The Best Small Printer

Finding the right compact printer for a small desk or dorm room can feel overwhelming when every model promises faster speeds and sharper prints.

With the rise of remote work and hybrid learning, having a reliable, space-saving printer that doesn’t sacrifice essential features is more important than ever.

Our research team has analyzed specifications, expert reviews, and verified buyer feedback to identify the top small printers available today. Below are our picks, ranked by our BP Score (0, 10).

Small Printer Buying Guide

Compact Design and Footprint

When space is tight, the physical dimensions of a printer matter as much as its feature set.

Look for models that measure less than 16 inches wide and 12 inches deep, which fit easily on a narrow shelf or corner of a desk.

Many of the picks in our roundup feature a low-profile design with a retractable paper tray, making them unobtrusive even in a shared workspace.

For those with minimal desktop real estate, consider a printer that can be stored vertically or stowed away when not in use. Our guide to home printers offers additional tips on fitting a machine into your setup.

Weight is another factor for portability. A printer under 10 pounds can be easily moved between rooms or taken to a temporary workspace.

The lightest models in this category weigh around 6 pounds, making them ideal for students or remote workers who relocate frequently. If you need something truly travel-friendly, check out our portable printer recommendations.

Print Quality and Speed

Despite their small size, today’s compact inkjet printers can produce crisp text and vibrant color documents. Look for a resolution of at least 4800×1200 dpi for sharp text and decent photo output.

Print speed, measured in pages per minute (ppm), ranges from 8 to 15 ppm for black‑and‑white documents in this class.

While none match the speed of a laser printer, most small inkjets are fast enough for occasional home or school use. For heavy‑duty printing, you might prefer a laser printer designed for higher volumes.

Photo quality varies widely among compact printers. If you plan to print snapshots or homework projects, models with five or more ink cartridges generally produce smoother gradients and more accurate colors.

The best printers for sticker printing also lean on high‑resolution inkjet technology to achieve vivid results.

Connectivity and Mobile Printing

Wireless connectivity is standard on every printer in this roundup, but implementation matters. Models that support dual‑band Wi‑Fi (2.4/5 GHz) and Wi‑Fi Direct allow you to print without a router.

Most also offer Apple AirPrint and Android Mopria for one‑tap printing from a phone or tablet. For users who need to print from multiple devices, a wireless printer for shipping labels shows how robust connectivity can streamline workflow.

Consider also whether the printer includes a USB port for direct connection to a laptop, or an SD card slot for printing without a computer.

Some compact models omit a front USB port to save space, so check the spec sheet if wired access is important.

Ink Costs and Page Yield

The purchase price is only part of the equation; ink replacement costs can quickly dwarf the initial investment. Look up the page yield of each cartridge (standard and high‑capacity) and calculate cost per page.

Many of our top picks offer individual color cartridges so you replace only the empty one, reducing waste. Subscription services like HP Instant Ink can lower per‑page cost for frequent printers.

For a deeper look at total ownership expenses, see our printer cost per page guide.

If you print mainly in black and white, a printer with a separate pigment‑based black cartridge will deliver bolder text and lower color ink usage.

Some models also support XL cartridges that nearly double the page yield, making them a smart choice for budget‑conscious buyers.

Multifunction Features: Scan, Copy, and More

Most compact printers now include a flatbed scanner, which is essential for digitizing documents and photos. A scan resolution of 1200 dpi is adequate for text, while 4800 dpi is better for preserving detail in old photos.

Automatic document feeders (ADF) are less common in small printers but save time when scanning multi‑page sets. If you frequently scan double‑side pages, consider a model with duplex scanning. Our guide to double‑sided scanners explains the benefits.

Copy functionality is standard on all‑in‑one printers, but some allow resizing and ID card copying directly from the control panel. Look for a simple menu interface and one‑touch copy buttons to avoid frustration.

Why You Should Trust Us

BestProducts is an independent review site dedicated to helping you find the right product without bias. We do not conduct our own product trials; our evaluations are grounded in research, published data, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback.

Each printer is scored on a 0, 10 BP Score using consistent criteria that include print quality, reliability, cost efficiency, design, and connectivity. Our methodology ensures that every recommendation is backed by thorough analysis, not just marketing claims.

We are transparent about our affiliate partnerships, which help fund our research without influencing our rankings.

For over five years, BestProducts has covered thousands of consumer electronics products. Our printer reviews are updated regularly to reflect the latest models and market changes.

You can read more about our approach on our Computers & Office hub, where we also cover related tools like laptops and monitors that complement your workspace.

Final Thoughts

After researching the market, we’ve awarded the following distinctions to our top picks:

• Best Overall: Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer earns our highest BP Score thanks to its excellent print quality, duplex printing, and bright 1.42″ OLED display that makes navigation simple. It strikes the best balance of features for most home and student users.
• Best for High‑Volume Text: Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All‑in‑One offers a remarkably low cost per page and robust paper handling in a compact frame, making it ideal for busy small offices.
• Best Budget Pick: Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer delivers essential print, copy, and scan functions at an accessible price, making it a great entry‑level choice for light use.
• Best for Mobile Printing: Canon PIXMA TR160 Color Wireless Portable Printer is the most travel‑ready model in our lineup, with a compact footprint that fits easily in a backpack.

Whether you need a printer for occasional homework or daily office tasks, the models above represent the best small printers we’ve identified. For even more tailored recommendations, browse our full printers and scanners category.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smallest printer on the market?

The Canon PIXMA TR160 is one of the most compact wireless printers available, measuring just 12.6 inches wide and 5.9 inches deep. For true portability, dedicated mobile printers like the HP Sprocket are even smaller but lack full document printing capabilities.

Our best mobile printer guide covers ultra‑compact options.

How do I connect a small printer to Wi‑Fi?

Most modern small printers use WPS (Wi‑Fi Protected Setup) or a companion app to connect to your network. Press the WPS button on your router, then select WPS on the printer’s control panel.

Alternatively, download the brand’s app (e.g., Canon PRINT or HP Smart) and follow the on‑screen instructions. Wi‑Fi Direct is also available on many models, enabling printing without a router.

Are compact printers expensive to maintain?

Not necessarily. While replacement cartridges can be pricey, using high‑yield XL cartridges or an ink subscription plan can lower cost per page to under 5 cents. Brother printers typically have competitive cartridge prices. For a deeper breakdown, see our home printer ink usage guide.

Can I print photos on a small printer?

Yes, many compact inkjet printers produce good‑quality 4×6 and 5×7 photos, especially those with five or more ink colors. Models like the Canon PIXMA TS6520 support borderless printing and use individual ink tanks for better color accuracy.

For dedicated photo printing, check out our instant photo printer recommendations.

What is the best small printer for a home office?

For a home office that needs scanning, copying, and occasional printing, the Brother Work Smart 1360 offers excellent value with low ink costs and reliable performance. If you print frequently and need duplex, the HP Envy 6155 is a solid alternative.

Our multifunction printer for small business guide provides additional picks.

Do all small printers come with a scanner?

No, some entry‑level small printers omit the scanner to reduce size and cost. The Canon PIXMA TR160, for example, is print‑only.

If you need scanning capability, look for an “all‑in‑one” model like the Canon PIXMA TS4320 or HP DeskJet 2955. All picks in our list except the TR160 include a flatbed scanner.

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