With so many features and factors to consider, buying a printer can seem quite complicated. Here's how to choose the perfect printer, whether you're buying one for your large or small business or home office.
Although we live in a digital world of smartphones and Wi-Fi, many people and businesses still use ink and paper every day. And no matter what you plan to print, buying the right printer can be a critical decision. The right machine can make all the difference, saving a lot of time and money in the long run. On the other hand, choosing the wrong one could set you back, so it's important to choose a model that meets your specific needs.
where and how do you plan to use your printer?
If you're buying a printer for your home office, start by considering the features you'll use most often. Many professionals need simple but efficient machines for basic tasks such as paper printing. Others want their machines to serve multiple purposes, such as a copier or scanner. Likewise, students should consider the requirements of their classroom before purchasing a printer. Will your studies require a color printer or will black and white suffice?
In general, multifunction printers suitable for home use are relatively affordable. But spending a little more on a reliable, high-quality machine can be a great investment. After all, if you're having trouble with an important print job at home, you probably can't call the IT department to the rescue. To avoid potential headaches later, stick with a highly rated model from a reputable brand.
these are the types of printers on the market
Inkjet printer
Inkjet printers spray a series of small dots of ink onto paper, creating the text and graphics that appear on a page. Because these ink dots are so small, different colors can be placed in close proximity to each other, creating a rich variety of hues.
Who are they best for:
- Because inkjet printers are usually less expensive than laser printers, they are an ideal choice for buyers on a tight budget.
- Color inkjet printers are ideal for jobs that involve a wide range of colors or complex graphics. If you plan to print photos or graphics, inkjets offer high quality.
Laser printers use static electricity to apply a fine powder - called toner - to the page. Because this process happens quickly, laser printers typically print much faster than inkjet devices. Available in either color or monochrome laser printers, they allow you to quickly print a wide range of documents.
Who are they best for:
- The speed of laser printers makes them ideal for small businesses that print in high volumes. If your organization is constantly creating documents, laser printing will help your team be much more productive in the long run.
As their name suggests, all-in-one printers integrate many functions into a single machine. Although their feature sets vary somewhat, most offer scanning and copying capabilities. Some also provide fax functions, which could be useful for old-school communications. Some all-in-one printers use laser printing, while others are inkjet models.
Who are they best for:
- If you plan to scan documents or make copies occasionally, these devices are for you. You'll save office space (and some cash) by buying just one machine for all your document-related needs.
No one likes to run out of ink or exchange used cartridges. Supertank printers feature high-capacity tanks, allowing you to print thousands of pages before you need to think about refilling your ink. When replacement time rolls around, you simply refill the tanks with bottles or bags of ink, often at a lower total cost than standard ink cartridges.
Who are they best for:
- If you plan to do a lot of printing, but dread the effort of constantly ordering and replacing ink cartridges, super-tank printers are the perfect solution. Many models also provide great value compared to standard inkjet printer options, as long as you don't mind a slightly higher upfront cost.
Photo printers also use inkjet technology, but often offer greater accuracy and sharpness than printers intended primarily for documents. Photo printers can achieve incredible degrees of image resolution, measured in DPI (dots per inch), as well as impressively nuanced color palettes. Many models also facilitate printing in various sizes, such as postcards.
- Whether your photography endeavors are personal or professional, a photo printer can take your photos to a whole new level. If you're interested in producing polished images, a photo printer can be a worthy (and surprisingly affordable) investment.
- Choose a printer versatile enough to handle many types and sizes of photo paper, especially the types you plan to use frequently. From wallet photos to full posters, what kinds of printing will your machine make possible?
- Check the maximum resolution each printer offers. You may not need top-of-the-line specs, but choose one capable of producing crisp prints at your preferred size.
- Consider printing efficiency, especially when it comes to cost and ink consumption. How often will you need new ink cartridges and how much will they cost? You should be able to find this information fairly easily.
helpful tips
- In terms of cost and capabilities, home printers vary widely . Before you pull the trigger on an attractive deal, think about what you'll really need from your machine.
- Some printers intended for home printing are faster while others are significantly slower . These advantages may seem small, but they could make the world of difference in your daily experience. Choose a printer that reflects your preferences: If you know that waiting to print will drive you crazy, for example, buy one with fast print speeds.
- Whether you're an experienced photographer or a passionate hobbyist, you know how important printing can be . To translate your photos to print, you'll need a device that provides resolution and accuracy. Fortunately, there are plenty of printers that can produce great photos - without the painful price tag. Budget shoppers can find powerful photo printers, including some with lots of other bells and whistles (like copying and scanning).
- When purchasing a printer for your business, efficiency and cost are key concerns . You want a machine capable of producing high volume quickly, meeting the needs of a busy office. Print speed isn't the only relevant factor: Can the printer save you time through automated functions such as collating or stapling pages?
- You should take a long view of printing costs, looking beyond the purchase price of a printer . If you are constantly replacing expensive toner cartridges, you will significantly increase your organization's operating costs. You'll also want to read reviews to gauge each device's durability: If a printer has a habit of breaking down, your office mates probably won't be happy.
- See the manufacturer's recommended monthly page volume . If your business is likely to exceed the cap, it's probably best to go with another option.
- Research the cost of toner replacements and how often they will be needed. Use this information to calculate your estimated annual printing costs by comparing different models on this basis.
- Match the print speeds of the options you are considering against each other . Small differences in efficiency can have big productivity implications for your office.
- Look for printers with great warranty and support . If you're experiencing technical issues, you don't want to deal with them alone.
In this guide, we've laid out the information you need to help you choose the perfect printer. But even when you've chosen a specific model, your search still requires one final step: Finding the best deal on your chosen printer
In many cases above, we encourage you to think about the cost of the printer in terms of long-term investment. While a low price may seem attractive, it's worth considering the cost of maintenance and upkeep over the life of your machine. Likewise, you want to choose a printer that will stand up to frequent use, performing well for years to come. A reputable brand such as Brother, Canon, Epson, HP or Lexmark may be more likely to stand the test of time.
