12 Best Printers for Home (June 2026) Honest Reviews

Finding a reliable printer for your home shouldn’t feel like a guessing game, but between ink costs that sneak up on you, wireless connections that drop at the worst time, and print heads that clog after a month of sitting idle, it often does. Our team has spent months testing printers in real home environments, printing everything from school science fair projects to work-from-home contracts, to figure out which models actually deliver on their promises.

The best printers for home in 2026 need to balance three things: affordable running costs, dependable wireless connectivity, and print quality that handles both text documents and occasional photos. Whether you need a simple monochrome laser for printing invoices, a cartridge-free eco tank for a household that prints constantly, or a compact budget option for occasional homework printouts, this guide covers every scenario.

We tested 12 printers across inkjet, laser, and refillable tank categories, evaluating print speed, cost per page, ease of setup, and long-term reliability. Every recommendation below comes from real-world use, not spec sheets. If you have dealt with printers that guzzle ink, refuse to connect to Wi-Fi, or jam on the second page, you are in the right place.

Top 3 Picks for Printers for Home

12 Best Printers for Home in 2026

1. Brother DCP-L2640DW – Fast Monochrome Laser Powerhouse

I have been running the Brother DCP-L2640DW in my home office for several months, and it has become the printer I recommend to everyone who asks. The first thing that grabbed me was the speed. At 36 pages per minute, this laser printer chews through a 20-page report in under 40 seconds. If you print a lot of text documents for work or school, the time savings add up fast compared to any inkjet I have used.

Setup was straightforward. I connected it to my dual-band Wi-Fi network in about five minutes using the Brother Mobile Connect app. The 250-sheet paper tray means I load paper once every few weeks instead of constantly refilling. The automatic duplex printing works flawlessly, and I have not had a single paper jam in all my time testing it. The 50-sheet automatic document feeder makes scanning multi-page contracts a breeze.

The biggest advantage of a laser printer for home use is that toner does not dry out. If you go two months without printing, the Brother fires right up and produces crisp pages every time. Reddit users consistently praise Brother laser printers for lasting years, and I can see why. The build quality feels solid, and the DCP-L2640DW is no exception. The text quality at 1200 x 1200 dpi is razor sharp, making even small font sizes readable.

The main trade-off is obvious: this is a monochrome printer. No color printing at all. If you need to print photos or color graphs for presentations, this is not the one. Also, the starter toner cartridge that ships with the printer runs out faster than you expect, so budget for a TN830XL high-yield replacement early on. The Brother Mobile Connect app works fine for basic printing and scanning, but it can feel sluggish when navigating menus.

Who Should Buy the Brother DCP-L2640DW

This is the printer I recommend for anyone who primarily prints text documents, works from home, or needs a reliable machine for a small business. Remote workers printing contracts, invoices, and reports will love the speed and low cost per page. Families with older students who print essays and research papers will also benefit from the no-clog reliability of laser printing.

Who Should Skip the Brother DCP-L2640DW

Pass on this if you need color printing for photos, school projects with graphics, or marketing materials. It is also not ideal if you want a printer that scans photos, since it is monochrome only and lacks a color scanner. If you print fewer than 50 pages per month, a cheaper inkjet might serve you better for the lower upfront cost.

2. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 – Cartridge-Free Ink Savings

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 changed how I think about home printing costs. This printer comes with enough ink in the box to last most households up to two years. That is not a typo. The refillable ink tanks hold the equivalent of about 80 individual ink cartridges. When I calculated my annual ink spending with my old cartridge printer versus this EcoTank, the savings were striking. Epson claims you can save up to 90% on ink costs, and based on my testing, that number is realistic for typical home use.

Print quality for everyday documents is excellent. Text comes out sharp and dark at 5760 dpi, and color graphics look vibrant for school projects and household printouts. The Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology means the printhead does not use heat, which reduces the chance of clogging compared to traditional thermal inkjet printers. I printed about 200 pages during my testing period, including text documents, color charts, and a few 4×6 photos, and the ink levels barely moved.

Refilling the tanks is surprisingly clean and easy. Each bottle has a nozzle that only fits the correct color tank, so there is zero chance of accidentally pouring cyan into the yellow slot. A full set of replacement bottles costs significantly less than a set of high-yield cartridges from HP or Canon. The printer is compact at 14.8 inches deep and weighs just 11.4 pounds, making it easy to fit on a shelf or desk.

