I’ve been there more times than I can count. Sitting in a hotel room miles from anywhere, a client on the phone urgently needing a signed, scanned, and returned contract. Or parked at a job site, needing to print revised blueprints directly from my laptop. The modern professional is no longer tethered to a desk, but our tools often are. This constant scramble to find a business center or a print shop is not just an inconvenience; it’s a bottleneck that can cost time, money, and opportunities. For years, the promise of a truly mobile office felt incomplete, always lacking that one crucial piece of hardware: a reliable, high-quality, all-in-one printer that could fit in a backpack and work without being tethered to a wall. The frustration is real, and the need for a solution is paramount for anyone who conducts business on the move.
- Main functions of this HP all-in-one portable printer: scan, copy, easy portable printing wherever you need it, wireless print from your laptop or mobile devices, 2.65" color touchscreen, auto...
- Mobile printing: print from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet with the free HP ePrint app, Android users can easily detect and connect to a nearby OfficeJet 250 and print using Wi-Fi Direct
What to Consider Before Buying a Portable Inkjet Printer
An Inkjet Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for bringing digital documents into the physical world, whether it’s a high-resolution photograph, a multi-page report, or a critical contract. In the context of a portable model, this solution becomes untethered, providing freedom and flexibility that stationary printers can’t offer. The main benefit is empowerment—the ability to print, scan, and copy from your car, a client’s office, or a remote location, ensuring you’re never caught unprepared. This capability transforms dead time into productive time and removes a major source of stress for mobile professionals.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily challenges of a mobile work life: real estate agents printing offers in their car, field service technicians needing to leave hard-copy reports, consultants finalizing presentations in a hotel, or even families in an RV who need to print travel documents or schoolwork. It’s for the person who values immediacy and self-sufficiency. Conversely, this might not be suitable for those who primarily work from a fixed home office and need high-volume, low-cost printing. For them, a larger, stationary model like an Epson EcoTank might be a more economical choice, as the premium paid for portability would be an unnecessary expense.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Portability is the main event. You must scrutinize the printer’s weight and physical footprint. Does it genuinely fit in your standard backpack or briefcase? At 6.51 pounds and just 3.6 inches high when closed, the HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer is designed specifically for this, but always measure your bag to be certain.
- Capacity/Performance: A portable printer must perform without major compromises. Look at print speed (PPM), print resolution (DPI), and especially battery life. How many pages can it print on a single charge? The inclusion of a 10-page Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for scanning and copying is a massive performance booster for a portable unit.
- Materials & Durability: A device designed to travel needs to withstand the bumps and scrapes of the road. Look for solid construction and high-quality plastics. The casing should feel robust, and the internal components should be well-protected when the unit is folded up for transport.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: On the go, you don’t have time for complicated setups or troubleshooting. Key features to look for are a clear touchscreen interface, simple ink cartridge replacement, and, most importantly, versatile wireless connectivity options like Wi-Fi Direct, which allows you to connect without a router.
Understanding these factors will ensure you choose a portable printer that not only meets your needs but becomes an indispensable part of your mobile toolkit.
While the HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Print, Copy, Scan: The PIXMA TS3720 is a true colour printer scanner copier all in one that is compact, versatile and easy-to-use with a 60 sheet rear tray that reduces the need to refill paper as...
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- FROM CANADA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm colour, 7.5 ppm black.
First Impressions: A Complete Office in a Compact Shell
Unboxing the HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer feels like opening a high-tech briefcase. It was packaged securely, and upon lifting it out, the first thing we noticed was its density. At 6.51 pounds, it has a reassuring heft that speaks to its build quality without being overly burdensome. The design is sleek and professional, with a matte black finish that resists fingerprints. When closed, it’s a tidy, rectangular block. Unfolding it is a satisfying, multi-step process: the top cover flips up to become the 10-page automatic document feeder, and a front panel folds down to reveal the paper output tray and control panel. The 2.65-inch color touchscreen immediately powers on, bright and responsive, guiding you through the initial setup. This initial experience is impressive; it feels less like a compromised portable device and more like a full-sized office machine cleverly engineered to fold into itself. It immediately sets a high bar for what a portable all-in-one can be.
What We Like
- Truly portable All-in-One (Print, Scan, Copy) functionality
- Excellent print quality for both documents and photos
- Versatile wireless connectivity, including Wi-Fi Direct
- Long-lasting, fast-charging battery for true cord-free operation
- Convenient 10-page Automatic Document Feeder
What We Didn’t Like
- High initial purchase price compared to stationary printers
- Widespread reports of defective batteries requiring replacement
- HP software setup can be cumbersome and confusing
Deep Dive: Performance of the HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer
A portable printer can look good on a spec sheet, but its true value is revealed in the field. Does it deliver on its promise of a go-anywhere office, or do the compromises of its small form factor create more problems than they solve? We put the HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer through its paces, focusing on the three pillars of its design: its portability and battery life, its all-in-one performance, and its wireless connectivity.
