The best portable printers for 2025, tested and reviewed
Open up the world of printing anywhere in the world with these portable printers from Canon, HP, Epson, and Kodak. The post The best portable printers for 2025, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.
The idea of having a portable printer may seem unnecessary at a time when most important documents can be easily scanned, signed, and sent digitally. However, having a printer that won’t take up much space is still incredibly valuable for those few times each year when you need a hard copy of an important contract or item for your tax return. Portable printers also come in handy if you’d like to have physical copies of your most precious/incriminating photos instead of leaving them on your phone or social media sites. While smaller than full-sized printers, many of our recommendations have similar specs, including the ability to print wirelessly from your smartphone or computer. If you get a battery-powered model, you can even literally bring it with you to print anywhere, though the use cases for this are admittedly very limited. The best portable printers—like our best overall, the Canon PIXMA TR160—will be there when you need them, but out of sight when you don’t.
- Best overall: Canon PIXMA TR160
- Best splurge: HP OfficeJet 250
- Best for photos: HP Sprocket Studio Plus
- Best ultra-portable: HP Sprocket Panorama
- Best battery-powered: Epson WorkForce WF-110
- Best budget: KODAK Step Wireless Mobile Photo Mini Color Printer
How we chose the best portable printers
Our portable printer recommendations are based on a mix of hands-on testing and research. We evaluated printers based on their overall size and whether they were designed for mixed use (printing anything) or a specific use case (printing photos). You’ll have to accept the limitations of portable printers—slower print speeds and limited page size support chief among them—but these downsides are mitigated by how convenient they are to use. Our recommendations support wireless printing (a must-have feature for any printer as far as we’re concerned), and there’s even a model that can print and scan documents and photos.
The best portable printers: Reviews & Recommendations
There’s nothing like the tactile feel of printed photos, whether you need them for work, like playing human photobooth at a party, or just want to share vacation shoots quickly. Prepared to print from locations both near and far? These portable printers cover a wide range of use cases and price points.
Best overall: Canon PIXMA TR160
CANON
Pros
- Full-sized prints
- Can run on battery power
- Compact & durable design
Cons
- So-so for photo printing
Specs
- Size: 12.7 x 7.3 x 2.6 inches
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
- Battery power: Yes (Optionally)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
Canon’s PIXMA TR160 is the updated version of our previous top pick (the Canon PIXMA TR150), and it retains everything we liked about the earlier generation while adding a few niceties. This inkjet can still print full-sized documents and photos up to 9 ppm B&W/5.5 ppm color, hold up to 50 sheets of paper at a time, and be set up and operated directly from the printer itself without the need for an app. The TR160 supports the latest version of Apple’s AirPrint wireless printing standard, as well as the Canon PRINT app, and Mopria’s Print Service, which allows you to print items stored in the cloud.
The 1.44-inch screen is now a monochrome OLED display rather than an LCD, so it’ll look nicer. Most importantly, you can still connect this printer to an optional battery pack to operate it remotely. Canon opted to retain the five-color hybrid ink system of the TR150, so expect perfect-looking text, but printed photos that may appear slightly muted. We’re also disappointed that this newer printer doesn’t support dual-sided printing, which would have given it an even greater advantage over its competition.
That said, this is still the most fully featured portable printer you can get, especially for its price. The Canon PIXMA TR160 is small enough to fit in a bag, but powerful enough to replace a full-sized printer completely.
Best splurge: HP OfficeJet 250
Brandt Ranj / Popular Science
Pros
- All-in-printer
- Print size legend
- Color touch screen
Cons
- Not as portable as other recommendations
Specs
- Size: 14.96 x 7.8 x 3.6 inches
- Weight: 6.51 pounds
- Battery power: Yes
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
If you can get over its $400 price tag, you won’t find a more feature-complete portable printer than HP’s OfficeJet 250. Setting up the OfficeJet 250 only took a few minutes and didn’t require us to download the HP Smart mobile app, though you have the option to use that software if you’d prefer. Instead, we opted to use the OfficeJet 250’s touchscreen to input our Wi-Fi password and run through any initial calibrations. We experienced no technical hiccups with this printer after its initial setup. It maintained a solid connection to our Wi-Fi network and was always recognized by multiple computers running macOS. The OfficeJet 250 is larger and heavier than our other recommendations, but this is also the only model that can scan and copy in addition to printing.
The OfficeJet 250 printed up to nine pages of text or one full-sized color image per minute in our tests. That’s speedy for a printer that isn’t plugged into a wall, and especially impressive given that it creates 8.5 x 11-inch prints just like a traditional all-in-one office printer would. Text looked sharp, and we were especially pleased with the quality of our color print, which was vibrant even on regular printer paper. It may not be called out as a photo printer, but the OfficeJet 250 can be used that way in a pinch—though we recommend having proper photo paper on hand. While we opted to test the printer using 8 x 11.5-inch prints, you can adjust the OfficeJet 250 to accommodate B5, A5, and 4 x 6-inch printer paper.