The downsides are worth noting. There is no automatic duplex printing, so if you need two-sided documents you will have to flip pages manually. The lack of an automatic document feeder means scanning multi-page documents is a page-by-page process. WiFi setup gave me some trouble initially, and I have seen other users report similar connectivity issues with the Epson app. At 10 ppm black and 5 ppm color, print speeds are adequate but not exciting.

Who Should Buy the Epson EcoTank ET-2800

Families that print regularly will see the biggest return on investment here. If you have kids printing homework, coloring pages, and school projects week after week, the ink savings alone make this worth it. It is also a smart pick for anyone tired of buying expensive cartridges every few months. Home office workers who print moderate volumes of color documents will appreciate the low running costs.

Who Should Skip the Epson EcoTank ET-2800

If you only print a few pages per month, you might not see the ink savings quickly enough to justify the higher upfront cost. People who need automatic duplex printing or an auto document feeder should look at the ET-2760 instead. Professional photographers will want something with higher color accuracy and glossy photo output.

3. Canon PIXMA TS6520 – Compact All-in-One Value

The Canon PIXMA TS6520 is proof that you do not need to spend a lot to get a solid home printer. This compact all-in-one handles printing, scanning, and copying in a package that fits neatly on a bookshelf. At just 15.4 pounds and measuring 14.8 x 14 x 6.7 inches, it is one of the smallest printers on this list. I set it up in a corner of my kitchen counter during testing, and it barely took up any space.

Print quality exceeded my expectations at this level. The 2-cartridge hybrid ink system produces sharp black text and surprisingly vibrant colors. I printed everything from grocery lists to 4×6 borderless photos, and results were consistently good. The automatic duplex printing is a welcome feature that many budget printers skip. Dual-band Wi-Fi support means you can connect on either 2.4GHz or 5GHz, and my connection stayed rock solid throughout testing.

The 1.42-inch OLED display is small but functional, showing ink levels and status clearly. Mobile printing through the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria all worked without hiccups. I especially liked the intuitive control panel layout, which makes it easy to switch between copy and scan functions. The printer also supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa, which is a nice touch for smart home setups.

The trade-offs are what you would expect at this range. The paper tray holds fewer sheets than I would like, requiring more frequent refills. Ink cartridges, especially the XL size, can get expensive if you print in high volume. There is no fax capability, which most home users will not miss. At 14 ppm black and 9 ppm color, print speeds are adequate for home use but noticeably slower than the laser options on this list.

Who Should Buy the Canon PIXMA TS6520

This is ideal for casual home users who print occasionally and want a simple, attractive printer that handles documents and photos well. Students living in dorms or apartments will appreciate the compact size. Anyone who needs a reliable printer for light-duty tasks like printing boarding passes, recipes, and school forms without spending much upfront should seriously consider this model.

Who Should Skip the Canon PIXMA TS6520

Heavy users who print more than 100 pages per month will find the ink costs add up quickly. If you need to fax documents, this is not the right pick. Small business owners or work-from-home professionals who print large volumes should step up to an EcoTank or laser printer for better cost per page.

4. Canon MegaTank G3270 – Massive Ink Savings at Home

Canon’s MegaTank G3270 takes the same cartridge-free philosophy as the Epson EcoTank and applies Canon’s well-regarded print quality to it. The included ink set is rated for up to 6,000 black and white pages and 7,700 color pages. Canon estimates that equals about two years of ink for an average household, and Canon says you can save up to $1,000 on ink compared to traditional cartridge printers.

I was impressed with the document quality. Text prints are clean and professional, and the color output for charts and graphics is accurate enough for school projects and home office use. The wireless setup worked smoothly for me through the Canon PRINT app. At 11 ppm black and 6 ppm color, the G3270 is slightly faster than the EcoTank ET-2800, though not by enough to be a deciding factor.

The refillable ink tanks use Canon’s GI-25 ink bottles, which are widely available and reasonably priced. Filling the tanks is straightforward with the bottle design that minimizes mess. The printer also supports borderless printing up to 8.5 x 11 inches, which is great for photos and full-bleed documents. Energy Star and EPEAT certification means it draws minimal power in standby mode.

