If you’re working from a home office or, well, an office-office, a printer is still a must-buy gadget. While the best 3D printers offer more creative possibility, all-in-one printers are a great blend of form and functionality, as a printer, scanner, copier, and sometimes a fax in one device.
All-in-one printers are typically either use inkjet or laser technology, with the addition of a copier/scanner on top. Some have fax capabilities, though that’s mostly gone away; instead, some newer printers will include WiFi capabilities and apps that allow you to wirelessly send scanned documents wherever they need to go.
Many offices will have them, but all-in-one printers are a must for work-from-home setups—especially if your small apartment bedroom doubles as your office. All-in-one printers can handle the majority of office-related tasks, be they printing, scanning, or copying. This makes them ideal for home offices, small offices, and for students, who need to print and scan things more often than you might expect. They come in a range of sizes, prices, and features, so it can be hard to know what you really need, but we’re here to help you find the best all-in-one printer for you.
— Best Overall: Brother MFCL2750DW
— Best Wireless: HP LaserJet Pro M203dw
— Most Sustainable: Epson EcoTank ET-4760
— Best for Photos: Canon PIXMA TS6320
— Best for Faxing: Canon PIXMA TR8620
— Best Portable: HP OfficeJet 250
— Best Budget: HP Envy Pro 6055e
How We Selected the Best All-in-One Printers
When looking into the best all-in-one printers, we wanted to make sure we chose models that fit with modern, high-tech lifestyles as well as those that provided robust functions in one machine. These were our main criteria:
Type: We wanted to provide a variety of printer types. We looked into laser, inkjet, and photo printers, evaluating each for how well they performed their basic functions. We placed emphasis on print speed and ease of use.
Eco-Friendly Features: Printers can be the source of unnecessary waste—especially when it comes to ink cartridges, which can be difficult to recycle. We included cartridge-free and more easily refillable options to help you reduce your waste and provide a more practical means of restocking your printer’s ink.
Smart Technology: We looked for options that had features such as WiFi integration, the capability to scan documents and send them to cloud services, and voice controls.
The Best All-in-One Printers: Reviews and Recommendations
Best Overall: Brother MFCL2750DW
Why It Made the Cut: This Brother printer is extremely cheap for an all-in-one laser printer, but it doesn’t skimp on features, with WiFi cloud printing in addition to the standard copying, scanning, and printing. It’s black-and-white only, but how often are you printing in color, really?
Specs:
— Print Speed: 36 pages per minute
— Paper Capacity: 250 sheets
— Output: Monochrome
Pros:
— Two-sided copying, scanning
— Can print from mobile devices
— Direct cloud connection
Cons:
— Pricey
This compact all-in-one laser printer from Brother is ideal for small spaces and on-the-go users. No cords needed—you can print wirelessly from your phone, laptop, or tablet. You can also directly scan documents to multiple Cloud services, including Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. Plus, you can save even more time with two-sided copying and scanning. Laser printers offer several advantages over inkjets. The ink comes in drums, which are more expensive than ink cartridges but which hardly ever need to be replaced. Ink cartridges, if not used for a little while, can dry out and need to be replaced even when they’re not empty, and there’s no such risk with laser models. Plus, given how long laser drums last, your cost per printed page is often lower than with inkjets.
Best Wireless: HP LaserJet Pro M203dw
Why It Made the Cut: The HP LaserJet Pro M203dw is designed to meet the needs of a busy small office, is environmentally friendly, and comes in at a great price.
Specs:
— Print Speed: Up to 30 pages per minute (black)
— Paper Capacity: 250 sheets
— Output: Monochrome
Pros:
— Fast
— Energy Star-certified
— Budget-friendly
Cons:
— Image quality not stellar
— Have to buy Echo Dot separately for voice commands
If you’re looking for a printer that does everything, but is also wired for speed for a small office, consider the HP Laser JetPro M203dw. The wireless monochrome model can produce up to 30 pages per minute and prints double-sided. It comes with a 250-sheet input tray and is 15 percent faster than its predecessor. This printer also uses Original HP Toner cartridges with JetIntelligence, which are designed for faster printing. And it’s Energy Star-certified for meeting performance standards set by the EPA.
The HP Laser JetPro M203dw comes with an Ethernet port, and you can also use the HP Smart app to scan from your smartphone, print from the cloud, and order toner. It works with Amazon Dash Replenishment, which monitors your toner and reorders when you’re running low. (You can save 10 percent when you sign up). You can also use the HP Smart app to scan from your smartphone, print from the cloud, and order toner. The printer is also compatible with Alexa by using the Echo Dot and comes in at a budget-friendly price. — Jen McCaffery
Most Sustainable: Epson EcoTank ET-4760
Why It Made the Cut: This Epson inkjet printer offers voice commands, WiFi integration, and a big 2.4-inch screen for navigating all its features.
