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Not everyone wants a printer that takes up loads of space on a desk, so we've put together this list of the best compact printers. The good news? There's now a great selection of portable printers that are incredibly compact and easy to move about, enabling you to quickly and easily print documents and photos. You're not sacrificing print quality either, as some of the best compact printers deliver similar results to their larger siblings.
Comparaboo analyzes all Mac Printers of 2018, based on analyzed 50,425 consumer reviews by Comparaboo. Choose from the top 10 Mac Printers at today’s lowest prices. Comparaboo top Mac Printers list 2018, Comparaboo analayzed 50,425 consumer reviews. If all you need is an all-in-one printer with basic features, such as a scanner, copier and fax machine, the Epson Expression Premium XP-830 Small-in-One is a very good option. That is, if you can tolerate the flaws in the documents it prints. Can't scan negatives with Mac El Cap.the scanner is able to handle four slides at a time and after using a preview feature, adjustments can be made regarding brightness, contrast, etc. The speed of scanner seems reasonable. Inkjet and laser printers have become more affordable and increasingly full-featured. View our ratings and reviews and browse our buying guide to find the best printer for your home or office. The best laser printers 2018 have very high printing quality and are excellent for home office or business use. And having a laser all in one device will make printing, copying, scanning, and faxing for business purposes much faster than inkjet, more efficient, and more professional.
Looking for something ultra-portable? We've included a selection of compact printers that are battery-powered, with wireless connectivity. They're an incredibly neat solution if you travel regularly.
After thoroughly testing the top compact printers available right now, and analyzing each device’s print quality on hundreds of sheets of paper, we think the HP OfficeJet All-in-One 250 is the best compact printer right now. It offer the widest range of features, while remaining nice and portable.
If you don’t need the extra heft of a scanner or copier, HP also makes the OfficeJet 200. Because both machines are made by HP, their print quality is similar. However, since the OfficeJet 200 has fewer features, it’s less expensive and even easier to carry around. Here's our pick of the best compact printers for all budgets..
1. HP OfficeJet All-in-One 250: Best overall
HP OfficeJet All-in-One 250
This mobile printer has impressive print quality – and lets you print, scan and copy documents on the go
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery life: 500 pages per charge | Dimensions: 15 x 7.8 x 3.6-inches | Weight: 6.3lbs | Print resolution: 4800 x 1200 | Paper capacity: 50 sheets | Scan and copy: Yes | Connectivity: USB, WiFi and Bluetooth
Reasons to Buy
Large paper tray
Reasons to Avoid
Heavy for a compact printer
The HP OfficeJet All-in-One 250 sits at the top of our best compact printer guide because not only does it come with a great set of features – it lets you print, scan and copy documents on the go – but in our tests it performed extremely well too, with very few ink- or feed-related errors. The print quality from this compact printer is truly impressive, rivalling that of many standard-size inkjet models, likely because it has a 4800 x 1200 dpi (dots per inch) resolution.
For a mobile printer, the OfficeJet 250 also printed quickly – eight pages per minute for black-and-white documents and seven pages per minute for color documents. As a bonus, it’s much quieter than other mobile printers as well. The machine uses a tri-color and black cartridge. Printers that use individual cartridges instead of tri-color ones tend to have lower ongoing ink costs, but this HP model also takes high-capacity cartridges, which can keep costs down.
In our tests, the printer’s copier and scanner also reproduced documents faithfully. With a scan and copy resolution of 600 x 600 dpi, text was easy to read. There was also a little color variance from the original documents. The only downside is that the scanner and copier can’t read double-sided sheets.
The HP OfficeJet All-in-One 250 is compact, but isn’t the smallest mobile printer available. However, even with its robust feature set, it only weighs just under 7 pounds with the battery attached and fits in a standard carry-on or backpack. The battery pack comes with the printer and holds enough charge to print 500 pages or to keep it working over a long weekend. You control all the printer functions with a 2.65-inch touchscreen on the front of the device.
You can use USB, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to send documents to the printer. The machine doesn’t directly support programs like Google Cloud Print or Apple AirPrint, but there’s an app you can download from HP that lets you print from your mobile devices. Overall, the HP OfficeJet All-in-One 250 is easily among the best compact printers you can buy.
You can use USB, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to send documents to the printer. The machine doesn’t directly support programs like Google Cloud Print or Apple AirPrint, but there’s an app you can download from HP that lets you print from your mobile devices. Overall, the HP OfficeJet All-in-One 250 is easily among the best compact printers you can buy.
- Read the review:HP OfficeJet All-in-One 250
2. HP OfficeJet Mobile 200: Best value
HP OfficeJet Mobile 200
Excellent print quality and very portable, but with less features than our best mobile printer
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery life: 500 pages per charge | Dimensions: 14.3 x 7.3 x 2.7-inches | Weight: 4.85lbs | Print resolution: 4800 x 1200 | Paper capacity: 50 sheets | Scan and copy: No | Connectivity: USB and WiFi
Reasons to Buy
Costs less than our top pick
Reasons to Avoid
Not the lightest or smallest tested
Doesn’t work with Google Cloud Print or Apple AirPrint
The OfficeJet Mobile 200 is the less-expensive sibling of the HP Office Jet All-in-One 250 above (our top pick for the best compact printer). Like the fancier model, it boasts superb print quality for a mobile printer – sharing the same high print resolution (4800 x 1200 dots per inch) and print speed (about seven to eight pages per minute). However, the OfficeJet 200 doesn’t have a heavy copier and scanner weighing it down, which makes this compact printer both cheaper and easier to lug around.