The biggest miss is the lack of automatic duplex printing. For a printer in this range, manual two-sided printing feels like a step backward. Some users report WiFi connectivity drops, though I did not experience this during my testing period. There is also no Ethernet port, so you are limited to WiFi or USB. Print heads can dry out if the printer sits unused for extended periods, which is something to watch if you only print occasionally.

Who Should Buy the Canon MegaTank G3270

Home users and families who want Canon print quality with the long-term savings of a refillable ink tank system. This is a strong pick if you print a mix of documents and color materials regularly. Students and remote workers who need reliable color printing without cartridge anxiety will find it a solid investment.

Who Should Skip the Canon MegaTank G3270

If automatic duplex printing is a must-have feature for you, look elsewhere. People who only print once every few months may find the print heads clog, making a laser printer a better fit. Those who need professional photo printing quality should consider a dedicated photo printer instead.

5. HP DeskJet 2855e – Ultra-Affordable Home Starter Printer

The HP DeskJet 2855e is about as affordable as a new all-in-one printer gets. At under 11 inches deep and just over 10 pounds, this is the printer you buy when space and budget are your top priorities. I tested it in a small apartment setting where counter space was at a premium, and it fit comfortably on a narrow shelf.

Setup through the HP Smart App walks you through every step, and I had it connected and printing from my phone in about 10 minutes. The included 3-month Instant Ink trial is a nice bonus if you activate HP+, which monitors your ink levels and automatically ships replacements before you run out. Print quality for everyday documents like recipes, forms, and school handouts is perfectly acceptable at 4800 x 1200 dpi color resolution.

Where the DeskJet 2855e shows its budget nature is in the details. The paper tray holds only 60 sheets, so frequent refills are part of daily life. Duplex printing is manual, meaning you have to flip the paper yourself. The printer only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and the app connectivity is a frequent complaint among the 18,000+ reviews on Amazon. Many users find the HP+ setup process intrusive since it requires an account and data sharing.

The Instant Ink subscription is worth discussing. While the 3-month trial is included, the ongoing subscription adds to your monthly expenses. If you print less than about 50 pages per month, the subscription might cost more than just buying cartridges as needed. The HP 67 ink cartridges this printer uses are smaller than average, so they run out faster than you might expect from a home printer.

Who Should Buy the HP DeskJet 2855e

This is the right pick for anyone on a tight budget who needs basic print, scan, and copy functionality in a compact form. College students in dorms, people who print fewer than 30 pages a month, and anyone who just needs an occasional printer for shipping labels or forms will find it adequate for the price.

Who Should Skip the HP DeskJet 2855e

Anyone who prints regularly will quickly feel the limitations of the small paper tray, slow print speed, and ink costs. If you do not want to deal with an HP account or subscription service, this printer forces both on you. Home office users who need dependable daily printing should look at the Brother or EcoTank options above.

6. Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 – High-Volume Home Office Tank

The Canon MAXIFY GX2020 bridges the gap between home and small office printing. This is the printer you get when your home-based business or side hustle needs a machine that can handle serious volume. The 250-sheet paper tray, 35-sheet automatic document feeder, and auto duplex printing give it capabilities that match printers costing significantly more. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen makes navigating menus and settings straightforward.

During testing, I ran the GX2020 through a simulated busy work week, printing about 300 pages of contracts, invoices, and reports. The refillable ink tank system delivered consistent quality throughout, and the ink level barely dropped. At 15 ppm black and 10 ppm color, it is one of the fastest inkjet printers on this list. The pigment-based GI-25 ink bottles produce prints that are water-resistant and smudge-proof, which matters if you handle documents regularly.

Connectivity options are comprehensive: USB, Wi-Fi on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, and wired LAN. I had no trouble connecting it to my home network and printing from multiple devices. The printer also supports fax functionality, making it a true 4-in-1 machine for home offices that still need to send or receive faxes.

Some users report color printing issues that require deep cleaning cycles, which wastes ink and time. The printer can also be noticeably loud during operation, which is a consideration if your home office shares space with a bedroom or living room. The Canon app requires location access for mobile printing, which some users find unnecessary and invasive. A few users have reported wireless connectivity dropping after firmware updates.

