Best home printers and scanners: The 4 Best All-in-One Printers of 2023

Top printers for every budget

Buying the best printer possible is no easy task when there are so many different factors to consider.

Certain printers excel at printing documents, while others are better suited to photos. And while a cheap printer may appear to offer good value at first, you may be better off with a more expensive alternative with lower running costs.

In order to help you find the best printer for your needs, we’ve assembled this list of the best printers that our team of experts have tested and reviewed within the past few years.

Every printer that we review undergoes a thorough testing process, as we measure various factors including printing speeds, printing costs and print quality. We also make sure to test all of the available features, especially if a printer offers scanning and copying functionality.

Can’t see any printer that catches your eye? Then make sure to return at a later date, as we’ll be updating this list as soon as we review more high-scoring printers

Best printers at a glance 

• Best overall multifunction printer: HP Smart Tank 5105 – check price
• Best value printer: Canon PIXMA TS7450 – check price
• Best printer for low printing costs: Epson EcoTank ET-1810 – check price
• Best office printer: Epson EcoTank ET-3850 – check price
• Best photo printer and scanner: Canon PIXMA G650 – check price
• Best portable printer for instant photography: Instax Square Link – check price

How we test

Learn more about how we test printers

Every printer we review goes through a series of uniform checks designed to gauge key things including print quality, speed and cost. These include first-time setup, changing respective cartridges, and measuring key things such as print speed and quality with a range of different paper types, including plain and photo.

We’ll also compare the features with other printers at the same price point to see if you’re getting good value for your money. We’ve also calculated how much it would cost to replace the cartridge or refill the ink in order to see how much the printer will cost you in the long term.

HP Smart Tank 5105

Best overall multifunction printer

Trusted Score

Pros

• Decent features
• Great plain paper print quality
• Very low running costs

Cons

• Slow colour printing
• Ink bottles could be mis-inserted

The HP Smart Tank 5105 is our top recommended multifunction printer for a number of reasons. It can print, scan and copy (although lacks any fax functionality), its small size is easy to accommodate in a home office and its low-cost printing makes it a great value option in the long run.

HP typically uses cartridges in its printers, which are renowned for expensive running costs. But the Smart Tank 5105 uses highly efficient ink bottles instead, resulting in ink costs of just 0.7p per colour page – few printers have better running costs than this. HP even ships its printer with 6,000 pages worth of ink, so it’s possible you won’t even need to buy more ink.

Our tests showed the printing speeds to be reasonable at 10.9 pages per minute, while we were very impressed with the print quality on plain paper. This printer is not recommended for photo prints, with imperfect colour accuracy and loss of detail loss of detail with dark colours. The Canon PIXMA G650 and Instax Square Link are better options for those who want to print photos.

But if you’re happy to stick to printing documents, and fancy a great value all-purpose home multifunction printer, then the HP Smart Tank 5105 is our top recommendation.

Reviewer: Simon Handby
Full review: HP Smart Tank 5105 Review

Canon PIXMA TS7450

Best value printer

Trusted Score

Pros

• Excellent print quality
• Prints quickly
• Reasonably cheap to run

Cons

• It’s a heavy beast
• Mobile apps are not super-intuitive

The Canon PIXMA TS7450 is a great all-rounder printer, representing good value for money if you’re after something versatile.

We found the quality of documents to be excellent, with no obvious distortion or bleeding on ten-point text documents, and coloured graphics on plain paper looked vibrant and solid. Photos printed on glossy paper look detailed and fantastic at the same time, although do watch out for some tones being a little blanched in photos on plain paper.

The PIXMA costs around 9p or so per page using standard cartridges. Those running costs are relatively high, especially compared to ink bottle printers such as the HP Smart Tank 5105 and Epson EcoTank ET-1810. But the Canon makes up for that with a low upfront cost, and can be found for less than £100.

Its print speeds are snappy. During testing, we measured single pages of text firing out in nine seconds, while a longer five-page document took just over thirty. For a full-colour photo on plain A4, expect it to take just under a minute. All in all, you shouldn’t be waiting too long for things to print out with this Canon offering.

While this is also a good-looking printer, at 8.2kg or so, it is heavy and large, too. This means it’s only really a printer for those who’ve got the space for it, but if you do, then there aren’t many better printers for the money in our eyes than the Canon PIXMA TS7450.

