5 Compact All-in-One Printers That Save Space and Boost Productivity
You want a printer that fits your cramped desk but still handles real work—luckily, compact all-in-one printers max out at 18 inches wide, making them ideal for tight spaces.
These efficient devices pack essential features like auto-duplexing, Wi-Fi, and cloud printing, ensuring you don’t sacrifice functionality for size.
With a compact all-in-one, you can shave paper costs by up to 50% thanks to automatic double-sided printing.
But you might wonder: can something this small really keep up with daily print demands? The answer hinges on yield, connectivity, and how smartly you match features to your workflow.
| Brother INKvestment 1365 Wireless All-in-One Printer |  | High-Yield Ink Pick | Connectivity: Wireless, mobile, USB, Wi-Fi Direct | Print Speed (Black): Up to 16 ppm | Duplex Printing: Automatic duplex | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Printer (MFC-J1360DW) |  | Home Office Essential | Connectivity: Wireless, USB, cloud apps | Print Speed (Black): Up to 16 ppm | Duplex Printing: Automatic duplex | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| HP DeskJet 2827e Wireless All-in-One Printer |  | Budget-Friendly Pick | Connectivity: Wireless, HP app, smartphone/PC/tablet | Print Speed (Black): 7.5 ppm | Duplex Printing: Not specified | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| HP Envy 6155e All-in-One Printer (714L5A) |  | Premium Home Pick | Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi, HP app, smartphone/PC/tablet | Print Speed (Black): Up to 10 ppm | Duplex Printing: Auto 2-sided | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Canon Megatank G3290 Wireless All-in-One Printer |  | Best Overall | Connectivity: Wireless print, copy, scan | Print Speed (Black): Not specified | Duplex Printing: Auto duplex | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Brother INKvestment 1365 Wireless All-in-One Printer
If you’re juggling home office tasks and need a reliable workhorse—say, someone who expects crisp 16 ppm black or 9 ppm color output without constantly swapping ink—you’ll appreciate the Brother INKvestment 1365 Wireless All-in-One Printer as a solid, mid-tier pick.
You get automatic duplex printing, a 150-sheet tray, and a 20-page ADF—pretty handy, right? The 1.8″ color display makes navigation simple, and with Wi-Fi, USB, and Wi-Fi Direct, you’re never stuck.
You can even print from Google Drive or Dropbox directly—yes, really. The included black ink covers 1,200 pages, colors 500 each, so refills won’t drain your wallet.
Mobile Connect streamlines scanning and copying, though don’t expect laser speed. Still, for home use, it’s balanced, practical, and quietly efficient.
- Connectivity:Wireless, mobile, USB, Wi-Fi Direct
- Print Speed (Black):Up to 16 ppm
- Duplex Printing:Automatic duplex
- Paper Tray Capacity:150-sheet
- Display:1.8″ color display
- Mobile App Support:Brother Mobile Connect app
- Additional Feature:Up to 1,200-page black yield
- Additional Feature:Cloud workflow via display
- Additional Feature:Brother Genuine LC504 ink compatible
Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Printer (MFC-J1360DW)
Who knew a compact all-in-one printer could handle both your high-volume homework runs and that occasional color brochure with equal ease? The Brother Work Smart 1360 (MFC-J1360DW) tackles home and home office tasks without breaking a sweat.
It delivers up to 16 ppm in black or 9 ppm in color, thanks to automatic duplex printing and a 150-sheet tray. A 20-sheet ADF also makes scanning and copying multi-page documents simple.
You’ll navigate tasks smoothly using the 1.8” color display or the Brother Mobile Connect app. Cloud access to Google Drive, Dropbox, and others keeps files within reach.
It uses LC501 inks with Page Gauge monitoring and includes a refresh subscription trial. The printer balances speed, size, and smarts—though it won’t win any beauty contests.
- Connectivity:Wireless, USB, cloud apps
- Print Speed (Black):Up to 16 ppm
- Duplex Printing:Automatic duplex
- Paper Tray Capacity:150-sheet
- Display:1.8” color display
- Mobile App Support:Brother Mobile Connect app
- Additional Feature:Page Gauge ink monitoring
- Additional Feature:LC501 series ink compatibility
- Additional Feature:Compact design for home office
HP DeskJet 2827e Wireless All-in-One Printer
The HP DeskJet 2827e Wireless All-in-One Printer is tailor-made for home users who need compact, reliable performance without overspending. It delivers color printing at 5.5 ppm and black at 7.5 ppm, making it well-suited for everyday tasks like school assignments, billing, and photo prints.
You’ll appreciate how HP’s AI auto-trims messy web pages and emails, giving you clean, perfectly formatted prints. Because who really wants half a Wikipedia article?
Its 60-sheet tray won’t wow, but for light use, it’s sufficient. Wireless printing via the HP app works smoothly from your phone or tablet.
With HP+, you get 3 months of Instant Ink—though you’ll need to cancel if you’d rather not keep paying. And yes, it uses only HP cartridges, enforced via updates.
