The 7 Best Compact Printers for Small Desks of 2026, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: A small color all-in-one that still prints on both sides of the page.

The TS4320 is a compact color inkjet that prints, copies and scans, and it adds automatic two-sided printing. It connects over wireless and works with the Canon PRINT mobile app. It sells for $50 to $100. Two-sided printing halves paper use, which keeps the paper tray smaller and the stack thinner on a cramped desk.

It ranks first because duplex printing is rare at this size. Against the TS6520 below, you give up the built-in OLED screen, which is a minor loss for most home users. Against the TS3720, it adds duplex for the same price bucket.

Buy it if you want one tidy machine for school and home paperwork. The caveat is that it handles only letter and A4 paper, with no legal or tabloid sizes, and inkjet ink can dry. Skip it if you print mostly black text and want toner.

Type

Color inkjet all-in-one

Duplex

Automatic

Functions

Print, copy, scan

Paper sizes

Letter and A4

Our verdict: Same compact all-in-one idea, with a small screen for status checks.

The TS6520 is a compact color inkjet all-in-one with a 1.42 inch OLED display and automatic duplex printing. Setup runs through the Canon PRINT app. It sells for $50 to $100. A small screen lets you see ink levels and errors on the machine, without picking up a phone.

It lands just behind the TS4320 because the screen is a convenience, not a capability, and both share the same feature set otherwise. The display does let you check ink or errors without reaching for a phone. Against the TR4720, it is slimmer but lacks a feeder.

Pick it if you like seeing status on the machine itself. The caveat is that the screen adds nothing else, and the phone app is still needed. Skip it if you are happy managing everything from a phone.

Display

1.42 inch OLED

Duplex

Automatic

Functions

Print, copy, scan

Setup

Canon PRINT app

Our verdict: The only pick here with an automatic document feeder and fax.

The TR4720 is a compact all-in-one that adds an auto document feeder and built-in fax to the usual print and scan duties. It pairs with mobile printing through the Canon PRINT app and sells for $50 to $100. A feeder scans a stack of pages without lifting the lid, which saves time on forms and receipts.

It sits third because the feeder adds bulk to a small desk, and the listing does not mention duplex printing. The tradeoff versus the TS4320 is paper handling for document handling. Against the DeskJet 4355, it offers a feeder and fax where the HP offers an ink trial.

It is a strong choice for people who scan multi-page forms or still send faxes. The caveat is the feeder body, so measure your shelf before ordering. Skip it if you rarely scan and want the smallest body.

Feeder

Auto document feeder

Fax

Built in

Wireless

Canon PRINT app

Price bucket

$50-100

Our verdict: A compact HP all-in-one that leans on an ink subscription trial.

The DeskJet 4355 is a compact color inkjet that prints, scans and copies, pairs through the HP Smart app and includes a three-month HP Instant Ink trial. It also lists AI-assisted print management features. It sells for $50 to $100. An ink trial lowers the early cost, since cartridges are billed by pages, not by the refill.

It ranks fourth because its appeal depends on the ink trial, and subscription ink can feel limiting once the trial ends. The Canon models list duplex printing; this listing does not. Against the TS3720, it adds an app and a trial but no duplex.

Choose it if you already use the HP app and want a gentle start on ink. The caveat is that you should read the Instant Ink terms before relying on the plan. Skip it if you dislike subscription ink programs.

Type

Color inkjet all-in-one

Ink trial

3-month Instant Ink

App

HP Smart

Functions

Print, scan, copy

Our verdict: The no-frills option for occasional printing in a tiny footprint.

The TS3720 is a basic compact color all-in-one that prints, copies and scans, with wireless setup through the Canon PRINT app. It has a small, no-frills body and sells for $50 to $100. A smaller body fits shelves that a feeder-equipped model will not.

It ranks fifth because it lacks automatic duplex printing, which the TS4320 and TS6520 include. That is the main reason to step up a model within the same bucket. Against the TR4720, it is simpler and lighter but has no feeder.

Best for people who print a few pages a month. The caveat is manual two-sided printing, which takes extra steps and wastes time on bigger jobs. Skip it if you print long documents regularly.

Type

Basic color all-in-one

Duplex

None

Functions

Print, copy, scan

Setup

Canon PRINT app

Our verdict: A print-only laser whose toner will not dry out on you.

The HL-L2405W is a compact monochrome laser that prints only, with wireless mobile printing and Alexa compatibility. The listing notes that toner does not dry out between uses. It sells for $100 to $200. Laser toner is dry powder, so a printer that sits for weeks starts without clogged nozzles.

It ranks sixth purely because it cannot scan or copy and prints in black only, which is a bigger limit than the Canon all-in-ones. The tradeoff is reliability when the printer sits idle for weeks. Against the MT610Pro, it prints on standard paper and needs no special stock.

Choose it if you print mainly text and want a machine that works when you need it. The caveat is that scanning needs a second device. Skip it if you need color or a scanner.

Type

Monochrome laser

Functions

Print only

Smart home

Alexa compatible

Price bucket

$100-200

Our verdict: Pocket-sized inkless printing for desks with no room for anything else.

The MT610Pro is an inkless Bluetooth thermal printer at 300 DPI that handles 8.5 by 11 inch Letter and A4 paper. It pairs with iOS, Android and laptops, and it is the smallest, lightest device in this list. It sells for $50 to $100. Thermal printing heats special paper, so there is no cartridge to dry out.

It ranks last because it needs special thermal paper rather than standard copy paper, which adds a running cost and a supply to remember. That limit separates it from every other pick here. Against the HL-L2405W, it saves desk space but costs more per page.

Buy it for occasional printing where space is the only concern. The caveat is that thermal output is not meant for color work. Skip it if you want standard copy paper.

Technology

Inkless thermal

Resolution

300 DPI

Paper

Letter and A4 thermal

Connection

Bluetooth