Best Printers for Android Phones: Top Picks Compared

Almost any current Wi-Fi printer from Epson, Canon, HP or Brother prints from an Android phone, so the best choice depends on what you print: pick an ink tank all-in-one such as the Epson EcoTank ET-2980 for the lowest running cost, a Canon PIXMA TR8620a or a six-ink PIXMA G620 for photo-friendly home use, a compact battery model such as the Canon PIXMA TR150 or Epson WorkForce WF-110 for printing on the go, and a pocket photo printer like the Canon Ivy 2 or HP Sprocket when you only want small snapshots straight from your phone.

The good news for Android owners is that printing support is built into the system. This guide explains how Android printing works, which model types suit which phone-printing jobs, and what setup problems to expect. It covers the related questions people ask, including the best print-from-phone printer, the best mobile printer, mini printers and picture printers for phones, without any dollar figures.

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#1 Pick

Liene M100 4×6'' Photo Printer, Phone Printer 100 Sheets & 3 Cartridges, Full-Color Photo, Portable Instant Photo Printer for iPhone Android, Thermal Dye Sublimation, Wi-Fi Picture Printer 100 Papers

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#2 Pick

Liene M100 4×6'' Photo Printer, Wi-Fi Picture Printer, 20 Sheets, Full-Color Photo, Instant Phone Printer for iPhone, Android, Smartphone, Thermal Dye Sublimation, Portable Photo Printer for Home Use

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How Android Printing Works

Android includes a default print service built on Mopria technology, and the Mopria Alliance says its standard works with thousands of printers from HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Lexmark and Samsung. If your printer does not appear in the share menu, the free Mopria Print Service app in the Play Store adds the same capability. Mopria handles printing only. Brand apps such as HP Smart, Canon PRINT and Epson Smart Panel add scanning, ink-level monitoring and remote printing, but each works only with its own brand.

That means a printer does not need to be labeled Android-specific. Look for Mopria in the spec sheet, as Epson lists on the ET-2980, and for Wi-Fi Direct if you want to print without a router. Photo-only pocket printers are the exception: they use Bluetooth and a dedicated app instead of Android’s print service.

At a Glance: Printers for Android Phones

Best Printer for Android Phone: Home Picks

For a printer that stays at home, the question is cost per page and how painless setup is. The Epson EcoTank ET-2980 is the common budget-conscious recommendation. Epson lists it at 15 ppm black and 8 ppm color with Wi-Fi, Mopria Print and Scan, and an app that shows ink levels from your phone. Epson says its replacement ink set equals about 80 cartridges, and reviewers note that running cost is where tank printers shine.

If you print photos from your Android gallery, a printer with extra inks helps. The Canon PIXMA G620 uses six dye inks, including gray and red, and Canon lists AirPrint and Mopria support along with a cost per 4×6 print that is low compared with cartridge models. Reviewers praise its photos but note a basic display and no automatic duplex. Because retailers list it as end of life, you may find it limited in stock, and a newer MegaTank photo model could take its place.

For a mixed home office, the Canon PIXMA TR8620a provides a document feeder, duplexing, fax and an SD slot in a cartridge printer. Reviewers cite easy Canon PRINT app setup but higher ink cost than a tank model.

Best Mobile Printer for On-the-Go Printing

Portable printers are the ones people mean when they search for a best mobile printer. Three models come up repeatedly in 2026 roundups.

Canon PIXMA TR150

Tom’s Guide reports the TR150 weighs about 4.5 lb (around 5.1 lb with the optional battery) and holds 50 sheets. It is print only, which keeps it lighter and simpler. Reviewers describe it as the value choice among portables, and one 2026 roundup lists the newer TR160 instead, so confirm which version you are looking at before you buy supplies.

Epson WorkForce WF-110

Epson lists a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Wi-Fi Direct and a speed of up to 6.7 ppm black on AC power, dropping to 3.5 ppm black on battery. It uses Epson 215-series cartridges and is designed for Epson cartridges only. Reviewers favor it for light weight and battery life, though it prints slowly and has no automatic duplex.

HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile

Reviewers call this the most capable portable because it also scans and copies, with a 50-sheet feeder. The tradeoff is weight, reported at about 6.5 lb, and an optional battery. It suits people who need to scan receipts and contracts as well as print.

Mini Printers and Picture Printers for Phones

If you want pocketable snapshots, look at ZINK printers such as the Canon Ivy 2 Mini and HP Sprocket. They print 2×3 inch peel-and-stick photos without ink and connect by Bluetooth. Canon lists Android 6.0 or later for the Ivy 2. PhotoWorkout describes the two as near-identical, with the HP app offering more creative tools and the Canon giving slightly cleaner color. TechGearLab found the Ivy 2 produced the best prints among the mini printers it covered, yet reviewers still note ZINK detail trails dye-sublimation and deep blues can suffer.

For a larger picture, the Fujifilm Instax Link Wide uses real instant film for wide prints and is controlled by an app. If you want true 4×6 prints from an Android phone, a dye-sublimation printer such as the Canon Selphy line is a different class and is better covered by a dedicated 4×6 buying guide.

Best Photo Printer From Phone

The best photo printer from a phone depends on size and cost per print. Pocket ZINK printers are cheapest up front and fun, but each print is small and the per-print cost is relatively high. A six-ink tank printer like the PIXMA G620 gives better quality and a far lower cost per 4×6 print, but it sits on a desk. If you are in the middle, consider a compact dye-sublimation 4×6 printer.

Setup and Compatibility Notes

• Same network: the phone and printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network unless you use Wi-Fi Direct.
• 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz: some printers join only 2.4 GHz networks. If setup fails, try the 2.4 GHz band.
• Brand apps: install HP Smart, Canon PRINT or Epson Smart Panel for first setup, then use the Android share menu for daily printing.
• Android version: pocket printers specify minimum versions, so read the spec sheet before buying.
• Supplies: portable Epson models are designed for Epson cartridges, and HP+ restricts cartridge choice, so read setup screens carefully.

Pick X If… Decision Table

Alternatives Worth Considering

• Canon PIXMA TS6420a: mentioned in roundups for easy discovery through the Canon PRINT app and quick 4×6 photos.
• Brother INKvestment models: Brother’s cartridge-based line is described as lowering running costs for people who print a lot of photos or pages each year; check the specific model’s yields.
• Brother or HP monochrome laser: if you mostly print black-and-white documents from your phone, a laser is cheaper per page and always ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special printer to print from an Android phone?

No. Android includes a print service based on Mopria, and most current printers from major brands support it. Check the spec sheet for Mopria or the brand’s app. If your printer is not listed, the Mopria Print Service app adds support.

What is the difference between Mopria and a brand app?

Mopria is a universal print standard that works across brands but handles printing only. Brand apps such as HP Smart, Canon PRINT and Epson Smart Panel add scanning, ink monitoring and settings, and work only with that brand’s printers.

Can I print from Android without Wi-Fi?

Yes, in some cases. Printers with Wi-Fi Direct create their own network that your phone can join, and pocket printers use Bluetooth. A USB cable with an adapter may also work for some models, but follow the maker’s guidance.

Are portable printers worth it?

They are worth it if you print away from a desk, such as on job sites or while traveling. Reviewers note they are slower and have costlier supplies per page than home models. For occasional use, a regular printer at home or a print shop may be simpler.

Do pocket photo printers need ink?

ZINK printers like the Canon Ivy 2 and HP Sprocket use special paper with built-in color crystals, so there are no cartridges. You only buy paper packs. Print size is small, and quality trails dye-sublimation and inkjet photos.

Why does my Android phone not find my printer?

The usual causes are being on a different network, a printer that only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, or a disabled print service. Restart both devices, enable the default print service in Android’s connected-devices settings, and install the brand app to rerun setup. If it still fails, consult the manufacturer’s support page.