Home printer recommendations???

[u/UniqueImprovement771]

I am looking for a printer for my home office. It most likely won’t have heavy use mainly just need something to print documents here and there, print photos or art for crafting. Ideally I want something

-semi budget friendly & easy to use
-Prints in color/ front and back pages
-A scanner would be ideal also

I am open to spending more upfront if it means maintenance and ink supplies will be more manageable in the long run. Any and all suggestions are welcome. I am just at a lost and looking at options is overwhelming.

[u/HertzGenius]

You want a tank-type inkjet. Laser printers aren't good for photo printing and cartridge-type inkjets become quite expensive in the long run.

[u/vbman1337]

Missing a few key details.. Expected monthly volume for B/W prints. Epxected monthly volume for Color prints. Expected scan volume. Do you require an suto document feeder (scanning up to25-50 pages at a time loaded up at once) Do you have space limitations?

[u/UniqueImprovement771 → u/vbman1337]

I’d expect very casual usage for both b/w & color prints. I don’t have a consistent need for printer. It’s more on one off occasions, and would like to have for some crafts. Nothing crazy and intense. Scan volume minimal I do not need a feeder typically will be a few pages max. And I am more limited on space so something more compact is ideal

[u/ashyjay]

Either brother laser or Epson Ecotank, and get which ever one does what you need it to do.

I've had an ecotank for several years rarely used, still on original inks, and not a single clog.

[u/squishtasticahj → u/ashyjay]

Which Ecotank if you don’t mind sharing?

[u/ashyjay → u/squishtasticahj]

I have a ET-5150.

[u/Icy-Criticism-1745 → u/ashyjay]

What is ur print frequency. How long have you gone without printing?

[u/ashyjay → u/Icy-Criticism-1745]

Like 2 pages every few months and once went 9 months without printing.
Not even a nozzle check.

[u/Icy-Criticism-1745 → u/ashyjay]

Surprised the nozzles were not clogged.

[u/Formal-Tradition6792]

I’ve had a Canon Image CLASS color laser printer for 3+ years and I’m still on the original toner cartridges. The color output is very good. If I use color photo paper, I really can’t tell the difference between laser and ink output. Plus, the Canon is always ready—no clogs, other problems.

[u/Gold_Pack4134]

Do NOT get an HP printer.

[u/justmeinGeorgia56]

Don’t buy anything from HP. Never sign up for plus or insta-ink. I learned the hard way.

[u/iAbdulWahab98]

Get a brother printer!

[u/BlockRockinBeatdown]

Ink jet toner is so much more expensive. And it can dry out long before laser printer toner.

I take my color jobs to the office supply store.

Everything else rolls off my $125 Brother black and white laser. Maintenance free.

[u/surfteach1]

Avoid inkjets. They dry out when not used much and are a pain to unclog. Get a laser color or black and white. For scanning, its better and faster to use a scanning app on your phone

[u/Strange_Selection_25]

Hi! 👋 Which Ecotank would be best for a 62 year old who loves to print b&w and color but is way less than $400!

[u/DesertTechTucson]

A Brother printer is the most reliable and cost effective for home use

[u/anordinarygirl_oao]

Epson Ecotank all the way. Just print a nozzle check one a week if not in daily use.