Reviewer: Thomas Newton
Full review: Canon PIXMA TS7450 review

Epson EcoTank ET-1810

Best printer for low-printing costs

Trusted Score

Pros

• Incredibly low running costs
• Wi-Fi connectivity for easy sharing
• Great refillable ink system
• Simple to use

Cons

• Expensive to buy
• No duplex printing
• Only a one-year warranty

If it’s low printing costs you’re after, the Epson EcoTank ET-1810 is going to be a great printer for you.

The main appeal of this Epson comes down to the fact it utilises the EcoTank system, which allows you to refill the ink wells yourself, as opposed to buying a large handful of cartridges. The printer comes with a full set of EcoTank bottles which are good to print 4500 black or 7500 colour pages, which multiplies what you can get out of a cartridge printer by between 20 and 30 times. This works out to a print cost of around half a penny per full-colour page, which is about as cheap as printing gets.

We found the print quality of the ET-1810 to be good for the price, too. Plain paper printing provided dark text and perfectly serviceable colours. Using photo paper offered decent colour accuracy and shade control, complete with a superb glossy finish when using Epson’s own paper. The ET-18120 may not be a printer specifically designed for photography, but it should be great for those wanting to print out the odd postcard-sized snap.

The ET-1810 isn’t the most blazing fast printer out there, but it’s fine for most jobs. During testing, we found a five-page text document to take around 46 seconds to complete, with a single page clocking in at 18 seconds. Colour documents did take a smidgen longer, with it taking just over 90 seconds to print five pages’ worth of graphics. This may not be the best printer for those in a rush, but the ET-1810 is in it for the long haul, given those low printing costs.

For a £150 printer, its design and interface may seem old-fashioned, given the ET-1810 doesn’t have a screen or any form of visual interface. There isn’t an automatic duplex printing option either. For those who want an all-singing and all-dancing printer, we’d say to look elsewhere, but if you’re okay with something simple, functional and with low printing costs, the Epson EcoTank ET-1810 is an incredible option.

Reviewer: Simon Handby
Full review: Epson EcoTank ET-1810 review

Epson EcoTank ET-3850

Best office printer

Trusted Score

Pros

• Incredibly low running costs
• Does everything except fax
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Great refillable ink system

Cons

• Expensive to buy
• Only a one-year warranty
• No duplex (double-sided) scanning

The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is an immense printer if you want something to be your office companion.

We found it to be a useful multifunctional device, given it can not only print but also scan and copy. Handily, the ET-3850 features an automatic document feeder, which we found allowed documents to be scanned and copied with relative ease, giving you access to all of this printer’s facets at once. 

As an EcoTank printer, this Epson is able to take advantage of the incredibly low print costs, made possible by its refillable tanks. That’s arguably a major reason why it seems like such an expensive printer. The ET-3850 claims to be able to print a volume of 14,000 black or 5,200 colour pages before needing to be fully refilled. Compared to a standard cartridge-based printer, the money saved for such a large print volume is ridiculous.

For an inkjet printer, the ET-3850 is absurdly quick. We found it to deliver a five-page text document in 31 seconds, while a 20-page document registered a speed of around 10 pages a minute, printing in just under two minutes. For colour printing, the speeds were just as impressive, with a five-page sample printing in the same 31 seconds as a mono document.

There isn’t a touchscreen on offer here, but the colour screen with button controls that the ET-3850 has worked well and is functional. If you’re after a compact printer, then this Epson option should more than suffice.

Reviewer: Simon Handby
Full review: Epson EcoTank ET-3850 review

Canon PIXMA G650

Best photo printer and scanner

Trusted Score

Pros

• Low running costs
• Strong photo and scan quality
• Decent plain paper prints

Cons

• Expensive to buy
• Slow, especially on plain paper
• No automatic double-sided printing

The Canon PIXMA G650 is one of our favourite printers for producing photos. That’s mostly thanks to its six-ink setup, which means it has two additional ink bottles than your average printer, resulting in greater shade control and a wider colour gamut. In our tests, the Canon printer delivered great results, making it a great option for those who want a home photo printer.

We also found this printer to be excellent at scanning, proving extremely quick and flaunting accurate colour reproduction. If you need a high-quality scanner for your home at a reasonable price, there aren’t many better.

