Best printers for home use: Switch to high quality printing with these top 8 reliable options
Check out these top printers that are known for their dependable performance and simple setup. Choose the perfect printer for your home based on your specific needs and budget.
In today's digital era, it is crucial to have a dependable printer at home to cater to a variety of tasks. These tasks can range from printing important documents and school projects to capturing precious moments through photos and engaging in creative projects. The market offers a plethora of printer options, which can be overwhelming when trying to find the best one for home use. To assist you in making an informed decision, we have carefully selected a list of the finest printers for home use from well-known brands. Our selection process was based on their exceptional performance, user-friendly interface, and ability to produce high-quality prints.
These printers are specifically designed for home use, providing a seamless printing experience with features such as wireless connectivity, intuitive controls, and the ability to print in high resolution. Whether you are a student in need of printing assignments, a professional working from the comfort of your home, or a photography enthusiast seeking to print breathtaking photos, these printers are guaranteed to fulfil your requirements. With a range of options available, including compact and budget-friendly models as well as high-end printers with advanced features, there is undoubtedly a printer suitable for every home office or creative space.
1. Brother DCP-T426W
The Brother DCP-T426W is an all-in-one ink tank printer designed for home use. It offers Wi-Fi and USB connectivity for easy printing, scanning, and copying. With a refillable ink tank system, this printer is cost-effective and eco-friendly. It can print in both colour and monochrome, with a maximum print speed of 11 pages per minute for colour and 28 pages per minute for monochrome. The printer supports various paper sizes and types, making it versatile for different printing needs. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems, and offers mobile connectivity for printing from smartphones and tablets.
Specifications of Brother DCP-T426W
Brand: Brother
Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi, USB
Printing Technology: Inkjet
Special Feature: Refillable Ink Tank
Colour: White
Model Name: DCP-T426W
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
| Versatile all-in-one printer | Limited yield per cartridge |
| Seamless wireless connectivity | Not suited for high-volume printing |
2. Brother DCP-T525W Printer
Brother DCP-T525W emerges as a strong candidate for the best printer for home use, especially for those who value both quality and efficiency. This Wi-Fi Colour Ink Tank Multifunction printer excels in providing colour and monochrome prints, scans, and copies. Its high-resolution scanning and maximum print speeds (12 ppm colour, 30 ppm monochrome) make it perfect for fast-paced home environments. The printer is compatible with various OS, ensuring broad accessibility. Its refillable ink bottle technology is both cost-effective and eco-friendly, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious households. The inclusion of Wi-Fi and USB connectivity options further enhances its versatility, allowing for easy integration into any home office setup.
Specifications of Brother DCP-T525W Printer:
Printer Type: Inktank Printer
Functionality: Print, Scan, Copy
Print Speed: 12 ppm (colour), 30 ppm (monochrome)
Print Resolution: Up to 1200 × 6000 dpi
Paper Size Compatibility: A4, Letter, Legal, more
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
| High print speeds and resolution | No auto duplex printing |
| Refillable ink bottle technology | No mobile connectivity for iOS devices |
3. HP Deskjet 2331 Printer
The HP Deskjet 2331 is an excellent choice for those searching for the best printer for home use, particularly for small-scale, everyday printing tasks. This all-in-one printer offers the convenience of printing, scanning, and copying in one compact device. It features a high-speed USB 2.0 connection, ensuring reliable and straightforward printing. The print quality is notable, with HP 805 Setup Black and Tricolour Cartridges delivering vivid colours and clear text. Its ease of use, combined with compatibility across various operating systems, makes it a great fit for diverse home setups. The HP Deskjet 2331 is particularly suited for families needing a basic yet efficient printer for occasional use.
