10 Best Portable Printers 2025 in the United States

The Liene 4x6'' Photo Printer is a portable photo printer designed to produce high-quality 4x6 inch photos. It uses thermal dye sublimation technology, ensuring vibrant colors and durability with water, scratch, and fade resistance. With a print resolution of 300 x 300 DPI, it might not satisfy those looking for ultra-high-definition prints. The printer's speed is relatively slow, with a rate of 1 page per minute and an initial print time of 59 seconds, which could be a drawback if you need to print multiple photos quickly.

Connectivity is a strong point, with Wi-Fi and USB options, and the printer can connect to up to five devices simultaneously without needing a network, making it convenient for gatherings or shared use. Additionally, the Liene App offers various customization options for your prints. The printer is moderately compact and portable but at 6.32 pounds, it isn't the lightest option available.

It includes 100 sheets of photo paper and 3 cartridges, which is a generous starter pack. The capacity to hold 20 sheets at a time is somewhat limiting for bulk printing. Ink is proprietary, so you’ll need to ensure availability from Liene. This printer is best suited for casual photo enthusiasts or families who want a simple way to print photos directly from their smartphones or PCs, without requiring advanced technical skills or ultra-fast performance.

This portable printer is designed with travel and on-the-go use in mind. It’s lightweight (just 1.5 pounds) and compact, making it easy to carry in a backpack or briefcase. It uses thermal printing technology, so it doesn’t require ink or toner, which saves you from buying cartridges and dealing with clogs. The printer supports various paper sizes up to standard letter (8.5" x 11") and A4, which is great for printing documents, contracts, invoices, or boarding passes wherever you are.

Its print quality is decent at 300 DPI, producing clear black-and-white prints, but it doesn’t print in color. The print speed is moderate, at about 7 pages per minute, which suits basic document needs but may feel slow if you need to print large volumes quickly. Connectivity is flexible with Bluetooth for mobile devices and USB-C for laptops or desktops, though connecting to computers requires installing drivers first. The built-in 2600mAh battery can print approximately 160 pages per charge, offering good battery life for travel or fieldwork.

One limitation is that it only prints on special thermal paper, not regular paper, so you’ll need to keep thermal rolls handy. This printer is ideal for business travelers, mobile professionals, or anyone needing quick black-and-white prints away from a traditional office setup, but it’s less suitable if you require color prints or high-volume, fast printing.

The Kodak Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer is designed for people who want to quickly print 4x6 inch photos right from their smartphones or tablets. It stands out with its 4PASS dye sublimation printing, which delivers high-quality, vibrant photos that are water-resistant and fingerprint-proof—great if you want lasting memories. You can print border or borderless photos, adding a bit of customization. The printer connects easily via Bluetooth or wired connection and even lets you dock and charge your phone while printing.

The print speed is quite slow, at about one photo per minute, so it's best if you don’t need large volumes quickly. It’s moderately portable at just over 3 pounds and compact size, suitable for home use or casual on-the-go printing. The battery is included, and paper handling is straightforward with a single tray holding up to 10 sheets, but that limits how many prints you can do before needing to reload.

Ink comes in dye sublimation form, which means you'll need specific Kodak photo paper and ink cartridges, but this also ensures high print quality. This printer is a smart choice if you want affordable, high-quality photo prints for gifts, home decoration, or sharing with family, but not if you need fast or bulk printing.