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We've tested over 100 printers of different varieties since 2017. In this latest iteration, we purchased the best available printers at full price and put them through a rigorous set of tests. Our tests included testing printers' ease of use, operating cost, capabilities, text, and photo quality. This guide accumulates our findings and can help you find the best printer that fits your needs and budget.
If you want printer ideally suited for home office or small office use, check out our review of the best home printers. If you are focused on printing quality photos, take a look at our best photo printers review. Or you may be interested in finding the best 3D printer to help you bring your ideas and creations to life. Whatever it is, our comprehensive printer review has what you need.
Editor's Note: We edited this review on March 3, 2024, adding several awards from our best home printer review.
If your primary focus lies in achieving rapid document printing with superior text clarity and economical operation, then the HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw is a standout option and our top recommendation. Specifically designed for households and small offices, this color laser printer excels in document production, consistently delivering outstanding prints characterized by crisp text and deep blacks. The HP also has reasonable operational costs at five cents per page for black and white documents and seven cents for color documents.
Nevertheless, while the HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw excels in text document printing, it falls short when challenged with reproducing vibrant graphics or high-resolution photos. Therefore, if your printing needs lean more towards frequent graphic or photo reproduction, it may be prudent to explore another exceptional model we evaluated, such as the HP OfficeJet 8015e Wireless Color, which offers a better balance of performance between text and photo printing.
The HP OfficeJet 8015e Wireless Color stands out as a budget-friendly printer that strikes an impressive balance across all of our tests. While it may not deliver text documents with pristine clarity under the intense scrutiny of a microscope, the disparity is negligible for most users. Moreover, this model excels in producing high-quality photographic prints and maintains relatively low operating costs at seven and four cents per page for black and white and color pages, respectively. It also offers a user-friendly operation and efficiently handles most printing tasks.
The HP OfficeJet 8015e Wireless Color demonstrates notable performance across most printing tasks; it doesn't excel in any single area. For those prioritizing razor-sharp text document printing in a home office setting, the HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw may be the preferable option, delivering crisper text documents at a faster rate than the 8015e, albeit at the expense of graphic printing capabilities, which may suffice for most home office users.
The Epson Workforce Pro WF-4820 shines for being a versatile home printer, excelling in all-around performance, all-in-one functionality, operational efficiency, and affordability. It fulfills all essential printing needs within a home office environment while maintaining a reasonable price point. The WF-4820 achieves a fine balance between speed and printing text and photos without significantly compromising on quality. Our team consistently observed sharp text and vibrant colors with minimal striping or noticeable artifacts, all accomplished at a rapid pace. Its intuitive setup process and robust interface, equipped with a range of helpful troubleshooting features, also contribute to its ease of use.
Regrettably, the Epson Workforce Pro WF-4820 lacks duplex scanning capabilities, necessitating manual flipping of documents to scan both sides, which might not be ideal for larger double-sided scanning tasks. Nevertheless, despite these minor drawbacks, the WF-4820 delivers exceptional value in terms of overall performance and affordability, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious small home offices. For those willing to invest in premium performance and all-in-one functions and have no budget constraints, the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw deserves consideration.
If you're looking for a robust printer capable of efficiently scanning, copying, and faxing, then the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw is an ideal choice. This top-tier all-in-one printer excels across a range of functions while delivering impeccable text quality and commendable photo printing performance, albeit it's unable to match the performance of specialized photo printers. Renowned for its speed and user-friendliness, it also boasts relatively low operational costs at five cents per page for black and white prints and seven cents for color pages.
As is often the case, quality correlates with cost, and the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw epitomizes this principle. Its premium performance and extensive feature set come at a high price point, and again, it has room to improve when it comes to color graphics and photo printing. For users who can forgo faxing capabilities and seek comparable performance without overspending, the nearly identical HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw presents a compelling alternative.
The Brother Monochrome Compact Laser HLL2350DW stands out as a dependable and cost-effective home printer tailored to cater to the diverse needs of many home and small office users. It presents an exceptional solution for individuals seeking swift and effective black and white printing, coupled with minimal operating expenses and sharp text in any size font. We endorse this printer for those engaged in frequent printing of text documents on a daily basis.
Despite its limitations in handling photo and business graphic printing, the Brother HLL2350DW delivers satisfactory quality characterized by clarity, legibility, and intricate detail. Furthermore, its automatic duplex printing feature facilitates rapid production of double-sided business documents, alleviating the need for manual paper feeding during extensive print jobs with the Brother HLL2350DW. While the HLL2350DW is a great black and white printer, if you are looking for a printer without the restriction to black and white only, you should consider a color printing model like the HP OfficeJet 8015e Wireless Color, which offers far clearer graphics and photos, with only a slight compromise in speed.