Specifications of HP Deskjet 2331 Printer:
All-in-One: Print, Copy, Scan
Connectivity: Hi-Speed USB 2.0
Cartridges: HP 805 Setup Black and Tricolour
Print Speed: 7.5 ppm (black), 5.5 ppm (colour)
Input/Output Capacity: 60-sheet input, 25-sheet output
OS Compatibility: Windows 11/10/7, macOS 10.12
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
| Compact all-in-one design | Limited connectivity options |
| User-friendly interface | Not ideal for high-volume printing |
4. Canon PIXMA MG2577s Printer
The Canon PIXMA MG2577s is a stellar choice for those seeking the best printer for home use, especially where space and budget are key considerations. This all-in-one inkjet printer, capable of printing, scanning, and copying, is ideal for everyday home tasks. Despite its compact size, it delivers high-quality colour and monochrome outputs with a maximum print resolution of 4800 x 600 dpi. The USB connectivity ensures a stable connection to your PC, although it lacks wireless options. The printer's affordability is a major draw, along with its user-friendly interface, making it suitable for those who need a straightforward, no-frills printing solution at home.
Specifications of Canon PIXMA MG2577s Printer:
Printer Type: Inkjet
Functionality: Print, Scan, Copy
Print Speed: 4 ipm (colour), 8 ipm (monochrome)
Print Resolution: 4800 X 600 dpi
OS Compatibility: Windows 8/7/Vista/XP, Mac OS X v10.7.5 and later
Connectivity: USB
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
| Compact and affordable | No wireless connectivity |
| High-resolution printing | Slow print speed compared to others |
The Canon PIXMA E477 is an excellent fit for those in search of the best printer for home use, balancing efficiency and connectivity. This inkjet printer excels in print, scan, and copy functions and stands out with its Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing for remote printing from various devices. The print costs are economical, making it a cost-effective choice for students and home offices. The printer supports a wide range of page sizes and types, adding to its versatility. While the print speed isn't the fastest, its combination of features, including mobile connectivity and high-resolution scanning, make the PIXMA E477 a smart choice for users seeking a feature-rich yet affordable home printer.
Specifications of Canon PIXMA E477 Printer:
Printer Type: Inkjet
Functionality: Print, Scan, Copy
Print Speed: 4 ipm (colour), 8 ipm (monochrome)
Print Resolution: 4800x600 dpi
OS Compatibility: Windows 10/8/7 SP1, Mac OS X v10.8.5 and later
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
| Wi-Fi connectivity | Relatively slow print speeds |
| Economical print costs | No duplex printing |
6. HP Ink Advantage Ultra 4929 Printer
The HP Ink Advantage Ultra 4929 is a top pick for those looking for the best printer for home use, particularly for its high ink efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This printer stands out for its ultra-low cost-per-page, making it ideal for families and small home offices with regular printing needs. The Wi-Fi connectivity and HP Smart App setup enhance its ease of use, allowing for convenient printing from various devices. It also offers the reliability of continued printing in black even without a colour cartridge. The printer's high-speed printing capabilities and broad compatibility with various paper sizes and types make it a versatile and economical choice for a wide range of printing tasks.
Specifications of HP Ink Advantage Ultra 4929 Printer:
Printer Type: Deskjet Ink Advantage
Functionality: Print, Scan, Copy
Print Speed: 7.5 ppm (black), 5.5 ppm (colour)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB 2.0
OS Compatibility: Windows, macOS
Additional Features: Smart App Setup, Low Print Cost
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
| Ultra-low cost-per-page | No automatic double-sided printing |
| Wireless printing with smart app setup |
The HP Smart Tank 585 is a robust choice for those looking for the best printer for home use, particularly for high-volume printing needs. This all-in-one printer excels with its ink tank system, providing a remarkably high yield of up to 6,000 black and colour pages, making it highly cost-effective for frequent use. Its versatile connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, USB, and Bluetooth, offer flexibility in printing from various devices. The high-resolution printing and scanning capabilities ensure excellent output quality for both documents and photos. The compact design, combined with user-friendly features like a guided control panel, make it an ideal choice for home offices or personal use, offering convenience and efficiency in one package.
Specifications of HP Smart Tank 585 Printer:
Printer Type: Ink Tank
Functionality: Print, Scan, Copy
Print Speed: 5 ppm (colour), 12 ppm (monochrome)
Print Resolution: Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi (colour)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth
OS Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
| High page yield, cost-effective | Not the fastest print speeds |
| Multiple connectivity options | No automatic document feeder |
8. Canon PIXMA MegaTank G2012
The Canon PIXMA MegaTank G2012 is an all-in-one ink tank printer designed for home and office use. It offers print, scan, and copy functions, making it a versatile choice. With its high-capacity ink tanks, you can enjoy low printing costs and high print yields. The printer is easy to set up and use, with USB connectivity for seamless printing. It supports a variety of paper sizes and types, including A4, A5, Letter, Legal, and more. The printer is compatible with Windows operating systems and offers convenient features like borderless printing. Overall, the Canon PIXMA MegaTank G2012 is a reliable printer for your printing needs.
