Ever left the office and it suddenly occurred to you that you need to print a document right away? Returning to the office immediately might be impossible, especially if you’re stuck in traffic or out in the field or on the road, or even at home at midnight.
It can be a pretty frustrating experience. This is where portable printers come in. Portable printers can help you print documents and photos from wherever you are.
That way, you never have to feel frustrated about being unable to print documents just when you need them.
In this article, you will find the best portable printers that meet different needs. Keep reading!
Which is the Best Portable Printer to Buy?
Finding the best portable printer can be challenging as there are many models on the market. However, you don’t need to worry about which to choose as we have done the hard work of researching top-rated printers and assembled a list of the absolute best in different categories.
Check out the variety of options below.
HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer – Best Portable Photo Printer
- PRINT PHOTOS ON DEMAND HP Sprocket 2nd Edition Printer Prints 2”x 3” Photographs from Your Smartphone or Social Media. For iOS 10-Plus & Android 5-Plus, Bluetooth 5.2
- ZINK ZERO INK TECHNOLOGY No Expensive Toner or Ribbon Replacements. Glossy Sticky-Back Photo Paper Has Colors Embedded Inside for Amazing Resistance to Water, Smudges & Tears
- UNIQUE FILTERS, FRAMES & FLAIR Customize Your Snaps with Cool Editing Tools on the Free HP App. Apply Stickers, Borders & Emojis, Share Albums.
- CONNECT TO MULTIPLE DEVICES Set Up Sprocket at Parties So Friends Can Print Instantly Shareable Photos—At the Same Time. Personalized LED Light Lets You Know Who’s Printing
- SLIM, PORTABLE DESIGN Wireless Pocket-Sized Rechargeable Printer is Compact Enough to Carry in Your Backpack, Purse, or Pocket. Micro USB Charging Cable with 35 Prints/Charge
| Dimensions | : 4.63 x 3.15 x 0.98 inches |
| Item weight | : 6.1 ounces |
| Capacity | : 35 pages |
| Paper size | : 2.3 x 2.4 inches |
| Connectivity | : Bluetooth 5.0 |
The HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer is an ink-free pocket printer that can produce wallet-size prints from your mobile device.
It is remarkably easy to use and boasts a suite of editing features so you can print photos on the go.
Straight of the box, the HP Sprocket Portable Printer is about the size of a smartphone but a little chunkier.
Nonetheless, you can still tuck it away into your pocket with ease, thanks to its oblong shape. It is available in noir, blush, and lunar pearl variants (black, peach, and gray respectively).
The design is basic, which includes a print-out slot, a power button, a reset pinhole, and a micro USB for charging.
HP adds two LEDs to the printer with one being to show when the device is powered on and the battery is powered on while the other is to indicate the printer status.
In terms of features, this unit offers a handful. A notable feature is the Zero Ink (ZINK) technology so you can say farewell to the days of expensive toners and ribbon replacements.
This unit can provide up to 35 prints from a single battery charge.
Additionally, there’s also the companion app, HP Sprocket App to walk you through the setup and Bluetooth pairing while also providing editing tools to make your prints pop.
When you want to print smudge-proof photos from your smartphone or social media media, this model from HP is the best portable photo printer to buy.
Read here details about this- HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer Review.
Reasons To Buy
- Compact and portable.
- Easy to use the app.
- Rechargeable battery.
- Top-notch ink technology.
Reasons To Avoid
- Expensive photo paper.
- Photo reproduction could be better.
HPRT MT800 – Best portable printer for iPhone
- Ultra Compactness and portability-The size of HPRT portable travel printer is about twice that of an iPhone to fit in a laptop briefcase, backpack or luggage; Especially good for emergency printing on the go or business traveling; Want to work and print with the printer beisde the pool/beach, or even up the mountain? Print anytime and anywhere. (Note: MT800 is a monochrome printer that feeds one page at a time due to the nature of a portable printer, NOT a scanner or color Printer）
- Decent printout -The print quality is decent with a clear dark and waterproof text legibly in PDF or Word files by utilizing Thermal-transfer No-ink technology. No ink-clogged; No Toner leaks; Besides, HPRT GLOSSY PAPER is highly recommended as glossy surface makes the printing quality more clearer. (Note: AirPrint isn't supported on the printer currently)
- High compatibility- Not only does HPRT MT800 portable printer support iOS, Android, iPad with Bluetooth connection, but also be compatible with MAC and Windows (except for Chromebook) with USB cord connection. (Note: The driver is not yet compatible with Mac M1/M2 or surface pro X that use ARM-base processer)
- Easy to setup-The wireless Monochrome mobile printer takes 5 minutes from unpacking to print a document; (Note: Choose "Visitor Login" that No verification code is required for protecting your privacy)
- Great customer service-Printer doesn't work? Can't connect to your Mac or Windows laptop? Unsatisfied with Printout? Please don't worry, we offer a detailed user manual in the package and upload some operation guide videos for the HPRT portable printer in the product page; Let's start the wonderful black-and-white printer mobile office trip! Feel free to email us and we will reply you with 24 hours until you're satisfied.
