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For a home desk or dorm shelf, the HP DeskJet 2855e and the Canon PIXMA TS3720 are the compact all-in-one inkjets reviewers keep pointing to, the Brother HL-L2460DW is the small laser if you only print black-and-white pages, and the Canon PIXMA TR150 is the slimmest option when you want a battery-capable portable printer that tucks into a bag. The smallest printer is not always the best one, because the very slim models trade away speed, paper capacity and cheap refills.
- What “Slim” and “Small” Really Mean
- At a Glance: Slim and Small Printers Compared
- HP DeskJet 2855e: The Space-Saver
- Canon PIXMA TS3720 and TS4320: Light and Shallow
- Epson Expression Home XP-4200: Compact with Duplex
- Canon PIXMA TR150: The Slimmest Option
- Brother HL-L2460DW: A Small Laser
- Small Tank Printer: Epson EcoTank ET-2850
- Measuring Your Space
- Supplies and Running Cost for Small Printers
- Pick X If… Decision Table
- Alternatives to Consider
- Trade-Offs of Going Small
- Frequently Asked Questions
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What “Slim” and “Small” Really Mean
There are three different shapes of small printer, and they solve different problems:
- Compact all-in-one inkjets: they print, scan and copy, with a flatbed under a lid. Footprints are small, but depth with the paper tray extended is larger than the printed spec suggests.
- Compact lasers: black-and-white models with a boxy but short body. They are small by laser standards but heavier than inkjets.
- Portable printers: print-only devices such as the Canon PIXMA TR150 that fold or sit flat and can run from a battery. They are the slimmest, but they give up scanning and copying.
When people search for the smallest printers for home or the slimmest printer, they usually want one of these three, so decide first whether you need to scan and copy.
At a Glance: Slim and Small Printers Compared
| Model | Best for | Key stated specs | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP DeskJet 2855e | Smallest all-in-one footprint | Print, scan and copy; one listing gives about 16.7 by 5.4 by 7.6 inches | Basic features, cartridge ink |
| Canon PIXMA TS3720 | Light, shallow all-in-one | Canon lists 17.2 inches by 12.9 inches by 5.8 inches and 8.7 lb | Slow, small cartridges, no ADF |
| Epson Expression Home XP-4200 | Compact with auto duplex | Reviewers cite auto duplex, borderless photos and a 2.4 inch colour display | Deeper than the smallest Canon, cartridge ink |
| Canon PIXMA TR150 | Portable print-only | Roughly 12.7 by 7.3 by 2.6 inches and 4.5 lb per a 2025 roundup | No scanner, battery sold separately by some listings |
| Brother HL-L2460DW | Compact mono laser | Brother lists up to 36 ppm, automatic duplex, 250-sheet tray | Black and white, print only |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | Small tank all-in-one | Refillable tanks, flatbed scanner | Larger than the thinnest DeskJets |
| HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile | Portable all-in-one | Print, scan and copy in a travel body | Slower, small paper capacity |
HP DeskJet 2855e: The Space-Saver
Reviewers consistently describe the DeskJet 2855e as one of the smallest all-in-ones you can buy, with one listing giving a footprint of about 16.7 by 5.4 by 7.6 inches. It prints, scans and copies from a flatbed. It is a good match for a student desk or a bookshelf. The compromise is typical for ultra-compact inkjets: cartridge ink, a modest tray, and a speed that suits light use more than weekly stacks of paper. Read the account and ink program terms in the box documentation, because HP printers of this class often require an HP account for setup.
Canon PIXMA TS3720 and TS4320: Light and Shallow
Canon lists the TS3720 at 17.2 inches long, 12.9 inches wide, 5.8 inches high and 8.7 lb, and a 2025 roundup calls it the lightest in its group with a slimmer 17.2 inch depth. Another guide names the PIXMA TS4320 its smallest true inkjet. These are compact home printers with a flatbed and wireless setup, aimed at occasional printing of homework and forms. Cartridge costs are the weak point, so they suit households printing a few pages weekly.
Epson Expression Home XP-4200: Compact with Duplex
Roundups describe the XP-4200 as compact with auto duplex, borderless photo printing and a 2.4 inch colour LCD. Consumer Reports lists it at about 14.8 inches wide and 9.5 pounds, though depth figures differ between sources, roughly 22 to 24 inches. A versus.com comparison with the Canon TS3520 found the Canon a few percent smaller by body volume, while the Epson offers higher print resolution. Choose the Epson if automatic two-sided printing and a bit more control matter, and the Canon if every inch counts.
