Best Printers in 2022

Home printers vs. office printers

Home and office printers are different in many ways, however, the main differences are paper handling and output quality. At home, users are likely to have a choice of paper to print on, including plain paper, card stock, and photo paper. Paper with different finishes is also available, such as matte, satin, and glossy.

In a business environment, paper handling is much more rigid, as most businesses require high-quality color output, which is not necessarily available from home printers. Office printers are also likely to come with a range of options. These include print heads with different resolutions and different paper types and media.

Printing technology

There are two main types of printing technology today: laser and inkjet. Laser printers use toner to create the image, while inkjet printers use ink. Some printers, such as inkjet printers, offer both modes.

In particular, laser printers use a laser beam to expose the photosensitive drum. The paper is drawn across the drum, where toner is applied. The paper is then heated so that the toner adheres to it. Inkjet printers use an ink-based system in which ink droplets are sprayed onto the paper in a pattern of dots to form an image. The image will be formed on both sides of the page. Each technology has its benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to consider which model will best meet your needs.

Types of printers

Printers fall into more than one category. In general, these are the main types of printers:

Inkjet printers

These commonly use ink cartridges or toner, although some use drums and ribbons. Inkjet printers have been made in many different sizes, some of which cover a wide range. They are often made to handle large media, such as paper and cloth, while others are designed only for a specific purpose. For small jobs, some are very portable and can fit into small spaces.

Laser printers

Laser printers use dry toner ink and contain a fuser unit responsible for melting the ink onto paper. They are more common than the earlier laser printers that used liquid toner. Laser printers are usually larger, more expensive, and slower than inkjet printers. They are more often used for businesses with large printing quantities, like offices or small print shops. They are also commonly used in libraries to keep records of books and other materials.

Laser printers have come in four main formats: desktop, floor-standing, wall-mounted, and portable, with desktop laser printers being the most common format. Desktop models can either be used on a flat surface or connected to the computer via cables or a wireless connection.

The following are less common types of printers:

• Dot-matrix printers: These use an impact mechanism to strike pins against a ribbon to make the printed text on paper. They print only in black text and are mostly used for draft documents like business letters. They also tend to be slow. They are not common anymore, replaced by inkjet and laser printers.
• All-in-one printers: Also known as AIOs, these printers typically have a color scanner, copy, print, and fax functions in one unit. They are more commonly used in small offices or households. AIOs come in various sizes, ranging from small, lightweight models to large metal printers weighing around 11 pounds or more. This unit will require a method of transferring photos and documents to the PC, such as using a USB cable or wireless connection.
• Super tank printers: Also known as single-cartridge printers, these are very large and heavy. They have a single cartridge with ink that can last for 1,000 pages. They are widespread in offices and businesses but can also be found at schools.
• Dye-sublimation printers: These printers use liquid ink selectively transferred to the paper using heat. They are designed to print on specific surfaces, like plastic. It is passed between rollers, which allows the heat to be applied, thus, transferring the image to the paper.
• 3D printers: These machines use special plastic powders to build an object layer by layer. They are designed to print with a variety of materials. They use layering and slicing to produce 3D objects, typically in plastic, based on digital models created through your choice of software.
• LED printers: These are new and do not fit into the above categories. They use a light-emitting diode that draws images by heating the ink. LED printers are reliable and can handle large printing runs without a hitch. LED printers use light-emitting technology to print rather than ink or toner cartridges. Since the ink is not a liquid, it does not have to be replaced often. However, LED printers do have limitations and are more expensive than other models.
• A3 printers: These printers are made to print on paper larger than A4-sized paper. The military and large companies use them. They are more expensive because of their larger size, but they also have more advanced functions. A3-sized paper is used for posters and other large documents.

What’s the best printer for you?

Although there are many different types of printers, each with its unique features and benefits, it is important to understand them in terms of functionality and when considering the device’s size and weight. Indeed, printers vary from small portable devices to large office machines. They come in various designs with varying levels of ease of use. Since the industry has grown and is technologically advanced, the market has become very competitive. There are now many branded, affordable models from which to choose, but the decision requires careful consideration of many factors. If you’re considering purchasing a new printer, here’s what you need to know about some of the essential elements:

• Price: Printers range in price, but they are generally affordable. Traditional office printers can set you back anywhere between $70 to several thousands of dollars. It’s always a good idea to get the most value for your money, especially when budgets are tight in the workplace.
• Size and weight: Size matters more than weight when choosing a printer, as you’ll want to ensure that the device can be placed on a desk without taking up too much space. Many printers today are designed to fit right on top of other office equipment.
• Print speed: The speed of the printer is measured in pages per minute and determines how quickly you can get on with your work. There are, however, other factors that contribute to printing speed, such as the printer’s memory and processor. A faster print speed also allows for more processes at once, helping you save time because you can complete more tasks in a short space of time. Having a faster processor and more extensive memory help to achieve this.
• Duty cycle: The duty cycle of your printer refers to how many pages it can print per minute. Over the years, printers have improved in several areas, but their duty cycle has remained the same. Most printers have a duty cycle ranging from 600 pages to a remarkable 2,000 pages.
• Color: The amount of color your printer can produce can greatly vary the outcome. It depends on the size of the printer and whether it has multiple cartridges. Most color printers use four or five different inks to produce different colors.
• Network: Many new models have different networking options, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet. A printer with Wi-Fi allows you to connect to it wirelessly and transfer documents directly to your computer or iPad. These printers are ideal for anyone looking to make the most of their time and save paper by saving directly to digital format than printing a hard copy.
• Noise: If a printer is used in an office, it is important to consider how loud it is when operating. Some models can produce up to 73 decibels of noise; you should choose one that produces the least amount of noise.
• Paper type: There are two types of paper. One is designed to print text, while the other is designed to print images and photos. Most paper is designed to have a C1-C7 sensitivity level, meaning that the color print will depend on the ink. Some papers have anti-static properties, and some are glue resistant, but this requires you to pay extra.
• Ink type: Ink cartridges are the lifeline of most printer models, as they determine the quality of prints. There are two main types of ink cartridges, single-use and reusable. Reusable cartridges have a higher capacity and can produce more prints, but they cost more. On the other hand, single-use costs less and can produce more prints, but it runs out of ink quicker. Since ink costs vary from cartridge to the next, you will want to choose wisely.
• Input: Most printers require input to determine what kind of paper or print is needed. You will want to ensure that the printer you are buying has the information designed for your needs.
• Memory cards: If you plan on printing documents from your smartphone, you will want to make sure that your printer can print directly from memory cards. It is beneficial if you have a reliable internet connection, as it will allow you to transfer files quickly and easily.
• Connectivity: If you want to share your printer with other devices, whether a laptop, USB hub, or wireless access point, make sure that the printer is compatible. Some printers are designed only for a single device; others have multiple ports so that you can connect various computers through one device.
• Paper size: The paper size relates to who will use the printer. Smaller formats and paper types are suitable for home use, while larger sizes are ideal for many business and office applications.
• Resolution: Resolution is essentially how clear the image will look. Bigger printers and resolutions can produce clearer images than smaller printers, but the difference in resolution does not matter for most home users. The resolution and quality of the print depend on the type of paper used.
• Warranty: Many printers come with a comprehensive warranty, so it is important to check on this. Whether it is from the manufacturer or the company designated by the manufacturer, ensure that you purchase a warranty that works for your needs.