| Dimensions | : 12.22 x 2.5 x 1.6 inches |
| Item weight | : 1.53 pounds |
| Capacity | : 70 pages |
| Paper size | : A4 in 214mm size |
| Connectivity | : Bluetooth, USB |
If you’re looking for the best portable printer for iPhone, the HPRT MT800 is a unit that is sure to meet your printing needs.
It’s about two times the size of your iPhone, which means you can take it with you in your bag, backpack, or carry-on suitcase.
It comes with three LED indicator lights. Blue shows that the printer is on standby mode, green indicates it’s charging (and the light usually turns off when it’s fully charged) while red indicates that the device is out of ribbon and needs replacement.
Besides being able to connect this unit to your iPhone, it also supports compatibility with Mac and Windows, Linux computers, laptops, and even iPads (except for Chromebook).
Its versatility means you can set it up from your iPhone or laptop. You will have no worries about using this printer no matter where you are.
Going further, the MT800 comes pre-installed with a piece of thermal ribbon so you can start printing immediately. Each ribbon can print 45 pages.
Speaking of pages, the manufacturer recommends the use of HPRT glossy paper for better printing quality.
With a 300 dpi high-resolution support, you can expect to get improved print quality when you print documents.
Connecting to the MT800 is a breeze as it uses Bluetooth connectivity. This comes with a huge battery life that allows you to use the printer for extended periods without worrying about it running out of power.
When the battery is fully charged, the printer can achieve up to 70 prints.
Reasons To Buy
- Versatile.
- Great battery life.
- Inkless technology.
- 300 DPI high-resolution print results.
Reasons To Avoid
- Can’t be connected to Chromebook.
HP Officejet 250 b – Best portable printer scanner
- Main functions of this HP all-in-one portable printer: scan, copy, easy portable printing wherever you need it, wireless Print from your laptop or mobile devices, 2. 65" Color touchscreen, auto document feeder, and more
- Mobile printing: print from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet with the free HP ePrint app, easily connect to your printer with Bluetooth smart technology and Wi-Fi Direct
- Easy portable printing wherever you need it. This durable, compact printer fits in your car, backpack, and more, for convenient printing anywhere. Start printing right out of the box with quick and easy setup
- Reduce charging interruptions with a long-lasting battery. Charge from home, in your car or office, and more. Plug in your AC power source to charge within 90 minutes while the printer is off
- Use Original HP 62 ink & HP 62XL cartridges for great results Print after print. Original HP ink prints up to 2x the pages as refilled cartridges
- Use the 2. 65-Inch color touchscreen to print, scan and copy quickly and easily. Quickly print, copy, and scan multipage documents hands-free with the 10-page automatic document feeder
- Paper sizes supported: Letter, legal, statement, executive, envelopes (no. 10, Monarch, 6 3/4 in), cards (3x5 in, 4x6 in, 5x8 in), photo (8x10 in, 5x7 in, 4x6 in, 3. 5x5 in)
- One-year limited hardware backed by HP customer care, service and support; one-year TECHNICAL Phone Support
| Dimensions | : 7.8 x 14.96 x 3.6 inches |
| Item weight | : 6.51 pounds |
| Capacity | : 500 pages |
| Paper size | : 8.5 x 14 inches |
| Connectivity | : Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct |
When it comes to all-in-one printers, the HP Officejet 250 is widely rated the best on the market. It might be pricey but what you will be investing in is a professional-grade device that can copy and scan as well as print.
While this unit can be carried around, its dimensions make it a behemoth among portable printers but that is because of the addition of a scanner and copier.
It also comes with a color touchscreen for easy operation and a built-in power meter so you can keep an eye on the battery percentage.
The printer is able to fold down from the top and locks into place without any need for a latch. Its exterior features the power outlet, USB port, and battery pack while the interior includes a power button and three LED indicator lights for power, battery life, and Wi-Fi.
Being a portable printer, this machine from HP lets you print from your mobile device with the free eHP app.
