Thanks to hybrid working schedules, it’s likely that you have a home office set-up of some sort — and a part of that set-up should include a printer. Students also need a printer to print out those essays, notes, and other assignments. If you don’t have one or are looking to upgrade, you’ve come to the right place.
When it comes to printers you can utilize in your home, it’s best to stick to inkjet, photo, or laser printers. Any of these three printer types are great for work, school, crafts, or general household operations like printing out recipes or to-do lists.
Also: The best cheap printers (starting at $105)
ZDNET spoke to printer-using professionals across a variety of fields about their thoughts on the best printers based on their own experiences with them. Our top pick for most people is the Epson Ecotank ET-3760 printer for its long-lasting ink bottles, smartphone and tablet printing, and waste efficiency, but I also included photo printers and laser printers to give you plenty of options for your printing needs. Read on for our top picks.
Pros
- Long-lasting ink bottles
- Zero cartridge waste
- Smartphone and tablet printing
Cons
- Installer software can be difficult
Epson EcoTank ET-3760 features: Functions: Scan, copy, and print two-sided | PPM rate: 8 ppm (color), 15 ppm (monochrome) | Connectivity: Wi-Fi
The Ecotank printer comes with ink tanks that can be refilled from bottled ink. Epson estimates that one set of ink bottles provides the equivalent of about 80 cartridges. If you print often, especially in color, this cartridge-free approach can save you a lot of money.
The Ecotank’s print speed is 15 pages per minute for black and white, and eight pages per minute for color. Additionally, this unit includes Wi-Fi direct so you can print without connecting to a router. A big advantage is that it includes enough ink to print 7,500 pages in black and 6,000 in color, which may justify the printer’s upfront cost.
Also: The best inkjet printers
In addition, it has an auto-document feeder, two-sided printing, and activation compatibility for even more productivity.
“I found this printer to be reliable and capable of producing vibrant and detailed prints,” Peter Michaels, the CEO of parental monitoring app Yeespy, told ZDNET. Michaels reports that he uses the printer for both business and personal use, and also noted that the printer’s refillable ink tank reduced his need to go out for frequent ink replacements.
Pros
- Mobile printing with HD smart app
- Ink delivery to your home
- Copy and scan
Cons
- Not touchscreen
- Low paper capacity
HP DeskJet 3755 features: Functions: Scan, print, copy | PPM rate: 5.5 ppm (color), 8 ppm (monochrome) | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, smart assistant compatible
While the standout feature of this printer is its price, it’s worth noting that you’ll never have to run to the store when you run out of ink again. This printer already includes two full cartridges in the box, and with the HP Instant Ink subscription, you can get your first four months free. After the trial period, you’ll pay less than $1 per month, with shipping and ink cartridge recycling included.
This Deskjet 3755 printer is cloud-enabled and connects via Wi-Fi. It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa, allowing for voice controls. You can scan documents directly to Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud. It can print from 3.5 inches all the way up to 8.5 x 14 inches, and it can even handle envelopes.
Also: The best cheap 3D printers under $300
Drew Romero, of software consulting company Tkxel, has hands-on experience with the DeskJet. “I would recommend it for its compact size, wireless capabilities, and decent printing quality,” Romero told ZDNET. “It’s suitable for individuals with limited space or those who need a printer for basic printing needs.”
Plus, it features a 60-sheet paper tray and can print eight pages per minute in black and 5.5 pages per minute in color.
Pros
- Under $100
- Lightweight
- Fast scanner
Cons
- Two-sided printing could be higher quality and faster
Canon Pixma MG3620 features: Functions: Scan, print, copy, two-sided printing | PPM Rate: 5.7 ppm (color), 9.9 ppm (monochrome) | Connectivity: Wi-Fi
If you’re looking for a quality printer for less than $100, this is the one. You can print from your Android or iOS device, as well as your computer, via Wi-Fi. Additionally, you can quickly scan and copy documents.
The Canon Pixma can print at a speed of 9.9 pages per minute for black and white and 5.7 pages per minute for color. It also has a larger 100-sheet paper tray.
Also: This Anker 3D printer blew me away with how fast and easy it is to use
“As the CEO of a portable housing company, I have to visit locations of properties often. The Canon Pixma MG3620 has become a reliable companion during my location surveying trips,” says Michael Doubinski, CEO at PennyGranny, who uses this printer often.
“I can take pictures from my tablet or iPhone, and it delivers the printouts conveniently. The print results are always exceptional and the photos I get are crisp and clear,” he told ZDNET.
Additionally, the printer’s wireless setup is seamless and easy, allowing you to start printing quickly.
Pros
- Wide color gamut, separate matte black and photo black inkwells
- 1.28-inch print nozzle head for an increased printing surface
- A plugin, print studio for last-minute enhancements
Canon Imageprograf Pro-1000 features: Functions: Print photos | PPM Rate: 1ppm | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
The Canon Imageprograf Pro-1000 printer is for those looking to maximize the quality of their images in hard copy. The 17-inch wide-format printer comes with an 11-color setup, the Chroma Optimizer ink system, air feed, and nozzle monitor to improve the print speed and hardware performance.
