Portable printers have become an essential tool for individuals on the move, whether for business trips, road trips, or local outings. These printers offer the convenience of printing photos, documents, and more wherever you are. PCMag has been evaluating printers for over four decades, with a team of experts rigorously testing each model for speed, image quality, design, usability, connectivity, and consumables cost.
While the idea of a fully portable printer running on battery power may seem impractical, advancements in printer technology have led to specialized portable printers that excel at specific tasks. These printers cater to various needs, such as portable inkjet printers, portable thermal printers, and portable photo printers.
The HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-In-One Printer stands out as the best portable inkjet printer for general use, offering features like scanning, copying, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and USB connectivity. For those requiring color output, the Brother PocketJet PJ883 is a top choice, excelling in monochrome output quality. Canon Selphy CP1500 Wireless Compact Photo Printer is ideal for 4-by-6-inch snapshots, providing drugstore-grade photo quality and low running costs.
For event enthusiasts, the HP Sprocket Photobooth offers a self-serve photo-booth experience, making it a hit at parties. Meanwhile, the Kodak Step Instant Mobile Photo Printer is excellent for wallet-size snapshots, producing adhesive-backed prints suitable for various uses. Canon Selphy QX20 is perfect for square snapshots, offering high-quality prints and versatile print sizes.
For label printing needs, the Epson LabelWorks LW-PX300 is recommended for light-duty industrial-style labels, offering a wide choice of tapes at an affordable price. On the other hand, the Epson LabelWorks LW-PX900PCD Deluxe Kit is ideal for heavy-duty industrial labeling, supporting various label types and sizes.
For a unique printing experience, the Colop e-mark acts as a digital version of a rubber stamp, allowing users to print in color on different materials. This innovative printer is suitable for replacing multiple rubber stamps or label printers for light-duty use.
When choosing a portable printer, it’s crucial to consider factors such as size, weight, battery life, print technology, output quality, speed, connectivity options, and cost per print. Whether you need an all-purpose printer, a photo printer, a label printer, or a monochrome thermal printer, there are various models available to suit your specific requirements.
Overall, the evolution of portable printers has transformed the way individuals print on the go, offering a range of specialized options catering to diverse printing needs. As technology continues to advance, portable printers are expected to become even more versatile and efficient, providing users with convenient printing solutions for various applications.
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