6 Portable Printers for Travel (Thermal & Non-Thermal)

1. Epson WorkForce WF-110 (Portable Non-Thermal Inkjet Printer)

Screenshot from the Epson website

The Epson WorkForce WF-110 is a compact, lightweight inkjet printer designed for individuals who need to print on the go or in confined spaces. It fits easily in a backpack or briefcase and runs on a built-in rechargeable battery, so you can print even when there’s no outlet nearby.

With wireless and Wi-Fi Direct, it connects to laptops, tablets, or smartphones to print documents and 4×6-inch photos on the go.

Key Features

• Ultra-lightweight wireless portable inkjet printer
• Built-in rechargeable battery with an optional external battery for longer printing
• Flexible charging via USB or AC adapter
• Prints documents and borderless 4″×6″ photos
• Wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi Direct for laptops, tablets, and smartphones
• 1.4-inch color LCD screen for easy use
• Print speed up to 6.7 ppm (black) / 3.8 ppm (color)

Pros:
✔️ Very compact and easy to carry for travel or small spaces
✔️ Built-in battery with multiple charging options
✔️ Prints both documents and borderless photos while away from the office
✔️ Works with laptops, smartphones, and tablets over Wi-Fi Direct

Cons:
❌ Slower than desktop printers
❌ Small ink cartridges need replacing more often with frequent use
❌ Must use Epson-branded cartridges

Ink Cartridges for Epson WF-110

• Standard yield: Epson 215 Black, Epson 215 Tri-Color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)

2. HP OfficeJet 250 (Portable Non-Thermal Inkjet All-in-One)

Screenshot from the HP website

The HP OfficeJet 250 is one of the most recommended portable printers for travel and small spaces. This non-thermal inkjet model lets you print, scan, and copy wherever you are. With a built-in battery and simple wireless setup, you can print straight from a laptop, phone, or tablet.

Its compact size makes it easy to pack, and the 10-page feeder is handy for quick scans or copies when you’re on the move.

Key Features

• Portable all-in-one: print, copy, and scan
• Long-lasting built-in battery with fast charging (about 90 minutes when off)
• Wireless printing via Bluetooth Smart and Wi-Fi Direct
• 10-page automatic document feeder for hands-free jobs
• 2.65-inch color touchscreen for quick setup and controls
• Print speeds up to 10 ppm (black) / 7 ppm (color)
• ENERGY STAR® and EPEAT Silver certified

Pros:
✔️ Combines printing, scanning, and copying in a portable size
✔️ Long battery life with fast charging for road use
✔️ Wireless setup works with laptops, tablets, and phones
✔️ ADF makes multipage scanning or copying easier

Cons:
❌ Higher price compared to single-function portable printers
❌ Ink cartridges have a limited yield for heavy printing
❌ Slightly bulkier than print-only travel models

Ink Cartridges for HP OfficeJet 250

• Standard yield: HP 62 Black, HP 62 Tri-Color
• High yield: HP 62XL Black, HP 62XL Tri-Color
• Sets: HP 62 Set (Black & Tri-Color), HP 62XL Set (Black & Tri-Color)

3. HP OfficeJet 200 (Portable Non-Thermal Inkjet Printer)

Screenshot from the HP website

The HP OfficeJet 200 is a lightweight, travel-friendly printer made for people who only need to print (no scanning or copying). It’s popular among travelers, field workers, and remote professionals thanks to its long-lasting battery and compact size that easily fits in a backpack or car.

You can print wirelessly from a laptop, tablet, or phone using Wi-Fi Direct—no network required—so it’s handy wherever you go.

Key Features

• Portable non-thermal inkjet print-only model
• Compact size with a built-in rechargeable battery
• Wi-Fi Direct for printing without a router
• Flexible charging via AC power, USB, or car adapter
• Prints up to 10 ppm black / 7 ppm color on AC power
• Large, easy-to-use control panel

Pros:
✔️ Lightweight and easy to pack for travel or small workspaces
✔️ Prints wirelessly without needing a Wi-Fi network
✔️ Long-lasting battery with fast-charge support
✔️ Produces good-quality text and photos for its class

Cons:
❌ Print-only – no scanning or copying
❌ Ink costs can be high if printing often
❌ Manual duplex – no automatic two-sided printing

Ink Cartridges for HP OfficeJet 200

• Standard yield: HP 62 Black, HP 62 Tri-Color
• High yield: HP 62XL Black, HP 62XL Tri-Color
• Sets: HP 62 Set (Black & Tri-Color), HP 62XL Set (Black & Tri-Color)

4. Brother PocketJet PJ862 (Portable Thermal Full-Page Printer)

Screenshot from the Brother website

The Brother PocketJet PJ862 is a portable thermal printer designed for people who need full-page documents on the go. Instead of using ink or toner, it prints on special 8.5-inch-wide thermal paper, making it a great choice for delivery drivers, field service staff, or anyone who wants to skip ink refills.