You can pair your phone and the printer via Bluetooth smart connectivity and Wi-Fi Direct. For setup, you can either use the app or dig around the LCD touchscreen menus for setup options.
One of the major attractions of this portable printer is its printing speed, which is around 9-10 pages per minute. Its performance and speed didn’t seem like that of most battery-powered printers.
What’s more, it comes with a high print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, which enables to print clear and sharp photos.
As for the scanner function, this model can only scan single pages. Battery-wise, this portable printer can run for hours and only requires 90 minutes of charge to go from zero to max.
Based on its sterling performance, it’s not difficult to see why it is rated the best portable printer scanner.
Read here a full analysis of this- HP Officejet 250 Portable Printer.
Reasons To Buy
- Excellent photo quality.
- Color touchscreen.
- Great battery life.
- Fast printing and scanning speed.
Reasons To Avoid
- Expensive.
- Relatively big.
Epson Workforce WF 110 – Best Portable Home Printer
- Epson printing system is designed to be used exclusively with Epson Genuine Cartridges. Use of non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered under the printer’s ltd. wnty.
- Flexible battery charging — Choose from a variety of charging options, including via USB and AC adapter, or print on AC power.
- Built-in battery — a rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers dependable performance in a small package.
- External accessory battery available — for even greater Print volume.
- Wireless connectivity, plus Wi-Fi Direct (1) — Wi-Fi 5; easily print from iPad, iPhone, tablets, smartphones and laptops (2).
| Dimensions | : 9.1 x 12.2 x 9.5 inches |
| Item weight | : 4.6 ounces |
| Capacity | : 100 pages |
| Paper size | : A4 to A6 |
| Connectivity | : USB, Wi-Fi Direct |
Designed primarily for business professionals who need a portable printer at home, the Epson Workforce WF 110 can print well, and is highly reliable.
It comes with just about everything you’d expect from a portable printer in its category.
This Epson printer is one of the smallest and most lightweight models on the market, which is a plus in that you will have no trouble moving it around.
It is, essentially, a fully-featured A4 color printer that’s been shrunk to the size of a handbag.
All its controls are hidden and protected by its articulated flap except the power button and LED indicators.
As for the sockets, there are only two of them (power adapted and micro USB) and they are located on the left side.
Setting up and using the printer is easy, thanks to the 1.4-inches bright color display. It is able to print 6.7 pages per minute for monochrome prints and half that for full-color prints.
Fully charged, it can deliver up to 100 monochrome prints. For connectivity, you can either use the USB port or Wi-Fi Direct but for mobile printing, this unit works with Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print.
Furthermore, this printer comes with a wide array of features including Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi, several mobile protocols, and a suite of apps including Email Print, Epson Print, and others.
Plus, you can print on a variety of media including A4 to A6-size plain paper and glossy photo paper of varying formats.
If you’re looking for the best portable home printer, this unit is a good choice but albeit an expensive one.
Reasons To Buy
- Great print quality.
- Long battery life.
- Charges over USB.
- Extremely portable.
Reasons To Avoid
- Expensive.
- Uses ink quickly.
Canon Pixma TR150 – Best portable wireless printer
- Take your printing on the go with the Pixma TR150 wireless mobile printer [1]
- Compact and lightweight, this versatile, space-saving printer is designed for outstanding portability
- Print sharp documents and vibrant photos up to 8.5” x 11”
- With an intuitive interface that features a 1.44-inch OLED display, the Pixma TR150 makes it easy to print anytime, anywhere
- Print hassle-free from a range of wireless options such as the Canon Print App [3], Apple AirPrint(R) [4], Mopria(R) Print Service [5] and Google Cloud Print (TM) [6], straight from your mobile devices
- Features an optional battery (sold separately) for convenient printing, even when you’re on the move. OS Compatibility- Windows- Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 SP1. Mac-18 Mac OS X v10.11.6 - macOS v10.12 - macOS v10.15. Mobile Operating Systems:19 iOS, Android, Windows 10 Mobile, and Fire OS (Amazon Fire) devices20
- For numbers listed in product description see “specification sheet” in technical specification section below
| Dimensions | : 12.7 x 7.3 x 2.6 inches |
| Item weight | : 6.7 pounds |
| Capacity | : 330 pages |
| Paper size | : 2.3 x 2.4 inches |
| Connectivity | : Bluetooth 5.0 |
When you want a no-hassle printer that delivers great printing quality and is friendly on the pocketbook, the Canon Pixma TR150 is exactly what you should buy.
It not only makes printing on the road possible but also super simple.
