Ranking of the best portable printers for 2020

Most people need to print out pictures, documentation or other important files, but the offices that are engaged in this activity are, as luck would have it, closed or located too far away.

If the funds allow, then it would be advisable to think about purchasing office equipment. I mean - a portable printer, through which it is possible to print documents on paper almost anywhere.

This post goes into detail on the distinguishing features of the best portable printers for 2020, as well as their technological parameters.

What is the difference between a portable printer and an ordinary one?

The key difference between portable and stationary printers is their weight, size and ability to function without being tied to a laptop or personal computer. It will not be superfluous to note the parameters indicating the portability of the printer, namely:

• The connection method for portable devices is often via Bluetooth. There are more innovative devices that support Wi-Fi wireless networking standards, as well as older ones with an infrared port;
• Consumables consumption. For portable gadgets, it is much larger with a lower resource of cartridges;
• The performance of ordinary printers is better when compared with the same indicator of portable models;
• An electrical connection is required for office devices. Portable gadgets are powered by a battery, which must be charged on time;
• The page format is often smaller than the landscape sheet, which is accepted for printing official documentation. One way or another, there are portable printers on the market that can print files in A4 format, but their price is much more expensive;
• The print quality of portable gadgets is provided at the level of 300 to 320 DPI, which is enough for documents with textual content, but absolutely insufficient for color images. At the same time, the price tags for devices operating in the 1000 DPI format are much higher when compared with ordinary printers from leading manufacturers.

Based on the above, it can be concluded that the user has the ability to:

1. Pay a large sum for a portable device and purchase the ability to print documentation in A4 format.
2. Buy a budget mobile model, but turn away from high-quality printing in A4 format.

Criteria for choosing a portable printer

When purchasing a mobile device for printing, you should focus on the following parameters:

• Format - determines the quality of the printed information. Requirements for obtaining a high-quality image: from 1200 DPI, illustrations - from 600 DPI, text content - from 300 DPI;
• Performance - the ability of the device to print a specific number of pages with color or b / w content per minute. Usually, the latter are printed faster;
• Memory capacity and the ability to display information from portable data storage devices (flash media, micro SD of various formats);
• Chip. The more productive it is, the faster color pictures are printed in large format;
• Interface - sets the ability of a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. Allows you to operate not only with a laptop or PC, but also with phones, smart devices and tablet PCs;
• Format. Often there are mobile devices on the market that can display the maximum print format, which is 10x15 cm (A6). Not so long ago, portable printers designed for printing A4 documents began to be in demand;
• Printing settings set auxiliary page parameters: duplex, no margins, etc .;
• Operating system support. System compatibility with the interface of a smartphone, laptop, tablet PC and other storage device from which the file is sent to print.

Also important are the resources of the cartridge, the number of colors, and also the power of the battery. All of these options allow you to choose the printer that best suits your needs. Do not forget that you need to accurately indicate the method and scope of use of the mobile printer. For example, in some cases you need a capacitive battery, A4 size and the least requirements in order to print b / w text.

In such a situation, it is possible to find a device that is significantly more affordable when compared with alternatives of the color type.

Best Portable Printers

Today, manufacturers from various countries are determined to provide customers with a colossal selection of mobile printers in order to print documents. Each printer has its own characteristics and price. The cost is related to the brand and quality of the gadget, as well as to its functionality. To determine the difference between mobile printers, you need to study their parameters and features.

Brother PocketJet 773

With this printer you can print files in A4 format. The weight of the device is 480 g with dimensions of 25.5x5.5x3 cm. You can carry the gadget in a laptop backpack or in your hands. You can connect the device to a PC via a USB 2.0 cable, and to other portable gadgets via Wi-Fi networks.

The device sets it apart from its competitors by the ability to operate with phones and gadgets running Android and iOS operating systems.

Information is output to paper by means of thermal printing technology, which makes it possible to output high-quality monochrome copies on special-purpose paper in 300x300 DPI format. The speed of the device is 8 sheets per minute.

The average price is 65,000 rubles.

• Small size and lightness;
• Synchronization with devices that run on Android and iOS operating systems;
• High-speed output of information on paper.

