The 10 Best Portable Printers That Can Print Anytime, Anywhere
These models from Canon, HP, and Kodak can deliver documents and photos on the go.
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The best portable printers can be a solid alternative for those who rarely use their bulky office printer. These compact and lightweight devices offer convenient features like wireless connectivity and rechargeable batteries, allowing users to print documents and photos from a laptop or smartphone while on the go. They’re perfect for remote workers, frequent travelers, or anyone on your gift list needing occasional printing outside the office.
These days, printers can feel like a relic of a bygone era, as more people are sharing documents and photos online. Still, even as our lives are increasingly digital, physical copies hold relevance. With these handy devices, documents can be shared with coworkers, on hand to annotate, and easily kept for archival purposes. Printing photos also offers a more tactile and enduring way to preserve memories, allowing you and your family to share and reminisce without relying solely on digital screens.
While the best portable printers offer the flexibility to print anytime, anywhere, it’s important to be aware of their limitations compared to traditional desktop printers. Major brands typically only offer a few portable options, and these models often prioritize portability over features and top-of-the-line print quality. A portable printer might not be the best choice if you or your recipient needs to print complex documents or high-resolution photos. However, for situations where portability is key and users only require basic printing capabilities, portable printers can be a valuable tool.
Best Portable Printers For Printing On-the-Go
- Best Overall: Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Mobile Printer
- Best Budget: HP Sprocket 2x3-inch Portable Photo Printer
- Best All-in-One: HP OfficeJet 250 All-in-One Portable Printer
- Best Basic: Epson WorkForce WF-110 Wireless Portable Printer
- Best Thermal Printer: Brother PocketJet PJ883
What to Consider
Like home office printers, there are different types of portable printers to consider, including document printers, all-in-one printers, and photo printers. Each type of portable printer serves distinct purposes, but the features to look for are generally the same. The one thing they all have in common is that they run on battery power. Whether you're shopping for yourself or buying a gift for a loved one, the portable printer you choose will depend on the specific tasks you need it for and your personal preferences.
It's important to note that owning a portable printer, similar to a home office printer, comes with ongoing expenses beyond the initial purchase price. The most significant ongoing cost is replacing the ink and paper. Photo printers typically use more expensive paper compared to standard printers. These costs can vary depending on the brand, size, and quantity you purchase.
Printer Size
The name “portable printer” can be relative, as some options, while significantly smaller than office printers, are still not ultra-compact. For instance, the Canon Pixma TR150 measures 12.7 inches wide and 7.3 inches deep, allowing it to print standard 8.5 x 11-inch documents. While this size makes it suitable for travel, it’s certainly not pocket-sized. Conversely, many portable photo printers are small enough to fit in your pants pocket.
Power Source
While the portable printers on this list boast the convenience of battery power, it’s important to note that you may have to purchase a battery kit separately, increasing the overall cost. To ensure your chosen printer meets your needs, consider whether a battery is included and how long the battery will last on a full charge. Manufacturers usually specify the estimated number of pages a printer can print on a single charge. For example, HP estimates its Sprocket portable photo printer can print 35 photos before its battery needs to be recharged.
Paper Handling
Due to their compact size, portable printers generally have limited paper-handling capabilities compared to traditional office printers. Paper tray capacities are typically smaller, often holding around 10-50 sheets at once. Additionally, some models might only accept specific paper sizes, like standard letters or A4, and may not handle thicker card stock or envelopes. The same applies to portable photo printers—they generally only work with a specific paper type and size.
How We Selected
As we mentioned earlier, your options are relatively limited when it comes to portable printers. To put this list together, we researched models from the industry’s leading brands — Canon, Epson, HP, etc. — ensuring they met our criteria outlined above. We vetted each product based on size, features, and price while analyzing user reviews and insights from expert publications. Our process ensured we put together a diverse range of options, each catering to specific needs and preferences.
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