All-in-one printers will let you scan and copy documents as well as print. They have more functions but can be bulkier. Inkjet printers are great all-rounders. They can handle text-heavy documents such as a student’s coursework or minutes from a meeting, but can also print photos – and do a better job of it than a laser printer. They’re quiet and take up less desk space than a laser. A feature called ‘duplex printing’ allows for automatic double-sided printing, potentially cutting your paper budget in half. However, laser printers are usually noisier than the equivalent inkjet printer and will take up more space on your desk. We test printers for every budget - from affordable inkjet models to business-ready laser printers. We assess their quality, speed and running costs, features and how easy they are to use.

Some A4-sized all-in-one printers can print great small photos, and are more versatile than a compact photo printer. What is an A3 printer? Every printer we review goes through rigorous lab testing, covering everything from print quality and speed, to upkeep costs and premium features. Ideal if you want to print large office documents, posters or photos to hang on your wall, but they cost more and take up more desk space than a standard A4 printer. Some have a strong photographic or design focus. Think about why you want to print pictures on the move. Do you want the absolute best image quality? Choose a dye-sublimation printer. Do you want the cheapest prints, regardless of quality? Go for a Zink printer. Do you want the coolest prints? You'll probably want an Instax-based printer. Printers can generally be split into two types, based on the ink technology they use: inkjet or laser. They're also referred to their features or the tasks they're best suited to (such as home office printers).Never used a mini printer before, and are you a little nervous about technology generally? Don't worry: the handy Kodak app for Android makes this printer a breeze to use.By making use of the Near Field Communication (NFC) capabilities of this printer you can enjoy printing in seconds: it’s compatible with both iOS and Android via the Bluetooth connection. On Android phones, you can fix this going to Settings, then Apps. Select the app and then go into Permissions to see and change your settings These printers operate wirelessly, using WiFi or Bluetooth technology –or, in the case of the Kiipix, using a mirror! What paper do these printers take? This depends on the printer. The Instax Link series uses actual instant film (the same as you put in Instax film cameras) to produce an authentic instant print. This is a definite stylistic choice, giving you a low-detail, low-fidelity, analog quality that can't be achieved on traditional printers, but comes at a cost –as instant film is pretty pricey.

Finally there are Zink printers that use zero-ink paper, embedded with color crystals, that offers the cheapest printing option –with often middling quality that's neither as good as a dye sub print, nor as intentionally lo-fi as an Instax print. Do portable printers need ink?We asked the biggest brands about their support policies, but unfortunately found that printers are not a product you can easily buy with support periods in mind. Only one gave us clear information, which fell far short of this lifetime measure This could also be used or sold on to other companies. We believe tech companies should only ever ask for permissions essential for their products' everyday use.

They’re usually expensive to buy but often work out cheaper over the life of the printer. Saving printer paper HP said it will supply updates for its printers for three years from launch. You can find out more with our guide to the best HP printers. You can buy straightforward inkjet or laser printers, but a device that scans and copies as well won’t cost you a lot more. Most have wi-fi connectivity so you can print from several PCs or laptops, not to mention tablets or smartphones. Some include a fax function, too. Inkjet printers tend to be more compact and cheaper upfront than other types, but may cost more to run. They're good for photos and colour prints. If you use an app to print, your printer manufacturer might know more about you than you'd like. For example, many brands ask for your location data. This is technically anonymous data, since it's not tied to your name or a user account, but could still contain data that could give away your identity, such as where you live or work.As such, the bulk of our testing is based on real-world use. What kind of batteries are used? Are they easily rechargeable or replaceable once depleted? Does it use instant film or printer paper, and what are the cost-quality implications? How good is the connection to your phone or other smart device? Is the printer simply portable, or is it actually practical to use while on the go? How to choose the best portable printers

The Instax Mini LiPlay is not marketed specifically as a portable printer, so this one may be easy to miss. Instead, it's one of a new breed of hybrid digital instant cameras that offer the functionality of an instant camera, a digital camera, and a portable printer in the same device. A3 printerscost more and take up a lot of space, but are perfect for printing very large posters or documents. No, these portable printers are designed to work with smart devices such as your phone –and, in the case of the Instax Mini LiPlay, to print directly from its integrated camera as well. Do I need a physical cable to connect to the printer? There’s no charging the Kiipix Portable Mini Printer, nor any need to plug it in. Simply load it with Instax Mini film, place your phone face down on the scanner (with the brightness cranked all the way up – trust us), use the reflective mirror to ensure it’s properly aligned, and then you can manually crank out the prints yourself.

Tank models tend to be more expensive to buy than a traditional inkjet model but tend to be extremely economical, costing just a few pounds a year to run. It uses Zink paper, which means you don't have to add ink, but on the downside this means the picture quality isn't the best," says Tom May in our review. "Still, if you just want to hand out mementos at a social event, it's still a good choice, and it would make a fun gift for kids too."