Hey fellow printer aficionados! Are you on the hunt for the ultimate inkjet printer to satisfy your discerning printing needs? Look no further; I’ve meticulously researched, tested, and compared models to bring you the crème de la crème of inkjet printers.
This guide is tailored specifically for those who appreciate the nuances of print quality, speed, and cutting-edge features. So, grab your favorite beverage, put on your printer-enthusiast hat, and join us as we delve deep into the realm of high-performance inkjet printers that will make your inner printing nerd rejoice!
Best Inkjet Printers – My Top Picks
1. Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850
After testing numerous inkjet printers, I can confidently say that the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 has won me over. This model boasts a refillable ink tank and feels incredibly well-built, meeting practically every need for an office environment. With a plethora of connectivity options, including Ethernet, it’s perfect for offices relying on wired LAN connections. The scanner comes equipped with an automatic feeder, handling lengthy, multi-page documents with ease, and even scanning double-sided sheets in two passes.
When it comes to printing, this model delivers outstandingly sharp documents at a rapid pace of up to 25 pages per minute. As for photo printing, the results are detailed and vibrant, albeit slightly grainy. With an ink tank capable of yielding thousands of prints, frequent refills are a thing of the past. Moreover, the affordable ink bottles make this printer cost-effective to maintain over time.
For those who find the ET-5850 a bit too pricey and are willing to compromise, the Epson EcoTank ET-5800 is a more budget-friendly alternative. Although it shares the same features and print quality, it’s slightly slower when printing color documents and lacks borderless printing capabilities. Another option worth considering is the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5180. While it offers a higher print yield than the ET-5850, its build quality isn’t as robust, and it prints at a slower rate of 14 black or eight color pages per minute. Additionally, the smaller input tray means you’ll need to refill it more frequently.
As a true printer enthusiast, I’ve spent countless hours researching and testing inkjet printers, and the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 has emerged as the best in its class. However, depending on your budget and specific needs, the Epson EcoTank ET-5800 and the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5180 serve as viable alternatives. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your priorities and preferences, but rest assured, these printers will surely impress even the most discerning printing connoisseurs.
2. Brother MFC-J4335DW
As a fellow printer connoisseur, I know the importance of finding the perfect balance between functionality and affordability. That’s why my second pick is the Brother MFC-J4335DW, a user-friendly all-in-one printer tailored for home use. With an impressive yield of over 2,000 color and 800 black pages before cartridge replacement is necessary, the cost-per-print remains remarkably low. To sweeten the deal, Brother’s ink subscription service adds an extra layer of savings.
While the printing speed is commendable, be prepared to refill the input tray more frequently during larger print jobs, as it can only hold 150 sheets of paper. The scanner, equipped with an automatic document feeder (ADF), processes up to 20 pages per minute, offering ample connectivity options and mobile app support.
The Brother MFC-J4335DW excels at producing high-quality documents. Although its color range and accuracy may not be the absolute best, it still delivers strikingly detailed photos. All things considered, this all-in-one inkjet printer is an excellent choice for most households, earning its place among the top printers I’ve had the pleasure of testing.
3. HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e
As an inkjet aficionado who appreciates both value and performance, I highly recommend the HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e for those seeking a reliable mid-range option. This printer boasts Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet connectivity, even allowing for direct printing from USB flash drives. The scanner comes packed with features, including an automatic document feeder, single-pass duplex scanning, and optical character recognition (OCR) for converting documents into easily searchable text files.
Although the HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e relies on traditional ink cartridges rather than a supertank system, it still offers an impressive yield of around 1,100 black and 700 color pages. As a bonus, it comes with six months of ink via HP Instant Ink, HP’s ink replenishment service. With respectable printing speeds of 16 black or 14 color pages per minute, this model is a solid choice for most users.
If your print load is substantial, you might want to consider the Epson EcoTank ET-3850 as an alternative. Priced similarly to the HP, this supertank model yields significantly more prints, making it more cost-effective in the long run. However, there are a few trade-offs, such as slower printing speeds, the absence of duplex scanning, and no external storage support. While the print quality might be slightly inferior to the HP’s, it remains exceptional overall.
4. Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W
For the budget-conscious printer enthusiasts among us, the Brother MFC-J1205W (or the Brother MFC-J1215W if you’re shopping at Walmart) stands out as the top choice. Designed with the needs of occasional printers in mind, this inkjet model boasts a durable build, a variety of connectivity options, and the ability to print high-quality documents and satisfactory photos. The long-lasting, reasonably-priced ink cartridges ensure that the cost-per-print remains remarkably low.
As a budget-friendly model, the Brother MFC-J1205W does come with a few compromises, such as its leisurely printing speed and the absence of an automatic document feeder. Nevertheless, it remains compatible with Brother’s mobile app, enabling you to print, scan, copy, perform maintenance tasks, and even order supplies with ease.
In summary, if you’re searching for a reliable, cost-effective inkjet printer that still delivers quality results, the Brother MFC-J1205W is an excellent option to consider.
5. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
As a printer enthusiast, I understand that sometimes you need a specialized option for specific tasks like high-quality photo printing. In that case, the Canon imagePROGRAF Pro-300 is undoubtedly the best choice. This exceptional printer delivers incredibly detailed, vibrant, and colorful photos without banding or other artifacts and supports wide-format paper sizes up to 13″ x 19″.