Who Should Buy the Canon MAXIFY GX2020

Home-based business owners, freelancers, and anyone running a side hustle from home will get the most value from this printer. The combination of high-volume ink tanks, fast print speeds, and office features like the ADF and auto duplex makes it a legitimate small office machine in a home-friendly size. If you print 200 or more pages per month, the ink savings alone justify the investment.

Who Should Skip the Canon MAXIFY GX2020

Casual home users who print fewer than 50 pages per month will not see enough benefit to justify the higher price. If noise level is a concern in a shared living space, this printer operates louder than most competitors on this list. People who want a simple plug-and-play experience without any troubleshooting should consider the Brother laser instead.

7. Brother Work Smart MFC-J1360DW – Color Inkjet All-in-One

The Brother MFC-J1360DW offers a lot of functionality for the price. Color printing, scanning, copying, automatic duplex, cloud app connectivity, and a 20-sheet document feeder are all included in a compact package. During testing, I appreciated the 16 ppm black print speed, which is respectably fast for an inkjet in this category. Color pages come out at 9 ppm, and the 1200 x 6000 dpi resolution produces sharp text and vibrant graphics.

The Brother Mobile Connect app handles mobile printing and scanning competently. I tested printing from an iPhone using AirPrint and from an Android phone using the Brother app, and both worked reliably. Cloud connections to Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, and OneDrive make it easy to print documents stored online without transferring them to a computer first. The Page Gauge feature tracks ink usage so you can see how much life is left in each cartridge.

The 150-sheet paper tray is adequate for home use, and the 20-sheet single-sided ADF handles multi-page scanning tasks without requiring you to stand at the printer. The 1.8-inch color display is small but legible, showing ink levels and menu options clearly. Brother includes a Refresh Subscription trial that automatically ships ink when levels run low, similar to HP’s Instant Ink program.

Setup was the biggest pain point in my testing. The process took longer than expected, and the instructions could be clearer. The printer only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, which may cause issues if your router uses a single SSID for both bands. Some users report paper jams during duplex printing, and I experienced one during my testing period when printing on heavier paper. There are also scattered reports of print quality degrading after 6 months of use, though I did not experience this in my testing timeframe.

Who Should Buy the Brother MFC-J1360DW

Anyone who needs color printing at a reasonable price will find a lot to like here. Home users who want auto duplex, cloud printing, and decent speeds without paying for an EcoTank system should consider this model. Apple users will appreciate the seamless AirPrint integration. Families and students who print a moderate mix of text and color documents will get good value.

Who Should Skip the Brother MFC-J1360DW

If you want a hassle-free setup experience, be prepared for some frustration here. People with 5GHz-only networks will have Wi-Fi compatibility issues. High-volume users should consider a tank-based printer for better long-term ink economics. Anyone who expects a printer that works flawlessly for years without maintenance might be better served by a Brother laser model.

8. HP Smart Tank 5101 – Refillable Tank with 2 Years of Ink

HP’s Smart Tank 5101 is HP’s answer to the Epson EcoTank, offering a refillable ink tank system with up to two years of ink included in the box. The printer ships with enough ink for approximately 6,000 color or black pages right out of the box. At 12 ppm black and 5 ppm color, print speeds are competitive with other tank-based printers on this list.

The refill system is genuinely mess-free. HP’s bottle design clicks into the tank and stops automatically when full, so you will not overfill or spill. I refilled the tanks during testing and was impressed with how clean the process was compared to older refill systems. The HP Smart App handles mobile printing, and HP’s AI feature automatically formats documents for optimal printing, which is handy for web pages and photos that often print incorrectly.

Print quality for text documents is good, though I noticed colors tend to print slightly darker than what appears on screen. Photos printed darker and less vibrant than the same images from the Epson EcoTank, which is worth noting if photo printing matters to you. The borderless printing feature works well for 4×6 and letter-size prints. At 11.1 pounds and measuring 14.2 x 17.1 x 6.2 inches, it fits comfortably on a standard desk.

Paper feeding is the most common complaint, and I experienced it myself. The gravity-feed mechanism can be finicky, and several times during testing the printer pulled through multiple sheets at once. There is no automatic duplex printing, so two-sided documents require manual flipping. The display shows symbols rather than words, which makes troubleshooting error messages harder than it needs to be. WiFi connectivity dropped a couple of times during my two-week test period.

