PORTABLE PRINTERS

We compare the best models for printing on the move

With MacBooks, iPads, and iPhones selling in considerably greater numbers than iMacs and Mac minis, you’re now more likely to own a mobile computing device than a desktop one. Printer technology however has traditionally remained largely confined to the home. But a new generation of mobile printer has evolved, designed to be portable, often with battery power, and free to work without a local Wi-Fi network. They also have dedicated iOS apps for printing from an iPhone or iPad, and for device setup and management.

A portable printer can be ideal if you work on the move, whether you’re a freelancer or a member of a business. We spend so much of our lives online now, but printing labels, invoices, letters, envelopes, and perhaps photographs are still a requirement for many people. The smaller footprint and flexible power options of most of the models on test means printing out is easy to do wherever you are, and can also be helpful if your home office is particularly compact.

The printers we’ve tested demonstrate a combination of portability and performance.

How we tested

Physical and software setup were both considered — the ease of installing cartridges, getting the printer connected to your network and devices, and managing its settings via its onboard controls or an iOS app. Speed of printing in pages per minute was measured, as well as the print quality in colour, and black and white. Battery life was also considered where battery power was a feature, and we took into account the size and weight of the printer, too.