Choosing a Printer for Home, Students and Families

01Key takeaway

A good printer for home use matches how your household actually prints. Light, irregular printing points toward a simple, low-maintenance model; regular color printing for homework and projects points toward an ink tank inkjet; mostly black text points toward a compact monochrome laser. For families, easy phone printing and reliable Wi-Fi often matter more than top speed.

02Terms used in this guide

• Ink tank printer: an inkjet you refill from bottles instead of buying sealed cartridges.
• Monochrome laser: a laser printer that prints only in black, using powdered toner.
• AirPrint: Apple’s built-in system that lets iPhones, iPads and Macs print to supported printers without extra software.
• Mopria: an industry standard used by many Android phones and Windows PCs to print to supported printers.
• Borderless printing: printing right to the edge of the paper, mostly used for photos.

03Three common household patterns

Most homes fall into one of three patterns. Find the one that sounds like you, then read the matching notes.

The occasional printer

You print a boarding pass, a return label or a form now and then, sometimes not for weeks. The main risk here is not cost per page but reliability after long gaps. Inkjet nozzles can dry or clog when unused, and printers may run cleaning cycles that use ink. A compact laser, either black-only or color, tends to tolerate idle periods well because toner is a dry powder. If you prefer an inkjet, plan to print a page or two every week or so to keep ink flowing.

The student or homework household

Essays, worksheets, revision notes, project posters and the odd photo. Volume is steady during term time, and color matters for charts and projects. An ink tank inkjet is often a good fit because refill bottles usually bring down the cost of each color page compared with small cartridges, although the printer itself typically costs more upfront. If almost everything is black text, a monochrome laser is worth considering for its fast, sharp output.

The busy family hub

Several people, several devices, and a printer in a shared space. Here, connection and convenience lead: dependable Wi-Fi, AirPrint or Mopria for phones, automatic two-sided printing to save paper, and scanning for school forms and household records. An all-in-one inkjet or laser with a decent paper tray suits this pattern.

04Comparing options for home use

The table sets out general tendencies. Individual models vary, and running costs depend on the supplies each model uses.

Our explainer on ink tank vs cartridge printers looks at that middle column in detail.

05Features worth paying for at home

Not every feature earns its keep. These usually do for households and students:

1. Wi-Fi with phone printing. Check that the model lists AirPrint for Apple devices or Mopria for many Android devices. That way most family members can print without installing anything. Our guide to printing from a phone or tablet explains what to check.
2. Automatic two-sided printing. Long essays and handouts use half the paper. Without it, you have to flip pages by hand.
3. A flatbed scanner. Useful for permission slips, receipts and records. A document feeder is only needed if you regularly scan multi-page documents.
4. A paper tray that holds a full ream or close to it. Less refilling in a busy household. Check the manufacturer’s stated capacity.
5. Easy-to-find supplies. Before buying, check that the cartridges, bottles or toner for that model are sold at stores or websites you use.

Features that matter less for most homes: very high quoted speeds, fax (unless you need it for official paperwork), and large touchscreens.

Did that help you decide? If you are still between two types, compare a year of estimated running costs for each using our cost per page guide.

06Practical tips for a family printer

• Agree a default. Set the printer as the default in each family member’s computer so jobs don’t go to an old printer by mistake.
• Use black only for drafts. Printing drafts in grayscale or black only saves color ink. The setting name varies by app and driver.
• Keep paper dry and flat. Damp or curled paper is a common cause of jams in shared spaces.
• Keep supplies out of reach. Ink bottles and toner cartridges should be stored away from small children and pets.
• Change default passwords. If the printer has a web settings page with an admin password, change it from the default and keep it private.

07When to get more help

If you aren’t sure whether a model supports your devices, check the manufacturer’s specifications or ask its pre-sales support. For setup problems after you buy, the printer’s quick-start sheet and the manufacturer’s support site come first. If a new printer fails to power on or prints badly from day one even after following the setup steps, contact the retailer or manufacturer, since it may be covered by the warranty.

08Common questions

What type of printer is best for a college student?

There is no single best type. Students who print mostly text often like a compact monochrome laser; those who need color for projects often choose an ink tank inkjet. Check whether your campus offers printing, since you may only need a printer for occasional jobs.

Can my kids print from their phones or tablets?

Usually yes, if the printer supports AirPrint or Mopria and is on the same Wi-Fi network. Some printers also work through the manufacturer’s app. Check the model’s specifications.

Is a photo printer worth it for a family?

Only if you print photos often. Many all-in-one inkjets print good photos on photo paper, and printing services may be simpler for occasional prints.

Will an inkjet dry out if we don’t use it much?

It can. Printing a page or two regularly and leaving the printer plugged in so it can manage its own maintenance both help. Check the manual for the manufacturer’s advice on idle periods.