Printer technology does not differ much, but it is still tricky to name one printer as better over another in an apple to apple comparison. This is because ink cartridge printers and laser printers differ. Within these two kinds of printers, are printers suited for different functions; some are good for printing photos, some are good for text. There is also the issue of features. Standard multi-function printers today combine printing, copying, and scanning. Which can be said to be the best printers of 2017 with these considerations in mind?
Brother MFC-J470DW
This inkjet printer has been dubbed the best printer under $200 for a home office. It has a scanner, copier, and printer. The J470 boasts cloud connectivity with Apple’s AirPrint and Google Chrome connectivity. Some of the features that make it friendly and easy to use include auto document feeder and an auto-duplexer.
HP Deskjet 3620
This is inkjet printer continues in the popular Deskjet line from HP. This printer is compact but very functional. It can copy, scan and print. It also comes with standard USB connectivity for easy connection to desktops and laptops. There is wireless connectivity over wifi. The 3630 is robust enough to print both text and photos. With an RRP of around $40, this is a really cheap printer that does the bare minimum.
Canon Pixma MG5620
This is an all-in-one inkjet printer meaning it can scan, copy and print. The MG5620 has made a name for itself for high-quality photo prints at fast speeds. It has wireless connectivity and can connect to smartphones and tabs. Printing is easy to setup including double-sided printing with the auto-duplexing feature. This printer is compact enough for a small office, measuring 18 inches wide, 14.6 inches deep, and 5.9 inches tall.
Epson XP-430
This printer has been dubbed the ‘small one’ because of its compact size measuring 15.4″ x 20.8″ x 11.0″ (39.1 x 52.8 x 28 cm). This home grade printer is unmatched it its photo quality printing. It has 4 ink tanks that hold black, cyan, magenta, and yellow for full-color printing. The connectivity options in this printer are also unmatched in a printer of its size and price. It connects to USB 2.0, wifi and cloud services AirPrint and Google Cloud Print.
Brother HL-2360DW
This printer makes the cut for its affordability in operation. It is a laser printer for text only printing. It is suitable for a small or medium office with its fast printing speeds. The versatility in connectivity makes it easy for a suitable environment as it can print over wireless and also connect to cloud services. The biggest advantage is the cheap cost of the toner.
Ultimately, when buying a printer, you need one that matches your needs in the type of printing you are doing, size, and price of maintenance.