Unpacking the “Portable” in Portable Printer
The very essence of this device is its mobility. We found its design to be exceptionally clever. Measuring just 15 inches wide and 3.6 inches tall when closed, it slid easily into our standard laptop backpack alongside a 15-inch notebook. The weight is noticeable but manageable, feeling more like a hardcover textbook than a piece of office equipment. The durability is also apparent; the hard plastic shell feels like it can handle the rigors of daily travel. This aligns perfectly with feedback from users on the road, like truck drivers and RV owners, who praise its compact toughness after years of use.
However, the core of its portability is the rechargeable battery, and this is where we encountered a significant caveat. While our test unit’s battery performed admirably, charging fully from empty in about 90 minutes (when powered off, as specified) and lasting through a solid day of intermittent printing and scanning, the user feedback is impossible to ignore. A large number of customers have reported receiving printers with faulty batteries that either won’t hold a charge or are dead on arrival. One IT professional even tried three separate batteries to no avail. This points to a potential quality control issue from the manufacturer. Our advice is unequivocal: upon receiving your printer, the very first thing you should do is fully charge and test the battery. If it shows any signs of fault, you must address it immediately. When you get a good battery, it’s a game-changer, providing hours of untethered operation. One realtor noted they are still using the same original battery from 2016, which speaks to the potential longevity if you receive a functional unit. The ability to print a contract in a client’s driveway, completely free of cables, is precisely the freedom this machine promises and, with a good battery, delivers.
The All-in-One Powerhouse: Print, Scan, and Copy Performance
For its size, the performance packed into the HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer is nothing short of remarkable. Let’s start with printing. The quality is far better than we anticipated for a mobile unit. Text documents are crisp and sharp, with deep blacks that rival full-size desktop inkjets. HP claims speeds up to 20 ppm in black and white, but in our real-world testing (printing a mixed text-and-graphics document on battery power), we found it closer to 7-9 ppm, which is still impressively fast for a portable device. Color photo printing on 4×6 photo paper was also excellent, with vibrant colors and good detail, achieving the 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi resolution. One user confirmed our findings, stating, “despite its size, printer quality is not sacrificed a single ounce– the photos I have printed look just as good as photos that I have printed using a bigger, more expensive printer.”
The scanning and copying functions are what truly elevate this from a simple portable printer to a mobile office. The scanner is a sheet-fed mechanism located on top of the unit. This is a compromise compared to a flatbed scanner—you can’t scan thick books or objects—but for documents, it’s perfect. The 10-page Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is the standout feature here. We fed it a 7-page contract, and it scanned the entire document into a single PDF file effortlessly. This is a massive time-saver for anyone who needs to digitize multi-page documents in the field. We did note a user complaint about scans coming out slightly skewed, and in our tests, we could replicate this if the paper wasn’t loaded perfectly straight into the feeder. It requires a bit more care than a desktop scanner, but with a little practice, we achieved clean, straight scans every time. Copying is just as simple, using the ADF to quickly replicate a document stack at the touch of a button on the screen.
Seamless Connectivity or Wireless Woes?
A portable printer is only as good as its ability to connect to your devices easily. The HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer offers a robust suite of options. The initial setup was straightforward using the built-in color touchscreen. The on-screen videos for tasks like installing the HP 62 ink cartridges were genuinely helpful. We first connected it to our office Wi-Fi network, which was seamless. This allows for standard network printing from any device on that network and enables features like HP ePrint, where you can email a document directly to the printer’s unique email address for printing.
The real magic for mobile use, however, is Wi-Fi Direct. This feature allows the printer to broadcast its own Wi-Fi network, letting you connect your phone, tablet, or laptop directly to it without needing an external router or hotspot. We tested this in a park, far from any Wi-Fi signal, and were able to print a document from our smartphone in seconds. This is the ultimate mobile workflow. It does, as one user pointed out, mean you can’t use your phone’s hotspot for internet access at the same time you’re connected to the printer via Wi-Fi Direct, but it’s a minor limitation for a powerful feature. However, the setup isn’t without its quirks. We experienced the same issue reported by another user where Windows would discover multiple instances of the printer, making it confusing to select the correct one and sometimes leading to “printer offline” errors. A bit of troubleshooting (ensuring you select the “Network” version of the printer and not the “Direct” version when on a home network) resolved this, but it’s a software hiccup that less tech-savvy users might find frustrating.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, user sentiment for the HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer is a story of two extremes, largely hinging on one component: the battery. On one side, you have professionals who call it a “GREAT INVESTMENT” and “all around amazing.” A realtor who purchased the printer in 2016 and is still using it daily in 2025 for real estate contracts calls it “THE BEST! with absolutely NO regrets!” Another user who runs their office from a motorhome for four months a year praises its flawless performance, stating it has “printed, scanned and copied without fail.” These users received functional units and have fully embraced the freedom it provides.
