Best Printer For Home Use: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Printer
When selecting a home printer, the right choice depends on your specific needs—whether it's for occasional colour printing, black-and-white documents, or high-volume output. In this review, we compare four printers that cater to different types of users: low-volume colour printing, black-and-white printing, and high-volume colour printing so you can choose the best printer for home use.
1. Canon PIXMA TS5150 – Best for Low-Volume Colour Printing
Rating: ★★★★☆ Printer cost: £89.95 Genuine ink cost: £40.99 Refilled ink cost: £26.95
The Canon PIXMA TS5150 is a versatile all-in-one inkjet printer ideal for users who are looking for the best printer for home use but print occasionally. This compact device can print, scan, and copy, making it perfect for light use at home. Standard capacity PG540 black & CL541 colour ink cartridges print up to 180 pages. High capacity PG540XL black cartridges print up to 600 pages, CL541XL colour prints up to 400 pages.
- Pros:
- Affordable and compact, ideal for tight spaces.
- Good-quality colour prints, especially for photos.
- Simple setup and wireless connectivity options (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).
- Automatic double-sided printing (duplex printing).
- Wireless connectivity and easy setup.
- Cons:
- Slow print speeds (around 6.8 ppm for colour and 13 ppm for black).
- Higher cost per page compared to laser printers, particularly for colour prints.
- Small paper tray (100 sheets), not suitable for bulk printing.
Verdict: The Canon PIXMA TS5150 is a great choice if you need reliable colour prints occasionally and value affordability and compact design. It’s perfect for photo prints, but it may not be fast enough for frequent or high-volume printing. Buy Canon PG540XL & CL541XL Refilled Ink Cartridges by Ink Jungle to reduce your printing costs even further.
2. Brother HL-L2350DW Wireless Mono Laser Printer – Best for Black-and-White Printing
Brother HL-L2350DW Printer
Rating: ★★★★★ £49.99 Printer cost: £166.80 Genuine ink cost: £61.85 Compatible ink cost: £12.95
For those who mainly print black-and-white documents, the Brother HL-L2350DW is an excellent wireless mono laser printer. It delivers fast, high-quality text prints, making it perfect for home offices or students. Standard capacity TN2410 black cartridges print up to 1200 pages, High capacity TN2420 black cartridges print up to 3000 pages.
- Pros:
- Fast print speeds (up to 30 ppm).
- Crisp, high-quality black-and-white prints.
- Low operating costs with affordable toner.
- Automatic duplex printing and large paper tray (250 sheets).
- Wireless connectivity and easy setup.
- Cons:
- No colour printing.
- No scanning or copying functions.
- Slightly bulky for a home printer, though not excessively so.
Verdict: The Brother HL-L2350DW is a top pick for black-and-white document printing. Its speed, affordability, and quality make it a reliable option for those who don’t need colour prints. Grab yourself a bargain and reduce your printing costs even further by buying 4x TN2420 black compatible toner cartridges from Ink Jungle which will print up to 12,000 pages for just £29.95.
3. Brother DCP-J1200W Colour Inkjet Printer – Best for Low-Volume Colour Printing
Rating: ★★★★☆ Printer cost: £129.95 Genuine ink cost: £47.99 Compatible ink cost: £21.95
The Brother DCP-J1200W is another great option for low-volume colour printing. This multifunction colour inkjet printer is suitable for home users who need colour prints occasionally but don’t require a high print volume. Standard capacity LC424 black & colour cartridges print up to 750 pages.
- Pros:
- Good-quality colour and black-and-white prints.
- Compact design with scanning and copying capabilities.
- Wireless connectivity and mobile printing options (Wi-Fi, Brother app).
- Easy to use with a simple control interface.
- The 4 ink printer means you only replace the colour you need which is an advantage against printers which use a tri-colour cartridge
- Cons:
- Slower print speeds, especially for colour (10 ppm for black and 5 ppm for colour).
- Smaller paper capacity (150 sheets), which may not suffice for larger jobs.
- Higher ink costs compared to laser printers.
Verdict: The Brother DCP-J1200W is well-suited for light, low-volume colour printing tasks and general home use. Its multifunctionality makes it a good value for homes with occasional printing needs, though it’s not ideal for high-volume users. We say its right up there for if you're looking for the best printer for home use.
4. Brother HL-L8260CDW Wireless Colour Laser Printer – Best for High-Volume Colour Printing
Rating: ★★★★★ Printer cost: £294.95 Genuine ink cost: £449.85 Compatible ink cost: £48.95
The Brother HL-L8260CDW is a powerhouse designed for high-volume colour printing. This wireless colour laser printer delivers professional-quality prints and is well-suited for small businesses or households that need to print a lot of colour documents. Standard capacity black cartridges print up to 3000 pages & colour cartridges print up to 1800 pages. High capacity black cartridges print up to 6500 and colour cartridges print up to 4000 pages.
- Pros:
- Fast print speeds (up to 31 ppm for both colour and black).
- High-quality colour prints with sharp, vibrant output.
- Large paper capacity (250-sheet tray + optional trays).
- Cost-effective printing with high-yield toner cartridges.
- Advanced connectivity options (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, mobile printing).
- Cons:
- Bulky and not as compact as home-specific models.
- Higher upfront cost compared to inkjet printers.
- Lacks scanning and copying functions (though models in the same range offer these).
Verdict: The Brother HL-L8260CDW is an excellent choice for users who need frequent, high-volume colour printing. It won our Best printer for small business but it is also a great contender for best printer for home use. It offers great speed, quality, and lower operating costs over time, but its size and price may be overkill for casual users.
Final Recommendations
- For Low-Volume Colour Printing: The Canon PIXMA TS5150 offers great colour output, making it perfect for occasional printing tasks, such as photos or personal documents.
- For Black-and-White Printing: The Brother HL-L2350DW is the best option, combining speed, affordability, and high print quality for those who only need monochrome prints.
- For Low-Volume Colour Printing with Multifunction: The Brother DCP-J1200W is ideal if you also need scanning and copying features, but don’t print high volumes of colour pages. With its 4 ink cartridge feautre, 750 page capacity and low printer cost, it is a great all rounder and perfectly meets our recommendation for Best printer for home use.
- For High-Volume Colour Printing: The Brother HL-L8260CDW is the go-to solution for those needing fast, high-quality colour prints in larger volumes, with the added benefit of lower running costs. Ultimately this is our choice for Best small business printer which isn't out of place in your home office or business.
So there you have it, you now have all the facts for choosing the best printer for home use. Each printer excels in its specific category, so the right choice will depend on your printing needs, budget, and space. All prices inc VAT and are correct at the time of publication.