The first impression of the TR150 is that’s truly a small and lightweight printer. Because transported devices are easily prone to damage, the molded frame is made of durable plastic to make it rugged enough to be moved around anywhere.
Opening the lid shows a small 1.4 QLED display and function buttons including arrow buttons, OK buttons, and arrow buttons.
Available slots are for AC power, USB, and anti-theft lock. It’s important to add that this model supports Google Assistant and Alexa.
Coming to the performance department, this model only sports the print function for both monochrome and color documents.
Printing speed stands at 9ppm for monochrome documents and 2ppm for color prints. It supports a print resolution of 4800 x 1200dpi, which translates to highly legible texts and sharp colored prints.
There’s an abundance of apps to choose from including Apple AirPrint, Canon Print, Canon Print Service, etc.
It also boasts the ability to save up to five templates in the printer itself like applications, consent forms, flyers, etc.
Connectivity options reiterate why this device is the best portable wireless printer. It offers USB, Wi-Fi, wireless LAN, and wireless PictBridge.
Mobile connectivity options include Google Cloud Print, Mopria, Wireless Direct, and PIXMA cloud link among several others.
With regards to battery life, the TR150 can churn out 330 pages using the optional, detachable battery. Thanks to its 4-step LED indicators, you can monitor battery consumption so the device doesn’t run out of power while you’re using it.
Reasons To Buy
- High portability.
- Outstanding print quality.
- Detachable battery.
Reasons To Avoid
- Expensive running cost.
- Slow print speed.
Brother PJ773 – Best portable laser printer
- Sold as 1 Each.
- Mobile printer is an ideal printing solution for sales/service, logistics/delivery and public safety/emergency officials. Dimensions: 1.5"H x 2.2"W x 10"D.
- Color: Black. Print technology: Direct thermal, Print color: Monochrome.
- Maximum print resolution: 300 dpi. Form factor: Portable.
- Print speed: 8 ppm. Maximum print width: 8.22".
| Dimensions | : 10.04 x 2.17 x 1.8 inches |
| Item weight | : 8 ounces |
| Capacity | : 600 pages |
| Paper size | : 5.83 – 11.69 inches |
| Connectivity | : Wi-Fi and USB |
Brother PJ773 is widely considered the best portable laser printer on the market due to how lightweight it is. It is perfect for people who are always on the road or who work in the field.
It is so small yet so powerful and easy to use – just bring it out, turn it on, load a sheet of paper and you can start printing.
Starting with its physical appearance, this printer is so small that it is barely wider than an A4 sheet.
Because of its size, you can take it anywhere and you don’t have to worry about accidentally dropping it as the side of the printer is lined with raised dots to provide extra grip. It is also very sturdy.
Because of its dimensions, the PJ773 adopts a minimalist design. There’s the input for the paper that runs through the centre horizontally with buttons and LED indicator lights.
This printer’s operating system is compatible with most computing devices, so it will likely work if you’re trying to print from your smartphone, tablets, and PCs that run iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. It can print up to 600 pages on a single charge.
For connectivity, the PJ773 supports Wi-Fi and USB only even though you can go the alternative route of printing from your mobile device using Google Cloud Print and Apple AirPrint.
The battery life is decent and keeps the device running a few hours away from the wall socket.
Read here our full analysis of this- Brother PJ773 Printer.
Reasons To Buy
- Compact and lightweight.
- Decent battery life.
Reasons To Avoid
- Print quality could be better.
Kodak Photo Printer Mini 2 – Best portable instant photo printer
- EASY PRINT TECHNOLOGY – Mini Smartphone Printer Lets You Print 2. 1 X 3. 4” Photos Direct From Android or iOS Device; No Cables or Buttons Necessary
- WIRELESS CONVENIENCE – NFC One Touch for Android Launches Kodak App to Print in Seconds; Also Compatible With iOS/Android Via Bluetooth
- HIGH QUALITY PHOTOS – Innovative 4 PASS D2T2 Dye Transfer Method Produces Beautiful, Detailed Black/White or Color Portraits That Dry Instantly & Stay Bright Up to 10 Yrs
- ALL-IN-ONE CONVENIENCE – Innovative Kodak MC Cartridges Combine Paper & Color Ink for Easy Maintenance; Purchase Refills in Increments of 20, 30 or 49
- FREE COMPANION APP – Download the Kodak Photo Printer App for Filters, Cropping, Stickers, Card Templates, ID Photo Print, Video & SNS Print & More
| Dimensions | : 2 x 3 x 5.2 inches |
| Item weight | : 11.2 ounces |
| Capacity | : 20 pages |
| Paper size | : N/A |
| Connectivity | : Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC |
Kodak is a household name, especially in the area of photography. If you’re looking for a printer that is all about one thing (printing photos) and shines while at it, the Kodak Photo Printer Mini 2 is a model that is surprisingly good at printing pictures.
