Buying Guide
The Best Portable Printers for a Cleaner, More Useful Desk
We looked at 7 portable printers side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
10 min read7 products evaluated
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A portable printer's rated page-per-charge number is measured under ideal, simplified conditions, and real mixed-content printing (denser text, graphics, or photos) typically drains the battery faster and yields fewer pages than the spec sheet suggests. Charging time is just as important as capacity for travel, since a printer that takes hours to recharge is less useful on a trip than one with a lower rated count but a faster top-up, and cartridge or paper availability matters too since specialty ink cartridges and thermal paper rolls are not something you can grab at any convenience store while traveling.
Quick Picks
Our 7 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best True Portable AIO
Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Lightweight Compact Printer with Battery and Display
Travelers who want genuine inkjet quality in a purpose-built portable body
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Lightweight Compact Printer with Battery and Display (opens in a new tab)
Best Inkless Portable
Gloryang Inkless Portable Printer for Travel, Wireless Thermal Printer with Carry Case
Travelers who want the smallest, lightest option and don't need color or archival-quality prints
Our take Check price for Gloryang Inkless Portable Printer for Travel, Wireless Thermal Printer with Carry Case (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Portable
NDYIN Portable Printer Wireless for Travel, N80 Bluetooth Inkless Thermal Printer
Budget-conscious travelers who mainly need black and white printing on the go
Our take Check price for NDYIN Portable Printer Wireless for Travel, N80 Bluetooth Inkless Thermal Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best for Extended Travel Stays
Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with ADF
Extended stays or relocations where a full-size printer is worth the space
Our take Check price for Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with ADF (opens in a new tab)
Best for a Temporary Home Office Setup
Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex
Temporary home office setups on an extended work trip, not day-to-day travel
Our take Check price for Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex (opens in a new tab)
Lightest Full-Featured AIO Option
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier
Extended stays needing scan and copy functions in the lightest full AIO option
Our take Check price for HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier (opens in a new tab)
Best for a Compact Temporary Setup
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer with Auto Document Feeder
Longer relocations that need a document feeder in a compact full AIO
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer with Auto Document Feeder (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best True Portable AIO1 of 7
Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Lightweight Compact Printer with Battery and Display on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
44 inch display and a 50-sheet paper tray, standing apart from a standard desktop AIO repurposed for occasional portable use.
Best for
- Travelers who want genuine inkjet quality in a purpose-built portable body
Why we like it
Its rated page count per charge, like most portable printers, reflects light text documents rather than dense or graphic-heavy pages, so plan on fewer pages per charge for mixed content like boarding passes with barcodes or photos.
Canon's standard cartridges are not something you'll find at a random convenience store while traveling, so pack a spare set if you're heading somewhere without easy access to an office supply store. The compact, lightweight body travels well in a bag, though it is not rated for drop resistance or dust sealing, so a padded case is worth adding for actual travel use.
Larger 50-sheet tray than most portable printers.
Key dimensions & specs
- Rechargeable battery for cordless printing
- 1.44 inch display
- 50-sheet paper tray
- Lightweight, compact travel-focused design
- Wireless connectivity
Pros
- Purpose-built portable design with battery
- Larger 50-sheet tray than most portable printers
- Display for status without a phone app
- True inkjet print quality on the go
Cons
- Cartridges aren't available at typical travel stops, pack spares
- No stated drop resistance or dust sealing
- Real battery life for mixed content is lower than the rated page count
Best Inkless Portable2 of 7
Gloryang Inkless Portable Printer for Travel, Wireless Thermal Printer with Carry Case on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Gloryang is a portable inkless thermal printer, meaning it uses heat to darken specially coated paper instead of ink, which trades ink cost for paper cost and limits output to black and white text or graphics rather than full color photo quality.
Best for
- Travelers who want the smallest, lightest option and don't need color or archival-quality prints
Why we like it
It includes a carry case and three rolls of thermal paper to start, a real convenience since thermal paper rolls aren't something you'll find at a typical hotel front desk.
Battery life claims should be read as a best case, since dense graphics or full-page prints draw more power per page than simple text. Thermal prints also fade over time, so anything you'll want to keep long-term is worth photocopying onto regular paper once you're back home.
