Which printer is better, inkjet or matrix? The main disadvantages of an inkjet printer include

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Greetings, dear reader! 🙂

Today I would like to raise an issue that concerns the universal home printer. Specifically: “Which printer is better to use—laser or inkjet?”

The fact is that a printer for a narrow range of tasks is often purchased only by specialized establishments (a photo lab, for example, prints only photographs) or by people who need to receive prints of only one type of data (for example, photographers). However, most often a home printer is purchased for a universal purpose: for printing text documents, amateur and semi-professional photos. Agree, it is relatively easier to choose a printer for something specific, and much more difficult for general tasks (text, amateur photography...), especially if the printer is required from time to time increased quality fingerprints ( high quality photos). Needed here great knowledge or help from a specialist.

One post cannot describe all the points that need to be taken into account when choosing (there are many of them, and they all depend on YOUR specific requirements and range of tasks), however, I would like to note the very first and most basic one: this is the choice of the TYPE of printer - laser or jet.

In the future, we will return to the topic of choosing a printer more than once.

Actually, the difference between these technologies (we will not delve into the principles of their operation, but note what is important for the common user):

Laser printer— prints with “powder ink”. There are two types: color and black and white. Accordingly, a black-and-white laser printer is suitable for printing only text and documents. It is ideally suited for these tasks. Laser color - suitable for printing images, booklets, etc.

Pros and cons of a B&W laser printer:

Ideal for text

High printing speed

Designed for high print loads

Low cost per print

- not suitable for images

Pros and cons of a color laser printer:

Allows you to print documents and pages that contain images and color schemes.

High print speed (relative to color inkjet printer)

- high price

- not suitable for printing photographs

My recommendations: A B&W laser printer is ideal for an office or home if you don’t have to print color images and photos. For this it is perfect. High printing speed allows you to quickly print large documents/books. High load will allow you to print large volumes completely calmly, guaranteeing uninterrupted operation of the device. Also, the low cost of a print cannot but rejoice. On one refill, the printer allows you to print many pages of text (depending on the specific model).

Regarding a color laser printer, we can say that its use is more reasonable in the office than at home. Firstly, such printers are quite expensive (and refilling them with ink is also expensive). Secondly, they still won’t allow you to print photos (the quality will be very mediocre).

Jet printer— prints with liquid ink. Always in color. There are differences in printing technologies (ink composition, printing principle, minimum size drops…). This type of printer looks ideal as a universal home device print.

Pros and cons of an inkjet printer:

Perfect color printing (ideal for photo printing - darkroom quality prints)

Low price

Low price of one set of cartridges (compared to laser refills)

IN modern models The printing speed is quite high

— with intensive use, cartridges are replaced more often

— high cost of a print (relative to a laser printer)

My recommendations: If you are looking for a printer that can print and term papers, just documents, as well as high-quality photographs, but you don’t want to spend a lot of money on buying this device, then an inkjet printer is what you need (you can buy an excellent inkjet printer for less than 4,000 rubles).

It prints text well (and quite quickly), and does an excellent job of printing photos and images. In color rendering it has no equal among color laser printers. This quality more than offsets the higher cost of a print. Yes, you will have to change cartridges more often, but these intervals can be increased by purchasing a printer that uses ink economically (from my experience, I found out that CANON printers are such).

Scientific and technological progress moves at the speed of a shopaholic on the last day of New Year's discounts, and today everyone has the opportunity to purchase for themselves printing device any type. Naturally, we ask ourselves the question: what should we choose?

Modern manufacturers delight with the breadth of their model range. But before moving on to the actual purchase, it is worthwhile to take a closer look at the functional side of the issue: what is a printer in general, what can it be, what are the disadvantages and advantages of its various types? This is what we will do.

What is a printer?

This technical device, the main purpose of which is to transfer information from an electronic medium to a hard medium - paper. The resulting document is called a printout.

This technological achievement has confidently migrated from printing shops and large offices to compact work desks in cozy apartments.

Now it has become an indispensable home assistant in situations where you need to print a text document or even a photo.

Multifunctional devices (MFPs) are very popular among consumers, which most often combine the following functions:

printing;
scanning;
copy machine.

There are also models with telefax. This is very convenient for efficient work in the office.