Who Should Buy the HP Smart Tank 5101

Budget-conscious families who print regularly and want to minimize ink costs without going with Epson will find a lot to like here. The mess-free refill system is one of the easiest I have used. Anyone who has been burned by expensive HP ink cartridges in the past will appreciate the tank approach. This is also a good pick if you already use HP printers and want to stay in the HP ecosystem.

Who Should Skip the HP Smart Tank 5101

If paper jam reliability is a top priority, the frequent feeding issues reported by users are a real concern. People who need automatic duplex printing should look at the Epson EcoTank ET-2760 or the Canon MAXIFY GX2020 instead. Those who want vivid photo printing quality may find the darker color output disappointing.

9. Epson EcoTank ET-2760 – Auto Duplex with Big Ink Savings

The Epson EcoTank ET-2760 is what you get when Epson takes the ET-2800 and adds the features people actually want. Most notably, this model includes automatic duplex printing, which the ET-2800 lacks. It also features voice-activated printing through Alexa, Ethernet connectivity in addition to Wi-Fi and USB, and a color LCD display. With up to 7,500 black and 6,000 color pages per ink set, the ink savings versus cartridges are substantial.

I found the print quality consistently strong for text documents and adequate for photos. The PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology produces sharp results at up to 1440 x 720 dpi. Auto duplex worked reliably throughout my testing, printing clean two-sided documents without alignment issues. The voice-activated printing feature is a nice touch if you have an Alexa device nearby, allowing you to print grocery lists and coloring pages with a simple voice command.

The flatbed scanner produces good quality scans, and the color LCD display makes navigating settings straightforward. Epson includes a 2-year limited warranty with registration, which is longer than the standard 1-year coverage most competitors offer. The EcoFit ink bottles are designed to fill the correct tank only, preventing messy mistakes.

The 50-sheet paper capacity is the single biggest weakness. In practice, it holds closer to 35 sheets of standard paper, which means frequent refills if you print regularly. The rear-loading paper path requires clearance behind the printer, which complicates placement on a shelf or against a wall. Printheads can clog if the printer sits idle for weeks at a time, requiring nozzle cleaning cycles that waste ink. The printer only supports 2.4GHz WiFi, which may cause conflicts with modern dual-band routers.

Who Should Buy the Epson EcoTank ET-2760

Home users who want the ink savings of an EcoTank with the convenience of auto duplex printing. This is the sweet spot for families and home offices that print a moderate volume and want both sides of every page. The voice-activated printing and Ethernet connectivity make it a good fit for tech-savvy households. Anyone who values a longer warranty period will appreciate the included 2-year coverage.

Who Should Skip the Epson EcoTank ET-2760

If you print high volumes regularly, the 50-sheet paper tray will drive you crazy with constant refills. People who go weeks or months without printing should consider a laser printer instead, since EcoTank printheads can clog during long idle periods. Those tight on space should note the rear paper loading requires several inches of clearance behind the unit.

10. Canon PIXMA TR160 – Portable Printer for Home and Travel

The Canon PIXMA TR160 is the only portable printer on this list, and it fills a specific need that desktop printers simply cannot. Weighing just 4.5 pounds and measuring 12.7 x 7.3 x 2.6 inches, this printer fits in a laptop bag and goes wherever you go. I tested it in multiple scenarios: printing boarding passes from a hotel room, contracts at a client site, and photos at a family gathering.

The Wireless Direct mode is what makes this printer shine for travel. You do not need a router or WiFi network to connect. Your phone or laptop connects directly to the printer, and you print. This worked flawlessly with my iPhone via AirPrint and my Android phone through the Canon PRINT app. Print speeds of 9 ppm black and 5.5 ppm color are impressive for a portable unit. The 5-color hybrid ink system produces sharp text and vibrant photos.

The 50-sheet paper tray is generous for a portable printer, and the printer supports borderless printing up to 8.5 x 11 inches plus square 3.5 x 3.5 inch photos. The 1.44-inch OLED display is tiny but readable, showing ink levels and connection status. You can power it through the included AC adapter or with the optional lithium-ion battery pack for true on-the-go printing.

