The 7 Best Mobile Printers of 2023

These portable printers will help you create professional documents on the go

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Mobile printers are ideal for anyone who wants to print directly from their phone or tablet. The best mobile printers are lightweight, connect wirelessly to multiple devices, and don't compromise printing speeds. Printers like these are excellent options for students and apartment dwellers who may not want bulky printers occupying their desks.

Best Overall

HP OfficeJet 250

4.7
HP OfficeJet 250 All-in-One Portable Printer with Wireless & Mobile Printing

Courtesy by Amazon

What We Like
  • Feature-rich

  • Fast printing and scanning

  • Great photos

What We Don't Like
  • Bulky compared to others

While its price tag might cause you to double-take, the OfficeJet 250 offers portable printing whenever needed. Just stick it into a backpack or suitcase, and you’re ready for on-the-go prints, as it includes a large battery pack to promote further portability.

Beyond printing, the OfficeJet 250 sets the portable printer feature to another level with all-in-one features such as scanning and faxing in a package that’s just 6.5 pounds and 7.8 x 15 x 3.6 inches. Even with its small size, the OfficeJet 250’s battery lasts for up to 500 prints when disconnected from a power outlet, and it includes a 2-inch display for selecting the appropriate-sized print. It also has power, battery status, and Wi-Fi connectivity indicator lights.

The OfficeJet 250 has a ten-page automatic document feeder and 50-sheet capacity that produces letter and legal-sized prints up to 8.5 x 14 inches. The included black cartridge is capable of 200 pages, and the tri-color cartridge lasts for around 165 pages before requiring new ink. HP also sells a separate XL version of the OfficeJet 250 ink cartridges, bumping the page results to 600 and 415 pages, respectively. With added features such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, printing from a smartphone or laptop is easy courtesy of HP’s companion app (available for both Android and iOS).

Type: Portable InkJet | Color/Monochrome: Color | Connection Type: Wireless, USB | LCD Screen: Touchscreen display | Scanner/Copier/Fax: Copy, print, scan, fax

"The OfficeJet 250 has one of the fastest wireless printing speeds we’ve seen, even when running on the battery." — Eric Watson, Product Tester

HP OfficeJet 250

Lifewire / Eric Watson

Best Portability

Epson WorkForce WF-110

4.2
Epson Workforce WF-110 Wireless Color Mobile Printer

Amazon

What We Like
  • Lightweight

  • Can print from PC as well as mobile devices

  • Good capacity for black and color prints

What We Don't Like
  • Slow print speed

Epson’s WorkForce WF-100 has been around for a while, but it has continued to outshine much of the competition as an excellent wireless mobile printer. At just 12.2 x 6.1 x 2.4 inches and 3.5 pounds, it’s lighter than most other printers, making it easier to tote around.

Size aside, the Epson can print directly from a PC and iOS and Android devices through Wi-Fi connectivity. Printing offers both black ink and color cartridges with a rating of 250 and 200 pages, respectively, which is more than enough for printing out the latest invoices, contracts, or spreadsheets that might be required on the go.

The 20-sheet capacity can handle life on the road by printing 100 black and white pages (and 50 color pages) while operating strictly on the battery. Before printing, the Epson requires a brief setup run-through via the small 1.4-inch color LCD. It’s less than ideal sizing for a desktop printer, but the LCD display assists with all the necessary functionality for a printer built for portability.

Type: InkJet | Color/Monochrome: Color | Connection Type: Wireless, USB-C | LCD Screen: Yes | Scanner/Copier/Fax: Print

“The textured exterior adds a professional quality to the design.” Eric Watson, Product Tester

Epson WorkForce WF-100

Lifewire / Eric Watson

Best for Photos

Canon SELPHY CP1300

4.2
Canon Selphy CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer

Amazon

What We Like
  • Geared for smartphone users

  • Small and light

  • Supports apps

What We Don't Like
  • Additional accessories required for optimal performance

Weighing less than 2 pounds and small enough to easily pack into a bag or luggage, the portable, wireless SELPHY CP1300 can print high-quality photos—up to 4 x 6 inches in size—on the go at a competitive per-print cost. Geared toward smartphone snappers, the CP1300 doesn't look like your typical mobile printer. It has several on-device controls and a 3.2-inch LCD screen, so it resembles a tiny all-in-one printer. 

