At first blush, the thought of a fully portable printer, designed to run on battery power, may seem absurd: Carry your Canon? Haul your HP? Truth is, only a few current portable printers are the kind of all-purpose printing tool that your typical desktop printer is. But printers have seen some serious specialization, and you can find a wealth of portable ones that instead do a single thing well. PCMag has been testing printers for four decades, and I've been in the thick of it for most of that time as resident printer expert. Our best portable printer for general use is the HP OfficeJet 250, but the additional models below can work for those specialized uses. Read on for more labs-tested favorites, backed by rigorous testing; we assess all printers on speed, image quality, design, usability, connectivity, and consumables cost.
Overview
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![HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-in-One Printer]()
Best Portable Inkjet PrinterHP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-in-One Printer
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![Brother PocketJet PJ883]()
Best Portable Thermal PrinterBrother PocketJet PJ883
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![Canon Selphy CP1500 Wireless Compact Photo Printer]()
Best Portable Photo Printer for 4-by-6-Inch Snapshots (Dye Sub)Canon Selphy CP1500 Wireless Compact Photo Printer
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![Kodak Step Instant Mobile Photo Printer]()
Best Portable Photo Printer for Wallet-Size Snapshots (Zink)Kodak Step Instant Mobile Photo Printer
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![Canon Selphy QX20]()
Best Portable Photo Printer for Square Snapshots (Dye Sub)Canon Selphy QX20
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![Epson LabelWorks LW-PX900PCD Deluxe Kit]()
Best Industrial Portable Label Printer (Heavy Duty)Epson LabelWorks LW-PX900PCD Deluxe Kit
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![Epson LabelWorks LW-PX300]()
Best General-Use Portable Label Printer (Light Duty)Epson LabelWorks LW-PX300
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![HP Sprocket Photobooth]()
Best Portable Photobooth for PartiesHP Sprocket Photobooth
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![Colop e-mark]()
Best "Rubber Stamp"-Style Portable PrinterColop e-mark
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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![HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-in-One Printer]()
Best Portable Inkjet PrinterHP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-in-One Printer
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The HP OfficeJet 250 All-in-One Printer is the only current AIO portable inkjet we know of, but that's not the only reason we've included it here. It impressed us enough when we reviewed it to earn an Editors' Choice award for a portable printer, with its ability to scan and copy being only one reason why.
Along with typical text quality for an inkjet, the OfficeJet 250 offers at least slightly above-par graphics and photos. It was also faster on our tests than most print-only portables. And while it can't print two-sided documents automatically (a limitation shared by its single-function competition), it offers manual duplexing, which lets you print one side, then reinsert the pages in the 50-page ADF to print the other side. The simplex (single-sided) scanner offers a separate 10-sheet ADF for scanning and copying. Connection choices include USB, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Direct, which lets you print from iOS and Android phones and tablets as well as PCs.
Who It's For
Travelers who need to scan and print: A portable AIO is of obvious interest to anyone who needs to both scan and print (including for copying) while on the go. Even better, it may be lighter than the combined weight of two discrete units.
People who need to print high-quality documents on the go: Along with delivering typical text quality for an inkjet printer, the OfficeJet 250 also produces smart-looking graphics and photos.
Specs & Configurations
Automatic Document Feeder Color or Monochrome 1-pass color Connection Type USB Connection Type Wireless Cost Per Page (Color) 15.6 cents Cost Per Page (Monochrome) NA Maximum Optical Resolution 600 ppi Maximum Scan Area 8.5" x 14" Maximum Standard Paper Size Legal Mechanical Resolution 600 Monthly Duty Cycle (Maximum) 500 pages per month Monthly Duty Cycle (Recommended) 300 pages per month Number of Ink Cartridges/Tanks 2 Number of Ink Colors 4 Printer Input Capacity 50 Printing Technology Inkjet Rated Speed at Default Settings (Color) 7 ppm Rated Speed at Default Settings (Mono) 10 ppm Scanner Optical Resolution 600 pixels per inch Scanner Type Sheetfed Standalone Copier and Fax N/A Type All-in-one -
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![Brother PocketJet PJ883]()
Best Portable Thermal PrinterBrother PocketJet PJ883
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Portable thermal printers are a niche type. They are commonly used for applications that require printing in a vehicle—from receipts in a delivery truck to tickets in a police car. But their light weight and small size also make them good choices for everything from printing a roofing proposal at a potential customer's kitchen table to quick prints in the field, far from a power socket. The PocketJet PJ883 is part of a long line of Brother portable thermal models that excel at one thing: delivering clean monochrome output from anywhere. This unit offers highly flexible connectivity options (via USB, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, or Bluetooth), and the output quality exceeds expectations for the print technology.