Canon PIXMA TR150: The Slimmest Option
A 2025 roundup lists the TR150 at roughly 12.7 by 7.3 by 2.6 inches and 4.5 lb. It is a portable print-only machine meant for people who move between desks, such as students, field staff or anyone short on space. Because it has no scanner, pair it with a phone scanning app if you need copies. Battery use, supported paper sizes and print speed vary, so read the maker manual for details before relying on it away from a power outlet.
Brother HL-L2460DW: A Small Laser
If you print only text, a compact mono laser is a better small printer than any inkjet, because toner does not dry out between uses. Brother lists the HL-L2460DW at up to 36 ppm with automatic duplex, a 250-sheet tray, dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB. It uses TN830 toner, with the starter cartridge rated near 700 pages and a high-yield option around 3,000 pages in retail listings. It is deeper and heavier than an inkjet, so measure first.
Small Tank Printer: Epson EcoTank ET-2850
If you want a small compact inkjet with low running costs, the ET-2850 is a regular pick in home printer roundups. TechRadar describes it as basic, just OK on print quality, but efficient and cheap per page. It is bigger than a DeskJet because of the tank, but it is still modest. It suits a small household that prints weekly and wants to avoid frequent cartridge purchases.
Measuring Your Space
- Measure the shelf or desk depth, width and height, including any hinged lid.
- Add clearance for the paper tray extension and the output tray. Many compact printers extend 5 to 8 inches beyond their body when in use.
- Allow room for the scanner lid to open, usually a few inches above the body.
- Check that power and USB cables have space behind the unit.
- Confirm your wireless signal reaches the spot, since many compact models have no Ethernet port.
Supplies and Running Cost for Small Printers
Compact inkjets usually have the smallest cartridges and the highest cost per page, so reviewers often warn that the cheap entry price hides ongoing expense. Tank models such as the ET-2850 cost more upfront but keep refills inexpensive. Compact mono lasers have low per-page cost for text. Check starter cartridge yields, which are often smaller than the replacements, and look for high-yield versions if you print regularly. Leave inkjets switched on through a standby routine as the manual recommends, since long idle periods can clog print heads.
Pick X If… Decision Table
| If you… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Need the smallest all-in-one | HP DeskJet 2855e | Very small footprint with scan and copy |
| Want a light, shallow Canon | Canon PIXMA TS3720 | Compact body and low weight |
| Want auto duplex in a small inkjet | Epson Expression Home XP-4200 | Compact with two-sided printing |
| Need to carry it | Canon PIXMA TR150 | Slim, light, print-only |
| Print only black-and-white text | Brother HL-L2460DW | Small laser with duplex and cheap toner |
| Print weekly and want cheap refills | Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | Tank ink, modest size |
Alternatives to Consider
- HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile, a portable all-in-one for people who need to scan and copy on the go.
- Thermal or label printers for shipping and receipts, which are very small but print only on special paper.
- Skipping the printer: a public library or a print shop covers rare needs without using shelf space.
Trade-Offs of Going Small
Every reduction in size costs something. Slim inkjets generally have smaller paper trays, so you refill more often. Small cartridges deplete faster, which is why reviewers warn about running cost. Lightweight bodies can slide on a desk when the scanner lid is lifted, and thin plastic panels feel less solid than those on office machines. Compact lasers avoid the cartridge problem but are heavier and prefer a stable surface. Portable printers give up the scanner and often limit paper size.
If space is the only constraint and you print weekly, a tank model that is slightly larger can be a better long-term choice than the smallest possible body. If you print rarely, buy for size and accept the cartridge cost. Either way, store the printer away from direct sunlight and dust, and run it occasionally, since neglected inkjets are prone to clogging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the smallest printer for home use?
Among all-in-ones, the HP DeskJet 2855e is repeatedly described as one of the smallest. Among print-only models, the Canon PIXMA TR150 is far slimmer.
Can a small printer also scan and copy?
Yes, compact all-in-ones like the DeskJet 2855e and Canon TS3720 include a flatbed scanner. Portable print-only models like the TR150 do not.
Are small inkjets worse quality than big ones?
Print quality for text and everyday photos is similar, but small models are slower and have fewer paper options. Reviewers more often criticise cartridge cost than quality.
Is a compact laser better than a compact inkjet?
For text-only printing, yes, since toner does not dry out and cost per page is lower. For colour or photos, a compact inkjet is the better fit.
How much space do I need around a small printer?
Allow room for the paper tray extension and the output tray, which can extend several inches beyond the body, plus space above for the scanner lid.
Will a small printer work with my phone or laptop?
Most support Wi-Fi printing from phones through the maker’s app, and have Windows and macOS drivers. Confirm AirPrint or Mopria support in the manual for your exact model.
