Smallest A4 laser printer

The modern market offers potential clients a wide range of office equipment and printers are no exception in this regard. Manufacturers, in order to surpass competitors, try to take into account all possible consumer requests, be it printing speed, cost, quality, functionality, or even the physical dimensions of the device. This article will talk about how and by what criteria you should choose a small printer.

Criteria for choosing a small printer

The very concept of “small” is quite loose, and small-sized devices often have limited functionality. If we are talking about purchasing a compact model that has the optimal number of functions for office or private use, then when choosing a printer you should rely on the following criteria:

1. Weight. Obviously, with small dimensions and the mass of the device should not be large. Often on market shelves you can find devices starting from four and a half kilograms.
2. Dimensions. The dimensions of the device directly depend on the format of the material with which it will work. Simplified models are considered the most compact, since it is easier for them to find a place in the room.
3. Print speed. This parameter is especially important for those who work with large volumes of documents every day.Thermal inkjet models are considered acceptable for such work, and their price is not as high as sublimation machines, which have a slightly faster printing speed.
4. Permission. Important for those who print a large number of photos or images. The best option is considered to be a model with a resolution of 4800 x 1200, however, the higher this parameter, the better the quality of the print.
5. Number of flowers. An equally important point for photo printing lovers. Simple inkjet printers have only three primary colors, while more advanced models and laser devices work with 5-6 colors. In this case, sublimation devices again come out ahead, since their technology allows for the greatest number of shades displayed on a printed product.
6. Options. These include, for example, the ability to control the device using a smartphone or laptop without a special cable. Many modern manufacturers equip their products with a control function via a Wi-Fi network.
7. Price. Of course, the ideal printer is compact, inexpensive and produces high-quality prints, but in most cases these three parameters are directly dependent on each other.

To the question of cost, it must be added that the gradation of cost from lower to higher for types of printers is approximately as follows: first comes inkjet, then color, and after that the most expensive type, sublimation printer. However, repairs and components for an inkjet printer are often much more expensive than for a laser printer, which provides (in the long term) opportunities for savings.

ATTENTION! The parameter of the cartridge capacity is very important, that is, the number of documents that it will be able to print from the moment it is fully refilled.The lower the cost of each individual printed document, the more profitable the purchase of the device.

Laser or inkjet: which printer is better for the home?

If the question arises about choosing between an inkjet or laser device, it is necessary to identify the main features and operational nuances of each type of printer.

The principle of operation of an inkjet device is simple: liquid ink in the form of drops is transferred onto paper in symbols. Experts distinguish only three types of inkjet printing:

1. Thermal jet. The ink heats up before it hits the paper and is absorbed into it faster. As a result: the image or text is clearer, and photographs printed in this way do not lose resolution. Most of those who are thinking about buying a compact printer for printing various materials at home opt for thermal inkjet models.
2. Piezoelectric. The operating principle of such devices is based on the use of an electrostatic field, through which ink droplets are attracted to the material. The sizes of such drops are adjustable, which means that you can adjust the contrast and clarity of the resulting images.
3. Bubble. In this case, the paint is transferred to the paper using microscopic air bubbles. The technology is accessible and simple, which determines the wide range of models on the market with this type of printing.

INWARNING! Piezoelectric printers are great for professional printing, but their market price is quite high, so for small offices that work mainly with printed documents, printers with bubble or thermal inkjet printing are more suitable.

As for laser devices, it is their models that often have the smallest dimensions. The printing principle of such devices is based on transferring ink from a drum to paper and then fixing it under the influence of heat. The print quality most often does not cause any complaints, and in addition, such printers are quite easy to operate.

The best models of compact A4 laser printers

1. HP LaserJet Pro P1102w. This one can rightfully be considered one of the truly compact laser-type devices, because its dimensions are only 35x19.6x23.8 centimeters. The remote device also complements its small dimensions with a fairly high printing speed, as well as the ability to control it from a laptop or phone, which will eliminate unnecessary wires.
2. Brother HL-1112R. An excellent device with a low cost (about $85). It supports a print resolution of 2400x600, and prints quite economically, although it has a shorter cartridge life than the previous model.
3. Canon Selphy CP910. Having paid about $115 for this model, the user receives a device for A6 format that is quite acceptable in terms of print quality. Suitable for printing only with special photo paper.

These are the features of choosing a compact printer.