It is rated the best portable photo printer for creating incredible photos from snaps on your smartphone.
One of the drawcards of this printer is that it’s easy to carry on one’s person. It has a simple design and is so tiny that it can fit into a pocket.
For obvious reasons, it has a small control panel that consists of a power button, two status LEDs (for On and Connected), a mini USB port, a Reset button, and a charging status LED on the back.
Although this model has just one job to do, its printing speed is slow as it takes shy of one minute and a half to do so. Thankfully, the photos are water-resistant, finger-resistant prints.
Connectivity-wise, it’s Wi-Fi (and by extension Wi-Fi Direct), Bluetooth, and NFC. All its functionality is tied to the app, so it doesn’t connect to a computer or use a touchscreen.
Rather than wait to print one after the other, the accompanying app allows you to queue up to five photos at a time.
That way, you can let the machine do its thing and come back to hand it out to your friends and family.
Reasons To Buy
- Relatively good image quality.
- Easy to set up.
- Better quality than similarly overpriced rivals.
Reasons To Avoid
- Very slow printing speed.
- Single size format.
Poooli Portable Travel Printer – Best portable travel printer
- Scan,edit,print function is available in Poooli printer APP
- Poooli printer APP is available in google play and apple store
- Rechargeable 2600mAh battery,power up the printer for 26 hours
- Poooli A4 printer compatible with A4 size(8.27 x 11.6 inches) paper
- Wireless bluetooth connection,monochrome inkless technology,portable for business and study
| Dimensions | : 13.03 x 4.02x 2.87 inches |
| Item weight | : 6.1 ounces |
| Capacity | : N/A |
| Paper size | : N/A |
| Connectivity | : Bluetooth, USB, and Wi-Fi |
Pooli might be a relatively unknown name in the world of portable printers but the Pooli Portable Travel Printer is probably the best portable travel printer you can get at affordable pricing.
It’s also lightweight with a small footprint so you can carry it around.
The design of this printer is pretty basic and minimalist, featuring control buttons, a USB port, and LED indicators.
Perhaps, the biggest reason to buy this printer is its companion app, which offers plenty of features. The app allows you to print from your camera roll, notes that you create using the editor built into the app, banners, stickers, and more.
You can also choose to shrink or enlarge the photos using different types of filters. It’s important to note that the printer output is monochrome, especially since it uses monochrome inkless technology for printing.
Reasons To Buy
- Decent printing quality.
- Great companion app.
- Small travel size.
- Long-lasting battery.
Reasons To Avoid
- Sparse features.
Canon Selphy CP1300 – Best portable color printer
- This Bundle Includes: Canon SELPHY CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer, Paper Cassette (Postcard size), Compact Power Adapter, 1 Year Warranty, Canon KP-108IN Color Ink Paper Set (print up to 108 of 4 x 6" color photos), USB Printer Cable for PC Connection & HeroFiber Ultra Gentle Cleaning Cloth
- This Bundle Includes: Canon SELPHY CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer, Paper Cassette (Postcard size), Compact Power Adapter, 1 Year Warranty, Canon KP-108IN Color Ink Paper Set (print up to 108 of 4 x 6" color photos), USB Printer Cable for PC Connection & HeroFiber Ultra Gentle Cleaning Cloth
- Print straight from your iPhone and iPad with AIRPRINT on your Canon device . Print straight from your phone to your canon device from any room in the house with WI-FI.
- Various PRINT SIZES for all your crafting needs, from stickers and Square to 4"x6". Improved USER INTERFACE with intuitive control with the tilting 3.2" LCD Screen. Print from MEMORY CARDS or USB with ease. Take your printing on the go with the OPTIONAL BATTERY PACK
- Canon Color Ink and Paper Set: This special kit is compatible with the CP1300 and prints up to 108 x 4x6" color photos. Printing your photos is simple with the pre-cut paper stock.
| Dimensions | : 13.86 x 10.79 x 5.59 inches |
| Item weight | : 5.9 pounds |
| Capacity | : 54 sheets |
| Paper size | : Post-card-sized paper |
| Connectivity | : Wi-Fi USB and SD Card |
The Canon Selphy CP1300 is a direct successor to the CP1200, retaining its portability, build quality, and varied connection options while offering incremental upgrades in good print quality, user interface, and more.
