Do you dream of printing photos or documents without taking over your entire desk? Many of us need a printer at home, but giant, noisy machines just don’t fit our space or budget anymore. Finding the perfect small printer can feel like a treasure hunt! You want quality prints, but you also need something compact enough for a small apartment or home office nook.
The market is flooded with choices. Should you pick an inkjet or a laser? Do you need color, or will black and white work? These tough questions often lead to confusion and wasted money on the wrong device. We understand the frustration of needing a powerful tool that doesn’t demand too much real estate.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will show you exactly what features matter most in a compact home printer. By the end of this post, you will know how to choose a small printer that perfectly matches your needs—whether you print school reports, recipes, or beautiful vacation snapshots. Let’s dive in and find the perfect compact printing solution for your home!
Top Small Printers 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
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 【Core 8.5 * 11 Thermal Printer】The LABEER is a dedicated 8.5" x 11" thermal printer, perfectly sized for US Letter, A4, and US Legal documents. Utilizing high-resolution thermal technology, it ensures crisp, fast, black-and-white printing for all your work, school, and daily needs. (Note: This is a monochrome printer and requires thermal paper for operation.) It conveniently supports both roll paper and single sheet paper types (select the corresponding mode in the app).
- 【True Inkless & Economical Solution】Say goodbye to expensive cartridges! Our advanced inkless portable printer technology means no ink printer mess, ribbons, or toner. This makes it a truly cheap printer and economical printer inkless choice for home use. Perfect for those searching for a simple printer that saves money and time.
- 【Wireless & Mobile Connectivity】Fast, reliable connection via Bluetooth printer technology. Easily connect this mini portable printer to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Ideal as a portable printer for phone or printer for phone, supporting iOS, Android, and Windows systems. Get instant printing from anywhere, great for mobile office or business travel.
- 【Ultra-Portable & Compact Design】Born for mobility! This wireless printer is designed to be incredibly compact, lightweight, and durable. It can easily fit into a backpack or briefcase. It's an excellent choice for frequent travelers like salespeople, students, and families with school-age children. A unique feature is that the black-and-white patterns it prints are perfect for kids to use as a template for coloring or drawing.
- 【Long-Lasting Power for Travel】Equipped with a high-capacity rechargeable battery, this wireless portable printer offers long-lasting performance. Print hundreds of pages on a single charge. It's the ultimate travel printer portable to ensure you can print important contracts, receipts, or documents wherever the road takes you, even in remote locations.
- 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) .
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Finding Your Perfect Small Home Printer
Choosing a small printer for your home is exciting! You need something that fits neatly on your desk and handles your printing needs without taking up too much space. This guide helps you pick the best one.
Key Features to Look For
The right features make printing easy and fun. Think about what you print most often.
Connectivity is King
- Wi-Fi Direct: This lets you print straight from your phone or tablet without needing your home router. It is super convenient.
- USB Port: A standard connection for directly plugging into a laptop or desktop computer.
Print Type Matters
- All-in-One (AIO): These printers can print, scan, and copy. They save space because you get three machines in one.
- Photo Quality: If you print lots of pictures, look for printers with high DPI (dots per inch). Higher DPI means clearer, sharper photos.
Speed and Noise
- Pages Per Minute (PPM): This tells you how fast the printer works. For light home use, 8-10 PPM for black text is usually fine.
- Noise Level: Small printers are generally quieter, but check reviews. If you work late, a quiet machine is a big plus.
Important Materials and Build Quality
While you aren’t hauling your printer around, the materials affect how long it lasts.
Durability and Size
- Plastic Casing: Most small printers use durable plastic. Make sure the hinges for the paper trays feel sturdy, not flimsy.
- Compact Footprint: Measure your space first! Small printers should have a footprint smaller than a standard shoebox, often around 17 inches wide or less.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Print Quality
Quality depends on the technology inside the printer.
Ink vs. Toner
- Inkjet Printers: These spray tiny drops of liquid ink onto the paper. They offer excellent color blending, making them better for photos and graphics. However, ink cartridges can sometimes dry out if you don’t use the printer often.
- Laser Printers: These use toner (a dry powder) fused onto the paper with heat. They produce extremely sharp text quickly. They are great if you print mostly documents.
Paper Handling
- Input Tray Capacity: A larger tray means you refill paper less often. Small printers might only hold 50-100 sheets.
- Automatic Duplexing: This feature automatically prints on both sides of the paper. It saves paper and looks professional. This feature is sometimes left out of the smallest models.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the printer heavily influences your choice.
Common Home Scenarios
- Student Use: Students need reliable, fast text printing and good scanning features for assignments. An All-in-One inkjet usually works best here.
- Home Office/Remote Work: If you print long reports, a laser printer might save you money on toner over time.
- Hobbyists/Photographers: Look specifically for printers designed for high-resolution photo printing using five or more ink colors.
Setting up the printer should be simple. Look for models that offer quick, guided setup through a mobile app. A poor setup process wastes time.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Small Home Printers
Q: What is the main difference between an Inkjet and a Laser printer for home use?
A: Inkjet printers use liquid ink and excel at colorful photos. Laser printers use powder toner and create very crisp, fast text documents.
Q: Do small printers use a lot of electricity?
A: No, small home printers use very little power when printing or sitting idle. They are designed to be energy efficient.
Q: How often do I need to replace the ink or toner in a small printer?
A: This depends entirely on how much you print. Light users might change cartridges every six months to a year. Heavy users might need new ones monthly.
Q: Can I print directly from my iPhone or Android phone?
A: Yes, most modern small printers support mobile printing through Wi-Fi connections or dedicated apps like AirPrint (Apple) or Mopria (Android).
Q: Are small printers slow?
A: They are slower than large office printers, but for typical home use (a few pages at a time), their speed is usually perfectly adequate.
Q: What does “All-in-One” mean for a small printer?
A: It means the machine can print, scan documents, and make copies, saving you desk space.
Q: What impacts the cost of ink for a small printer?
A: The cost per page is what matters most. Some printers use expensive individual color cartridges, while others use large, refillable ink tanks that cost less over time.
Q: Should I worry about the printer taking up too much space?
A: Yes, always check the dimensions! A small printer should easily fit on a shelf or a small corner of your desk without blocking access to other items.
Q: How important is automatic two-sided printing?
A: It is very helpful for saving paper when printing long reports or schoolwork. However, it is often a feature missing on the cheapest, smallest models.
Q: What is DPI, and why does it matter for photo printing?
A: DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. A higher DPI number means the printer puts more tiny dots of color on the paper, resulting in a smoother, clearer, and more detailed photograph.