If you want a unit with lower long-term costs and only need to print in black and white, the Brother Monochrome Compact Laser HLL2350DW is your best option.
If your primary concern is minimizing operational expenses and you are willing to compromise on text quality, photo and graphic printing capabilities, and speed, then the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 emerges as the top contender in today's home printer market. With the capability to print 4500 black and white pages for just $14 and 7500 colored pages for $13.99, it delivers prints at a fraction of a penny per page, significantly undercutting other printers that may cost up to 10 cents per black and white printed page.
While the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 stands out for its remarkably low operational costs, individuals with more demanding home office requirements may prefer a printer offering superior all-around performance and speed, even if it means sacrificing some long-term cost savings. In such cases, we strongly advocate for the budget-friendly Epson Workforce Pro WF-4820, which still offers good operational costs at $28.56 per ream but has better text and photo clarity.
Cost per print: $0.37 | Max Resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi
REASONS TO BUY
Fed by a roll of paper
Palette has ten ink colors
Smooth operation for a high-end photo printer
Multiple connectivity options
REASONS TO AVOID
Print speed
Massive footprint
The Epson SureColor P700 is a top-notch photo printer that delivers high-class photo prints with unparalleled color accuracy and resolution. Easily the best in our photo printer review, the P700 gives much freedom and control to the user. Each print can be customized to fit specific needs, such as adjusting to the desired saturation or contrast level. The P700 can do much more than color photos — it can also print quality grayscale images that are on their own level. Each grayscale photo test showcased the P700's technical ability to produce well-defined images that incorporate high attention to border definition, dynamic range, and neutral color renderings. At an astonishing $0.37 for a 4"x6" color photo, this device's operating costs seal the deal. Nothing is better than having a reliable photo printer that can crank out high levels of photos at a small cost.
Not surprisingly, a high-performance photo printer like the P700 has its downsides, mainly the upfront cost. Casual users may benefit from steering clear of the P700 and choosing a more budget-friendly device. In addition to the cost, the P700 is an enormous machine and takes up a considerable amount of desk space. An overcomplicated setup process is a challenging part of a highly technical product. Fortunately, this device's setup isn't too bad, aside from lifting it out of the box. With these considerations in mind, we recommend this device for professional photographers, as you will likely not find a better unit on the market. If you want to save money, consider our second-highest scoring model, the Canon PIXMA Pro-200.
In today's smartphone-dominated world, most recorded memories end up confined to the digital realm, rarely revisited. The Canon IVY 2 is here to change that. This well-designed machine is capable of transforming your smartphone photos into tangible prints. Setting up the printer is straightforward: download the companion app, connect to the printer via Bluetooth, and you're well on your way to printing bliss. The IVY 2 is compact and portable, making it easy to take with you wherever you go, and that's the whole point. This printer was capable of delivering relatively high-quality prints, especially considering its compact size. One standout feature that we enjoyed is the ZINK instant film it uses. With its adhesive backing, you can turn your prints into stickers for simple decorations or to share with friends.
Not everything is flawless, though; there are some downsides. The cost of each print is a notable drawback, at around 50 cents per piece with no alternative options. This might lead to more selective printing choices, which can be disappointing. Most desktop printers offer greater capabilities and a lower cost per print. However, you can't just toss a desktop printer into a bag and take it everywhere, and that's why the IVY 2 is so compelling. If you are okay with a bigger form factor, consider the Canon SELPHY CP1300, which is not much more expensive and has a lower cost per print while allowing photos up to 4 x 6 inches.
What distinguishes the IVY 2 from its predecessor, the original Canon IVY, is the improvement in print quality and a significantly faster charging time. We already held a fondness for the original, and the IVY 2 surpasses it, providing a better experience, including a range of creative options for your prints through the user-friendly app. Regarding aesthetics, the color has also received an update, now featuring a blush pink instead of the previous white and blue. Overall, we consider this version a comprehensive improvement without compromising the enjoyable qualities that made the original device so good.
The Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is the perfect middle ground between performance and price. The XP-1500 boasts a solid color profile that spans many printing dimensions, notably performing quite well with 13" x 44" prints. We felt the black and white renderings were respectable, with a few shortcomings. However, we were impressed with these renderings, given the generous price point of this unit. The capabilities of this product are also worthy of recognition. Some features include the ability to print glossy and adhesive paper and iron-on transfer sheets for making t-shirts. The XP-1500's most attractive feature is its initial and long-term costs.
