Best Portable Printers in 2022
While digital photo sharing is now a popular form of documentation, some still opt to do it the traditional way, through journaling and scrapbooking. More and more people have been searching for a way to instantly document their memories, thus the re-entry of instant cameras in the consumer market. However, if you do not wish to use an instant camera, another option you might want to consider is to use a portable printer that will let you print photos directly from your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
In this article, we are going to discuss everything there is you need to know about portable printers. We have provided you the 10 best ones out on the market, as well as each product’s pros and cons. We will also answer some of the frequently asked questions, along with the essential factors that you should take into consideration when choosing the best portable printer. There are a lot of great brands to choose from and it might be quite confusing for you if you do not know what to consider.
The Best Portable Printer
1Polaroid ZIP Portable Printer
Another great product for the best portable printer is the Polaroid ZIP, in which every purchase already includes the app, both compatible for Android and iOS. This portable printer will be able to print beautiful 2×3 full-color and smudge proof photos with its peel-back and sticky paper. It also has a compact and lightweight design, allowing you to bring it anywhere. It is also easy to operate, as you only need stable Bluetooth or NFC connection. It works well with zero ink papers, while at the same time, produces outstanding photos without using ink cartridges, ribbons, or toner.
Prints on 2” x 3” sticky peel-back paper
Print from smartphone or tablet
Zero-ink printing technology
Rechargeable battery (25 prints per charge)
Compatible with iOS and Android
- BrandPolaroid
- ModelPOLMP01W
- Weight7 oz
You get the mobile app with every purchase of the Polaroid ZIP portable printer
It is compatible to both Android and iOS devices
It produces high quality and smudge proof photos
You only need Bluetooth and NFC connectivity to print your photos
Some pictures turned out to be darker, with inaccurate colors
2HP OfficeJet 250 All-in-One Portable Printer
HP Office Jet 250 All-in-One Wireless Portable Printer combines the three functions of print, copy and scan to give you the finest quality in picture imagery, no matter how remote your location. It is ever ready for your use whenever you need as it fits easily into a travel bag or probably some obscure corner in your car. By means of WiFi direct and Bluetooth technology, you can instantly connect a printer, scanner copier all in one to the image source such as smartphone, tablet or computer and get the best in hard copy prints for your delight.
It also offers an instant 2-page automatic print as and when desired. It uses a 2.65-inch color touch screen control panel to print, scan and copy in seconds. It accepts prints on such envelope types as letters and legal statements whilst supported by a wide range of paper sizes. It also uses the original HP 62 ink and HP 62XL cartridges to give you super fine hard copy prints that will last you forever and drastically reduces disruptions in print by means of its long-life rechargeable battery that can be charged from any AC power source from your car, home or office within just 90 minutes. This quiet print workhorse can turn your limited space into a real professional photo studio. It is sturdy, beautiful, smart, fast and very durable.
3-in-1 (print, copy & scan)
WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
Compatible with iOS and Android devices
Portable design
Rechargeable battery
- BrandHP
- Model250
- Weight6.51 pounds
3Canon Pixma iP110
With the Canon Pixma mobile printer, you can print effortlessly and wirelessly from your iOS device without needing any drivers. All you need is to have the latest iOS software on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. In addition, this printer allows you to print from selected online cloud services. It also comes with an optional battery and lets you to print photos, as well as business documents. The printer has a maximum color dpi of 9600 x 2400, providing your printed photos with superb quality. To add, you can also print documents of 8.5-x11-inch size. Every purchase of the Canon Pixma comes with the mobile printer, setup software, ink tanks, PGI-35 black, CLI-36 color, AC adapter, power cord, and print head.
Maximum 9600 x 2400 maximum color dpi
Prints photos and business documents
Maximum printing size 8.5” x 11”
Connect with Wi-Fi or USB
Compatible with multiple apps
- BrandCanon
- ModelIP110
- Weight4.3 lb
It has a compact and lightweight design
It has Wi-Fi, optional battery, and wireless PictBridge features
You will be able to print straight from your iOS device
It has the capability to print both black and color photos
The portable printer does not have Android support as of writing
4Fujifilm Instax Share SP-2 Portable Printer
Using your smartphone or tablet, you will be able to print your photos just by transferring them from the INSTAX SHARE app to the SP-2 printer via Wi-Fi, just as long you have an updated operating system for both Android and iOS. You can also print photos directly from Instagram and Facebook. Fujifilm Instax Share SP-2 portable printer has the ability to print as fast as 10 seconds, due to the new laser exposure system technology. In addition, printing noise is minimized, making the experience a lot more enjoyable. The Fujifilm portable printer also can print photos with superb image quality. It also can prevent the deterioration of the colors, as well as the sharpness, which is caused by aging. It also has a LED indicator for the film and battery status. Unlike the other portable printers, this product has a reprint button, allowing you to share the same print to your friends.