Key dimensions & specs
- Inkless thermal printing technology
- Bluetooth wireless connectivity
- Supports 8.5 x 11 inch thermal paper
- Includes carry case and 3 paper rolls
- Compact, lightweight body
Pros
- No ink to run out or replace
- Includes carry case and starter paper rolls
- compact for a bag or backpack
- Lower upfront cost than the Canon TR160
Cons
- Black and white output only, no full-color photo printing
- Thermal prints fade over time, not ideal for permanent records
- Ongoing thermal paper cost replaces ink cost
Best Budget Portable3 of 7
NDYIN Portable Printer Wireless for Travel, N80 Bluetooth Inkless Thermal Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NDYIN N80 is the cheapest portable printer in this list, another inkless thermal design supporting standard US Letter and A4 paper sizes over Bluetooth.
Best for
- Budget-conscious travelers who mainly need black and white printing on the go
Why we like it
Like the Gloryang, it trades ink cost for thermal paper cost and produces black and white output only, so it fits note-taking, boarding passes, or itineraries better than color documents or photos.
At this price point, expect a lighter-duty build than the pricier Canon TR160, and pack extra thermal paper rolls before a trip since specialty paper isn't something you can grab at a typical drugstore. Compatibility with IOS, Android, and laptops covers most travel device combinations without needing extra drivers.
No ink cartridges to run out of.
Key dimensions & specs
- Inkless thermal printing
- Bluetooth wireless connectivity
- Supports 8.5 x 11 inch Letter and A4 paper
- Compatible with IOS, Android, laptop
- Compact, low-cost body
Pros
- Lowest price in this list at $39.99
- No ink cartridges to run out of
- Broad device compatibility
- Very lightweight for a bag or backpack
Cons
- Black and white output only
- Thermal prints fade over time
- Lighter-duty build than pricier portable picks
Best for Extended Travel Stays4 of 7
Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with ADF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ET-4800 is not a battery-powered portable printer, it's a standard AIO some longer-stay travelers pack for an extended relocation, a semester abroad, or a temporary work assignment where a full-size printer earns its space.
Best for
- Extended stays or relocations where a full-size printer is worth the space
Why we like it
Refillable ink tanks mean you won't need to hunt for cartridges while away, a real advantage over cartridge-based travel printing if you're setting up for weeks or months rather than a short trip.
It requires a power outlet and has no battery, so it isn't suited to printing away from a desk. Include it here only if your travel plans involve a fixed location long enough to justify checked-baggage-sized printing gear.
Full color inkjet print quality, unlike inkless thermal picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Cartridge-free refillable ink tanks
- Auto document feeder
- Wireless network printing
- Full-size AIO, no battery
- Fax capability
Pros
- No cartridge sourcing needed during an extended stay
- Full color inkjet print quality, unlike inkless thermal picks
- Auto document feeder for scanning paperwork
- Low cost per page for extended use
Cons
- Not battery-powered, requires a wall outlet
- Too large and heavy for carry-on travel
- Only worth it for extended stays, not short trips
Best for a Temporary Home Office Setup5 of 7
Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Like the EcoTank above, the Work Smart 1360 is a standard desktop AIO rather than a battery-powered portable, worth including only for travelers setting up a temporary but semi-permanent home office, a furnished rental for a work trip, or a seasonal second home.
Best for
- Temporary home office setups on an extended work trip, not day-to-day travel
Why we like it
It plugs into a wall outlet and needs a stable surface, not a bag.
Automatic duplex printing and a color display make it a capable everyday printer once it's set up somewhere. Its cartridge-based ink means restocking supplies while traveling requires the same planning as any standard printer, buy what you need before you arrive if the destination lacks easy access to office supplies.
Key dimensions & specs
- Automatic duplex printing
- 1.8 inch color display
- Wireless network printing
- Full-size AIO, no battery
- Refresh Subscription ink trial included
Pros
- Full color print quality
- Automatic duplex saves paper
- Solid everyday printer once set up
- Reasonable price for a full AIO
Cons
- Not battery-powered or truly portable
- Requires cartridge restocking like any standard printer
- Too bulky for carry-on travel
Lightest Full-Featured AIO Option6 of 7
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The DeskJet 4355 is another standard plug-in AIO, included here as the lightest and cheapest full-featured option for travelers who need scan and copy functions in addition to printing during an extended stay, rather than a battery-powered on-the-go printer.
