10 Best Printers

The Epson EcoTank ET-2860 is a great pick if you want to keep printing costs low without sacrificing quality. It’s an inkjet printer with refillable ink tanks, which means instead of buying pricey cartridges, you refill with bottles that last a very long time — one set can print thousands of pages, roughly equal to 72 standard cartridges. This really helps save money over time, especially if you print regularly. The print quality is solid, offering sharp black and color prints with resolutions up to 1200 dpi (black) and 5760 x 1440 dpi (color), so photos and documents look good.

It's fairly fast too, with up to 33 pages per minute in black and 15 in color, which is decent for home or small office tasks but not for heavy-duty jobs. The 100-sheet paper tray is suitable for everyday use, though it might feel limited if you print large volumes. Connectivity is modern and flexible with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, allowing easy printing from phones, tablets, or laptops using Epson’s app, which also handles scanning and copying. It lacks automatic double-sided printing, which could be a downside if you often print two-sided documents.

Its compact size fits well on a desk without taking up much space. This printer performs well for users who want affordable, hassle-free printing with good quality and wireless convenience but don’t need heavy commercial features or duplex printing.

The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is a versatile ink tank photo printer that boasts a 6-colour ink system, which includes a new grey ink for impressive black and white photos, and is capable of producing high-quality prints up to A3+ size. This makes it a strong candidate for photography enthusiasts looking for vibrant, long-lasting images. The printer offers a mix of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and direct printing from SD cards and USB drives, which provides flexibility for various home and small office setups.

The print quality is notable, although the print speed is moderate, with a maximum of 16 pages per minute for monochrome and 12 pages per minute for colour. This might not be ideal for users needing rapid output, particularly in busy office environments.

One of the printer's standout features is its low operating cost, thanks to the ink tank system that can print up to 2,300 photos before needing a refill, which is both economical and environmentally friendly. Additionally, the included Epson Smart Panel app allows for easy control from smart devices, expanding the printer's usability.

In terms of paper handling, it accommodates various media sizes and types, including a rear tray for specialty media, which is beneficial for artistic projects. The inclusion of heat-free technology ensures energy efficiency and consistent print speeds, though users should be aware of the weight, as at 11.1 kilograms, it is relatively hefty for a home printer.

The printer's DPI might not match some high-end photo printers, yet its balance of cost efficiency, quality output, and connectivity makes it a solid option for hobbyists and small businesses that prioritize printing versatility and operational savings over sheer speed.

The Epson Expression Home XP-4205 is a compact and stylish all-in-one printer that combines printing, scanning, and copying in one device, making it a practical choice for home or small office use. It offers good print quality, with colour prints up to 4800x1200 dpi and sharp black-and-white prints at 5760 dpi, which means your documents and photos will look clear and vibrant. The printer supports double-sided (duplex) printing, helping you save paper.

In terms of speed, it can print up to 33 pages per minute in black and 15 pages per minute in colour, which is decent for everyday tasks but might be slow for heavy or professional use. Connectivity is flexible with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, allowing you to print wirelessly from your phone, tablet, or computer, plus a handy 2.4-inch colour screen lets you operate the printer easily without needing a PC. Paper handling is basic but sufficient for casual users, with a maximum input capacity of 10 sheets, so frequent refilling may be needed if printing large batches.

Operating costs are reasonable thanks to individual ink cartridges (standard and XL sizes), which can help reduce waste and save money over time. However, ink replacement could still add up if you print often. Additional perks include user-friendly smartphone apps for printing photos directly from social media or creating greeting cards. This model is affordable and reliable for light to moderate home printing needs but may not be suitable if high-volume printing or advanced business features are required.