At 14.3 x 73.32 x 2.7 inches, the HP OfficeJet 200 weighs less than five pounds if you use a cable to power it. With the included battery, it’s a little heavier, but it still fits easily into a bag. You can check the battery level anytime, and starting with a full charge, it can print up to 500 pages.
This compact printer has a convenient document feeder so you don’t have to stand nearby to load each page one by one. However, there’s no output tray to catch your documents, so you should use the OfficeJet 200 on a flat surface. When we researched ink prices, we found that each page printed with this machine costs about 21 cents. If you invest upfront in the high-capacity ink cartridges, you can save just over five cents per page.
Bear in mind that rather than having a touchscreen like the OfficeJet 250, the 200 has button controls. And while you can connect to the printer via USB and Wi-Fi, you can’t print over Bluetooth. However, if you can do without the bells and whistles of the 250, and you just want an excellent compact printer, the OfficeJet Mobile 200 is fantastic value and a brilliant choice.
At 14.3 x 73.32 x 2.7 inches, the HP OfficeJet 200 weighs less than five pounds if you use a cable to power it. With the included battery, it’s a little heavier, but it still fits easily into a bag. You can check the battery level anytime, and starting with a full charge, it can print up to 500 pages.
This compact printer has a convenient document feeder so you don’t have to stand nearby to load each page one by one. However, there’s no output tray to catch your documents, so you should use the OfficeJet 200 on a flat surface. When we researched ink prices, we found that each page printed with this machine costs about 21 cents. If you invest upfront in the high-capacity ink cartridges, you can save just over five cents per page.
Bear in mind that rather than having a touchscreen like the OfficeJet 250, the 200 has button controls. And while you can connect to the printer via USB and Wi-Fi, you can’t print over Bluetooth. However, if you can do without the bells and whistles of the 250, and you just want an excellent compact printer, the OfficeJet Mobile 200 is fantastic value and a brilliant choice.
- Read the review:HP OfficeJet Mobile 200
3. Brother PocketJet 7 PJ723: Most portable
Brother PocketJet 7 PJ723
This highly portable printer sacrifices some features to be ultra-light
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery life: 600 pages per charge | Dimensions: 10 x 2.2 x 1.5-inches | Weight: 1.34lbs | Print resolution: 300 x 203 | Paper capacity: Varies | Scan and copy: No | Connectivity: USB
Reasons to Buy
Printed text is sharp and clean
Reasons to Avoid
Only prints in black and white
Easily the most portable printer we tested, the PocketJet 7 PJ723 sacrifices some features to be ultra-light. Weighing just over a pound and with dimensions of 10.04 x 2.17 x 1.53, it can fit into a large pocket. Rather than having inkjet technology, which requires moving parts, the PocketJet 7 uses thermal technology to print. While this means you don’t have to purchase replacement ink, you can’t print in color with this device.
Also, it can be hard to get your hands on the specialty paper it requires, which is similar to the receipt paper most stores use. You need to carefully select between long-lasting and regular thermal paper, depending on how long you want to archive documents, and it may be worth buying the kind that you can write on – because the surface is slippery, it can be difficult to write on normal thermal paper.
It's important to note that the battery isn’t included with the PocketJet 7 PJ723, but if you choose to buy one, it allows you to print up to 600 pages on a single charge. You can also by accessories, such as a car charger, that give you some additional flexibility. This thermal printer produces documents more slowly than our top picks, reaching speeds of about five pages a minute. You also have hand-feed the documents through the printer unless you invest in a roll or a fan-fold stack of paper.
The PocketJet 7 creates very sharp text, even with its low 300 x 203 dpi resolution. Because the device doesn’t use the most common printing technology you’re likely used to, you may find that your documents have a slightly odd smell.
This compact printer doesn’t have as many connectivity options as our top picks. You can only print from a laptop, and you can’t do so wirelessly. Because of these limitations, we don’t recommend this mobile printer for everyday use, unless you plan to print invoices for clients or have a similar use in mind. But if you're looking for a highly portable compact printer that's easy to carry with you, the PocketJet 7 PJ723 is well worth considering.
It's important to note that the battery isn’t included with the PocketJet 7 PJ723, but if you choose to buy one, it allows you to print up to 600 pages on a single charge. You can also by accessories, such as a car charger, that give you some additional flexibility. This thermal printer produces documents more slowly than our top picks, reaching speeds of about five pages a minute. You also have hand-feed the documents through the printer unless you invest in a roll or a fan-fold stack of paper.
The PocketJet 7 creates very sharp text, even with its low 300 x 203 dpi resolution. Because the device doesn’t use the most common printing technology you’re likely used to, you may find that your documents have a slightly odd smell.
