Buying Guide
The Best Printers with USB Ports, Compared
We looked at 8 printers with USB ports side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
9 min read8 products evaluated
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USB port on a printer can mean two very different things, a USB-B port for a wired connection to a computer, or a USB-A host port for printing directly from a flash drive. Amazon listings rarely distinguish between the two clearly, and most printers include a USB-B cable connection as standard even when the listing leads with wireless features, while USB-A flash drive printing is a less common, specific capability worth confirming before you buy for that reason.
Below are 8 printers we compared for USB connectivity, with an honest note on which listings explicitly confirm a USB host port for flash drive printing versus which only confirm the standard USB-B computer cable connection.
Quick Picks
Our 8 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best for Photo and Document USB Printing
Canon PIXMA TR8620a All-in-One Printer
Buyers who want a reliable wired USB-B connection with a full home-office feature set
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA TR8620a All-in-One Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget USB-B Pick
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Buyers who want a low-cost wired USB-B fallback alongside wireless printing
Our take Check price for HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Display for USB Connection Status
Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer
Buyers who want clear on-screen confirmation of a wired USB connection
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget ADF with Wired USB
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer
Buyers who want a wired USB-B backup and an ADF at a low price
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best for Office USB and Duplex Combo
HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Home office buyers who want ADF, duplex, and a dependable wired USB backup
Our take Check price for HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best for Multi-Computer Wired Sharing
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
Buyers who want a reliable wired laser printer without ink-drying worries
Our take Check price for Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Wired Fax and Copy Combo
Canon MAXIFY MB2720 Wireless Color Photo Printer
Small offices that want a dependable wired USB connection with fax included
Our take Check price for Canon MAXIFY MB2720 Wireless Color Photo Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Confirmed USB Connect Listing
Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless Photo Printer, USB Connect
Buyers who specifically want a listing that confirms USB connectivity in writing
Our take Check price for Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless Photo Printer, USB Connect (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best for Photo and Document USB Printing1 of 8
Canon PIXMA TR8620a All-in-One Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TR8620a's listing calls out photo and document printing directly alongside AirPrint and Android support, and it includes a standard USB-B port for a wired computer connection.
Best for
- Buyers who want a reliable wired USB-B connection with a full home-office feature set
Why we like it
The listing doesn't specify a USB-A host port for flash drive printing, so if direct-from-USB-stick printing is your goal specifically, confirm that feature in the printer's manual before buying rather than assuming it from the listing alone.
Fax, auto document feeder, copier, and scanner round out a full home-office feature set. It's a reasonable middle-tier pick if you mainly need a reliable wired USB-B connection with wireless as a backup option.
Key dimensions & specs
- USB-B port for wired computer connection
- Auto document feeder
- AirPrint and Android printing support
- Fax, copy, and scan built in
- Home office all-in-one design
Pros
- Confirmed USB-B wired connection option
- Full feature set with ADF and fax
- AirPrint and Android support
- Reliable for mixed wired and wireless use
Cons
- USB-A flash drive host printing not confirmed on the listing
- Higher price than most picks in this list
- Larger footprint than basic AIOs
Best Budget USB-B Pick2 of 8
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This listing leads with wireless features and the Instant Ink trial, but current DeskJet models include a standard USB-B port for a direct computer connection as well, useful as a fallback if your network wifi ever drops or you'd rather print without relying on a wireless connection at all.
Best for
- Buyers who want a low-cost wired USB-B fallback alongside wireless printing
Why we like it
A USB-A flash drive host port is not mentioned on this listing.
Setup and daily use stay simple whether you connect over wifi or USB-B. If flash-drive-direct printing is what you actually need, look at the Epson XP-7100 or Brother DCP-L2640DW below instead, both of which more clearly support that use case.
Simple setup for either connection type.
Key dimensions & specs
- Standard USB-B port for wired computer connection
- Wireless connectivity as primary method
- 3-month Instant Ink trial included
- USB-A flash drive host not confirmed on listing
- Compact, low-cost design
Pros
- Low price for a USB-B and wireless combo printer
- Simple setup for either connection type
- Reliable wired fallback if wifi drops
- Instant Ink trial included
Cons
- USB-A flash drive host printing not confirmed
- No automatic document feeder
- Not built for high daily volume
Best Display for USB Connection Status3 of 8
Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
42-inch OLED display makes it easy to confirm connection status when switching between USB and wifi.
Best for
- Buyers who want clear on-screen confirmation of a wired USB connection
Why we like it
This listing does not confirm a USB-A flash drive host port.
