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A compact printer fits on a shelf, a dorm desk or a corner of a spare room. The price of small size is usually a smaller paper tray, small cartridges or fewer features.

These five compact picks come from published specifications, not our own testing. Check each product page for exact dimensions before you buy.

New to printers? Start with our guide to the best printers for home use, then come back here for the details.

Quick Picks

Printer Type Best for
Canon PIXMA TR4720 Color inkjet all-in-one Light, occasional printing in a small space
Brother Work Smart 1360 Color inkjet all-in-one Compact everyday color printing
HP DeskJet 4155e Color inkjet all-in-one Small-space everyday printing
HP LaserJet M207dw Monochrome laser Compact text-only laser printing
Brother HL-L2350DW Monochrome laser Text-only printing at home

5 Best Small and Compact Printers for Home

1. Canon PIXMA TR4720

A small, plain color inkjet all-in-one that prints, copies and scans.

Good for: a dorm, spare room or apartment. Strengths: compact body and a simple feature set. Weaknesses: small cartridges mean it is not meant for heavy use. Skip it if you print daily.

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2. Brother Work Smart 1360

A compact color inkjet all-in-one that prints, scans and copies, from Brother’s Work Smart line.

Good for: households that want occasional color without a bulky machine. Strengths: small size and a basic, easy feature set. Weaknesses: cartridge refills add up if volume grows. Skip it if you need a document feeder; check the product page.

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3. HP DeskJet 4155e

A compact color inkjet all-in-one with a feature set above the entry tier.

Good for: apartments and shared rooms. Strengths: compact body and basic automation. Weaknesses: cartridge costs can climb with volume. Skip it if you need heavy-duty output.

Check on Amazon

4. HP LaserJet M207dw

A compact single-function monochrome laser with two-sided printing; check connectivity options on the product page.

Good for: text-only printing in tight spaces. Strengths: compact size and toner that keeps between uses. Weaknesses: no scanner and black-and-white only. Skip it if you need scanning or color.

Check on Amazon

5. Brother HL-L2350DW

A compact monochrome laser with wireless and automatic two-sided printing.

Good for: homework, forms and shipping paperwork. Strengths: crisp text, and toner does not dry out between uses. Weaknesses: no color, and no scanning or copying. Skip it if you print photos or need a scanner.

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Choosing a Small Printer Without Giving Up Too Much

Measure everything

Measure width, depth and height, then add room to open the lid, load paper and let pages exit. A printer that fits on the shelf but cannot open is a bad buy.

Paper tray size

Compact printers often hold fewer sheets. If you print long jobs, you will refill more often.

Cartridges and supplies

Small inkjets use small cartridges that run out sooner, while compact lasers hold toner for longer. Choose by how much you print.

Features you may lose

Very small printers often lack a feeder, duplex printing or a display. Decide which of these you need before you pick on size alone.

How to Choose

Measure your space

Check width, depth and height, and leave room for the paper tray and the output tray.

Consider the paper tray

Compact printers often hold fewer sheets. If you print long jobs, that matters.

Think about ink or toner

Small inkjets use small cartridges. A compact laser’s toner lasts longer between uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smallest laser printer?

Models like the HP LaserJet M207dw are among the most compact monochrome lasers.

Do compact printers scan?

Some do. The inkjet all-in-ones here scan; the laser models listed print only.

Are compact printers less reliable?

Not necessarily, but small cartridges mean more frequent refills.

What are the best small printers for home?

Compact inkjets like the Canon PIXMA TR4720 and compact lasers like the Brother HL-L2350DW fit small spaces. See also our best basic printers for home.

Bottom Line

For occasional color, the Canon PIXMA TR4720 or Brother Work Smart 1360 fit small spaces. For text, the HP LaserJet M207dw and Brother HL-L2350DW are the compact laser choices.

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