Thus, it’s unsurprising that this model is the best portable color printer.
If you were expecting a portable printer like the models above, you might be a little disappointed. While this unit is indeed portable, it assumes the position of a giant among small photo printers.
Plus, it’s not really easy to move around as it requires an AC to be plugged in at all times to power the device.
Apart from the usual connectivity options such as Wi-Fi and USB, this model also allows for printing from SD Card.
As expected, this CP1300 is able to churn out photos in under a minute with the printing speed consistent across all modes of printing.
The companion app allows you to edit your photos to make them pop.
See full analysis of this- Canon Selphy CP1300 Printer.
Reasons To Buy
- Very good print quality.
- Multiple connectivity options.
- Useful color LCD screens.
- Allows for printing from memory cards.
Reasons To Avoid
- No batteries included.
- No Bluetooth connectivity.
HP Sprocket Photo Printer – Best portable printer for Mac
- LARGER PHOTOS IN AN INSTANT – HP Sprocket Select Printer Prints Beautiful 2.3” x 3.4” Photographs from Your Smartphone or Social Media in Seconds. For iOS & Android, Bluetooth 5.1.
- ZINK ZERO INK TECHNOLOGY - No Expensive Toner or Ribbon Replacements. Glossy Sticky-Back Photo Paper Has Colors Embedded Inside for Amazing Resistance to Water, Smudges & Tears.
- EXCLUSIVE FRAMES & FILTERS - Personalize Your Snaps with Cool Editing Tools on the HP App. Unlock Augmented Reality Fun or Scan Your Doodles to Make Custom Stickers & More.
- INSTANT ACCESS TO SOCIAL - No More Scrolling to Find Your Pics. Tag-to-Print Feature Lets You Hashtag a Photo on Instagram & Other Social Media for Quick Printing in the HP App.
- Bundle Includes Sprocket Select Printer w/ Paper Pack (20 sheets), Deluxe Case, Twin Tip Markers, Album, 9 Fun Sticker Sets, Sticker Frames, Square Hanging Frames, Decorative Stickers.
| Dimensions | : 8.94 x 6.14 x 3.98 inches |
| Item weight | : 2 pounds |
| Capacity | : 30 pages |
| Paper size | : 2.3 x 2.4 inches |
| Connectivity | : Bluetooth 5.0 |
With smartphones getting better at taking pictures (thanks to improved cameras), portable photo printers are also evolving and the HP Sprocket Photo Printer is an innovative option that offers endless fun for those who want the instant gratification of printing photos.
It’s the best portable printer for Mac devices at the moment.
Like every other photo printer on the list, the HP Sprocket is a compact device that is small enough to be tucked into your pocket, backpack, or suitcase.
The whole unit is slightly thicker than a smartphone with an all-plastic body.
The downside of the printer features a rubber-like texture to help keep the printer stable on any surface you place it while the upper side is plain.
The control buttons, LED lights and Micro USB port are on the side. The HP Sprocket is available in a range of colors including green and yellow.
The biggest benefit of the HP Sprocket is in the app. From the app, you can set up the printer and get it ready to create your favorite pictures.
The app also opens your photo roll so you can select all the photos you want to print (even from social media) and edit them to your taste before printing via Airprint.
An additional benefit is a feature known as Reveal, which lets you print with a concealed watermark that can only be seen via the HP Sprocket camera app.
With regards to photo quality, this model delivers prints that look incredible and the photos are nearly 30% larger than the original HP. It takes about 40 seconds for every print to process.
Reasons To Buy
- Super lightweight.
- Great companion app.
- Larger print than some similar models.
Reasons To Avoid
- High running costs.
What Is The Best Portable Printer?
Newer portable printers are being released into the market every day, making it hard to pinpoint one as the overall best.
Also, there’s no one-size-fits-all as most people rate printers based on their needs and preferences.
Generally, the best portable printer to buy is one that’s compact, lightweight, and easy to use in different environments.
Read here- What Is A Portable Printer, And What Does It Do?
If you’re looking to narrow down your options, you’d need to take into consideration what you need a portable printer for.
If it’s for business use, you definitely want a model with tons of features but if it’s for printing photos, a small-sized model is your best bet.
Read And Find Here- Best Printer According to Expert.
Who Should Buy A Portable Printer?
Anyone can buy a portable printer but it is mostly for business travelers who may need to revise documents for sharing with their clients while traveling.
Portable printers are also perfect for those who work in the field and might need to print documents since the units are self-powered.