Overall, the print quality of the XP-15000 is solid, but we have a couple of critiques. Our criticisms primarily relate to the grayscale output, which sometimes produces images with poor transitions from light to dark. Even with these slight issues, the XP-15000 prints grayscale output better than most printers but not better than the top-shelf items. Lastly, we noticed this unit had more difficulty connecting with our device than other models. Still, we think the XP-15000 will satisfy most photographers. However, if you don't mind being limited to 4" x 6" images, the Canon SELPHY CP1300 is a good option that will keep a few hundred bucks in your wallet.
Build Area: 256x256x256mm | Max Extruder Temperature: 300°C
REASONS TO BUY
Almost no setup
Print speed
Auto level feature
REASONS TO AVOID
Must use Bambu slicer
Enclosure walls must be printed
Are you looking for an FDM printer? The Bambu Lab P1P likely has everything you need and is the top-scoring model in our best 3D printer review. In almost every metric, it scored superbly. While not cheap, it offers great value, especially compared to other high-end competition. The setup could not be much easier, and the print quality was top-notch for an FDM model. Better yet, there are many upgrades available. Once you dial in the machine with what it ships with, there are several ways to increase its capabilities.
While the print quality is good, it can't compete with Elegoo Saturn 2. However, the Elegoo had one of the lowest ease of use scores. The Bambu Lab also scored just above average for support, but most competitors scored lower, and its user-friendliness means you are less likely to need support. Overall, we recommend the Bambu Lab P1P as the 3D printer most people should buy.
Of all the 3D printers we have tested over the years, the Bambu P1P is our favorite for its quality and ease of use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why You Should Trust Us
This comprehensive printer overview is the product of hundreds of hours of testing, comparing, and researching the best products in the industry over several years. Our tests measure printers, operating cost, ease of use, image/text quality, and printing speed. This guide gives the reader a general overview of the market's best printers and their respective strengths and weaknesses.
This guide is a collaboration between Research Analysts Matt Spencer, Genaveve Bradshaw, and reviewer Lesley Robinson. Matt brings many skills from 3D printing to testing other tech devices. Genaveve has also tested many of our top printers and crafts quality reviews that emphasize a high degree of attention to detail. Lesley's experience in quality assurance has allowed her to expertly test our tech products.
We've tested all kinds of printers from photo to 3D.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How to Pick the Right Printer
Picking the right printer to fit your needs may be quite daunting. They can be expensive and deserve prior research before committing to the purchase. Our experienced testers and researchers have done all the testing for you. All that's left is to evaluate your needs and purchase accordingly. These devices can be separated into home, photo, and 3D. The following is a breakdown of each class of printer and its uses.
Home Printers
Home printers are the most versatile, satisfying a broad range of needs, from printing worded documents to scanning and copying. When picking a home printer, consider the volume of printing you plan to do. Some people need a printer on standby in case they need to print an important document or enable their children to print a class project. Others may operate a small business and require a device to perform large workloads at a reasonable price.
We examine each units text quality side by side under a microscope.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ease of use can also affect your decision. A printer that you cannot easily operate or quickly set up and connect to your WiFi can slow down productivity and cause unnecessary stress. This is why we analyze each printers interface and features to see how helpful and streamlined they are.
We analyzed each print up close and personal using a microscope.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The chart below you can find the scores of our entire lineup of fully-tested and top-ranked home printers.
Need to extend your WiFi range?
Our best WiFi extender review can help you get a wider WiFi coverage range.
Home printers are the best option for everyday printing.
Credit: Laura Casner
Photo Printers
Photo printers are great for those who desire more than low-resolution Google images from their home printer. Some memories deserve to be printed, and these devices will ensure that your image comes out with the quality it deserves. Or, if you run a small photography business and want to reduce the trip to the photo lab, photo printers will save you loads of time and money.
Photo printers are a must-have for photography enthusiasts.
Credit: Jason Peters
3D Printers
3D printers allow printing out 3D physical objects from a digital file. The object is built by an additive process where successive layers of material are stringed together. 3D printers are perfect for hobbyists and artists looking to expand their creative boundaries while having fun. There are thousands of files online that can help you build all sorts of figures for your favorite tabletop games or help you build some basic household items. If you are creative, 3D printers can be a great way to bring your vision to life. Printing your creation can be a great way to give a meaningful gift to a loved one or a friend.
Excellent tugboat prints from the Prusa.
Credit: Jason Peters
Conclusion
This guide aims to make the printer buying process as easy as possible. The first consideration before buying a printer is to assess one's needs. Home, photo, and 3D printers have very different purposes, and the printers we've outlined here are the cream of the crop for their respective categories. Our mission at GearLab is to provide top-quality reviews of emerging products. We will continue reviewing the best printers in today's market so you can easily make an informed purchase.
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Lesley Robinson, Genaveve Bradshaw, Matt Spencer, and Benjamin Hickok
