3 Top Large Format Printers of 2024 Ranked

Dorian Smith-Garcia Avatar

By

Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Oct 29, 2024 5:15 PM

TL;DR

Our top pick, the Epson Ecotank ET-8500, scored an impressive 86 on our True Score, delivering vibrant colors, sharp details, and reliable speed—ideal for pro-quality banners, posters, and plans without breaking the bank.

Our comprehensive review process analyzed over 30 large format printers, certifying 3 as the top performers. We examined 149,899 customer reviews and found that 67% of expert reviews were unreliable or fake. By utilizing our unique True Score and Trust Rating systems, we filtered out fake reviews to identify printers that deliver outstanding performance and reliability. Additionally, if you’re interested in discovering the top-performing printers across all categories, we have a guide available.

Top Large Format Printers For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Epson Ecotank ET-8550

    • Best For Large Format

    The Epson Ecotank ET-8550 is a premium large-format printer that excels with its low cost per page, high speed, and precision, making it a top choice for quality and efficiency.

    Epson Ecotank ET-8550 Review →

    True Score

    86
    85
    3

    Experts

    88
    3k

    Customers

    SAVE $220
    $799.99
    $579.99

    Snapshot

    Reasons to Buy

    • Superior-quality printing
    • Great scanning quality
    • Low running costs
    • Sufficient print speeds

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Limited scanning features

    Specifications

    Automatic Document FeederAutomatic Document FeederYes
    Automatic Two-Sided PrintingAutomatic Two-Sided PrintingYes
    Copier Resolution (B&W)Copier Resolution (B&W)
    Copier Resolution (Color)Copier Resolution (Color)
    DepthDepth29.8″
    Duplex Scan FunctionDuplex Scan Function
    Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedYes
    HeightHeight16.9″
    Integrated FaxIntegrated Fax
    Max Number of CopiesMax Number of Copies
    Max Paper WidthMax Paper Width
    Mobile PrintingMobile PrintingYes
    Number of Ink Cartridges RequiredNumber of Ink Cartridges Required6
    Paper FeederPaper Feeder
    Print Speed (B&W)Print Speed (B&W)16 ppm
    Print Speed (Color)Print Speed (Color)12 ppm
    Printer Resolution (B&W)Printer Resolution (B&W)
    Printer Resolution (Color)Printer Resolution (Color)Up to 5760 x 1440
    Printer TypePrinter TypeAll In One, Copier, Printer, Scanner
    Scanner ResolutionScanner Resolutionna
    Scanner TypeScanner Typena
    Tray CapacityTray Capacity100
    WidthWidth20.6″
    WirelessWirelessYes

    All Specs

    Test Results

    B&W Print Speed (ppm)15
    Color Print Speed (ppm)9
    B&W Printing Costs (¢ per page)0
    Color Printing Costs (¢ per page)3
    Color Accuracy (dE)6

    All Retailers

    • $579.99
      $800
      Save $220

      Availability

      In Stock

      Free Shipping

      No

    Our Verdict

    If you don’t mind paying for the best, the Epson Ecotank ET-8550 is a premium choice among large-format printers. It is particularly notable for its impressively low printing costs, at just 0.4 cents per page. This feature makes it an attractive option for users with high-volume printing needs, offering a cost-effective solution without compromising print quality.

    Additionally, its print speed for color documents is respectable at 8.95 pages per minute, striking a balance between efficiency and quality, which is often challenging in large-format printing. Its solid print speed of 15.45 pages per minute for black and white is efficient for handling large documents swiftly without sacrificing the detail and clarity essential in professional settings.

    The printer supports paper sizes up to 13″ x 19″ and boasts a high resolution of 5760 x 1440 DPI, delivering outstandingly detailed and sharp prints. Its color accuracy, at a close 6.48 dE, rivals that of the Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840, ensuring vivid and accurate colors essential for graphic designers, photographers, and any professional where color precision matters. Additionally, its flexible connectivity options, both wired and wireless, make it adaptable for diverse settings, from home offices to professional studios.

    Beyond its primary use in large-format printing, the Epson Ecotank ET-8550’s low printing costs and high color accuracy make it suitable for various other applications. For example, it could serve well in a small business setting, where marketing materials are printed, or in a home office, where document and photo printing are common. This versatility, along with its efficiency and quality, underscores the printer’s value across different use cases.

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Epson Ecotank ET-15000

    The Epson ET-15000 excels in economy and versatility, ideal for varied settings with its low cost per page and multifunctional capabilities.

    Epson Ecotank ET-15000 Review →

    True Score

    80
    78
    3

    Experts

    89
    2k

    Customers

    SAVE $200
    $699.99
    $499.99

    Did you know 67% of printer reviewers are untrustworthy?

    Our research found only 23 of 83 printer reviewers as of December 2024 can be trusted. This is why Gadget Review is committed to calculating the most accurate product scores on the web.

    To do this, we give every printer review site a Trust Rating, which measures how trustworthy the site and their testing claims are. We then leverage AI & a machine learning model to combine and calculate the Trust Rating with data from experts and consumers to deliver the True Score, the web’s most accurate product quality rating.

    149,899

    Printer Reviews Analyzed

    30

    Total Products Analyzed

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840

    • Best For Epson

    The Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840 excels in efficiency, quality, and versatility, making it a top choice for varied printing needs at a lower mid-range price.

    Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840 Review →

    True Score

    78
    77
    2

    Experts

    82
    3k

    Customers

    $343.53

    DON’T SEE WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?

    For those who need high-quality image prints, a photo printer is essential. If you need to print on the go, a portable printer offers convenience and flexibility. For crafting enthusiasts, finding a great printer for crafting ensures precise and vibrant prints for your projects.