Photographers and those who work with images may also find portable printers useful as it allows them to distribute their works to others on demand.
Read Also Here- Best Budget Printer.
Benefits Of Buying And Using The Best Portable Printer
There are many benefits you stand to gain when you buy and use the best portable printer. Here are some of the top advantages you should know:
Print from anywhere
A portable printer allows you to print from anywhere and at any time. You can print from the office, from your home, and while on the road.
Nonstop productivity
Since your printer will always be with you, you can get more work done. You can do it quickly without even having to excuse yourself.
Read here details about- Best Black and White Printer.
Saves time
Relying on a printer in your office or at home translates to time wastage. With a portable printer, you can save time by printing your documents whenever you need them in a traffic jam, at midnight, or at a client’s.
Print from any device
Portable printers allow you to print from any device. Should you forget your laptop, tablet, or smartphone somewhere, you can still print if you have the documents on a new device.
Security
If you’re concerned about the confidentiality of your documents, a portable printer eliminates that worry as you can print from anywhere – away from prying eyes.
Read Our Another Article- Best Printer for Business.
Important Factors To Consider When Purchasing A Best Portable Printer
Some of the things to look out for when hunting for the best portable printer include:
Compact Size and Weight
For obvious reasons, a portable printer should be considerably small-sized with a modest weight that allows for moving it around easily.
Most portable printers measure around 13 x 7 x 3 inches and weigh about 5 pounds.
Power Sources
Portable printers typically include AC adapters, internal recharge batteries, etc. The more self-powered options, the better.
Battery Life
Be sure to consider the battery life of the portable printer and the time it takes to get it fully charged. Most models last more than a couple of hours and take about 90 minutes for a full charge
Read also here- Best Printer for Photos.
Display
The larger and brighter the screen of the printer, the easier you will be able to operate it. Usually, the options are between OLED and LCD screens.
Alexa and Google Assistant-Enabled Device
The best portable printer should have support for virtual assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant so you print from smart home appliances.
Wi-Fi Network
Most portable printers have Wi-Fi support so you can connect them to your mobile phones, tablets, and PCs via wireless.
Advanced options offer Wi-Fi Direct which enables them to connect to other devices without a router or a supporting Wi-Fi network.
Speed and Lightweight:
The speed uses to print documents or photos also matters. The best portable printers have a 10ppm (pages per print) and faster speed rating.
Purpose of Use
It’s important to take into consideration what you want to use the portable printer for printing documents or photos?
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Photo Paper and Size
If you need to print on different paper sizes or photo paper, be sure they’re listed in the printer specs as available options.
Ink Cartridges or Toners
Some portable printers use ink cartridges (which contain liquid ink) to print while toners refer to the use of powder. Ink cartridges are used in inkjet printers while toners are used in laser printers.
The Function
Is the portable printer a single function or a multifunction device? Some printers offer only the print function while others include a scanner, which allows them to also be used for scanning and photocopying.
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App or Software
Some portable printers are operated via a mobile app, so you want to do your due diligence that the app features include what you might need.
Supported Devices:
The best portable printers are usually compatible with almost all tablets and mobile phones, thanks to their Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
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Helpful Tips and Resources
What features does a portable printer have?
The main features of a portable printer include wireless connectivity, flexible function, easy paper loading, lightweight design, and high-speed printing.
What are the types of portable printers?
There are primarily three types of portable printers and they include:
Inkjet printers
This type of printer work by spraying minute jets of ink on paper. They’re the most versatile type of portable printer as they allow you to do almost everything including printing quality texts, graphics, and photographs.
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Laser printers
This type of printer work by using laser beams to print documents on paper. They produce high-quality texts and graphics. They’re a great option if you require high-volume printing on the move.
Thermal printers
This type of printer uses heat pins to burn images and texts on heat-sensitive paper. They’re a more affordable option since they don’t use ink or toners.
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Which brand of printer is widely used as a portable printer?
There are many popular portable printer brands but the most widely used are the ones from HP. This is large because their products combine durability, function, and reasonable pricing to offer great value.
What is the most reliable portable small printer?
The most reliable portable small printer is arguably the HP OfficeJet 250. It is highly ranked on Amazon and other online marketplaces as it has just about everything you can expect from a portable printer with long battery life to boot.
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Why is the scanner not detected on my portable printer?
If you get a “No scanners were detected error message”, the problem might be any below:
The scanner is faulty
The first thing to do is to be sure that the scanner is working as it should. Consult the owner’s material for information on how to run a self-diagnostic test to identify other problems with the scanner.