Standard document printing is decent too thanks to the low-printing costs, although we wouldn’t recommend this Canon if you only want a printer for such workloads. Our tests showed it to be one of slowest document printers we’ve reviewed in a long time, while the printer’s dye inks are more suited to photo paper than plain paper. It’s also missing useful features such as duplex printing and faxing.

Nevertheless, if you’re more interested in printing photos than documents, and also need a speedy scanner, then the Canon PIXMA G650 is a terrific option worth considering.

Reviewer: Simon Handby
Full review: Canon PIXMA G650 review

Best portable printer for instant photography

Trusted Score

Pros

• In-app editing tools give saturation and contrast a boost
• Only Instax Link printer to use square film
• AR Print and Instax Connect aren’t available on other printers

Cons

• Limited editing tools
• QR codes are too big
• Film development takes slightly longer than advertised

The Instax Square Link is one of three instant “Link” printers sold by Fujifilm. While each printer in this series has its own unique feature set, the deciding factor here ultimately comes down to film size – that is if you want to print mini, wide or, in this case, square photos. 

The Square Link makes it easy to print bright and detailed 6.2 x 6.2cm images on the go with help from the smartphone app. Photos take just 15 seconds to print, though we found film development lasted a few minutes once the paper was ejected from the printer. 

The editing controls in the app are very basic, but offer a convenient way to crop and rotate your images and boost the brightness, saturation and contrast before you hit print. You also have the option to edit the images in a third-party app before uploading them. 

There’s a good range of features available through the Instax Square app, including stickers, filters, collage templates and themed frames. 

There’s also an AR Print option not found on other Instax printers. This feature allows you to attach secret augmented reality messages and animations that can be unlocked by scanning the QR code on the print.  

Instax Connect is another Square Link-exclusive feature that gives you the ability to decorate images before sending them to friends and family to print. There’s even a calendar to make sure you don’t miss any important birthdays or holidays. 

The printer itself is quite chunky, but still small enough to slip into most small bags, making it a great option for taking on the go. 

Of course, being an instant printer (and not an instant camera) also means you also have the option to snap photos when you’re out and wait until you get home to print them, making the Square Link a convenient gateway into instant photography. 

Reviewer: Hannah Davies
Full review: Instax Square Link

We also considered…

HP Tango X

A fun, lightweight wireless colour printer for the home that places a premium on design.

Epson EcoTank ET-2720

A versatile and economical all-in-one colour printer, ideal for student and home office use.

FAQs

What is better: inkjet or laser?

For those printing large volumes with no real budget constraints, then laser printers are the way to go, given their high capacities and great reliability. However, for most people, inkjet printers are likely to suffice given that they’re more affordable and perfectly serviceable for day-to-day usage.

Which printer is most economical for ink costs?

In our experience, the Epson EcoTank printers are some of the most economical, given their large ink wells that are user-refillable with bottles that results in printing costs several times cheaper than more standard cartridge-based printers.

Is toner or ink better?

Generally speaking, toner is better, given it lasts longer and may not dry out as easily as ink does. However, it is more expensive than ink, alongside the fact it works with laser printers, which are traditionally dearer than their inkjet counterparts.

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Comparison specs

‹

UK RRP

USA RRP

EU RRP

CA RRP

AUD RRP

Manufacturer

Quiet Mark Accredited

Size (Dimensions)

Weight

ASIN

Release Date

First Reviewed Date

Model Number

Ports

Connectivity

Printer Speed

Ink Cartridge support

Printer Type

Scanner?

Ink Type

Canon PIXMA TS7450

£78.99

–

–

–

–

Canon

–

403 x 364 x 206 MM

8.2 KG

–

2021

04/02/2021

–

–

WiFI, Canon PRINT, AirPrint, Mopria

–

–

Colour

Yes

Cartridge

Epson EcoTank ET-1810

£190

Unavailable

€210

Unavailable

AU$299

Epson

–

375 x 347 x 169 MM

2.9 KG

B09HCHYZ5R

2021

03/03/2022

C11CJ71401CA

USB

USB, Wi-Fi

–

Epson 104 bottled ink (black, cyan, magenta and yellow)

Colour

–

Bottle

Epson EcoTank ET-3850

£430

$400

€450

Unavailable

Unavailable

Epson

–

375 x 347 x 231 MM

6. 7 KG

B09GL13VHV

2021

03/03/2022

C11CJ61401

USB, Ethernet

USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi

–

Epson 102 bottled ink (pigment black, cyan, magenta and yellow)

