AirPrint lets iPhones, iPads, and Macs print wirelessly to compatible printers without installing drivers, which makes setup practically instant. The five picks below are genuinely compact, chosen for physical footprint as much as performance, and cover both inkjet and laser options for different printing volumes and budgets.
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HP DeskJet 2755e | Budget color inkjet | 4.5/5 |
| Canon PIXMA TR4720 | Compact all-in-one with scanner | 4.6/5 |
| Brother HL-L2350DW | Compact laser text printing | 4.7/5 |
| HP LaserJet M209dwe | Wireless compact laser | 4.6/5 |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2800 | Low ink cost per page | 4.5/5 |
HP DeskJet 2755e - Best Budget Compact AirPrint Printer
The HP DeskJet 2755e is one of the most affordable AirPrint-capable inkjet printers with a genuinely small footprint that fits on a desk shelf or in a cabinet. Setup requires no driver installation on Apple devices, just connect the printer to Wi-Fi and it appears in the iOS print dialog automatically. The 2755e prints color and black-and-white, includes a 60-sheet input tray, and connects via Wi-Fi or USB. It works with HP’s Instant Ink subscription service for automatic cartridge delivery, though subscription enrollment is optional. Print quality is adequate for typical home use documents and photos.
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Canon PIXMA TR4720 - Best Compact All-in-One AirPrint Printer
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 adds a flatbed scanner, copier, and document feeder to the compact inkjet formula, making it practical beyond just printing. It’s slightly larger than the HP DeskJet but still fits in tight spaces. AirPrint, Mopria, and Google Cloud Print compatibility cover all major wireless printing ecosystems. Print quality for photos is notably strong for this price range. The auto document feeder handles multi-page scans without manual page feeding. Canon’s ink is widely available in retail stores, which matters if you want same-day cartridge replacements.
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Brother HL-L2350DW - Best Compact Laser AirPrint Printer
The Brother HL-L2350DW delivers fast, sharp monochrome laser printing in a compact footprint that’s smaller than most laser printers in its class. For users who print primarily text documents, spreadsheets, or forms, the per-page cost and print sharpness of laser far outperform inkjet at a similar price. AirPrint setup on Mac and iOS is seamless. The starter toner cartridge prints around 700 pages; standard cartridges deliver up to 1,200 pages. The unit weighs under 15 pounds and fits comfortably on a shelf. No color printing, which is the trade-off for this price and size.
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HP LaserJet M209dwe - Best Wireless Compact Laser with Cloud Features
The HP LaserJet M209dwe is HP’s compact entry-level laser printer with built-in Wi-Fi, AirPrint, and HP+ smart features for automatic firmware updates and remote printing setup. Print speeds reach 30 pages per minute for monochrome text. The physical footprint is surprisingly small for a laser unit. HP+ enrollment (free with purchase) provides an extended warranty and access to HP’s smart printing ecosystem, though it requires consistent use of HP-branded toner. Strong choice for home offices that print moderate volumes of text-heavy documents.
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Epson EcoTank ET-2800 - Best for Low Per-Page Ink Cost
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 uses refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges, dramatically reducing per-page costs for households that print frequently. The bundled ink in the box is rated for approximately 4,500 black pages and 7,500 color pages, more than most cartridge printers produce in a year or two. AirPrint support works natively on all Apple devices. The footprint is compact for a tank-based printer. Initial purchase cost is higher than cartridge models, but the break-even point compared to cartridge replacements arrives within a few months of regular use.
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How to Choose a Compact AirPrint Printer
Decide between inkjet and laser first. Inkjet is best for color photos and occasional use; laser is better for high text volume and infrequent printing since toner doesn’t dry out. For anyone printing more than 100 pages per month, calculate the per-page ink or toner cost over a year before buying, cheap printers with expensive cartridges cost more overall. If scanning is needed, a compact all-in-one adds that without much extra footprint. Confirm the printer’s physical dimensions before purchasing if counter space is a firm constraint.
For related reading, see best wireless printers for home offices and best label printers for small businesses. See how we rank office products at /methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Do all AirPrint printers work with every iPhone and iPad?+
AirPrint works with iPhone 4s or later, iPad 2 or later, and iPad mini running iOS 4.2 or later, as well as Mac computers running OS X Lion or later. Both the printer and your Apple device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Most printers released after 2018 include AirPrint support, but confirm in the product specifications before purchasing.
Is an inkjet or laser printer better for a compact AirPrint setup?+
Inkjet printers are generally more compact and less expensive upfront, making them better for light home printing. Laser printers produce sharper text, have lower per-page costs, and don't have ink dry-out issues from infrequent use. For mostly text documents and occasional color, a compact laser is often the better long-term value despite a higher purchase price.