How to Buy the Right Printer - The How-To Geek Guide
Choosing the Right Home Printer
While computer printers are commonly found in many homes and offices, selecting the appropriate model isn't always straightforward. A careful evaluation of your requirements is essential before making a purchase.
Understanding Printer Types
Several distinct types of printers cater to different needs. Each offers unique advantages and disadvantages regarding cost, speed, and print quality.
- Inkjet Printers: These are popular for home use due to their affordability and ability to print on various paper types.
- Laser Printers: Typically favored in business environments, laser printers excel at producing high-quality text documents quickly.
- All-in-One Printers: Combining printing, scanning, and copying functionalities, these versatile devices offer convenience.
- Photo Printers: Specifically designed for printing high-resolution photographs, these printers prioritize color accuracy and detail.
Key Considerations Before Buying
Before investing in a home printer, several factors should be taken into account to ensure optimal performance and satisfaction.
Print volume is a crucial aspect. Consider how frequently you anticipate printing; infrequent users may not require a high-capacity machine.
Print quality requirements also play a significant role. Documents with intricate graphics or photographs demand a printer capable of delivering superior resolution.
Connectivity options are important for seamless integration with your devices. Wi-Fi connectivity allows for wireless printing from smartphones and tablets.
The cost of consumables, such as ink or toner, should be factored into the overall expense. Some printers have lower upfront costs but higher running costs.
Additional Features to Explore
Beyond the core functionalities, several additional features can enhance your printing experience.
Duplex printing, the ability to print on both sides of the paper automatically, can save paper and reduce costs.
An automatic document feeder (ADF) simplifies scanning and copying multiple pages. This is particularly useful for office tasks.
Mobile printing capabilities enable you to print directly from your smartphone or tablet without needing a computer connection.
Ultimately, the best home printer is the one that aligns with your specific needs and budget. Thorough research and careful consideration will lead to a successful purchase.
Understanding Your Printing Requirements
A vast array of printers are available, each designed for specific purposes. However, it’s uncommon to find a single printer that excels across a wide spectrum of tasks.
A common difficulty for consumers when selecting a home printer is identifying a model that effectively addresses the majority of their requirements, all while remaining financially sensible.
Defining Your Printing Profile
Initiating your printer search with a precise understanding of your printing needs is paramount. Consider your recent print history and anticipate your future printing activities.
Are your prints predominantly black and white text documents? Or do you frequently produce color photographs and vibrant drafts for professional presentations?
Key Considerations
The nature of your printing tasks is the most significant determinant in choosing the appropriate printer. It’s crucial to select a printer tailored to your current workload.
Avoid purchasing a printer based on potential future uses; prioritize the tasks you perform regularly. Focus on the printer best suited for your current business reports, rather than hypothetical scrapbook projects.
Prioritizing current needs ensures a more practical and cost-effective investment.
Understanding Printer Technology
The fundamental principle behind any printer lies in the technology that powers the printing process itself. The mechanics of printing involve various methods, including ink blasts, powder toner, electrostatic charges, and numerous other combinations to create an image.
We will now detail the primary technologies available, outlining their advantages and disadvantages.
Ink Jet Printers
Ink jet printers are ubiquitous, frequently included with computer packages and readily available at affordable prices in retail stores. They have achieved significant market penetration among home users.
At its core, ink jet technology utilizes minuscule nozzles to spray a fine mist of ink onto paper. While sophisticated microchips and electro-mechanical systems support this process, it fundamentally resembles tiny spray cans applying ink to a page.
The widespread popularity of ink jet printers stems from their versatility. Although lower-end models don't excel in any single printing type, they deliver acceptable results across a broad range of applications. Currently, high-end ink jets and photo printers utilizing ink jet technology dominate the consumer photo printing market.
They can produce plain black and white documents, color photographs, and print on diverse media that other printers often cannot accommodate. Because the ink is sprayed onto the surface, not heated, and isn't bent or rolled (with a pass-through tray), a wide array of media can be used, from photo paper to canvas and T-shirt transfers.
