Buying Guide for the Best Costco Printer
Picking the right printer for home or office use can feel complicated, but breaking it down into key features helps make the process easier. Identify what you’ll use the printer for: occasional printing, high-volume jobs, photos, or scanning and copying. Consider how much space you have, what type of documents you need to print, and how important print quality or speed is for you. Think about the ease of setup and maintenance, and if you’ll need features like wireless printing or an automatic document feeder. Once you understand your main needs, you can match them to the right printer features and make a confident choice.Printer TypePrinters mainly come as inkjet or laser models. Inkjet printers are versatile and can handle a mix of document and photo printing, making them great for homes with varied needs. Laser printers are known for fast, sharp text and are better for high-volume document printing in offices. Think about what you print most often—if it’s lots of text, a laser printer may be best, but if you want color images or photos, consider an inkjet.
Print SpeedPrint speed tells you how many pages per minute (ppm) a printer can produce. This matters more if you print a lot or often have to wait for documents. Lower print speeds (5-10 ppm) are fine for occasional or home use, while higher speeds (20 ppm or more) are useful for busy offices. Choose a speed based on how much and how often you’ll print to avoid frustration.
Print ResolutionPrint resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi) and shows how sharp and clear your prints will be. Higher resolution means better quality, especially for images or photos. Basic text printing is fine at lower resolutions (600x600 dpi), but for photos or detailed graphics, look for higher dpi (1200x1200 or above). Match the resolution to whether you need crisp documents or high-quality pictures.
Connectivity OptionsPrinters can connect via USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or even Bluetooth. For most households, wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi) is convenient, as multiple devices can print without direct cable connection. Offices may prefer wired options for reliability. If you want to print from your phone or tablet, check for app support or mobile printing features. Pick connectivity that matches your devices and how you use them.
All-in-One FeaturesSome printers can also scan, copy, and fax. These “all-in-one” or “multifunction” models are helpful if you need to digitize documents or make copies regularly. If you never scan or copy, a basic printer saves space and may be simpler to use. Consider all-in-one features only if you need those extra tasks.
Paper HandlingThis includes the size and type of paper the printer can handle, and the capacity of the input and output trays. If you print long documents or use different paper sizes (like envelopes or photo paper), check this carefully. Small trays (holding up to 100 sheets) are okay for home use, but larger trays are better for offices or heavy use. Choose based on how much and what kind of paper you expect to use.
Operating CostEvery printer needs ink or toner, and some are more affordable to run than others. Look at how many pages a single cartridge can print, and how expensive replacements are. If you print a lot, try to find models known for efficient use of ink or toner. Picking a model with lower running costs makes sense if you’ll be printing regularly.