10 Best Compact Printers 2025 in the United States

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a compact all-in-one printer designed primarily for home use, offering printing, scanning, and copying functions. It delivers sharp print quality with a high resolution of up to 5760 x 1440 dpi, which means photos and documents come out detailed and vibrant. The print speed is moderate—about 10 pages per minute for black and white and 5 pages per minute in color—so it’s best for everyday tasks rather than heavy office use. Connectivity is convenient with both USB and Wi-Fi options, allowing easy wireless printing from your phone or computer.

A standout feature is its refillable ink tank system. Instead of traditional cartridges, the EcoTank uses bottles that can print thousands of pages, significantly reducing the cost and hassle of frequent ink replacements. This approach also cuts down on plastic waste, making it more environmentally friendly. The printer handles common paper types including plain paper, glossy photo paper, and envelopes, with a 100-sheet input capacity.

The printer does not support automatic double-sided printing, so you’ll need to manually flip pages if you want duplex prints. Its scanning resolution is sufficient for basic documents but not high-end photo scanning. Also, while the printer is relatively compact for a supertank model, it’s still somewhat bulky compared to smaller portable printers, weighing over 11 pounds. The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a solid choice if you want an easy-to-use, cost-effective printer for light home use with a focus on saving money and reducing waste, but it is less suited for users needing fast printing speeds or advanced features like automatic duplexing.

The Canon PIXMA TR160 is a lightweight and truly portable printer, making it a great choice if you need printing on the go. Its compact size fits easily into bags, which is a big plus for anyone frequently traveling or moving between locations. It prints sharp black text and vibrant color photos using a 5-color hybrid ink system, which means your prints will generally look detailed and colorful, including borderless options up to 8.5 x 11 inches. The print speed is moderate — about 9 pages per minute for black-and-white and 5.5 pages per minute in color — so it’s suitable for light to medium tasks but not heavy office use. Connectivity is very user-friendly with wireless options like the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, and even wireless direct mode, so you can print without needing a router, which adds flexibility.

The 50-sheet paper tray supports various common paper sizes, including photo and legal size, enough for casual use but may require frequent refills for bulk printing. The printer uses ink cartridges, typical for portable printers, which are good for quality but might mean ink replacement costs add up over time. A small 1.44” OLED display helps you keep track of ink levels and printer status easily. While it’s not the fastest or highest capacity printer, its blend of portability, print quality, and ease of wireless use makes the PIXMA TR160 a solid pick for students, travelers, or home users who want a reliable compact printer without extra bulk.

The HP OfficeJet 250 All-in-One Portable Printer is a versatile and compact printer ideal for users who need a reliable, portable printing solution. With a maximum print speed of 20 pages per minute (ppm) for black-and-white and 19 ppm for color, it delivers decent performance for its size. The print quality, driven by HP's inkjet technology, ensures crisp and vibrant prints suitable for both documents and photos. Connectivity options are robust, featuring both wired and wireless capabilities, including Bluetooth Smart technology and Wi-Fi Direct, making it easy to print from various devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The inclusion of the HP ePrint app further enhances mobile printing convenience.

One of its standout features is its portability; weighing only 6.51 pounds and with a compact design, it is easy to carry in a car or backpack. The built-in long-lasting battery can be quickly charged within 90 minutes, adding to its convenience for on-the-go use. Additional features like the 2.65-inch color touchscreen, a 10-page automatic document feeder, and support for a range of paper sizes (from envelopes to photo paper) add to its functionality. However, it lacks duplex (double-sided) printing, which could be a drawback for users needing this feature frequently.

Additionally, while it supports a variety of media sizes, the output sheet capacity of 50 sheets may be limiting for high-volume print jobs. The HP OfficeJet 250 uses HP 62 ink cartridges, including high-yield options, but replacing these cartridges can be costly over time. This printer is an excellent choice for professionals or students who need a compact, portable printer with strong mobile connectivity and decent print performance, though it may not be ideal for high-volume or duplex printing needs.