10 Best Compact Printers 2025 in the United States

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a compact all-in-one printer designed primarily for home use, offering printing, scanning, and copying functions. It delivers sharp print quality with a high resolution of up to 5760 x 1440 dpi, which means photos and documents come out detailed and vibrant. The print speed is moderate—about 10 pages per minute for black and white and 5 pages per minute in color—so it’s best for everyday tasks rather than heavy office use. Connectivity is convenient with both USB and Wi-Fi options, allowing easy wireless printing from your phone or computer.

A standout feature is its refillable ink tank system. Instead of traditional cartridges, the EcoTank uses bottles that can print thousands of pages, significantly reducing the cost and hassle of frequent ink replacements. This approach also cuts down on plastic waste, making it more environmentally friendly. The printer handles common paper types including plain paper, glossy photo paper, and envelopes, with a 100-sheet input capacity.

The printer does not support automatic double-sided printing, so you’ll need to manually flip pages if you want duplex prints. Its scanning resolution is sufficient for basic documents but not high-end photo scanning. Also, while the printer is relatively compact for a supertank model, it’s still somewhat bulky compared to smaller portable printers, weighing over 11 pounds. The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a solid choice if you want an easy-to-use, cost-effective printer for light home use with a focus on saving money and reducing waste, but it is less suited for users needing fast printing speeds or advanced features like automatic duplexing.

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact monochrome multi-function laser printer designed for small businesses. It combines printing, scanning, and copying capabilities within a relatively small footprint, making it an efficient choice for limited office space. One of its standout features is the high print speed of up to 36 pages per minute (ppm), which is excellent for fast-paced environments. The print quality is reliable for standard black and white documents, but as a monochrome printer, it limits users to only black and white printing.

The scanning speed is also commendable, with up to 23.6 images per minute (ipm) for black and white and 7.9 ipm for color, supported by a 50-page auto document feeder that enhances productivity for multi-page scanning and copying tasks. Connectivity is a strong point with options for Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet, allowing for flexible and secure connections. The Brother Mobile Connect app further adds convenience by enabling mobile printing and management.

On the downside, the printer's monochrome limitation may not suit those needing color prints. At 25 pounds, it's relatively heavy for a 'compact' printer, which might be a consideration for users prioritizing portability. Additionally, while the printer supports auto-duplexing (double-sided printing) and is energy-efficient (Energy Star and EPEAT Qualified), the reliance on Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL toner can be a drawback due to potential higher costs, although the Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service could mitigate this with cost savings. This printer is ideal for small businesses needing fast, efficient black and white printing with robust connectivity and additional scanning and copying functionalities.

The Canon PIXMA TR160 is a lightweight and truly portable printer, making it a great choice if you need printing on the go. Its compact size fits easily into bags, which is a big plus for anyone frequently traveling or moving between locations. It prints sharp black text and vibrant color photos using a 5-color hybrid ink system, which means your prints will generally look detailed and colorful, including borderless options up to 8.5 x 11 inches. The print speed is moderate — about 9 pages per minute for black-and-white and 5.5 pages per minute in color — so it’s suitable for light to medium tasks but not heavy office use. Connectivity is very user-friendly with wireless options like the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, and even wireless direct mode, so you can print without needing a router, which adds flexibility.

The 50-sheet paper tray supports various common paper sizes, including photo and legal size, enough for casual use but may require frequent refills for bulk printing. The printer uses ink cartridges, typical for portable printers, which are good for quality but might mean ink replacement costs add up over time. A small 1.44” OLED display helps you keep track of ink levels and printer status easily. While it’s not the fastest or highest capacity printer, its blend of portability, print quality, and ease of wireless use makes the PIXMA TR160 a solid pick for students, travelers, or home users who want a reliable compact printer without extra bulk.