• Overpriced, according to users, the cost.

Epson WorkForce WF-100W

If this portable inkjet model is compared with ordinary stationary printers, then its small size should be distinguished. The weight is 1.6 kg, and the dimensions are 30.9x15.4x1 cm. The device is capable of printing pages in A4 format in b / w or color, as it operates with 4 cartridges.

It is possible to control the portable device, as well as receive current information regarding the status of the print, from the console, which is located next to the small screen. The gadget works in an activated state through the electrical network or through a personal computer via the USB 2.0 interface.

The cartridge can print 200 sheets in 14 minutes in color, and 250 sheets in 11 minutes in monochrome. The maximum possible format is 5760x1440 DPI. To operate via wireless communication channels for the gadget, you need to install the Epson iPrint application.

The average price is 19,000 rubles.

• Autonomy is about 2.5 hours;
• A4 format for test content and images;
• Excellent resolution;
• Excellent performance indicators.

• No tray for inserting paper;
• Relatively bulky and large.

HP OfficeJet 202 Mobile Printer

The mobile device for printing stands out from competitors with similar dimensions when compared to the device from the manufacturer Epson, but it has a large weight, which is 2.1 kg. Thanks to its battery operation and the ability to work via a Wi-Fi channel with smartphones based on Android and iOS operating systems, the printer is considered a mobile device for the office.

The maximum print speed is 6 pages per minute for color documents and 9 pages per minute for monochrome documents. If you connect the device to the mains, the print speed is slightly faster. Pictures are displayed in 4800x1200 DPI format, and text content and b / w files in 1200x1200 DPI resolution.

The battery charge of the mobile device is restored using the exclusive Fast Charge technology within 1.5 hours. The highlight of the printer is that it can function with photo paper, and can also print documents from both sides.

The average price is 14,000 rubles.

• Synchronization with devices that run on Android and iOS OS via Wi-Fi;
• Limit print size - A4;
• Excellent resolution.

• Bulky.

Fujifilm Instax Share SP-2

It will take only a couple of seconds to print pictures on this mobile model. Who does not know, this manufacturer won the hearts of buyers through the manufacture and popularization of photographic devices with instant photo printing. For the entire period of the company's own activity, this printer has become the second representative of the model range of portable gadgets designed for printing color files in the smallest size, which is only 4.6x6.2 cm.

The dimensions of the printer are 13.2x9.4, and the weight is only 250 g. The battery can support the operation of the device for printing about 100 pages.

Thanks to Apple's Air Print support, the printer can sync with phones and receive files over Wi-Fi. Consumables consumption is relatively economical. You will often need to replace the cartridge as it only lasts 10 pages.

With 320 DPI and OLED technology, the images are high quality, with good brightness and color intensity.

The average price is 8,000 rubles.

• Lightweight and compact;
• Synchronized with gadgets that run on Android and iOS OS;
• Powerful battery;
• Availability.

• Small print resolution;
• "Modest" capabilities of the cartridge.

Polaroid Zip

The portable printing device stands out from the competition with its compact size, which is 12.7x4.2x3 cm, and also weighs 190 g. The printer can print single-color and color documents. The print is limited to a size of 7.6x5 cm.

The interface of the model has support for NFC and Bluetooth, but is not equipped with a Wi-Fi unit. In order for the device to sync with Android or iOS OS, you must download and install branded applications in advance. One 100% battery charge is enough to print 25 sheets, but consumables are expensive. The highlight of the model is the use of Zero Ink Printing technology, which means no ink and cartridges. Instead, special-purpose paper with dyes applied to it is used.

The average price is 8,500 rubles.

• Small size and lightness;
• Synchronizes with devices that run Android and iOS;
• Availability.

• Expensive consumables;
• No Wi-Fi block;
• The battery provides an impression of a small number of sheets.

Canon SELPHY CP1300

The portable device for printing differs from the competitors in its extended screen dimensions and a number of convenient functions. Of the latter, it is worth highlighting PictBridge, which allows you to print pictures from the camera of a connected gadget, and also Party Shuffle, which is used to print a number of photos in the form of a collage. The model stands out from the competition with the ability to sublimate it, which guarantees high quality and reliability.The gadget supports flash drives such as SD mini and macro standards, and is also capable of working with various devices via USB 2.0 and Wi-Fi.

