
- Battery: 1 x Li-ion
- Compatibility: iOS/Android/Windows/Mac
- Available colors: Black
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent print quality for text and graphics on plain paper
- Convenient Wi-Fi Direct and AirPrint connectivity
- Included rechargeable battery for true portability
Reasons to Avoid
- Inkjet cartridges can be expensive
- Print speed is somewhat slow
- Photo print quality is not ideal
The Epson WorkForce WF-110 stands out as our top choice for the best compact printer due to its impressive versatility and exceptional portability. In our testing, we found it to be an incredibly useful device, effortlessly handling glossy photo paper as well as standard A4 documents.
Its integrated rechargeable Li-ion battery empowers you to print without needing a power outlet, and its Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct capabilities ensure seamless connectivity with your laptop. AirPrint support makes it a particularly appealing option for MacBook users. Its compact size allows it to comfortably fit within a standard backpack, making it an excellent companion for those needing to print A4 documents on the go.
During our hands-on testing, the setup process was remarkably straightforward. We were particularly impressed with the print quality achieved with pigment-based inks on plain paper. Text appeared crisp and smudge-resistant, while color graphics were vibrant and impactful. However, while it can handle glossy paper, photo prints are not its forte. Pigment inks are generally less suited for glossy media, and the four-ink system isn’t optimized for top-tier photorealistic output. The printer’s speed was also a bit slower compared to some competitors, and the inkjet cartridges are relatively pricey, making it less suitable for high-volume photo or document printing.
For a comprehensive analysis, read our full Epson WorkForce WF-110W review for in-depth details.
The Best Canon Compact Printer
Image of a recommended product badge, indicating a strong endorsement
(Image credit: Matthew Richards)
2. Canon Pixma TR150
The best compact Canon printer for home and mobile use, delivering high-quality prints.
Our Expert Review:
Key Specifications
- Paper type: Plain paper / photo paper
- Print size: A4/Letter
- Number of inks: 4 (2 cartridges)
- Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi
- Footprint: 32.2 x 18.5 x 6.6cm / 2.6x 7.3 x 12.7in
- Weight: 2.1kg / 4.63lb
- Battery: Optional
- Compatibility: iOS/Android/Windows/Mac
- Available colors: Black
Reasons to Buy
- Optional battery pack for mobile printing
- Produces high-quality prints
- Compact size, easily fits in a bag
Reasons to Avoid
- Battery is sold separately (optional extra)
- Lacks NFC for quick mobile printing
The Canon Pixma TR150 is another excellent compact printer, similar in size to the Epson WF-110, though slightly heavier. It resides in the same price range and utilizes a pigment-based black ink cartridge alongside a dye-based tri-color cartridge. In our tests, it consistently delivered impressive color print results on both plain and photo paper. Connecting to a laptop via USB or Wi-Fi was seamless, and it achieved a respectable print speed of up to nine black and white pages per minute – quite impressive for a portable device (color pages print at 5.5 pages per minute).
One notable difference is that while battery power is available, it’s not included as standard. Depending on your region, you might find it offered as a bundle, or the Canon LK-72 battery pack will be sold separately.
Explore our full Canon Pixma TR150 review for a deeper dive.
The Best Compact Printer with a Scanner
Product shot of the HP OfficeJet 250 compact all-in-one printer, highlighting its features
(Image credit: HP)
3. HP OfficeJet 250
The best all-in-one compact printer for home, offering scanning and copying capabilities in a portable design.