Who It's For
Contractors: It's not for anyone who requires color output, but the PJ883 is ideal for traveling salespeople or contractors who need to generate monochrome documents, bills, or agreements on the spot.
Delivery workers: Thermal printers like this one are good choices for printing receipts in a delivery truck or speeding tickets in a police car.
Specs & Configurations
Color or Monochrome Monochrome Connection Type Bluetooth Connection Type NFC Connection Type USB-C Connection Type Wi-Fi Connection Type Wi-Fi Direct Cost Per Page (Color) N/A Cost Per Page (Monochrome) 6 to 9 cents per page Maximum Scan Area N/A Maximum Standard Paper Size Legal Monthly Duty Cycle (Maximum) Not rated Monthly Duty Cycle (Recommended) Not rated Number of Ink Colors 1 Printer Input Capacity 1 Printing Technology Thermal Rated Speed at Default Settings (Color) N/A Rated Speed at Default Settings (Mono) 13.5ppm Scanner Optical Resolution N/A Scanner Type N/A Standalone Copier and Fax N/A Type Printer Only Learn More Brother PocketJet PJ883 Review -
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![Canon Selphy CP1500 Wireless Compact Photo Printer]()
Best Portable Photo Printer for 4-by-6-Inch Snapshots (Dye Sub)Canon Selphy CP1500 Wireless Compact Photo Printer
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Most fully portable photo printers today offer wallet-size or slightly larger prints, so if you want a 4-by-6-inch picture size, which the Canon Selphy CP1500 offers, you have limited choices. But that doesn't mean you have to make compromises. The latest in the long-running Selphy line of portables, the CP1500 in particular delivers a solid feature set, drugstore-grade photo quality courtesy of its dye-sub technology, and a reasonably low running cost, at a bit above or below 30 cents per 4-by-6-inch photo. (The cost covers both the paper and required dye rolls.)
The CP1500 weighs 2.5 pounds with the paper cassette and its dye roll inserted, but not the optional battery, which can print up to 54 photos per charge, according to Canon. This model can print from an SD or microSD card, a USB thumb drive (you get a Type-C, not Type-A, port for that), an iOS or Android phone or tablet, or a macOS or Windows PC, and it can connect via USB cable or Wi-Fi.
In our tests, the CP1500 took a bit less than a minute to print each sample photo, complete with a protective coating. And the dye-sub picture comes out fully waterproof, without needing drying time, and with a long promised lifetime, rated at 100 years.
Who It's For
People who need keepsake photos: The CP1500's 4-by-6-inch picture size, image quality, and long-lasting prints are designed to produce photos that are likely to be displayed in a frame or saved in an album, and the image quality is well-suited for that purpose.
People who don't mind cutting photos down to size: If you're looking for a printer exclusively for wallet-size photos or sticking to various objects, you can use the CP1500 for those as well, but you'll have to trim the photos after printing, and depend on refrigerator magnets, glue, and push pins to make them stick.
Specs & Configurations
Color or Monochrome Color Connection Type USB-C Connection Type Wi-Fi Cost Per Page (Color) 29 cents Cost Per Page (Monochrome) NA Direct Printing From Media Cards Direct Printing From USB Thumb Drives Maximum Scan Area N/A Maximum Standard Paper Size 4" x 6" Monthly Duty Cycle (Maximum) Not rated Monthly Duty Cycle (Recommended) Not rated Number of Ink Cartridges/Tanks 1 Number of Ink Colors 4 Printer Input Capacity 20 Printing Technology Dye Sub Rated Speed at Default Settings (Color) 41 seconds per print Rated Speed at Default Settings (Mono) Not rated Scanner Optical Resolution N/A Scanner Type N/A Standalone Copier and Fax N/A Type Printer Only -
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![Kodak Step Instant Mobile Photo Printer]()
Best Portable Photo Printer for Wallet-Size Snapshots (Zink)Kodak Step Instant Mobile Photo Printer
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Printers for wallet-size photos are among the most portable printers today, and this Kodak model serves as a prime example of why. One big advantage it has over printers for larger photos is that keeping the photo size to 2 by 3 inches means the chassis can be trimmed down. The Step Instant measures all of 1 by 3 by 5 inches (HWD) and weighs just under a pound. Like its competitors, it's designed as a phone and tablet accessory, offering Bluetooth and NFC as the primary connection options, and supports printing exclusively from iOS and Android phones and tablets.