These devices have their own set-up and operation features, but we will not dwell on them in detail, but will return directly to the main topic. In accordance with the principle of operation, there are several types printing technology, each of which we will consider separately.

Types of printing devices and their functions

There are several criteria for selection various types printing equipment:

principle of operation;
features of color layout;
type of suitable ink;
type of source material being printed.

According to these criteria and chronologically, matrix technology was one of the first to be used in printing.

The image was applied to the sheet using a special print head with a certain fixed number of needles that move under the influence of electromagnets. The head, moving along the sheet, hit the ink ribbon, leaving a mark on the paper - a dot. Accordingly, the more needles, the clearer the image. Nowadays this principle is used only for checks in cash registers.

There are sublimation printing machines that are not widely used and are now used only in printing, because they have a special high level color rendition. Also, devices based on rotating drum technology are no longer very popular.

Its surface was embossed, with various letters and numbers on it. The width of the drum was the same as the width of the sheet, and the number of alphabet rings was equal to the maximum allowed number of characters in each line. It should be noted that this type was the first produced in the world, and to this day drum technology is considered the fastest.

Of course, most often in modern offices and homes you can find either laser or inkjet printing machines. Therefore, we will pay more attention to their consideration.

Video: Printer, which is better?

Laser printer

Technology laser printing existed at the beginning of the 20th century and was called electrography, later it began to be called xerography. It is distinguished by high quality of printed material, speed, and low cost per unit of printing.

The central link in the principle of operation of such a device is the photodrum, the main property of which is to retain an electric charge corresponding to each point on its surface.

The beam from a special scanner hits the mirror, due to which the surface of the photodrum subsequently acquires a positive charge.

The charged areas form the image. Toner (special coloring powder) spills onto the drum and concentrates at charged points, creating a pattern.

Thus, speed increases significantly, as does quality. In addition, the printed material is very resistant to external influences. The design will not deteriorate due to moisture, and the color will not fade.

Jet printer

The technology of applying an image to a sheet is similar to a matrix technology, only instead of needles there is a print head with liquid ink. The image is also created using dots. The print head can be attached directly to the cartridge where the ink is located, or located in the machine itself, which makes it easier to change ink.

Such “printers” differ in the basis of the ink they use.

They can be:

There are also alcohol-based inks, but they are not popular because they dry quickly on the surface of the print head.

This technique has become widespread in many fields of activity, according to which they distinguish:

Which is better: inkjet or laser printer?

When deciding which unit is best for you, it would be appropriate to compare the characteristics of both:

If we talk about what is better for the home – a laser or inkjet printer, then you should pay attention to all these nuances, as well as at what frequency and in what volumes you are going to print. The larger they are, the more appropriate it is to lean towards electrographic technology.

Video: Features of choice

Pros of devices

The main advantages of an inkjet printer include:

If you choose which is better for photos - a laser or an inkjet printer, the second one will definitely be more appropriate and effective, because it conveys colors better and makes them brighter.

The main advantages of a laser printer include:

the cost per printed page is low;
the work speed is very high;
ideal for working with voluminous text material;
designed for high loads;
does not require frequent refueling;
gives a moisture-resistant print;
Can print on almost any type of paper without degrading image quality.

Disadvantages of devices

The main disadvantages of an inkjet printer include:

The main disadvantages of a laser printer include:

high energy consumption;
high cost of the device;
unsuitable for photo printing;
suitable for use only with black and white images and texts;
refueling at home is excluded;
Toner is harmful to health; after finishing work, it is recommended to ventilate the room.

If you are faced with a choice between the described units, be guided first by your financial capabilities. Laser - expensive to purchase, economical to use. Inkjet - relatively cheap, but expensive to maintain. Pay attention to the volume of printed material: several documents per month will not pay for an expensive purchase, but daily printing is another matter.

To choose the best printer for home use, it is worth paying attention to three main parameters: color, printing technology and form factor. Based on the first criterion, devices are divided into color and black and white (monochrome). Color equipment uses separate or combined cartridges for several colors, while monochrome equipment uses only one cartridge with black ink. Accordingly, to obtain a color image, models of the first type are used.

