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Finding the right printer can be as frustrating as using the wrong one. That's why we've tested over 100 printers, purchasing the best on the market and using every one of them in our lab.
We put each printer through a gauntlet of rigorous assessments, including ease of use, calculating operating costs, and getting a close-up look at text and photo quality through a microscope.
Our favorite home printer is the Canon Color imageCLASS MF656Cdw. Though somewhat pricy, this model is capable of printing, scanning, faxing, and copying. It has great text printing capabilities, but it's not the best at photo printing. For stellar photos, check out the Canon PIXMA G620, which produces great color and B&W prints and has a low operating cost compared to many other printers in our lineup.
From home printers to photo printers, this guide outlines all our favorite models and can help you find the best printer that fits your needs and budget.
Editor's Note: Our printer review was updated on April 8th, 2025, to update our award section with two new printers.
If you're in the market for a home printer that transforms your ordinary text documents into professional-looking masterpieces, the Canon Color imageCLASS MF656Cdw is your go-to solution. “I was thoroughly impressed by its extraordinary text quality, which produces documents that are nothing short of pristine,” noted our testers.
This printer produces razor-sharp characters that maintain crystal-clear clarity across every font style and size and consistently delivers high-quality text documents that look as though they were done by a professional print shop. Speed is another standout feature, effortlessly churning out 18 pages per minute for simplex documents and 13 pages per minute for duplex documents.
SPECIFICATIONS
Capabilities
Print, scan, copy, fax
Type
All-in-one laser
Estimated Lifetime Cost of Ownership
$862
Resolution (Black)
1200 x 1200 dpi
Resolution (Color)
1200 x 1200 dpi
In addition to those who require perfect text printing, budget-conscious users will also appreciate its wallet-friendly operational costs—just 5 cents per page for black and white and 6 cents for color prints. “The large five-inch color touchscreen is easier to read compared to other printers I tested,” said testers. This, coupled with simple mobile printing options and an intuitive setup process, makes this printer accessible to everyone, from tech novices to those with larger hands.
You'll appreciate strong text printing performance and other useful features like scanning and copying with this model.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Despite its text printing prowess, the Canon Color imageCLASS MF656Cdw produces underwhelming graphics and photos. The photos have imperfections like streaking, pixelation, and color inaccuracies that transform vibrant originals into washed-out, less appealing versions. Darker tones lose clarity, while brighter colors seem artificially enhanced. For users seeking a truly versatile printer that excels in both text and visual content, this model might leave something to be desired. In scenarios demanding high-quality photo prints, alternatives like the HP OfficeJet 8015e Wireless Color are worth exploring.
The Canon PIXMA G620 stands out as an exceptional photo printer, particularly for budget-conscious users seeking high-volume printing. Its innovative ink tank design eliminates the hassle of cartridge replacement and provides remarkably low operating costs—just five cents per print, compared to the average of 42 cents. “The G620 delivers impressive color prints with good highlights. I also enjoy the detail and vibrant colors,” said testers. Its versatility is noteworthy, with its ability to print up to 47 inches long and 8.5 inches wide.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Print Time
157 seconds
Cost Per Print
$0.05
Max Photo Dimensions
8.5" x 47"
Print Resolution
4800 x 1200 dpi
Printing Technology
Inkjet
Setup is fairly simple, and anyone can follow the relatively straightforward process, which includes an intuitive ink-filling system that minimizes mess and prevents incorrect ink placement. “I think this printer is a great option for photography enthusiasts and those needing to print a high volume of quality photos without breaking the bank,” said testers.
This printer created great color images, at an economical price.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
However, the Canon PIXMA G620 is not without its drawbacks. Print speed is a concern, with a 4x6" image taking a slow 2.5 minutes—more than double the time of most printers. Color accuracy is inconsistent, with some images slightly leaning towards magenta and photos of people with lighter skin tones exhibiting a yellowish hue. The printer struggles with large printed backgrounds that can appear slightly fuzzy compared to other high-end models. These limitations make the PIXMA G620 a printer that excels in specific scenarios but may not be the ideal solution for users primarily printing text documents where a model like the Canon Color imageCLASS MF656Cdw excels.
The HP OfficeJet 8015e Wireless Color stands out as a budget-friendly printer that strikes an impressive balance across all of our tests. While it may not deliver text documents with pristine clarity under the intense scrutiny of a microscope, the disparity is negligible for most users. Moreover, our testers found that this model excels in producing high-quality photographic prints. “I noticed it makes lines and small details appear sharper and more pronounced,” said analyst Lesley Robinson.
SPECIFICATIONS
Capabilities
Print, scan, copy
Type
All-in-one inkjet
Estimated Lifetime Cost of Ownership
$646
Resolution (Black)
1200 x 1200 dpi
Resolution (Color)
4800 x 1200 dpi
The HP OfficeJet maintains relatively low operating costs at seven and four cents per page for black and white and color pages, respectively. It also offers a user-friendly operation and efficiently handles most printing tasks.