This compact printer doesn’t have as many connectivity options as our top picks. You can only print from a laptop, and you can’t do so wirelessly. Because of these limitations, we don’t recommend this mobile printer for everyday use, unless you plan to print invoices for clients or have a similar use in mind. But if you're looking for a highly portable compact printer that's easy to carry with you, the PocketJet 7 PJ723 is well worth considering.
- Read the review:Brother PocketJet 7 PJ723
4. HP DeskJet 3755: Best scan and copy
HP DeskJet 3755
A cheaper compact printer that scans and copies but isn't portable
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery life: Mains power only | Dimensions: 15.9 x 7 x 5.5-inches | Weight: 5.1lbs | Print resolution: 4800 x 1200 | Paper capacity: 60 sheets | Scan and copy: Yes | Connectivity: USB and WiFi
Reasons to Buy
More affordable than others
Reasons to Avoid
Not portable
The HP DeskJet 3755 isn’t a mobile or portable printer. Instead, it has the all-in-one features, including a scanner and copier, you need for a permanent addition to an apartment or dorm room. Still, at 5.5 pounds, it’s easier to move and stash than other all-in-one inkjets, which can weigh up to 40 pounds.
The DeskJet 3755 also has a larger paper tray than many of the compact printers we tested, so you don’t have to reload it as often. During testing, we noticed it created a few more print errors than our top pick, but it’s much more affordable.
The scanner and copier work just fine, but because of the printer’s size, you feed documents through the machine instead of using a traditional flatbed scanner. If you need a compact printer that can scan and copy, the HP Deskjet 3755 is a solid pick.
- Read the review:HP DeskJet 3755
5. Epson WF-100: Best for business
Epson WorkForce WF-100
Cheaper, with great print quality and lots of connectivity options for professionals on the moved
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery life: 100 pages per charge | Dimensions: 12.2 x 6.1 x 2.4-inches | Weight: 3.5lbs | Print resolution: 5760 x 1440 | Paper capacity: 20 sheets | Scan and copy: Yes | Connectivity: USB and WiFi
Reasons to Buy
Many connectivity options
Reasons to Avoid
The Epson WF-100 can print up to 100 sheets per battery charge. Our best compact printer can print up to five times more pages per charge – but the Epson WF-100 costs significantly less. And unlike some printers, its battery is included in the initial purchase, which saves you money.
The Epson WF-100 is also smaller and lighter than many compact printers we tested, weighing only 3.5 pounds. It includes all the connectivity options business travelers need, and our testing revealed it has better-than-average print quality, though it prints slower than other compact printers. Both its print tray and cartridge capacity are functional, but we would’ve liked to see higher capacities for both features. However, those limited capacity increase the portability of this compact printer.
- Read the review: Epson WF-100
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How we found the best compact printers
Because portability is important to consider when choosing a mobile printer, we used hands-on tests to evaluate each machine’s weight and size, then assigned it a score. In addition, we researched each printer’s battery life and checked to see if the battery was included or had to be purchased separately, which affects the device’s value. Batteries that print a lot of documents on a single charge fared better in our comparison.
We examined hundreds of sample documents, dozens printed with each device we reviewed. During our tests, we printed the same samples on each machine and compared their output quality, looking for frequency of printing errors such as spotting, streaking or bleeding. In addition, we compared the machines’ print resolution side by side.
After looking at the machines' output quality, we assigned each one a grade based on its performance. Printers that produced readable test with some noticeable errors received a C grade, while with B grades performed about average with only a few errors. We reserved A grades for printers that create easy-to-read text with few to no errors. Most users won't be satisfied with a printer that earned a grade lower than a C.
Ongoing ink or thermal paper costs are important to consider when buying a compact printer, so we noted which ones require specialty paper and which use standard 8.5 x 11 printer paper. We also compared the cost of ink for each printer we reviewed – we broke this information down to how much it costs per page to print with each machine so it’s easy to compare the long-term expense of owning each one.
Finally, we looked at the rest of the printer’s features, noting if it includes Wi-Fi and other connectivity options like USB or Bluetooth. Online support is essential for printers these days, and some printers connect to mobile devices with popular cloud programs, while others use proprietary apps.
How much does a compact printer cost?
Compact printers tend to be pricier than all-in-one models because of their size and how portable they are as well as their batteries.
The compact printers we tested range from around $75 to just under $400, and the average price of a compact printer is around $250 – a little more than double the cost of an average all-in-one model. However, the priciest compact printers aren’t necessarily the best investment. You can get great print quality and functionality without paying a premium. For the best value, look at models that cost around $200.
Key features to look for when buying a compact printer
![Mac Mac](https://cdn2.macworld.co.uk/cmsdata/slideshow/3592199/officejet-3830.jpg)
Printer design
Generally, the lighter a mobile printer is the better. However, we looked for models that balance features and quality with their compact size. As you look at a mobile printer, check its dimensions to see if it’ll fit inside of the carrier you typically use, like a laptop bag or backpack.
