Printers are the one piece of home office technology that still routinely infuriates people. The machine is cheap and the ink is not; it clogs if you don’t use it; and the model names are deliberately confusing. This guide cuts it down to one decision — what do you actually print? — and then tells you which type to buy and what to check.
Quick answer
- Mostly black text, printed occasionally: a monochrome laser. Toner doesn’t dry out.
- Regular color printing — school, crafts, photos: an ink tank printer (EcoTank, Smart Tank, MegaTank).
- A few pages a month: honestly consider a print shop, or a cheap laser you leave alone for months.
- Photos as a hobby: a dedicated photo printer with multiple ink colors.
The three types
| Cartridge inkjet | Ink tank | Mono laser | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware price | Lowest | Higher | Middle |
| Cost per page | Highest | Very low | Low (black only) |
| Color | Yes | Yes | No |
| Occasional use | Ink dries in the cartridge | Nozzles can clog if unused for weeks | Excellent — works after months idle |
| Speed | Moderate | Moderate | Fast |
| Best for | Very light, irregular use | Families, students, color documents | Contracts, forms, shipping labels |
Why cost per page beats sticker price
A cheap cartridge printer can cost more over two years than a more expensive tank or laser model, because replacement supplies dominate the total. Before buying, look up the price and page yield of the ink or toner for that exact model, then divide. Two minutes of arithmetic will often change which printer you buy.
Features to insist on
- Automatic duplex (two-sided printing) — saves paper and annoyance.
- Wi-Fi plus a wired or USB fallback for when the network misbehaves.
- AirPrint and Mopria support so phones print without vendor apps.
- A flatbed scanner if you scan documents; an automatic document feeder if you scan many pages.
- A real paper tray rather than a rear feed slot, if you print often.
- Pigment black ink if you print documents that must survive moisture.
Things to watch out for
- Ink subscription programs: convenient, but read the terms — some tie printing capability to an active plan.
- Third-party ink and warranty: manufacturers may exclude damage caused by non-original supplies. Check before refilling.
- Firmware updates that change cartridge compatibility.
- Waste ink pads: inkjets collect waste ink internally and eventually need servicing or a reset.
- “Starter” cartridges in the box hold much less ink than full ones.
Keep an inkjet healthy
- Print something — anything — at least once a week.
- Power the printer off with its own button so the print head parks and seals.
- Run head cleaning only when print quality actually drops; each cycle uses ink.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heat.
Power note
Don’t plug a laser printer into a UPS — the fuser draws a large surge that can overload it. Use a wall outlet or a surge-protected strip, and keep the battery outlets for your computer and network gear. More in our UPS guide and surge protector guide.