Best for
- Extended stays needing scan and copy functions in the lightest full AIO option
Why we like it
It has no battery and needs a wall outlet, so it stays behind at your destination rather than in a daypack.
A 3-month Instant Ink trial is included and converts to paid billing unless canceled, worth noting if you're setting it up somewhere temporary and don't want ongoing charges follow you home. Its compact size among full AIOs makes it easier to pack in checked luggage than bulkier alternatives.
Scan and copy functions beyond print-only portables.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wireless network printing
- Scan and copy functions
- 3-month Instant Ink trial included
- Full-size AIO, no battery
- Compact footprint among AIOs
Pros
- Cheapest full-featured AIO in this list
- Scan and copy functions beyond print-only portables
- Compact enough to pack in checked luggage
- Simple setup via HP Smart app
Cons
- Not battery-powered or pocket-portable
- Instant Ink trial auto-converts unless canceled
- Requires a stable outlet and surface
Best for a Compact Temporary Setup7 of 7
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer with Auto Document Feeder on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TR4720 rounds out this list as another standard plug-in AIO, not a battery-powered portable, worth packing only for a longer relocation where its auto document feeder earns its keep scanning paperwork.
Best for
- Longer relocations that need a document feeder in a compact full AIO
Why we like it
It stays plugged in at a desk rather than traveling with you day to day.
Cartridge-based ink means the same advance planning as any standard printer applies if your destination lacks easy access to replacement cartridges. Its compact footprint among full AIOs makes it one of the easier options to fit in checked luggage if a printer is needed at a temporary location.
Key dimensions & specs
- Auto document feeder
- Wireless network printing
- Full-size AIO, no battery
- Built-in fax
- Compact footprint among AIOs
Pros
- Auto document feeder for scanning paperwork
- Lowest price among the full AIO options here
- Compact enough for checked luggage if needed
- Reliable wireless setup
Cons
- Not battery-powered or pocket-portable
- Cartridges need advance planning at unfamiliar destinations
- Fax feature is unnecessary for most travelers
How We Chose These Portable Printers
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Genuine portability vs a packable AIO
- Distinguished battery-powered, purpose-built portable printers from standard plug-in AIOs that some travelers pack for extended stays, since the two solve different travel needs.
- Weighed rated page-per-charge claims against the reality that dense or graphic-heavy pages drain a portable printer's battery faster than simple text documents.
- Consumable availability on the road
- Considered whether cartridges or thermal paper are specialty items that need to be packed in advance, since they aren't reliably available at typical travel stops.
- Noted stated drop resistance or dust sealing where available, and flagged its absence rather than assuming a compact printer is automatically travel-rugged.
- Weighed portability, output quality, and consumable cost against price across the range of price points in this comparison in this list.
What to Look for in a Portable Printer
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match actual size and capacity to your real need, not the category label alone
Listings for a portable printer often use a size or capacity label ("compact," "large," "heavy-duty") that isn't standardized across brands, so the same label can mean meaningfully different actual dimensions or capacity from one product to the next.
This matters because buying based on the category label rather than the specific listed dimensions or capacity is a common way to end up with something that doesn't actually fit your space or handle your real load.
Check the listing for exact measurements or a stated capacity figure, and compare that directly against your actual space or need, not just the marketing size category.
Verify build material and construction quality from reviews, not just spec-sheet claims
A product description can describe material or construction in flattering terms that don't always hold up under real, sustained use, and the gap between a listing's claimed quality and its actual durability only shows up in how the product performs after weeks or months of real use, not in day-one photos.
This matters more for anything you'll use daily or under real load, less for occasional light use where durability matters less.
Check reviews specifically for mentions of how the portable printer holds up over time, not just unboxing-day impressions, and treat a listing's own quality claims as a starting point to verify, not a guarantee.