Generally, the lighter a mobile printer is the better. However, we looked for models that balance features and quality with their compact size. As you look at a mobile printer, check its dimensions to see if it’ll fit inside of the carrier you typically use, like a laptop bag or backpack.
Another important consideration is the battery life. Check to see how many documents you can print or days you can go before you need to recharge the battery. If you have to plug the battery in regularly, it impacts the printer’s overall portability.
Output
Print quality is one of the most important considerations when buying any kind of printer, so we looked at documents printed by each machine under high magnification. Since you likely won’t compare sample documents side by side in person as you choose a printer, we suggest comparing their print resolutions, which is a good indicator of how much detail a printer can recreate in images. The higher the numbers, the better the resolution. Smaller, high-resolution printers usually cost more. So, you may have to compromise on resolution and portability to find something in your price range.
Print quality is one of the most important considerations when buying any kind of printer, so we looked at documents printed by each machine under high magnification. Since you likely won’t compare sample documents side by side in person as you choose a printer, we suggest comparing their print resolutions, which is a good indicator of how much detail a printer can recreate in images. The higher the numbers, the better the resolution. Smaller, high-resolution printers usually cost more. So, you may have to compromise on resolution and portability to find something in your price range.
We looked for printers that can standard-size, 8.5 x 11 documents, but the more flexibility you have in your paper choice the better. While all the printers we considered handle standard-size paper, watch for special paper requirements. For example, the Brother PocketJet PJ723 uses thermal paper.
Manufacturers list printer speed in the machines’ specs, but we timed the models we reviewed to approximate their speed in real-world conditions. Based on what you’re using the printer for, speed may be important to consider.
Ink & media
You want to check to see what types of cartridges your inkjet compact printer uses. If it takes high-yield cartridges, you can usually shave off a few cents per page. Or you might consider a printer that uses thermal print technology like the PocketJet PJ723, though the specialty paper these machines use comes at its own expense.
You want to check to see what types of cartridges your inkjet compact printer uses. If it takes high-yield cartridges, you can usually shave off a few cents per page. Or you might consider a printer that uses thermal print technology like the PocketJet PJ723, though the specialty paper these machines use comes at its own expense.
Pay attention to the printer’s regular output specifications, including the maximum number of pages the manufacturer suggests printing per month, called the monthly duty cycle. Regularly printing above this number can wear the machine down faster and cause damage, so make sure the duty cycle matches up with your needs.
Connectivity
Printers that connect to a variety of online storage and cloud systems are more useful, especially now that so much is stored digitally. Check to make sure you’re preferred cloud storage program is supported by your printer.
Best OverallPrinters that connect to a variety of online storage and cloud systems are more useful, especially now that so much is stored digitally. Check to make sure you’re preferred cloud storage program is supported by your printer.
HP OfficeJet All-in-One 250
The HP OfficeJet All-in-One 250 combines the best in print quality with the most features. It fits in a standard backpack and, despite its size, makes copies and scans documents.
Best ValueHP OfficeJet Mobile 200
The HP OfficeJet Mobile 200 is a slimmer, trimmer version of the HP 250, and while you can’t copy or scan documents, you get the same high-quality print results.
Most PortableBrother PocketJet 7 PJ723
The PocketJet 7 PJ723 uses special thermal printing technology, which makes it incredibly compact. Weighing in at just over a pound, it’s the lightest printer we tested in our lab.
Product | Price | Overall Rating | Design | Output | Ink & Media | Features | Help & Support | Portability Score | Battery Life (Pages Per Charge) | Battery Power Option | Dimensions (WHD) | Weight (Pounds) | Print Quality | Black Print Speed | Color Print Speed | Photo Capable | Print Resolution | Max. Document Size | Print Technology | Cost Per Page (Standard) | Cost Per Page (High Capacity) | Paper Capacity | Scan & Copy | Connectivity | OS Support | Mobile Support - Apple | Mobile Support - Android | Mobile Support - Other | Print from Camera | Warranty | Phone | Live Chat | Social Media | Online Manual | Troubleshooting Guide | FAQs | Forums | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HP OfficeJet All-in-One 250 | View Deal | 4/5 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 8.3 | 5.8 | 10 | A- | 500 | ✓ | 14.96 x 7.8 x 3.6 | 6.73 | A | 8.57 | 7.35 | ✓ | 4800 x 1200 | 8.5 x 14 | Inkjet | 0.21 | 0.16 | 50 | ✓ | USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Windows, Mac, Linux | - | - | HP ePrint app | - | 1 year | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