- Connectivity:Wireless, HP app, smartphone/PC/tablet
- Print Speed (Black):7.5 ppm
- Duplex Printing:Not specified
- Paper Tray Capacity:60-sheet
- Display:Not specified
- Mobile App Support:HP app
- Additional Feature:HP AI removes unwanted content
- Additional Feature:60% recycled plastic body
- Additional Feature:HP+ firmware-enforced cartridge policy
HP Envy 6155e All-in-One Printer (714L5A)
You’ll want the HP Envy 6155e All-in-One Printer (714L5A) if your home office or family setup demands crisp color prints, reliable scanning, and smart automation without a bulky footprint. It fits neatly into small spaces with its sleek Portobello-finish chassis.
This printer packs a 100-sheet input tray, auto-duplex printing, and a sleek 2.4-inch color touchscreen for easy navigation. You’ll get vibrant, true-to-screen output thanks to P3 tech and AI-powered formatting that removes clutter from web pages.
Printing performs at 10 ppm black and 7 ppm color, with dual-band Wi-Fi ensuring a stable connection. HP+ includes a 3-month Instant Ink trial, though continuing service requires a monthly fee unless you opt out.
The printer uses 60% recycled plastic and supports forest conservation efforts. However, it only accepts HP cartridges, so third-party alternatives won’t work.
- Connectivity:Dual-band Wi-Fi, HP app, smartphone/PC/tablet
- Print Speed (Black):Up to 10 ppm
- Duplex Printing:Auto 2-sided
- Paper Tray Capacity:100-sheet
- Display:2.4″ touchscreen
- Mobile App Support:HP app
- Additional Feature:True-to-screen P3 color
- Additional Feature:Dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity
- Additional Feature:Forests protection page initiative
Canon Megatank G3290 Wireless All-in-One Printer
Looking for a workhorse that won’t drain your wallet on ink—ever? The Canon Megatank G3290’s got your back, dishing out up to 6,000 black-and-white or 7,700 color pages—yes, really—thanks to the two years’ worth of ink included in the box.
You’ll save nearly $1,000 on replacements over time, all while enjoying wireless print, scan, and copy functions plus auto duplex printing that’s smart but not flashy.
Its 2.7” color touchscreen isn’t huge, sure, but it’s intuitive enough—especially when you’re printing from your phone.
It’s not the fastest kid on the block, but for reliable, high-yield home printing? Hard to beat.
- Connectivity:Wireless print, copy, scan
- Print Speed (Black):Not specified
- Duplex Printing:Auto duplex
- Paper Tray Capacity:Not specified
- Display:2.7” LCD color touchscreen
- Mobile App Support:Mobile printing support
- Additional Feature:Up to 2 years ink included
- Additional Feature:Save up to $1,000 on ink
- Additional Feature:6,000-page black yield included
Factors to Consider When Choosing Compact All-in-One Printers
You’re juggling space, speed, and costs—so when you’re picking a compact all-in-one printer, you’ll want one that balances print speeds (typically15–20 ppm for color,20–25 ppm for black), ink efficiency (look for models with refillable tanks or high-yield cartridges), and seamless wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi5, Bluetooth, or even Wi-Fi Direct). Let’s face it—do you *really* need a12-inch-wide printer crammed into your10-inch shelf, or would a sleeker9.8-inch design with mobile printing and cloud integration (Google Cloud Print, Apple AirPrint) save you time and clutter? These factors—size, performance, running costs, and modern connectivity—don’t just add convenience; they quietly shape your daily workflow, for better or worse.
Print Speed and Performance
Speed matters when your to-do list doesn’t stop. With compact color inkjet all-in-ones, you’re typically looking at 5 to 9 pages per minute for color prints, and a slightly quicker 7 to 16 ppm for black-and-white.
Real-world results depend on document complexity—printing a simple memo is faster than a graph-laden report. You’ll notice faster black text output, with some models reaching 16 ppm, thanks to a separate, leaner processing path for monochrome.
Color printing slows down on graphics-rich pages, which is expected given the added processing. Enabling automatic duplex printing boosts effective throughput by eliminating manual page flipping—a smart choice for multi-page jobs.
A 20-sheet ADF helps when scanning or copying a stack, keeping things moving with minimal intervention. Just remember that manufacturer specs often reflect ideal conditions.
Test performance with your typical documents—pages full of charts or fine text may yield different speeds. Your actual results will vary based on usage patterns and content type.
Ink Efficiency and Costs
Over time, your printer’s true cost reveals itself not in the sticker price but in how much you spend on ink—especially since high-yield black cartridges can slash your cost per page by as much as 30–50% compared to standard ones.
You’ll save more printing black text, sure, but let’s be honest—how often do you actually need full-color reports? Color ink costs more per page, so heavy multi-color use hikes expenses fast.
Want serious savings? Consider ultra-high-capacity systems like refillable ink tanks—they deliver thousands of pages before refills, cutting replacement hassle and long-term spending.
Some models even come with bundled ink trials or subscription options, giving you predictable monthly costs instead of surprise cartridge bills.