If you plan to use an ink jet printer for photos, consider reviewing our guide to photo paper and ink quality.
However, ink jet printers are often slow, and print quality can vary considerably. If you regularly print lengthy reports, expect a considerable wait. Print quality is also dependent on the ink and paper used.
Business-oriented ink jets typically employ pigment-based inks for sharp lines and graphics, ideal for professional printing. Photo-focused ink jets generally use dye-based inks for smoother blending and more realistic colors. While some brands offer cartridges for both purposes, frequent switching is less than optimal.
The most significant drawback of ink jet printing is the ongoing cost. While printers themselves can be inexpensive, the cost of replacement ink cartridges is substantial. Third-party cartridges and refill kits are available, but they often void warranties and can be messy to use.
The Final Verdict for Ink Jet Printers: If you require printing on various materials and are willing to accept the higher supply costs associated with frequent ink cartridge replacements, ink jet printers offer a versatile solution for a home office.
Laser/LED Printers
Unlike ink jet printers, laser printers do not rely on ink and nozzles. They function more like photocopiers, utilizing an electrostatic charge applied to the paper. This charge attracts toner—an ultra-fine powder—which is then fused onto the paper with heat. This fusion process explains why water doesn't damage laser prints as it does ink jet prints.
Speed and cost-effectiveness are the primary advantages of laser printers. While ink jets offer versatility with different inks and media, laser printers are generally monochromatic and limited to media that can withstand the fusing process. Color laser printers are available, but toner refills remain expensive for most home users.
A key benefit of laser printing is toner longevity. The dry toner remains usable for months or even years without degradation, unlike ink jet cartridges which can dry out and clog. Old laser printers can be revived after years of storage and still produce high-quality prints.
LED printers, a recent addition to the market, are essentially enhanced laser printers. Traditional laser printers use moving mirrors and lenses to create the image on the toner drum. LED printers utilize a solid-state array, eliminating the need for moving parts and reducing the risk of misalignment.
LED printers typically cost slightly more than laser printers, but offer potentially faster printing speeds and increased reliability due to the solid-state LED array. However, laser printers have proven remarkably durable, with some models still functioning reliably after decades of use.
The Final Verdict on Laser/LED Printers: If your primary printing needs involve black and white text with occasional images, laser or LED printers offer unmatched value. They are more durable, faster, and cost less per print than ink jet printers. The long-term savings can be significant; one toner cartridge in our HP Laserjet lasted for 12 years, costing approximately $100.
Printer Features, Terms, and Jargon
For home users, both inkjet and monochrome laser/LED printers represent excellent choices. Color laser printing, however, remains cost-prohibitive for typical household use. After determining the printer type that suits your needs, you’ll encounter a wide array of features and terminology.
It’s important to note, as we highlighted in our HDTV guide, that manufacturers often employ flexible marketing language. Always consult consumer reviews before making a purchase to verify claims.
Resolution/DPI
You'll frequently encounter DPI references during your printer search. DPI signifies Dots-Per-Inch, indicating the number of individual ink or toner dots deposited within a square inch of the printable area.
Understand that the DPI measurement for printing differs significantly from the Pixels-Per-Inch used for monitors. Monitors can achieve greater detail and color vibrancy with fewer pixels due to their construction and superior color rendering capabilities.
Printing technology has advanced considerably, making the DPI number less critical than it once was. 150 DPI is adequate for basic drafts, 300 DPI is sufficient for sharp text and logos, and higher DPI values offer even better print quality.
Low-end inkjet printers typically offer 300-600 DPI, while higher-end models exceed 1,000 DPI. Laser/LED printers range from 600-2,000+ DPI. If you aren’t printing photos, you can generally disregard the DPI rating, as even entry-level printers provide ample resolution for standard documents.
Printing Speed
Printing speed is commonly expressed as PPM (pages per minute), but may also be noted as CPM (characters per minute) or IPM (images per minute) for photo printers. Comparing inkjet and laser printer PPM ratings reveals a substantial difference.
