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For models that have letter-size flatbed platens, an ADF will often let you scan legal-size pages as well. But there are other great printers to consider, from laser printers that scan and fax to ink-saving printers that are dirt cheap on a per-page basis. If you want to learn more about the latest printers we've looked at, check out our recent reviews of the HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 and the Epson EcoTank ET-4750. And if you want something with a focus on pictures rather than documents, don't forget to check out the best photo printers. This black-and-white laser all-in-one is kind of bulky, so it might be better suited to a home office than the family room, but its footprint isn’t much bigger than many less-capable models. This is one of the least expensive all-in-one laser printers, and it has low estimated toner costs of only $13 a year, based on our research of typical use.
Add all that up and it’s no surprise that consumer satisfaction with inkjet printers, as measured in those same surveys, is quite low. We rigorously test every printer we write about in our dedicated laboratories. We buy our test samples at retail, and our trained technicians evaluate each of them on more than 250 data points, printing hundreds of pages and running the models out of ink again and again.
How Fast Do You Need to Print?
With photo functionality and great wireless features, it’s the perfect foundation for a small business and a growing family. They essentially combine the functionality of several devices into one, saving you space and money when you need a single unit to perform multiple duties. An all-in-one is a great productivity booster for any user, whether you’re tired of taking trips to print shops or you simply want to upgrade your capacity. It may be even smaller than the HP Tango X, but the HP Sprocket 2nd Edition photo printer packs quite a punch when it comes to photo printing. Weighing in at 0.38 lbs and roughly the size of a smartphone, this printer can connect directly to your phone and print straight from there. Canon's Selphy CP1500 cranks out quick, high-quality dye-sub snapshots, with operating costs low enough to make its optional battery and sticker-paper adapter reasonable add-ons.
Put simply, this is the best printer we tested, with a price to match its performance. Whether you work from home and simply want the best of the best, or you're in an office setting that demands high quality and high output, this is a fantastic option to consider. From text quality to speed to image quality, the MF741Cdw beat out nearly every other model in our lineup for every metric.
Printer Size and Connectivity: Do I Have the Space for an All-in-One Printer?
The Brother MFC-J4335DW prints, scans, copies, and faxes; offers paper handling suitable for a micro office, a home office, or personal use; and stands out for its speed and low cost per page. This petite but expensive HP doesn’t earn a recommendation from CR because our ratings don’t account for size. The OfficeJet 250 performs decently, earning average scores for text and graphics quality.
But what I really love about the Pixma G4210 is its MegaTank technology. They have the added bonus of letting you see at a glance if you need to top off the tank or get new ink before you start a big print job. This makes the printer cost a little more upfront (since the price isn’t defrayed by expensive cartridges), but it’s considerably cheaper to operate over the years. While it is reasonably fast, it has no automatic duplex printing ability, which may not be ideal for those printing lots of double-sided documents. Its photo printing quality, while great, isn't perfect, so you probably wouldn't use this printer to print things you intend to frame. However, this printer is compatible with just about any other brand of ink.
Compare SpecsThe Best All-in-One Printers for 2022
Brother's reliability is unparalleled, making the MFC-J895DW an easy inclusion on this list. The onboard software package and color touchscreen make setting it up and connecting to your home wireless network a breeze. The copy, scan and fax functions are simple to use, with an automatic document feeder to quickly digitize any of your hard-copy papers. The one-sheet bypass tray in the back of the unit also makes it easy to print labels or one-off full-page pictures.
However, you'll often get better looking output if you step up to a higher-quality paper. For lasers, as well as for inkjet text and graphic printing, that means a heavier weight, and possibly a brighter white level. For photos on inkjets, it means getting matte presentation paper or photo paper. For inkjet tank printers and bulk toner laser printers, ink or toner from the printer manufacturer doesn't cost enough to be an issue.
Most Capable Black & White Printer
If you have to deal with multi-page, two-sided documents, some variation of this feature is all but essential. The Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 is a small but capable photo-centric all-in-one inkjet for homes and small offices. Who doesn't want to reduce the number of machines around the house or the office that they need to keep fed, watered, filled, and powered up? (Pets and plants are enough of a commitment.) Any printer, by definition, can of course print.
It took the printer ten minutes to decide that its tanks were full enough to allow printing. The first print we attempted jammed, and then it took another significant chunk of time to follow alignment procedures to get it to print properly. Beyond this initial setback, the EcoTank also struggled with jamming easily. While jams don't take terribly long to clear, they are a nuisance to deal with and definitely detract from its overall package. If you plan on doing a lot of printing, you may want to consider a model with a higher monthly duty cycle. The Brother MFC-J4335DW came next, which missed a perfect score of $0.50 per 500 pages.
That said, unless portability is your top priority, understand that you’ll get significantly better performance and probably a lower price with many other printers in our roundup. When it comes to graphics, they blow inkjets and black-and-white lasers out of the water with sharp, accurately saturated images. It’s somewhat more expensive but prints text faster and with higher quality than the 2800. It also adds handy features like auto-duplexing, which allows you to print on both sides of a sheet.
If printing is a small, but important part of what you do, you should probably stick with inkjet solutions from brands like HP ENVY and HP OfficeJet. If you print often and expect your volume to grow, focus your search on HP LaserJet technology. If you need a printer that can handle documents and photos with ease and that has a variety of ports, then this HP ENVY printer is for you.
