Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
There is no single best printer for every home or office: the right choice depends on how often you print, whether you need colour or photos, and whether scanning and copying matter. For occasional basic documents, the Canon Pixma TS205 is a simple option; for lower running costs and faster home output, consider the Epson EcoTank ET-2830; for photos, compare the Canon Pixma TS8350 and Pixma G650; and for a busy office, look at a multifunction model such as the HP OfficeJet Pro 9022e.
These recommendations and results come from Expert Reviews’ roundup, updated 1 October 2026. Its review prices are historical, and reported tests and running-cost estimates are the publisher’s figures, not independently replicated results. Read the Expert Reviews printer roundup.
How to choose between an inkjet and a laser printer
Choose by your printing habits, not just the printer’s headline speed or purchase price. Expert Reviews says office-focused inkjets have increasingly matched lasers for speed and quality, and can be cheaper to run. But if you print only once every few weeks, an inkjet’s nozzles may clog; cleaning them can waste ink. A laser is worth considering for that infrequent-use pattern.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match- Choose an inkjet if you need colour, photos, or a refill-tank model with low ink costs. Consider how much you print and whether the model includes the features you need.
- Consider a laser if you print infrequently and mostly need documents. Factor in all relevant consumables: some laser printers may need a drum, waste-toner bottle or fuser unit as well as toner.
There is no workload threshold in the roundup that establishes when one technology becomes cheaper than the other. Compare the specific printer’s costs and features against your own expected use.
#1 Best Overall
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
Decide whether you need scanning, copying or an automatic document feeder
A multifunction printer (MFP) combines printing with scanning and copying, which can save space if you handle paperwork. Some also fax. A flatbed scanner is suitable for individual pages, but an automatic document feeder (ADF) is more convenient for a stack of originals. If you regularly copy or scan double-sided originals, check specifically for a duplex ADF; an ordinary feeder does not guarantee two-sided scanning.
An office MFP’s scanner may be adequate for paperwork without being the best choice for preserving photographs. If photo scanning matters, assess that function separately rather than assuming a printer’s photo output indicates scanner quality.
Rank #2
- UPC: 198828789662
- Weight: 10.450 lbs
Compare the recommended printers by use case
The models below are the roundup’s recommendations, with relevant test results and cost estimates reported by Expert Reviews. Prices shown as “price when reviewed” by the publisher are historical rather than current listings; current availability and prices may differ.
| Printer | Best fit | Reported results or features | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon Pixma TS205 | Occasional basic home printing | Expert Reviews tested it at 7.5ppm for black and 1.6ppm for colour graphics. The publisher reports crisp black text, bold graphics and decent photos. | No Wi-Fi, scanner, cloud or smartphone features; described as slow and noisy. |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 8122e | Budget choice with office features | Prints, scans and copies; Wi-Fi and USB; ADF, 225-sheet tray, automatic duplex printing and colour touchscreen. | Expert Reviews identifies photo and scan quality as weaker points and says ink costs exceed some rivals. |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2830 | Lower-cost, faster home printing | Expert Reviews’ 2026 estimate is 0.2p per monochrome A4 page and 0.4p per colour A4 page for ink. Supplied ink is rated for up to 6,600 monochrome or 5,900 colour pages. Publisher test speeds: 13.4ppm mono and 4.5ppm colour. | No automatic two-sided printing. The rear input tray protrudes and can collect dust. |
| Canon Pixma G650 | Lower-cost photo printing | Expert Reviews says its tested photos came close to the best cartridge models. Its 2026 estimated costs are 0.4p per A4 monochrome page and 1p per colour page. | Described as slow; better suited to buyers who value photo output and running cost over speed. |
| Canon Pixma TR7650 | Small-office printing, scanning and faxing | Prints, scans and faxes; automatic duplex printing and scanner feeder. Expert Reviews tested it at 10.6ppm mono and 3.8ppm colour. | Publisher estimates 4p per monochrome page and 9p per colour page, making it more expensive to run than tank printers. |
| Canon Maxify GX5050 | Office ink-tank printing without scanning | 250-sheet tray and automatic duplex printing. Expert Reviews estimates about 0.2p per page and up to 30,000 pages from the included ink. | No scanner; the publisher says its resolution and ink vibrancy are below consumer models. |
| Epson EcoTank ET-1810 | Budget tank printing without scanning or copying | Expert Reviews estimates 0.2p per monochrome page and 0.4p per colour page. Supplied ink is rated for 3,600 monochrome and 6,500 colour pages. | No scanning or copying; deliberately stripped-back feature set. |
| Canon Pixma TS8350 | Photo-focused home printing | Expert Reviews reports high-quality photo and document output, wireless connectivity, and test speeds above 15ppm mono and above 5ppm colour. | High running costs; the publisher says graphics may look dark or oversaturated. |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | Low-running-cost home printing | Refill bottles; Expert Reviews estimates 0.2p per monochrome page and 0.4p per colour page. Included ink is rated for 14,000 monochrome and 5,200 colour pages. | Some specialist extras available on higher models are omitted. |
| Brother MFC-J4540DW | Feature-rich home or small-office MFP | Prints, scans, copies and faxes; Wi-Fi and Ethernet; 350 sheets across two trays; automatic duplex and ADF. Expert Reviews tested it at 18.5ppm mono. | Cartridge-based, though the publisher estimates lower running costs than many cartridge printers. |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 9022e | Fast office all-in-one | Expert Reviews tested it at 20.5ppm mono and 8.5ppm for mixed colour and mono. Wi-Fi and Ethernet; two 250-sheet trays. | The publisher says it is not suited to photo printing. A cited six-month Instant Ink inclusion may depend on the offer or availability. |
| Brother MFC-J6955DW | Larger-office MFP | Listed among Expert Reviews’ recommendations. | The roundup material does not provide enough model detail for a useful comparison; consult the linked review for specifics. |
| Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 | A3 photo printing | Described by Expert Reviews as compact and capable of high-quality output. | No scanning or copying; described as slow and expensive to run. |
| Epson EcoTank ET-8550 | Frequent large A3 photo printing | Six-ink multifunction printer with refillable reservoirs; Expert Reviews describes it as cost-effective for frequent large A3 photos. | Expensive upfront; the publisher says it makes sense if you will print many large photos. |
Page-cost estimates and included-ink ratings are not guarantees of what a particular buyer will pay or print. They are the publisher’s reported calculations and ratings; actual costs depend on usage, coverage and consumable prices.
