Even in this day and age, some people just prefer physical copies of their documents. In defence of this old school approach, there are occasions when only a physical copy will do. For example, it's bad form to turn up to an interview and show your prospective employer a copy of your CV on your phone. Contracts and other important official documents should also be printed.
And let’s be honest: Copies of your favourite photos and posters are far superior to digital versions. That slideshow on your laptop or desktop might have hundreds of your best snaps on a never-ending loop, but it can't possibly compare to flicking through actual photos. There are times when you simply must have a printout, and this is when you'll need a printer.
Fortunately, there are absolutely loads of impressive devices on the market from top brands like Canon, Epson, and HP. You really are spoilt for choice, but there are a few things you need to consider before pressing print.
What are the different types of printer?
It generally comes down to inkjet and laser printers. Inkjet printers, as the name suggests, use ink cartridges to print documents. Laser printers use laser beams to flash the image or text to be printed on the page, which is then coated by toner. (Always be mindful of the incurring costs of ink cartridges or toner.) Laser printers produce sharper edges and crisper images. If you’re going to print lots of text documents with few colours, a two-cartridge printer will do the job just fine. Anyone who needs professional-grade printouts should consider a laser printer.
How big are printers?
Also consider the dimensions and weight of a printer. You need to select a device with your home in mind. Even though that powerful printer with a lengthy list of features is attractive, the fact that it wouldn't fit through your front door cannot be ignored. Make sure you measure up before adding a printer to your home office. Luckily, printers come in all shapes and sizes — there are even printers that fit in your hand.
How do printers connect?
You can do it the old-fashioned way and simply connect your computer and printer via a cable. Some printers use a network, which means lots of computers are connected at once — either wired or wirelessly. That’s obviously common in offices. But in this increasingly wireless world, you’ll find many printers use WiFi or Bluetooth. Printing from a computer or device couldn’t be easier.
What is the best printer brand?
Most of the names that you'll come across when searching for a printer are pretty established. The likes of Canon, Epson, and Hewlett Packard will be well-known to basically everyone, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't look elsewhere.
Smaller brands like Kyocera are also really popular with consumers, and even though you might not be that familiar with the name, the fact that these guys specialise in printers is a bonus. The good thing is that you've got options. There is nothing worse that one brand having a monopoly on a certain type of product.
What is the best printer?
We're not going to tell you which way to go, but we recommend giving all the names in this list a chance. We've lined up some of the very best examples of compact, portable, and desktop printers, so that you can find something that works for you.
These are the best home printers in 2023.
