The Best Computer Printer

Whether you are equipping a home office, helping a student stay on top of assignments, or managing a small business, a reliable computer printer remains essential.

With so many formats, inkjet, laser, tank, and all-in-one, finding the right balance of print quality, running costs, and features can be overwhelming.

Our team has analyzed specifications, synthesized expert consensus, and evaluated verified buyer feedback to bring you a curated selection of the top models. Dive into our recommendations below to find the best computer printer for your needs.

Best Computer Printer Buying Guide

Print Speed and Volume

Print speed, measured in pages per minute (ppm), determines how quickly you can get through a stack of documents. For light home use, 8, 12 ppm in black is sufficient, while a busy office may require 20 ppm or more.

Consider your weekly print volume: occasional users can tolerate lower speeds, but heavy users should prioritize a model with higher ppm ratings. If you frequently print double-sided, look for automatic duplexing at rated speeds to avoid slow single-side cycling.

The best laser printer options typically excel at high-volume monochrome jobs, whereas inkjets often offer faster color output. Many all-in-one models now include a recommended monthly duty cycle, a good indicator of the machine’s durability.

Compare these figures with your expected workload to avoid premature wear.

Print Quality: Color vs. Monochrome

Your output needs dictate whether color or monochrome matters more. For school reports, invoices, or text-heavy documents, a crisp monochrome laser delivers sharp, smudge-resistant pages at low cost per page.

If you print presentations, graphics, or photos regularly, a color inkjet with multiple ink cartridges or a tank system can produce vibrant results.

Check the maximum resolution: 4800×1200 dpi is common for quality photo printing, while 600×600 dpi suffices for text. Experts note that dye-based inks offer vivid colors but may fade over time, whereas pigment-based inks resist water and UV damage.

For daily mixed-use, a printer with separate black and color cartridges allows you to replace only the depleted color.

Connectivity Options

Modern printers support a range of connections: Wi-Fi for wireless printing from anywhere in the home, Ethernet for stable office networks, and USB for direct wired use. Many also include Bluetooth for quick mobile printing.

Look for support of Apple AirPrint and Android Mopria to print straight from smartphones without drivers. A handy USB port on the front lets you print from flash drives.

For multi-device homes, dual-band Wi-Fi reduces interference, while an Ethernet port ensures consistent speeds. If you often work from a laptop or tablet, see our guide to the best wifi printer for seamless integration. Built-in NFC can simplify pairing for supported devices.

Running Costs: Ink, Laser, and Tank

Ongoing consumable costs can dwarf the initial purchase price. Traditional inkjet printers use cartridges that may need frequent replacing, leading to high cost per page. Laser toner cartridges last longer, making them more economical for heavy black-and-white printing.

Supertank or ink-tank printers refill with bottled ink, offering the lowest cost per page among inkjet types, but require a higher upfront investment.

Calculate your yearly page count to estimate total ownership cost. Some manufacturers offer subscription services that deliver ink automatically, which can lower per-page costs if you print regularly. For those who print infrequently, a best tank printer model avoids dried-out cartridges and wasted ink.

Special Features: ADF, Duplex, and Fax

An automatic document feeder (ADF) is invaluable for scanning or copying multi-page documents without manually feeding each page. Look for a 20-sheet or larger ADF capacity.

Automatic duplex printing (two-sided) saves paper and is a standard feature on most recent models. Built-in fax may still be required in medical or legal settings, but many modern all-in-ones include it as a digital service.

For a complete feature set, explore the best multifunction printer options that combine print, scan, copy, and sometimes fax in one device. Touchscreen control panels and memory card slots can further simplify operations in a shared workspace.

Space and Design

Printer footprints vary significantly. Compact models fit on a small desk or shelf, while full-featured office machines require dedicated stands. Measure your intended placement area, including clearance for paper trays and the rear document feeder.

Some designs allow front access to paper and ink, enabling placement in tight corners.

If space is at a premium, consider a best compact printer that maintains decent speed and connectivity. Weight matters too if you plan to move the printer between rooms. Many modern printers come in neutral white or black finishes to blend with home office decor.