You can print using AirPrint, a USB card, or the Canon Print app on your smartphone or tablet. Thermal dye-sublimation, a type of printing technology, results in sharp, dynamic, water-resistant photos that can last up to 100 years. You'll get much better quality on the SELPHY than you would with a portable photo printer like the HP Sprocket. But you won't get the same level of portability with the SELPHY, as its battery is sold separately and doesn't have the same pocket-style design as other portable photo printers.

On the bright side, you can use Photo Booth Mode to get two strips of four photos each, print on sticker paper, or even have your friends send pictures to the SELPHY CP1300 to create a group collage.

Type: Dye Sub | Color/Monochrome: Color | Connection Type: iOS, Android, Mopria, AirPrint | LCD Screen: Yes | Scanner/Copier/Fax: Print

“Some of the test prints looked better than many we’ve seen from the do-it-yourself kiosks in local stores.” Theano Nikitas, Product Tester

Canon SELPHY CP1300

Lifewire / Theano Nikitas

Most Compact

HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer

4.2
HP Sprocket 2x3" Instant Photo Printer

Amazon

What We Like
  • Geared toward smartphone users

  • Extremely compact

  • Prints on adhesive paper

What We Don't Like
  • Requires additional accessories

HP’s Sprocket is a tiny photo printer measuring 3.15 inches wide, 4.63 inches tall, and less than an inch thick. You can carry it around in your purse, backpack, or even in your pocket, as it runs on a battery that lasts up to 35 hours per charge. It lets you print 2 x 3-inch photos on sticky paper that you can stick on lockers and notebooks or leave the backing on. However, prints sometimes curl when you don’t stick them on surfaces and use them as traditional photos.

There are a lot of mini photo printers on the market now, including the Polaroid Zip and different Sprocket models, such as the Sprocket Plus, and each has its benefits. The Sprocket is relatively affordable and has a durable build quality. It won’t easily break when you put it in your backpack or bag.

The free app offers cool features like borders, text, emojis, and stickers to add even more fun to your photos. The Sprocket also has pretty good printing quality. You won’t get the same quality as a high-end photo printer by any means, but the images are better than some other cheap Zink printers.

Type: Zink Zero-Ink Technology | Color/Monochrome: Color | Connection Type: Bluetooth | LCD Screen: No | Scanner/Copier/Fax: Print

“The HP Sprocket 2nd Edition is sure to pique people’s curiosity when you take it out at a party or family event.” Theano Nikitas, Product Tester

HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer

Lifewire / Theano Nikitas

Best for Home Office

HP DeskJet Plus 4155 All-in-One Printer

HP Deskjet Plus 4155

Courtesy of HP

What We Like
  • Solid AIO capability

  • Supports mobile printing and apps

  • High savings for ink costs

What We Don't Like
  • Not as portable as others

The HP DeskJet Plus 4155 won’t fit comfortably into a backpack. Still, if you’re on a road trip and want something powerful without compromise, the 4155 is perfect for sticking into your car or setting up at a hotel or coffee shop and printing before that big meeting.

This all-in-one is small enough to serve as a mobile printer at just under 11 pounds and measures 16.85 x 13.07 x 7.87 inches. Printing using a smartphone or tablet is also offered through various methods, including Wi-Fi, HP’s Smart app, Apple AirPrint, or USB.

As an all-in-one, the 4155 allows you to easily print, copy, scan, or fax with minimal fuss. Setup out of the box is a snap, too. Just pull the printer out, power it on, connect to a device, and print away, and the Smart app will guide you step-by-step to connecting to additional devices. As for prints itself, the 4155 offers a respectable eight pages per minute for black and white prints and 5.5 ppm for color copies.

