From remote working to scrapbooking, these are the travel-friendly printers we rely on.

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Travel + Leisure

Portable printers are on the list of items we can’t believe we used to live without. Some might say their popularity soared during the Covid-19 Pandemic, when working remotely became the norm. Others say they’re trending due to the fact that more people are traveling than ever, and documenting it. Regardless of the reason, we can’t ignore how handy they are—whether you’re using one to print your boarding pass (which you should always do) in your hotel room or you’re using one on a group tour of a castle to print out keepsake photos you can give to your new friends. I definitely do the latter. As an avid cyclist, I often ride in rural parts of countries like Cambodia, Rwanda, and Nicaragua. You should see the way locals’ eyes light up when I give them a photo of themselves (after asking for permission of course). 

But with so many portable printers on the market, choosing one can be a lot harder than using the printer itself. There are several things to consider, all of which are hard to assess until you have the printer in your hands—and many portable printers literally fit in your hand! To eliminate the guesswork, we recently narrowed down the list of the highest-rated portable printers and personally tested them to narrow the list down even further. Below are our favorites, including a best overall that we had so much fun testing, we forgot we were technically working. Whether you go with our favorite, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3, or you opt for another pocket-sized option, don’t be surprised if you catch glimpses from onlookers watching you print on the go.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Fujifilm Smartphone Printer at Amazon $108 Jump to Review Most Versatile: SALE Canon Portable Printer at Amazon $270 $205 Jump to Review Best for Remote Work: SALE Phomemo Thermal Printer at Amazon $95 $48 Jump to Review Most Durable: SALE JADENS Printer at Amazon $100 $69 Jump to Review Best for Wide Photos: Fujifilm Instax Link Wide Printer at Amazon $149 Jump to Review

Best Overall

Fujifilm Smartphone Printer

Credit: Amazon $108 $97 at Amazon $108 at Target $108 at Best Buy Why We Love It

• It’s like a Polaroid, but better because you don’t need a camera and can choose which photos are worth printing.

What to Consider

• Finding the right app to download was tricky because it’s on the box, not in the instructions.

You can’t really go wrong with the reliable, handheld Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 Smartphone Printer. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, it’s easy to stash in one of our editor-approved fanny packs or even cargo pockets. Despite its diminutive size, it’s packed with helpful features. The three LED lights on the outside indicate the printer’s status, and the power button doubles as a shutter button to allow you to take photos remotely (a great feature for group shots when you don’t want to have to ask someone to take your photo). 

While you have to download an app to use the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 Smartphone Printer, we love that there’s no need to create an account and be bombarded by annoying notifications. The Bluetooth connection—which was seamless to pair—is as reliable as a Swiss train, so we had zero connectivity issues throughout our testing period. The printer’s lithium battery takes approximately 90 minutes to fully charge, which is enough to print up to 100 photos. Note: the photo paper isn’t included, so you’ll have to purchase it separately.

Photos print in 15-20 seconds, although it takes a few minutes for them to fully develop. Still, they’re worth the wait, especially if you take advantage of the app's fun features. Make collages, dabble in animation, and even include QR codes. 

The Details: 3.54 x 1.47 x 4.92 inches | 7.4 ounces | Bluetooth enabled (app required) | Charges via USB-C (cable included)

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Most Versatile

Canon Portable Printer

Credit: Amazon $270 $205 at Amazon $245 $244 at Walmart View on Office Depot Why We Love It

• From legal letters to passport photos—you name it, this thing can probably print it.

What to Consider

• Unless you buy the battery pack (sold separately), you have to plug it into a wall outlet to print.

The Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer is ideal for anyone who needs to print a variety of things. While it’s more cumbersome than compact (as far as portable printers go), the trade-off is that it has full-sized printer perks like a 1.44-inch display where you can see the printer’s status and change its settings, a paper tray big enough to hold 50 sheets, and even a low/no-noise mode, so you can use it in the quiet car on a train. It’s ideal for business travelers and those hitting up coworking spaces during their trips. 

It takes about 30-45 seconds to print a single photo, but we were extremely impressed with the quality of images that the Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer produced. It almost looks like they were printed at a professional photo shop, albeit for a fraction of the price. Techies, meanwhile, will appreciate that this printer is compatible with Amazon Alexa.

