Buying Guide for the Best Office Printer Scanner
When choosing an office printer-scanner, it's important to focus on your actual daily needs and the typical size of your office. Think about how many people will use the device, how much you'll print or scan week-to-week, and what types of documents you'll handle. Consider if you'll mostly print text documents, color graphics, or photos, and whether you need extra features such as automatic double-sided printing. By clearly understanding your main tasks, you'll be able to prioritize which features matter the most for your workflow.Print TechnologyPrint technology refers to the main method the printer uses to produce output, usually inkjet or laser. Inkjet printers are known for their flexibility, handling both color graphics and photos well, while laser printers are often faster and produce sharper text, making them good for high-volume offices. If you mainly print large volumes of text documents, a laser model is usually more efficient. If you sometimes need to print high-quality images or a mix of document types, an inkjet may be preferable. Think about the types of print jobs you run most often and let that guide your decision.
Print SpeedPrint speed is measured in pages per minute (ppm) and tells you how quickly the printer can produce output. Low-speed machines (around 10-20 ppm) are adequate for single users or very small teams, while mid-range speeds (20-30 ppm) work well for small to medium offices. High speeds (over 30 ppm) are useful if you have a busy office with many people or frequent large print jobs. If you often face time pressure or have to meet deadlines, choose a higher print speed, but if your printing needs are occasional, a lower speed might be fine.
Scan ResolutionScan resolution, measured in dots per inch (dpi), determines the detail and clarity of scanned images. A standard resolution (around 600 dpi) is good for most office documents, but higher resolutions (above 1200 dpi) are important if you need to scan graphics, photos, or documents with fine details. If you mostly scan text documents for archiving or sharing, standard resolution is sufficient; however, pick a higher resolution if you handle designs, artwork, or need highly detailed scans.
Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)An Automatic Document Feeder lets you load a stack of documents to be scanned or copied automatically, rather than placing them on the scanner glass one by one. Simple ADF models can handle fewer pages (10-20), suitable for light use, while larger ADFs (over 50 pages) are better for offices with frequent scanning or copying needs. If your office regularly digitizes multi-page documents, a larger and more robust ADF can save time and effort.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity refers to how your printer-scanner connects to computers and networks, such as USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and mobile printing options. USB is reliable for single-computer use, Ethernet is best for wired networks with multiple users, and Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Direct allows convenient wireless printing from multiple devices or even smartphones. If your office works from a network, prioritize Ethernet or Wi-Fi models, but for a personal desk or basic setup, USB may be enough.
Duplex Printing and ScanningDuplex means the machine can automatically print or scan both sides of a sheet. This is a big time-saver and reduces paper waste, especially for offices that frequently handle double-sided documents. If your documents are usually single-sided, this feature may not be as necessary, but if you want to be efficient and environmentally friendly, or just handle lots of paperwork, look for automatic duplex options.
Paper Handling CapacityThis covers how much paper the printer can load and handle at once, usually specified as input tray and output tray sizes. Low capacities (under 150 sheets) suit light or personal use, while offices with regular printing benefit from higher capacities (250 sheets or more). If you don’t want to constantly refill paper and you often print large batches, a larger input tray is helpful.