The Best Printers for 2024: A Comprehensive Guide for Home, Office, and Crafting
Printers have evolved significantly in recent years, offering a wide array of features and functions. Whether you’re running a small business, working from home, or crafting DIY projects, having the right printer can make your tasks more efficient and seamless. Selecting the best printer for your specific needs requires careful consideration of functionality, ink efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. In this guide, we will explore the best printers of 2024 that cater to a variety of needs, from general-purpose use to specialized crafting projects.
Best Printers for 2024: General-Purpose and Specialized Printing
When searching for the best printer, you should evaluate factors such as speed, print quality, connectivity options, and ink efficiency. Below is an in-depth look at the top-performing printers available in 2024, covering all-around models, color laser printers, inkjet printers, and photo printers. Each model brings unique benefits that may align with your specific requirements.
HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e: Best All-Around Inkjet Printer
Key Features
- Speed: Up to 24 pages per minute for black-and-white prints
- Resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi for color prints
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, AirPrint, and app-based printing
- Subscription: Six months of free HP Instant Ink
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e stands out as a versatile, all-around printer that caters to both home and office use. With print speeds of up to 24 pages per minute and a high-resolution output of 4800 x 1200 dpi for color prints, this printer excels in both document and photo printing. The automatic document feeder holds 35 pages, and the main paper tray has a 250-sheet capacity, making it an ideal choice for busy environments where high-volume printing is required.
This model also includes six months of HP’s Instant Ink subscription, which monitors your ink levels and automatically delivers new cartridges when you’re running low. While this service might not be essential for everyone, it’s a valuable feature for offices or homes that need consistent printing without the hassle of manual cartridge replacement.
HP’s compatibility with wireless printing through Wi-Fi and AirPrint makes it easy to print from multiple devices without physical connections. The printer also supports duplex (two-sided) printing, reducing paper consumption and cutting down on costs.
Canon Pixma TS9521C: Best for Crafting and DIY Projects
Key Features
- Ink System: 5-color ink for photo-realistic prints
- Specialized Features: 12×12-inch paper support, duplex printing, label printing
- Connectivity: Cloud printing, Wi-Fi
The Canon Pixma TS9521C is tailor-made for users who focus on creative projects. This printer excels in crafting, scrapbooking, and greeting card creation. With a 5-color ink system, it provides photo-realistic prints that are ideal for those wanting to create high-quality images. It supports 12×12-inch paper, which is perfect for large DIY projects, and it’s compatible with a wide range of materials, including glossy photo paper and card stock.
Additionally, this printer is equipped with a variety of built-in templates, making it easier to create customized projects quickly. It supports wireless printing and cloud downloads, so you can work on your designs from anywhere and send them to the printer when ready. The duplex printing feature also ensures that your materials are used efficiently.
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830: Best for Small Offices
Key Features
- Speed: 25 ppm for black-and-white prints, 12 ppm for color
- Paper Capacity: 500-sheet capacity, dual trays
- Connectivity: Wireless, touchscreen controls, app management
For small office environments that require fast and reliable printing, the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 is an excellent choice. Its speed—25 pages per minute for black-and-white prints and 12 pages per minute for color—makes it one of the fastest inkjet printers in its class. The 500-sheet paper capacity, distributed across two trays, ensures that you won’t need to frequently reload paper, making it a time-saver for busy offices.
The printer also supports automatic two-sided printing and comes with a 50-sheet auto document feeder for scanning and copying. This feature allows you to handle large, multi-page documents with ease. The WF-4830 is designed to handle both large and small printing tasks, making it ideal for diverse office needs. Its wireless capabilities, app-based controls, and intuitive touchscreen make it a user-friendly option for any office environment.
Brother HL-3170CDW: Best Color Laser Printer
Key Features
- Speed: 23 pages per minute
- Duplex Printing: Automatic double-sided printing
- Paper Capacity: 250 sheets
- Connectivity: Wireless printing, Ethernet, and USB 2.0
The Brother HL-3170CDW is a color laser printer designed for home offices and small businesses. It delivers 23 pages per minute for both black-and-white and color prints, making it a top choice for those who need fast, high-volume printing. This printer supports automatic duplex printing, which can significantly reduce paper use.
It is simple to set up and offers multiple connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB 2.0. The printer’s 250-sheet capacity ensures that you won’t need to constantly refill the paper tray, which is essential in a busy office environment. Despite being a compact device, the Brother HL-3170CDW delivers high-quality prints suitable for professional documents, marketing materials, and presentations.
Epson EcoTank ET-3760: Best for Ink Efficiency
Key Features
- Ink System: Refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges
- Speed: 15 ppm for black-and-white, 8 ppm for color
- Paper Capacity: 250 sheets, 30-page auto document feeder
If you’re concerned about ink costs, the Epson EcoTank ET-3760 offers a solution with its refillable ink tanks. This model eliminates the need for traditional cartridges, instead allowing users to refill the ink tanks with affordable bottles of ink. This system is cost-efficient in the long run, particularly for users who print moderately but want to avoid the high cost of ink cartridges.
The printer offers speeds of 15 pages per minute for black-and-white documents and 8 pages per minute for color. It comes with a 250-sheet paper tray and a 30-page auto document feeder, making it suitable for small offices or homes that need consistent printing but want to cut down on expenses. The printer also supports two-sided printing, helping to further reduce paper use.