The HP OfficeJet 8015e Wireless Color text document struggled with smaller fonts under our microscope, but it isn't as noticeable from farther away.
Credit: Lesley Robinson
This unit demonstrates notable performance across most printing tasks; but it doesn't excel in any single area. It's simply a solid printer across the board. For those prioritizing a low operating cost, look to the Epson EcoTank ET-2800, which was the most economical printer we tested, albeit at the expense of speed and graphic printing capabilities.
The Epson Workforce Pro WF-4820 shines for being a versatile home printer, excelling in all-around performance, all-in-one functionality, operational efficiency, and affordability. It fulfills all essential printing needs within a home office environment while maintaining a reasonable price point.
The WF-4820 achieves a fine balance between speed and printing text and photos without significantly compromising on quality. “I consistently observed sharp text and vibrant colors with minimal striping or noticeable artifacts, all accomplished at a rapid pace,” Robinson said. Its intuitive setup process and robust interface, equipped with a range of helpful troubleshooting features, also contribute to its ease of use.
SPECIFICATIONS
Capabilities
Print, scan, copy, fax
Type
All-in-one inkjet
Estimated Lifetime Cost of Ownership
$634
Resolution (Black)
4800 x 1200 dpi
Resolution (Color)
4800 x 1200 dpi
Unfortunately, the Epson Workforce Pro WF-4820 does not offer duplex scanning capabilities, necessitating manual flipping of documents to scan both sides, which may not be ideal for larger double-sided scanning tasks. Minor downsides aside, the WF-4820 delivers exceptional value when it comes to overall performance and affordability, making it a solid pick for budget-conscious small home offices. If you want to invest in premium performance and all-in-one functions and aren't limited by budget, the Canon Color imageCLASS MF656Cdw deserves consideration.
If your primary concern is minimizing operational expenses and you're willing to compromise on text quality, photo and graphic printing capabilities, and speed, then the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 emerges as the top contender in today's home printer market. With the capability to print 4500 black and white pages for just $14 and 7500 colored pages for $13.99, it delivers prints at a fraction of a penny per page, significantly undercutting other printers that may cost up to 10 cents per black and white printed page.
SPECIFICATIONS
Capabilities
Print, scan, copy
Type
All-in-one inkjet
Estimated Lifetime Cost of Ownership
$301
Resolution (Black)
5760 x 1440 dpi
Resolution (Color)
5760 x 1440 dpi
While the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 stands out for its remarkably low operational costs, individuals with more demanding home office requirements may prefer a printer offering superior all-around performance and speed, even if it means sacrificing some long-term cost savings. In such cases, we strongly advocate for the budget-friendly Epson Workforce Pro WF-4820, which still offers good operational costs at $28.56 per ream but has better text and photo clarity.
Credit: Lesley Robinson
We also found that this unit has middling image quality. “I find that some detail is lost because of how dark the shadows are,” testers noted. For an all in one printer with great photo and image quality, we recommend the Canon Pixma TR4720.
In today's smartphone-dominated world, most recorded memories end up confined to the digital realm, rarely revisited. The Canon IVY 2 is here to change that. This well-designed machine is capable of transforming your smartphone photos into tangible prints.
Setting up the printer is straightforward: download the companion app, connect to the printer via Bluetooth, and you're well on your way to printing bliss. The IVY 2 is compact and portable, making it easy to take with you wherever you go, and that's the whole point. This printer was capable of delivering relatively high-quality prints, especially considering its compact size. “I love the image quality for it being such a small print,” testers said. One standout feature that we enjoyed is the ZINK instant film it uses. “With its adhesive backing, I can turn my prints into stickers for fun decorations or to share with friends,” testers exclaimed.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Print Time
30 seconds
Cost Per Print
$0.50
Max Photo Dimensions
2" x 3"
Print Resolution
313 x 512 dpi
Printing Technology
ZINK™ (Zero Ink)
Not everything is flawless, though; there are some downsides. The cost of each print is a notable drawback, at around 50 cents per piece with no alternative options. This might lead to more selective printing choices, which can be disappointing. Most desktop printers offer greater capabilities and a lower cost per print. However, you can't just toss a desktop printer into a bag and take it everywhere, and that's why the IVY 2 is so compelling. If you are okay with a bigger form factor, consider the Canon SELPHY CP1500, which is not much more expensive and has a lower cost per print while allowing photos up to 4 x 6 inches.
The Canon Ivy offers the best quality prints for a mini photo printer.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
What distinguishes the IVY 2 from its predecessor, the original Canon IVY, is the improvement in print quality and a significantly faster charging time. We already held a fondness for the original, and the IVY 2 surpasses it, providing a better experience, including a range of creative options for your prints through the user-friendly app. Regarding aesthetics, the color has also received an update, now featuring a blush pink instead of the previous white and blue. Overall, we consider this version a comprehensive improvement without compromising the enjoyable qualities that made the original device so good.