HP OfficeJet Mobile 200 | View Deal | 4/5 | 9.5 | 9.3 | 8.3 | 3.3 | 10 | A | 500 | ✓ | 14.3 x 7.32 x 2.7 | 4.85 | A | 8.82 | 7.35 | ✓ | 4800 x 1200 | 8.5 x 14 | Inkjet | 0.21 | 0.16 | 50 | - | USB, Wi-Fi | Windows, Mac, Linux | - | - | HP ePrint app | - | 1 year | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Canon PIXMA iP 110 | View Deal | 4/5 | 9 | 8 | 5.8 | 8 | 7.5 | A | 290 | $ | 12.7 x 7.3 x 2.5 | 4.3 | B | 7.14 | 4.04 | ✓ | 9600 x 2400 | 8.5 x 14 | Inkjet | 0.15 | - | 50 | - | USB, Wi-Fi | Windows, Mac | ✓ | ✓ | Canon PRINT app | ✓ | 1 year | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Epson WF 100 | View Deal | 4/5 | 9.3 | 8 | 5 | 6.3 | 5 | A | 100 | ✓ | 12.2 x 6.1 x 2.4 | 3.5 | A- | 5.36 | 2.88 | ✓ | 5760 x 1440 | 8.5 x 14 | Inkjet | 0.18 | - | 20 | - | USB, Wi-Fi | Windows, Mac | ✓ | ✓ | Epson iPrint Mobile App | - | 1 year | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | - |
HP DeskJet 3755 | View Deal | 3.5/5 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8 | 10 | B+ | - | - | 15.86 x 6.97 x 5.55 | 5.13 | B | 7.89 | 3.75 | ✓ | 4800 x 1200 | 8.5 x 14 | Inkjet | 0.25 | 0.19 | 60 | ✓ | USB, Wi-Fi | Windows, Mac | ✓ | ✓ | HP ePrint app | - | 1 year | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Brother PocketJet 7 | View Deal | 3.5/5 | 10 | 3.5 | 10 | 2.5 | 7.5 | A+ | 600 | $ | 10.04 x 2.17 x 1.53 | 1.34 | D- | 5.0 | - | - | 300 x 203 | 8.5 x 14 | Thermal | 0.14 | 0.07 | Varies | - | USB | Windows, Mac, Linux | - | - | - | - | 1 year | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - |
Primera Trio | View Deal | 3/5 | 9.3 | 4 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 6.3 | A | 350 | $ | 11.4 x 6.5 x 1.8 | 2.8 | C- | 1.48 | 1.64 | - | 4800 x 1200 | 8.5 x 14 | Inkjet | Black - 0.26, Color - 0.53 | Black - 0.27, Color - 0.21 | 10 | ✓ | USB | Windows, Mac | - | - | - | - | 1 year | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | - |
Related Product Reviews
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The Rundown
- Best Overall:Brother MFC-J985 at Amazon, “a good choice, thanks to its low running costs.”
- Best High Speed:Brother MFC-L6800DW at Amazon, “capable of printing at a max speed of 48 pages per minute.”
- Best Photo Printer:HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 at Amazon, “boasts impressive connectivity options and borderless photo printing.”
- Best Budget:HP OfficeJet 5255 at Amazon, “With Wi-Fi connectivity, you can easily set this printer up in any room.”
- Best for Ease of Use:Epson XP-830 Small-in-One at Amazon, “versatile, wireless and offers excellent photo quality printing.”
- Runner-Up, Best High Speed:Brother MFC-L5800DW at Amazon, “a quick monochrome printer and scanner.”
- Best Value:Brother MFC-J895DW at Amazon, “it’s simple, shuttable design helps it keep from being an eyesore.”
- Best for Small Businesses:Samsung ProXpress at Staples, “this is a straightforward and capable option with killer speeds.”
- Best for Versatility:Epson Expression Premium at Amazon, “more high-quality prints than you'd expect from your typical printer.”
- Best High Capacity:Epson workForce Pro at Amazon, “when it comes to high-capacity printing, it is both capable and upgradable.”
- Best Compact:Canon Pixma TR4520 at Amazon, “the Canon Pixma TR4520 is on the small side for a printer of its class.”
- Best Design:Canon Pixma TS9120 at Amazon, “a versatile all-in-one printer with scanning and copying.”
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Brother MFC-J985DW with INKvestment Cartridges
4.4
The Brother MFC-J985DW all-in-one inkjet printer is a great choice, thanks to its low running costs. With its high-capacity ink refills as part of Brother's INKvestment series, you're getting one of the best cost-per-page value of any home inkjet on the market. Operating costs are less than 1 cent per black and white page, and less than 5 cents per color page.
It also has great features for the office, including duplex (two-sided) printing, and wireless printing from devices via AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, Brother iPrint&Scan, and Wi-Fi Direct. Networking is enabled via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct, or you can print directly from USB. Paper capacity is 100 pages, and this printer can handle up to legal-sized paper (8.5” x 14”). You can print up to 12 black-and-white pages or 10 color pages per minute.
Best High Speed: Brother MFC-L6800DW
4
When it comes to speed, Brother makes a mighty impressive, monochrome all-in-one model. Whether you want to print or scan, the Brother MFC-L6800DW will floor it, offering incredible speed no matter your project. It’s capable of printing at a max speed of 48 pages per minute, and it can scan 50 single-sided or 100 double-sided documents per minute.
The Brother MFC-L6800DW can fit 570 sheets of paper in its main and multi-purpose trays, and it can be fitted with an even larger tray to expand the capacity up to 1,610 sheets if needed. Considering how fast it can print documents, business customers printing high volumes may find that extra capacity useful.