On the other side of the coin is a significant and vocal group of users who were plagued by hardware issues right out of the box. The most common complaint by far is a defective battery. One user states, “I just got this portable printer not quite a week ago and the battery can’t hold a charger.” Another received a “broken one with a the battery labelled as faulty.” These issues are often compounded by what users describe as a “bad support system” from HP, making it difficult to get replacements. This stark contrast in experiences underscores the importance of thoroughly testing the device upon arrival.
How Does the HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer Compare to Alternatives?
The HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer occupies a very specific niche, and its value is best understood by comparing it to excellent printers that serve different purposes. While it’s a champion of portability, if your printing needs are primarily stationary, you can get more for your money elsewhere.
1. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless All-in-One Printer
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges (1) – that’s enough to print up to 4,500 pages black/7,500 colour (3)
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is built around one central idea: radically low running costs. Instead of cartridges, it uses large, refillable ink tanks that hold enough ink to print thousands of pages. This makes the cost-per-page incredibly low, making it an ideal choice for families, students, or home offices that print frequently. However, it is a traditional desktop printer. It has no battery and is not designed to be moved. If your primary concern is the long-term cost of ink and you do all your printing in one place, the ET-2800 is a far more economical choice than the HP OfficeJet 250.
2. Epson Ecotank Et-2850 Wireless Color All-in-one Supertank Printer
- Innovative cartridge-free printing high-capacity ink tanks mean no more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; epsons exclusive ecofit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
- Dramatic savings on replacement ink save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs ink cartridges (1) thats enough to print up to 7,500 pages black/6,000 color (2), equivalent to about 90 individual...
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 takes everything good about the ET-2800 and adds a key feature: automatic two-sided printing. This is a significant convenience and paper-saver for anyone printing multi-page documents. Like its sibling, it boasts the same Supertank system for ultra-low-cost ink refills. It also features a slightly larger color display and better overall print speeds. The choice between the ET-2850 and the HP OfficeJet 250 is again a clear one: choose the Epson for cost-effective, high-volume printing in a fixed location, and choose the HP for the unique ability to print, scan, and copy anywhere.
3. Epson Expression Premium Xp-7100 Wireless Color Photo All-in-One Printer
- Epson strongly recommends the use of genuine epson inks for a quality printing experience non epson inks and inks not formulated for your specific printer may cause damage that is not covered by the...
- This printer is designed for use with epson cartridges only, not third party cartridges or ink; cartridges described as compatible, re manufactured, refilled or refillable may not work properly or at...
The Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 is tailored for creative users and photo enthusiasts. It uses a five-color ink system (including a dedicated Photo Black) to produce lab-quality photos that surpass what a standard four-color inkjet can achieve. It also includes convenient features like a 30-page ADF, separate photo and paper trays, and the ability to print on CDs/DVDs. While it’s a versatile all-in-one, its main strength is photo output. If your primary need is printing high-fidelity photographs from a home office or studio, the XP-7100 is a superior choice. The HP OfficeJet 250 can print good photos, but its core mission is business document portability, not artistic photo reproduction.
Our Final Verdict: Is the HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer Worth It?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer is clear: for the right user, it is an unparalleled, game-changing tool. There is simply no other device on the market that packs this level of all-in-one functionality—high-quality printing, a multi-page ADF scanner, and copying—into such a compact, battery-powered form factor. For the mobile professional, the field agent, or the road warrior, the ability to operate a complete office from a backpack is not just a convenience; it’s a powerful competitive advantage. The print quality is excellent, the design is robust, and the wireless features like Wi-Fi Direct provide true operational freedom.
However, this recommendation comes with a significant warning about potential quality control, specifically concerning the battery. The number of users reporting faulty batteries out of the box is too high to ignore. If you decide this printer is for you, you must be prepared to test it thoroughly upon arrival and engage with support if needed. It’s a pricey investment, but it’s a purchase that buys you a unique and powerful capability. If you need a complete office that can go anywhere you do, the HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer is, despite its flaws, the undisputed king of the category and a highly recommended tool.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API