Our Expert Review:
Key Specifications
- Paper type: Plain paper / photo paper
- Print size: Up to A4/Letter
- Number of inks: 4 (2 cartridges)
- Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Footprint: 38 x 40 x 27cm / 14.97 x 15.8 x 10.6in
- Weight: 2.96kg / 6.51lb (without battery)
- Battery: 1 x Li-ion
- Compatibility: Windows/Mac
- Available colors: Black
Reasons to Buy
- Integrated built-in scanner for all-in-one functionality
- Features a built-in color screen for easy operation
- Includes a rechargeable battery for portability
Reasons to Avoid
- Larger footprint compared to other compact printers
- Photo print quality is only average
The HP OfficeJet 250 effectively shrinks the functionality of a desktop all-in-one printer into a compact form factor. It supports full-size printing on letter-size plain and glossy photo paper and comes equipped with a built-in color scanner and screen, enabling convenient photocopying wherever you are.
Similar to our top pick, it includes a rechargeable battery pack, making it truly portable for printing and copying on the go. It uses a pigment-based black ink cartridge and a tri-color dye-based cartridge (cyan, magenta, and yellow). We observed good results for color documents with this ink combination, but photo output on glossy paper was not exceptional.
The Best Compact Printer for Photos
Canon Pixma G620 / Canon Pixma G650 printers, showcasing their ink tank system
(Image credit: Matthew Richards/Digital Camera World)
4. Canon PIXMA G620 / G650 / G660
The Best Compact Printer For Home photo enthusiasts, delivering superb photo print quality.
Our Expert Review:
Key Specifications
- Paper type: Plain or photo paper
- Print size: Up to A4/US Letter (15x10cm / 13x18cm for glossy photos)
- Number of inks: 6 (individually refillable tanks)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
- Dimensions: 44.5x34x16.7cm
- Weight: 6.6kg
- Battery: No
- Compatibility: Windows/Mac
Reasons to Buy
- Exceptional photo print quality
- Affordable price for a bottled ink printer
- Low running costs due to ink tank system
Reasons to Avoid
- Less ideal for high-volume document printing
- No touchscreen interface
- Can be slow for postcard-sized photo prints
As with other Canon MegaTank inkjet printers, the G620 (G650 in Europe and G660 in Australia) stands out as a cartridge-free machine with high-capacity ink tanks refilled from 60ml bottles. From a cost perspective, this translates to approximately one-eighth the running cost of most cartridge-based printers. Furthermore, the printer itself is very competitively priced compared to many other ink tank models.
The photo-centric six dye-based ink system includes CMYK, plus red and grey inks, aiming for a broad color gamut and enhanced monochrome photo quality. The user-friendly, keyed ink bottles ensure clean and straightforward refills, preventing accidental mixing of colors. While it lacks a color touchscreen, the small monochrome LCD screen and intuitive buttons provide easy navigation. It efficiently handles color and monochrome photocopying thanks to the integrated scanner. Connectivity options are comprehensive, including USB and Wi-Fi, with PIXMA Cloud Link for smartphones and tablets, Apple AirPrint, Mopria for Android, and Wireless Direct.
A single set of ink bottles is sufficient for approximately 3,800 6×4-inch photos, 3,700 mono documents, or 8,000 color documents. Despite not having a pigment-based black ink, text printing is surprisingly crisp. Print speeds are moderate, taking around 47 seconds for a 4×6-inch glossy photo, but an A4 borderless photo print is completed in just a couple of minutes in standard quality mode. Color accuracy is impressive, tonal range is excellent, and it performs admirably for black and white photo printing. Overall, it offers exceptional long-term value as a highly capable and compact photo printer for home use.
Learn more in our detailed Canon PIXMA G620/G650/G660 review.
The Best Budget Compact Printer
Canon Pixma TS7450 printer, a cost-effective option for home printing
(Image credit: Matthew Richards/Digital Camera World)
5. Canon PIXMA TR7020a / TS7450i
A budget-friendly compact desktop printer ideal for general home and family use.