800×600 dots and 320 dpi
Connect using Wi-Fi
Pioneering laser exposure system
Free SHARE app
Special Instax technology
Comes with USB enabled rechargeable battery
Prints in just 10 seconds
- BrandFujiFilm
- ModelINSTAX SHARE SP-2 SILVER
- Weight8.6 oz
This portable printer is compatible for both Android and iOS devices
You can directly print from your phone or social network
It can print photos as fast as 10 seconds
It delivers outstanding image quality
It also has a LED indicator that shows film and battery status
Troubleshooting the faulty connection of the app and the printer might take time
5Kodak HD Wireless Portable Mobile Instant Photo Printer
With a whole world of fascinating and memorable scenes to capture and store for good the present tech-infested world, no other printer is able to do the hard copy print job better than the way KODAK HD Wireless Portable Mobile Instant Photo Printer does. This printer offers you a hands-free method of obtaining 2.1×3.4 inches photo prints directly from your Android or iOS device without the use of cables and buttons that gets too often in your way to a successful setup. Your photos come alive in a water-proof, fingerprint-proof paper that also has an extra protective layer to ensure safety and security. Just by a single touch, your Kodak app launches in seconds to give you access to a great quality hard copy image via Bluetooth.
This print system also utilizes the innovative 4 PASS D2T2 Dye Transfer technique, also called dye sublimation to give you the bright, detailed color or black and white photograph that is dry to the touch. The MC cartridges blend paper and color ink to afford easy maintenance. A wide variety of features such as filters, cropping, stickers, and card template can be activated by downloading the Kodak Photo Printer app. It employs WiFi direct, NFC and Bluetooth. An in-built 620 mAh lithium polymer rechargeable and quick charging battery powers the entire device.
620 mAh lithium polymer battery
Prints large photos (2.1” x 3.4”)
Connect using Wi-FI or Bluetooth
Free Kodak Photo Printer App
No wires or buttons
- BrandKodak
- ModelKOD-MP2B
- Weight8 ounces
6HP DeskJet 1112 Compact Printer
The world’s topmost printer brand offers you a product that fits easily into the lifestyle of today’s trendy and refined photo enthusiast, whilst giving you more prints for less. You can depend on HP DeskJet 1112 Compact Printer always to give you quality color printing anytime at any place without having to worry about geek technology, cloud, iOS, Android, and all that complicated stuff. This printer gets your print work going with an easy setup. This sleek, strong printer makes itself handy and is so compact that it easily fits on your desk, shelf or even bedside thereby saving you valuable space.
It is most efficient in power consumption, in spite of its high output performance and as a result, it is ENERGY STAR certified. The printer operates within a temperature range of 41-104 degree F and employs the original HP 63 ink cartridges to give you fantastic results. What is more; the HP ink and toner cartridges are refillable for free to promote an eco-friendly environment for sustainable development. Its amazing functionality and superior quality print comes at such an affordable price.
Rugged built with efficiency in output
Refillable ink and toner cartridges
Compact, handy and trouble-free in its operation
Energy-efficient and ENERGY STAR certified
- BrandHP
- ModelF5S23A#B1H
- Weight4.44 pounds
7Kodak Mini Portable Printer
Kodak has already established its name as one of the best imaging technology company around the world. With its latest offering, the Kodak Mini Portable Printer, you may now print photos directly from your mobile device. This portable printer prints 2.1 x 3.4-inch high-quality photos. For Android, you only need to launch the Kodak app and the photo will print instantly. For iOS, on the other hand, you just need to connect via Wi-Fi. This portable printer features the innovative D2T2 dye transfer method technology that creates beautiful portraits that will stay bright for as long as 10 years. Another reason why the Kodak Mini portable printer is one of the best is that it has a free companion app where you can edit your photos. Every purchase of this portable printer includes the photo printer, a micro charger cable, and an ink cartridge. With these features, you can watch as your portable printer as it produces beautiful and stunning color prints.
This portable printer can produce 2.1 x 3.4-inch photos
A free accompanying app is available both on Android and iOS devices
It features the D2T2 dye transfer technology for long lasting brightness
Paper and color ink cartridges are easy to maintain
This printer might break down after a few good quality prints
8Lifeprint 2×3
The Lifeprint portable printer is the world’s first shareable photo printer, as it allows you to connect with your Lifeprint friends around the world. You can print straight from your favorite social network such as Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram. It has a compact and portable design, which makes it ideal to use or bring to concerts, parties, or festivals. The brand also offers full photo editing suite where you can add filters, texts, stickers, and a lot more. With the Lifeprint portable printer, you can print 2×3 stickers, perfect for decorating your walls, photo albums, or your laptops. It also has a stable Bluetooth connection that allows wireless printing for up to 30 feet. Lastly, it has support for both Android and iOS devices.
