Best Inkjet Printer

To help you get the greatest value out of your inkjet printer, we’ve researched the best inkjet printers of 2019, and purchased and tested over 20 various models in our own homes. We tested print quality, portability, and ease of use and ranked each of these inkjet printers to determine our top 7.

Of the top 7 best inkjet printers, our favorite overall product in all testing categories is the Canon Pixma iP110. The printer has superior image quality to print highly detailed photos and professional-quality business documents. Easily turn your HD movie clips and edited photos into stunning prints, all while its compact size makes it a perfect travel companion. Learn more about the Canon Pixma iP110 and the other six options that came out on top.

Top 7 Best Inkjet Printer Compared

 #1  Canon Pixma iP110 – Top Pick/Best Portable

WHY WE LIKE IT: The iP110 is the fastest portable printer in its class, taking just over 1 1/2 minutes to print a full color 4×6 photo. The iP110 doesn’t compromise its print quality for speed either – expect the same quality you would receive at a 1-hour photo shop.

The Canon Pixma iP110 provides durability in a small footprint. The nearly 5 pound printer feels solid and built to last. And with its compact size (12.7 by 7.3 by 2.5 inches), you will have plenty of room for extra tech on your desk. It would also fit easily in a regular size backpack or carry-on suitcase.
This inkjet printer is full of extra features. It can print both wirelessly and via iOS and Android with ease. The printer supports borderless printing and Easy PhotoPrint+ which enables you to quickly edit and print photos wherever you have an Internet connection. Moreover, you can easily connect your iP110 wirelessly via PictBridge Wireless LAN or a standard USB connection. The optional lithium battery is a must-have option for on the go printing.

We recommend this printer for small spaces as well as for those who travel on a consistent basis. Purchase the optional lithium battery and you can print in a taxi on the way to a business meeting or take it to a mobile event to print instant photos. The battery can last a couple of days straight (or around a 100 prints) if you remember to turn the printer off after every use.

 #2  Brother Work Smart Series MFCJ895DW – Honorable Mention/Best Touchscreen

WHY WE LIKE IT: The Brother MFCJ895DW is an all-in-one powerhouse (print, copy, scan and fax) with multiple options for printing, including AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Dropbox, USB thumb drive and an SD card slot (and more). It’s great for those that want to print from their phone, tablet or computer thank to tap and connect NFC setup.

The Brother Work Smart Series MFCJ895DW features a main paper tray that holds 100 copy sheets so you don’t have to refill every time you print. Print speeds come in at a competitive 12 ppm (black) and 10ppm (color). While all models vary in speed, tests among top brands in the all-in-one category vary by less than 1ppm across the board. Photo quality is on par with similar models, while text on 2-sided documents looks more like a draft than a quality print.

You will also enjoy the cloud connectivity that provides easy access to your Google Drive, Evernote, OneDrive, Dropbox, and more. Plus, you can use the Brother Cloud Apps to convert documents for easy printing. Both are accessed via your mobile device. Brother also includes their high-end ControlCenter4 for scan management and Nuance PaperPort 14 SE with OCR that will convert scans to editable text to help you quickly find an archived file instantly.

We recommend this printer for frequent scanning of important documents and the occasional print of a document, coupon, or photo. While quality is on par with its competitors, the cost and frequency of ink replacement is on the high side.

 #3  HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Wireless Printer – Best Value

WHY WE LIKE IT: The HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Wireless Printer can do it all (scan, fax, print). Not only will you save money on printing costs compared to other brands thanks HP’s Instant Ink delivery program, but it has a built-in touchscreen and smartphone app for getting the job done right.

Business documents print clear and crisp, while photos print best using HP’s photo paper. Use the free HP All-in-Printer app to print and scan on the go. You will also have access to HP’s free printables including coloring pages, coupons, recipes and more. Plus, take advantage of the quiet mode to reduce printer noise.

We recommend this printer for medium home or business use. It’s included 2.2-inch black and white touch screen makes this printer easy to operate for tech novices. The auto ink delivery makes it a no brainer for affordable everyday use.

 #4  Epson Expression Home XP-4100 – Best 2-sided printer

WHY WE LIKE IT: The Epson Expression XP-4100 includes a built-in touchscreen, can print on both sides of the paper, achieves up to 10 pages per minute (the middle of the pact) and include wireless connectivity making it extremely versatile for those printing from phones or computers.

The Epson Expression XP-4100 offers efficient wireless printing from your iPhone, iPad or Android device. While individual ink cartridges are a nice feature so you only replace the color(s) that you use the most, the cost for genuine replacement ink is pricey.

We recommend this printer for multi-taskers who can benefit from simple voice-activated printer commands to quickly print their grocery list or an updated to-do list. Plus, save time by immediately grabbing finished docs or photos from the printer with Epson’s instant-dry ink.

 #5  Brother Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer, MFC-J491DW – Best Value

WHY WE LIKE IT: The Brother Wireless MFC-J491DW provides quick scanning (large 1,200dpi scans in under a minute), a functional touch screen alongside a traditional button panel, and a fold-away auto document feeder for a sleek look. This printer is great for those looking for the complete package at a reasonable price.

