Buying Guide for the Best Printers Scanners
Choosing the right printer or scanner can make your home or office tasks much easier. Before making a choice, it's helpful to consider what you'll use the device for: are you mostly printing documents, scanning photos, making copies for work, or a combination of these? Understanding your main needs will help you focus on the features that matter most, ensuring you get a device that saves you time and delivers quality results.Type (Inkjet vs Laser)Printers and scanners come in different types, with inkjet and laser being the most common for printers. The type refers to the technology used to create images or documents. Inkjet printers use liquid ink and are generally better for photos and color images, while laser printers use toner powder and are faster and more cost-effective for black-and-white documents. If you need vibrant color prints or scan/photos for crafts or family use, inkjet may suit you best. If you mostly print lots of text-based documents, especially for work or study, a laser option is likely more efficient.
Print and Scan Resolution (DPI)Resolution is measured in DPI (dots per inch) for printers and scanners, indicating how much detail the device can produce or capture. Higher DPI means sharper and more detailed images. For routine document printing and scanning, lower DPI is sufficient and quicker. If you're working with photos or need high-quality images, higher DPI will provide better results. Think about whether your typical tasks demand fine detail or if standard quality will do.
Speed (Pages Per Minute, PPM)Speed for printers is usually measured in pages per minute (PPM), showing how quickly the printer can complete a job. Higher speeds are useful if you often print large volumes or work in a busy environment. For occasional, light use at home, speed may not be as crucial, so a slower device can still meet your needs. Consider how much waiting time matters to you during printing or scanning jobs.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity refers to how your printer or scanner links to your computer, phone, or network. Common options include USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and sometimes Bluetooth. Wi-Fi and wireless features are important if you want to print or scan from multiple devices or don't want to deal with cables. If you only use one computer, USB might be enough. Consider where the device will be located and how many different gadgets you want to connect to it.
Multifunction Features (All-in-One)Many devices combine printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing into one unit. This all-in-one functionality is convenient if you need to handle a variety of tasks without buying multiple machines. Think about whether you need just printing and scanning or if copying and faxing are also useful for your household or office.
Paper Handling (Tray Capacity and Sizes)Paper handling includes how much paper the device can hold at once, and what sizes and types it can use. Higher capacity is useful for frequent printing without needing constant refills. If you print envelopes, labels, or different paper sizes, check if the device supports these. Match the paper features to your routine tasks to avoid frustration with frequent loading or limited options.
Operating Costs (Ink/Toner Use)Operating costs refer to how much it costs to keep your printer running, mostly from ink or toner replacement. Some devices are very affordable but use expensive cartridges, while others are designed for high efficiency. If you print a lot, look for devices with economical ink use or refillable options. For occasional use, running costs may be less important.
Scan Features (ADF, Duplex, OCR)Scanner features can include things like an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for scanning multiple pages at once, duplex scanning for both sides of a page, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for turning printed text into editable files. If you handle many multi-page documents, ADF and duplex features will save time. OCR is useful if you want to edit scanned text. Choose based on the complexity and type of your usual scanning work.