The printer uses Zink technology, which creates images by heating dye crystals embedded in special Zink paper, eliminating the need for an ink cartridge or dye ribbon, as other portables use (another slimming factor). The cost per print is reasonable, at around 50 cents, and the print speed is right on among Zink printers we've tested, at around a minute a snap. The print quality is also on par with that of Zink-based printers, which means the prints make for nice stickers and casual snapshots to share. (However, output from dye-sub and inkjet printers tends to look a tad sharper.)
Who It's For
Scrapbookers: Thanks to smartphones, almost nobody carries photos in wallets today, but there are plenty of other ways to use a wallet-size picture—most notably in scrapbooks.
Students: The output is suitable for students who want to decorate their locker doors or notebook covers with pictures. Using Zink technology makes the sticking part easy, since the paper has an adhesive sticky back. And, of course, if you want to keep a picture in your wallet, Zink paper allows you to do that, too.
Specs & Configurations
Color or Monochrome Color Connection Type Bluetooth Connection Type NFC Cost Per Page (Color) 50 cents Cost Per Page (Monochrome) 50 cents Maximum Scan Area N/A Maximum Standard Paper Size 2" x 3" Monthly Duty Cycle (Maximum) Not rated Monthly Duty Cycle (Recommended) Not rated Printer Input Capacity 20 Printing Technology Zero Ink (ZINK) Rated Speed at Default Settings (Color) 1 ppm Rated Speed at Default Settings (Mono) 1 ppm Scanner Optical Resolution N/A Scanner Type N/A Standalone Copier and Fax N/A Type Printer Only -
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Credit: Joseph Maldonado
![Canon Selphy QX20]()
Best Portable Photo Printer for Square Snapshots (Dye Sub)Canon Selphy QX20
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
For photos with a square aspect ratio printed at just a bit larger than wallet size, it's hard to beat the QX20. This printer churns out high-quality, long-lasting output, thanks to its dye-sublimation technology, and it works seamlessly with Canon's user-friendly printing and editing app. But the QX20's signature feature is versatility: it can print rectangular business-card-size photos in addition to Instagram-style square ones.
Who It's For
People seeking to print square and rectangular photos: A key issue for choosing a snapshot photo printer is that it must be able to print in the desired size and format. Most models will pass that test for photos the size of business cards, but the QX20 is one of the few that will pass it for square photos, too. If you need the QX20's two print sizes, it's pretty much the only pick.
People who need easy editing functions: Canon's print app is notably easy to use, allowing you to make substantial edits to your photos before printing them.
Specs & Configurations
Color or Monochrome 4-pass color Connection Type Wireless Cost Per Page (Color) 68.3 or 76 cents Cost Per Page (Monochrome) 68.3 or 75 cents Maximum Scan Area N/A Maximum Standard Paper Size Wallet-size Monthly Duty Cycle (Maximum) Not rated Monthly Duty Cycle (Recommended) Not rated Number of Ink Cartridges/Tanks 1 Number of Ink Colors 3 Printer Input Capacity 10 Printing Technology Dye Sub Rated Speed at Default Settings (Color) 1 print per 40 seconds Rated Speed at Default Settings (Mono) 1 print per 40 seconds Scanner Optical Resolution N/A Scanner Type N/A Standalone Copier and Fax N/A Type Printer Only Learn More Canon Selphy QX20 Review -
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![Epson LabelWorks LW-PX900PCD Deluxe Kit]()
Best Industrial Portable Label Printer (Heavy Duty)Epson LabelWorks LW-PX900PCD Deluxe Kit
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
There are heavier-duty label printers than the LW-PX900, but they aren't handheld portables. The printer is available by itself with an AC adapter, but we'd recommend the LW-PX900PCD Deluxe Kit, which adds a rechargeable battery, a hard-shell carrying case, and two industrial magnets that let the printer stick to any handy ferromagnetic surface. Either choice comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Whatever type of industrial labeling you need, odds are that the LW-PX900 has a tape for it, with roughly 150 choices in widths from 4mm to 36mm (0.16 inch to 1.42 inches), and more than a dozen different types of tapes, most of which come in an assortment of colors as well as widths. For standalone printing, the LW-PX900 offers a QWERTY keyboard and onboard options that, among other features, let you add bar codes or any of 859 symbols to your labels as well as store up to 100 label definitions. It can also print from a Windows PC using Epson's Label Editor program, which is one of the most capable label programs we've seen.
Who It's For
Contractors: Nearly any business that needs to print a lot of labels on a regular basis, such as contractors while on site at a job, should find the LW-PX900 worth considering, assuming it prints the type of labels you need.
