Whether you own a small business or a large corporation or are a manager or a student, a printer is a must-have accessory for all.

Even when people have shifted from PCs to laptops, a printer still remains relevant. After all, there are still times where a hard copy is required. In addition to the traditional printers, advanced models are also available on the market can produce documents, photos, scan, and copy in black and white as well as color.

This also brings us to the next question: what is the best printer available at the moment?

To help you find the answer, we carried out thorough market research, checked the pros and cons as well as features of several models to bring you our final top ten picks. Every printer profiled below is not only high-quality and durable but also extremely powerful and time-efficient. Take some time to look over the pros and cons of each printer and see what's to your liking. Once you finish this guide, you'll be able to pick out one of the best printers! Before you start looking for the best printer, you should know the features that make up the same. Doing this will help you get the maximum benefit out of your investment.

The following are a few pointers to consider to help you narrow down your search:

The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3730 Printer has been built with usual interfaces. You can connect the printer via USB 2.0, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and NFC. Interestingly, Wi-Fi direct and NFC connectivity also allows for peer-to-peer networking protocol, which lets you connect the printer to any mobile devices even when they are not connected to a network or router.

Canon's mobile app when required to ensure a quick and convenient delivery. Moreover, the printer can be connected to the device via Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11, USB 2.0, and PictBridge. Other compatible options include peer-to-peer networking protocol and Wi-Fi Direct.

On the whole, this printer is best suited for customers who print approximately 100 pages on a monthly basis.

Supported by a great smartphone application, the HP LaserJet Pro M15w Wireless Laser Printer has an easy installation process and offers functional convenience, enabling scanning and printing from the cloud. As for the performance, the M15w can print quickly and reliably while being cost-effective.

From memorial family pictures to the projects or term papers – the Canon TR8520 All-In-One Printer has it all covered. We would recommend this printer as it aligns with the occasional printing needs of home offices, families, and students.

Epson’s Workforce WF-7720 is a multitasking inkjet printer consisting of dual trays that have a combined capacity of 500 paper sheets, along with a rear feeder for any specialty paper. It also includes several other features such as the automatic both-side print, scanning, copying, and fax that contribute to the workplace by increasing the productivity of the offices. Connectivity includes wired as well as wireless networking for printing from various devices.

Although Brother’s HL-L8360CDW is definitely a durable and efficient printer, it is more suitable for companies that need to print 1000 pages on a monthly basis due to its bulky design and higher price.

Performance-wise too, the HP DeskJet 3755 Compact Printer packs a solid punch. It can print up to 7.5 ppm for (black) and 5.5 ppm (color) whereas, it can make a maximum of nine copies at a time. Being ENERGY STAR certified, the printer consumes less power in spite of its excellent performance.

In terms of performance, it has a printing speed of 28 ppm. Also, the copying and scanning speeds are faster than the average time taken by the other printers. The text and pictures printed look crisp, detailed, and dark. No wonder the Canon Color Image CLASS MF743Cdw Printer is one of the most top-notched printers available in the market.

Other admirable features include document feeder, scan to email, swift copying speed, fast printing speed, and smart task feature that allows the user to create a shortcut for frequently used functions. These smart features of the printer save a great deal of time and expense borne by the organization or the user.

Plus, it can be connected and operated by Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Microsoft Cortana.

Print Engine & Print Resolution

You might be aware that there are different types of printers. Between an inkjet and laser, you have to decide which one would best suit your needs. And let us tell you that both the printer types are quite different from each other.

For example, an inkjet has a much compact design and can accommodate a large variety of print media. On the other hand, laser printers have a lower price tag with larger structures. Most people, however, prefer a laserjet as it's much more durable to a laser.

Considering the print quality of a printer should be your main priority. This stays true for black and white as well as color print resolutions.

In the case of inkjet printers, a 600 x 600 DPI black resolution is quite common, but there are also models of 1200 x 1200 DPI. For entry-level laser printers, the case is totally the opposite as a 1200 x 1200 DPI black resolution is the bare minimum.

