10 Best Compact Home Printers 2025 in the United States

The HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Printer is a versatile option for home use, particularly suited for printing everyday documents like to-do lists, letters, and recipes. It offers decent print quality with a maximum resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi for color prints, ensuring your documents look sharp and vibrant. Print speeds are moderate, with 7.5 ppm for black and white and 5.5 ppm for color, which should suffice for light to moderate home printing tasks.

The printer supports wireless connectivity, making it easy to print from your smartphone or computer via a reliable single-band Wi-Fi connection. However, note that it only operates on 2.4 GHz networks, which could limit compatibility with some home setups. Paper handling is basic, with a 60-sheet input tray and a 25-sheet output capacity, suiting small-scale printing needs. The included three months of Instant Ink can help manage ink costs initially, but be aware of the subscription model that follows.

The compact design allows it to fit snugly in most home environments, and the intuitive control panel with an icon LCD makes it user-friendly. Multifunction features include copying and scanning, adding to its versatility. The printer's sustainable design, made with 60% recycled plastic, is a positive environmental consideration. While it excels in providing essential functions for home use, its print speeds and paper handling capacity might not meet the demands of a home office with higher print volume needs. Additionally, the ink cost and the requirement to use HP's proprietary cartridges could be a drawback for some users. The HP DeskJet 2855e is a solid choice for light home use with its easy setup, decent print quality, and multifunction capabilities.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a compact and efficient home printer designed to fulfill basic printing needs. One of its key strengths is its cartridge-free system with high-capacity ink tanks, which can lead to significant savings on replacement ink and reduce environmental waste. The printer's high-resolution output (5760 x 1440 dpi) ensures sharp text and vibrant color prints, making it suitable for both document and photo printing. Additionally, the built-in scanner and copier add value by allowing users to handle multiple tasks with one device.

However, it has a relatively slow print speed, with a maximum of 10 pages per minute (ppm) for monochrome and 5 ppm for color prints, which might not be ideal for users who need to print large volumes quickly. The printer supports both wired and wireless connectivity, enhancing its versatility and ease of use with various devices. The paper handling capacity is 100 sheets, which is sufficient for typical home use but may require frequent reloading for heavier tasks. The absence of automatic duplex printing means users will have to manually flip the pages for double-sided printing, which might be a minor inconvenience for some.

On the positive side, its compact design and light weight (8.8 pounds) make it easy to fit in small spaces. The price of replacement ink bottles is also a notable advantage, as it can significantly lower ongoing costs compared to traditional cartridge systems. The printer's ease of use is supported by an LCD display and app control, allowing for straightforward navigation and mobile printing. In summary, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a cost-effective and eco-friendly option for home users who prioritize print quality and multifunctionality over print speed and advanced paper handling features.

The Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer is a versatile choice for small businesses or home offices that need a reliable black-and-white printer, scanner, and copier in one device. It stands out with its high print speed of up to 36 pages per minute, which is great for those needing fast document production. The 50-page auto document feeder is a handy feature for batch scanning and copying, saving you time on larger tasks. Print quality is commendable for a monochrome laser printer, delivering sharp text that’s ideal for professional documents. Connectivity options are plentiful, including dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, ensuring flexibility in various setups. The mobile app support is another plus, allowing you to manage printing tasks from your smartphone or tablet conveniently.

However, this printer is not without drawbacks. At 25 pounds, it is relatively heavy and might be inconvenient to move around frequently. Additionally, while it excels at monochrome printing, it does not support color printing, which could be a limitation for users needing occasional color prints. Cost-wise, the toner replacement can add up, but the Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service offers savings and convenience by automatically delivering toner before you run out. The auto-duplex feature is useful for double-sided printing, and the compact design is suitable for small spaces while still providing robust functionality. It’s a practical and efficient choice for users who prioritize speed and multifunctionality in a compact form.