App printing: AirPrint, Cortado Cloud Print, Google Cloud Print 2.0, iPrint&Scan, Brother Print Service Plugin, Mopria.If you're looking for something with a scanner, then we would opt for the HP Tango X.įor photos, the Canon Selphy CP1300 is an excellent choice for postcard-sized prints, while the Instax Mini Link gets our vote for smaller pictures. The best small printer (in our opinion) is the Canon Pixma TR150, which offers wireless printing and a truly compact design that can be easily transported from home to office while not compromising on print quality. In general, you will pay more for a higher DPI, more size options or even a display built-into the printer. How much is a small printer?ĭepending on your needs, a good small printer will set you back anywhere between £40-£700.
The DPI you require will depend on what you plan to use your printer for. In short, the higher the DPI, the better your printout will look, especially if you want colour photos, but a lower DPI means you'll spend less on replacement ink cartridges (which can get pricey). The DPI refers to 'drops per inch' and indicates the quality of an image produced by an Inkjet printer. What DPI should I look for in a small printer? A thermal printer will heat the paper according to the desired image, causing the picture to show up. Thermal printing, like Zink, uses specialised paper rather than ink cartridges to deliver its results. This means it's potentially better for the environment. Instead, all colour required is embedded in the paper, making it popular for instant mobile printers. Zink is short for 'Zero Ink' and refers to a type of printing that requires no ink cartridges whatsoever.
It works by putting tiny drops of ink onto the page at a rate indicated by the DPI. Inkjet is the most popular kind of printing technology and is probably the one you're most familiar with. Each has its pros and cons and will be suitable for some while not serving others. Throughout this guide, you will have seen mention of various print technologies, including Inkjet, Zink and Thermal. (Image credit: HP) Inkjet vs Zink vs Thermal
The HP Tango is similar to other models in terms of print speed and resolution, but it's lighter and offers a few more bells and whistles.