On top of its high speeds, the Brother MFC-L6800DW supports auto-duplex printing and faxing, can scan directly to the cloud or mobile devices, and has Wi-Fi connectivity. Plus, it comes with a number of business-oriented features, like Secure Print — to ensure no one gets your documents — and Setting Lock — to keep people from messing with your preferred settings. Whatever you need to print, copy, or fax, the Brother MFC-L6800DW can help you do it quick.
Best Photo Printer: HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 Wireless Printer
4.7
This all-in-one color inkjet printer from HP boasts impressive connectivity options and borderless photo printing, making it an ideal option for standard tasks, copying, faxing and photography. You can manage your printing jobs via a 4.3-inch color touchscreen, which has an intuitive tap and swipe feature. Wireless printing is facilitated by AirPrint for Apple devices and NFC touch-to-print for other smart devices. Some users have commented they have had difficulty setting up wireless functionality, but once up and running it offers a seamless and convenient way to bring your documents to life.
Impressive print management options are buoyed by high speeds, with ultra-fast automatic two-sided printing and a 50-page automatic document printer and 250-sheet paper tray. HP claims the specs are 24 pages per minute for black and white printing and 20 pages per minute for color. The high volume trays and efficient ink model result in up to 50 percent lower cost per page compared to laser printers. Documents scan at 1200 dpi resolution, while borderless photos print in standard 4 x 6-inch size.
Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best photo printers.
Best Budget: HP OfficeJet 5255
4.5
HP’s OfficeJet 5255 is probably exactly what you’d think of when you imagine a budget printer in 2018. But, when you need something affordable that can handle basic printing, copying, scanning, and faxing, the OfficeJet 5255 does the job. And a few extra features make it even more compelling.
With Wi-Fi connectivity, you can easily set this printer up in any room in your house and print from wherever you are. You’ll also have an easy time printing documents from a variety of devices, since you can print from computers, your mobile phone, tablet, and cloud-based storage services like Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox.
The OfficeJet 5255 also has handy features like an auto document feeder with a 35-sheet capacity, as well as automatic duplex printing. If you’re expecting to do a lot of printing, you’ll also be able to save on ink by using Amazon Dash replenishment to automatically order ink refills when your printer detects it’s running low, so you'll never be out when you need it most.
Best for Ease of Use: Epson XP-830 Small-in-One
4.4
The Epson XP-830 all-in-one is versatile, wireless and offers excellent photo quality printing. You can print, copy, scan or fax from this compact AIO, and the automatic document feeder is capable of holding 30 pages. Two-sided printing is available, and print speeds are rated at 9.5 pages per minute (ppm) for black-and-white pages, and 9ppm for color pages, making for a rather slow printer, but photo printers aren't usually fast. The XP-830 has the additional ability to print on pre-surfaced optical discs.
This Small-in-One is a great option for someone who doesn’t have heavy usage demands and wants an inexpensive all-in-one with superior print quality. Mobile printing options, such as printing directly from your phone or tablet, are a snap thanks to Epson Connect software and other mobile printing options. A 4.3-inch touchscreen makes it easy to use. And it’s small, at 15.4” x 13.3” x 7.5”, so it’ll fit just about anywhere.
Runner-Up, Best High Speed: Brother MFC-L5800DW
The smaller sibling of the Brother MFC-L6800DW, Brother’s MFC-L5800DW model is also a quick monochrome printer and scanner — just with a more palatable price. This machine can spit out documents at a maximum speed of 42 pages per minute while scanning 28 impressions per minute. This model has a base capacity of 300 sheets of paper but has an auto document feeder that's also able to fit 70 pages.
Since the Brother MFC-L5800DW is significantly cheaper than its sibling, it does miss out on some perks, namely the bigger touchscreen display and duplex copying, but it still offers plenty of speed. And, like other printers in this Brother series, its paper capacity can be greatly expanded with add-ons, ultimately allowing users to stow as many as 1,340 sheets.
The Brother MFC-L5800DW can connect to Wi-Fi and supports printing from and scanning to iOS and Android devices, as well as Kindle Fire and even Windows Phone devices. You can also link the printer with Evernote, Google Drive, and Dropbox and scan documents to those cloud storage services or print files from them for convenience.
Best Value: Brother MFC-J895DW
The impressive Brother MFC-J895DW offers a comparable experience to it's XL sibling (literally called the MFC-J985DW XL), but at a much more budget-friendly price point. Since it blends great all-around performance and features with a price tag that is not painfully high, it gets our top pick for best value printer.
The Brother MFC-J895DW offers color printing, copying, and scanning along with faxing. And, it’s simple, shuttable design helps it keep from being an eyesore — something particularly nice for those using it at home. Like its larger sibling, it can print a maximum of 12 pages per minute, and 10 pages per minute in color. It can hold 150 sheets of paper and has an auto document feeder that can hold 20 sheets.
The Brother MFC-J895DW supports automatic duplex printing. Plus, thanks to its Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, it supports a host of other features. You can print from or scan to the cloud, you can connect to your computer wirelessly, and you can connect to mobile devices with NFC without needing to sign on to a Wi-Fi network. Amazon Dash Replenishment support will also help you keep your ink stocked so you never run out in the middle of a job.