The intuitive control panel and duplex printing round out a solid mid-range pick. If you mainly want the reliability of a wired backup connection with a clear on-screen status readout, this is a stronger pick than the more basic Canon models in this list.
Key dimensions & specs
- USB-B port for wired computer connection
- 1.42-inch OLED display shows connection status
- Duplex printing
- USB-A flash drive host not confirmed on listing
- Compact design
Pros
- USB-B wired connection confirmed
- OLED display clarifies connection status
- Duplex printing built in
- Intuitive control panel
Cons
- USB-A flash drive host printing not confirmed
- No automatic document feeder
- Cartridge ink costs more at high volume
Best Budget ADF with Wired USB4 of 8
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TR4720 includes an automatic document feeder alongside a standard USB-B wired connection option, useful if you scan multi-page documents regularly and want a dependable wired print path as backup to wifi.
Best for
- Buyers who want a wired USB-B backup and an ADF at a low price
Why we like it
A USB-A flash drive host port is not stated on this listing.
Built-in fax is a legacy feature most buyers skip, but it doesn't complicate daily use. This is a solid budget pick if your USB need is specifically a wired computer connection rather than flash drive printing.
Key dimensions & specs
- USB-B port for wired connection
- Automatic document feeder
- Built-in fax (legacy feature)
- USB-A flash drive host not confirmed on listing
- Wireless connectivity
Pros
- Automatic document feeder for multi-page scans
- Confirmed USB-B wired connection
- Affordable price
- Simple daily operation
Cons
- USB-A flash drive host printing not confirmed
- Fax feature adds a menu option most won't use
- Not built for sustained high-volume printing
Best for Office USB and Duplex Combo5 of 8
HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This OfficeJet Pro model includes a standard USB-B connection option alongside its ADF and duplex printing, a reasonable choice if your office setup calls for a dependable wired path as a fallback to wireless.
Best for
- Home office buyers who want ADF, duplex, and a dependable wired USB backup
Why we like it
The listing does not confirm a USB-A flash drive host port for direct-from-stick printing.
The 3-month Instant Ink trial and AI-enabled features are separate from its USB connectivity. If flash-drive printing specifically is the goal, the Epson XP-7100 or Brother DCP-L2640DW below are better documented for that use case.
Key dimensions & specs
- USB-B port for wired computer connection
- Automatic document feeder and duplex printing
- 3-month Instant Ink trial included
- USB-A flash drive host not confirmed on listing
- Best-for-Home-Office positioning
Pros
- ADF and duplex printing alongside USB-B
- Reliable wired fallback option
- Instant Ink trial included
- Built for regular office use
Cons
- USB-A flash drive host printing not confirmed
- Higher price than the basic picks in this list
- Cartridge costs return to normal after the trial
Best for Multi-Computer Wired Sharing6 of 8
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This monochrome laser includes a standard USB-B connection along with wireless and duplex printing, a solid choice if you want a fast, sharp-text printer with a dependable wired option.
Best for
- Buyers who want a reliable wired laser printer without ink-drying worries
Why we like it
As a laser printer it avoids ink-drying concerns entirely, which matters for a shared or infrequently used USB-connected setup.
The listing doesn't specify a USB-A flash drive host port, so treat this as a wired-computer-connection pick rather than a direct-from-stick printing pick. Works with Alexa for voice-triggered print jobs is a separate feature from its USB support.
Key dimensions & specs
- USB-B port for wired connection
- Monochrome laser, duplex printing
- Copy and scan built in
- USB-A flash drive host not confirmed on listing
- Works with Alexa
Pros
- Fast, sharp laser text quality
- No ink-drying concerns for infrequent USB use
- Confirmed USB-B wired connection
- Duplex printing built in
Cons
- USB-A flash drive host printing not confirmed
- Higher upfront price than basic inkjets
- Monochrome only, no color printing
Best Wired Fax and Copy Combo7 of 8
Canon MAXIFY MB2720 Wireless Color Photo Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MAXIFY MB2720 includes a standard USB-B connection option alongside its scanner, copier, and fax features, useful for a small office that wants a dependable wired print path in addition to wireless.
Best for
- Small offices that want a dependable wired USB connection with fax included
Why we like it
The listing does not confirm a USB-A host port for flash drive printing.
As a business-oriented MAXIFY model, it's built for more consistent daily use than the basic home picks in this guide. If your office primarily prints from computers over USB rather than from flash drives, this is a reasonable higher-capacity option.