The Details: 12.7 x 3.5 x 2.6 inches | 4.5 pounds | Wirelessly connects via WLAN | Charges via USB-C To USB-A Cable (included) 

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Best for Remote Work

Phomemo Thermal Printer

Credit: Amazon $95 $48 at Amazon View on Phomemo.com Why We Love It

• From ease of installation to fool-proof printing, you’ll have no need to call the IT person in your life. 

What to Consider

• The printer’s serrated edge doesn’t do the best job achieving a clean cut when using the roll of included thermal paper.

We tested the M832 Inkless Bluetooth Thermal Printer with both a MacBook Air and iPhone 14 Pro, and it never had any hiccups. Thanks to the thermal paper coming on a roll, you don’t need to worry about paper jams (unless you choose to purchase separate sheets). That said, keep in mind that like many thermal printers, this one only prints in black and white. It’s best for printing Word, Excel, and PDF documents. On a single charge, it’s possible to print more than 100 pages! 

While it’s not small enough to pack in our favorite travel purses, the M832 Inkless Bluetooth Thermal Printer does come with its own carrying case complete with built-in organization for storing its accessories: USB cables and different-sized paper rolls. The carrying case can easily fit in a backpack or briefcase; however, it also has its own handles, so you can also tote it on its own. Although the printer itself only has two buttons—a power button and a paper tray button—you’ll have plenty of customization options at your fingertips once you download the Phomeno App.

The Details: 10.4 x 3.07 x 1.8 inches | 1.5 pounds | Bluetooth compatible | Charges via USB-C (cable included)

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How to Work From Anywhere — All the Products You Need for Working Remotely

Most Durable

JADENS Printer

Credit: Amazon $100 $69 at Amazon View on Target View on Jadens.com Why We Love It

• The battery life is as superb as the printer is sturdy.

What to Consider

• Setting it up isn’t as simple as we think it should be.

Buy this portable thermal printer for its eye-catching colors—including pink, green, and yellow—just plan on having it for more than a season because it’s clearly built to last. For that reason, you may want to choose classic black or timeless white. We tested it wirelessly with an iPhone 16 Pro and wired with a Macbook Pro, printing everything from shipping labels to sheet music and personal photos. While it took 15 minutes to set the printer up initially, we’re happy to report it connected automatically for subsequent uses. 

The thermal paper that it requires should be carefully stored (out of heat and light), but the printer itself is far from delicate, so it doesn’t require bubble wrap. That said, we don’t recommend doing a drop test. The Jadens Bluetooth Thermal Printer easily fits in carry-on backpacks, briefcases, and tote bags. Keep in mind it only prints in black and white. But what it lacks in colors, it makes up with size options. You can print any document from 2 inches to 8.5 inches wide. And if you forget the charging cable at home, all is not lost. We seldom had to juice it up; in fact, the manufacturer promises up to three hours of continuous printing (that’s about 360 sheets) on a single charge, with 90 days of standby time. 

The Details: 10 x 1.8 x 3.1 inches | 1.52 pounds | Bluetooth-enabled | Charges via USB-C (cable included)

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Best for Wide Photos

Fujifilm Instax Link Wide Printer

Credit: Amazon $149 at Amazon View on Target $159 at Walmart Why We Love It

• It’s so easy to operate, you’ll throw away the instruction manual.

What to Consider

• We wish the accompanying app had a zoom out tool.

Just when we thought our photos couldn’t get any more nostalgic, we tested the Fujifilm Instax Link Wide Printer. Between the old school matte finish and retro 4 x 3 inch format, this little time machine is like a blast from the past. That said, it’s a lot less clunky than anything from the ‘60s or ‘70s. In fact, it’s so slim and lightweight that we can carry it on our wrist—strap included—or make space for it in our belt bag. I’ve owned this printer for three years, and it’s traveled with me to more than 25 countries! When not in use, I store it in the upright stand, which is also included. 

To design collages, you simply use the app (required for printing) which also boasts a catalog of 1,600 photo-worthy stickers, more than 30 editable templates, several filters, and tools that allow you to adjust the contrast and add text among other things. When your masterpiece is ready, simply swipe up. Photos, including collages, print in 45 seconds. Of course, they take 3-10 minutes to fully develop. Disclaimer: you’ll have a hard time finding frames that fit these wider photos. But, I’ve had tons of fun filling shadow boxes with my photos using push pins. 