Best for Small Businesses: Samsung ProXpress SL-M3870FW
It may not be the prettiest, but the Samsung ProXpress M3870FW printer gets the job done — and fast. If your small business does a lot of printing and you don’t need color, this is a straightforward and capable option with killer speeds.
The Samsung ProXpress M3870FW can print up to 40 pages per minute, and warms up quickly, with the first page ready in as few as 6.5 seconds. For heavy printing loads, this printer has a duty cycle up to 80,000 pages per month. You’ll be able to put in a lot of paper, too, with a 250-sheet input tray, a 50-sheet multi-purpose tray, and a 50-sheet auto document feeder. With auto-duplex printing, you’ll get more from each sheet as well.
So, to summarize, you’ll get plenty of use out of the Samsung ProXpress M3870FW in a business setting, plus you'll get some of the handy modern features of an internet-connected printer. You can print documents from anywhere using Google Cloud Print or the Samsung Mobile Print App and Apple users can use Apple AirPrint. Best of all, it won't run you much more than your average consumer printer.
Best for Versatility: Epson Expression Premium ET-7750 EcoTank
The Epson Expression Premium ET-7750 EcoTank takes the versatility of an all-in-one printer and does consumers one better. If you can do without faxing — the machine's one caveat — and are looking for a printer that, beyond regular document printing, delivers brilliant photo prints, then this is the unit for the job.
The Epson Expression Premium ET-7750 EcoTank can handle wide-format printing, supporting sizes of up to 11' x 17'. That — combined with a high DPI, three ink colors, and two separate black ink types — can make for much more high-quality photo and document prints than you'd expect from your typical printer. Plus, you can still get solid printing and copying performance with auto-duplex printing and speeds of up to 13 pages per minute.
This EcoTank model doesn’t use regular ink cartridges. Rather, you can fill it back up with bottles of ink, and Epson includes an estimated two-years worth of extra ink right in the box. You also get handy options for printing from smartphones and the cloud using the printer's internet connection. Best checkbook app for mac 2018. So, whether it’s documents or photos, the Epson Expression Premium ET-7750 EcoTank is a flexible pick.
Best High Capacity: Epson workForce Pro ET-8700 EcoTank
Epson’s various EcoTank models have a lot going for them, and when it comes to high-capacity printing, the Epson WorkForce Pro ET-8700 EcoTank is both capable and upgradable. While the base model’s main paper tray has a capacity of 250 sheets and an additional rear tray can hold 80 sheets, there’s the option of adding on an additional tray with a 500-sheet capacity.
All that flexibility in capacity is balanced out with strong printing and copying performance. The WorkForce Pro ET-8700 EcoTank can print documents at up to 24 pages per minute, and it can scan documents just as fast. Helping you take advantage of the high sheet capacity is the EcoTank line’s ink, which doesn’t come in a typical cartridge. Epson boasts including enough ink to deliver 16,000 monochrome pages or 11,000 color pages.
The WorkForce Pro ET-8700 EcoTank also has a number of features for ease-of-use, such as a 4.3' color touchscreen and auto-duplex printing. It can also connect to wireless networks, use Wi-Fi direct, or NFC, giving you plenty of options for printing files from a variety of devices.
Best Compact: Canon Pixma TR4520
It might not look it, but the Canon Pixma TR4520 is on the small side for a printer of its class. Plenty of others come smaller, but the Canon Pixma TR4520 supports printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, while its competition may focus on just printing. Despite its smaller size, it can still hold 100 sheets of paper and features an auto document feeder and automatic duplex printing.
At a printing speed of 8.8 pages per minute, it’s not the fastest all-in-one printer, but it wins on size, measuring just 17.2' x 11.7' x 7.5' when closed. Best yet, it packs quite a few bonus features on top of its basic functionality.
The Canon Pixma TR 4520 can connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, and supports wireless printing and scanning. You’ll be able to print documents from the cloud, scan documents to the Canon Print App, and create multi-page PDFs. This printer even supports Amazon Alexa natively along with IFTTT (If This Then That) and Google Assistant through IFTTT. This means you’ll have extensive automation options available to you. All that comes in a small package with a similarly small price tag.
Best Design: Canon Pixma TS9120
The Canon Pixma TS9120 may lack faxing functionality, but it still proves a versatile all-in-one printer with scanning and copying, and it boasts a number of other valuable features that round out its performance. Plus, on a more superficial level, what the printer really does best is look pretty. So, if you don’t have a dedicated home office where you can hide your printer away, this is a great option that will blend pretty seamlessly with your decor.
The Pixma TS9120 has a simple, box-shaped design, and a metallic gold, gray, or red finish on top. The rear paper feed and front tray for catching your printed documents pop out when needed, and tuck away when not in use. Both the rear and bottom paper trays can hold 100 sheets of paper each, which is helpful since this can print 15 pages per minute.
On the front, there is a large, 5' LCD touchscreen display that makes navigation easier. The Canon Pixma TS9120 also offers plenty of connectivity options, with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and even Bluetooth. You’ll have plenty of ways to print files from your devices, and, you won’t be limited to just documents, either, as this is a capable photo printer, and even can print special CD/DVD/Blu-ray cover images.
