10 Best Portable Printers

The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is a multifunction portable printer designed to offer high efficiency and cost-saving in home printing. One of its standout features is the inclusion of up to 3 years' worth of ink, which can save users up to 90% on printing costs. The EcoTank system uses high-capacity ink tanks, reducing the hassle associated with traditional cartridges and allowing mess-free refills. Print quality is excellent, with resolutions of up to 4800 x 1200 dpi for color prints and 600 dpi for black and white prints, suitable for both documents and photos.

The printer includes duplex (double-sided) printing and a 30-page Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), enhancing productivity for various tasks. Connectivity is strong with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, enabling easy integration with smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Additionally, the Epson Smart Panel app allows users to control the printer from their smart devices. Despite its many features, the EcoTank ET-3850 is relatively compact, though it weighs 6.7 kg, which might be a bit heavy for some users seeking a truly portable option.

One notable drawback is the lack of an internal battery, meaning it needs to be plugged in to operate, limiting its portability in some scenarios. Print speed is reasonable for home use, with up to 33 pages per minute for monochrome and 20 pages per minute for color. In conclusion, the Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is best suited for users looking for a cost-effective, feature-rich home printer with good connectivity options and excellent print quality, though it may not be ideal for those needing a lightweight, battery-operated portable printer.

The TATTMUSE Portable Thermal Printer A4 is a convenient option if you need a lightweight and compact printer for on-the-go use. Weighing about 680 grams and roughly the size of a water bottle, it’s easy to carry around whether for work, school, or home tasks. Thanks to its thermal printing technology, it doesn’t require ink cartridges, which means lower running costs and less mess. The print quality is quite good for a portable printer, offering clear black and white images and text at 300 dpi resolution with adjustable print density.

Connectivity-wise, it supports Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless printing from iOS and Android devices, as well as USB-C for wired connections to various computers. This flexibility makes it user-friendly across many platforms. The battery life is strong enough to last for about 160 A4 pages or up to 30 hours on standby, which is suitable for light to moderate printing needs without frequent recharging.

On the downside, the printer only handles monochrome output and has a modest print speed of around 7 pages per minute. This means it’s not ideal if you need fast, colour, or double-sided printing. Also, it uses thermal paper which can be more expensive than regular paper and may fade over time, so it’s best for short-term documents like receipts, contracts, or invoices rather than archival printing. If you’re looking for a portable, inkless printer that’s easy to use and connects well with mobile devices, this TATTMUSE model is a solid choice. It’s especially practical for users who prioritise portability, decent print quality, and cost-efficient operation over high speed and colour prints.

The Canon MAXIFY BX110 is a solid choice if you need a portable printer for home, office, or travel use. It produces sharp, clear text and vibrant colour prints up to A4 size thanks to its high print resolution (4800 x 1200 dpi), which is impressive for an inkjet in this size class. Connectivity is versatile, allowing wireless printing via Wi-Fi from laptops, smartphones, or tablets through the Canon PRINT app, and it also supports USB-C for direct connections. This flexibility makes it easy to print on the go without complicated setups.

Weighing 2.3 kg and measuring about 32 by 21 cm, it’s relatively compact and easy to carry but not pocket-sized. The rechargeable battery is a standout feature, able to print up to 330 pages on a single charge, which is convenient for travel or places without easy access to power. Print speeds are decent for a portable printer, at around 9 pages per minute in black and white and 5.5 in colour, good enough for casual or small business use but not for heavy or urgent printing tasks.

On the downside, it doesn’t support automatic double-sided printing, so you’ll need to manually flip pages if you want duplex prints. The paper tray holds up to 50 sheets, which limits how much you can print before needing to reload. While it handles various paper sizes and types, it’s best suited for standard documents and photos rather than high-volume or specialized printing tasks. The OLED screen and ability to save up to 5 custom templates help speed up frequent jobs, which is handy. This model balances quality and portability well, making it ideal for users who want reliable wireless printing at home, on the road, or in small office setups. If you need a lightweight printer with strong battery life and good print quality without bulky hardware, this model fits the bill, but consider its printing speed and paper capacity limits if you have larger volume needs.