Specs:
— Print Speed: 15 pages per minute
— Paper Capacity: 250 sheets
— Output: Color
Pros:
— Voice-activated printing
— Touchscreen display
— Cartridge-free
Cons:
— No memory-card slot
Inkjet printers operate by spattering black and color ink onto the page, which is a slower process than the heated drum of a laser printer but allows for a bit more flexibility. We really like Epson’s EcoTank line for its eco-friendly design — it ditches the standard ink cartridge for an easily refillable bottle-based solution. Epson provides you with several bottles of different inks to use as needed: you simply squeeze ink directly into the tanks. That reduces the amount of wasted ink, packaging, and trips to the store.
This model is also technologically advanced—a 2.4-inch color screen makes it easy to navigate, and it can be synced with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-activated printing. It’s compatible with Mac and Windows, and you can print directly from your smartphone or tablet.
Best for Photos: Canon PIXMA TS6320
Why It Made the Cut: Image quality is superb, and there are even cloud-based options so you can print photos right from the devices we all use to take most of our photos—our phones (both Android and iOS).
Specs:
— Print Speed: 15 pages per minute
— Paper Capacity: 100 sheets of plain paper; 20 4-by-6-inch sheets of photo paper; 10 5-by-7-inch sheets of photo paper
— Output: Color
Pros:
— Compatible with Alexa
— Smartphone and tablet printing
— 5 individual ink system
Cons:
— No memory-card support
Canon’s PIXMA series is designed for photo printing above all else, and this model is no different. It uses inkjet technology, which is ideal not just for its color palette but for getting the highest-resolution, clearest photos you possibly can. This printer’s system uses five individual ink tanks (as opposed to a standard tri-color cartridge). It allows you to get the most out of your ink—you only need to replace one specific tank when it runs out instead of the entire cartridge.
You can print from your Android or iOS device using the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria Print Service for Android, or Message In Print App. An OLED display and LED status bar make the printer easier to navigate, and dual-paper feeding allows it to hold both plain and photo paper. For more creative options, try the best 3D printers.
Best for Faxing: Canon PIXMA TR8620
Why It Made the Cut: It packs a huge 4.3-inch touchscreen for easy navigation, has both wired and wireless internet connection options, and even has an automatic document feature so you can easily print double-sided documents—great for saving paper.
Specs:
— Print Speed: 15 black-and-white images or 10 color images per minute
— Paper Capacity: The rear paper tray can hold 100 sheets of plain paper, 20 4-by-6-inch sheets of photo paper, or 10 5-by-7-inch sheets of photo paper; the front paper cassette can hold 100 sheets of plain paper.
— Output: Color
Pros:
— Print from smartphone or tablet
— Free layout editor
— Connect via Bluetooth, USB, WiFi, or ethernet
Cons:
— Slower color printing speed
Its compact design makes it a winner for home offices, and it’s easy to set up for your smartphone and computer. You can use multiple apps—including the Canon PRINT app and Apple AirPrint—to print from your mobile device, and you can print photos straight from an SD memory card. It also features a five-individual ink system. Faxes aren’t dead! All kinds of businesses, especially those dealing with governments, still use faxing on a regular basis, and it’s easy to see why. Despite being a sort of old technology, it’s still fast, reliable, and easy to send documents back and forth. And if you need to print, scan, copy, and fax, this Canon printer is a great bet.
Best Portable: HP OfficeJet 250
Why It Made the Cut: The HP OfficeJet 250 offers all the features you want — printing, copying, scanning — and you can take it anywhere.
Specs:
— Print Speed: 20 ppm black, 19 ppm color
— Paper Capacity: 50 sheets
— Output: Color
Pros:
— Portable
— Long-lasting battery
— Energy Star-certified
Cons:
— Expensive
How about an all-in-one printer you can tuck in your backpack? Despite its name, the HP OfficeJet 250 comes with capabilities you want — and at just 6.5 pounds, it’s easy to print from anywhere but your office: your car, the train, the coffee shop. This portable wireless option connects via Bluetooth or WiFi Direct and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands. It also comes with an easy-to-read touchscreen.
In terms of the output of this inkjet printer, the HP OfficeJet 250 prints a range of paper sizes at up to 20 pages per minute in black-and-white 19 pages per minute in color. Take photos of documents and scan them using the HP Smart app and the printer scans at an impressively high resolution of 600 dpi. This mobile printer also comes with a lithium ion battery that charges fully in 90 minutes. Finally, the HP OfficeJet 250 is also easy on the Earth, having earned both an ENERGY Star certification for energy efficiency and an EPEAT Silver certification for reduced environmental impact. That said, the printer is on the large side for a portable printer and it is more expensive than other options. Here are more options for the best portable printers.
Best Budget: HP Envy Pro 6055e
Why It Made the Cut: This model offers a compact design and excellent image quality.