Data center jockeys: If the 1.42-inch width is the right size, or you need to label lots of cables (say, in a data center), the LW-PX900PCD Deluxe Kit is likely the printer you want.
Specs & Configurations
Color or Monochrome Monochrome Connection Type USB Cost Per Page (Color) N/A Cost Per Page (Monochrome) varies with tape type, width, and label length LCD Preview Screen Maximum Scan Area N/A Maximum Standard Paper Size 36mm roll Monthly Duty Cycle (Maximum) Not rated Monthly Duty Cycle (Recommended) Not rated Number of Ink Colors 1 Printer Input Capacity 1 cartridge roll; sizes up to 30 feet Printing Technology Thermal Transfer (Plastic Labels) Rated Speed at Default Settings (Color) N/A Rated Speed at Default Settings (Mono) 35mm / 1.38 inches per second Scanner Optical Resolution N/A Scanner Type N/A Standalone Copier and Fax N/A Type Printer Only -
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![Epson LabelWorks LW-PX300]()
Best General-Use Portable Label Printer (Light Duty)Epson LabelWorks LW-PX300
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Our top pick for light-duty standalone printing of industrial-style labels, the LW-PX300 can print on any of 81 continuous tapes. Choices include standard plastic (polyester), silver matte, strong adhesive, vinyl, fluorescent tapes, and magnetic tapes (think: refrigerator magnets). These come in a variety of colors, and in widths ranging from 6mm (0.24 inch) to 18mm (0.71 inch). Even better, the printer doesn't cost a lot. It lists for just $59 for the printer itself or $80 for the LW-PX300VP kit, which adds a hard-shell carrying case, a rubber case cover to help protect against damage, and an AC adapter you can use instead of six AA batteries when you're near a power outlet.
Designed for desktop or handheld use, the LW-PX300 offers a QWERTY keyboard, a comfortable shape for handheld thumb-typing, and a 1.8-pound weight with batteries. A backlit LCD makes it easy to see menu options and the label you're creating or about to print. It's strictly a standalone printer, but its firmware includes features like being able to store 50 labels to print as needed. And Epson's lifetime warranty means that unless you outgrow it, you'll likely never need to buy a new one.
Who It's For
Hobbyists: The LW-PX300's wide choice of tapes and affordable price—alone or as part of the LW-PX300VP kit—can make it a compelling choice for small businesses and hobbyists.
People on a budget: Quite simply, this label maker will give you lots of label flexibility without having to spend a lot of money to get it.
Specs & Configurations
Color or Monochrome Monochrome Connection Type None Cost Per Page (Color) N/A Cost Per Page (Monochrome) varies with width and label length LCD Preview Screen Maximum Scan Area N/A Maximum Standard Paper Size 18mm roll Monthly Duty Cycle (Maximum) Not rated Monthly Duty Cycle (Recommended) Not rated Number of Ink Colors 1 Printer Input Capacity 1 cartridge roll; sizes up to 30 feet Printing Technology Thermal (Plastic Labels) Rated Speed at Default Settings (Color) N/A Rated Speed at Default Settings (Mono) 6 mm / 0.24 inches per second Scanner Optical Resolution N/A Scanner Type N/A Standalone Copier and Fax N/A Type Printer Only Learn More Epson LabelWorks LW-PX300 Review -
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Credit: M. David Stone
![HP Sprocket Photobooth]()
Best Portable Photobooth for PartiesHP Sprocket Photobooth
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Booths that let guests snap and print photos at events have become increasingly popular, but their rental prices are high enough to limit how often you might want to use one. Enter the HP Sprocket Photobooth ($599.99), which has a handy built-in carrying handle. It takes and prints good-quality 3-by-4-inch keepsake photos, making it an excellent lower-cost alternative to renting a photo booth for commemorating special events.
Who It's For
Event planners: If you just want to take pictures at an event and hand them out, you could use an instant camera and one of the other small-format printers listed here. However, if you want to give guests a self-serve photo booth experience, the Sprocket Photobooth is an impressive choice.
Budget buyers: It may (or may not) cost more for a single event, but once you've got it, you can use it repeatedly with no additional costs, other than the cost of no-ink-required Zink photo paper. It's ideal for giving you and your guests keepsake pictures, even for modest events where the cost of renting is out of the question.