Colour

Yes

Bottle

Canon PIXMA G650

£250

Unavailable

€357

Unavailable

Unavailable

Canon

No

445 x 340 x 167 MM

6.6 KG

–

2021

12/07/2022

#4620C008

USB

802.11b/g/n wireless, PictBridge Wi-Fi

–

GI-53 BK, C, M, Y, R, GY bottles

Colour

Yes

Bottle

Instax Square Link

£129.99

–

–

–

–

Fujifilm

–

105 x 37.5 x 127.5 MM

236 G

–

2022

–

–

USB-C

Bluetooth 4.2

12 sec

FUJIFILM INSTAX SQUARE Instant Film

Colour

–

Cartridge

HP Smart Tank 5105

£210

Unavailable

€241

Unavailable

Unavailable

HP

No

435 x 362 x 157 MM

5. 03 KG

B0BPJK37V7

2023

28/03/2023

1f3y3a#bhc

USB

802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi

–

32XL black, 31 cyan, magenta and yellow

Colour

Yes

Bottle

›

Trusted Reviews test data

‹

Printing A4 mono speed (single page)

Printing A4 mono speed (5 pages)

Printing A4 mono speed (20 pages)

Printing A4 colour speed (single page)

Printing A4 colour speed (5 pages)

Printing A4 colour speed (20 pages)

Canon PIXMA TS7450

9 sec

31.57 sec

101 sec

57.7 sec

–

–

Epson EcoTank ET-1810

18 sec

46 sec

158 sec

24 sec

46 sec

339 sec

Epson EcoTank ET-3850

15 sec

31 sec

114 sec

17 sec

31 sec

307 sec

Canon PIXMA G650

33 sec

105 sec

405 sec

35 sec

125 sec

487 sec

Instax Square Link

–

–

–

–

–

–

HP Smart Tank 5105

35 sec

60 sec

426 sec

29 sec

66 sec

206 sec

›

Why trust our journalism?

Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.

Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.

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Best Printer and Scanners

8Results

HP Smart Tank 7301 All-in-One Printer

Print, scan, copy, ADF, duplex, wirelessPrint speed ISO: Up to 15 ppm black, up to 9 ppm colorSelf-healing Wi-Fi helps keep you connected. Up to 2 years of ink in bottles included in the box.

28B70A#B1H

HP Smart Tank 7001 All-in-One Printer

Print, scan, copy, duplex, wirelessPrint speed ISO: Up to 15 ppm black, up to 9 ppm colorSelf-healing Wi-Fi helps keep you connected.Up to 2 years of ink in bottles included in the box.

28B49A#B1H

HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer

Print, scan, copy, wirelessPrint speed ISO: Up to 12 ppm black, up to 5 ppm colorDesigned to be intuitively smart and offers ultra-low cost printingUp to 2 years of ink in bottles included in the box

1F3Y0A#B1H

HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-in-One Printer

Mobile Print, Scan, CopyPrint speed ISO: Up to 10 ppm black, up to 7 colorLong battery lifeHighest ink cartridge page yield in class

CZ992A#B1H

HP ENVY 6055e All-in-One Printer w/ bonus 6 months Instant Ink through HP+

6 months ink + 2 year warranty w/ HP+

Print, copy, scan in color, 2-sided prints, photos, mobile/wirelessHome and family documents, borderless photos, homework, creative projectsIncludes 6 months Instant Ink and more with optional HP+ printing systemHP+ requires HP account, internet, works only with original HP inkDynamic security enabled printer

223N1A#B1H

HP Smart Tank 7301 All-in-One Printer

I have only used it once but seems to be working fine. It was very easy to set up and it practically set itself up.

READ THE REVIEW 

HP Smart Tank 7001 All-in-One Printer

Great Printer – very fast – excellent resolution – fantastic photo prints (no smears, lines or runs) and the Wi-Fi connection makes it incredibly convenient. You can place it anywhere in the room!