In the end, you should make a choice after considering your needs. Also, don’t forget to read customer reviews to get a better idea about the print quality.

Functionality & Connectivity

Functionality is one of the most important aspects to consider. Currently, manufacturers have launched several printer models that have unique features to help you save time while providing excellent prints – both for photos and paper.

What makes the deal even sweeter is the availability of all-in-one printers. These kinds of printers can print, scan, fax, and copy. But yes, you have to pay a higher price for this feature. You’ll also find models that can print paper as well as photographs. So if you‘re a photographer, you now know which feature to look for when buying a printer.

Connectivity, in the case of printers, can be of two types wired and wireless. Network connectivity includes an integrated network interface and USB. At the same time, there are also wireless options that allow you to print paper or receive scans from multifunctional devices.

In addition to the above pointers, you should also find out the availability of the replacement cartridges of a specific model. No matter the price, you won't be able to use your printer if you aren't able to find a replacement cartridge.

Now that you've finished this guide, you can revisit our list of products and find the best printer for you!

FAQ

Q: Should you choose an inkjet or laser printer?

An inkjet printer relies on ink to mark a paper with the content while a laser printer uses light to make printing more efficient. These two technologies make a difference in a printer's speed, functionality, and image quality.

Laser printers are ideal if you plan on printing large volumes of black and white documents. They are also faster than the inkjet printers. If you don't need high quality image prints, a laser printer is a suitable choice.

On the other hand, inkjet printers are ideal if you need to print high-quality images in full color. They accommodate a broad variety of paper types include ones that are heat sensitive. Inkjet printers are slower than laser alternatives and should be a top option if you don't plan on printing frequently.

Q: Do you need a duplex printer?

Duplex printers let you choose whether you want one or both sides of a paper to be printed. If you choose the latter, the machine manages the task without requiring you to flip over the paper. This choice will depend on your purpose for buying the printer. Most home and office printing tasks do not require duplex printing. However, design-based firms, schools, and busy institutions may need to print on both sides of a paper for the production of manuals, pamphlets, and books. If you work in such settings, a duplex printer will be a better choice. If not, save some money by going for a one-sided printer. Remember, you can always manually flip the paper over to print the second side.

Q: Can a standard printer handle all paper sizes?

A standard printer can't handle all paper sizes. Every printer comes with a range of paper sizes that it can accommodate. The commonest paper size is 8.5 x 11 inches, which is also called A4. Most printers are designed to handle up to the legal-size document which measures 8.5 x 14 inches. While choosing a printer with a smaller range of paper sizes can help you save some cash, you should think about longevity. You don't want a printer that can only handle A4 paper sizes. Also, it may not be wise to buy a printer that's designed to produce A1 and A0 papers unless you work in the CAD industry.

Q: Is the finishing feature worth it?

Modern printers come with a finishing option which saves you time by stapling or punching the papers after printing. If you only plan to use the printer a few times a week, chances are that you have time to manually staple or punch out the binding holes.

However, if you will be using the printer in a busy setting for several hours daily, a device that can finish the papers is recommended. Printers that automatically finish the papers are also appropriate when you need to produce manuals or booklets to be distributed to an audience. You only need to arrange the finished papers for final binding.

Q: Does speed matter when buying a printer?

Speed should be one of the key considerations when buying a printer. Printing speed is measured by the number of pages the device can produce per minute. Your speed considerations will depend on the setting where you plan to use the printer.

If the machine will be used at home, you can save your cash by opting for slower printers. However, office settings often require faster speeds since your clients will rate you based on efficiency. The last thing you want is your employees queuing to use the printer. If you work in an industry that relies on heavy use of printed materials such as law or accounting, you need the fastest printer you can afford. Keep in mind that all printers come with a monthly recommended print volume. Try to stick to that.