Key dimensions & specs
- USB-B port for wired connection
- Scanner, copier, and fax built in
- Color photo printing capability
- USB-A flash drive host not confirmed on listing
- Business-oriented MAXIFY design
Pros
- Full scan, copy, and fax feature set
- Confirmed USB-B wired connection
- Built for more consistent daily office use
- Color photo printing capability
Cons
- USB-A flash drive host printing not confirmed
- Bulkier than basic home inkjets
- Cartridge-based ink costs more at high volume
Best Confirmed USB Connect Listing8 of 8
Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless Photo Printer, USB Connect on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This is the one listing in this guide that names USB connectivity directly in its title, USB Connect, alongside wireless printing, duplex, scan, and copy.
Best for
- Buyers who specifically want a listing that confirms USB connectivity in writing
Why we like it
It's aimed at photo printing specifically, so if your USB use case involves printing photos from a computer over a wired connection, this is the most clearly documented option here.
The listing doesn't specify whether the USB port is a host port for flash drives or strictly a USB-B computer connection, so if flash-drive-direct printing matters to you, confirm that distinction in Epson's product manual before buying.
Key dimensions & specs
- USB Connect named directly on listing
- Wireless, duplex color photo printing
- Scanner and copier built in
- Compact photo printer design
- Mobile printing support
Pros
- USB connectivity confirmed directly on the listing
- Strong photo printing quality
- Duplex printing and scan/copy included
- Compact for a photo-focused printer
Cons
- Not confirmed whether the USB port supports flash drive host printing
- Higher price than basic document printers
- Photo-focused feature set may be more than a document-only buyer needs
How We Chose These Printers with USB Ports
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Checked whether each listing distinguishes a standard USB-B wired computer connection from a USB-A host port for flash drive printing, since the two are commonly conflated in product copy.
- Flagged which listings explicitly confirm USB connectivity versus those that lead with wireless features and only imply a standard USB-B cable is included.
- Wired reliability as a wifi fallback
- Weighed how useful each pick's wired connection is as a dependable fallback if a home network drops or a shared computer needs a direct connection.
- Feature set alongside USB support
- Compared ADF, duplex, fax, and scan features that matter for office and document-heavy USB-connected use cases.
- Value for wired and wireless combo use
- Weighed price against the combination of a confirmed or likely USB connection with everyday print, scan, and copy needs.
What to Look for in a Printer with USB Ports
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 printer with usb port 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 printer with usb port 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 printer with usb port 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 printer with usb port 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 printer with usb port 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 Printer with USB Ports
By Rating Confidence: Highest Rated vs Most Reviewed
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All vs Brother DCP
- 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 Canon PIXMA TR4720 All unless your specific need calls for the pricier pick's extra headroom.
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 Brother DCP's build gives real headroom over the cheaper picks.
- You only need this for light or occasional use, where Canon PIXMA TR4720 All covers the same job at a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between USB-B and USB-An on a printer?
USB-B is the standard rectangular port used for a wired cable connection to a single computer, included on nearly every printer. USB-An is a host port used for printing directly from a flash drive without a computer, a more specific feature that most printer listings, including 7 of the 8 in this guide, don't clearly confirm.
Can I print a Word document directly from a flash drive?
USB host printing from a flash drive typically only supports JPEG images and PDF documents, since the printer renders the file internally without a computer's help. Convert Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to PDF first if you need to print them directly from a stick.
Why won't my printer read my flash drive?
Most printers with a USB host port only recognize FAT32-formatted drives, not the exFAT format common on newer, larger-capacity flash drives. Reformat the drive to FAT32, which caps individual files around 4GB, or try a smaller, older drive.
Can I connect one USB printer to multiple computers?
A standard USB-B wired connection only serves one computer at a time. For occasional use, manually unplugging and replugging the cable works, but for regular multi-computer sharing without wireless, a small USB switch box lets 2 to 4 computers share the same printer.
Is USB printing faster than wireless printing?
A direct USB-B connection to a computer is typically at least as fast as wireless, since it avoids network overhead. USB host printing directly from a flash drive is actually the slowest option, since the printer has to decode and render the file internally without a computer's driver doing that work.
Who actually needs USB host printing from a flash drive?
Real use cases include event photographers doing kiosk-style printing without a laptop, small businesses printing signage or documents on-site, and emergency printing when the usual computer is unavailable. If none of these apply, a standard USB-B wired connection or wireless printing will cover typical home and office needs.
Bottom Line
Best overall: Canon PIXMA TR8620a All-in-One Printer — best for photo and document usb printing pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all printers with usb ports on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.