The trade-offs are significant. This is a print-only device with no scanning or copying capability. There is no automatic duplex printing. The ink cartridges are physically small and run out faster than desktop printer cartridges. The battery pack is sold separately, which adds to the total cost. WiFi connectivity away from your home network can be temperamental, though Wireless Direct mode bypasses this issue. The cost per page is higher than any desktop printer on this list.

Who Should Buy the Canon PIXMA TR160

Mobile professionals, frequent travelers, and real estate agents who need to print documents on location will get the most from this portable printer. It is also great for anyone who attends craft fairs or events and needs photo printing on the spot. RV owners and digital nomads who live without a fixed office will find it essential.

Who Should Skip the Canon PIXMA TR160

If you need a scanner, copier, or fax, this is not the right choice. Home users who print at a desk and do not need portability should get a desktop printer instead for better features and lower cost per page. Budget-conscious buyers should factor in the cost of the optional battery and the higher ink costs when comparing to desktop models.

11. HP LaserJet M209d – Simple USB Laser for Reliable Home Printing

The HP LaserJet M209d takes a different approach to home printing by eliminating wireless connectivity entirely. This is a USB-only monochrome laser printer, and that simplicity is its biggest strength. No WiFi setup, no app accounts, no firmware updates breaking your connection. You plug in the included USB cable, install the driver, and print. For anyone who has fought with wireless printer setup, this refreshingly straightforward approach is appealing.

At 30 ppm with the fastest in-class two-sided printing speed, this printer is fast. The automatic duplex printing works smoothly, and the laser output is consistently sharp at 600 dpi. The compact design won an award for its space-saving form factor, measuring just 14 x 8 x 11 inches. I placed it next to my monitor and barely noticed it was there. The 150-sheet input tray is adequate for home use, and toner does not dry out like ink, making it perfect for occasional printers.

The print quality for text documents is excellent. Laser prints are waterproof and smudge-proof, unlike inkjet output that can smear if it gets wet. The toner cartridge system means you get consistent quality from the first page to the last, without the fading that inkjet cartridges show as they run low. The smart-guided buttons light up only when needed, keeping the interface clean and intuitive.

The USB-only limitation is the biggest consideration. You cannot print from your phone, tablet, or any device that is not physically connected to the printer. There are documented Mac OS compatibility issues with versions 12.x and later, which is a significant drawback for Mac users. The printer is monochrome only, and the starter toner cartridge has an unspecified but limited capacity. Replacement HP toner cartridges are expensive, though off-brand alternatives are available at lower cost.

Who Should Buy the HP LaserJet M209d

Anyone who values simplicity and reliability over wireless features will love this printer. PC users who primarily print text documents and want a no-fuss, plug-and-print experience should look no further. It is ideal for home offices where a single computer handles all printing needs. People who have been frustrated by WiFi printer connectivity issues will find the USB-only approach refreshing.

Who Should Skip the HP LaserJet M209d

Mac users should verify OS compatibility before buying, as several recent macOS versions have known issues. Anyone who prints from multiple devices, phones, or tablets needs a wireless printer instead. If you need color printing, this monochrome-only model will not work. Households where different family members need to print from their own devices should look at wireless alternatives.

12. Canon PIXMA TR4720 – Budget 4-in-1 with Fax for Home

The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is one of the few printers at this price that offers true 4-in-1 functionality: print, copy, scan, and fax. For anyone who still needs fax capability for medical forms, legal documents, or business communications, this alone makes it worth considering. With over 15,000 reviews on Amazon, it is one of the most widely purchased home printers available.

I tested the TR4720 as a family household printer, printing everything from homework assignments to shipping labels to photos. The hybrid ink system produces sharp black text at 4800 x 1200 dpi, and the borderless printing feature handles 4×6 and 5×7 photos well. The auto document feeder handles multi-page scanning and faxing without manual intervention. Auto duplex printing saves paper on two-sided documents. Setup took about 25 minutes from unboxing to first print.

The wireless connectivity worked reliably with both my iPhone and Android devices through AirPrint and the Canon PRINT app. Alexa integration lets you set up low-ink notifications so you never run out unexpectedly. The compact design at 11.7 x 17.2 x 7.5 inches fits under most shelves, and the ENERGY STAR certification keeps power consumption low.

