Best Portable Printers for 2024: Your Ultimate Guide
18th Apr 2024
Simon Cross
We live in a world that demands everything is available to access straight away and where mobility must at the very least meet the demands of efficiency. The portable printer stands up as an example of convenience. It can offer almost anyone from every day users to professionals, and almost anyone in between that convenience.
Join me as we set sail on a journey of discovery through the world of portable printers. Discover their functionality, pros and cons and the best available on the market today in 2024.
What is a portable printer?
What are they
Just as you'd expect by their name, portable printers are just that, portable! They are the tip of the iceberg of printing convenience because they offer a compact and lightweight solution for you to be able to print almost anywhere. Unlike your traditional inkjet or laser printer, bound to a desk in your home or office space, a portable printer can be popped in a bag or in some cases in a pocket.
Of course they vary in functionality and capacity, just like their traditional counterparts, but they are all the better for it in my opinion because you have that flexibility to choose the best portable printer that works with you.
How do they work
The technology inside them is more or less the same as your standard inkjet and laser printer, just scaled down to a more compact size. As well as inkjet and thermal technology, some of the smallest portable printers use zinc paper with colour crystals instead of ink or toner.
Using wireless technology, either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the portable printer connects to smartphones, tablets and laptops, paving the way for printing documents, photos and more. Most portable printers have dual power options via mains power and a built-in or external battery pack.
What makes them portable
Their portability doesn't simply boil down to their size but also in their design and functionality. With battery and mains power options and wireless connectivity, portable printers free users of wires and the need to be in a fixed location, be that at home or in the office. It really does sound that easy it does make me wonder why more people don't have one though we will get to that bit later.
Why would you consider a portable printer?
What makes them different?
Very obvious but not understated is their unmatched portability. Using one gives the user the ability to print beyond the confines of mains power and printer cables in a conventional office or at home. This capability opens up more and more possibilities and caters for the needs of those that operate outside of or simply don't have access to a traditional printing set up.
Comparing them against traditional printers
They shouldn't be considered a replacement for the traditional desktop printer but more of a complementary addition. They both have their own purpose and suitability for different needs and scenarios.
Traditional printers are far superior for those high volume print jobs and at lower per page cost.
Not only that but you'll also find that a lot of portable printers don't tend to have 1 or multiple paper trays, automatic document feeders, USB or card readers or anything else similar.
Who uses a portable printer?
The value in portable printing and portable printers is in situations that requires on-site printing. You'll most likely see a portable printer at a client meeting to finalise contracts, producing materials for on the spot presentations and less formal events where invoices, bespoke creations or instant photo printing might be needed.
Pros and cons of a portable printer
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexibility to print wherever you are | Slower print speed |
| Easy to take with you and use | More expensive initial purchase price |
| Compatible with plenty of media types | Generally higher cost per page |
| Caters for diverse printing needs | Smaller capacity ink cartridges |
|
|
Some require specialised print media |
4 Best Portable Printers on the Market in 2024
Brother PocketJet PJ-773
Roughly the size of a French baguette and can run on battery power or mains, the PJ-773 is our pick as the best portable printer of 2024.
A lot of portable printers don't even come with a power pack but Brother have been good enough to include one with the this particular printer. The only consumable required is the specialised thermal paper, making this compact device ideal for travel, whether it's on the road or aboard a plane.
Equipped with a power adapter and battery pack, the printer can be used virtually anywhere. It features built-in Wi-Fi, but for convenience, it doesn't solely depend on network availability. It also supports Wi-Fi Direct and includes a mini USB port for versatile connectivity options. The printing speed is commendable, delivering black and white pages that are as crisp and detailed as those from any standard laser printer.
Why would you buy
The Brother PocketJet PJ-773 runs on thermal printing technology, which relies on fewer moving parts. This means it's smaller and lighter than most of its competitors.
You'll also get sharp detailed print-outs without the need to buy consumables.
Print via Wi-Fi and mobile app with AirPrint support.
Why wouldn't you buy
Given its size and functions, these actually present a few drawbacks. If your primary use is for printing text then your well covered but don't expect details colour photo reproduction.
With no paper tray you'll have to feed through 1 sheet at a time. That sheet of paper has to be thermal paper because the PJ-773 runs on thermal print technology.
Epson WorkForce WF-110
My second place pick for best portable printer for 2024, the Epson WF-110 printer offers portability and inkjet levels of accuracy.
