Most home office workers print rarely — contracts, forms, the occasional boarding pass. A printer that sits unused for weeks and then fails when you need it is the worst outcome. The right choice depends on how often you print and whether you need color.
Laser vs. inkjet for home office
- Laser (monochrome): Fast, cheap per page (~2–4¢), toner doesn't dry out during inactivity. Best for text documents. No color.
- Laser (color): Fast, good text, more expensive. Toner lasts.
- Inkjet (all-in-one): Slower, color output, scan + copy + sometimes fax. Ink dries if unused for weeks — use ink subscription (HP+, Canon PIXMA) to offset cost.
Rule of thumb:
- Print mostly text docs → monochrome laser
- Print occasionally + need color/photos → inkjet all-in-one
- Print high volume in color → color laser
What to look for
- Wireless + AirPrint/Mopria: Print from phone, tablet, laptop without USB cable.
- Duplex (auto double-sided): Saves paper, essential for longer documents.
- ADF (auto document feeder): For scanning multi-page documents without manual feeding.
- Ink/toner cost: Look at cost per page, not cartridge price. Cheap printers often have expensive cartridges.
Our top picks
1. Best monochrome laser (Brother HL-L2460DW)
36ppm, wireless, duplex, compact — the reference home office laser printer. Toner lasts thousands of pages, prints reliably after weeks of inactivity.
2. Best all-in-one inkjet (HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e)
Wireless color inkjet, print/scan/copy/fax, 22ppm, includes 6 months HP+ Instant Ink. Best if you need occasional color and scanning.
3. Best for photos + docs (Canon PIXMA TR8620a)
5-ink system for accurate color and sharp text, AirPrint, ADF, rear photo paper tray. Best for mixed document and photo printing.
Quick comparison
| Pick | Type | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2460DW | Mono laser | 36ppm | Text documents, reliability |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e | Color inkjet AIO | 22ppm | Color + scan + fax |
| Canon PIXMA TR8620a | Color inkjet AIO | 15ppm | Photos + documents |
Cost per page matters more than printer price
| Printer type | Approx. cost/page |
|---|---|
| Monochrome laser | $0.02–0.04 |
| Color laser | $0.10–0.15 |
| Inkjet (subscription) | $0.03–0.05 |
| Inkjet (standard cartridges) | $0.10–0.25 |
High-volume printers pay back their premium quickly. Low-volume use (< 50 pages/month): any option works — prioritize reliability over cost/page.
FAQ
Laser or inkjet for occasional printing? Laser — toner doesn't dry out when sitting unused. Inkjet ink dries and clogs heads after weeks of inactivity without maintenance prints.
Do I need a fax? Rarely — most home offices can use eFax or email PDF instead. Only get fax if your clients or government agencies still require it.
Is HP Instant Ink worth it? If you print color regularly (50+ pages/month) yes — subscription ink is cheaper per page. For occasional use, pay-per-cartridge is fine.