Rank #3
- AFFORDABLE ALL-IN-ONE FOR HOME AND HOME OFFICE: Print, copy, and scan on one compact wireless printer designed for everyday home office printing, schoolwork, documents, and reports. Produce beautiful prints for results that stand out.
- EASY TO USE WITH CLOUD APP CONNECTIONS: Print from and scan to popular Cloud apps(2), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the simple-to-use 1.8” color display on your printer.
- FULL-SIZE FEATURES IN A COMPACT DESIGN: This printer includes automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a 20-sheet single-sided Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)(3), and a 150-sheet paper tray(3). Engineered to print at fast speeds of up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 9 ppm in color(4).
- MULTIPLE CONNECTION OPTIONS: Connect your way. Interface with your printer on your wireless network or via USB.
- MOBILE PRINTING MADE EASY: Go mobile with the Brother Mobile Connect app(5) that delivers easy onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from your mobile device. Monitor your ink usage with Page Gauge to help ensure you don’t run out(6).
Choose by workload, paper handling and output
Estimate how much you print
Think in terms of your normal monthly workload, including occasional busy periods. Do not treat a printer’s maximum duty cycle as its recommended regular workload: maximum duty cycle is a stress maximum, not a sensible target for everyday use. The roundup does not establish a universal monthly page count for choosing a model.
Check speed and print quality in context
Manufacturers’ specifications do not tell the whole story. Expert Reviews times print jobs and inspects output, including text, presentations and photographs. Its figures are specific to its tests and should not be read as a promise that every job will print at the same speed.
Rank #4
- The OfficeJet Pro 8125e is perfect for home offices printing professional-quality color documents like business documents, reports, presentations and flyers. Print speeds up to 10 ppm color, 20 ppm black
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- UPGRADED FEATURES – Fast color printing, scan, copy, auto 2-sided printing, auto document feeder, and a 225-sheet input tra
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK WITH HP+ ACTIVATION – Subscribe to Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled.
For example, the TS205’s reported colour-graphics speed is much lower than its black-text speed, while the ET-2830’s reported mono speed is higher than its colour speed. Compare the kind of output you actually produce, rather than treating one speed figure as representative of every print job.
Look at the whole paper path
Paper capacity and handling matter when you print regularly. Check tray capacity, whether there are multiple trays for different paper types, and whether automatic duplex printing is included. These features can reduce interruptions and manual page handling, but they do not by themselves establish print quality or running cost.
Best Value
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Seamless Multi-Page Handling - Tackle multi-page documents with ease using the Auto Document Feeder (ADF) for quick scanning and copying
Match connectivity and footprint to the space
Check for the connection you will use: Wi-Fi for wireless printing, Ethernet for a wired office network, or USB for a direct connection. Smartphone and cloud-printing features vary by model. Also measure the printer with its trays open: a rear feed tray can take up more desk space than the closed unit suggests.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Understand ink and toner costs before buying
A low purchase price can be offset by expensive replacement cartridges. Conversely, a refill-tank printer may cost more upfront but have lower ink costs per page. Compare the printer’s purchase price with the estimated ongoing cost for your likely volume rather than choosing on either figure alone.
Expert Reviews says its cost-per-page calculations account for relevant consumables and rated yields. For a laser, include any drum, waste-toner bottle or fuser that the model requires; the toner price alone may not reflect the full cost of ownership. Consumable prices and yields are time-sensitive, and the roundup’s costs are publisher estimates, not a guarantee of your future spend.
How Expert Reviews tests printers
The roundup says its testing includes timed mono printing, a 25-page mono job, a colour business presentation and high-quality photo output. Reviewers inspect prints visually and under magnification, test scanning, copying and automatic duplex features where available, and calculate average mono and colour running costs. Its methodology describes the process this way: “We start with a series of timed tests, using a standard letter, a business presentation and a series of colour photographs.” This is the publisher’s account of its own methodology, not a statement from an external standards body.
The recommendations reflect Expert Reviews’ reported testing and review judgments. They should be read alongside your own requirements for volume, photo quality, features and consumable costs.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