The photos and documents we scanned looked very good, and only took a few seconds to show up on our computer. You can use HP’s scanning software, but we opted to use the Preview app that comes pre-loaded on macOS. Our scans weren’t quite at the same level as HP’s premium home printers, but that’s to be expected given its more compact size. The only technical feature we found ourselves missing when using this printer was double-sided printing. Outside of that missing feature, we could happily use the HP OfficeJet 250 as our only printer. If you’ve wanted an all-in-one printer but have limited desk space, travel between a couple of offices, or even want to take a personal printer with you when working abroad, HP’s OfficeJet 250 is worth its high cost.
Best for photos: HP Sprocket Studio Plus
Pros
- Impressive print quality
- Clever compact design
- Fast prints
Cons
- Requires an A/C adapter
Specs
- Size: 5.45 x 8.5 x 3.9 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Battery power: No
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
We chose HP’s Sprocket Studio Plus as the best portable photo printer and stand by that recommendation here. The Studio Plus’ design feels well thought out, especially its print tray, which sits on top of the printer and then attaches to the front with a satisfying click when you’re ready to print. A trio of LEDs on its front side indicates whether it’s powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and encountered a problem when printing. All three functions are helpful to see at a glance.
Setting up and managing the printer requires HP’s Sprocket App, which is available on iOS and Android. Once installed, it’ll find and connect your device to the printer over Wi-Fi. You have the option to give the Sprocket app access to your entire photo library or a selection of your favorite shots. Printing on the Sprocket Studio Plus is refreshingly straightforward. You’ll begin by placing the included photo paper inside the printer’s print tray and clicking it in front of the printer’s body. Then, select a photo from the Sprocket app and hit print. The printer will pop out a 4×6 in under a minute.
The Sprocket Studio Plus’ compact size is its biggest strength—It’s easy to take the photo printer to a party and have people send prints to it as mementos, but you will be limited to 4×6 prints. That’s a common size for photos, and the Sprocket Studio Plus is easy to stash in a bag when you go on a trip, but you won’t have the option to print an 8 x 10. That’s not a dealbreaker, and we can still highly recommend picking one up. If it’s photos you’re most interested in printing, this is your best value.
It’s also worth noting that this is a dye-sublimation printer, which doesn’t use traditional ink; therefore, the prints won’t smudge if you pick them up immediately after they’re finished.
Best ultra-portable: HP Sprocket Panorama
Pros
- Solid color reproduction
- Wide aspect ratio
- Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- Very small prints
Specs
- Size: 5.5 x 3.25 x 3.13 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- Battery power: Yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
HP’s Sprocket Panorama has most of the features we liked about Studio Plus, but in a significantly smaller form factor. Setting up the Sprocket Panorama requires downloading the HP Sprocket app, allowing you to pair the printer with your iOS or Android device over Bluetooth. Bluetooth allows you to print to the battery-powered Sprocket Panorama anywhere, not just when connected to a Wi-Fi network. This feature is one of the main reasons we’ve chosen Sprocket Panorama as the best battery-powered portable printer. The other reason is that you can fit this printer in a small bag—or even a cargo shorts pocket.
The big tradeoff of choosing an ultra-portable printer is the size of your prints. You’ll end up with a photo that’s just two inches wide, which means you’ll see a lot less detail compared to a larger mains-powered printer. True to its name, you can print a photo that’s nine inches wide. Though our photos were small, we were pleased with how well the Sprocket Panorama’s prints looked, especially the vibrancy of the colors, and there was no denying how cool it looked for it to slowly come out of its front slot. It looked like a tongue beginning to stick out, and slicing the photo with a physical button on top of the printer was also fun. The amount of time it took to create a print depended on its size, but all of our prints took under a minute from start to finish.
If you take a lot of panoramas, this portable printer’s biggest drawback won’t matter much. One feature the Sprocket Panorama shares with the larger Studio Plus is the use of zero-ink technology, which means you can handle its prints immediately without the risk of smudging.
Best battery-powered: Epson WorkForce WF-110
Epson
Pros
- Full-sized prints
- Battery is included
- Also supports an external battery for longer use
Cons
- Price
Specs
- Size: 9.1 x 12.2 x 8.5 inches
- Weight: 4.6 pounds
- Battery power: Yes (internal and optional external)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
If you plan on using your portable printer out in the field, you’re going to need one that runs on battery power and won’t conk out halfway through the day. Epson’s Workforce WF-110 can deliver because you can run it off two batteries instead of one. The printer has a built-in battery, but you can purchase a second battery separately to further extend its runtime when you’re off the grid. Having a second battery will add to the printer’s already high price tag in this category, but you’re getting a feature the others can’t match. That said, be sure to bring either a USB-C cable or a phone that can create a wireless hotspot for your computer and printer, if you want to take advantage of their wireless printing capabilities.
