Choosing a home printer comes down to print volume, document type, and ink or toner cost, not the sticker price.
For the full breakdown, see our best Color Printer Scanner For Home guide.
The right home printer for most US households is rarely the cheapest cartridge inkjet on the shelf. A monochrome laser or an ink tank model often costs far less over time, and Consumer Reports’ current testing guidance says a black-and-white laser is generally the best option for typical home use. Before you buy, think about what you print, how often, and whether you need scanning and copying, too.
Printer Types And What Each One Does Best
Your first decision is the technology, and HP’s buying guide and Consumer Reports both put use case ahead of brand. Here is how the four main types break down.
- Cartridge inkjet: Lowest upfront price, good photo quality. The catch is long-term ink cost, and Consumer Reports warns that ink capacity matters more than cartridge price.
- Ink tank: Slightly higher purchase price, but refillable bottles make each page dramatically cheaper. Best for high-volume color households.
- Monochrome laser: Fast, sharp text, and toner lasts thousands of pages. This is the low-hassle pick for frequent document printing, per Consumer Reports.
- Color laser: Expensive up front, but economical for heavy color document volume. Overkill for light home use.
Once you know the technology, decide on functions. A print-only model saves money if you never scan, but an all-in-one with scan and copy covers more ground for a little extra cash. Consumer Reports’ buying guidance centers on budget, what you print, and how often you print it.
Key Features That Actually Matter When Buying
Skip gimmicks and check these five specs before you buy.
- Wireless: Wi-Fi is now a standard expectation for home printers, and Consumer Reports’ testing covers wireless workflows. A printer without it will frustrate you.
- Duplex printing: Automatic two-sided printing cuts paper use in half and is a common buying criterion in current printer guides.
- Paper capacity: A small tray means constant refills for frequent printing. Check the input tray size, not just the cartridge price.
- Operating system support: Device support varies by model. Canon’s specs, for example, list Windows 11, Windows 10, macOS 10.15.7 through macOS 13, and Chrome OS support that differs by printer.
- Mobile printing: Look for AirPrint and Mopria certification on the exact model page. Neither is universal.
Mobile compatibility deserves a closer look because it’s where most buyers get tripped up. AirPrint works on iPhones and iPads running iOS 7.0 or later on the same network as the printer. Android printing requires Android 4.4 or newer plus the Mopria Print Service installed. And one common mistake: AirPrint does not support a printer connected by USB to a Mac or PC, so go wireless if mobile printing matters.
If you’re weighing a color printer scanner for home, it’s worth checking our tested roundup of the best color printer scanner for home before you commit to a model.
Total Cost Of Ownership: The Real Price
The purchase price is the smallest cost in a printer’s life. A $49 cartridge inkjet can burn through $200 in ink within a year, while a $200 ink tank printer might use $40 in bottles over the same period.
| Printer Type | Upfront Cost | Per-Page Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cartridge Inkjet | Low | High — cartridges run out fast |
| Ink Tank | Medium | Low — refill bottles are cheap |
| Monochrome Laser | Medium | Low — toner lasts thousands of pages |
| Color Laser | High | Medium — toner is pricey but durable |
Consumer Reports explicitly advises considering ink capacity, not just cartridge price. Very occasional printing has its own cost: an idle inkjet can develop dried ink that wastes cartridges. If you print once a month, a laser sidesteps that problem entirely.
Setup And Compatibility Checks Before You Buy
Confirm the printer works with your devices before ordering. Canon’s setup guidance requires the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on a smart device connected to the same wireless network as the printer. Pantum’s manual shows USB setup through Printers & Scanners, then Add Printer or Scanner.
For Windows 11 users, Mopria certifies that some printers install automatically through Windows Protected Print mode when a manufacturer driver isn’t available, which cuts down on manual driver downloads. On macOS, you can add an AirPrint printer from Printers & Scanners by selecting AirPrint in the Use menu.
One more check: support life. Canon’s MAXIFY GX5550 specs page, for example, lists a Security Support End Date of 27 April 2029, so you know how long firmware updates will last. Buy a current model, not a discounted one that’s already near end-of-life.
For most homes, the verdict is simple: print mostly black-and-white documents and want no hassle? Buy a monochrome laser. Print a mix of photos, school handouts, and everyday docs? An ink tank gives you color without punishing ink costs. Match the printer type to your actual volume, and the machine will pay for itself.
References & Sources
- Consumer Reports. “Printer Buying Guide.” Current guidance on matching printer type to usage and total cost.
- HP. “Printer Buying Guide.” Official buying framework centered on printer uses, features, and paper handling.