10 Best Compact Home Printers 2025 in the United States

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a compact and efficient home printer designed to fulfill basic printing needs. One of its key strengths is its cartridge-free system with high-capacity ink tanks, which can lead to significant savings on replacement ink and reduce environmental waste. The printer's high-resolution output (5760 x 1440 dpi) ensures sharp text and vibrant color prints, making it suitable for both document and photo printing. Additionally, the built-in scanner and copier add value by allowing users to handle multiple tasks with one device.

However, it has a relatively slow print speed, with a maximum of 10 pages per minute (ppm) for monochrome and 5 ppm for color prints, which might not be ideal for users who need to print large volumes quickly. The printer supports both wired and wireless connectivity, enhancing its versatility and ease of use with various devices. The paper handling capacity is 100 sheets, which is sufficient for typical home use but may require frequent reloading for heavier tasks. The absence of automatic duplex printing means users will have to manually flip the pages for double-sided printing, which might be a minor inconvenience for some.

On the positive side, its compact design and light weight (8.8 pounds) make it easy to fit in small spaces. The price of replacement ink bottles is also a notable advantage, as it can significantly lower ongoing costs compared to traditional cartridge systems. The printer's ease of use is supported by an LCD display and app control, allowing for straightforward navigation and mobile printing. In summary, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a cost-effective and eco-friendly option for home users who prioritize print quality and multifunctionality over print speed and advanced paper handling features.

The HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Printer is a versatile option for home use, particularly suited for printing everyday documents like to-do lists, letters, and recipes. It offers decent print quality with a maximum resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi for color prints, ensuring your documents look sharp and vibrant. Print speeds are moderate, with 7.5 ppm for black and white and 5.5 ppm for color, which should suffice for light to moderate home printing tasks.

The printer supports wireless connectivity, making it easy to print from your smartphone or computer via a reliable single-band Wi-Fi connection. However, note that it only operates on 2.4 GHz networks, which could limit compatibility with some home setups. Paper handling is basic, with a 60-sheet input tray and a 25-sheet output capacity, suiting small-scale printing needs. The included three months of Instant Ink can help manage ink costs initially, but be aware of the subscription model that follows.

The compact design allows it to fit snugly in most home environments, and the intuitive control panel with an icon LCD makes it user-friendly. Multifunction features include copying and scanning, adding to its versatility. The printer's sustainable design, made with 60% recycled plastic, is a positive environmental consideration. While it excels in providing essential functions for home use, its print speeds and paper handling capacity might not meet the demands of a home office with higher print volume needs. Additionally, the ink cost and the requirement to use HP's proprietary cartridges could be a drawback for some users. The HP DeskJet 2855e is a solid choice for light home use with its easy setup, decent print quality, and multifunction capabilities.

The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is a compact, multifunction printer ideal for home offices. Its standout feature is the innovative cartridge-free printing system with high-capacity ink tanks, which significantly reduces ink costs and waste. You can save up to 90% on replacement ink and print up to 4,500 black and 7,500 color pages with one set of ink bottles, making it economical and eco-friendly.

The printer offers impressive print quality with sharp text and vivid color photos due to its Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology. Equipped with a flatbed scanner, copier, fax, and ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), it handles various tasks efficiently. Users can print, scan, and copy documents with ease using the color display for navigation. For connectivity, it includes Ethernet and Wi-Fi options, and supports hands-free voice-activated printing and mobile printing through the Epson Smart Panel App. You can even print via email, adding to its versatility.

Despite its many strengths, the print speed is relatively slow at 10 ppm for black and 5 ppm for color, which might not be ideal for high-demand printing needs. The paper handling capacity is modest with a maximum input sheet capacity of 100 sheets and output capacity of 30 sheets. Weighing 11 pounds and measuring 13.6 x 14.7 x 9.3 inches, it is compact and fits well in small spaces. It also comes with a 2-year limited warranty for added reliability. While the initial setup and the software might be a bit challenging to navigate for some users, the Epson EcoTank ET-4800 remains a cost-effective, eco-friendly option with modern connectivity and multifunction features, best suited for home offices with moderate printing needs.