The Details: 5.5 x 5 x 1.3 inches | 12 ounces | Bluetooth enabled | Charges via USB (cable included)

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Other Portable Printers We Liked

Kodak Step Instant Smartphone Photo Printer: We had a hard time finding a bag or pocket that this tiny printer didn’t fit in. That said, we wish we were also impressed with the color consistency and overall photo quality.

HP Sprocket Select Portable Instant Photo Printer: I got the HP Sprocket Select last year and plan on using it at my upcoming wedding reception in September. Thanks to the printer paper’s sticky back, photos my guests take can go straight in our scrapbook. Just know that the photos produced have a slight blue tint to them.

Our Testing Process

Because these printers are portable, we traveled with them to different locations and tested them with an array of devices including laptops, smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. Each test followed a certain protocol depending on what was being printed: and we printed both photos (taken inside and outside) and text documents, in various sizes. Testers had a list of questions they answered throughout the testing process pertaining to everything from Bluetooth pairing to printer speed and battery life.  

Of course, we also assessed the size and portability of each printer, seeing which bags it would fit in, and perhaps more importantly, how comfortable it would be to carry them. We also assessed ease of use, performance, quality, and value. The overall score, on a scale of 1 to 5, took all categories into account. Product testers will continue to test these models for another six months as well as different models of portable printers, and we will update this article accordingly.

Tips for Buying a Portable Printer

Think about how you’ll use it

Ask yourself whether you’ll be using your portable printer to print photos, documents, or a mix of both. If you’re only interested in printing small-scale photos, you are probably better off with a photo-specific portable printer that can print in color and comes with an app featuring bells and whistles that allow you to edit and enhance your pictures.

If your printing needs are more text-centric, and you’re OK with being limited to black and white, consider investing in a portable thermal printer that can print full-size sheets of paper. If you’re wanting to print both, you’ll have to find a portable printer that is large enough to print documents but also has the ability to print in color.

Prioritize compact sizing 

Even a full-size printer is portable if you’re strong enough. But if you want a truly portable printer that isn’t awkward or cumbersome to carry, prioritize compact sizing. You’ll find printers almost as small as a deck of cards. If you have to go with a larger portable printer, try to find one that comes with a carrying case. And keep in mind that some portable printers don’t have a long battery life, so you may be stuck having to pack a bulky spare battery, too. Or you’ll have to find an outlet to plug them in. 

Consider paper requirements and ink technology

While many portable printers don’t require you to purchase ink, keep in mind that there are tradeoffs to that. For starters, the ink technology may not be as advanced. For example, most thermal portable printers are monochromatic and only print in black and white. They also require you to use special thermal paper (essential for the chemical reaction that creates the text or image). It’s thinner than traditional paper and is more sensitive to light and heat. Portable photo printers, meanwhile, require you to purchase film sheets which can cost as much as $1 per sheet. 

Look at ease of connectivity and printer speed

Having a portable printer that you can’t connect to your device is worse than not having a portable printer in the first place. Read the reviews to see how other shoppers describe the setup process and subsequent pairing. After setup, a process that shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes, the best portable printers connect to your phone automatically via Bluetooth. 

You’ll also want to take into account the printer speed. If you’re printing a large volume or are in a hurry, it may make sense to opt for a thermal printer. Thermal printers are faster than traditional laser and inkjet printers. And if you’re printing photos on film, keep in mind that even though it may only take 10 seconds to shoot out a photo, you may have to wait for 5 minutes for it to develop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this story, Katie Jackson analyzed data and insights collected over time by Travel + Leisure editors and product testers. She also relied on her personal experience using portable printers she’s owned for years. They include the Fujifilm Instax Link Wide Printer, the HP Sprocket Select Portable Instant Photo Printer, and the latest addition to her collection: the Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer. Her favorite printer is the Fujifilm Instax Link Wide Printer which she was gifted from a dear friend in Africa. Besides the dimples she inherited from her mom, it’s probably the best gift she’s ever received. Just ask the many people she’s met everywhere from Thailand to Tanzania who have been recipients (and stars) of the photos she takes. 

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