Finding the right inkjet printer can be confusing, considering the number of printer products on the market today. Reading this guide should help you decide what type of inkjet printer is most suitable to your needs, and what features you would like included in your new product. Now we'll look more closely at our top five picks.
Whether they're being used for work, school, or simply printing out tickets and pictures, printers have become somewhat of a necessity. As technology has developed, so have the types of printers. They range from
wireless printers that can print directly from smart devices to
laser printers that print high-quality documents suitable for businesses and offices. Today, however, we are going to be taking a closer look at inkjet printers.
Inkjet printers are perfect for at-home use, printing school work, photos, and tickets. They also tend to be higher quality than laser printers, as they are able to produce picture-perfect photographs. If you are into
photography, an inkjet printer may be just what you’re looking for! Inkjet ink cartridges also tend to cost much less than other printers, which is great if you're trying to save money. Inkjet printers are all-rounders, with the ability to print text-heavy documents, such as coursework and essays, in a matter of minutes. These printers are also super quiet and take up less desk space than other, heavy-duty products.
There are a few things you will need to consider before buying a printer. Inkjet printers come in a range of sizes, so it’s important to know the dimensions of the space or office area where you will be using the printer. This will save you lots of time and hassle, and prevent you from purchasing a printer that’s much too large in size for your desk or office.
Another thing to consider is print speed, or PPM (pages per minute). Inkjet printers vary in PPM, from 14ppm up to 24ppm. The print speed you favor will depend mostly on how you'll be using the printer. If you will be using your new inkjet printer for office work or coursework and constantly printing multiple pages, a printer with a higher ppm is best. If, however, you are simply using the printer to print pictures and tickets every now and then, a lower ppm printer will be sufficient.
Printers vary dramatically in their maximum printing size, from 8” x 10” to 13”x 19”. Printers with larger printing sizes are ideal for students who are printing graphs and charts for presentations, and those who use graphs and charts at work. Be aware, however, that printers with larger printing sizes tend to be more expensive. If this isn’t a feature that’s particularly important to you, you may want to get a standard printing size printer instead. Finally, not all inkjet printers offer borderless printing. If this is an important feature for you (or your work and business), be sure the printer you have chosen offers this feature.
Price
The cost of your new inkjet printer depends on several factors. Most inkjet printers range from $100 to $250 depending on the features the printer offers and its PPM. Products at the higher end of this scale tend to have a higher PPM (15 to 24) and include the option for borderless printing. Printers in the $200 to $250 price range offer handy features such as wireless printing, scanning and photocopying.
These more expensive products are best suited to those who find themselves printing often for work, school or
photography purposes. If you're using the printer for recreational purposes, there is no need to fork out lots of money for features that you are unlikely to use. Less expensive printers in the $100 to $150 price range will work just as well. There are cheap inkjet printers available on the market (for $80 or less) but these products may not last as long, or produce pictures and documents of high quality.
Features
The features you will want included in your new inkjet printer depend on your own personal preferences and what you will be using the printer for. There are a few things, however, that we recommend keeping an eye out for to ensure you choose a product of the highest quality. Important features include large paper capacity, wireless printing, and compact design.
Construction and Design
We highly recommend selecting an inkjet printer that has a large paper capacity (around 250 pages). This will prevent you from having to constantly reload the printer, which, we all know, can be a rather frustrating task!
Another handy feature to have in your new printer is wireless printing technology. Wireless printers work by connecting directly to your computer, laptop or smart devices through your WIFI network. This allows you to access your printer from anywhere in your home. It also means your printer can be used by several devices at one time.
Look for an inkjet printer with a smooth and compact design. Printers used to be quite large in size and take up a huge chunk of your office space or desk. Today, printers come in a wide range of compact styles and designs. If you are short on work space, either at home or in the office, a compact printer is probably just what you are looking for!
Performance and Ease of Use
Most inkjet printers come with a handy CD and instruction manual informing you how to install your new printer and the software that comes along with it. If you find yourself still at a loss, check out the manufacturer’s website for further help. If you use your printer regularly for work or school, be sure to maintain it properly. Printing leaves behind lots of dust, ink coating and ink overspray.
This can lead to inconsistent paper feeding and streaky printing. To prevent this, clean your printer regularly and thoroughly with either rubbing alcohol or alcohol pads. Simply soak a sheet of paper with the alcohol cleaner and run it through the printer by printing off a large text document. If you are searching for a particularly high-end product, look into printers that print, scan and photocopy. These ones save you from having to buy separate machines and are ideal for those using printers for work or school purposes.
Now you know what types of inkjet printers are available, and what different brands specialize in and have to offer! If you aren’t a fan of the particular products we have decided to feature, these brands have a large selection of printers to choose from. Scroll through their other products to find something that’s right for you! Choose your favorite printer and start printing to your heart’s content!
