Even if you usually work from the office, you need a printer at home for occasional professional and personal printing. Having a versatile and powerful printer in your home office makes it easier to take care of tasks without running to a print store.
The best home office printer for you depends on your needs. Some people need fast printing every day and need a stockpile of print cartridges, while others will only use their printers occasionally.
Scanning and copying are also important features for some and, since these features are now cheaper than ever, you can get them without breaking your budget. Here are eight printers that can help complete your home office setup.
1. Best Overall — HP OfficeJet Pro 7740
The OfficeJet Pro 7740 prints in stunning quality in both monochrome and full color. With a photo print resolution of up to 4800 x 1200 DPI, your prints will look professional-quality.
The printer also faxes, scans, copies and prints up to 11” x 17” pages. Even with its range of features, it’s affordable enough for home office and family use. The front display is intuitive enough that even users looking for the basics can get what they need done.
It’s more expensive than most home office printers, but the features and quality make it well worth the investment. User reviews report relatively few issues with connectivity and troubleshooting.
2. Best Compact — HP Deskjet 3755 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
If space is a key concern for you, this tiny all-in-one printer is the ideal choice. It prints small photos and standard letter-size paper so you can complete basic tasks without sacrificing desk space. Since it’s wireless, you can put it in an out-of-the-way location in a separate room if needed.
You can control the printer with Alexa and a smartphone app in addition to standard computer commands. The printer is compatible with Google Drive, Dropbox, and other cloud storage systems. Since it can also print on envelopes, it’s a great go-to option for working from home or everyday family matters.
3. Best Budget — Canon Pixma TS6420 Wireless Inkjet All-in-One Printer
Getting a reliable printer on a budget isn’t difficult with the Pixma series. These Canon printers deliver solid results without the hassle, even if you’re not tech-savvy. To make it the most cost-effective printer possible, pair it with inexpensive bulk ink cartridges.
Although the display screen on this printer is smaller than average, it makes up for it with clear and easy-to-read buttons on either side. The sleek black printer blends in well with most decors for a contemporary or minimalist look.
4. Best Photo Printing — Canon ENVY Photo 7855
Home photo printing is more affordable than ever, and the Envy printer series from Canon allows you to take full advantage of color printing without sacrificing quality. This model is tailored toward photo printing more than the other Envy models, so it’s an excellent choice for families or professionals who need to print photos regularly.
Its printing speed is slower than average, but it makes up for it with its incredible quality. The touch screen is large enough for easy adjustments to settings, troubleshooting and connecting Wi-Fi.
5. Best Monochrome Laser — Brother MFC-L2710DW
Because of the high up-front cost of laser printers, they tend to be a less popular choice for home offices. However, they have a lower per-page cost and print faster than inkjet printers. If you need a laser printer for home use, Brother laser printers consistently provide excellent quality in a smaller package than standard office printers.
This black-and-white model is perfect for printing out draft and final documents for professional and personal use. Since it’s so fast, you can print out large documents that need reading or proofreading without having to wait for a long time. This makes it easier to take a break from staring at a screen while still getting work done.
6. Best Color Laser — Canon Color Image CLASS MF644Cdw
Color laser printers are typically even more expensive than monochrome laser printers because of the complexity of the technology and hardware involved. However, they are well worth it if you regularly manage an entire small business or side project from your home.
The Image Class is known for its speed and double-sided printing and scanning capabilities. It’s cheaper than most office color laser printers but doesn’t sacrifice its overall functionality. It also has a fax function that’s easy to navigate, thanks to its touchscreen.
7. Best Multifunction — Canon PIXMA TR4520
Although most Pixma series printers have at least some multifunction capabilities, the TR4520 has the best overall. This machine packs its scanning and double-sided capabilities into a compact footprint. It’s also a great overall value and is cheaper than most printers on this list.
The no-frills display also allows faxing and copying, making it a fantastic choice for home offices that still sometimes need to use old-school technology. Although it prints decent photos, it’s a better choice if you’re prioritizing functionality over photo quality.
8. Best for Mobile Printing — Canon PIXMA MG3620
Printing from smartphones is the newest trend in printing. Although many people use it for photo printing, it’s also a convenient option for busy professionals who can’t run to their laptop every time they need a document.
Early smartphone-compatible printing sometimes struggled with formatting changes and even basic connectivity. Fortunately, Canon’s current printers avoid these problems, and the Pixma MG3620 is a fan favorite thanks to its range of capabilities.
Choosing the Right Option for You
Your home printing needs will be different from those of your boss or colleagues, so take the time to carefully compare the features and benefits of each printer that looks appealing to you. Make sure to stock up on printer ink after you’ve selected your printer since most printer cartridges are not interchangeable. Thanks to modern technology’s improved user interfaces, you’ll have a shorter learning curve when getting used to your new printer than in years past.
