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What are the features of high quality printers for teachers? First and foremost, the printers for classroom use should be incredibly easy to use so you can focus on teaching instead of printer troubleshooting. Features like a touchscreen display, automatic duplex printing, and the ability to make color copies are crucial for teachers.
Next, your classroom printer should be able to connect wirelessly to your devices, whether through a Wi-Fi connection, Wi-Fi Direct, or Bluetooth compatibility. This way, you’ll be able to print worksheets and other print jobs from anywhere in the classroom.
Finally, the best printers for teachers offer affordability without sacrificing key functionality. Classroom printers with affordable price are important because teachers already spend enough on other classroom supplies. Affordable printers come with a low initial and cheaper ink cartridge or toner cartridge replacements.
Keep reading to learn more about the best printers for teachers so you can find an ideal printer for your classroom.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: You’ll love the Cloud service this brand offers, allowing you to easily access and store documents you need to print. Beyond this, there is also an easy-to-use touchscreen interface.
You’ll be able to use all of the main functions you would expect from a printer, such as faxing, copying, and scanning. However, this system offers so much more on top of that. You’ll also have a touchscreen display that allows for a far easier time during the set-up of printing jobs. Unfortunately, this model is known to have a pretty loud fan. This could be a dealbreaker for classrooms where complete silence is necessary for everybody to hear the teacher.
The AirPrint system allows teachers to print from anywhere due to this printer’s wireless capabilities. It also has an Instant Ink system, so you’ll never run out of ink. Another fantastic feature is the ability to scan things right from your smartphone, which any teacher will find incredibly useful. This model creates laser-quality documents and lab-quality photos.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: The manual feed slot will allow the constant printing of your document by pulling paper as required, making this an easy-to-use model. It also has full Wi-Fi connectivity, which makes it highly convenient.
You’ll have many different ways you can connect to this model. It has full wireless capabilities, so you can use your phone, laptop, or tablet to send print jobs. This makes it an extremely easy and convenient model, especially for busy classrooms. However, you will unfortunately not have ethernet access even with all these connection options. For some classrooms and teachers, this might be a dealbreaker.
This is an excellent option if you need all of your print jobs done quickly. It can print up to 19 pages per minute, so all of your teaching documents or forms will be ready in time for class or lecture. It also features a 250-sheet paper tray, so you don’t run out of paper halfway through a print. This is super handy when printing large volumes. You can expect rich, vivid color documents that never fail to impress due to the printing capabilities of this model.
Award: BEST FOR CONNECTIVE TECHNOLOGY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This fully automatic option has plenty of features to make your life easier, including the ability to process voice commands when used with a compatible system. It has multiple options for connectivity, as well.
This technologically advanced option will give you access to a brand-specific app that allows you to print directly from your smartphone device. It’s compatible with iOS and Android, so you won’t have an issue setting this up no matter your device. However, some consumers have reported that they are less than impressed with this option’s print quality. This could be a dealbreaker for some people.
It also offers an auto power on/off feature and a built-in ADF. The wireless connectivity allows you to connect with ease from any device, whether a laptop, tablet, or otherwise. This printer can connect to Windows 10 Mobile Fire OS, two operating systems not often found as an acceptable connection options. It can use USB, as well, so it’s wired-connection compatible. Finally, this system works with Alexa so that you can enjoy a fully integrated system with your other smart devices.
Award: BEST FOR ECOLOGICAL IMPACT
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you love protecting the environment, this is a great option. It doesn’t use expensive ink cartridges, keeping them out of landfills. You’ll also love the other features, like the high-resolution flatbed scanner.
This is an innovative solution that puts the environment first. This is a beautiful option for your classroom if you want to ensure your ecological footprint stays small. It uses an innovative cartridge-free solution that keeps cartridges from ending up in landfills. However, this model cannot do front-and-back printing, which is a huge deal breaker for many teachers. If you require front-and-back printing, a different model will be more suitable.
The refillable ink tanks are super easy to use and will last a lot longer than traditional systems. You’ll also enjoy a full-color display that allows you to scroll through options and set up your printing job quickly. This makes it an intuitive, easy-to-use choice for both beginners and printing professionals. It uses unique micro piezo heat-free technology to ensure that all of the text on your prints is super sharp and has bright graphics.
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Award: BEST FOR SMALL SPACES
WHY WE LIKE IT: This printer is an excellent option because it supports multiple media sizes, allowing you to have precision control. It’s a highly compact model that will fit into small spaces without too much room.
You’ll enjoy this classic printing option with all the features you need, such as fast and high-definition printing. It can print up to A4 in black and white, making it an all-around great option with multiple size options. However, you should note that this model is prone to overheating. This can even warp the top plastic piece on the printer, so it should be kept from sunlight and away from heat sources.
