Canon Pixma iP100

Bottom Line

The Canon Pixma iP100 receives solid reviews as a portable inkjet printer. Critics say that although the price is high and some have issues with the paper feed, you'll get good-quality, speedy prints from a machine that's light enough to tote around.

Performance

Quality prints on the go. If you're looking for an on-the-go printer, the Canon Pixma iP100 is a solid choice, reviewers say. It's quick, its paper tray can hold 50 sheets, and some experts find that print quality is similar to what full-size printers in this price range produce. "Despite its diminutive size…it can go pretty much toe to toe with desktop inkjets for speed and output quality," PCMag.com reports.

Text, graphics and photo quality aren't perfect, especially black-and-white images and while in default mode, but are quite solid considering this isn't a desktop inkjet. A professional reviewer at U.K.-based TrustedReviews.com tests color prints and reports, "Overall, photo prints from this portable printer are well up to the standard of its desktop companions." Some Amazon.com users say the paper feed doesn't work from the outset, or stops working over time.

Features and Design

Lightweight and portable. Not only is the Canon Pixma iP100 light at just more than 5 pounds with the 100/240-volt adapter and power cord, but it includes options such as Bluetooth interface, a rechargeable battery and a car adapter, making it one of the more portable printers out there. In comparison, the well-regarded but now-discontinued Pixma iP4920 weighs 16 pounds and is much bulkier.

Some reviewers complain that add-ons like the cable and battery that must be purchased separately make the iP100 too costly. While the printer doesn't have memory-card slots or Wi-Fi connectivity, you can hook up via USB and print directly from a camera via PictBridge or connect via infrared from a cellphone.

Durability

Holding its own. As a portable printer, the Canon Pixma iP100 can't compete with the solid construction of a desktop inkjet, but many users say it holds up just fine. After more than two years of use, the printer continues to perform "flawlessly," says an Amazon.com customer. "We take it everywhere. It goes in the bag wherever we go on vacation, or on business, and has never missed a beat," he adds.

If you plan to tote the iP100 around, however, the same reviewer recommends purchasing a case to protect the printer. Other owners report at Amazon.com that the paper feed jams regularly; for some the problem began immediately, while for others it occurred after a year. Another says the printer continues to work well after 15 months of use, but he had trouble connecting via Bluetooth when he switched to Mac.