Tired of bulky printers taking up precious desk space? Do you dream of printing documents or photos without the constant hassle of a giant machine? Many people face this exact problem when trying to find the perfect printer for their home. Modern life often demands flexibility, but traditional printers can feel like clumsy relics.
Choosing a small printer for home use presents its own set of headaches. You worry about print quality, speed, and whether it will actually fit where you need it to go. Will it connect easily to your laptop or phone? These are real concerns when space is limited and you just want something that works simply.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will explore the best compact printers available today, focusing on what truly matters for home users: size, performance, and value. By the end of this post, you will know exactly which small printer fits your needs perfectly.
Top Small Printer For Home Recommendations
- The DeskJet 2827e 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 Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- HP APP – Print, scan, copy, or fax right from your smartphone, PC, or tablet with the easiest-to-use print app
- 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 Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- HP APP – Print, scan, copy, or fax right from your smartphone, PC, or tablet with the easiest-to-use print app
- ALL-IN-ONE: Print, Copy, Scan features for full control at your fingertips. Single-sided printing only.
- FAST PRINT SPEEDS: Print approximately 7.7 (black) / 4 (color) images per minute.
- EASY SETUP: Get running in just a few minutes thanks to a streamlined and easy setup process out of the box.
- EASY TO INSTALL INK: Print full color with only 2 (no mess) easy-to-replace ink cartridges.
- 1.5” LCD SCREEN: Get the job done with an intuitive and easy to use 1.5” segment LCD screen.
- Fine hybrid ink system for detailed documents and photos.In The Box : PIXMA TS202 Inkjet Printer, Setup CD-ROM, Full Set of Ink Cartridges (PG-243/CL-244), Power Cord
- Quickly refill paper with the dedicated rear paper tray
- With a great compact size, the Pixma TS202 fits almost anywhere
- OS compatibility: Windows 5 Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 SP1; Mac 6 Mac OS X v10.10.5, macOS v10.12 (Sierra); Ink compatibility: Ink tank & fill volume PGI 246 black: 8.9 ml (Std.) , 12.0 ml (XL), CLI 246 color: 9.0 ml (Std.) , 13.0 ml (XL), PGI 243 black: 5.6 ml (Std.), CLI 244 color 6.2 ml (Std.)
- Output tray capacity - Rear paper tray 60 sheets of plain paper or 20 sheets of 4 x 6 / 10 sheets of 5 x 7 photo paper
- 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.
- 1.44” OLED DISPLAY - Easily check ink levels, printer status, and other settings with the 1.44” Monochrome OLED.
- BEST FOR HOME AND HOME OFFICE: Get all your work done with an all-in-one multifunction printer. Print, copy, and scan on one compact printer for home use and home offices. Brother inkjet printers produce beautiful prints for results that stand out.
- EASY TO USE WITH CLOUD APP CONNECTIONS: Print from and scan to popular Cloud apps(2), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the simple-to-use 1.8” color display on your printer.
- PRODUCTIVITY-FOCUSED PRINTING FEATURES: This printer includes automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a 20-sheet single-sided Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)(3), and a 150-sheet paper tray(3). Engineered to print at fast speeds of up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 9 ppm in color(4).
- MULTIPLE CONNECTION OPTIONS: Connect your way. Interface with your printer on your wireless network or via USB.
- THE BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP: Go mobile with the Brother Mobile Connect app(5) that delivers easy onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from your mobile device. Monitor your ink usage with Page Gauge to help ensure you don’t run out(6) .
- 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 anywher
- 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. 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
- The N80 portable printer has a wide range of uses. The package includes the N80 printer, a roll of US Letter paper(7m/roll), a user manual, a guide card, a type-C soft cable and a type C adapter. Note: The charging adapter is not included. Special thermal paper is required for use; ordinary paper cannot be used. This ink-free portable thermal printer is suitable for various scenarios such as home, school, travel, office, and outdoor, meeting the printing needs of different groups of people. This tattoo template printer is also compatible with tattoo transfer paper, making it an ideal choice for tattoo art
- The Envy 6155e is perfect for homes printing everyday quality color documents like homework and borderless photos. Print speeds up to 7 ppm color, 10 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 print, copy and scan, plus auto 2-sided printing and a 100-sheet input tray
- HP'S MOST INTUITIVE COLOR TOUCHSCREEN – Smoothly navigate your printer with the easy-to-use 2.4" touchscreen
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect Small Printer for Home
Finding the right small printer for your home can make life much easier. These compact machines handle everything from homework to quick documents. This guide helps you pick the best one for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, focus on these important features:
- Size and Footprint: Small printers save space. Check the dimensions to ensure it fits where you plan to keep it.
