The Best RV Printers for Life and Work on the Road

Most people don’t think about printers when packing up the RV. It’s one of those “how often could I really need it?” things—until you’re trying to sign a contract, print a return label, or send in some kid’s school form from a gravel parking lot.

Digital is great. But the real world still runs on paper more often than we’d like to admit. (Something I still don’t fully understand.)

Whether you’re working full-time from your rig, homeschooling, or just want to be able to print a page without driving to a library, having a reliable printer on hand can save you time and frustration. Here’s a look at three types of printers that actually make sense for RV life—based on what you need, how much space you’ve got, and whether you want to deal with ink.

Thermal Printers: Simple, Ink-Free, and Surprisingly Useful

If you mostly print black-and-white documents, shipping labels, or PDFs, a thermal printer might be all you need. These don’t use ink—just thermal paper—which makes them lighter, cheaper to maintain, and way less messy. Most connect over Bluetooth or USB and work with your phone or laptop.

They won’t do color, photos, or scanning—but if all you need is a quick page or label every now and then, they’re hard to beat.

Two thermal printers to check out:

• Brother PocketJet 773 – One of the only true full-page thermal printers from a major brand. It’s ultra-compact, ink-free, and built for mobile professionals. Prints black-and-white documents on standard 8.5 x 11″ thermal paper. If you’re serious about RV work life and want reliability without the mess, this is the one to beat. Also, it’s ridiculously portable.
• Brother QL-1110NWB – Larger-format label printer for 4-inch-wide labels. Great if you want flexibility in label size or run a small e-commerce operation from the road.

If you’re looking for a full-page thermal printer from a brand you recognize, Brother is pretty much the only game in town. Most others you’ll see (Phomemo, Munbyn) get the job done, but they’re off-brand and hit-or-miss on long-term reliability.

All-in-One Printers: For Remote Work, School, or Paperwork

If you need to scan documents, make copies, or sign and email forms, you’ll want a printer that does more than just print. These models are still fairly compact but come with full functionality—print, scan, and copy. Some even fax, though I can’t say that’s ever come up in RV life.

They do use ink, so you’ll want to keep spare cartridges on hand, especially if you’re headed somewhere remote. But if you’re working full-time from the road or handling regular paperwork, the flexibility is worth it.

Three all-in-one printers we like:

• HP OfficeJet 250 All-in-One – Probably the most RV-friendly all-in-one printer out there. It prints, scans, and copies, has a 2.6-inch touchscreen, and connects via Wi-Fi, USB, or Wi-Fi Direct. It runs on a rechargeable battery and weighs just under 7 pounds with it installed—so it’s easy to stash and bring out when needed. You’ll get around 225 pages per battery charge, and the ink costs are reasonable (especially if you go with the high-yield cartridges). It even works with Alexa.
• Epson WorkForce WF-110 – Small, lightweight, and fully wireless. It prints and scans via the Epson Smart Panel app. It’s not quite as powerful as the HP, but it handles basic documents and scans just fine if you want something more compact.
• Canon PIXMA TR4720 – Not battery-powered like the others, but a solid all-in-one with auto document feeder (ADF), wireless connectivity, and strong print quality for documents and forms. A good option if you’re more stationary or plug in frequently.

Super Compact Printers: Just the Essentials

Not everyone needs scanning, and maybe even ink feels like overkill. If you just want something tiny that prints when needed and otherwise stays out of sight, there are ultra-compact options that keep it simple. These aren’t built for high volume or photo-quality results, but they’re small, capable, and save you from emergency print runs to town.

Three compact printers we like:

• Canon PIXMA TR160 – This is one of the best compact inkjet printers on the market. It prints full-size documents and photos up to 8.5” x 11”, with sharp color thanks to a 5-color hybrid ink system. It connects wirelessly, works even without a router, and has a 1.44″ OLED screen for checking ink and status. Add the optional battery and it’s perfect for off-grid setups. You can also grab the optional Canon travel case to keep it protected.
• HP Tango X – Super sleek, lightweight, and designed for mobile users. It doesn’t scan or copy, but it’s fully wireless, works with Alexa or Google Assistant, and fits easily in small spaces. Great if you mostly print documents or photos and want something stylish that blends in.
• HP OfficeJet 200 Mobile Printer – A compact, full-color inkjet printer that’s great for basic document needs. Wireless, optional battery-powered, and easy to stash in a drawer or cabinet. If you want a solid printer that just prints—this is it.

Just for Fun: Mini Photo Printers for RV Life

These aren’t for work—but they’re nice to have. If you keep a travel journal, like decorating your space with printed memories, or want to send real photos to friends and family, a compact photo printer makes it easy. They connect via Bluetooth, use special paper (no ink required), and take up almost no space. If you like capturing and sharing real moments on the road, they’re worth a look.

A few to check out:

• Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer – Prints 2×3” sticky-back photos from your phone. Compact, no ink needed, and great for journals or memory boards.
• Kodak Step Wireless Printer – Similar size and function to the Canon IVY, with a slightly tougher exterior and a user-friendly app.
• Canon SELPHY CP1500 – Bigger than the others but prints beautiful 4×6” photos. More of a “home base” photo printer, but still compact enough for RV travel.

What If You Just Print Once in a While?

Honestly, if you only need to print once every month or two, you might not need to bring a printer at all. There are ways to get things printed without carrying your own setup.

Plenty of libraries offer printing for cheap—usually under 25 cents a page. FedEx Office, Staples, UPS Stores, and even some campgrounds or RV parks will let you print or scan if you ask nicely. (Also, hotel lobbies.) We’ve emailed things to campground managers before and they’ve printed them for us at the front desk.

The downside, of course, is timing. If you’re boondocking or in a remote spot, driving into town for a single sheet of paper can eat up half a day. And if you’re trying to hit a deadline or deal with a surprise task, it’s just one more stressor you don’t need.

So if your printing needs are truly rare, you can probably get by without one. But if you’re working remotely or constantly dealing with paperwork, having your own setup is still worth it.

Do You Really Need a Printer for Full-Time RV Living?

You don’t need a printer—until you suddenly really, really do. And if that moment hits while you’re boondocking, three hours from town, or trying to send in a form before a deadline… yeah. You’ll wish you had one.

For occasional prints, a compact or thermal RV printer does the trick. If you’re working remotely or homeschooling, you’ll want an all-in-one setup that scans too. Either way, having a reliable RV printer setup gives you peace of mind—and one less thing to track down on the road.

And if you don’t? Just make sure you know where the nearest library or Dollar General is.

Heads up: This post includes a few affiliate links. If you click and buy, I may earn a small commission (we’re talking towel-money, not yacht-money). It doesn’t cost you anything extra—and I only recommend products we actually use in our RV.

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