And while it’s not magic, duplex printing quietly slashes paper (and ink) use by automatically printing on both sides—because who really needs blank backs?
Smart choices here mean fewer trips to the store and more cash staying in your pocket.
Connectivity and Wireless Options
A compact all-in-one printer worth its weight these days doesn’t just sit on your desk—it connects, communicates, and keeps up with your workflow. It typically offers dual connectivity through Wi-Fi and a USB port for those times when wireless feels finicky or you need a direct, no-nonsense link.
You’ll appreciate Wi-Fi Direct, which lets you print straight from your phone or tablet without hunting for a network. This feature is handy when the Wi-Fi’s down or your office layout’s a mess.
Cloud integrations mean you can pull documents from Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, or OneDrive like magic. Mobile apps turn your smartphone into a full control panel for printing, scanning, and managing settings.
And with that 1.8-inch color display, maneuvering these options isn’t a chore. Sure, it’s small, but who needs a touchscreen the size of a sandwich?
Compact Size and Design
Space-saving design isn’t just a bonus—it’s the whole point when you’re eyeing a compact all-in-one printer for your cluttered desk or tight apartment office. You’ll want a model with a small footprint—typically under 18 inches wide—so it fits neatly on standard surfaces without crowding your keyboard or monitor.
Look for a minimal control area, like a 1.8-inch color display, which keeps the unit slim while still letting you navigate settings without hassle. Integrated auto duplex printing cuts down paper handling, shrinking the tray and lowering the overall height—pretty handy when shelf space is tight.
Sure, tray capacity is modest (60–150 sheets), meaning you’ll reload more often, but is that such a killer if it means your printer doesn’t dominate the room? Streamlined ink systems also help reduce width and height, preserving core functions without the bulk.
Cloud and Mobile Integration
You’ve already picked a compact all-in-one for its snug footprint—maybe it’s sitting pretty next to your laptop, taking up less space than a shoebox—but don’t overlook what it can do beyond saving square inches. It’s not just about space savings; modern models pack smart cloud connectivity that turns them into independent productivity tools.
You can print straight from Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box without firing up your computer, thanks to built-in Wi-Fi and a responsive 1.8-inch color display. This screen guides cloud workflows right on the device, making standalone printing a seamless experience.
Need a file from your phone? The companion mobile app lets you print, scan, or even monitor usage. Some models even show page counts or manage ink subscriptions through the app.
Sure, relying on an app might feel like adding a middleman, but when you’re scanning directly to the cloud while halfway through your morning coffee, it’s hard to complain. Just make sure your printer supports your preferred services—because what’s the point of going wireless if you’re tethered to compatibility headaches?
Paper Handling Capacity
Don’t let the sleek, desktop-friendly design fool you—paper handling is where your compact all-in-one might quietly start to show its limits. You’ll typically find trays holding just 60 to 150 sheets, with space-saving models often settling near the lower end—around 60 sheets—meaning you’ll refill more often than you’d like.
Many units include a 20-page single-sided ADF, perfect for scanning multi-page contracts without constant babysitting. Some offer a 100-sheet input tray, a sweet spot for moderate workloads.
While duplex printing won’t expand physical capacity, it effectively doubles your output per sheet—cutting paper use by up to 50%. You’re stretching each load further, even if you’re still loading more than you would with a full-size machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can These Printers Handle Thick Cardstock for Invitations?
Yes, you can print thick cardstock for invitations—just check your printer’s specs first. Most handle cardstock fine, but you’ll need to adjust settings and use the right tray to avoid jams and get crisp results every time.
Do Any Models Support Automatic Double-Sided Scanning?
Yes, they’ve got the brains and the brawn—some models scan both sides of the paper in one go, so you’re not stuck flipping pages like a pancake at breakfast. You’ll save time and keep your rhythm.
Are Replacement Ink Tanks Easy to Install for Beginners?
Yes, you’ll find replacement ink tanks simple to install—just pop open the compartment, slide in the new tank until it clicks, and close it up. No mess, no hassle, and you’re ready to print again in seconds.
Which Printer Has the Quietest Operation During Printing?
You’ll barely hear the Epson EcoTank ET-2800—it’s whisper-quiet. You’re not imagining things; it really doesn’t disrupt your focus. You’ll print smoothly, even in shared spaces, without annoying noise ever bothering you again.
Is There a Model With a Flatbed Scanner Only?
Yes, you’ll find models with flatbed scanners only—you skip the automatic document feeder, get quieter scans, and still handle thick documents or books easily. Just check specs to confirm no ADF and pick one that fits your space and scanning needs perfectly.
Conclusion
You’re not just saving desk space—you’re unleashing a powerhouse, with printers under 18 inches dishing out duplex prints, cloud sync, and app control like it’s nothing. Need 6,000-page yields or Wi-Fi 6? They’ve got it—though that 2.4″ display won’t win a screen war. Can a compact machine really do it all? Well, almost—just don’t expect a paper tray bigger than your morning coffee.
