Should I buy an inkjet or laser printer?

Buy inkjet if you print photos, mixed color documents, or infrequently (inkjet + EcoTank avoids dry-out). Buy laser if you print mostly text documents, need fast printing, or print frequently in a shared office. Laser toner doesn't dry out from infrequent use like inkjet cartridges can. For home users with children who need occasional photo prints and documents, inkjet EcoTank is best value. For student or business text printing, laser.

What is an EcoTank printer and is it worth it?

EcoTank printers (Epson) replace traditional cartridges with large refillable ink tanks that come pre-filled. The upfront cost is $150-250 versus $50-100 for cartridge printers, but replacement ink bottles cost $10-15 and provide thousands of pages versus cartridges that cost $20-40 for a few hundred pages. If you print more than 15-20 pages per month, an EcoTank typically pays for itself within 1-2 years and saves significantly over the printer's lifetime.

Which printer has the cheapest ink?

EcoTank printers have the cheapest ink at under 0.5 cents per page for black and 1-2 cents for color. Among cartridge printers, Brother's LC3000/LC3017/LC3019 series is competitive. HP Instant Ink subscription can reduce cost for consistent moderate printing. Avoid printers known for expensive cartridges — the initial low price often means much higher long-term ink costs.

Do I need a wireless printer?

Yes — essentially all modern printers support Wi-Fi and should be set up wirelessly. This allows any device on your network to print without being physically connected. Mobile printing via AirPrint (iPhone/iPad), Mopria (Android), and manufacturer apps requires Wi-Fi connection. USB is still useful as a backup connection but Wi-Fi is the primary connection method for modern printers.

What is the best printer for printing photos at home?

For occasional photo printing, the Canon PIXMA TR8620a produces excellent 4x6 and 8x10 quality using Canon's 6-color ink system. For dedicated photo printing, look at Epson's ET-8500 EcoTank Photo or Canon PIXMA photo-specific models. For everyday combined document and occasional photo printing, any modern inkjet with 4 colors will produce acceptable photo quality on photo paper.

Best Printers of 2026: Inkjet, Laser, and