Group Test: Portable Printers

We compare the best models for printing on the move

YOU’RE NOW MORE likely to own a mobile computing device than a desktop one, with MacBooks, iPads, and iPhones selling in greater numbers than iMacs and Mac minis by a considerable margin. Printer technology however has traditionally remained largely confined to the home. But a new generation of mobile printers has evolved that’s 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 for anyone working on the move, be they a freelancer or member of a business. We spend so much of our lives online now — printing labels, invoices, letters, envelopes, and perhaps even photographs are still very much a requirement for many people. The smaller footprint and flexible power options of most of the models on test means this is now 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.