Due to the sublimation thermal imprint, the quality of the model's functioning is not associated with its placement and other mechanical influences. The battery recovers quickly: it is enough to print 50 sheets. The battery can be easily obtained and changed, if necessary, to a reserve one. By the way, there is no “spare wheel” in the box, and therefore it will have to be purchased separately. The format of illustrations is 300x300 DPI with a print resolution of 10x15 cm. The duration of one sheet of print is 47 seconds, which is long compared to competitors.

The average price is 7,500 rubles.

• A huge number of interfaces designed to connect the printer to various devices and data storage devices;
• The spare battery charges quickly;
• The function of printing pictures "for documents".

• Duration of the impression.

Kodak Photo Printer Dock

The manufacturer makes portable devices for printing on gadgets running Android and iOS. By the way, such printers are marked with PD-480 and PD-450 marks.

It is difficult to find portable models with these marks in Russia.

For functioning, cartridges are used that are compatible with paper sheets of 10x15 cm, and also a sublimation tape. The mechanism of action of the portable gadget is similar to that used in the Selfie from Canon. The cartridge is enough for 40 high-quality prints, which are resistant to fingerprints and moisture. To print a photo "with one click" there is a "1 Touch" button on the body.

The average price is 12,000 rubles.

• The charger makes it possible to connect various gadgets for recharging;
• High quality impression.

• Different versions of devices are made for OS Android and iOS;
• Difficult to find on the territory of the Russian Federation.

comparison table

All of the above portable printers have distinctive features. Consideration should be given to the limiting resolution of the print as well as its quality.

Each model has its own scope of use. For example, wearables from Fujifilm and Polaroid are designed to print documents and images. Devices from Canon and Kodak corporations provide the opportunity to take pictures in 10x15 cm format, and printers from Brother, Epson and HP are perfect for working with documents.

Model	Print type	Interface	Maximum resolution, dpi	Number of colors	Format, cm	Weight, kg	Size, cm
Brother Pocketjet 773	Thermo	USB 2.0, Wi-Fi	300x300	b / w	A4	0.48	25,1х5,5х3
Epson WorkForce WF-100W	Inkjet	USB 2.0, Wi-Fi	5760x1440	4 colors	A4	1.6	30.9x15.4x6.1
HP OfficeJet 202 Mobile Printer	Inkjet	USB 2.0, Wi-Fi	1200x4800	4 colors	A4	2.1	36.4x18.6x6.9
Fujifilm Instax Share SP-2	Thermo	Wi-Fi	320x320	3 colors	4.6x6.2	0.25	9x13.2x4
Polaroid Zip	Thermo	Bluetooth 4.0, NFC	300x300	3 colors	5x7.6	0.19	12x7.4x2.3
Canon SELPHY CP1300	Thermo, inkjet, photo	SD, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi	300x300	3 colors	10x15	0.86	18x6.3x13.6
Kodak Phooto Printer Dock	Sublimation	microSD, microUSB, USB		4 colors	10x15	0.76	16.58x10x6.85

For certain gadgets, the number of colors is written in the technological parameters of the model by the manufacturer, but they work according to the method of functioning with photographic paper, where dyes are embedded.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that portable printers are made much more productive and reliable every year, as technology is being improved in colossal steps. Today there is an opportunity to buy a portable gadget for printing, which allows you to display high-quality images in 10x15 cm format.

Users chose the SELPHY CP1300 from Canon to be the best available segment, which displays images in 10x15 cm and 300x300 DPI. The weight of the gadget is only 860 g.

For those who want to get more abilities from the aspect of quality and print format, there is an opportunity to buy the WorkForce WF-100W model from Epson. This printer will provide the ability to print images in good quality and makes high quality copies in A4.This device will be an excellent purchase for those who work remotely or for personal use.

Truly the flagship mobile device for printing today, it is possible to consider the Brother PocketJet 773 model, which differs from competitors in its lightness, compactness and high quality printing of A4 documents.