The best printer depends on what you print, how often, and whether you need color

There is no single "best" printer because the right choice depends on your actual printing needs. A printer that works perfectly for someone printing a few documents a month will frustrate someone who prints photos weekly. The main decision points are: do you need color or black-and-white only, how many pages per month you'll print, whether you need to scan or copy documents, and how much you want to spend on ink or toner over time.

The two main printer types are inkjet and laser. Inkjets are cheaper upfront, print color well, and handle photo paper. Lasers cost more initially but have much lower per-page costs and print faster if you print a lot. A third option, multifunction printers, combine printing, scanning, and copying in one machine — useful if you need all three but space is tight.

Key Takeaways

  • Inkjet printers are best for occasional color printing and photos, but ink cartridges cost more per page than laser toner.
  • Laser printers make sense if you print more than 100 pages a month in black and white, because toner lasts much longer.
  • Multifunction printers save space and money if you need to print, scan, and copy, but they are more expensive upfront than single-function machines.
  • The total cost of ownership — machine price plus ink or toner over three years — matters more than the sticker price alone.
  • Wireless connectivity and automatic document feeders are useful features but add to the cost; decide whether you actually need them.

Inkjet printers: best for color and occasional use

Inkjet printers spray tiny dots of liquid ink onto paper. They excel at color printing and handle specialty papers — glossy photo paper, cardstock, envelopes — without modification. They are also the cheapest to buy, usually between $50 and $300 for a basic model.

The catch is ink cost. A single color cartridge costs $10 to $20 and prints roughly 300 to 500 pages before running dry. If you print 50 pages a month, you might replace a cartridge every 10 months. Over three years, ink can cost $150 to $300. Some newer inkjet models use refillable tanks instead of cartridges, which reduces per-page cost significantly — but these machines cost more upfront, usually $200 to $400.

Inkjets are ideal if you print fewer than 100 pages a month, need color regularly, or print photos. They are poor if you print mostly text and numbers in black and white, because the ink dries out even if you do not use the printer, wasting money.

Laser printers: best for high volume and text

Laser printers use heat and static electricity to fuse powdered toner onto paper. They print faster than inkjets — typically 25 to 40 pages per minute — and toner cartridges last much longer. A single black toner cartridge might print 2,000 to 3,000 pages and cost $50 to $100, bringing the per-page cost to roughly 2 to 4 cents. Inkjet per-page cost is usually 5 to 15 cents.

Laser printers cost more upfront: black-and-white models start around $150 to $300, and color lasers begin around $400 to $600. But if you print more than 100 pages a month, the lower toner cost pays back the higher purchase price within a year or two. They are also better for offices because they do not require warm-up time and do not dry out if unused.

The downside is color laser printers are expensive to operate — each color cartridge costs $50 to $150 — so they only make financial sense if you print a lot of color. For mostly black-and-white printing, a black-and-white laser is the cheapest option over time.

Multifunction printers: combining print, scan, and copy

A multifunction printer (also called an all-in-one) handles printing, scanning documents to your computer, and copying in one machine. They come in both inkjet and laser versions. The advantage is space and convenience — you do not need three separate machines. The disadvantage is they cost more than a single-function printer and if one function breaks, the whole machine is down.

Multifunction inkjets typically cost $100 to $400. Multifunction lasers cost $300 to $800. They are worth the extra cost if you actually scan documents regularly or make copies — if you never use those functions, buy a printer only and save money.

Look for a model with an automatic document feeder (ADF) if you scan or copy multi-page documents often. An ADF feeds pages through automatically instead of requiring you to place each page on the glass. This feature adds $100 to $200 to the price but saves time and frustration.

Wireless and mobile printing features

Most printers sold today include wireless (Wi-Fi) connectivity, allowing you to print from your phone, tablet, or laptop without plugging in a cable. This is genuinely useful if you move between rooms or have multiple devices. Wireless printers cost $20 to $50 more than wired models.

Mobile printing standards like Apple AirPrint (for iPhones and iPads) and Google Cloud Print (for Android and Chromebooks) are built into most modern printers. Check that your printer supports your device type before buying. Some printers also have their own apps that let you print from your phone even when away from home, though this requires an internet connection and a cloud account.

Wireless is convenient but not essential. If your printer will sit on a desk next to your computer, a wired USB connection is simpler, more reliable, and costs less.

How to calculate total cost of ownership

The sticker price is only part of the cost. To compare printers fairly, calculate what you will spend on supplies over three years. Find the page yield (number of pages per cartridge or toner) and the cartridge cost on the manufacturer's website or the retailer's listing. Multiply the cartridge cost by how many cartridges you will need in three years based on your monthly printing volume.

Example: A $200 laser printer with $80 toner cartridges that print 2,500 pages each. If you print 200 pages per month, you need one cartridge every 12.5 months, or about 3 cartridges per year. Over three years, that is 9 cartridges at $80 each ($720) plus the machine ($200) = $920 total. An $80 inkjet printer with $15 cartridges that print 400 pages each would cost $80 plus roughly $45 per year in cartridges ($135 over three years) = $215 total — much cheaper for light printing, but the math flips if you print 500 pages a month.

Most retailers list the "cost per page" for supplies. Use this number to compare models quickly.

Common printer features and whether you need them

Automatic two-sided printing (duplex) saves paper and looks professional for documents you share. It adds $30 to $100 to the price. Worth it if you print multi-page documents regularly; skip it if you print mostly single pages.

High-capacity paper trays hold 250 to 500 sheets instead of the standard 100 to 150. Useful if you print a lot and do not want to refill constantly. Usually adds $50 to $150.

Mobile printing and cloud connectivity are standard now and cost little extra. Specialty features like borderless photo printing, envelope feeders, or large-format scanning are niche — only pay for them if you know you will use them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I buy a printer with a refillable ink tank?

Refillable tank printers (sometimes called MegaTank or EcoTank models) have much lower per-page costs than cartridge printers — often 1 to 2 cents per page instead of 5 to 15 cents. They cost $200 to $400 upfront but save money if you print more than 100 pages a month. If you print fewer than 50 pages a month, the upfront cost is not worth it.

Can I use third-party or refilled cartridges to save money?

Yes, but with caveats. Third-party cartridges cost 30 to 50 percent less than brand-name ones and work in most printers. The risk is poor print quality, cartridge leaks, or voiding your printer warranty. Read reviews for your specific printer model before buying third-party cartridges. Refilled cartridges are cheaper but less reliable than new third-party ones.

What printer should I buy if I print photos?

An inkjet printer is your best choice for photos because it handles glossy and specialty papers and produces better color than laser. Look for a model with at least four ink colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). Six-color models add light cyan and light magenta for smoother gradients in photos, but cost more. Multifunction inkjets with automatic document feeders are also good if you scan old photos.

Is a color laser printer worth it?

Only if you print color documents regularly and in high volume. Color toner cartridges cost $50 to $150 each, and you need all four colors (black, cyan, magenta, yellow) to print. A single color page can cost 15 to 30 cents. For occasional color printing, an inkjet is much cheaper. For a small business printing color marketing materials weekly, a color laser makes sense.

Do I need a printer if I mostly work on my computer?

If you rarely print, consider whether you actually need one. Many documents stay digital, and you can print at a library, pharmacy, or print shop when needed. If you print more than once a month, a home printer saves time and money. If you print once a year, skip it.