The sleek design allows you to store this printer out in the open or easily tuck it away into a cabinet. It’s highly compact and lightweight, so moving it around won’t be an issue. An easy one-step wireless installation uses a USB 2.0 connection or Wi-Fi. This will allow you to use your mobile device for printing, whether it’s an iOS or Android phone. The metal frame structure will keep this durable option running for a long time to come.
Award: BEST FOR SECURE CONNECTIONS
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re looking for advanced technology, the fully secure system this option offers will be hard to pass up. Depending on your specifications, it can also produce up to 26 pages per minute.
The wireless connections that this printer allows you to have made it a convenient option regardless of whether you teach in elementary school or the local college. Setup is super fast and easy since you can also use a USB or an ethernet cable if you don’t feel like going with a wireless connection. Unfortunately, this might be too clunky of a printer for some classrooms. If you’re working with limited space or have to move classes often, you might want to look at other models.
This printer can output around 26 pages in a minute. This high-speed option will ensure you have all the papers and documents you need right in time for class. It’s also a highly secure model that offers full-spectrum security architecture. This is crucial when working with sensitive material or personal information that you want to protect with encryption. It also has a 1-GHz dual-core processor and 512MB of memory.
Printers for teachers are essentially the same thing as a standard home printer, except for use in a specific classroom application. Like standard printers, they come in all shapes and sizes. They also offer a wide range of different functions. These printers can also work well with cheap ink.
Classroom printers print images (like Canon printers do) and text onto different types of paper at their core. However, depending on the model you purchase, you may get additional functions like printing on photo paper or a copy, scan, and fax feature. You may also get wireless connectivity.
Most classroom printers are color printers since teachers need to be able to create colorful worksheets or print high-quality photos of their students. However, if you don’t need any kind of color printing, you’ll be able to find options that print only in black and white.
If you were to compare printers for teachers and traditional printers side by side, you would likely have a hard time finding any difference. This is because the two printer types only differ in the type of application for which you are using them.
The only differences you would find between the two types of printers would come because of differences in brand, model number, and included features.
As one might assume, printers for teachers operate in the same basic way as standard home office printers. You create the document or picture on your computer and send it to your printer. The printer then ejects ink or toner onto the paper to recreate that information from your computer.
Since there are different kinds of printers for teachers available on the market today, it’s important to understand how they work specifically:
If you’re a teacher, you know the immense amount of value that a printer can bring to your classroom. The convenience of being able to print something right from your desk or at home before your next lesson is invaluable. This is why every teacher should have a printer for teachers at home or in their classroom. If you’re an art teacher or if you let your students do some arts and crafts occasionally, the best printer for crafters of 2023 can be a great, durable option for the school year.
Most printers for teachers offer a lifespan of anywhere from three to four years, which is about on par for most consumer electronics in the office space. This lifespan measurement comes from a recent study performed by a leading consulting firm in this space, InfoTrends.
Of course, a few different things could positively or negatively impact this lifespan. For example, if you purchase a higher-end printer for more money, you can expect a longer lifespan because of higher-quality parts and better manufacturer support.
Other factors that can affect a classroom printer’s life expectancy include the environment in which it’s used and the frequency at which it’s used. You can expect a decrease in life if you’re constantly dropping glitter or other debris on the printer. Similarly, if you’re constantly printing, you can expect the printhead to wear out faster.
You shouldn’t go into a printer purchase blind, which is why it’s so important to know all about the key features and functionalities to consider before pressing that buy button. This section covers those considerations for you.
Ask yourself these crucial questions as you’re looking at the different classroom printers available on the market today. The answers will help you narrow down your choices, so you get the best fit for your needs.
When it comes to choosing the specific type of printer you want for your classroom, you’re ultimately faced with two main choices: inkjet printers vs. laser printers. Let’s take a more in-depth look at each printer type so you can be informed:
Any printer you buy for your classroom offers simple printing capabilities. However, tons of printers available today take functionality to a new level. Let’s take a look at some of the most common additional features you can find in printers for teachers:
The way your printer for teachers connects to your computer is another essential aspect to consider during your research. Consider your own desk setup to understand what connectivity options will work for you the best:
Most inkjet printers can print anywhere from 13 to 15 pages per minute (PPM), while most laser printers can print anywhere from 30 to 40 PPM. Examine your individual printing needs to determine whether you need fast or regular printing speed.
Plenty of printers available today can print much faster than the average, but they also tend to be more expensive.
If you’re planning on printing a high volume of documents, you may want to consider a printer for teachers that offers expanded ink or paper capacity. Many inkjet printers like the Epson EcoTank offer an internal storage tank for ink that can be refilled easily when empty.
Similarly, you may want to purchase a printer with multiple paper trays. This way, you can store more sheets of paper or use a variety of different kinds of paper like card stock, sticker paper, and more.
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