How to Choose the Best Printer for Home Use

Among all operating technologies, inkjet and laser devices can be distinguished. The main differences are the type of ink used and the method of image formation. The consumption of ink (liquid ink or toner) and the durability of the resulting image depend on these factors. There are also matrix, sublimation and thermal printers, which are almost never used at home. The main reasons are the obsolescence of technology (relevant for matrix and letter), the high price of sublimation printing devices and the commercial scope of thermal printers. General recommendations the choice of device depends on the subsequent work scenarios:

According to the form factor, printers can be separate or combined with a scanner. Devices used to scan, print, and copy documents are called multifunction devices (MFPs). Naturally, they are more expensive than conventional printers, but they allow you to save space and copy to offline mode, without connecting to a computer. Separately, we can highlight large-format equipment and plotters, which are rarely used at home due to the narrow specialization of the tasks performed.

Laser printers

The main component of a laser printer is the photoconductor, which is an aluminum cylinder coated with a photosensitive material. During printing, a mirror copy of the image is applied line by line to the drum using static electricity. After this, powder paint particles with a negative charge stick to the electrified areas of the rotating cylinder. Next, the image is transferred to the sheet and fixed by heating to a temperature of about 200 degrees.

The paint used is a powder toner consisting of small particles of a special magnetic polymer.

It is important to know! Compared to inkjet printers that use liquid ink, laser printers use less toner and higher speed work. Therefore, at home, the choice of such devices is relevant for large volumes of printing.

In terms of the quality of the printed image, laser equipment is also superior to inkjet equipment. Text and pictures are clear, they do not fade over time and are not blurred by moisture.

Another advantage of laser devices is ease of maintenance. The powder toner does not become unusable after prolonged inactivity. The cartridges of such devices cannot leak and do not require regular use. Most models support refilling the cartridge with toner. To perform this, it is better to contact a specialist, since at home you can add toner, but it will not always be possible to reset the page counter on the cartridge chip. As a result of this refilling, the device will not work even if the toner tank is full.

The high price is the main disadvantage of such equipment. Black and white laser printers are often more expensive than color inkjet printers. However, the price of finished prints will be lower. When choosing a device, focus not only on its cost, but also on the price of consumables. For long-term use, a laser printer may be more cost-effective than an inkjet printer. The disadvantage of color laser equipment is poor quality printing photos. Solid toner particles mix less well than liquid ink, resulting in poor color reproduction.

The best laser printer manufacturers

The best manufacturers in the laser printer market are Canon, Xerox and HP. For use at home or in a small office, you can opt for an inexpensive but high-quality device Canon i-SENSYS LBP6030, printing up to 18 sheets per minute. Also available is the LBP6030 version with wireless module, supporting WiFi connection. For large print volumes, it is better to choose, for example, the HP LaserJet P2035, which has a speed of up to 30 pages per minute. This model also has a larger paper input tray that can hold 250 sheets.

Important tip! Cartridges of some models are not designed for refilling with toner, since they do not have a hole through which powder can be poured. Therefore, before making the final choice of a printer, it is advisable to consult on issues of ease of use and subsequent maintenance.

Inkjet printers for home

Inkjet-type devices apply liquid ink directly to paper, without the use of a drum or other intermediate components. The ink is water based. Pigments, solvents and other additives account for only 20% of their composition. During printing, the printer driver divides the image into individual dots. The print head then passes over the surface of the page and microscopic droplets of ink are sprayed into targeted areas.

Color inkjet printers have a separate reservoir for black ink and several containers for color ink. Typically, when creating color images, three colors are used: cyan, magenta and yellow. Mixing them in different proportions allows you to get other colors. On some models, the volume of the black cartridge exceeds the volume of the color cartridges. This is due to the fact that black color is more often used for printing text documents, so it runs out faster.

A long period of inactivity can cause water to evaporate and solids to build up inside the tank. The result of this is the drying out of the cartridge, which requires lengthy and labor-intensive cleaning to eliminate. In some cases, a dried out cartridge cannot be restored, so it needs to be replaced. When choosing a home printer, keep in mind that inkjet devices require regular switching on to print at least a few pages. During operation, the contents of the cartridge are mixed, and the nozzles in its heads are cleaned.

Note! When washing the print head and cartridges, do not use liquids containing ethyl alcohol. For these purposes, solutions based on distilled water are recommended.