You can edit your photos via the app before you print it
It has a compact and lightweight design
It is also a sticker printer
You only need Bluetooth connectivity to print your photos
It has support for Android and iOS
Some users had issues with the low quality of the printed photos
9Pickit M2
The Pickit portable printer allows you to print the most vivid and clear photos from your Android or iOS device. It utilizes the dye sublimation technology that enhances the color quality through the use of real ink. It has a compact and lightweight design that lets you carry it anywhere your adventure takes you. You also do not have to worry about the printed photos, as they have waterproof and fingerprint proof features. Replacing the paper and ink has also been proven to be hassle-free. For connectivity, this portable printer supports Wi-Fi for iOS and NFC for Android. Lastly, you can download the companion app to edit your photos before you print it wirelessly.
The Pickit portable printer incorporates the dye sublimation technology that produces high-quality colored photos
It has a lightweight and compact design
The printed photos have waterproof and fingerprint proof qualities
It can be connected to your Android and iOS device via Wi-Fi or NFC
It is also easy to use and maintain
This printer might stop charging after only a few months
10HP OfficeJet 200
HP OfficeJet portable printer lets you print straight from your mobile device or laptop. It also is convenient that you can always print from anywhere with the reprint feature, even without a network. It has a durable and compact design, and will fit in your car. It has a long lasting battery that reduces the hassle of recharging every now and then. The HP OfficeJet portable printer has the ability to print borderless photos of up to 5 x 7 inches. It is a touchscreen printer that allows you to print photos with just a tap of your finger. Lastly, the brand offers a year of limited warranty with 24/7 web support. Make sure you also check our guide to the best scanners as well.
This portable printer has a reprint feature, allowing you to print from anywhere
It features a long lasting battery
It can print borderless photos of 5×7 inches
It is also very easy to use
The brand offers 1-year warranty
The HP OfficeJet might not be compatible with various PC operating systems. Better check with the manufacturer first if the printer supports your OS
11HP Sprocket
With the HP Sprocket portable printer, you can print photos directly from your social media account via the accompanying phone app. It features flawless Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to print your favorite moments instantly. In addition, you will be able to customize the photos first before you actually print it via the app. It has a compact and lightweight design, perfect to bring to parties and festivals. It will also be able to print 2×3 stickers of your snapshots.
It features seamless Bluetooth connectivity
It is lightweight and compact
It is very easy to use and maintain
It has the ability to print glossy and bright photos directly from social media or your phone
Some users had issues about the inaccuracy of colors
Portable Printer Buyers Guide
Q: What Is A Portable Printer And How Easy Is It To Use?
A: A lot of people are now used to mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, which eliminates the necessity of having to work in an office. With a mobile or portable printer, its users will be able to print important documents, as well as photos, wherever and whenever. It is very similar to a home printer, but is a lot slower when it comes to speed. The best feature of the portable printer is that it allows you to make paper prints even when you are on the go.
Using a portable printer is very easy, as you only need Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or NFC connection. A lot of the products mentioned above uses their own brand’s accompanying app that will make printing a lot easier and convenient for you.
Q: What Are The Essential Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Portable Printer?
A: Printer design and portability – A lighter portable printer is always better, as it permits you to bring it anywhere you want. You also need to choose a compact one, so you can fit it inside your laptop bag or backpack.
Battery life – This factor is also an important one, as you don’t want the hassle of recharging it every after use. If the portable printer has a long battery life, you can make the most out of it.
Output – You also need to consider the result of the printed photo, whether the colors are accurate or have the ability to print in the size of your choice.
Ink – A lot of the printers included in the reviews uses the zero ink technology, which eliminates the need for ink cartridges. If the printer has an inkless feature, you only need the photo paper or sticker for you to print your photos.
Connectivity – It would be best if you choose a portable printer that features seamless Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC connectivity, as you will need it for you to connect the portable printer to your mobile device or laptop.
Versatility – Choose a portable printer that will be able to print photos, as well as documents, if the need arises. Some do feature printing of documents of 8.5 x 11 inch in size while others do not.
Conclusion
Choosing the best portable is not going to be easy if you do not know what to look for. A lot of brands and models do have similar features but others do stand out from the rest. It is up to you to carefully review the features you could benefit from the most and relate it to its price. That way, you will be able to determine if the product of your choice is a great value for your money or not. I hope that you have learned a lot, enough for you to make the best buying decision.