    Students will benefit from a top printer for students, which combines affordability with functionality. If you require larger prints, 11×17 printers are perfect for detailed work. Additionally, the best printers for Cricut provide excellent compatibility and performance for all your crafting needs.

    Having trouble with your printer? Check out our guide on how to fix a jammed printer. Looking for superior black and white printing solutions? Our review of the best black and white printers could help you find the perfect match. Curious about the differences between inkjet and dot matrix printers? Understanding these technologies can guide your printer selection process. Ever wondered what a printhead is and its impact on print quality? Explore our insights on what is a printhead.

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best All In One Printers?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 2 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these printers and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase an all in one printer.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
B&W Print Speed> 20 ppmYesHow fast a printer can produce purely black and white pages while printing.
B&W Printing Costs< 7 centsYesHow much a black and white page costs to print.
Color Print Speed> 12 ppmNo (Nice to have)How fast a printer can produce color pages and photos while printing.
Color Accuracy< 6 dENo (Nice to have)How much the color printed by a printer deviates, on average, from the reference color.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 80+ printers reviewers and found that 23 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for printers.

  1. Ryan Lim – Rtings, LinkedIn
  2. Lesley Robinson – TechGearLab, LinkedIn
  3. Ben Keough – Wirecutter, MuckRack, LinkedIn

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every printer review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Printers Test Data & Results

1. Print Speed, Black & White (PPM)

The primary job of a printer is to print out pages, and black & white print speed tests are just measurements of how long it takes a printer to produce pages that are purely black and white. The better a printer is at printing in black and white, the more pages it’s able to produce in a minute.

Print speed is largely a matter of convenience, so while we have a minimum speed we suggest (generally around 14 pages per minute) there’s no real downside to a printer being slower if you’re using it at home – you’ll just end up having to wait longer to finish printing out a document. However, printers in professional settings need to be snappy because they’re going to be used constantly, and the faster a printer is able to produce documents, the better.

Print Speed, Black & White (PPM; higher is better)

2. B&W Printing Costs (Cents per page)

Using your printer uses up ink, which means it costs money. Printing costs are usually measured as cost per print (or page) and are gauged by calculating how much each print costs by comparing the cost of an ink or toner cartridge to the total number of pages printed by the cartridge.

Print costs should ideally be as low as possible, with the greatest number of pages per cartridge being the obvious “goal” to aim for. Black ink, being the cheaper ink, means that black and white printing costs are usually lower on a per page basis. If you’re printing constantly, getting the cost as low as you can means you’ll be spending less on cartridges in the long run.

B&W Printing Costs (in cents per page; lower is better)

3. Print Speed, Color (PPM)

Much like black and white print speeds, color printing speed is simply a measure of how long it takes a printer to print out color documents and photos. If you’re purely printing photos, you’ll see an ever further reduced speed (given the size of photographs and the detail they demand.)

Color print speed is less important (generally) than black and white speeds, simply because it’s usually done less. However, if you’re constantly printing photos at home or in the office, higher print speeds are good to keep you from waiting around for a print job to finish.

Print Speed, Color (PPM; higher is better)

4. Color Accuracy (dE)

Color accuracy with printers uses a mix of standardized references (like the Adobe ColorChecker) and a color control sensor to check the accuracy of the colors printed by a printer and then grades the accuracy on a 10-point+ scale. Unlike most scales, where 10 is good, color accuracy scores are reversed, with 0 and 1 being the most desirable score, as it indicates little to no deviation from the reference color.

Generally speaking, color accuracy should be at least a 5 or lower to be considered “good.” At 6 or higher, the colors are noticeably different, which is an issue if you’re printing photos and hoping for accurate colors.

Color Accuracy (lower is better)

Best Large Format Printers: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring Your Needs: Don’t overlook your specific printing requirements. Consider factors like the size of prints you need, the materials you’ll be printing on, and the volume of printing you expect. Ensure the printer you choose aligns with these needs.

  2. Overlooking Print Quality: Don’t sacrifice print quality for price. Low-quality prints can reflect poorly on your business or projects. Look for printers with high resolution and color accuracy to achieve professional results.

  3. Not Considering Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Don’t just focus on the upfront cost of the printer. Factor in ongoing expenses like ink, maintenance, and media. A cheaper printer may end up costing more in the long run if it requires frequent ink replacements or repairs.

  4. Skipping Research: Don’t rush into a purchase without researching different printer types, models, brands, and customer reviews. Take the time to compare features, read user feedback, and consider expert opinions to make an informed decision.

The Best Large Format Printers Tests Compared

Product
True Score
B&W Print Speed
Color Print Speed
B&W Printing Cost (per page)
Color Printing Cost (per page)
Color Accuracy

Epson Ecotank ET-8550

  • Best for Large Format

86
  • 15.45 ppm

  • 8.95 ppm

  • 0.4¢

  • 2.6¢

  • 6.48 dE

$499.99
$800
$300
80
  • 14.6 ppm

  • 5.4 ppm

  • 0.3¢

  • 1.37¢

  • 10.33 dE

$499.99
$700
$200
78
  • 22.75 ppm

  • 9.5 ppm

  • 4.4¢

  • 12.2¢

  • 6.33 dE

$229.99
$350
$120

Large Format Printer Questions (FAQ)

What are the key features to look for in a large-format printer?

When choosing a large-format printer, prioritize print quality, media handling capabilities, and speed. Look for printers that can handle a wide range of media types, offer high resolution for detailed graphics, and maintain efficient print speeds to manage large-scale projects effectively.

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Our guides, reviews, and news are driven by thorough human research and use our Trust Rating system and the True Score. AI assists in refining our content, ensuring that every article is engaging, clear and succinct. See how we write our content here →