Also: The best photo printers
At $900, it’s obviously an expensive printer, but it prints high-quality photos. So if you’re a professional or photographer, this is the photo printer to get.
Pros
- Portable and lightweight
- Print photos from camera roll
- Add filters and frames to photos
Cons
- Small photos
- Pricey film
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link features: Functions: Print photos | PPM rate: 12-second printing | Connectivity: Bluetooth
This portable printer is more for fun than anything else. It spits out snapshot-sized prints, similar to the size of old-fashioned Polaroid photos. You can add fun filters and frames to your photos, and you can even print photos from videos, making it a fun option to bring to parties or on vacation.
“Call me old-fashioned, but I am still a huge fan and believer in real printed photographs, photographs of my favorite moments that decorate my office, bedroom, my home,” Cath Brands, Chief Marketing Officer at Flintfox, told ZDNET. Brands added that the Fujifilm Instax Mini has become a favorite gadget.
“This unique printer is so simple and easy to use, and I love the idea of printing out pictures straight from my phone using a simple app,” she said.
It takes about 12 seconds for a photo to print, and then 90 seconds for it to fully dry. Approximately 100 photos can be printed continuously when fully charged.
Pros
- 4 x 6 photo size
- Great photo quality
- Border and borderless printing
Cons
- Paper and ink replacements add up
Kodak Dock Premium features: Functions: Print photos | PPM Rate: 1 ppm | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB
If you’re looking for a mobile printing solution to produce hard image copies on the go, the Kodak Dock Premium instant photo printer is the best portable option. This mobile printer connects to your Android or iOS mobile device via Bluetooth and is able to print color images at a 4 x 6 ratio, which is arguably one of the most popular image sizes for displaying photos.
This photo printer is for those looking to print photos at a reasonable size with reasonable quality, rather than for professionals or on-the-go fun.
Pros
- Great ppm rate
- Voice-assistant compatible
- Decently priced
Brother HL-L2350DW features: Functions: Print | PPM Rate: 32 ppm | Connectivity: Amazon Alexa compatible, Wi-Fi, and USB
This is a monochrome laser printer. That’s it — no faxing, copying, or any of that fancy stuff. It just prints lots of pages quickly and efficiently. The printer itself is relatively compact, offers a 250-sheet paper capacity, and a print speed of 32 pages per minute.
Also: The best laser printers
This powerful little printer can connect via USB or Wi-Fi, and you can even print directly from your smartphone. It’s also reasonably priced at $150 on Amazon.
Pros
- Compact
- Fast
- Easy to set up
Cons
- No Wi-Fi connection
- Doesn’t copy or scan
Brother HL-L2300D features: Functions: Print, automatic two-sided printing | PPM Rate: 27 ppm | Connectivity: Amazon Alexa compatible, USB
This printer is an inexpensive workhorse. If you need to print a lot of black and white pages for a reasonable price, this is the printer for you. The Brother printer costs roughly $120 and offers duplex printing at 27 pages per minute. With a 250-sheet paper tray, it’s a capable device.
However, it only connects via USB 2.0 — no Wi-Fi, AirPrint, or Google Cloud Print, not even Ethernet. You just need to plug in a USB cable from your computer to the printer and print away.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Simple to use
Cons
- Resolution isn’t the best
- Wi-Fi connection issues
HP Laserjet M110w features: Functions: Print, scan, copy | PPM Rate: 21 ppm | Connectivity: USB, HP Smart app
Most laser printers are pretty large, but if your home office is a smaller space, this printer is only 7.45 x 13.63 x 6.26 inches, meaning it can fit comfortably on your desk.
Review: HP Laserjet Pro MFP
It connects over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB, and can print up to 21 ppm. This printer utilizes the HP Smart App so you can print, scan and copy from your phone — from anywhere.
The best inkjet printer is the Epson Ecotank ET-2760 Wireless Color All-in-One, the best photo printer is the Canon Imageprograf Pro-1000, and the best laser printer is the Brother HL-L2350DW.
|
Printer |
Price |
Speed (pages per minute for monochrome) |
Type |
|
Epson Ecotank ET-2760 |
$397 |
15 ppm |
Inkjet |
|
HP Deskjet 3755 |
$105 |
8 ppm |
Inkjet |
|
Canon Pixma MG3620 |
$80 |
9.9 ppm |
Inkjet |
|
Canon Imageprograf Pro-1000 |
$900 |
1ppm |
Photo |
|
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Smartphone Printer |
$99 |
12-second printing |
Photo |
|
Kodak Dock Premium |
$149 |
1 ppm |
Photo |
|
Brother HL-L2350DW |
$150 |
32 ppm |
Laser |
|
Brother HL-L2300D |
$120 |
27 ppm |
Laser |
|
HP Laserjet M110w |
$169 |
21 ppm |
Laser |
While each of these printers is a great pick for your home office, it ultimately depends if you want an inkjet, photo, or laser printer. Plus, is speed or printer size more important to you? Consider how you’ll use the printer and how much you’re willing to spend, too.