Best Inkjet Printer Manufacturers

The most popular manufacturers in the inkjet printing market are Epson, Samsung, HP and Canon. Among specific models can choose Canon PIXMA ip 7240, which has high resolution and supports automatic two-sided printing. The device is also suitable for printing on CD/DVD, photo paper and plain paper of different weights. Model equipped WiFi module and supports direct printing from cameras, flash drives or other USB-connected devices.

Printers with CISS

With inkjet printing, the ink runs out quite quickly (on average, one cartridge is enough for 200-300 pages). Therefore, if you use the printer frequently, it makes sense to install a continuous ink supply system (CISS). It consists of vessels with ink different color and tubes that are supplied to the print head. The system can be installed at home or in service center. In the future, you will need to replenish reservoirs with low ink and reset the counter of printed pages installed on the printing machine.

The use of such a system is most relevant for photographic printing, which consumes a large number of paints. When choosing a photo printer for your home, pay attention to models with built-in CISS. A good choice would be the Canon PIXMA G 1400, Epson L486 or other models with similar technical characteristics. To extend the life of the print head, use original ink when refilling the continuous feed system.

It is important to know! Depending on the ink used and the type of printer, CISS can reduce the final cost of printing by 20-60 times. But when traces are found self-installation this system, the device manufacturer may refuse to fulfill warranty obligations.

"What's better, laser MFP or inkjet?" - a question that worries many. Multifunctional devices were first created in 1977 by the Xerox company. They are intended for printing and copying images. Today, there are laser and inkjet MFPs. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. In order to understand which is better - a laser MFP or an inkjet one, you need to understand the design of these devices. Additionally, a lot depends on the manufacturers.

Laser MFP device

Any color laser MFP for home has a special mirror. The beam from the drum hits him. There is also a large image drum that wraps paper around itself. The toner is installed nearby, and with its help the image is directly transferred to the page. For this purpose, there is additionally a special transfer roller. At the back of the laser device there is a stove that brings the paper to a certain temperature. This is enough to burn the toner and fix the image on the sheet.

A primary charge shaft is provided for waste powder. Additionally, there is a squeegee for cleaning the photodrum from toner. Also in all laser devices a blade is installed that protects the paper. The toner compartment of laser MFPs consists of a seal, a hopper and a seal. At the same time, there is a system that monitors the uniform distribution of toner on the paper.

How do inkjet devices work?

For the most part, inkjet MFPs have a similar design. They include the printing mechanism, paper feeding system and control unit. Manufacturers also establish a control scheme that different models is different. The printing mechanism consists of a head, which is located in the center of the inkjet MFP. There are also ink cartridges that come in different types. Next, a motor is installed, which is responsible for rotating the head. A belt is connected to it for these purposes. Lastly, there is a stabilizer rod in the printing mechanism. It is necessary for accurate printing and is responsible for the vibrations that occur inside the head.

The paper supply system consists of a tray and rollers. Additionally, there is a separate motor for scrolling the sheet. The paper itself passes through the rollers inside the inkjet MFP.

The power supplies of the above devices are usually standard. Previously, bulky transformers were used for this purpose. These days, power supplies don't take up much space. The control system of the inkjet MFP is presented in the form of an electrical circuit. Her job is to decode the data. Additionally, the control system allows you to transfer information to a personal computer and back.

Some models of inkjet MFPs are also installed. In other cases, they are replaced by a serial device. Manufacturers can also install small ports computing systems. There are two types of ink spray technology in string MFPs. The first is the thermal bubble system. Most often it can be found in models of the Canon and Hewlett Packard. The second type of atomization is called a piezoelectric system. It is based on the work of special piezocrystals. This technology was patented by Epson.

Advantages of laser models

The main advantage of laser MFPs is fast printing. If we talk about large volumes of work, then this is simply an irreplaceable device. In this regard, it is very superior to regular MFPs. However, it is the first sheet of paper that will take a long time. Bound this fact with the need to warm up the photodrum. The second advantage lies in the simplicity of the device. The need for its repair occurs extremely rarely, and it is quite simple to maintain. Unlike inkjet MFPs, there is no need to constantly worry about ink problems.

What are the disadvantages of laser devices?

Color laser MFPs for the home, of course, also have disadvantages. First of all, it hits the pocket hard. You can especially notice the difference if you choose a color laser MFP. Additionally, it takes up a lot of space, and it is quite difficult to place it on the table. Another drawback lies in the cartridges of laser MFPs. Like the devices themselves, they are expensive on the market. Despite their large resource, sometimes it is the price of cartridges that stops many potential buyers.