Specs:
— Print Speed: 10 black and white pages and 7 color pages per minute
— Paper Capacity: 100 sheets
— Output: Color
Pros:
— Compatible with Alexa
— Made from recycled plastic
— Borderless printing available
Cons:
— HP Smart app required
— Slower printing speed
Despite its price, the HP Envy 6055 includes excellent image quality, an optional Instant Ink program that’ll automatically ship you ink when you’re running low, and support for apps like Dropbox and Google Drive. Everyone in the household can connect via the HP Smart app, and it features dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth connection.
While you do have to download the HP Smart app to print wirelessly and set up your machine, it makes the process more convenient. It allows you to monitor the printer’s ink levels, scan remotely, and print photos from your phone’s photo library, social media platforms, and Google Photos. Save more money with the best cheap printers.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best All-in-One Printers
Laser vs. Inkjet All-In-One Printers
Different types of printers are made to suit varying needs. Laser printers may have the reputation for being extremely expensive, bulky, industrial sorts of printers, better suited for some kind of cubicle farm than for a home or small office. The downside is that laser printers are more expensive than inkjets, even if the gap isn’t as big as it used to be. But laser printers have gotten smaller, cheaper, and easier to use over the past few years, and there are now plenty of laser options for all.
Inkjets can provide really stellar image quality on a wide variety of paper types, whether you’re printing return labels, documents, or photos. Color inkjets are far less expensive than color laser printers, and the ink, per purchase, is less expensive as well.
Value of a Photo Printer
Do you want a machine that can get through the basics and print your beautiful pictures? Luckily for you, there are plenty of all-in-one photo printers. These can be really handy devices to have around the home or home office, because they can print classy, glossy photos as well as handling your scanning and copying needs. If you work a lot with visuals—photographers, designers, architects, artists—an all-in-one photo printer is a great addition to your setup.
Cheaper Options for All-In-One Printers
You don’t have to sacrifice much to get a great all-in-one printer on the cheap. When you dip down below about $150, you’d be surprised at how much value you can get for your money. You’re looking at, typically, an inkjet printer, which still packs all the standard print/copy/scan features, and even formerly advanced features like WiFi, app support, and automatic ink refills are now becoming standard at this price point.
What you’ll likely lose are options like automatic document feeding, higher print speeds, and on-device screens. But really, if you just need to cover the basics? You can do just fine with our favorite budget pick, the HP Envy Pro 6055e.
FAQs
Q: What does all-in-one printer mean?
All-in-one printers may not be able to make you coffee or fetch the newspaper, but that term refers to their three core abilities: print, copy, and scan. Some also offer a fax feature.
Q: What's the difference between an inkjet and a laser printer?
The difference between an inkjet printer and a laser printer is that inkjet printers are more commonly used in homes, use ink, and typically print lower volumes. Laser printers are more often used in offices, use toner cartridges, and can print higher volumes.
Q: Which printer is better for home use: inkjet or laser?
For home use, both inkjet and printer have their pros and cons. If you’re doing color printing, go with inkjet, for its clarity and vividness. But laser models are cheaper to use long-term, and they tend to have a longer lifespan.
Q: What printer has the longest-lasting ink cartridges?
Ideally, the longest-lasting ink cartridge is...not a cartridge at all! Go with a laser printer, which uses a drum system that hardly ever needs replacing, or with an EcoTank system, which lets you refill with a bottle whenever you’re running low.
Q: Will my all-in-one printer work with PCs and Macs?
Yes, the printers in this guide can be used with a PC, Mac, Chromebook, iOS device, or Android device.
Q: What can I do with my used ink cartridges?
Office Depot will recycle up to 10 ink cartridges per month per person. You can either drop the ink cartridges off at one of its brick and mortar stores, or request a free UPS shipping label.
Q: Can I use third-party ink cartridges with my printer?
In our experience, using ink cartridges specified by the manufacturer work the best. Some third-party cartridges may damage your printer or produce lower quality prints.
Q: How can I conserve ink?
If you're on a page with a mix of images and text, but you only need the words, copy and paste them into a blank document. If you're running low on color ink, consider using your printer's "black and white" setting.
Q: How can I use less paper?
New all-in-one printers support the ability to print on both sides of a sheet of paper, which can instantly cut your print load in half. Another oft-overlooked printer setting is the ability to print only selected pages from a particular document. If you only need a hard copy of a couple of pages, this is another free, easy solution for saving paper.
Final Thoughts on the Best All-In-One Printers
All-in-one printers are a great addition to any office setup, whether you’re working from home or not. Despite our desire for a paperless world, there are inevitably still many times when you’ll need to print, scan, or copy something. So why not get a device that can handle any task you throw at it? Our favorite is the Brother MFCL2750DW laser printer, and the Epson EcoTank ET-4760 is also a great (and eco-friendly!) inkjet option. If you’re trying not to break the bank, we’d recommend the HP Envy 6055e.
Related: The Best External Hard Drives
This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurism’s owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.
Share This Article