The main brand names are Brother, Cannon, Epson and HP. Here are some things to consider when buying a new printer.
- Ink Type
- Functions
- Paper Options
- Connectivity
Ink Type
There are 3 basic types of printers – inkjet, ink-tank or laser.
- Inkjets use ink cartridges but if you don’t print a lot the ink can dry out.
- Ink-tanks are inkjet printers that use refillable bottles vs having to buy cartridges. Often more cost effective in the long run.
- Laser printers use toner cartridges which can be more expensive to replace, but don’t dry out.
- Color laser printers are more expensive so if you don’t need color, purchase one that prints just Black & White.
Many of the brands now support ink subscriptions where they will send you ink when you get “low”. You don’t have to subscribe to those programs, and can purchase your own ink.
Do factor in the cost of the ink/toner when looking at the overall cost of the printer.
Functions
Printers can either just print, or have the option to make copies and scan. These are called all-in-one (or multifunction) printers which combines printing, copying, scanning, and often faxing into one device. Note: to fax you must have a landline phone line.
If you need to scan or copy books or photos, a flatbed scanner is ideal. If you routinely scan multi-page documents, an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a must.
Not all printers will support duplexing (2-sided printing) so if that is a requirement make sure your model supports it. Duplexing can save on paper.
Paper
Look at where the paper feeds in from – some are from the back and others have paper trays.
If you print frequently, look for paper trays holding 250 to 500 sheets rather than smaller 50-sheet entry tray.
Connectivity
Most new printers support a WIFI connection (or Ethernet) which will allow you to print from your phones, tablets and computers.
You can still connect to a computer via a USB cable which connects into a USB-A port on your computer.