The Canon Ivy 2 Mini is a small, yet reliable portable photo printer.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
How We Tested
This comprehensive printer overview is the product of hundreds of hours of testing, comparing, and researching the best products in the industry over several years. After completing in-depth research, we purchase and personally test dozens of the top models at our testing facility in Lake Tahoe. For each category, we create a series of tests that measure the most important aspects of the printer.
For home printers, we pay particular attention to text quality, speed, ease of use, image quality, and operating cost. We weight each of these categories and complete a series of tests. For text and image quality, we print a variety of standardized pages and compare in various light settings with both the naked eye and using magnification. We also manually time how long it takes to print and calculate the long term operating cost for ink and upkeep. It's a lengthy process, but we genuinely want everyone to find the best printer on the market.
For photo printers, we don't worry about the text quality but instead focus on operating cost, color print quality, black and white print quality, speed, and the setup process. These in-depth tests involve printing numerous color and black and white images. Our research analysts and in-house photographers then work together to examine with their own eyes and under intense magnification. This allows us to closely notice any color irregularities, unwanted color banding, and pixelation. We also know that operating cost is of particular interest with a photo printer. Sometimes, a more expensive printer up-front will pay off in the long run if a user plans to print a lot of photos. Lastly, we score printers higher when they have a simple, quick, and reliable setup process.
Every year we purchase and test dozens of printers to find the best for your needs.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Why Trust Gearlab
This guide is a collaboration between Review Analyst Genaveve Bradshaw and reviewer Lesley Robinson. Genaveve has tested many of our top printers and crafts quality reviews that emphasize a high degree of attention to detail. Lesley's experience in quality assurance has allowed her to expertly test our tech products.
We've tested all kinds of printers from photo to 3D.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How to Pick the Right Printer
Picking the right printer to fit your needs may be quite daunting. They can be expensive and deserve prior research before committing to the purchase. Our experienced testers and researchers have done all the testing for you. All that's left is to evaluate your needs and purchase accordingly. These devices can be separated into home, photo, and 3D. The following is a breakdown of each class of printer and its uses.
Home Printers
Home printers are the most versatile, satisfying a broad range of needs, from printing worded documents to scanning and copying. When picking a home printer, consider the volume of printing you plan to do. Some people need a printer on standby in case they need to print an important document or enable their children to print a class project. Others may operate a small business and require a device to perform large workloads at a reasonable price.
We examine each units text quality side by side under a microscope.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ease of use can also affect your decision. A printer that you cannot easily operate or quickly set up and connect to your WiFi can slow down productivity and cause unnecessary stress. This is why we analyze each printer's interface and features to see how helpful and streamlined they are.
We analyzed each print up close and personal using a microscope.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
In the chart below, you can find the scores of our entire lineup of fully tested and top-ranked home printers. Our top choice is the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw. This machine offers a great balance of text quality, speed, and ease of use and boasts the ability to print, scan, copy, and fax. For a budget model that performs admirably across the board, the HP OfficeJet 8015e Wireless Color is worth a look. If you want an ultra-low operating cost, check out the Epson EcoTank ET-2800.
Need to extend your WiFi range?
Our WiFi extender review can help you get a wider WiFi coverage range.
Home printers are the best option for everyday printing.
Credit: Laura Casner
Photo Printers
Photo printers are great for those who desire more than low-resolution Google images from their home printer. Some memories deserve to be printed, and these devices will ensure that your image comes out with the quality it deserves. Or, if you run a small photography business and want to reduce the trip to the photo lab, photo printers will save you loads of time and money.
We carefully examine each image under digital magnification to score the print quality.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Print quality is among the most important aspects to consider when looking at photo printers. You obviously want a printer that creates accurate and relatively crisp images. You may be willing to forego this a bit for something like portability if you want a mini printer, but it's generally quite important. While testing, we broke the print quality into color and black and white to evaluate separately.
We manually measure exactly how long it takes to print an image.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
When choosing a photo printer, you'll want to consider your upfront budget, but also how much you plan to print and the corresponding operating cost (to buy ink or photo paper packs). It's also important to understand if you want to simply print 4" x 6" images, large format images, or need a printer that can do a bit of everything. Lastly, the actual size of the printer is important. We've tested printers that take up half your desk and ones that fit in your pocket. There's no right or wrong; it's just a matter of matching the right printer to your needs.
Above, you can see the full list of products ranked in our photo printer review. Our winner is the Canon PIXMA Pro-200, followed by the Canon PIXMA G620. Both models excel with color prints. The Pixma Pro-200 prints much faster than the G620, but it also costs quite a bit more.
We've tested every kind of photo printer.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Conclusion
This guide aims to make the printer buying process as easy as possible. The first consideration before buying a printer is to assess one's needs. Different printers can have different purposes, and the printers we've outlined here are the cream of the crop for their respective categories. Our mission at GearLab is to provide top-quality reviews of emerging products. We will continue reviewing the best printers in today's market so you can easily make an informed purchase.
—Lesley Robinson, Genaveve Bradshaw and Benjamin Hickok