Confirm any headline feature actually works as advertised, not just that it's listed
A feature appearing in a product's bullet points doesn't guarantee it performs well in practice, some features are functional but limited, and a few are closer to a marketing checkbox than a useful capability.
This matters directly if a specific feature is the main reason you're choosing this portable printer over a simpler, cheaper alternative, since a feature that underperforms in practice undermines the whole reason for paying more.
Check reviews specifically for real-world experiences with the exact feature that matters most to you, not just whether the feature is listed at all.
Weigh review count alongside rating, not rating alone
This matters more for a purchase you're relying on to perform consistently over time, less for a low-stakes, easily replaceable item.
Check both the star rating and the review count together for any portable printer you're considering, and treat a high rating on a very small review count as a promising but less-proven signal.
Check compatibility and fit with your existing setup before ordering
A portable printer that looks like a straightforward fit in photos can still have a compatibility detail, a connector type, a mounting requirement, a size threshold, that doesn't match your existing setup, and this kind of mismatch is one of the most common and avoidable reasons for a return.
This matters directly if the product needs to physically connect to, mount on, or otherwise integrate with something you already own.
Check the listing's specific compatibility details against your exact existing setup, not just the general product category, before ordering.
How to Choose a Portable Printer
By Rating Confidence: Highest Rated vs Most Reviewed
| Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Lightweight Compact Printer with Battery and Display | |
| Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Lightweight Compact Printer with Battery and Display |
| NDYIN Portable Printer Wireless for Travel | |
NDYIN Portable Printer Wireless for Travel vs Epson EcoTank ET
- NDYIN Portable Printer Wireless for Travel
- The lower-priced option in this comparison, worth checking its actual specs and review history against your specific need before assuming it's enough.
- The higher-priced option, worth it if it offers real, checkable headroom in build quality, capacity, or features over the cheaper pick.
Default to NDYIN Portable Printer Wireless for Travel unless your specific need calls for the pricier pick's extra headroom.
| Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Lightweight Compact Printer with Battery and Display |
For a First-Time Buyer Specifically
- Clear, specific dimensions or capacity and a real, established review history, not just marketing language.
- You need real durability and feature depth for regular use, where Epson EcoTank ET's build gives real headroom over the cheaper picks.
- You only need this for light or occasional use, where NDYIN Portable Printer Wireless for Travel covers the same job at a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all these printers have a battery for travel?
Only the Canon PIXMA TR160, Gloryang Inkless, and NDYIN N80 have built-in batteries for cordless, on-the-go printing. The Epson EcoTank ET-4800, Brother Work Smart 1360, HP DeskJet 4355, and Canon PIXMA TR4720 are standard plug-in AIOs included only as options for an extended stay or relocation, not day-to-day travel.
How much less battery life should I expect than the rated page count?
Rated page-per-charge numbers are typically measured on light text pages. Mixed real-world content like boarding passes with barcodes, itineraries with logos, or graphic-heavy pages drains the battery faster, so plan for noticeably fewer pages per charge than the spec sheet states.
What is an inkless thermal printer and how is it different?
An inkless thermal printer, like the Gloryang or NDYIN in this list, uses heat to darken specially coated paper instead of using ink. It never runs out of ink, but output is limited to black and white, the paper costs more per sheet than plain paper, and thermal prints fade over time compared to inkjet output.
Can I buy printer ink or thermal paper while traveling?
Specialty printer cartridges and thermal paper are not typical items carried by hotels, drugstores, or convenience stores. Pack enough spares for your trip length before you leave, especially if your printer uses a less common cartridge type.
Are portable printers durable enough for travel in a bag?
None of the portable printers in this list have a stated drop-resistance or dust-sealing rating, so don't assume a compact size means rugged. A padded travel case is a worthwhile addition if the printer will travel loose in a backpack or suitcase.
Why are non-battery printers included in a portable printer guide?
Some travelers, particularly those on an extended relocation, semester abroad, or long work assignment, pack a standard plug-in AIO because it earns its space over weeks or months even though it isn't battery-powered. We've labeled these clearly so you don't mistake them for on-the-go printers.
Bottom Line
Best overall: Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Lightweight Compact Printer with Battery and Display — best true portable aio pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all portable printers on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.