Best Small Home Printer for Occasional Use
Finding the perfect small home printer can feel like a daunting task, especially if you only print occasionally. You want something compact, easy to use, and affordable. Whether it’s for printing tickets, documents, or even the occasional photo, having a reliable home printer can save you time and effort. In this article, we’ll dive into the top five small home printers that are perfect for occasional use, focusing on their features, pros, and cons, so you can make an informed decision.
1. HP DeskJet 2855e
Price: $79.99
Rating: 4.5/5
Description
- Compact and fits easily on a small desk or shelf.
- Supports wireless printing, making it easy to print from phones, tablets, and laptops.
- Includes 6 months of free Instant Ink subscription, which helps save on ink costs.
- All-in-one functionality allows printing, scanning, and copying.
- Supports a variety of paper sizes, including envelopes and photo paper.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable pricing | Low paper capacity |
| Comes with 6 months of free ink | Not ideal for high-volume printing |
| Mobile printing through the HP Smart app | Print speed is on the slower side |
| Easy to set up and use | Quality of print on photo paper could be improved |
Verdict
The HP DeskJet 2855e is a great option for occasional home use. Its compact size makes it ideal for small spaces, and the free Instant Ink subscription adds value for users who don’t want to worry about running out of ink. While it’s not the fastest printer on the market, it gets the job done for light tasks, making it perfect for occasional home printing.
2. Canon PIXMA TS6420a
Price: $99.99
Rating: 4.4/5
Description
- Sleek, modern design that complements any home office or living space.
- Wireless printing from multiple devices, including smartphones and laptops.
- Features an easy-to-use 1.44” OLED display for quick setup and operation.
- Auto-duplex printing helps save paper by printing on both sides.
- Handles a wide range of media types, from regular paper to glossy photo paper.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Stylish and compact design | Ink replacements can be costly |
| Supports wireless printing and scanning | Does not include an automatic document feeder (ADF) |
| Auto-duplex printing feature | Print speed is average |
| Good print quality, especially for photos | Smaller paper tray capacity |
Verdict
The Canon PIXMA TS6420a is a well-rounded printer that suits occasional use well. Its stylish design and wireless capabilities make it a convenient addition to any home office. While the cost of replacing ink might be a concern for some, its overall ease of use and good photo print quality make it a solid contender for those who need a reliable, multifunctional printer.
3. Epson Expression Home XP-4200
Price: $89.99
Rating: 4.3/5
Description
- Lightweight and compact design, perfect for smaller spaces.
- Supports wireless and voice-activated printing via Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Produces high-quality, borderless photo prints.
- Automatic two-sided printing helps conserve paper.
- Compatible with a range of paper types and sizes, including legal-sized documents.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Compact and lightweight | High ink costs per page |
| Produces vibrant photo prints | Limited paper tray capacity |
| Voice-activated printing feature | Print speeds can be slower, especially for text-heavy documents |
Verdict
The Epson Expression Home XP-4200 is ideal for homes where occasional photo printing is required. Its small footprint, combined with advanced features like voice-activated printing and borderless photos, makes it a great choice for users who want both convenience and high-quality printouts. However, the relatively higher ink cost per page may be a concern for frequent users.
4. HP ENVY 6055e
Price: $129.99
Rating: 4.6/5
Description
- Wireless all-in-one printer with printing, scanning, and copying capabilities.
- Comes with 6 months of free HP Instant Ink, so you don’t have to worry about ink supplies.
- Supports mobile printing through the HP Smart app, making it easy to print from any device.
- Environmentally conscious, made from over 20% recycled plastic materials.
- Efficient for both documents and photos, with decent print speeds for its category.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Eco-friendly with recycled materials | Moderate print speed |
| Free 6-month Instant Ink subscription | Doesn’t support Ethernet |
| Mobile printing through the HP Smart app | Smaller paper capacity |
Verdict
The HP ENVY 6055e strikes a balance between performance, sustainability, and affordability. Its eco-friendly design and mobile printing support make it an attractive option for occasional use. While the print speed might not be the fastest, it’s sufficient for light home use, and the free Instant Ink subscription adds significant value to this printer.
5. Canon PIXMA TR4720
Price: $109.99
Rating: 4.2/5
Description
- All-in-one functionality, including printing, scanning, copying, and faxing.
- Automatic document feeder (ADF) allows easy scanning of multiple pages at once.
- Supports wireless printing and mobile device compatibility.
- Compact design that fits neatly in smaller spaces, ideal for home offices.
- Good print quality for both documents and photos.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Automatic document feeder | No auto-duplex printing |
| Compact and space-saving design | Print quality for color documents could be better |
| Supports wireless printing | Lower paper tray capacity |
Verdict
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 offers a range of functionalities in a compact package, making it a great choice for home users who need more than just printing. Its automatic document feeder is a useful feature, but the lack of auto-duplex printing and slightly lower color print quality might be drawbacks for some. Overall, it’s a versatile printer that meets the needs of occasional users well.
Which is the Best Option?
After considering the various features and pros and cons of each model, choosing the best small home printer for occasional use depends on your specific needs. For budget-conscious users, the HP DeskJet 2855e is an excellent option, especially with the added benefit of a free Instant Ink subscription. If you prioritize design and photo printing, the Canon PIXMA TS6420a offers style and decent functionality. The Epson Expression Home XP-4200 stands out for its voice-activated printing and high-quality photo prints, making it perfect for those who occasionally need photo prints.
If sustainability is important to you, the HP ENVY 6055e is the way to go, with its eco-friendly materials and mobile printing support. Finally, the Canon PIXMA TR4720 offers extra functionality with its automatic document feeder, making it the best choice for those who occasionally need to scan or fax in addition to printing.
In conclusion, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Each of these printers offers unique features and caters to different needs. Whether you want a budget-friendly option, eco-friendliness, or extra features like faxing and scanning, there’s a printer on this list that will suit your occasional printing needs.