READ THE REVIEW 

HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer

I received this Printer for free and overall it I a great printer it is so easy to use and provides very good imaging when done , the ink is vey easy to put in and I overall
Would recommend this printer to everyone you would definitely enjoy it , this by far is the best printer I’ve used / had

READ THE REVIEW 

HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-in-One Printer

I love this little all-in-one which as the capacity to print even on photographic paper! I travel a great deal and having this little machine which has its own protective case is a real joy. It is small enough to fit in a 29” suitcase and lightweight enough to fall within airline weight guidelines when packed with your clothes!

READ THE REVIEW 

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Best Affordable MFPs 2023

Digital has reached its peak, but people still need to print and scan important documents. There are many models of MFPs on the market – universal devices that combine the functions of printers, copiers and scanners. Today we will tell you how to choose a multifunctional device for home use.

Contents

• 1 Top Model Ranking
  • 1.1 Inkjet MFPs
    • 1.1.1 Canon PIXMA MG2540S
    • 1.1.2 HP DeskJet 2320
    • 1.1.3 Canon PIXMA TS3140
  • 1.2 Laser MFPs
    900 08 1.2.1 Ricoh SP 230SFNw
    • 1.2.2 Pantum M6550NW
    • 1.2.3 KYOCERA FS-C1020MFP
• 3.3 Sublimation

Rating of the best models

There are many MFP models on the market, and it is quite difficult to navigate them. We have compiled a ranking of the best models of 2023 based on reviews and ratings from real buyers.

Inkjet MFPs

Canon PIXMA MG2540S

Inexpensive printer-scanner-copier for home use. It has a maximum print resolution of 1200×600 pixels per inch. The material output speed is 1.6 sheets per minute. This is an excellent result for the budget price segment. Information recognition time – 4 sheets per minute. Pairing takes place using a common USB-B interface, which allows you to connect any device based on Windows and MAC OS.

HP DeskJet 2320

One of the cheapest MFPs on the office market. It has a high print speed – up to 16 color and up to 20 monochrome sheets per minute. Able to process documents in the format of 216×297 millimeters with an optical resolution of up to 1200 by 1200 pixels per inch.

Canon PIXMA TS3140

Affordable all-in-one with print and scan capability. The print speed is average – 7.7 black-and-white sheets and up to 4 color images per minute. Compatible with computers and laptops based on Windows and MAC OS.

Laser MFP

Ricoh SP 230SFNw

High performance MFP capable of printing 15,000 sheets per month without compromising its system. Has the bright liquid crystal display with the convenient control panel. The main feature of the model is fast printing up to 22 pages per minute.

Pantum M6550NW

A quality MFP with a highly functional scanner. There are options for sending to FTP, scanning to email, and scanning to a computer. The print time of one monochrome sheet is 8 seconds, which is a high figure among the budget segment.

KYOCERA FS-C1020MFP

Convenient mid-range printer/scanner/copier. It has high-quality four-color printing with the ability to work without one cartridge. The control is carried out using a liquid crystal display. There is a function of connecting to a computer via wireless communication.

How the MFP works

The abbreviation MFP stands for Multifunctional Device. They differ from conventional peripheral printers in the presence of additional features, such as scanning, copying and, in some cases, sending documents. The functions of various devices can be combined in one device or serve as an addition to the basic printer, through a modular system. Some advanced MFP models may have their own processor, memory, display, and offline printing. MFPs, like conventional printers, allow you to reuse liquid ink cartridges by refilling.

Varieties of devices

To choose the right inexpensive printer-scanner-copier for the home, let’s look at their types. According to the principle of printing, multifunctional devices are divided into three main types – laser, inkjet and thermal sublimation. They differ from each other in the speed of issuing material, the quality of the output image and the cost of consumables. Let’s discuss each type in more detail.

Inkjet

Inkjet MFPs work by forming a dot image using a special liquid ink matrix. If the ink is left idle for an extended period of time, the ink will harden on the print head nozzles and require cleaning. However, most modern devices are equipped with an automatic cleaning function for dried paint. This consumes a huge amount of liquid ink. If the paint is very old and cannot be cleaned mechanically, the MFP is handed over to a repair shop.

Inkjet printers have high image quality compared to conventional dot matrix printers and have a high output speed. The saturation and detail of the picture directly depends on the resolution and the number of colors used.

Benefits:

1. Quiet compared to dot matrix printers.
2. More affordable than laser and sublimation materials.
3. Low prices for consumables if you buy regular ink cartridges.
4. Provides an ideal range of tones in monochrome photographs.