Why You Should Trust Us

At BestProducts, we evaluate each product using our proprietary BP Score on a 0 to 10 scale.

Our assessments are grounded in a comprehensive research approach: we review technical specifications, analyze expert review consensus from trusted industry publications, and incorporate verified buyer feedback from real users.

We do not conduct our own product trials; our evaluations are grounded in research, published data, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback. This methodology ensures our recommendations are objective, transparent, and based on real-world performance data.

We are an independent review site, we do not sell printers or handle orders. Our content is funded through affiliate links, which do not influence our ratings or rankings. For more on how we work, see our Computers & Office category page.

Final Thoughts

After thoroughly comparing the top models on the market, we have awarded the following category winners based on our BP Score and specific strengths:

• Best Overall: Brother DCP-L2640DW, This wireless monochrome multifunction printer earned the highest BP Score in our lineup thanks to its exceptional speed, reliable duplex printing, and compact design that suits both home and small offices.
• Best Color All-in-One: Canon PIXMA TS6520, Tied for the top score, this model stands out for vibrant color output, a built-in duplexer, and a user-friendly OLED display, making it ideal for creative and household needs.
• Best Value: Canon PIXMA TR7120, With a high BP Score and features like an ADF and duplex printing at a mid-range price, it delivers excellent functionality for the cost.
• Best Budget: HP DeskJet 2955, The most affordable option in our list still offers solid color printing, scanning, and copying, plus a trial of Instant Ink to lower ongoing costs.
• Best Supertank: Epson EcoTank ET-4800, This cartridge-free tank printer minimizes refills and delivers a low cost per page, making it a smart long-term investment for home offices with moderate to high volume.

Each of these picks has been vetted against our consistent criteria. Whether you need a workhorse for daily documents or a versatile machine for photos, our top choices provide a clear starting point.

For more specialized needs, explore our guides to the best home printer and best portable printer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best computer printer for home use?

For most homes, a color inkjet all-in-one with Wi-Fi and duplex printing offers the best balance of features and affordability. Models like the Canon PIXMA TS6520 or HP DeskJet 2955 provide good print quality for documents and occasional photos.

If you print mostly black text, a monochrome laser such as the Brother DCP-L2640DW can save money in the long run.

Inkjet vs. laser: which is better?

Inkjet printers excel at color and photo printing and have lower upfront costs, but cartridges can be expensive per page. Laser printers are faster, more durable, and cheaper per page for black-and-white text, making them ideal for office environments.

Supertank inkjets offer a middle ground with low running costs and color capability.

How much should I spend on a printer?

Entry-level models around $50, $100 are sufficient for occasional use. For regular printing, consider spending $100, $200 to get features like duplex scanning, a larger paper tray, or tank printing. High-end office printers with networking and advanced finishing can cost $300 or more.

Factor in the cost of consumables over two years to gauge true ownership expenses.

What is a supertank printer?

Supertank printers use large refillable ink reservoirs instead of cartridges. They come with bottles of ink that can yield thousands of pages before needing a refill, dramatically lowering the cost per page. The Epson EcoTank series is a popular example.

The initial purchase price is higher, but for moderate to high volume users, the savings add up quickly.

Do I need a printer with duplex printing?

If you frequently print multi-page documents, automatic duplex printing (two-sided) saves paper and cutting in half. It also reduces bulk and looks more professional. Most modern printers include this feature, but budget models may require manual flipping.

For daily use, it is a convenience worth having.

How important is print speed?

Print speed matters if you regularly handle large batches. For light home use, 5, 10 ppm is adequate, but a small office should look for 15 ppm or more in black and white.

Fast color speeds (around 10 ppm) are beneficial for presentations or marketing materials. Always check the rated speed for both black and color pages, and consider duplex speed if you print double-sided often.

Looking for a printer that fits a tight space? Read our guide to the best small printer. For those who need to print on the go, our best mobile printer roundup covers portable options.

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