The Brother MFC-J491DW has built-in wireless, mobile printing, and cloud connectivity. Instantly print and save to the cloud. Automatic duplex printing adds a professional touch without any extra work on your part. A color display gives you access to all-in-one options and routine maintenance. Individual ink cartridges click in for easy replacement and are Amazon Dash compatible.

Traditional black and white copies and prints were decent but color graphics and photos were dull. Scans were also disappointing, losing sharp details and rich black when printing.
We recommend this printer for home or business use. Best for low-volume prints and those who value automatic duplex printing. Great for Amazon customers who value the convenience of automatic ink replacement.

 #6  Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-In-One – Best Budget

WHY WE LIKE IT: The Canon Pixma MG3620 really shines when printing graphics on everyday paper. It can print 6 graphics and text heavy pages in just under 2 ½ minutes. A color copy can be completed in less than 30 seconds. And it’s the lowest priced printer on our list.

The Canon Pixma MG3620 has wireless connectivity with the ability to print, copy, and scan. Key features include auto duplex printing and iOS, Android, and Google compatibility.

We recommend this printer for home offices and small businesses who don’t need all the bells and whistles like paper feeding trays or an LCD screen. The printer delivers high-quality all-in-one options and sharp text for its price point.

 #7  HP Deskjet 1112 Compact Printer – Best Compact

WHY WE LIKE IT: The HP Deskjet 1112 is your basic USB connected printer that is super good at its only job, printing. You can use the HP Deskjet 1112 Printer right out of the box. It’s ideal for those without room to spare on their desk or in their office.

Apple lovers will appreciate its modern design and white exterior. Easily print business presentations, #10 envelopes, and photos up to 8×10.

We recommend this printer for home offices and small businesses that already have a scanner and fax in place. This printer can support light printing without frequent troubleshooting.

How We Decided

It can be difficult to narrow down your options when looking for the best inkjet printer for the price. During our research, we only included options that provided good to excellent print quality. Moreover, all the printers on our list print color. We also considered models that provided versatility (either in range of speed, functions, or extra features), such as scanning, faxing or portability (our #1 pick is perfect for this). We didn’t include any models with a large footprint or printers that would break the budget. Finally, all printers must be compact and portable enough to fit in the smallest of offices.

Inkjet Printer Buying Guide

The Most Important Features to Consider

As you’re researching different inkjet printer options on the market today, consider these features and how the product you’re currently eyeing stacks up to industry standards:

1. Print Quality
   Whether you are printing high-resolution photos or business copies, you should look for an inkjet printer that has good to excellent image quality. You can look at the reviews to get a sense of the print quality rating. You can also view the printer’s dots per inch (DPI) specs. The higher the DPI, the sharper the image.
2. Print Speed
   Depending on the number of photos or documents you will be printing, print speed should be high on your consideration list. Printers that register slow speeds can add a significant amount of time to your daily productivity. This is especially important for large families or businesses that share a printer among multiple users. The fastest printer on our list could print up to 20 pager per minute while the slowest could print only 1.
3. Ink Cost
   When choosing a printer, always research the cost of replacement ink. The majority of printers require the use of genuine manufacturer ink to prevent the printer from malfunctioning.
   Compare the manufacturer’s page output with the number of prints you actually receive from the ink cartridge. If you consistently print borderless photos or completely cover your print with text and graphics, you may find you get a lot less prints than the ink claims. If you plan to print in high volume, choose a printer that has affordable XL cartridges that can cut your printing costs significantly.
4. Portability
   If you have a small space or you are a frequent traveler, look for printers with a small footprint. Larger printers can be difficult to move and impossible to take on the go. Paper trays should be enclosed and connectivity ports should be easily accessible.
5. Versatility
   Are your purchasing a printer for all-in-one options like scanning or faxing capabilities? Do you primarily print family photos? An all-in-one printer can offer you the specific features you need in an affordable package.
   Do you prefer a direct wired connection or Wi-Fi that can be used anywhere an Internet connection is available? While most printers offer both, a wired connection works best for a single computer in a home or office, while a Wi-Fi enabled printer is best for multiple devices and on-the-go travel.

FAQS

• What is the difference between a wired and wireless printer?
  When choosing an inkjet printer for your home office, you can purchase a printer that is wired or wireless. There are advantages to both. A wired printer often uses a USB cable to connect from the printer to the computer. The advantage is that this type of printer connection is easy to set up and your computer will most likely recognize the printer automatically and prompt any setup you need to complete the process. You can even share your connection over a network allowing others to print to your printer. The only downside is the main computer that is connected to the printer via USB must be on for the connection to work. A wireless printer relies on Wi-Fi to connect. This is a virtual connection (no cords needed). The setup usually requires a few more steps like entering your Wi-Fi password. The advantage is that you can print with your computers, mobile phones, and other smart devices from anywhere in your home.