However, a few trade-offs exist with specialized printers like the Canon imagePROGRAF Pro-300. The maintenance cost can be quite steep due to its nine ink cartridges, which are pricey to replace. Additionally, as a print-only model, you’ll need a separate scanner for scanning tasks. Lastly, it has a slower printing speed, taking over two minutes to produce a 4″ x 6″ photo.
If you have concerns about the high maintenance costs and require a more versatile option, consider the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550, one of the best all-in-one inkjet printers I’ve tested. Its refillable ink tank yields significantly more prints than the Canon, and the replacement ink is considerably cheaper.
It also features a flatbed scanner and supports direct printing from an SD card. While the print quality is outstanding, the colors may not be as accurate as the Canon, as they tend to be more vibrant and punchy. For those on a budget, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 offers the same print quality but only supports paper sizes up to 8.5″ x 11″.
6. Canon PIXMA MG3620
I understand that sometimes you only need a printer for occasional, specific projects. In that case, the Canon PIXMA MG3620 is a suitable choice. It may not have the most robust build and features just a basic flatbed scanner, but it does print good-quality documents and photos.
The main drawback with the Canon PIXMA MG3620 is its low page yield. Although the cost-per-print remains low thanks to the affordable cartridges, it can be inconvenient due to frequent maintenance, and you might end up wasting paper and time on incomplete or faded prints. If you only need a printer for those occasional, one-off projects, the MG3620 should suffice. However, I recommend considering a more robust (also more expensive) printer if you print more regularly.
7. Epson EcoTank ET-15000
As someone who appreciates a printer that can handle wide-format projects, I highly recommend the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 for printing posters. This all-in-one supertank model boasts a high page yield, allowing you to print thousands of pages and replenish the tank as needed. Additionally, the replacement ink bottles are fairly affordable, which keeps maintenance costs low even with frequent printing.
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 offers a variety of connectivity options, including USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet, as well as support for Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service. It’s reasonably quick when printing black-and-white documents, but you may notice a slight slowdown when working with color documents. It’s worth noting that while duplex printing is supported, it’s not available for tabloid-sized prints.
When it comes to photo quality, the ET-15000 produces visually appealing images, though they may appear a bit grainy and somewhat lacking in color accuracy. Nevertheless, for wide-format printing needs, the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is a solid choice that won’t disappoint.
Which inkjet Printer is Your Perfect Match?
As a printer enthusiast and someone working in an electronics shop, I’ve had the opportunity to test various inkjet printers for both home and office use. The best printers I’ve come across ensure quick and flawless printing while keeping running costs low. When you’re on the hunt for the ideal inkjet printer, you’ll likely focus on your budget, print quality, and print speed. For many, wireless connectivity is a must-have feature, and if you’re working from home, the printer’s size and weight are important factors to prevent it from occupying too much precious home office space.
How I put inkjet Printers To The Test
Being in an electronics shop, I get my hands on a variety of inkjet printers, which I rigorously test and compare to one another. I don’t just trust the manufacturer’s claims; I time the first page out and print speeds in single sheet and duplex mode using a standard ten-page document and a stopwatch app.
To evaluate print quality, I use the same set of test documents on each machine. These twelve test pages include text of varying font sizes and colors, mixed image and text pages, a set of photos, and a series of test patterns specifically designed to assess sharpness, color fidelity, contrast, and grayscale.
As a printer and tech fanatic, I’m confident that my hands-on experience will help you find the ideal inkjet printer to suit your needs.
Inkjet Printer Buying Guide: Key Features to Consider
As a printer enthusiast, here are the essential features you should consider when exploring various inkjet printer options:
- Print Quality: Look for an inkjet printer with good to excellent image quality, whether you’re printing high-resolution photos or documents. Check reviews for print quality ratings and consider the printer’s DPI specs—the higher the DPI, the sharper the image.
- Print Speed: Depending on your printing needs, print speed can impact your productivity, especially in families or businesses sharing a printer among multiple users. Compare printing speeds across various models to find the best fit.
- Ink Cost: Always research the cost of replacement ink and the page output of the cyan magenta ink cartridge to determine running costs. Opt for a printer with affordable XL cartridges if you print in high volume.
- Portability: For those with limited space or frequent travelers, look for printers with a small footprint, enclosed paper trays, and easily accessible connectivity ports.
- Versatility: Consider an all-in-one printer with scanning or faxing capabilities, depending on your specific needs. Ensure it’s compatible with different operating systems (PC or Mac) and offers wired and Wi-Fi connections for optimal flexibility.
Best Inkjet Printers Summary
I hope you liked this guide, where I’ve shared my insights from testing a wide range of inkjet printers to find the best options for different needs. The Epson EcoTank ET-4760 is my top pick as an all-in-one supertank model with impressive features and low running costs. For home use, I recommend the Brother MFC-J4335DW, while the HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e is a fantastic mid-range choice. If you’re on a budget, the Brother MFC-J1205W won’t disappoint.
As a printer geek, I urge you to consider factors like print quality, print speed, ink cost, portability, and versatility when selecting your ideal inkjet printer.
Remember to keep your specific needs and preferences in mind, such as Wi-Fi connectivity or all-in-one capabilities, to ensure you find the perfect printer for your home or office.