Best Printers of 2026
Upgrade your home office or creative space with our top picks for inkjet, laser, all-in-one, and photo printers.
Finding the right printer can be a daunting task with endless specifications like PPM, DPI, duty cycles, and the ever-present dilemma of ink versus toner. Upgrading to a modern printer can save you significant time, money, and frustration.
Whether you are a student printing out essays, a small business running off hundreds of invoices, or a photographer producing gallery-worthy prints, we've broken down the top printers across all major categories. We compare print quality, cost per page, and long-term value to help you make an informed decision.
Category Winners
Comparison Table
Click any column header to sort the data. Prices reflect standard retail pricing in USD.
| Model | Type | Cost Per Page | Ink System | Duplex / ADF | Duty Cycle | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-L2750DW Best Overall All-in-One | Monochrome Laser | $0.03 | Toner Cartridge | Auto Print & Scan 50-sheet | 15,000 pages | $250 |
| Epson EcoTank ET-4850 Best Inkjet (Tank System) | Color Inkjet | $0.01 | Refillable Ink Tanks | Auto Print 30-sheet | 5,000 pages | $400 |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw Best Color Laser | Color Laser | $0.04 (B&W) / $0.16 (Color) | Toner Cartridge | Auto Print N/A | 40,000 pages | $350 |
| Canon PIXMA Pro-200 Best for Photos | Color Inkjet (Photo) | Varies significantly | 8-Color Dye Ink | Manual N/A | N/A (Photo Focused) | $599 |
| HP OfficeJet 250 Best Portable | Color Inkjet | $0.06 (B&W) | Ink Cartridge | Manual 10-sheet | 500 pages | $300 |
Detailed Reviews
Brother MFC-L2750DW
Best Overall All-in-OneThe ultimate workhorse for a home office. This monochrome laser printer handles high-volume document printing effortlessly, featuring automatic two-sided printing and single-pass duplex scanning.
Pros
- Fast printing speeds (up to 36 ppm)
- Single-pass automatic duplex scanning
- Low cost per page for text
Cons
- Monochrome only (no color printing)
- Graphics quality is average
Epson EcoTank ET-4850
Best Inkjet (Tank System)Say goodbye to expensive cartridges. The ET-4850 uses high-capacity, refillable ink tanks that provide thousands of pages right out of the box, making it highly economical for families and students.
Pros
- Extremely low long-term running costs
- Comes with up to 2 years of ink in the box
- Compact footprint for an all-in-one
Cons
- High upfront cost
- No automatic duplex scanning
HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw
Best Color LaserA stellar color laser printer that delivers sharp, professional documents and vibrant graphics at fast speeds, perfect for small businesses and remote workers.
Pros
- Excellent text and color graphic quality
- Fast print speeds (22 ppm)
- Intuitive color touchscreen
Cons
- Replacement toner is expensive
- No built-in scanner or copier
Canon PIXMA Pro-200
Best for PhotosDesigned for photographers and graphic designers, the Pro-200 utilizes an 8-color dye-based ink system to produce stunning, gallery-quality prints up to 13x19 inches.
Pros
- Vibrant, borderless photo printing up to A3+ size
- Excellent color gamut and accuracy
- Compact for a professional photo printer
Cons
- Not meant for standard document printing
- 8 ink cartridges can be costly to replace
HP OfficeJet 250
Best PortableA versatile portable printer that fits in a backpack. It runs on a rechargeable battery and includes a 10-sheet automatic document feeder for scanning on the go.
Pros
- Highly portable with rechargeable battery
- Includes scanning and copying capabilities
- Easy wireless setup
Cons
- Slow print speeds compared to desktop models
- Low page yield per cartridge
Ink Subscriptions vs. Third-Party Ink
One of the most significant long-term costs of owning a printer is the ink or toner. Manufacturers often sell printers at a loss and make their profit on consumables. You generally have three choices when it comes to replacing ink:
- OEM Cartridges: Direct from the manufacturer. They guarantee quality but are the most expensive option.
- Third-Party Ink/Toner: Remanufactured or compatible cartridges sold by independent companies. These are significantly cheaper but carry a slight risk of compatibility issues or voiding your warranty.
- Ink Subscriptions (e.g., HP Instant Ink): You pay a fixed monthly fee based on the number of pages you print, regardless of what's on the page. This is fantastic for high-volume color printing, as a full-page color photo costs the same as a single line of text. However, if you stop paying, the subscription cartridges immediately stop working.
For users who print sporadically, we recommend investing in a Supertank printer (like the Epson EcoTank series) where you refill physical reservoirs from inexpensive bottles, eliminating the cartridge ecosystem entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Inkjet vs. Laser: Which is better for a home office?
Laser printers are generally better for home offices that primarily print text documents. They offer faster speeds, crisper text, and toner doesn't dry out if left unused. Inkjet printers are better if you regularly print photos or complex color graphics.
Are ink subscriptions worth it?
Ink subscriptions (like HP Instant Ink) can be highly cost-effective if you print a consistent volume of pages every month, especially full-color pages or photos. However, if your printing habits are sporadic, purchasing a supertank printer (like the Epson EcoTank) or buying third-party ink might be cheaper in the long run.
Is third-party ink safe to use?
Third-party or remanufactured ink and toner can save you a significant amount of money. While many are perfectly safe and offer comparable quality to OEM products, using them may void your printer's warranty. Always buy from reputable third-party brands.
What does 'Duty Cycle' mean?
The monthly duty cycle is the absolute maximum number of pages a printer is designed to handle in a month without failing. You should generally keep your actual print volume well below this number to ensure the longevity of the machine.
Do I need an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)?
An ADF is essential if you frequently scan or copy multi-page documents. It allows you to place a stack of papers in the feeder, and the machine will scan them sequentially without you having to manually place each page on the glass.