When it comes to selecting a home printer that caters to the diverse needs of your family, versatility is key. From copying important documents to scanning cherished old photos and printing lengthy essays or reports in a pinch, a reliable home printer is an essential addition to any household.
With efficient scanning capabilities for quick digitization and a low cost-per-print to align with your budget, the perfect home printer should offer a range of connectivity options for seamless printing from any device.
In this blog post, we will explore the best home printers that excel in meeting these essential criteria to satisfy the printing needs of every member of your family.
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How to Choose the Best Home Printer for You
Choosing the best home printer involves evaluating several factors to ensure it meets your specific needs. Below are key aspects to consider, supported by facts, figures, and detailed information for each point:
Types of Printers
There are two main types of printers suitable for home use: inkjet and laser printers.
Inkjet Printers: These printers are versatile and can handle a wide range of printing tasks, including photos and color documents. They are generally best for households that print a mixture of text, graphics, and photos.
Laser Printers: Best for those who print mostly text documents. Laser printers excel at producing sharp text quickly and efficiently. They are usually more cost-effective for high-volume printing.
Print Quality
Text: If you print mostly text, monochrome laser printers offer the sharpest text quality. For occasional color needs, a color laser or inkjet printer would be more suitable.
Photos: If photo printing is a priority, an inkjet printer with multiple color cartridges will provide the best colour accuracy and detail.
Graphics: For printing graphics or colorful documents, both color laser and inkjet printers can do a good job. However, inkjets typically offer better color gradation.
Print Speed and Volume
The speed of a printer is measured in pages per minute (ppm). If you often print large documents, a faster printer may save you time. Additionally, consider the printer’s monthly duty cycle, which indicates the maximum number of pages it can print per month without suffering wear.
Connectivity Options
USB: Nearly every printer will have a USB port, which is a reliable method for connecting a single computer to the printer.
Wi-Fi: Many home printers offer wireless connectivity, allowing for remote printing from multiple devices including smartphones and tablets.
Ethernet: Some printers also include an Ethernet port for wired networking.
Cloud Printing: This feature allows you to print from anywhere via the internet.
Scanner and Copier Functionality
An all-in-one (multifunction) printer that includes scanning, copying, and sometimes fax capabilities can be very convenient and might save you money and space compared to buying separate devices.
Ink or Toner Costs
The ongoing cost of replacement ink or toner cartridges is an important consideration. Some printers have a low upfront cost but can be expensive to maintain due to high-priced cartridges. Others might cost more initially but use more efficient cartridges that offer a lower cost per page.
Paper Handling
The size and type of paper you can use with the printer are important. If you need to print on card stock, photo paper, or envelopes, make sure the printer can accommodate these. Also, consider the capacity of the paper tray to determine how often you might need to reload it.
Double side Printing
Double-sided printing, also known as duplexing, refers to the printer’s ability to print on both sides of a sheet of paper automatically. This feature is both eco-friendly and cost-effective as it can significantly reduce paper usage.
Manual Duplexing: Some printers offer manual duplexing, where you have to reinsert the paper to print on the second side, which can be time-consuming and less precise.
Automatic Duplexing: Printers with automatic duplexing can handle this process without user intervention. This is highly convenient for those who frequently print multi-page documents and want to create professional-looking reports or booklets.
Automatic Document feeder
An Automatic Document Feeder is a feature found on many multifunction printers. It allows you to automatically feed multiple pages into the scanner or copier, which is a substantial time saver for scanning, copying, or faxing multi-page documents.
For Light Use: If you occasionally scan or copy multi-page documents, a basic ADF might suffice.
For Heavy Use: For those who frequently deal with multi-page documents, look for an ADF with a higher capacity and the ability to scan both sides of a page (duplex scanning) without having to manually flip the pages.
Space
Make sure the printer’s dimensions will fit in your available space. Printers range in size from compact models suitable for small desks to larger units that require more room.