It’s compact enough to fit in a bag or vehicle compartment and connects easily with Bluetooth or USB-C for quick setup.

Key Features

• Portable thermal printer for full-page (8.5") documents
• Prints up to 13.5 pages per minute
• Works with a variety of thermal media (standard sheets, rolls, perforated forms)
• USB-C connectivity and charging plus Bluetooth and MFi support
• An optional long-life Li-ion battery prints up to 600 pages per charge
• Ultra-lightweight at just 1.3 lbs (with battery)

Pros
✔️ No ink or toner required – just thermal paper
✔️ Fast printing speed for a portable model
✔️ Full-page output, unlike most small thermal printers
✔️ Extremely lightweight and easy to carry
✔️ Flexible power options: DC power or optional rechargeable battery

Cons
❌ Requires special thermal paper (can’t use regular copy paper)
❌ No color printing – black-and-white only
❌ No scan or copy features
❌ Battery sold separately

5. Canon PIXMA TR160 (Portable Non-Thermal Inkjet Printer)

Screenshot from the Canon website

The PIXMA TR160 is a compact and lightweight portable printer designed for people who need to print on the go. It’s easy to carry in a backpack or briefcase and can handle documents or borderless photos up to 8.5″×11″.

It works wirelessly with laptops, phones, and tablets, and you can add an optional battery pack (sold separately) to print without an outlet. A simple OLED screen makes it straightforward to use while traveling.

Key Features

• Lightweight, portable inkjet printer (print-only)
• 5-Color Hybrid Ink system for text and photos
• Prints up to 8.5″×11″ borderless photos
• Save up to 5 custom templates in printer memory
• 1.44″ OLED display for quick settings
• Wireless printing from laptops, tablets, and smartphones

Pros:
✔️ Compact and easy to carry
✔️ Good photo quality for a travel printer
✔️ Template storage is convenient for frequent forms or flyers
✔️ Works wirelessly with most devices

Cons:
❌ Print-only — no scan or copy functions
❌ Optional battery pack sold separately
❌ Slower than full-size home printers for large jobs

Ink Cartridges for Canon PIXMA TR160

• PGI-35 Black & CLI-36 Tri-Color

6. Canon SELPHY CP1500 (Portable Thermal Photo Printer)

Screenshot from the Canon website

The Canon SELPHY CP1500 is a compact thermal photo printer made for quick, lab-quality prints wherever you are. It connects easily to your phone, camera, or memory card so you can print borderless photos in different sizes without needing a computer.

With the optional battery pack, it’s simple to bring along to parties or trips and share dry-to-the-touch, water-resistant photos on the spot.

Key Features

• Portable wireless thermal photo printer
• Prints borderless photos in multiple sizes (4"×6", square, mini-stickers)
• Optional NB-CP2LH battery for printing up to 54 photos per charge
• Supports Wi-Fi, AirPrint, USB, SD card, and SELPHY Layout app
• Instant-dry prints that are water-resistant and marker-ready
• Finishing choices: glossy, semi-gloss, or satin textures

Pros:
✔️ Compact and easy to carry
✔️ Produces durable, high-quality photo prints that resist water and fading
✔️ Multiple finish and layout options through the app
✔️ Wide range of connectivity options for phones, cameras, and memory cards

Cons:
❌ Prints photos only — no document printing
❌ Optional battery is sold separately
❌ Print cost per photo is higher than with standard inkjet printers

Summary

We looked at a variety of portable printers made for travel. Some are compact inkjets for everyday documents, others are thermal models that don’t need ink, and a few focus on printing photos on the go.

We compared their portability, battery life, ease of use, and special media needs to highlight what makes each type practical for life on the move. This overview shows the range of options available, helping you decide which style of portable printer best matches your printing needs away from home.