Specs & Configurations
Color or Monochrome Color Connection Type Wi-Fi Cost Per Page (Color) 90 cents Cost Per Page (Monochrome) 90 cents LCD Preview Screen Maximum Scan Area N/A Monthly Duty Cycle (Maximum) Not rated Monthly Duty Cycle (Recommended) Not rated Number of Ink Colors 4 Printer Input Capacity 20 Printing Technology Zero Ink (ZINK) Rated Speed at Default Settings (Color) 1 ppm Rated Speed at Default Settings (Mono) 1 ppm Scanner Optical Resolution N/A Scanner Type N/A Standalone Copier and Fax N/A Type Printer Only Learn More HP Sprocket Photobooth Review -
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![Colop e-mark]()
Best "Rubber Stamp"-Style Portable PrinterColop e-mark
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Colop e-mark, which you hold in your hand while printing and drag over the page you're printing on, is less a portable inkjet printer than a portable printhead, with your arm serving as the printer mechanism. It functions as the digital version of a rubber stamp. But more important, it's a major improvement over that stamp. It can hold three imprint designs in memory at once, and each can be up to 5.9 inches long. And you can easily switch among them as needed.
The e-mark allows you to print in color, thanks to its use of a tricolor cartridge, and enables you to both create and modify the stored imprints whenever you like, using an app on your PC or Android device that's similar to a standard label-printer app. As with a rubber stamp, you can print on any surface that can accept ink. Unlike a rubber stamp, the e-mark is powered by a battery, but it can deliver hundreds of prints on a single charge.
Who It's For
People who want to stop using rubber stamps and ink: The most obvious reason for getting an e-mark is to replace two or three rubber stamps you use regularly, thereby taking up less space.
People who need to label items occasionally: It can replace a label printer for light-duty use, particularly in cases where you can print directly on the item rather than affixing a label.
Inventory managers: The app includes a numbering generator that allows you to create imprints that update themselves automatically, enabling inventory managers, for example, to stamp objects in serial-number order.
Specs & Configurations
Color or Monochrome Color Connection Type USB Connection Type Wireless Cost Per Page (Color) Not rated Cost Per Page (Monochrome) Not rated Maximum Scan Area N/A Maximum Standard Paper Size 0.55" x 6" Monthly Duty Cycle (Maximum) Not rated Monthly Duty Cycle (Recommended) Not rated Number of Ink Cartridges/Tanks 1 Number of Ink Colors 3 Printer Input Capacity N/A Printing Technology Inkjet Rated Speed at Default Settings (Color) N/A Rated Speed at Default Settings (Mono) Not rated Scanner Optical Resolution N/A Scanner Type N/A Standalone Copier and Fax N/A Type Printer Only Learn More Colop e-mark Review -
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Best For | Best Portable Inkjet Printer | Best Portable Thermal Printer | Best Portable Photo Printer for 4-by-6-Inch Snapshots (Dye Sub) | Best Portable Photo Printer for Wallet-Size Snapshots (Zink) | Best Portable Photo Printer for Square Snapshots (Dye Sub) | Best Industrial Portable Label Printer (Heavy Duty) | Best General-Use Portable Label Printer (Light Duty) | Best Portable Photobooth for Parties | Best "Rubber Stamp"-Style Portable Printer | Best Portable Inkjet Printer | Best Portable Thermal Printer | Best Portable Photo Printer for 4-by-6-Inch Snapshots (Dye Sub) |
Type | All-in-one | Printer Only | Printer Only | Printer Only | Printer Only | Printer Only | Printer Only | Printer Only | Printer Only | All-in-one | Printer Only | Printer Only |
Color or Monochrome | 1-pass color | Monochrome | Color | Color | 4-pass color | Monochrome | Monochrome | Color | Color | 1-pass color | Monochrome | Color |
Buying Guide: The Best Portable Printers for 2026
Choosing the right category of portable printer for how you print is usually easy. (If you want to print photos from your phone on the go, for example, you'll probably start by looking for a compact photo printer.) But it's still worth knowing what those categories are before you begin shopping. The four main classes of portable printers are (1) all-purpose printers, (2) photo printers, (3) label printers, and (4) monochrome thermal printers.
Let's examine each. (We'll also offer some tips on how to choose the right one for the job at hand.)
All-Purpose Portable Inkjet Printers
It's not hard to find standard inkjet printers that are small and light enough to take with you on a business trip or vacation, so you can print a letter- or legal-size document in your hotel room before a meeting, or print photos of a family picnic. To count as "portable" for purposes of this roundup, however, the printer also needs the ability to run on battery power, at least as an option. The battery will let you print anywhere, including in your car or while on that picnic, with no AC outlet in sight. These true portables are rare, but they do exist—Canon, Epson, and HP have a handful. Their offerings even fall into two subcategories: single-function printer, and all-in-one printer.
