When given the unenviable task of getting a quality home printer, it isn’t as simple as picking the cheapest option off the shelf. Nowadays, you have to sift through dozens of nifty features and trusted brands to find a model that matches your personal printing needs. To point you in the right direction, we’ve narrowed down a few of the best home printers. First, let’s start with the difference between inkjet printers and laser printers.
Inkjet vs Laser
When trying to find the best home printers, the first thing you should think about is whether to go laser or inkjet. Often, the choice boils down to how you plan to use the equipment.
If you’re printing needs lean more toward high volume and speed, a laser printer will suit you best.
Many laser all-in-ones are capable of producing 10,000 pages a month and do so at unparalleled speeds. Plus, the quality of the text output of a laser machine can’t be beaten. However, laser printers can be quite pricey, especially when you’re after models that can produce colored prints. In fact, you’ll have difficulty getting a colored laser printer for less than $120.
Inkjet printers are recommended for those of us who are mostly printing photographs and images.
They’re heavily favored to perform such a job since their print quality is superior to what you typically get from their laser counterparts. Plus, colored models come at reasonable prices, with some going as low as $30. Even the cheapest inkjet machines can produce a decent image quality. Remember, though, that constant colored printing could easily deplete an inkjet’s usually expensive ink cartridge.
Top Inkjet Printers
Epson EcoTank ET-2500 ($280)
When you’re cutting cost with your prints, you simply can’t ignore the Ecotank ET-2500. It may not be the fastest printer around, but it will suit the needs of most home users. In fact, its overall print quality is pretty good—excellent colors, photo output, and smooth text that match a laser printer’s quality. However, its low cost of operation is what makes Epson’s model stand out. Instead of replacing ink cartridges, the Ecotank design simply refills its ink reservoir with enough ink to last months of frequent use.
Canon MG7720 Wireless All-In-One Printer ($98)
Great-looking prints and easy connectivity with all of your devices. That’s what you’re getting with the Canon MG7720. Whether you need to scan, print labels, make copies, or print from the cloud, this photo printer delivers superior output. You’ll also like its smart and roomy touchscreen, which makes it possible to set up the equipment with ease.
Brother Wireless All-in-one Inkjet Printer ($130)
The MFC-J5520DW model Brother printer was designed with a small office in mind. However, it works nicely for normal households that do a lot of printing. It easily connects to cameras and storage devices, does mobile printing, and comes with no-fuss ink cartridges. It’s a wise investment for its fast document printing and high-quality output. All in all, it’s easy to see why this might be one of the best home printers on the market.
Best Laser Printers
Samsung Xpress Wireless Monochrome Printer ($80)
With its single-button wireless setup, getting this laser printer ready is a breeze. Overall a good mono laser printer, the Samsung Xpress produces superb graphics and text, including photographs. Plus, it’s versatile with an NFC connection that makes wireless printing possible. Its running costs aren’t too high either.
HP Laserjet Pro Wireless Color Printer ($200)
Aside from its smart looks, the HP LaserJet Pro impresses with its fast-paced printing capacity and excellent duplex prints. It’s capable of wireless printing when paired with iOS and Android devices, too. It can also print via USB and Ethernet connections, which makes it even more versatile. Anybody looking for a fast and economical colored laser printer for personal and light-duty shared use should include this machine in their shortlist.
Canon Image Class All In One Laser Printer ($137)
Among the cheapest on this list, this 4-in-1 printer surprisingly doesn’t skimp on performance as logic would suggest. While it does have a curious lack of physical buttons, it makes up for this with some of the fastest print and scan times you’ll ever see on a laser printer. Plus, the detailed graphics and sharp text produced by the Canon ImageClass is nothing short of remarkable.
Because there are so many great models and features to choose from, coming up with a definitive list of the best home printers can be quite the challenge. Nevertheless, the reputed inkjet and laser printers we’ve listed here should make your search for a suitable machine far easier than you initially thought.