Specifications of Canon PIXMA MegaTank G2012
Printer type: Ink tank
Functions: Print, Scan, Copy
Printer output: Colour
Connectivity: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Scanner: Yes
Scanner resolution: 600 x 1200 dpi
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
| Easy setup with HP Smart App | Limited print speed for high-demand tasks |
| Wireless connectivity options |
Top 3 features for the best printers for home use
| Best printers for home use | Type | Connectivity | Features |
| Brother DCP-T426W | Inkjet | Wi-Fi, USB | Refillable Ink Tank |
| Brother DCP-T525W Printer | Inktank Printer | Wi-Fi, USB | Print, Scan, Copy |
| HP Deskjet 2331 Printer | All-in-One | Hi-Speed USB 2.0 | Print, Copy, Scan |
| Canon PIXMA MG2577s Printer | Inkjet | USB | Print, Scan, Copy |
| Canon PIXMA E477 Printer | Inkjet | Wi-Fi, USB | Print, Scan, Copy |
| HP Ink Advantage Ultra 4929 Printer | Deskjet Ink Advantage | Wi-Fi, USB 2.0 | Print, Scan, Copy, Smart App Setup, Low Print Cost |
| HP Smart Tank 585 Printer | Ink Tank | Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth | Print, Scan, Copy, Connectivity Options, High Print Resolution |
| Canon PIXMA MegaTank G2012 | Ink tank | USB 2.0 Hi-Speed | Print, Scan, Copy, High Print Resolution |
Best value for money
The HP Ink Advantage Ultra 4929 stands out as the best value for money. It offers ultra-low cost-per-page printing, making it highly economical for regular use. Its wireless connectivity and smart app setup add to its convenience, making it ideal for home use without compromising on quality or functionality.
Best overall product
The Brother DCP-T426W stands out as the best overall product in the all-in-one ink tank printer category for home use. Featuring Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, it simplifies printing, scanning, and copying tasks. Its refillable ink tank system is not only cost-effective but also eco-friendly. This printer delivers vibrant colour and sharp monochrome prints, boasting a maximum print speed of 11 pages per minute for colour and 28 pages per minute for monochrome. It supports various paper sizes and types, making it a versatile choice.
How to find the best printer for home use?
To find the ideal printer for home use, it is essential to assess your specific printing requirements. Consider the volume and nature of printing tasks you will undertake, whether they involve documents, photos, or a combination of both. Opt for all-in-one printers if scanning and copying functions are needed. Inkjet printers are recommended for colour and photo printing, while laser printers are preferred for quick and efficient document printing. Look for connectivity options such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for wireless printing convenience. Additionally, take into account the cost of replacement cartridges and overall operating expenses. Prioritize user-friendliness and compact design when selecting a printer for home use. Researching reviews and comparing features can assist in making a well-informed choice.
Disclaimer: At Livemint, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Mint has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
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FAQs
When selecting a printer for home use, consider the printer’s functionality (whether it can print, scan, and copy), the type of connectivity it offers (USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), print speed and quality, ink efficiency, and compatibility with different operating systems and paper sizes.
It depends on your needs. Inkjet printers are generally better for high-quality color printing and photos, while laser printers are more efficient for printing large volumes of text documents quickly and cost-effectively.
Yes, many modern printers offer wireless connectivity through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, enabling you to print from mobile devices using specific apps or technologies like Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print.
To save on printing costs, consider printers with high-yield ink cartridges or refillable ink tanks, which offer a lower cost per page. Also, use print settings like draft mode for less critical documents and print double-sided when possible.
Not all, but many home printers are all-in-one models that include scanning and copying functions. Check the printer’s specifications to confirm if it has a built-in scanner.
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First Published:14 Dec 2023, 11:00 AM IST
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