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The Best Home Printers NZ
1. ENVY 6420 Printer All-in-One Printer
The HP Envy Pro 6420 presents itself as a compact workhorse for the modern home office. With the ability to print, copy, scan, and fax, it’s designed to handle a variety of tasks with ease. Its convenience is further enhanced when paired with a smartphone, making it a versatile choice for busy individuals.
Duplex printing is a standout feature, adding efficiency by automatically printing both sides of the paper. The addition of a 35-page automatic document feeder (ADF) for scanning and copying stacks of documents is a time-saving bonus. This feature aligns with the needs of those who have to manage multiple-page documents regularly.
Connectivity is a breeze with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for tangled wires or an Ethernet port. The intuitive touch screen interface simplifies the user experience, while the HP mobile app integration for both iOS and Android phones ensures on-the-go access to this printer’s full range of functions.
2. Brother MFCJ491DW Multifunction Printer
The Brother MFC-J491DW is an all-rounder that caters to both the eco-conscious and the space-conscious individual. With its sleek design and stylish black finish, it not only looks good but also fits comfortably into smaller spaces. It promises dependable printing, making it suitable for a variety of tasks in any home or office setting.
Functionality meets convenience with this printer’s good print quality and the inclusion of an automatic document feeder. The compact design does not compromise efficiency, providing ample scanning area for those multi-page documents that need attention.
Versatility is a key benefit here, with a 100-sheet standard tray and a 20-sheet automatic document feeder complemented by a 4.5cm LCD for easy navigation. The ability to print from mobile devices via AirPrint™ and Google Cloud Print™, as well as options to scan directly to email, network folders, and the cloud, extends its utility beyond basic printing tasks, making it a valuable asset for modern, connected workspace.
3. Brother DCPJ1100DW Multifunction Printer
For those in need of a swift and cost-effective printing solution, the Brother DCP-J1100DW stands out as a prime candidate. It offers a brisk print speed of 10 pages per minute, whether it’s color or black & white, at an impressively low cost of approximately 5 cents per page, presenting itself as an economical choice for regular printing needs.
Equipped with convenient features like automatic two-sided printing and copying, as well as scanning capabilities, this printer doesn’t skimp on functionality. The inclusion of a 150-sheet standard tray, a 20-sheet photo paper tray, and an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) ensures that it can handle a variety of tasks without a hitch, from standard documents to photo printing.
Connectivity is seamless with the Brother DCP-J1100DW, thanks to its front-panel SD card slot and USB port for quick access, complemented by a concealed rear port. With Wi-Fi capability, the printer easily connects to wireless devices, ensuring that printing from smartphones or tablets is hassle-free, making it a well-rounded addition to any productive workspace.
4. Brother MFCJ5330DW Multifunction Printer
The Brother MFC-J5330DW A3 Colour Multifunction Inkjet Printer stands as a comprehensive solution for those seeking a reliable multifunction device. Capable of printing, scanning, copying, and faxing with remarkable speed and quality, it excels in environments where high performance and large paper handling are required.
Efficiency is at the core of this printer, boasting the ability to produce up to 27 color pages per minute and scanning up to 14 images a minute. This level of professional-grade output solidifies its position as an ideal printer for both office and home use.
Featuring a substantial 250-sheet input tray and a 50-page automatic document feeder, this machine streamlines the scanning process and accommodates ample paper supply for emergencies. Its double-sided printing capability not only enhances productivity but also advocates for energy conservation. With wireless, USB, network, and Wi-Fi Direct options, the 6.8 cm LCD touchscreen paves the way for effortless navigation and easy access to its various functions, ensuring that staying connected to the digital world is simpler than ever. Adding to its appeal, high-yield cartridges offer a considerable volume of pages before requiring replacement, making the Brother MFC-J5330DW a dependable ally for bustling workplaces and home offices alike.
5. Canon PIXMA G4610 Megatank Printer
The Canon PIXMA Endurance G4610 is a compact printer that boasts an impressive ink system designed for those with high-volume printing needs, especially when it comes to pictures. Its refillable four-ink tank system comes with four substantial bottles of ink, providing a long-lasting supply that could extend for months or even years, making it a practical addition to any desk space.