Pros of inkjet models

The main advantage of inkjet MFPs is their low cost. Most models are available to absolutely everyone. Moreover, the housings of these devices are quite compact. All this allows you to place the inkjet MFP almost on the edge of the table. Plus, they print the first page much faster than laser ones. Taking this into account, if we talk about one document, then inkjet MFPs are the leaders here.

Additionally, it is possible to supply cartridges directly, which are very cheap. By the way, you can refuel them absolutely independently without any problems. You can print on different types paper. The ink adheres perfectly to both matte and glossy surfaces. The final advantage of inkjet MFPs lies in print quality. It is simply excellent, and if we talk about photographs, then ink is simply irreplaceable in this situation.

Cons of inkjet devices

Unfortunately, inkjet MFPs also have disadvantages. First of all, this is the printing speed. If you have to work with a large volume, then it will take a long time. Some models are close to the speed of laser MFPs, but there is a problem. The second drawback lies in the maintenance of these devices. The ink often dries out and has to be replaced. In some cases, you just need to replace the cartridge. To solve the problem, you need to periodically use inkjet MFPs to warm up. This will always waste ink.

Hewlett Packard laser models

“Which MFP is better to choose?” - a complex question, but Hewlett Packard has long established itself with positive side, and she has a lot to offer. Laser models of this trademark differ from others in their reliability. It is possible to work with paper of various densities. average speed printing speed is 25 pages per minute.

Additionally, many models are equipped with a fax. OS supports a wide variety. Additionally, you can note user-friendly interface. On average, the memory of these devices is 128 MB. In general, they can be described as productive. Most popular model believed to be Hewlett Packard M1536dnf. This laser MFP has good reviews from customers.

Hewlett Packard Inkjet Products

Hewlett Packard inkjet MFPs significantly exceed print resolution parameters laser models. It is possible to print on photo paper, as well as gloss. Additionally, there is a function for optimized resolution of work with personal computer. A variety of paper sizes can be skipped. However, the recommended sheet density is 75 g per square meter. m. On average, the printing speed is 4 pages per minute. In turn, the first sheet is ready in 24 seconds. The boundaries of the printing area are quite extensive. You can also select a wide range of colors.

Power consumption is insignificant and allows you to save money. When in operation, the Hewlett Packard inkjet MFP consumes approximately 10 W. At the same time, only 2 W are consumed in standby mode. Also, in many models, manufacturers have installed a sleep mode system. When activated, the Hewlett Packard inkjet MFP consumes 0.9 W. One of the features is the presence of special contact image sensors. In general, the color depth is approximately 24 bits. Additionally, there is a scanning input mode. Copy speed is 4.5 sheets per minute.

How are Canon laser MFPs different?

Many models have a good maximum print resolution. This figure came very close to Canon inkjet MFPs. Additionally, we can note the good quality of document scanning. A wide variety of paper formats and densities are allowed. At the same time, the ability to work with photo paper or matte surface, of course, is missing. The average print speed is 23 pages per minute.

As a rule, Canon laser MFP is equipped with a fax. The printing boundaries are quite extensive: the top, bottom and sides are 5 mm. Management is generally satisfactory. Many models are equipped with a convenient display for this purpose. Common memory Most models are at the 256 MB level. Operating systems support a variety. However, the Canon laser MFP consumes quite a lot of power. In operating condition, the device consumes approximately 500 W. In standby mode, power consumption is 5.4 W.

All this makes us think about the cost-effectiveness of laser MFPs. Moreover, their dimensions are quite impressive. On average, a Canon laser MFP model has a height of 390 mm, a length of 440 mm, and a depth of 360 mm. In this case, the weight of the device will be approximately 12 kg. Model Canon MF217W (laser MFP) for suitable for home Great.

Canon inkjet models

Most Canon inkjet MFPs boast good optical resolution. In this case, the droplet size is 2 pl. The density of printing paper is allowed from 64 to 105 g per square meter. m. Additionally, it is possible to work with photo paper. On average, a Canon inkjet MFP model produces 10 sheets per minute. If we talk about color printing, That this parameter drops to 6 sheets per minute. In turn, photo printing takes an average of 44 seconds. Additionally, you can highlight the ability to print without borders. The interface is generally pleasant and many will like it.

