Portable photo printers are more compact and affordable, and typically use either Zink or dye-sublimation technology. The type of portable printer you get largely depends on what functionality you need, which boils down to photos and documents. Read on for our top recommendations, along with an explainer on portable printer types and other details you should know before shopping. Whether you're looking for a mini photo printer to take on vacation or need something to quickly generate documents before a client meeting, we've rounded up the best options to suit your needs and budget. Also, portable printers are typically wireless, and some even run on rechargeable batteries, which is super-handy and saves you from desperately searching for a coveted outlet at an airport or train station. If you need to print labels or receipts, a thermal printer is the way to go.
With more to spend, you can opt for a high-end printer that does a fantastic job turning vibrant photos and documents with a lineup of attractive features. These days, there are tons of compact, lightweight models are on the market-and most are relatively affordable.Īn all-in-one inkjet or a high-quality mini photo printer can cost as little as $100, and plenty of solid midrange models are priced under $500. You've reached the end of the page.If you have a small office or need to print papers while traveling, a portable printer is a worthwhile investment.If you're looking for something with a scanner, then we would opt for the HP Tango X (opens in new tab).įor photos, the Canon Selphy CP1300 (opens in new tab) is an excellent choice for postcard-sized prints, while the Instax Mini Link (opens in new tab) gets our vote for smaller pictures. The best small printer (in our opinion) is the Canon Pixma TR150 (opens in new tab), which offers wireless printing and a truly compact design that can be easily transported from home to office while not compromising on print quality. In general, you will pay more for a higher DPI, more size options or even a display built-into the printer. How much is a small printer?ĭepending on your needs, a good small printer will set you back anywhere between £40-£700. The DPI you require will depend on what you plan to use your printer for. In short, the higher the DPI, the better your printout will look, especially if you want colour photos, but a lower DPI means you'll spend less on replacement ink cartridges (which can get pricey). The DPI refers to 'drops per inch' and indicates the quality of an image produced by an Inkjet printer.
What DPI should I look for in a small printer? A thermal printer will heat the paper according to the desired image, causing the picture to show up. Thermal printing, like Zink, uses specialised paper rather than ink cartridges to deliver its results. This means it's potentially better for the environment. Instead, all colour required is embedded in the paper, making it popular for instant mobile printers. Zink is short for 'Zero Ink' and refers to a type of printing that requires no ink cartridges whatsoever. It works by putting tiny drops of ink onto the page at a rate indicated by the DPI. Inkjet is the most popular kind of printing technology and is probably the one you're most familiar with. Each has its pros and cons and will be suitable for some while not serving others. Throughout this guide, you will have seen mention of various print technologies, including Inkjet, Zink and Thermal. (Image credit: HP) Inkjet vs Zink vs Thermal