Not every home office has space for a full-size all-in-one printer. Fortunately, printer makers have gotten much better at packing real functionality into small footprints. Here are eight compact printers worth considering in 2026 for tight desks, closets, or shelves, without giving up the print quality or features a home office actually needs.
HP LaserJet Pro M15w
Among the smallest printers on this list, the M15w is a single-function monochrome laser printer designed for tight spaces. It skips scanning and copying entirely, keeping the footprint minimal, and supports wireless printing so it doesn’t need to sit right next to your computer.
Canon PIXMA TS3520
The PIXMA TS3520 is a compact all-in-one that still manages to include scanning and copying alongside standard printing, at a size small enough for a bookshelf or narrow desk corner. It’s an entry-level pick that covers the basics well for light home office use.
Brother HL-L2350DW
Brother’s HL-L2350DW packs a monochrome laser engine, wireless printing, and automatic duplex printing into a small chassis. It’s aimed at home offices that print mostly text documents and want a low cost-per-page without the bulk of an all-in-one.
Epson WorkForce WF-2960
Epson’s WorkForce WF-2960 is a compact all-in-one with scanning, copying, and faxing, plus a small automatic document feeder, unusual for a printer this size. It’s a practical choice for a home office that needs those extra functions but doesn’t have room for a larger machine.
HP Envy 6055e
The Envy 6055e is one of HP’s smaller all-in-one inkjets, with a minimalist design meant to blend into a home environment rather than look like office equipment. It includes scanning and copying and supports HP’s mobile printing app for printing directly from a phone.
Canon Pixma TR4720
The Pixma TR4720 rounds out its compact footprint with scanning, copying, and even fax support, aimed at small home offices that need a bit of everything without a large device. It handles both document and light photo printing reasonably well for its size.
How to Choose a Compact Office Printer
If you only need to print text documents and want the smallest possible footprint, a single-function laser printer like the HP LaserJet Pro M15w or Brother HL-L2350DW is hard to beat. If you need scanning or copying in a small space, look at compact all-in-ones like the Canon PIXMA TS3520 or HP Envy 6055e. For more home office essentials in a small footprint, see our picks for the best home office printers and comfortable small office chairs.
What is the smallest type of home office printer?
Single-function laser printers, like the HP LaserJet Pro M15w, tend to be the smallest since they skip scanning, copying, and faxing components entirely.
Can a compact printer still scan and copy?
Yes, several compact all-in-ones like the Canon PIXMA TS3520 and Epson WorkForce WF-2960 include scanning and copying in a relatively small footprint.
Are compact printers slower than full-size models?
Not necessarily. Print speed depends more on the print engine than the physical size, though very small models sometimes have smaller paper trays that require more frequent refilling.
Is a laser or inkjet printer better for a compact home office setup?
Laser printers are generally better for high-volume text printing with a lower cost per page, while compact inkjet all-in-ones offer more functionality, like scanning and color, in a similarly small size.