With its generous ink capacity, the Canon PIXMA G4610 is poised to deliver up to 7000 color pages and 6000 black-and-white pages on A4 paper, suggesting a solution for a variety of printing demands. Whether it’s for vivid school projects at home or producing crisp documents during field research, this printer is engineered for quality output across different scenarios.
Connectivity is a breeze with the PIXMA Cloud Link feature, enabling direct printing from popular online platforms like Dropbox and Instagram. This eliminates the need for complex setups, allowing you to print easily without the need to connect your phone to a computer. The Canon PIXMA Endurance G4610 is tailored for users who appreciate convenience, high yield, and quality in their printing tasks.
6. HP NeverStop Laser Printer – 1001NW
The HP Neverstop Laser 1001nw positions itself as a seamless addition to any home or small office, prioritizing efficiency and ease of use. Outfitted with a 150-sheet input tray, a 500MHz processor, and 32MB of RAM, it’s ready to tackle various tasks right out of the box.
The printer’s innovative and sleek design houses robust capabilities, including rapid printing speeds of up to 20 mono pages per minute and sharp resolutions of 600 x 600 dpi, ensuring clarity in both text and imagery. It’s a machine that doesn’t compromise on aesthetics or performance.
Not just a pretty face, the HP Neverstop Laser 1001nw is a model of reliability, well-suited for educators and students who need consistent results without interruptions. Its compatibility with both Windows and Mac via USB, network, or wireless connections enhances its adaptability. Additionally, its proactive low ink alerts and the capacity to print up to 7 times more pages than competitors before requiring a reload make it a standout for productivity.
The Neverstop system’s cartridge-free tank revolutionizes toner replenishment, promoting uninterrupted workflow with a quick and easy 15-second refill process. This printer promises to keep up with the demands of a busy office, emphasizing both volume and quality without the frequent pauses for maintenance.
7. Epson Workforce Multifunction Printer
The Epson Workforce Pro WF-7845DTWF elevates the printing experience to professional echelons, ensuring each output is characterized by striking clarity and sharpness. Not only does it deliver vibrant color prints with its three folders, but it also maintains precision across various projects.
Speed meets high definition with this Epson model as it churns out up to 22 color and 32 mono pages per minute, while offering printing resolutions of up to 4,800 x 2,400 dpi and scanning resolutions of 1,200 x 2,400 dpi. Right out of the box, it’s equipped with dual 500-sheet input trays, a 50-sheet output tray, a 50-sheet automatic document feeder, and the convenience of automatic double-sided printing.
The Epson Workforce Pro WF-7845DTWF is designed to integrate effortlessly into any office environment. With its 10-inch color touchscreen and intuitive interface, the printer is easily navigable by all users. Its versatile connectivity options include network, Wi-Fi, and USB, allowing seamless operation. Compatibility with AirPrint and Mopria Print Service enhances its wireless printing capabilities, making it simple to command print jobs from anywhere in the office, accommodating both Apple and Android users alike.
FAQs
Which brand printer is best for home use?
Epson and HP are two brands renowned for producing printers suited for home use, offering a balance of functionality, quality, and affordability. Choice varies based on specific needs such as photo printing, document printing, or multifunctional use.
What is the best all-around home printer?
The Epson Workforce Pro WF-7845DTWF is highly recommended for its print speed, clarity, and versatile connectivity options, making it an excellent all-around home printer.
Which is better HP or Epson printer?
Choosing between HP and Epson depends on your needs: HP is often preferred for its laser printing and office-centric features, while Epson is favored for superior inkjet models with high-quality photo outputs.
Which printer is better HP or Canon for home use?
Both HP and Canon offer excellent printers for home use. HP is praised for innovative features like the Neverstop Laser series, while Canon is known for its PIXMA lineup with strong photo printing capabilities.
Which is better inkjet or laser?
Inkjet printers excel in producing vibrant photos and colour documents and are usually more affordable upfront. Laser printers, however, are typically faster, more durable, and cost-effective over time, especially for text document printing.