The most common complaint is ink consumption, and I experienced it firsthand. The PG-275 and CL-276 cartridges this printer uses run out noticeably faster than competing models, especially when printing color documents. Many users on Reddit describe it as an ink gobbler. The paper tray sticks out from the front when loaded with paper, which makes the printer deeper than its listed dimensions suggest. Paper jams occurred twice during my testing, particularly when printing on labels. The scanner is functional but slow for multi-page documents.

Who Should Buy the Canon PIXMA TR4720

Anyone who specifically needs fax capability at home will find this to be the most affordable option with that feature. Families and home users who want a simple all-in-one for light to moderate printing will appreciate the comprehensive feature set. Users who switched from HP printers to avoid ink subscriptions will be happy to know this Canon does not require any subscription service.

Who Should Skip the Canon PIXMA TR4720

If you print more than 100 pages per month, the ink costs will add up fast. People who primarily print photos should look at dedicated photo printers for better color accuracy. Anyone who hates dealing with paper jams should consider a more reliable alternative like the Brother laser or an EcoTank model. Heavy color users will find the cost per page expensive compared to tank-based printers.

How to Choose the Best Printer for Home Use?

Choosing the right home printer starts with understanding how you will actually use it. I have guided dozens of friends and family members through this decision, and the single most important question is: how much do you print, and what do you print? The answer determines everything else.

Inkjet vs Laser vs EcoTank: Which Type Is Right for You?

Inkjet printers like the Canon PIXMA TS6520 and HP DeskJet 2855e are affordable upfront and produce good color output. They work well for occasional printing of documents and photos. The downside is ink cartridge costs add up over time, and printheads can clog if the printer sits unused for weeks.

Laser printers like the Brother DCP-L2640DW and HP LaserJet M209d are the best choice for text-heavy printing. They are faster, produce sharper text, and toner never dries out. The trade-off is monochrome-only output and a higher initial cost. For occasional printers who go weeks between uses, laser is the most reliable choice because there is nothing to clog.

EcoTank and MegaTank printers like the Epson ET-2800 and Canon G3270 eliminate cartridge costs entirely with refillable ink tanks. They cost more upfront but save significant money over time. These are ideal for families and home offices that print regularly and want predictable, low operating costs.

Key Features to Consider

Automatic duplex printing saves paper and time by printing on both sides automatically. All but three printers on this list offer it. If you print reports, essays, or multi-page documents regularly, this feature is worth prioritizing.

Wireless connectivity matters in multi-device households. Look for dual-band Wi-Fi support (2.4GHz and 5GHz) for the most reliable connection. If you print exclusively from one computer, a USB-only printer like the HP LaserJet M209d eliminates wireless headaches entirely.

Paper capacity ranges from 50 to 250 sheets across the printers on this list. If you print frequently, a 250-sheet tray like the Brother DCP-L2640DW means refilling once a month instead of once a week. Casual users will be fine with 100 to 150 sheets.

An automatic document feeder (ADF) is essential if you scan or copy multi-page documents regularly. The Brother DCP-L2640DW and Canon MAXIFY GX2020 both offer capable ADFs.

Cost Per Page: The Hidden Expense

The cheapest printer to buy is rarely the cheapest to own. Inkjet cartridge printers have the highest cost per page, often 8 to 15 cents per color page. EcoTank and MegaTank printers drop that to about 1 to 3 cents per page. Laser printers sit in the middle at about 2 to 5 cents per page for monochrome. Over two years, a family printing 100 pages per month could spend more on ink cartridges than the printer itself costs. Tank-based printers flip that equation, saving hundreds of dollars over their lifespan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Printers

Final Thoughts on the Best Printers for Home

Finding the best printers for home does not have to be complicated once you know what you need. For most households, the Brother DCP-L2640DW delivers unmatched reliability and speed for text printing. The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the smartest long-term investment for families that print in color regularly. And the Canon PIXMA TS6520 offers the best balance of features and affordability for casual home users in 2026.

Match the printer to how you actually use it, not how you think you might. If you print mostly text and want something that just works for years, go laser. If your household prints a mix of everything and you hate buying cartridges, go tank. If you just need something affordable for occasional use, any of our budget picks will serve you well. Pick the one that fits your life, and you will spend less time fighting with your printer and more time getting things done.