10 Best Home Printers

The HP DeskJet 2820e is a compact all-in-one inkjet printer designed for basic home use, offering printing, scanning, and copying in one device. It prints black-and-white pages at about 7.5 pages per minute and colour pages at 5.5 ppm, which is adequate for casual home tasks like documents and photos, but may feel slow if you print a lot. The print quality is decent for everyday use, with colour resolution detailed enough for recipes or labels. It connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi, making it easy to print from smartphones or laptops without cables, and the printer will automatically reconnect if the connection drops, which is convenient. However, it doesn’t support automatic double-sided printing, so you’ll need to flip pages manually if needed. The paper tray holds about 50 sheets, which is enough for light home printing but will require frequent refills if you print often.

One of its strengths is the included 5 months of free HP Instant Ink, a subscription that sends ink cartridges automatically when running low, potentially saving money and reducing the hassle of buying ink. The printer is also environmentally friendly, made with 60% recycled plastic and supporting HP's forest restoration efforts. Setup is straightforward with HP’s easy-to-use app.

The print resolution, especially for black and white, is modest, and the maximum speed may not satisfy users needing fast or high-volume printing. This printer is best suited for those who want a simple, reliable, and affordable device for occasional home printing, scanning, and copying without advanced features.

The Brother MFC-J5740DW is a versatile all-in-one inkjet printer ideal for home or small office users who need more than just basic printing. It stands out with the ability to print up to A3 size, which is larger than standard A4 and useful for posters or spreadsheets. It prints quickly at up to 28 pages per minute in both colour and black and white, so you won’t be waiting long for your documents. The print quality is sharp, with high resolution especially in colour, giving professional-looking results.

Connectivity is strong with Wi-Fi, USB, and even NFC, allowing you to print directly from smartphones or tablets using the Brother Mobile Connect app, adding convenience if you want to print from anywhere at home. The 8.8cm colour touchscreen makes it easy to navigate through the printer’s functions like copying, scanning, and faxing, all bundled in one device. Paper handling supports up to 50 sheets in the tray and includes auto-duplex printing, which saves paper by printing on both sides automatically. However, the printer is fairly heavy at over 20kg, so it's best placed on a dedicated desk or shelf.

One thing to keep in mind is operating costs: while Brother provides high-yield ink cartridges that last longer and the option for value packs to reduce expenses, inkjet printers generally cost more to run than laser printers if you print in large volumes. This printer provides a good balance of speed, features, and connectivity, making it a strong choice if you want flexible, quality printing with added functions in a home or small office setting.

The HP DeskJet 2810e is a multifunctional printer geared towards home use, offering print, scan, and copy capabilities in a compact design. Utilizing thermal printing technology, it delivers reasonable print quality with resolutions up to 1200 x 1200 dpi for both color and monochrome prints. However, print speeds are relatively modest, with a maximum of 7.5 pages per minute for black and white and 5.5 pages per minute for color, which may not suit users needing fast print jobs.

Connectivity is a strong point, featuring wireless options that ease setup and usability, making it ideal for families or individuals who prefer a clutter-free environment without the need for cables. The printer's app facilitates a straightforward setup and operation, enhancing user convenience. Multifunction features allow for basic scanning and copying, but the single copy per run limitation could be a drawback for those requiring bulk copying tasks. Paper handling is slightly limited with a 60-sheet capacity, which might necessitate frequent refills during extensive print tasks.

Operating costs are mitigated by the Instant Ink service offering, which can significantly reduce ink expenses, yet it's essential to consider the subscription fee after the initial three free months. For environmentally conscious users, the printer's construction includes 60% recycled plastic, aligning with sustainability values. While this printer is suited for occasional home printing tasks like documents and photos, those with heavy-duty or professional printing needs might find its capabilities lacking. The HP DeskJet 2810e provides an accessible and user-friendly solution for basic home printing requirements with a focus on convenience and cost-effectiveness.