HP Tango X: Best for Smart Home Integration
Key Features
- Design: Compact, minimalist design
- Connectivity: Voice-activated printing with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Cortana
- Use Case: Best for home environments with light to moderate printing needs
For those who prioritize smart home integration, the HP Tango X is a unique option. It’s designed to blend seamlessly into your home environment with its compact, minimalist aesthetic. This printer is controlled almost entirely via app or voice commands through Alexa, Google Assistant, or Cortana, making it one of the most convenient printers available for modern smart homes.
The Tango X is a great option for light printing needs, such as printing family photos or occasional documents. Its lack of an automatic document feeder makes it less ideal for heavy-duty office tasks, but for the average home user, it provides solid quality and ease of use. Despite its small size, the Tango X delivers excellent color accuracy, making it a solid choice for home photography printing.
Brother MFC-L2750DW: Best for High-Volume Office Printing
Key Features
- Speed: 36 ppm for black-and-white prints
- Document Handling: 50-sheet automatic document feeder
- Connectivity: Wireless, NFC touch-to-connect, cloud printing
The Brother MFC-L2750DW is designed for high-volume, high-speed office printing. With a print speed of 36 pages per minute for black-and-white documents, it’s one of the fastest printers available for small offices. The automatic document feeder holds 50 sheets, which makes it ideal for scanning and copying large multi-page documents.
This printer supports wireless printing from various devices, and its NFC touch-to-connect capability makes it easy to print from smartphones and tablets. Additionally, cloud printing options allow you to send documents directly from platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote. If your office requires high-speed printing with frequent scanning and copying tasks, the Brother MFC-L2750DW is a solid choice.
What to Consider When Choosing a Printer in 2024
Speed and Performance
Print speed is measured in pages per minute (ppm). For home use, a speed of around 20 ppm is generally sufficient, while office printers should offer speeds of at least 25 ppm to handle higher volumes. For color printing, especially photos, you should consider resolution (measured in dots per inch or dpi). High-end photo printers offer resolutions of 4800 x 1200 dpi or higher, providing exceptional image quality.
Ink Efficiency
Printers that use traditional cartridges tend to have higher long-term costs compared to those with refillable ink tanks. Models like the Epson EcoTank series offer significant savings over time, as ink bottles are far cheaper than cartridges. Consider how often you print and the type of documents you produce to select the most cost-effective option.
Connectivity Options
Wireless printing is now a standard feature on most printers, making it easier to print from a variety of devices. Many printers also support cloud printing services, which allow you to send documents from remote locations directly to your printer. If you work in a smart home environment, models like the HP Tango X provide voice-activated printing, offering an additional layer of convenience.
Paper Handling
For offices or households that frequently print large documents, choosing a printer with a large paper tray capacity is essential. Models like the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 and Brother HL-3170CDW offer dual paper trays and automatic duplex printing, reducing the need to reload paper and saving costs by printing on both sides.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Printer for Your Needs
Finding the right printer in 2024 means balancing speed, quality, cost-efficiency, and functionality. Whether you need a fast office printer, a crafting-friendly model, or a highly-efficient ink system, there is a wide variety of options to suit your needs. Evaluate your specific requirements, such as how frequently you print, the types of documents or photos you produce, and your budget for ink and toner costs. With the right printer, you can streamline your workflow, enhance your creative projects, and enjoy a more efficient printing experience.
FAQs: Best Printers for 2024
1. What is the best all-around printer for 2024?
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e is considered the best all-around printer for 2024 due to its high-speed printing, excellent color accuracy, and versatile features. It is suitable for both home and office environments, offering Wi-Fi printing, duplex functionality, and six months of free HP Instant Ink.
2. Which printer is best for crafting and DIY projects?
The Canon Pixma TS9521C is the best choice for crafting and DIY projects. It supports 12×12-inch paper for scrapbooking and features a 5-color ink system that produces photo-realistic prints, making it ideal for creative tasks such as greeting cards and other personalized designs.
3. What printer is recommended for small office use in 2024?
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 is highly recommended for small office use in 2024. It offers fast print speeds of up to 25 pages per minute, a 500-sheet paper capacity, and excellent scanning capabilities. The dual tray setup makes it perfect for high-volume printing and document management.
4. Which printer offers the most cost-effective ink solution?
The Epson EcoTank ET-3760 provides the most cost-effective ink solution. Instead of using expensive cartridges, it features refillable ink tanks that last longer and significantly reduce ink costs over time. It’s ideal for home offices with moderate printing needs.
5. What is the best color laser printer for offices?
The Brother HL-3170CDW is the best color laser printer for offices. It delivers fast printing speeds of 23 pages per minute and includes duplex printing, making it an efficient choice for professional documents and presentations.
6. Which printer is best for smart home integration?
The HP Tango X is the best printer for smart home integration. It is compact, wireless, and supports voice-activated printing through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Cortana, making it ideal for homes with light to moderate printing needs.
7. What printer should I choose for high-volume office printing?
For high-volume office printing, the Brother MFC-L2750DW is the top choice. It can print up to 36 pages per minute and includes a 50-sheet automatic document feeder, making it perfect for businesses that need to handle large amounts of documents efficiently.
8. What should I consider when buying a printer in 2024?
When choosing a printer in 2024, consider print speed, ink efficiency, paper capacity, and connectivity options. Look for features such as duplex printing, wireless capabilities, and cost-effective ink systems to ensure long-term savings and functionality.