Disadvantages:

1. Often does not support third party cartridges.
2. Low durability.
3. Nozzles constantly require cleaning.

Laser

To print an image, laser MFPs use toner, a special dye that is attracted to the media due to oppositely charged elements. The ink is then heat treated and hardened in the pores of the paper. The image made by the laser method is highly resistant to mechanical and ultraviolet effects. It doesn’t wash out or fade. The print speed is superior to both inkjet and some sublimation models.

Advantages:

1. High resistance to external damage.
2. Print speed is superior to other types of printers.
3. The most economical, considering the cost and consumption of dyes.

Disadvantages:

1. Many toxic substances are released during the opening process.
2. Noticeable power consumption due to the presence of high voltage components.
3. Photo quality is lower than inkjet and sublimation models.
4. High cost of the MFP itself.

Sublimation

These MFPs use a solid dye to print the image. Under the influence of high temperatures, the ink evaporates and is fixed in the pores of the paper. Thermal sublimation models have the highest image quality. The picture is homogeneous, without banding or rastering. The ink is not on the surface of the paper, but soldered into the pores. This allows for maximum fade and water resistance. Thermal sublimation MFPs use quite expensive consumables due to the nature of the technology. However, they are quite economical compared to inkjet printers.

Benefits:

1. Dye-sublimation MFPs have a long print life because the ink is under the surface of the paper.
2. Prints better than inkjet or laser models.
3. Economical paint consumption.

Disadvantages:

1. The high cost of the MFP itself and consumables for it.
2. Very slow output of photos and other images with many halftones.
3. High sensitivity of inks to UV radiation.

How to choose a good printer-scanner-copier

Before buying an MFP, you need to study the technical characteristics of the devices. These include: print speed, noise level, print format, scanning, PC interfaces, etc. Let’s consider these parameters in more detail:

1. Print speed. The optimal rate is considered to be from 20 sheets per minute. This is enough for both home and semi-industrial use. If you do not need to print a lot of documents, choose an MFP with speeds up to 20 sheets per minute. It will cost less and will consume less electricity.
2. Operation volume. For home use, it is better to purchase a device with a low noise level. It will not disturb households or neighbors.
3. Print size. The printer must support standard print formats – A3, A4, A5. This will allow you to print not only standard documents and forms, but also photographs, certificates, etc.
4. Scan. Be sure to pay attention to the resolution of the scanner. For home use, 600-1200 dpi is enough. For professional scanning, it is better to take models from 2400 dpi. Inexpensive MFPs often have low resolution.
5. PC interfaces. Some printers/scanners/copiers can connect to a computer or phone using wireless networks. Such models are quite expensive, but greatly simplify the process of printing and scanning. If the MFP only supports a wired connection, make sure that the device has a standard USB output.

Also look out for additional features such as continuous ink supply, the ability to print without one of the cartridges, remote control, etc. The more features, the higher the cost of the device.

To sum up

You can find a quality MFP even in the budget segment. When choosing, consider the cost of consumables and the resource intensity of the device. Some manufacturers deliberately underestimate the price of MFPs, but increase the cost of replacement cartridges. A good device should support consumables from third-party manufacturers.

How to choose a printer-scanner-copier for home

If you often scan, print and copy documents, books, tables, drawings, it is more profitable to buy a printer-scanner-copier for home than to constantly use printing services.

Laser or inkjet?

First of all, you need to select the type of printer-copier. Matrix models are a thing of the past – in most cases it is a choice between laser and inkjet printing technology.

There is no universal answer to the question of which is better, laser or inkjet MFP. The choice will depend on what exactly you plan to print, how much and how often.

The laser copier is suitable if you:

• You prefer high speed printing. Laser models print an average of 16-20 pages per minute, inkjet – 7-8. In addition, printers of the first type print at the same speed regardless of the load. Inkjet machines start to work more slowly from the second minute. The higher the load, the more often they have to “rest”.
• Want to keep text and images from smearing or smearing when exposed to moisture. A laser copier “melts” the letters to the paper instead of just applying them, so the ink sticks better.
• You print so much that it is important for you to save money on refilling cartridges. The average life of a laser printer-copier cartridge is about 1500-2000 pages, and inkjet – from 100 to 500.
• You will print graphs, charts, and text more often than complex images.