Type: InkJet | Color/Monochrome: Color | Connection Type: Wireless, USB | LCD Screen: Yes | Scanner/Copier/Fax: Print, scan, copy, mobile fax

Best Smart Features

HP Tango X

HP Tango X Printer

Courtesy of Apple

What We Like
  • Smart home integration

  • Good print speeds

  • Attractive design

What We Don't Like
  • Difficulties with restricted networks

HP's Tango X is a wireless printer with unique features. This AIO allows you to wirelessly print, copy, and scan from your smartphone, even when you're away from the device. This feature uses a cloud-based, two-way network connection with the companion "HP Smart" app, ensuring a smooth user experience. The printer doesn't offer wired connectivity options (e.g., USB ports).

OThere'snly dual-band Wi-Fi is used for everything from completing the initial setup to managing settings. The HP Tango works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa virtual assistants, allowing you to print hands-free using voice commands. You can say, "Alexa, ask my printer to print my shopping list." Other printers from HP, such as the DeskJet 3755, also work with Alexa, but the HP Tango has a linen cover that looks more elegant in a home office.

The Tango X is rated for print speeds up to 11ppm/8ppm (black/color) and has a monthly duty cycle of up to 500 pages. The printer is also eligible for HP's "Instant Ink" ink subscription service and is backed by a one-year warranty.

Type: InkJet | Color/Monochrome: Color | Connection Type: Wireless | LCD Screen: Uses mobile device | Scanner/Copier/Fax: Print, scan, copy

Best High-End

Brother PocketJet PJ773 Direct Thermal Printer

Brother PJ-773 PocketJet 7 Mobile Thermal Printer

Courtesy by B&H Photo Video

What We Like
  • Compact size

  • Battery-powered

  • Built-in memory

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive and specialized

The Brother PocketJet PJ773 is a monochrome direct thermal printer that prints in black and white with a resolution of 300 dpi, rivaling larger printers in clarity. Its compact size and the inclusion of features such as a replaceable battery and car charging port make it a good option for retail, enterprise, and accounting workers. 

It supports Wi-Fi and AirPrint, in addition to a USB plug-in. You can also buy accessories like batteries and a carrying/mounting case. However, the paper feeder on this printer is different from your typical InkJet, so the paper tends to roll slightly. It takes some getting used to, but once you do, the printer is well worth the investment because you don’t have to deal with ink cartridges or ribbons.

Type: Thermal | Color/Monochrome: Monochrome | Connection Type: Wireless, USB | LCD Screen: No | Scanner/Copier/Fax: Print

What to Look for in a Mobile Printer

Photo Printing Quality

Are you planning to print pictures primarily? If so, you’ll likely want an inkjet printer (as opposed to a laser printer) to ensure the highest degree of detail in your photos.

Speed

When you’re downsizing your printer, you might need to sacrifice speed. Unlike full-sized printers, which can score up to 50 pages per minute, mobile printers hover around five pages per minute for color and eight for black and white.

Connectivity

Mobile printers don’t make much sense if they must be wired to a computer or smartphone to print. Look for a printer that can connect to your devices via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It’s also best to see if the printer offers AirPrint, Wi-Fi Direct, a companion app, and other features that make printing easier from your specific mobile device.

FAQ
  • How do inkjet printers compare to laser printers?

    Inkjet printers are generally better at printing photos, while laser printers excel at document printing. Laser printers use toner instead of ink, which lasts significantly longer and is generally cheaper to replace, while inkjet printers tend to be less expensive up front but cost most per page than their laser counterparts.

  • What size prints can portable printers produce?

    Many portable printers, due to their compact size, can produce only 4 x 6 prints or smaller, but there are options available for printing "full size" 8.5 x 11 or larger photos as well.

  • What are the advantages of a photo printer over a standard printer?

    Photo printers provide a much higher resolution (and thus image quality and fidelity) than traditional printers. This means they can rival even pro-style prints you'd get from a photo kiosk, but with additional control over things such as centering and cropping.

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