These all-purpose printers are all inkjets. To the extent that you need to check out and compare basics like print quality, print speed, paper capacity, maximum duty cycle (how much you can print per month without risking damaging the printer), and whether the printer can duplex (print on both sides of the page), choosing among them is similar to choosing any all-purpose printer. But there are also some special considerations for portables.
(Credit: Canon)SIZE AND WEIGHT. Any printer is portable if you have a big enough truck! The question is whether it's small and light enough to carry easily, particularly if you want to pack it in a suitcase or backpack. Weights for current all-purpose inkjet models range from 3.5 pounds to a little less than 7 pounds. Keep in mind, also, that if you don't need to bring the battery on a particular trip, you can shave off as much as half a pound. So check the weights both with and without batteries. (And if you might go without batteries, factor in the power cord or adapter.)
BATTERIES. In most cases, the battery isn't included in the base price, so if you want to use the printer on battery power, be sure to check whether one is included at the prices you're basing comparisons on. Also, look for the battery life expressed in pages. Depending on how much you print on an average page, you may not get as many pages per charge as promised, but the higher the rating, the better. And because you don't want to be sitting in your car with a dead printer battery just when you need to print something for a meeting, consider buying a second battery, so you have a charged spare to fall back on.
CONSUMABLES AND PAPER HANDLING. This area also encompasses factors such as speed and running cost. The potential range of print quality across portable inkjets is comparable to what you would expect from any other inkjet. However, speed, paper handling, cartridge capacity, and running cost are not. The small size of a portable printer is necessarily tied to slower, lighter-duty print and paper-feed mechanisms, as well as limits on how much paper can fit in the tray. Smaller printers also don't offer enough room for large ink cartridges, which leads to a higher cost per page.
For each of these issues, be prepared to adjust your expectations, making your comparisons to other portable models, rather than to inkjet printers in general. For example, an auto-duplexing mechanism, which is common for full-size inkjets, adds size and weight. So expect support for manual duplexing, at best, with the printer first printing all odd-numbered pages, then making you reinsert the stack before printing the other side of each sheet. (We cover all these areas in our reviews.)
CONNECTIONS. Most all-purpose portable printers offer both Wi-Fi and USB connections. Some also support PictBridge for printing photos directly from cameras that support the spec. If you want to connect cable-free via Wi-Fi, make sure the printer supports Wi-Fi Direct. If you might need to print straight from your phone or tablet, make sure the printer also supports mobile printing with your specific device.
(Credit: PCMag)PORTABLE ALL-IN-ONES. Portable AIOs are even rarer than portable single-function printers. Don't expect a lot from the scanner in the way of paper handling or other scan capabilities. If you won't need scanning on every trip, consider pairing a printer-only portable with a portable scanner, so you can lighten the load on trips that won't need scanning.
Photo Printers: Portable Models
Portable photo printers are just what the name indicates: printers that are designed to work on battery power and are strictly for churning out snapshots. The key differentiator for these printers is the size of the prints.
Dedicated snapshot (or small-format) printers are limited to printing at smaller than letter size, and often at only one or two specific sizes. As we point out in our more general roundup of photo printers, these models are less centered on printing from a computer than on printing photos from whatever the source, and most are meant as standalone consumer gadgets. Their focus is on ease of use and on printing snapshots from smartphones.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)PHOTO AND PRINTER SIZE. For obvious reasons, the smaller and more portable the printer, the smaller the maximum size photo it can print. Typical sizes are wallet size (roughly 2 by 3 to 2.5 by 3.5 inches), 4 by 6 inches, and Instagram-style square prints. Most models support just one of these. The printers themselves can weigh as little as a few ounces if limited to wallet-size photos or as much as three or more pounds for models that can print on 4-by-6 stock. Sizes can range from small enough to fit in a pocket or purse to large enough to need a backpack or briefcase.
BATTERIES. Compared with printers for 4-by-6-inch photos, smaller snapshot printers are more likely to include rechargeable batteries in their base price. But be sure to check, in either case, when comparing prices between printers and when ordering. Also, check how many photos you can print on a full charge.
PRINT TECHNOLOGY. Virtually all portable photo printers use one of three technologies, and inkjet technology, notably, is no longer on the list. (Epson offers an inkjet for photos up to 5 by 7 inches, but it doesn't qualify as "fully portable" by our definition for this roundup, since it works only with AC power.)