Connectivity issues
Sometimes, the issue is with the connections. It could be that it is not connected to a power source or that it’s not turned on. If everything looks good, switch to a different cable and USB.
Be sure to disconnect similar devices in the area that may be causing conflict with the scanner.
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Software issues
You may need to install new drivers on your system. These can be downloaded from the manufacturers’ website if you know the scanner model and operating system.
If you have the drivers but haven’t updated them for a while, you might want to do that right away. Avoid using third-party software as it may be incompatible with the type of scanner you have.
Switching to the scanner’s bundled system may resolve the issues.
Is a portable printer a good solution for small businesses and home use?
Portable printers are great for small businesses and home use because they allow you to print anywhere.
They are tiny and inexpensive compared to regular printers. What’s more, you can use a portable printer with multiple devices, letting you share photos and printing capabilities with friends and family. Plus, it can also be tucked into a drawer or shelf when not in use.
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How to maintain a portable printer?
There are several things to do to keep your portable printer in good working condition. Here are some essential tips:
- Read the manual to know what and how to maintain the unit.
- Dampen a clean cloth with a cleaning solution or use a pre-moistened disinfectant wipe to clean the printer.
- Keep the printer covered when not in use to prevent dust, spills, and other debris from entering it.
- Routinely check for newer versions of printer drivers and update accordingly.
- Always use the paper and inkjet cartridges/toners recommended by the manufacturer.
- Invest in a maintenance kit, which contains items like cleaning supplies and replaceable parts like rollers that can be swapped out when the original ones become dirty or worn out.
What are the troubleshooting tips for a portable printer?
If your printer is not working as it should, here are some troubleshooting tips to help.
- Turn off the printer and turn it back on.
- Sometimes, the printer might be working normally. In that case, restart the computer or mobile device.
- Check the cable connecting the printer to your computer to be sure it’s plugged into the appropriate port.
- Check the printer status to see if it’s showing something wrong.
- Check the print queue to be sure it’s not clogged with print jobs.
- Remove and re-add your printer to your device.
What are the spare parts of a portable printer?
- Fuser assembly
- Paper pickup roller
- Clutch gear set
- Pickup feed separation roller
What are the safety tips for a portable printer?
- Always use the power button to turn on/off the printer. Unplugging it can cause half-finished pages to jam.
- Use the power cord, AC adapter, and USB cable that comes with the printer.
- Do not move the printer head otherwise you may damage the printer.
- Do not put your hand inside the printer or touch the ink cartridges when printing.
- Never disassemble, modify or attempt to repair the power cord or printer unit by yourself except as specifically explained in the owner’s manual.
What is the warranty on a portable printer?
Most portable printers come with a 1-year warranty on labor and costs while some provide 2 years warranty.
Can a portable printer be used to print documents from the internet?
You can print documents from the internet via Google Cloud Print but you must first add your printer to it first.
Also, your device must be running on Android or iOS, using a Gmail account on the Chrome browser. A print option will appear for printing Gmail files that you have uploaded to Google Drive.
What type of paper can be used in a portable printer?
When it comes to printing with portable printers, the type of paper used is not any different from what is used by conventional printers. The major difference is that the paper size may vary.
Can a portable printer be used to print documents from a mobile device?
Yes, you can use a portable printer to print documents from a mobile device via Wi-Fi. Locate the document on your mobile device, tap on the menu button, select print, and tap the printer you’d like to print from.
If your printer does not feature Wi-Fi capability, you can pair the two devices via NFC or Bluetooth connectivity.
What is the cost of a portable printer?
The cost of a portable printer varies based on a number of factors such as brand, speed, print volume, connectivity options, etc. Generally, prices range anywhere from $100 to $300 per unit.
What is the print quality of a portable printer?
Print quality refers to the quality of the hard copy produced by a printer. This is often reflected in texts looking dark and sharp, graphics having a lot of details while colors looking natural and well saturated.
What is the print speed of a portable printer?
Generally, print speed depends on the type of document you’re trying to print. On average, portable printers print texts at 7ppm (pages per minute)
So, Which Portable Printer Is Best For You?
Many people will probably have different answers to this question and that’s because our needs and preferences vary.
But if you’re confused, you can opt for one of the printers described above which includes the HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer, HPRT MT800, HP Officejet 250, Epson Workforce WF 110, Canon Pixma TR150, Brother PJ773, Kodak Photo, printer Mini 2, Pooloi Portable Travel Printer, Canon Selphy CP1300, and the HP Sprocket Photo Printer.
They all have amazing features and functionalities.