Tested by
Best Printer Scanner 2018
How We Tested
Best Printer Scanner 2018 For Mac
We bought five top-rated all-in-one printers that our reviewers tested for more than 40 hours. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these printers, from their supply costs to their networking capabilities. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.
What to Look for in an All-in-One Printer
Inkjet vs. laser -If you’re looking for a printer that can handle a combination of text, graphics, and photos, an inkjet is the way to go. However, if you’ll mostly be printing and scanning black-and-white text documents, a laser printer makes more sense.
Supply costs -While AIO printers themselves might not cost a lot, the printer cartridges can really add up. Research those costs before you make your purchase, as in some cases a more expensive printer can end up being cheaper in the long run. Also look into the possibility of refilling your own cartridges.
Networking capability -Connection via USB has been standard in printers for years, but for an office environment, it’s essential that it supports Wi-Fi. This makes it easy for several devices to connect and many even offer one-click wireless setup. Some printers even offer near-field communication (NFC) connectivity, which let you connect a smartphone just by tapping it on a specific area on the machine.
Test Results: Brother MFC-J985DW (Best Overall)
4.4
What We Like
- Sharp, quick text printing
- Super efficient ink usage
- Fast scanning and copying
What We Don't Like
- Slow color printing
- Subpar graphics and photos
- No direct USB to PC connection
Our tester said this printer 'stands out for having the lowest long-term operating costs of any comparable printer because of its efficient and inexpensive ink.' In terms of print quality, however, our reviewer noted that 'it's better geared toward text than images.' Still, he found the setup 'fast and straightforward,' the scanner 'adequate,' and the fax quality to be 'solid.' Overall, our tester recommended this printer for anyone looking for 'long-term value for a reasonable up-front price.'
Test Results: Brother MFC-L6800DW (Best High Speed)
4
What We Like
- High capacity and speed
- Accessible price
- Universal connectivity
- Fast and effective scanner
What We Don't Like
- Monochrome printing
- Lost detail on high-resolution images
Calling it “an ideal all-in-one for high-volume printing and scanning,” our tester was impressed by this printer’s “smart, focused features” and “relatively accessible price.” He noted “text documents were of reasonably high and consistent quality,” but cautioned that it “handles images less well.” However, our reviewer explained that the real highlight of this printer is “the top-mounted automatic document feeder, which can scan double-sided documents on a single pass at an impressive clip.” The takeaway? “The Brother MFC-L6800DW strikes a perfect balance between speed, features, and cost for a printer for any budget-minded small-business or home office,” he said.
Test Results: HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 Wireless Printer (Best Photo Printer)
4.7
What We Like
- Scanning is crystal clear
- Duplex automatic document feeder
- High-speed printing
- Rich color printing
Best Photo Printers 2018
What We Don't Like
- Large footprint
- Some inconsistency in printing text
“For color printing, the OfficeJet Pro 8720 was fast, producing rich and consistent colors that matched the screen image very well,” our tester raved. Other pluses, according to our reviewer, include the “fast, easy, and high-quality” scanner, super easy setup, and functional design. While he did notice “tiny, stray ink spots showing up in large text documents,” he felt this wasn’t a huge concern. And although our tester didn’t like its bulkiness, he still called this model “the best middle ground between a consumer-grade inkjet printer and a small-business-ready all-in-one.”
Test Results: HP OfficeJet 5255 (Best Budget)
Best Printer For Mac
4.5
What We Like
- Inexpensive
- High-quality color printing
- Automatic duplex printing
What We Don't Like
- Ink gets pricey
- Spotty wireless connectivity
“HP has managed to cut costs in such a way that combines all of the basic business hardware features at an acceptable quality with an exceedingly low price,” our tester said of this budget-friendly printer. He called the printing speeds “more than adequate” and said the overall printing quality was “fairly impressive.” The downsides? Our reviewer said the scanner is just “mediocre” and setting up the wireless feature was a “stubborn” process. And while the price of the printer itself is ideal, our tester warned that “ink operating costs are not the best.”
Test Results: Epson XP-830 Small-in-One (Best for Ease of Use)
4.4
What We Like
- Small size
- Great print quality
- Easy to use
“For a small printer, I thought it packed a lot into one,” one of our reviewers said about the Epson XP-830. She liked the multi-page paper feeder, the ability to scan, and the scan-to-email functionality. Plus, she thought the touchscreen made it easy to flip from one function to the next. “Set up to my laptop was pretty easy and setting it up to a phone was even easier,” she added.
During some of our other printer tests, Lifewire reviewers noticed that the printed colors sometimes ended up duller than expected—but not with this model. “I've printed out text documents and high-color photos and everything looks great,” one person said. Color-heavy print jobs will come out a bit slower, but the end result will impress you.
Our writers spent 10 hours researching the most popular all-in-one printers on the market. Before making their final recommendations, they considered 90 different laptops, screened options from 9 different brands and manufacturers, and read over 40 user reviews (both positive and negative). All of this research adds up to recommendations you can trust.