Overview and inkjets #1-5
This article was recently updated.
In choosing the best printer for you, your first decision should be whether to go for a standard printer, or a multi-function device that includes a scanner and that can also work as a standalone copier.
These aren't much larger than regular printers, but they're a whole lot more versatile, especially when you need to keep a copy of a letter, a bill or any other important document, so our first list includes the best inkjet printers and best multi-function devices.
You should also think carefully about whether to invest in an inkjet or a laser. Lasers are usually associated with office environments, where they produce sharp, smudge-free printouts quickly, quietly and economically, but this can be just as useful at home or in a home office.
And don't imagine that mono laser printers are the only option – color laser printers are now very affordable, and you can even get get multi-function laser printers, too. So we've also come up with a list of the best laser printers, and not just for office users with budgets to burn, but home users looking for value, quality, compactness and ease of use.
Inkjet printersEpson Workforce WF-100 ($349)
The Epson WorkForce WF-100 is perfect for the user who travels, or even for the space-conscious or low-printing consumer. The built-in WiFi makes it easy to print on multiple devices and the built-in rechargeable battery is very impressive. The WF-100 weighs 3.5lbs (1.59 Kg) and the dimensions are 12.2" x 9.1" x 8.5" (30.99 cm x 23.11 cm x 21.59 cm) in the printing state and 12.2" x 6.1" x 2.4" (30.99 cm x 15.49 cm x 6.1 cm) in its storage setting.
When using the AC Adapter, the WF-100 can print B&W at 6.7 ISO ppm and Color at 3.8 ISO ppm. When using battery power, the WF-100 is prints B&W at 3.5 ISO ppm and Color at 2.0 ISO ppm.
Read our Epson Workforce WF-100 review
Canon Maxify MB5320
The MB5320 is a wireless inkjet all-in-one printer that is available in the US only for $399.99. It comes with a stacked feature set and robust paper handling that should limit paper jams and spills. The price is a bit steep for the target market (small businesses), and users looking to get high-quality graphic and photo creation, might be disappointed by the quality.
However, the Canon MB5320 would be a sound addition to any small or home office looking for an efficient printer that can handle large volumes of paper without a ton of maintenance.
Read our Canon Maxify MB5320 review
Canon Pixma MG7520 – ($199)
The Canon Pixma MG7520 is a steal for photography enthusiasts who don't need to print large documents or in high-volume. This 17.4 pound printer is only 17.2" wide and 5.9" tall, so it isn't exactly compact, but it is pound-for-pound a solid device. The prints it produces are exact replicas to their digital files. You'll spend hours printing photos and loving every minute of it.
Canon says the MG7520 can print documents and web pages at 15 images per minute for black ink and 10 images per minute for color ink. However, it took us 18 seconds to print one full-color print on plain Letter paper. It took nine seconds to print the same image in black & white on Letter.
When we loaded the tasks to print 20 copies, we were able to print the image in black & white 14 times in one minute on Letter-sized pages, but it took 85 seconds for the image to print once in 300 dpi on Canon Semi-Gloss photo paper. Don't worry though, the print quality warrants the moderate pace.
Read our Canon Pixma MG7520 review
Brother MFC-J4620DW – ($280)
Brother has packed a lot of features into this device, and it has also managed to keep the price low. Ink prices aren't too frightening if you go for the high capacity cartridges, and like Brother's other inkjets it can perform at very high speeds if you're not too bothered about print quality, or produce high quality output if you're willing to be patient.
Read our Brother MFC-J4620DW review
Epson's WorkForce Pro WF-4630 ($200)
There's a lot to love about this multifunction printer – it superbly handles office print jobs, and print quality rivals those of color laser printers. The automatic document feeder can handle double-sided scans and copies, and a specialty rear paper tray offers added convenience to the front-loading 250-sheet tray.
Epson Connect is a useful feature for remote printing and scanning when you're off of the office Wi-Fi network, and the touchscreen offers intuitive menus and control. Even though the presence of a physical dial pad for the fax machine makes the machine seem dated compared to HP's all-touch controls, the WF-3630 has hardware buttons to quickly make color and black-and-white copies without having to dig into the touchscreen menus.
Unless your office requires heavy photo print jobs, the WF-4630 is an excellent choice. It's versatile enough to handle office documents with fast print speeds that rival laser printers, and you won't be disappointed with the results either.
Read our Epson WF-4630 review
Laser printersLaser printersSharp MX-C301W – (Price depends on configuration)
This compact unit is a great, multi-purpose device for small-to-medium-sized enterprise use. With a straightforward out of the box set up, quick and easy color printing, speedy scanning, and standard copying features, the Sharp MX-C301W is a competitive addition to the enterprise market.
It might be a little too much to handle for the home office user, but if you're interested in bulk printing and speed, this is a safe bet.
Read our Sharp MX-C301W review
HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M553X ($1,315)
This is a big printer for small businesses with big ideas – it's great for producing striking marketing materials, brochures and other colorful documents without making the finance director cry. It isn't cheap, but its support for all kinds of wired and wireless printing, its cavernous paper trays and low running costs make the 553X an investment you're unlikely to regret. Just don't drop it on your foot.
Read our HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M553X review
Samsung Multifunction Xpress C460FW – ($470)
If you're after a high-quality text printer that can do the odd image too, the Samsung Multifunction Xpress C460FW won't disappoint, but its photo printing lets it down. There's a lot to like about this low-cost all-in-one laser printer, but we don't think it will be the model to crack the home market.
Read our Samsung C460FW review
Brother HL-L9200CDWT – ($700)
The HL-L92000CDWT is a capable, affordable option for everyday home of heavy office use. It's wireless functionality, including AirPrint and Cloud Print, and high capacity toners make for excellent performance no matter how and what you're printing. Unfortunately, it's a giant beast of a machine, so make sure you have the room for it before you make a purchase.
Read our HL-L9200CDWT review
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Original source: Updated: Best printer: our recommendations for inkjets and lasers.
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