|
Choose this printer… |
If you want… |
|
Epson Ecotank ET-2760 |
The best overall option that will save you money on ink cartridges. One set of the included ink bottles provides the equivalent of about 80 cartridges. |
|
HP Deskjet 3755 |
An all-in-one inkjet printer that has an ink cartridge subscription so you never run out. It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa, allowing for voice controls. |
|
Canon Pixma MG3620 |
A budget-friendly inkjet printer under $100 that prints fast. The Canon Pixma can print at a speed of 9.9 pages per minute for black and white and 5.7 pages per minute for color. |
|
Canon Imageprograf Pro-1000 |
A photo printer for professionals for high-quality photos. It comes with an 11-color setup and the Chroma Optimizer ink system. |
|
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link |
A mini photo printer that’s portable and fun. You can even add fun filters and frames to your photos before printing. |
|
Kodak Dock Premium |
A printer that can print 4 x 6 photos and works with phones and tablets. This mobile printer connects to your Android or iOS mobile device via Bluetooth. |
|
Brother HL-L2350DW |
The best laser printer you can buy that prints at 32 ppm. It offers a 250-sheet paper capacity, and a print speed of 32 pages per minute. |
|
Brother HL-L2300D |
A laser printer with solid features at a low price of $120. It’s easy to set up and has automatic two-sided printing. |
|
HP Laserjet M110w |
A compact and wireless laser printer for small home office spaces. This printer utilizes the HP Smart App so you can print, scan and copy from your phone. |
We chose these printers through a combination of extensive research and testing the products ourselves. We also spoke to several professionals who use and recommend our top picks. In addition, we paid attention to customer reviews and ratings, pricing, renowned brands, and different features each printer has. It also came down to the following factors:
Printer type: You may need a different printer based on your home or office needs, so we included three types of printers: inkjet, photo, and laser. These are the main types of printers on the market today.
PPM: Pages per minute or PPM is an important factor to determine a printer’s overall speed. The numbers will vary based on color or black-and-white ink, as well as the printer type. For example, laser printers are able to print much faster than inkjet ones.
Price: Printers vary in price range from affordable to expensive, so we considered different price points for different needs. The most expensive printer on this list is $849, but I also included one for $80.
An inkjet printer is simply a printer that uses ink to print documents. However, these devices have come a long way from the frustrating days when you ran out of ink. Now, inkjet printers have zero-waste cartridges, connection to Wi-Fi and cloud services, and the ability to print directly from your smartphone.
Photo printers offer a wide variety of formats along with some unexpected gimmicks. Interestingly, two of our top photo printers are from the old school film brands: Fujifilm and Kodak.
I’ve included smaller photo printers that are for more casual and fun printing, as well as one high-quality option for those photos that you want to frame and remember.
The main difference between inkjet printers and laser printers is that inkjet printers use ink to print while laser printers use, you guessed it, lasers. Laser printers are best for handling heavy volumes of text-based documents since they print at faster speeds, and they are also more economical and eco-friendly, since you won’t have to worry about buying cartridges and the proper ways to dispose of them.
When buying a printer, you’ll want to pay attention to various things, including type (inkjet, photo, laser, etc.), speed (pages per minute), capacity, compatibility, paper handling, energy efficiency, and price, to name a few.
Jordi Hilpert, a review writer for 10printers, pointed to a few key considerations to keep in mind when buying a printer, with your needs coming first. “Determine the purpose of the printer and the volume of printing you expect to do,” Hilpert told ZDNET. “This will help you choose between a personal printer, office printer, or specialized printer like a photo printer.”
Aside from the type, take into consideration additional costs, such as monthly subscriptions or apps as well as ink cartridges.
Most images are in JPEG format, and this is the best-compressed image format for photo printing, especially when printing photographs and artwork. TIFF and PDF formats are also excellent for photo printing.
The average lifespan of a printer is three to five years, but that also depends on the printer type. For example, laser printers will usually last longer than inkjet printers.
If you do not use your printer often, be sure to turn it on once every two weeks to prevent the nozzles from clogging. If you leave a printer off and unused for too long, it is more likely to malfunction.
There are plenty more printers on the market aside from the ones listed above. Here are a few other options to look into for your home office from trusted brands.
Best fast inkjet alternative
HP Officejet Pro 8025e Wireless Color All-in-One Printer
This printer is one of the fastest inkjet printers at 20 ppm for black and white and 10 ppm for color.
Best alternative for water-resistant photos
Canon Selphy CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer
If you want photos that last, this printer from Canon prints water-resistant 4 x 6 photos thanks to its Dye-Sub Technology.
Best affordable laser alternative
Pantum P2502W Wireless Laser Printer
At just $99, this laser printer is super cheap, but it also prints 22 pages per minute and comes with a 700-page starter cartridge.
Best budget alternative
Brother MFC-J1010DW Wireless Color Inkjet
This printer can print, copy, scan, and fax, all in one device. It’s under $100 so the perfect budget option for your home office.