Inkjet printers are considerably slower than laser printers. Manufacturers sometimes inflate inkjet PPM ratings by advertising draft-quality print speeds. Be mindful of this and consider halving the stated PPM to estimate high-quality print speeds.
Treat the stated printing speed as an estimate. Your actual PPM will vary based on the type of printing you perform. For example, a laser printer will quickly process a text report, while an inkjet printer may take longer to complete a photo print.
Connection Types
Printers no longer connect via serial or parallel ports. USB is now the standard for wired connections. Many printers, particularly laser/LED models, include a network jack for network printing.
Increasingly, printers are equipped with built-in Wi-Fi. Network and/or Wi-Fi printing are invaluable if you want to place your printer away from your computer. This simplifies printing from desktops, laptops, and mobile devices without requiring print-sharing services.
Mobile Printing
Mobile/cloud printing is a newer feature, allowing printing from smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. While still evolving, it’s becoming increasingly popular.
Two primary solutions are available. Apple’s AirPlay compatibility allows iOS users to print from iPhones and iPads. Google’s Cloud Print connects Android, iOS, and other mobile platforms to cloud-enabled computers and standalone printers.
Internal Memory
Printers can have varying amounts of internal memory, ranging from minimal to around half a GB. Single-function inkjet printers typically have limited memory, while multi-function models have more. Laser printers generally have larger memory capacities.
Networked/Wi-Fi enabled printers usually have the most memory to handle multiple print jobs. Unless you print large volumes or receive numerous network print requests, a large memory bank isn’t essential. Check for upgrade slots if you’re concerned about future needs.
Multi-Function/All-In-One
Multi-function printers combine features like scanning, printing, faxing, and even phone handsets into a single unit. They are often cheaper than purchasing separate devices.
However, a failure in any component can disable the entire unit. While convenient and space-saving, they present a single point of failure. We generally recommend caution with multi-function units, but a good deal and willingness to accept the risk can make them worthwhile.
Thoroughly research reviews before purchasing an All-In-One model to ensure reliability.
Stand-Alone Printing
Some printers offer stand-alone printing, allowing you to print directly from a USB drive, SD card, or other removable media without a computer. This feature is most useful for stand-alone photo printers, enabling convenient printing from camera memory cards.
OS Compatibility
While improving, OS-to-printer communication can still be an issue. Windows users generally experience no problems, Mac users encounter fewer issues, and Linux users often face the most challenges.
Linux and Mac users should research compatibility with specific brands before purchasing. Linux users can find resources at Linux-Drivers.org, while Mac users can consult Apple’s support documentation.
Monthly Duty Cycle
The duty cycle is an often-overlooked specification. It represents the maximum number of pages a printer can reliably print per month.
Choose a printer with a duty cycle exceeding your anticipated needs to ensure trouble-free operation. Printers with higher duty cycle ratings are built more robustly.
A higher duty cycle reduces the risk of premature wear. A long-lasting laser printer, for example, may have a 10,000-page monthly duty cycle, far exceeding the user’s actual printing volume.
Duplexing
Duplexing refers to automatic two-sided printing. Without duplexing, you must manually flip and re-feed pages for two-sided prints.
Manual duplexing is cumbersome. If you value paper savings or thinner printouts, prioritize a printer with automatic duplexing.
Manual Feed/Multi-Purpose Tray
If you frequently print on card stock, envelopes, or specialty media, a manual feed or multi-purpose tray is essential. This bypasses the printer’s standard paper handling mechanisms, preventing bending or damage.
Consumables
All printers consume supplies like ink, toner, and paper. Before purchasing, research the cost of consumables.
A seemingly inexpensive printer can become costly if cartridges are expensive or require frequent replacement. Consider cartridge replacement options and aftermarket alternatives.
For laser/LED printers, ensure you can replace only the toner drum, as some manufacturers require replacing the entire toner/fuser assembly.
Begin by identifying your primary printing needs (black and white versus color), then prioritize essential features like duplexing and Wi-Fi. Finally, compare models to find those extra features that enhance your printing experience. This approach ensures you select a printer that meets your core requirements and provides added convenience.
