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10 Best Small Color Printer 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier, Fax, ADF and Ethernet – Ideal-for Your Home Office, White

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,487
Ink/Toner Cost and Yield
Print Quality (DPI)
Connectivity Options

Most important from
4817 reviews

Ink/Toner Cost and Yield
The massive refillable ink tanks eliminate the frustration of overpriced cartridges and ink subscriptions, offering straightforward printing without hidden fees.
Print Quality (DPI)
Print quality is sharp for documents and good enough for everyday color prints, even if it's not suited for professional photo printing.
Connectivity Options
Connectivity options including Wi-Fi and a user-friendly app make printing from phones and PCs seamless and convenient.
Paper Handling
The automatic document feeder adds valuable convenience for scanning multiple pages efficiently.
Size and Design
The printer's small, non-touchscreen LCD and the lack of a flat paper tray are minor drawbacks in usability and design.
Print Speed (PPM)
It’s not the fastest printer, and automatic duplex printing is missing, which might be inconvenient for some users.

The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is a compact all-in-one printer that fits well in a small home office setting. One of its biggest strengths is the cartridge-free EcoTank system, using large refillable ink tanks that save money and reduce waste compared to traditional cartridges. This makes ink costs much lower over time, which is great if you print regularly. The print quality is solid, delivering sharp text and good color photos, thanks to Epson’s Micro Piezo technology.

It prints about 10 pages per minute in black and 5 pages per minute in color, which is adequate for everyday tasks but not very fast if you have heavy printing needs. Connectivity is versatile, offering Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB options, so you can easily connect from various devices including laptops and even voice control. The printer also features automatic duplex printing and a 100-sheet paper capacity, useful for saving paper and handling moderate print jobs without constant refills. However, it’s a bit heavier and takes up more desk space than some compact printers, so consider your available room.

The built-in scanner, copier, fax, and an automatic document feeder add convenience if you need multifunction features. To sum up, the Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is an excellent choice if you want low running ink costs and solid print quality with wireless convenience, but if you need very fast printing or a smaller footprint, you might want to explore other options.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,487
Ink/Toner Cost and Yield
Print Quality (DPI)
Connectivity Options

Most important from
4817 reviews

Ink/Toner Cost and Yield
The massive refillable ink tanks eliminate the frustration of overpriced cartridges and ink subscriptions, offering straightforward printing without hidden fees.
Print Quality (DPI)
Print quality is sharp for documents and good enough for everyday color prints, even if it's not suited for professional photo printing.
Connectivity Options
Connectivity options including Wi-Fi and a user-friendly app make printing from phones and PCs seamless and convenient.
Paper Handling
The automatic document feeder adds valuable convenience for scanning multiple pages efficiently.
Size and Design
The printer's small, non-touchscreen LCD and the lack of a flat paper tray are minor drawbacks in usability and design.
Print Speed (PPM)
It’s not the fastest printer, and automatic duplex printing is missing, which might be inconvenient for some users.
#2

Epson EcoTank ET-2803 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan, Copy and AirPrint Support

Rating
9.4
Print Quality (DPI)
Connectivity Options
Ink/Toner Cost and Yield

Most important from
17919 reviews

Print Quality (DPI)
Print quality is excellent, delivering sharp, vibrant photos and clear documents without smudging or color issues.
Connectivity Options
Wireless connectivity works well overall, though occasional app connection hiccups and error messages about paper settings require some troubleshooting.
Ink/Toner Cost and Yield
The EcoTank system with refillable ink bottles significantly reduces ink costs and plastic waste compared to traditional cartridges.
Size and Design
The printer is compact and lightweight, fitting neatly on a desk without taking up much space.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2803 is a compact all-in-one color printer designed for those who want a reliable printer with low running costs. It offers very high print quality with a maximum resolution of 5760 x 1440 DPI, ensuring sharp and vibrant prints. The print speed is moderate, producing about 10 black-and-white pages per minute and 5 color pages per minute, which is reasonable for home or small office use but might feel slow for heavy printing tasks. Connectivity options include USB and Wi-Fi, allowing easy wireless printing from smartphones and computers, plus it supports AirPrint for Apple devices.

Paper handling is straightforward with a single tray that holds up to 100 sheets and supports various paper sizes, but it does not offer automatic double-sided printing, so manual flipping is needed for duplex printing. A major advantage is its cartridge-free EcoTank system, which uses refillable ink bottles, making ink replacement cost-effective and reducing waste compared to traditional cartridges. This is ideal for users who print regularly and want to save on ink expenses. The printer also includes scanning and copying functions with decent scan resolution.

Its design is compact and relatively lightweight at 8.8 pounds, fitting well in limited spaces without clutter. However, it lacks advanced features like automatic duplexing and a second paper tray, which might limit versatility for some users. This model suits anyone seeking a budget-friendly, quality color printer with low ink costs and wireless convenience, especially if their printing volume is moderate and they do not require fast or double-sided printing.