Inkjet copier is the best choice if you:

• You want to print high quality photos, drawings, color images with excellent color reproduction.
• Don’t expect to buy an expensive device, but high quality printing is important to you. At an equal level, an inkjet printer-copier costs about 2-3 times cheaper than a laser one.
• Make sure you use your MFP regularly and don’t let the ink dry out.
• You will print images, photos, drawings more often than text and graphics.

If you do not plan to print photos, color images, charts often, it makes sense to choose a black and white printer-scanner-copier rather than a color one. Otherwise, you will overpay for an option that you will not use. What’s more, if you choose a color inkjet printer but print only black and white documents, the ink in unused cartridges will dry out over time.

An important point: if you prefer an inkjet MFP and want to save on cartridge refilling, choose a model with the CISS (Continuous Ink Supply System) option. Such a system contributes to a more economical consumption of paint. This way you can save a lot of money in the long run.

CISS system

Choosing a scanner

When choosing an MFP, you need to pay special attention to the characteristics of the scanner. Let’s see what details should be taken into account first of all.

Scanner type . In general, these devices come in three types: broaching, flatbed and slide. But in MFPs, as a rule, only two types of scanner are used – flatbed and combined flatbed-broaching. Models of the first type are suitable for scanning anything – documents, photos, magazines, books, etc. The principle is simple: you put a sheet on the device, press the lid on top and turn on the scan. The sensor thus moves, and the sheet lies motionless. In combined models there is an additional broaching mechanism. It works differently: you need to insert a sheet into a special tray, and the device will move it relative to a fixed sensor and scan. The feed mechanism is only suitable for working with single sheets – a book or magazine cannot be scanned with it.

The advantage of flatbed models over flatbed models is the higher scanning speed. It is much easier and faster to load one sheet at a time into the tray than to open the lid, put the document in, close it and scan. In addition, the mechanism itself in the “stretch mode” works faster. However, models with a combo scanner usually cost more than those with a regular flatbed.

ADF included. A necessary option for those who scan sheets in tens or even hundreds. The principle is simple: just put the sheets in the tray, and the device will automatically pick them up one by one and scan. Please note: this option is available for both flatbed and flatbed scanners.

There are many models with ADF. Examples are Canon PIXMA MG7540, Epson L350, Kyocera FS-1120MFP, HP LaserJet Pro MFP M125rnw.

Approval . Usually, models with a resolution of 600 or 1200 DPI are sufficient for home use. But if you plan to work with scanned images in the editor, choose a model with a resolution of 2000 DPI or more.

Color rendering . This point is related to the previous one. For home use, in most cases, models with 24-bit color reproduction are sufficient. However, if you need professional color images to be processed in an editor and plan to use a high-resolution model, choose a 48-bit color scanner.

Sheet size . The scanners in most MFPs are designed to work with A4 sheets. If you plan to digitize large books, magazines, posters, posters, choose a model that allows you to scan larger sheets.

Look at the specifications

Resolution . To print graphs, tables and texts, a resolution of 600×600 dpi is enough. If you plan to print or copy photos, complex drawings, it is better to choose an MFP with a higher resolution – for example, 9600×2400 dpi.

Connection interface . If you plan to connect the device to one computer, a USB connection will be sufficient. But if there are several computers in the house and it is important that you can use the MFP while working on any of them, it is better to choose a model with Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity. In this case, you do not have to transfer the printer-scanner-copier every now and then and connect it to one computer, then to another.

Noise level . The optimal values ​​​​are about 50-53 dB. In some models, the noise level during printing reaches 58-63 dB. Using such devices at home is not always comfortable. When choosing a model, pay special attention to the reviews of other buyers, to the characteristics and reviews. If possible, before buying, ask to test the MFP and evaluate for yourself whether the noise level during printing suits you.

Paper size . Most buyers who choose a printer-scanner-copier for the home prefer the standard A4 format. However, if you plan to print posters, posters, large tables, give preference to a model that allows you to work with A3 sheets. Examples of such devices are Kyocera TASKalfa 1800, HP Officejet 7500A e-All-in-One, Canon imageRUNNER 2202N.

Dimensions . When choosing a printer-scanner-copier for the home, buyers often do not pay attention to the dimensions of the device. And in vain. There is a risk that the MFP will be too large and cannot be installed in the planned location.