Home Printers That Handle Everything You Print
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is our top home printer because it covers printing, scanning, copying and faxing at speed. The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the value pick thanks to refillable tanks, and the Brother MFC-J1205W suits households that print in short, irregular bursts.
If you want one home printer that covers documents, photos, scanning and the occasional copy, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is the most complete choice, with the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 close behind for anyone tired of buying cartridges. Households that print only a few pages a week will get more from the Brother MFC-J1205W.
Home printers are tricky because the sticker on the box tells you almost nothing about what the machine costs to run, and cartridge-based models can behave very differently from tank-based ones. We compared seven currently sold models based on specifications, published page yields, connectivity options and what owners report about setup, clogging and app reliability.
Our top picks
HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer
This is the printer to pick if one machine has to serve a whole household. It prints on both sides automatically, scans multi-page stacks through the feeder and handles colour documents without slowing to a crawl. Owners report that the mobile app setup is the smoothest part of the experience.
Pros
- Automatic document feeder handles long scanning jobs
- Fast colour output for an inkjet
- Strong mobile and cloud printing support
Cons
- Cartridge refills add up if you print heavily
- Larger footprint than a basic home unit
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 All-in-One Printer
Instead of cartridges, this model uses bottles that you pour into built-in tanks, which changes the maths completely for anyone printing school work or hobby pages. It covers printing, scanning and copying without a document feeder. Owners report that a single set of bottles lasts an unusually long time.
Pros
- Very low cost per page over time
- Tank levels are visible at a glance
- Compact for a tank printer
Cons
- No automatic duplex printing
- Slower than office grade inkjets
Brother MFC-J1205W INKvestment Tank Printer
Brother splits the difference between cartridges and tanks with a system that ships with a long supply of ink in the box. That suits homes that print sporadically and want the printer to still work months later. It also copies and scans from a flatbed.
Pros
- Ships with a long lasting ink supply
- Reliable wireless reconnection
- Simple control panel
Cons
- Manual duplex only
- Photo output is average
Canon PIXMA TR4720 Wireless All-in-One Printer
For a spare room or a dorm, this compact Canon covers the basics without taking up much desk. It includes an automatic document feeder, which is unusual at this size. Owners report it is best suited to light monthly page counts.
Pros
- Very small footprint
- Document feeder included
- Easy phone printing
Cons
- Cartridges run out quickly
- Plastic build feels light
Brother HL-L2460DW Monochrome Laser Printer
If your household prints forms, essays and shipping labels rather than photos, a mono laser makes more sense than any inkjet. Pages come out fast and dry, and nothing dries up between jobs. Toner lasts far longer than a comparable ink cartridge.
Pros
- No clogging during long idle periods
- Crisp text at high speed
- Low cost per printed page
Cons
- No colour printing
- No scanner or copier
Canon PIXMA G3270 MegaTank All-in-One Printer
Canon pairs its refillable MegaTank system with photo leaning inks, which is a good match for scrapbooking, craft projects and printed artwork. It scans and copies from a flatbed as well. Colour output looks noticeably richer than most budget inkjets.
Pros
- Strong colour and photo results
- Very low running cost
- Front facing tank windows
Cons
- No document feeder
- Initial ink filling takes patience
HP DeskJet 4155e All-in-One Printer
This is the printer for a shelf, a closet or a small apartment where nothing larger will fit. It prints, scans and copies over Wi-Fi, and the app handles most tasks from a phone. Expect modest speeds and light duty use.
Pros
- One of the smallest all in one options
- Straightforward app driven setup
- Quiet in normal operation
Cons
- Low paper tray capacity
- Not suited to heavy page counts
The lineup, side by side
| # | Model | Type | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer | Colour inkjet all-in-one | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Epson EcoTank ET-2800 All-in-One Printer | Colour inkjet all-in-one | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Brother MFC-J1205W INKvestment Tank Printer | Colour inkjet all-in-one | Best for occasional printing | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Canon PIXMA TR4720 Wireless All-in-One Printer | Colour inkjet all-in-one | Best budget | 8.7 | Check price |
| 5 | Brother HL-L2460DW Monochrome Laser Printer | Monochrome laser | Best for text documents | 8.5 | Check price |
| 6 | Canon PIXMA G3270 MegaTank All-in-One Printer | Colour inkjet all-in-one | Best for photos | 8.2 | Check price |
| 7 | HP DeskJet 4155e All-in-One Printer | Colour inkjet all-in-one | Best for small spaces | 8.0 | Check price |
Before you buy
Ink cost matters more than the printer The number that decides your long term spend is cost per page, not the printer itself. Cartridge models are cheaper to buy and more expensive to feed, while tank models reverse that. If your household prints more than a few hundred pages a year, a refillable tank system such as the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 or Canon PIXMA G3270 usually works out better. Below that, a cartridge machine is fine.
Inkjet or laser depends on what you print Inkjets handle photos, colour charts and glossy paper. Lasers handle text, forms and labels faster and never dry out between jobs. Households that print school essays, tax forms and shipping labels are often better served by a mono laser like the Brother HL-L2460DW, with a cheap inkjet kept aside for the rare colour job.
Scanning features are easy to overlook A flatbed scanner covers books and single pages. An automatic document feeder covers stacks, which is the difference between scanning a twenty page contract in one action or twenty. If anyone in the house deals with paperwork regularly, prioritise a feeder, and check whether it scans both sides in a single pass.
Connectivity and how long the printer sits idle Most home printers spend more time asleep than printing. Inkjets can clog during long idle periods, so a printer used once a month needs either laser technology or a model owners report as tolerant of gaps. Also check that the printer supports the phone platforms in your house, since app support varies more than the wireless spec sheet suggests.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ink tank printer worth it for a home?
It is worth it if you print regularly. Tank models cost more up front but far less per page, so the crossover usually arrives within the first year for households printing a few hundred pages or more. Light users may never reach that point.
Do home printers need to stay connected to a computer?
No. Every model here works over Wi-Fi and can print from phones, tablets and laptops on the same network. A USB cable is only needed for initial setup on some models or for use without a router.
Why does my inkjet clog if I do not use it?
Ink dries in the nozzles when a printer sits idle for weeks. Printing a single colour page every week or two keeps the nozzles clear. If long gaps are unavoidable, a laser printer avoids the problem entirely.
Can I use third party ink or toner?
Third party supplies exist for most models, though some printers display warnings or reduce features when non-original supplies are detected. Owners report mixed results with print quality, so check the specific model before committing.
What does automatic duplex printing actually save?
It halves your paper use and removes the step of flipping pages by hand. For anyone printing long documents it is one of the most useful features to have, and it is missing from most entry level models.
Do I need a colour printer at home?
Only if you print photos, presentations, school projects or anything with charts. Households that print mostly text often find a monochrome laser faster, cheaper and far less fussy.
How much paper capacity is enough?
A tray holding 100 sheets or more suits most households. Smaller trays mean frequent reloading, which becomes irritating if you print multi-page documents often.
Is fax still included on home printers?
Several all-in-one models still include it, including the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e and Canon PIXMA TR4720. It requires a phone line, so most buyers treat it as a bonus rather than a deciding feature.
Final word
For most households the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is the safest single choice because it prints quickly, scans stacks and handles colour without complaint. If ink cost is your main concern, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 changes the running cost picture entirely. Text heavy homes should look at the Brother HL-L2460DW instead.