Our Expert Review:
Key Specifications
- Paper type: Plain or photo paper
- Print size: Up to A4/US Letter
- Number of inks: 4 (2 cartridges)
- Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Dimensions: 40.3×36.4×20.6cm
- Printer weight: 8.2kg
- Battery: No
- Compatibility: Windows/Mac
Reasons to Buy
- Fast printing and scanning speeds
- Automatic duplex (double-sided) printing
Reasons to Avoid
- No touchscreen interface
- Photo print quality is mediocre
The Canon PIXMA TR7020a / TS7450i (model names vary by region) utilizes a two-cartridge, four-color ink system, and its photo print quality is admittedly average. So, why do we recommend it? Because it excels as a budget-friendly, all-around home printer, perfect for homework assignments and general text-based printing needs.
It offers automatic double-sided printing and a decent print speed, along with versatile connectivity options including USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice command operation.
In our review, we were particularly impressed with its mono document printing – fast, crisp, and detailed. While the basic cartridge setup results in less impressive glossy photo prints, it contributes to lower running costs, making it a fantastic value proposition for home users, students, and anyone needing an affordable compact printer for everyday tasks.
Read more in our Canon PIXMA TR7020 / TS7450 review.
How to Choose the Best Compact Printer for Your Home
Selecting the ideal compact printer hinges on your specific needs and priorities. Determine whether your primary use is text document printing or if you also require high-quality photo printing. Consider the level of portability you need – some models are exceptionally lightweight and travel-friendly, while others prioritize features over ultimate compactness.
Also, think about whether you require scanning and copying functionalities. The most compact printers often focus solely on printing, but there are efficient multifunction models available. If you need these additional features, an all-in-one printer can be more cost-effective and space-saving than separate devices.
While most compact printers utilize inkjet technology, laser printers are also an option. Laser printers tend to be larger and more expensive upfront, but they offer significantly faster print speeds, making them suitable for businesses with high-volume text document printing needs. They can also be more economical in the long run due to lower per-page costs.
How We Tested the Best Compact Printers
We rigorously test as many compact printers as possible, evaluating their print speed and quality for both documents and photos. Our testing encompasses a range of print jobs, from monochrome A4 documents to full-color photographs. We assess detail reproduction, color accuracy, and print speed.
Running costs are a crucial factor – we monitor ink consumption and cartridge replacement costs to determine long-term value. Build quality and ease of use are also assessed, including menu navigation and connectivity options (USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.). For compact printers, size and weight are specifically considered for portability.
Our testing process begins with installing the latest software drivers and performing nozzle checks and print head alignments. We then create test prints of mono documents, mixed text and graphics color documents, and a diverse set of digital photos encompassing landscapes, portraits, and black and white images. We also utilize custom test charts to evaluate color reproduction accuracy, tonal range, detail retention in highlights and shadows, and smooth color gradation.
During testing, we explore all available quality modes and image enhancement features. Print speeds are measured for various print sizes and quality settings. Ink costs are calculated based on typical page yield and average manufacturer cartridge/bottle prices. We exclusively use manufacturer-branded inks and papers throughout the testing process.
You can learn more about our testing methodology at how we test at Digital Camera World.
FAQs about Compact Printers
What defines a compact printer?
The definition of “compact” can be subjective. In our context, a compact printer is one that utilizes A4/Letter-size paper but is designed to be easily moved between workspaces and stored on a shelf, drawer, or cupboard when not in use.
We generally consider devices up to around 45cm / 17in in width as compact. While not designed for constant on-the-go carrying, this size is manageable for transport in a large bag while still providing full letter-size printing. Many offer wireless connectivity and some include rechargeable batteries for operation away from power outlets.
While some are more compact than others, these printers are generally intended for desktop or shelf use. For even smaller, truly mobile printing solutions, refer to our guide to the best portable printers, which use smaller paper sizes.
What is an all-in-one printer and is it available in a compact size?
All-in-one printers, also known as multifunction devices, combine printing, scanning, and copying functionalities into a single unit. Several compact printers in our guide, such as the HP OfficeJet 250, are all-in-one models. For a wider selection, we have a dedicated guide to the best all-in-one printers for home offices.