The three current portable photo printer technologies are (1) Zink, which is short for Zero Ink, (2) instant film, the same as for instant cameras, and (3) dye sublimation, usually referred to as dye sub. Zink printers use special paper with embedded chemicals that create the image by changing color when heated. Dye sub printers also use special paper, but in combination with a dye-infused roll consisting of repeating panels that typically include the three primary colors (cyan, yellow, and magenta), plus a clear panel to add a protective coating. Printing each photo requires a separate pass for each panel. (Fun fact: They aren't really using dye sub technology, which is used for dyeing fabrics. They're technically "thermal dye transfer printers." But that doesn't stop anyone from calling them dye subs.)
(Credit: Canon)OUTPUT QUALITY AND SPEED. One consideration when choosing a technology is that dye-sub and instant film offer better quality than Zink, which is best reserved for photos that are destined to sit in your wallet, be taped to a locker door, or be pinned to a bulletin board. Beyond that, be sure to check our reviews for comments about each printer's photo quality. Speed is not much of an issue for any of these printers (as they're designed to output one or two prints at a go), but you'll want to confirm that for any printer you're considering. Our reviews include our timed results.
COST PER PHOTO. It's easy to compute the cost per photo for these printers. Zink paper, dye-sub supplies, and instant film all come in packs that deliver an exact number of photo prints. Dividing the cost per pack by that number tells you the cost per photo. If you're trying to decide between one printer with a low initial price and another with a higher price but a lower cost per photo, you might want to consider the total cost of ownership as well. Dividing the additional cost for the more expensive printer by the savings per photo for that printer will tell you how many photos you'll have to print for the lower cost per photo to save you money over the printer's lifetime.
CONNECTIONS. Some portable photo printers offer a USB connection and can print from a computer. Most are designed primarily to print wirelessly from phones or tablets using manufacturer-supplied apps. Older models often include Wi-Fi Direct and PictBridge to print from cameras that support them. But for printers designed to work with smartphones, Bluetooth is the most common connection method supported.
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)Portable Label Printers
You'll actually see two types of label printers, also known as label makers, on the market. At the risk of oversimplifying a bit, some print out paper labels that work best for applications like addressing envelopes and labeling file folders. Others print plastic labels that work best for applications that need more rugged labels, ranging from labeling cables in a data communications center or behind your computer to labeling an outdoor mailbox. The label types are a bit broader than simply paper in one case and plastic in the other, but "paper or plastic" is one handy way to think about them. Another is "office" versus "industrial" label printer.
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Most label printers in the paper or office category are meant to sit on a desk. They're small enough to carry easily, but with rare exceptions, they aren't designed to work on battery power, so they are not fully portable. On the other hand, printers for plastic or industrial-type labeling come in both portable and AC-power-only models. Here's what you need to know about them.
(Credit: M. David Stone)FIRST, CONSIDER THE LABEL TYPE. The most important issue for any label printer is whether it can print the type of labels you need at the sizes you need them. Inexpensive models aimed at home use might include tapes with photo-safe, acid-free adhesive, for example, while more expensive models meant for heavy-duty use will likely have more types—including vinyl tapes, heat-shrink tube tapes for cables, and magnetic tapes—but nothing suitable for photos.
Label length isn't usually an issue, since most printers use continuous rolls that you cut to size. But tape width is. Check that the printer can handle the widths you need. Also, keep in mind that the sheer number of choices isn't as important as the number of tape types, since many choices will just be different colors. Make sure there's an appropriate type of tape for your needs in the size or sizes you need it.
STANDALONE PRINTING (OR NOT). Label printers can print from one or more of three sources: By themselves as standalone devices; from a PC, usually connected by USB cable or through a network; or from phones and tablets, connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Standalone printing requires a built-in keyboard in either QWERTY or ABCD layout, and usually a one- or two-line LCD to preview what you type before you print the label. Features typically include built-in settings for creating different formats and onboard memory for storing labels you print repeatedly.
Printing from PCs and mobile devices is usually handled by manufacturer-supplied label apps. For PCs, the printer may also come with a driver to print from virtually any program with a print command. However, setting the right page size and orientation for programs not designed for label printing can be a challenge. Using them can also mean doing without some features most label-printer programs offer, notably bar codes and QR codes.
For most portable use, a built-in keyboard or an app for a mobile device is usually the best choice, depending on which you prefer, but being able to design labels on a PC will let you use a full-size keyboard. If you have any doubts about which approach works best for you, pick a printer that offers more than one option. Also be sure to check the ease of use and range of features for both standalone printing and for apps.
HANDHELD OR NOT. Almost any label printer with its own keyboard will let you enter text while it's sitting on a flat surface. Most are shaped either to let you hold them in one hand while entering text with the other, or to hold in both hands and thumb-type. Pick the approach you're most comfortable with.