Epson has successfully condensed the features of a colour inkjet printer into a compact unit small enough to fit in a briefcase and potentially even a handbag.
This printer utilises four unusually small ink cartridges to deliver prints up to A4 size with a vibrant and detailed resolution of 5,760 x 1,440 dpi. Its plastic casing is designed with a textured grip and unfolds to serve as the paper input tray, holding up to twenty sheets of plain paper.
Although the printer operates at a top speed of 7 pages per minute, it uses pigment ink rather than dye ink, enhancing the smudge resistance of the pages produced.
The device is powered by a lithium-ion battery, which can be quickly recharged using the included charger or via the supplied USB cable connected to any powered USB port. While it doesn’t offer fast printing speeds or auto-duplex capabilities, the quality it provides for mobile printing is outstanding.
Why would you buy
Accepts up to A4 paper and doesn't require special thermal paper so as you could use almost any printer paper you have at home.
Charge via USB rather than a specifically designed charger means you're not restricted by charging options. The built-in battery also provides enough power to print up to 50 hi-res pages. Add Epson's external battery and that capacity can be increased up to 410 pages.
Why wouldn't you buy
Because the ink cartridges used in the WF-110 are pigment based rather then dye based, they are more expensive. There is also no auto duplex printing option so saving on paper can become a little more fiddly having to flip every page.
Canon Pixma TR150
Canon has effectively compacted its Pixma TR150 colour inkjet printer to easily fit inside a briefcase or backpack without sacrificing print quality.
It features Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, an OLED display, and the ability to save custom templates, which are particularly useful for businesses that need regular form reprints.
The printer can be powered via any active USB port, such as in a car, and the optional rechargeable battery increases its portability.
It supports AirPrint and Google Cloud Print, enabling straightforward printing from mobile devices.
Setting up the TR150 is simple, just lift the lid, install the print head, and either download the software, use the provided installation disc or setup online by scanning the QR code on the device with your phone.
Why would you buy
Easy to set up with multiple options straight out of the box. Continuing with the multiple options theme, printing via Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct and smartphone are all options straight out of the box.
Canon have a rechargeable battery available as an optional extra.
Why wouldn't you buy
Expensive consumables is a bit of a theme with portable printers and ink for the TR150 is no exception.
While having an option of a rechargeable battery is great, the fact that this is an added cost isn't so great.
Fujifilm Instax Link WIDE
Rounding off my listing of top 4 portable printers in 2024 is the Fujifilm Instax Link WIDE, the top choice for full-sized instant smartphone pictures.
This compact printer transforms your smartphone into an instant camera, delivering far superior print quality than typical instant film cameras.
Utilising a modern take on Kodak’s instant film technology, images are transferred onto special photo paper without the need for ink cartridges. This not only cuts down on ink costs but also enhances the printer's portability and allows it to be battery-powered.
Instead of traditional paper, you’ll need to purchase packs of Instax film, which, although not inexpensive, provide photos in Fujifilm’s new wide format that are both larger and of impressive full-colour quality.
Connect via Bluetooth 4.2, and while there is a micro USB port, it serves solely for charging purposes. Though it’s possible to connect the printer to a computer, operating it requires the Instax Link Wide app, available for both iOS and Android.
Why would you buy
I can't think of anyone I know that carries an instant polaroid camera around, most, if not all of us have a smartphone in your pocket that is equipped with a camera far superior to almost any instant camera. Coupled with the Fujifilm Instax printer and you'll have instant superior quality full sized glossy photos.
Why wouldn't you buy
The drawback to the size and easy to use nature of this portable printer, as with other portable printers, is the requirement for a specific type of photo film that can be expensive.
Don't expect fast prints either with speed around 2 pages per minute.
Our Personal View on Portable Printers (Coming from Experts)
As an expert in printing technology, I consider portable printers to be transformative devices that perfectly complement the lifestyles of modern professionals and students. While not a replacement for traditional printers in every context, they offer unparalleled advantages for on-the-go printing needs.
Conclusion
Choosing the best portable printer hinges on understanding your specific printing requirements, mobility needs, and budget.
By considering the insights shared in this guide, you're equipped to make a decision that not only boosts your productivity but also harmonises with your mobile life.
The era of portable printing is here, continually evolving to meet user demands and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of printing.
Blog Author: Simon Cross is the engaging and knowledgeable voice behind the insightful articles on printers and printer consumables at IJT Direct, an ecommerce store renowned for its comprehensive selection of printers, printer consumables, and hardware. View Simons author page to find out more about him.