The WorkForce WF-110 was designed with productivity in mind. It’s another full-sized portable printer, which means it can print on 8.5- x 11-inch sheets of paper. This is necessary if you’re meeting clients and need to work out last-minute details of a contract before printing it out for them to look over and sign. It’s a little larger than our top recommendation, but not by enough to be too noticeable. You can still take the WorkForce WF-110 in a backpack, or comfortably take it to and from a car. It supports wireless printing, and you can set it up or move through its settings by pushing buttons on the printer itself and using its 1.4-inch color screen. If you require absolute portability from your printer and don’t mind spending some extra money on spare batteries, Epson’s WorkForce WF-110 can’t be topped.
Best budget: KODAK Step Wireless Mobile Photo Mini Color Printer
Pros
- Ultra-portable
- Battery powered
- Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- MicroUSB charging
Specs
- Size: 3 x 5 x 1 inches
- Weight: .55 pounds
- Battery power: Yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
If you’d like the freedom to print your photos anywhere but don’t want to spend more than $70, Kodak’s Step is the right portable printer for you. The pocket-friendly battery-powered printer connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth using Kodak’s iOS or Android app and can spit out up to 30 2- x 3-inch prints on a single charge. The Step uses the same zero-ink technology as HP’s portable printers, which means you can touch your prints immediately without the risk of them getting ruined. Our only complaint with this portable printer is that it needs to be recharged using a MicroUSB cable rather than USB-C. This means you’ll likely need to bring an additional cord with you, which can be a little annoying if you’re taking it on vacation. That doesn’t impact the Kodak Step’s performance, so it can be easily forgiven.
What to consider when shopping for the best portable printers
There are many factors to consider when deciding which portable printer is right for you. Below are the factors we considered most important when writing this guide:
Size
The word “portable” is ultimately subjective. Still, our largest recommendation is just over a foot long (this is necessary for making full 8.5- x 11-inch prints), under eight inches deep, and under four inches tall. This is remarkably small for a fully featured all-in-one printer, which can easily be two to three times deeper and taller. Our smaller printer is under five inches deep, three inches wide, and one inch tall, which is practically pocket-friendly.
Weight
If you’re going to be taking your portable printer out of the house, weight is a critical factor to keep in mind when choosing the best one for you. Our heaviest portable printer recommendation clocks in at six and a half pounds, while the lightest is just over half a pound.
Battery power
Some of our portable printers can run off a battery, meaning they’re portable rather than just physically small. This is a neat feature, but you must remember to keep the battery charged for it to work. We’d recommend keeping a power cable around, just in case.
Connectivity options
All of our portable printer recommendations support wireless printing over either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Many of the printers above can also be connected to a computer using a USB cable if you’d prefer.
FAQs
Yes. All printers require ink to create prints.
It depends on the printer. Portable photo printers that we recommend use special paper, while the larger general-use portable printers in this guide can use standard paper.
A portable printer is worth it if you don’t have a lot of space in your home office or absolutely have to print when you’re away from your desk.
This depends on its size and feature set. Our recommendations range in price between $400 and $70.
Yes. All of the portable printers we’re recommending can print in both monochrome and color. This is most important when printing photos, but can be useful if the documents you’re working on have a lot of charts. Be mindful that pages with a lot of color will consume more ink and may take longer to print.
The answer depends on the type of portable printer you get. Some models were designed for the sole purpose of printing photos, and they’re very good at their job. The general-purpose portable printers in our guide can still be used for photography, but may not have the accurate color reproduction you’d get from using a photo printer. If you do choose to print photos from those printers, be sure to use photo paper to get the best results.
Final thoughts on the best portable printers
- Best overall: Canon PIXMA TR160
- Best splurge: HP OfficeJet 250
- Best for photos: HP Sprocket Studio Plus
- Best ultra-portable: HP Sprocket Panorama
- Best battery-powered: Epson WorkForce WF-110
- Best budget: KODAK Step Wireless Mobile Photo Mini Color Printer
Portable printers, especially models designed for photography, are becoming increasingly more performant with the release of new generations. They’re proof that there’s still a need to keep physical copies of photos and documents around, whether you’re looking to give someone a thoughtful gift or need to get business done. It’s most impressive that you can choose a printer like Canon’s PIXMA TR160 to get a fully featured, portable printer without having to compromise on any features. That model can even be taken with you on the road and recharged using the same cable as a MacBook Pro. A portable printer’s size alone may be enough to convince you to keep one in the house just in case. And you’ll be the hero when a legal document requires a physical signature or a less tech-savvy family member needs a picture from your wedding.
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