The Best Printers of 2026

Printers remain one of the most frustrating technology purchases most households make. Between confusing ink models, finicky software, and paper jams that seem designed to test your patience, getting a good one matters more than most people realize. This guide cuts through the noise for anyone who actually needs a printer — whether you're printing homework assignments, small business documents, or family photos.

How we picked

We cross-referenced the latest expert reviews from the major tech outlets with thousands of real owner experiences, then scored every contender on value, build quality, feature set, and how current the design is. The Aikins Score distills all that into a single number that tells you, at a glance, whether a printer is worth your money — or your desk space.

What to look for

Cost per page — This matters more than the purchase price. A cheap $80 printer that guzzles $60 ink cartridges will cost you more in year one than a $200 model with 1.5 cent per page toner.

Print technology — Laser printers are faster and cheaper per page for black-and-white documents. Inkjets win on photo quality and color, but only if you print regularly enough to avoid clogged nozzles.

All-in-one vs. print-only — Almost every printer under $300 includes a scanner these days, but quality varies wildly. Look for automatic document feeders if you scan multi-page documents more than once a month.

Connection reliability — Many modern printers rely on finicky Wi-Fi Direct setups or proprietary apps. A model with ethernet or reliable USB connectivity saves hours of frustration.

Toner/ink cartridge yield — High-yield options (often marked XL or XXL) dramatically lower cost per page. Check whether your printer supports them before buying.

What owners say

The most common refrain across thousands of user reviews is that Brother laser printers "just work" — even after sitting unused for months, they fire up and print without drama. Brother inkjet owners report great print quality but almost universally complain about noisy operation and the oddly slow 20-minute setup process. HP Envy owners appreciate the simplicity of the Smart app but many feel trapped by the Instant Ink subscription model, with replacement cartridges costing a small fortune if you let the subscription lapse.

How we scored

Expert consensus accounts for 35 percent of the final score, reflecting what professional reviewers found in testing. Owner sentiment makes up 25 percent — real people living with these machines day to day. Value for money (15 percent) and build quality/features (15 percent) split the middle, while how current the design is (10 percent) accounts for whether a printer feels like it belongs in 2026 or 2016.

FAQ

How often should I print to avoid clogged print heads?

With inkjet printers, aim to print at least once a week. Brother and Canon models are more forgiving than Epson's EcoTank printers, which can clog within two to three weeks of inactivity.

Is Instant Ink actually worth it?

For light printing — fewer than 50 pages per month — yes. For anyone printing more than that, the per-page cost with a high-yield cartridge printer like the Brother MFC-J4355DW will be significantly cheaper without a subscription.

Should I get a laser or inkjet printer?

If you primarily print black-and-white documents — school assignments, work papers, shipping labels — get a laser printer. The Brother DCP-L2640DW will save you hundreds of dollars over five years versus any color inkjet. If you print photos or color documents at least weekly, go with an inkjet.

The verdict

The Brother DCP-L2640DW remains the printer most households should buy: it's fast, reliable, and costs about 3 cents per page after the initial purchase. For anyone who needs color, the Brother MFC-J4355DW offers the best balance of print quality and low running costs without the premium upfront price of the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500. Photo enthusiasts who print regularly should stretch for the Epson — its refillable ink tanks produce gallery-quality prints for pennies. Budget shoppers should only consider the HP Envy 6555e if they commit to the Instant Ink subscription from day one; otherwise, the Canon Pixma TR8620a is a safer bet.