- Connectivity: Modern printers should offer Wi-Fi. This lets you print from phones, tablets, and laptops without messy cables. USB connections are good backups.
- Print Speed: How fast do you need pages? Most home users are fine with 8-10 pages per minute (PPM) for black and white.
- Ink/Toner System: Do you need an inkjet (uses liquid ink) or a laser printer (uses powder toner)? Inkjets are great for photos. Lasers are faster and cheaper for text documents over time.
- All-in-One (AIO) Capability: Do you also need to scan or copy? Many small printers include these functions.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used affect how long your printer lasts.
Look for sturdy plastic casings. While most small printers use plastic to keep costs down, heavier base units usually feel more stable. Check reviews about the paper trays; flimsy trays can break easily.
Ink cartridges or toner drums are the most important “materials.” High-quality, genuine manufacturer supplies usually offer the best results. Third-party or refilled cartridges can be cheaper, but print quality might suffer.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Print Quality
Print quality depends on two main things: resolution and ink technology.
Resolution (DPI)
Resolution is measured in Dots Per Inch (DPI). Higher DPI means crisper images and sharper text. For everyday documents, 1200 DPI is usually sufficient. If you print many photos, look for 4800 x 1200 DPI or higher.
Ink and Paper
Inkjets use pigment-based or dye-based inks. Pigment inks resist water and fading better, which improves the longevity of your prints. Using the paper recommended by the printer manufacturer always improves quality. Using thick, glossy photo paper on a cheap printer will not produce professional results.
Poor maintenance reduces quality. Dirty print heads on inkjet models cause streaks. Regularly running cleaning cycles keeps quality high.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the printer heavily influences your choice.
Ease of Setup
A good small printer sets up quickly. The setup wizard should guide you easily through connecting to your Wi-Fi network. Complex setup processes frustrate users quickly.
Noise Level
If your printer sits in a living area or small apartment, noise matters. Laser printers often make a whirring sound when warming up. Inkjets are generally quieter during printing but can be loud when the print head moves quickly.
Common Home Use Cases
- Students: Need fast black-and-white text printing and reliable scanning for assignments. A compact monochrome laser printer might be perfect.
- Families: Require color printing for school projects, occasional photos, and document copying. An affordable AIO inkjet works best here.
- Home Office Workers: Need high reliability for important contracts. They should prioritize paper handling capacity and fast text speeds.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Small Home Printers
Q: Which type of printer is better for photos: Inkjet or Laser?
A: Inkjet printers are almost always better for photos. They mix liquid inks precisely to create smooth color gradients.
Q: Are small printers expensive to run?
A: Running costs depend on the ink system. Cartridge-based inkjets can be expensive per page. Look for models with large ink tanks (often called EcoTank or MegaTank) for much lower long-term costs.
Q: Can I print directly from my smartphone?
A: Yes, if the printer has Wi-Fi connectivity. Most modern printers support apps like Apple AirPrint or Google Cloud Print, making mobile printing simple.
Q: What does “All-in-One” mean?
A: All-in-One (AIO) means the device performs multiple tasks: printing, scanning, and copying. This saves space compared to having three separate machines.
Q: How much space do I really need for a small printer?
A: While the footprint is small (often the size of a large shoebox), you need extra space behind or on top so the paper can feed in and out without hitting a wall.
Q: Should I worry about printer drivers?
A: For Windows and Mac computers, drivers usually install automatically when you connect via Wi-Fi. For older computers or specialized features, you might need to download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website.
Q: What is duplex printing?
A: Duplex printing means the printer can automatically print on both sides of the paper. This saves paper and is a great feature for home offices.
Q: How long can I leave an inkjet printer unused?
A: If you leave an inkjet unused for several months, the liquid ink can dry out in the nozzles. Try to print at least one color page every two to four weeks to keep the system flowing.
Q: Is a laser printer noisy?
A: Laser printers are generally quiet when idle. They make a brief whirring noise when starting up or when printing a large batch of pages quickly.
Q: What is the maximum paper size these printers handle?
A: Most small home printers are designed for standard US Letter size (8.5 x 11 inches). Some models can handle 5×7 or 4×6 photo paper.