Most printer regret stems from one mistake: buying based on upfront price alone. Running costs, reliability, and actual print quality matter far more over a printer's lifespan. This guide helps you ask the right questions before you buy.
Step 1: Know Your Monthly Volume
Before you compare any printers, estimate how many pages you print per month. This single number determines which type of printer makes economic sense.
- Under 30 pages/month: Any basic inkjet or laser will work. Prioritise upfront cost.
- 30–100 pages/month: Running costs start to matter. Look at high-yield cartridge options or entry-level supertank machines.
- Over 100 pages/month: Running costs are critical. Supertank inkjet or monochrome laser will pay for itself within months.
Step 2: Inkjet vs Laser — The Real Comparison
The old rule was "laser for documents, inkjet for photos." That's still roughly true, but supertank inkjets have significantly changed the cost equation.
| Factor | Inkjet (Standard) | Inkjet (Supertank) | Laser (Mono) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low | Medium-High | Medium |
| Per-page cost | High | Very Low | Low |
| Photo quality | Good | Good | Poor |
| Text quality | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Speed | Slower | Slower | Fast |
| Reliability | Moderate | Moderate | High |
| Best for | Light users | Heavy users | Documents only |
Step 3: Calculate the True Cost
The true cost of a printer over two years is: Purchase price + (monthly pages × 24 × cost per page).
A printer that costs $80 upfront but 8 cents per page costs $1,040 over 500 pages/month for two years. A printer that costs $350 upfront but 1.3 cents per page costs $506 over the same period. The "cheap" printer ends up costing twice as much.
To calculate per-page cost: find the price of the standard cartridge (not XL, not starter) and divide by its stated page yield. This is your per-page cost.
Step 4: Features You Actually Need
Most buyers overvalue features they rarely use and undervalue the ones that matter daily. Here's a honest breakdown:
| Feature | Actually Useful? | Who Needs It |
|---|---|---|
| Auto duplex (two-sided printing) | Yes | Almost everyone — saves paper and money |
| Flatbed scanner | Yes, if you scan | Home offices, paperwork-heavy households |
| Automatic Document Feeder | Yes, if you scan often | Anyone scanning multi-page documents regularly |
| Fax | Rarely | Very specific professional contexts |
| Wireless printing | Yes | Everyone — essential in 2025 |
| Mobile printing (app) | Useful | Households that print from phones/tablets |
| SD card / USB slot | Rarely useful | Very specific photo workflow users |
Our Current Recommendations
Based on our testing, see our Best Printers of 2025 page for specific model recommendations by category and budget. All picks are independently tested — no sponsored placements.