Rating
9.4
Print Quality (DPI)
Connectivity Options
Ink/Toner Cost and Yield

Most important from
17919 reviews

Print Quality (DPI)
Print quality is excellent, delivering sharp, vibrant photos and clear documents without smudging or color issues.
Connectivity Options
Wireless connectivity works well overall, though occasional app connection hiccups and error messages about paper settings require some troubleshooting.
Ink/Toner Cost and Yield
The EcoTank system with refillable ink bottles significantly reduces ink costs and plastic waste compared to traditional cartridges.
Size and Design
The printer is compact and lightweight, fitting neatly on a desk without taking up much space.
#3

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer - White, Medium

Rating
9.4
Print Quality (DPI)
Ink/Toner Cost and Yield
Size and Design

Most important from
17919 reviews

Print Quality (DPI)
Print quality, especially for photos, is impressive with bright and vivid colors and no smudges.
Ink/Toner Cost and Yield
Filling the ink tank is easy and satisfying, with the new system reducing plastic waste and lasting longer than traditional cartridges.
Size and Design
The printer's smaller, lightweight design saves desk space and makes it easy to move around.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a versatile small color printer, ideal for basic home use. One of its most significant strengths is the cartridge-free printing system, which uses high-capacity ink tanks. This not only saves up to 90% on replacement ink costs but also reduces cartridge waste, making it an eco-friendly option. With the capability to print up to 4,500 pages in black and 7,500 pages in color, the printer promises long intervals between refills, reducing frequent maintenance hassles.

The print quality is impressive, thanks to Epson’s Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology, which ensures sharp text and vibrant color graphics on various paper types. Additionally, it includes a built-in scanner and copier, and a color display for straightforward navigation. The printer's connectivity options are robust, supporting both wired and wireless connections, and mobile printing capabilities add further convenience.

However, the print speed is relatively slow, with a maximum of 10 pages per minute (ppm) for monochrome and 5 ppm for color, which might not suffice for users with high-volume printing needs. The lack of automatic duplex printing means manual intervention is necessary for double-sided prints, which could be inconvenient. Designed with a compact footprint, it fits comfortably in small spaces but has a limited paper handling capacity of 100 sheets, which might require frequent reloading during heavy usage. While the initial cost may be higher compared to traditional cartridge printers, the long-term savings on ink and the environmental benefits make it a worthwhile investment for eco-conscious users seeking reliable, everyday printing.

Rating
9.4
Print Quality (DPI)
Ink/Toner Cost and Yield
Size and Design

Most important from
17919 reviews

Print Quality (DPI)
Print quality, especially for photos, is impressive with bright and vivid colors and no smudges.
Ink/Toner Cost and Yield
Filling the ink tank is easy and satisfying, with the new system reducing plastic waste and lasting longer than traditional cartridges.
Size and Design
The printer's smaller, lightweight design saves desk space and makes it easy to move around.

Buying Guide for the Best Small Color Printer

When choosing a small color printer, it's important to consider your specific needs and how the printer's features align with them. Whether you need it for home use, a small office, or for printing photos, understanding the key specifications will help you make an informed decision. Here are the main specs to consider and how to navigate them.
Print Quality (DPI)Print quality is measured in dots per inch (DPI). This spec indicates how many dots of ink the printer can place on a square inch of paper. Higher DPI means better print quality, which is important for printing detailed images and sharp text. For general home or office use, a DPI of 600x600 is usually sufficient. For high-quality photo printing, look for a printer with at least 1200x1200 DPI. Consider what you will be printing most often to determine the right DPI for you.
Print Speed (PPM)Print speed is measured in pages per minute (PPM). This spec tells you how quickly the printer can produce pages. If you need to print large documents frequently, a higher PPM will save you time. For occasional printing, a lower PPM might be acceptable. Generally, a speed of 10-20 PPM is adequate for home use, while small offices might benefit from speeds of 20-30 PPM or higher. Think about your typical printing volume to choose the right speed.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity options determine how you can connect your printer to your devices. Common options include USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. USB connections are reliable for direct connections to a single computer. Wi-Fi allows for wireless printing from multiple devices, which is convenient for home or office networks. Bluetooth is useful for printing directly from mobile devices. Consider how you plan to use the printer and choose the connectivity options that best fit your setup.
Paper HandlingPaper handling refers to the types and sizes of paper the printer can accommodate, as well as the capacity of the paper tray. If you need to print on various paper sizes or types (like photo paper, envelopes, or labels), make sure the printer supports them. A larger paper tray capacity means less frequent refilling, which is useful for high-volume printing. For home use, a tray that holds 100-150 sheets is usually sufficient, while small offices might need a capacity of 250 sheets or more. Assess your typical printing tasks to determine the right paper handling features.
Ink/Toner Cost and YieldInk or toner cost and yield refer to how much you will spend on replacements and how many pages you can print before needing to replace them. This is important for managing long-term costs. Yield is usually measured in the number of pages per cartridge. Higher yield cartridges cost more upfront but reduce the cost per page. Look for printers with affordable and high-yield cartridges if you print frequently. For occasional printing, standard yield cartridges might be more economical. Consider your printing frequency and budget to choose the right option.
Size and DesignThe size and design of the printer are important if you have limited space. Small color printers are designed to fit in compact spaces, but sizes can still vary. Measure the space where you plan to place the printer and compare it to the dimensions of the models you are considering. Additionally, consider the design and whether it will fit aesthetically with your home or office decor. Choose a printer that fits comfortably in your space and meets your design preferences.

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