BATTERIES. Prices for some portable label printers don't include batteries, so check before buying. Also look for which kind of batteries the printer uses: rechargeable, standard, or either. For those that use rechargeable batteries, consider whether you need an extra, so you can have a spare charged battery handy when needed.
(Credit: M. David Stone)OUTPUT QUALITY AND SPEED. Output quality is not much of a concern for label printers. Resolutions for most range from 180dpi, which is suitable for most purposes, to 360dpi, which will make even small fonts crisp and readable. Print speed isn't usually a concern either, unless you're printing a lot of labels in one session and need to use them right away, in which case, waiting 10 seconds for each 4-inch label can feel like an eternity.
Because the label rolls are generally continuous, the time per label depends on the length, and the printers are rated in millimeters (mm) per second or inches per second (ips). Actual speed in our tests is usually slightly slower than the rating, but print time isn't the only factor to consider.
When using continuous rolls, you have to cut the labels at some point. Some printers have manual cutters, which means you need to take extra time for cutting. For printers with automatic cutting, turning off the auto cutting speeds up print time, but costs even more time later to cut each label off the strip. If you will be regularly printing a lot of labels at once, a key feature to look for is automatic cutting with half cuts, which cuts through the label itself while leaving the carrier strip untouched. This not only keeps the labels conveniently on a single strip, but it makes it far easier to peel each label off by eliminating the time needed to poke at an edge for each to get the peeling started. In short, extra print time spent for automatic half-cutting can save far more time later.
COST PER LABEL. The cost per label for continuous rolls varies with the length of each label you print. To compare running costs between competing models, divide the cost per roll by the number of inches in the roll to get a comparable cost per inch. Be sure to do the calculation for the types and widths you plan to use.
SPECIALTY "RUBBER STAMP" PRINTERS. A small subcategory of label printers can substitute for rubber stamps. These are basically handheld inkjets that use a single cartridge, which could be your choice from a selection of single-color cartridges or a tricolor cartridge.
Portable Monochrome Thermal Printers
Start with an old-fashioned fax machine that prints on thermal paper (that is, without ink). Throw out the parts that handle faxing, and you're left with a basic monochrome printing mechanism. Add your choice of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB connections, a battery, and a driver for your PC's operating system or an app for your mobile device, and you've got a portable, monochrome thermal printer.
Resolutions for these printers can be as low as 203 by 200dpi, which is fine for 10- or 12-point text, but can leave smaller fonts and graphics looking a little ragged. However, it's not hard to find models with 300dpi resolution, which is at the lower end of laser quality. And unlike the paper you may remember from fax machines, paper for many thermal printers is available in cut-sheet and fanfold formats, as well as rolls.
Some portable monochrome thermal printers are built around thermal wax transfer technology. Instead of using thermal paper that changes color in response to heat, these printers use standard paper and a ribbon that's coated with black wax. Heating the ribbon melts the wax, which then sticks to (transfers to) the paper.
(Credit: M. David Stone)Because the printheads are so similar between both types of thermal printers, the output quality is similar as well. The key practical difference between the two types is that you have to buy special paper for the more common thermal printers, but don't need ribbons, while you have to buy ribbons for the thermal wax transfer printers, but don't need special paper. Note that the ribbons retain what amounts to a negative image of anything you print, which means that if you're printing anything meant to be private, you need to be careful where you discard them.
Neither type of printer in this category can substitute for an inkjet if you need color printing, but most are smaller and lighter than portable inkjets. The smallest model we've seen weighs just a smidge more than a pound and measures 1.2 by 10 by 2.2 inches (HWD). And because they don't use ink, the only running cost is for the paper. Note that batteries may be optional, and necessarily add weight, so check whether the battery is included, how many pages it can print, and how much it costs. If you don't need to print in color, and you need the lightest printer possible, thermal monochrome printers are well worth considering.
Ready to Buy the Right Portable Printer for You?
One key recommendation for all of these categories: By its nature, a portable printer is likely to suffer more physical abuse than one that sits on a desk. Be sure to check the warranty and consider extending it if you can. And note that at this writing, Epson's LabelWorks printers include a lifetime warranty, which is hard to beat. For printers for business use, also check to see if there's an overnight-replacement option and whether you can take advantage of it even when traveling.
Whatever you're looking for in a portable printer, one of the models outlined in our picks above is likely a good fit. In addition, be sure to check out our portable choices for the best photo printers and best label makers. And if you're looking for a lightweight, standard printer you can press into service as a quasi-portable with AC power only, take a look at our overall top printer recommendations and our picks for top inkjet printers.