You can also highlight the cost-effectiveness of inkjet MFP models. On average, only 0.7 W is consumed. When copying, the Canon inkjet MFP consumes only 0.19 W. The dimensions of most models are quite compact. On average, the height of the device is 300 mm, the length is 440 mm, and the depth is only 150 mm. In this case, the weight of the device is on average 5.5 kg. The Canon MG4240 model is in greatest demand. This MFP has only positive reviews.

Summarizing

"Which is better - laser MFP or inkjet?" - a question to which there is no clear answer. However, first of all, it is necessary to determine the requirements that will be imposed on the device. If you look from the point of view of print quality, then the leaders in this regard are inkjet MFPs. They are simply irreplaceable for working with photographs.

However, this class of equipment is definitely not suitable for offices. Documents must be printed quickly. In this case, there should be no problems with the device. From this point of view, laser MFPs are clearly becoming the leader. Considering all of the above, the question is: “Which is better - a laser MFP or an inkjet one?” - must be considered on a case by case basis.

There is no need to explain the purpose of the printer to anyone. Without this brilliant invention of mankind, the life of modern schoolchildren and students would be much more difficult, and no one would be able to print photos at home. The only thing better than a printer is an MFP, a multifunctional device that allows you to copy and scan. Some devices can also send a fax, and given that the speed and printing technology may differ, it will be difficult to navigate the existing assortment. Let's figure out how to choose a printer for your home and understand which technology will be preferable in certain conditions. We will also highlight the best printers for home 2017/2018.

Let's not pull the cat by the tail, and understand all the complex and boring intricacies of the device different printers– let’s get straight to the point and find out what parameters should be used to base the choice of a home or office assistant.

No. 1. Printing technology

The following types of printers are suitable for home:

inkjet printers. These are compact and inexpensive devices that print well in both black and white and color. If you are going to print mainly photos, then it is better to take an inkjet printer. The printing technology involves spraying drops of ink through the nozzles of print heads. The main disadvantage you will encounter only some time after the purchase is cartridge replacement cost, which is sometimes almost the same as the cost of a new printer. You can cheat and refill the device with ink yourself, but a number of manufacturers put special chips on the cartridges that do not allow them to be reused - you will have to buy new cartridge. Another problem is ink drying out and print heads clogging, so it's better to print something regularly. You can reduce the cost of each printed sheet thanks to CISS installation (continuous printing feed system) – relevant for those who print a lot of photos;
laser printers. The cost is higher than that of inkjet, and the price of each printed page, on the contrary, is very low. You don't have to refill the printer every month or month and a half: average toner life – 1000 pages. Printing is carried out powder paint, which is located in the toner. If you need to print a lot of reports, abstracts and other black and white documents, then a laser printer is the best choice. economical and least problem solution. There is no need to clean anything, but pages print very quickly. There are color laser printers, but they are not suitable for printing photos, as they transfer basic shades to paper. But they will cope with printing charts, graphs and other simple illustrations with a bang;
sublimation printer When printing, it uses the process of sublimation, the transition of dye from a solid state to a gaseous state, and is fixed on paper. The technology provides very accurate color reproduction, but is expensive. This is an option for a keen photographer who wants to organize a whole photo printing studio at home.

Is there some more thermal printers, which are used to print receipts in supermarkets and ATMs. They require special paper, and the text on it appears due to the point effect high temperature. Is not home option, as well as solid ink printer. The latter is very similar to laser, only its color printing is of higher quality, it prints quickly and is very expensive.

No. 2. Color or black and white?

For students and office workers, black and white printing is usually sufficient. Perfect fit black and white laser printer, which can handle large volumes and print everything quickly. If you plan to frequently print color images, then it is more profitable to take color inkjet printer with CISS. Print color is one of the the most important parameters printer, so before purchasing it is very important to think through the main printing scenarios.

No. 3. Paper size

Most household printers print on paper A4 format, and you don’t need more. In 98% of cases. Therefore, you don’t need to bother too much with this parameter if you don’t need to print large drawings. In this case, it is better to pay attention to printers that can print on paper A3 format. There are office professional printers that print on paper A2 and A1. On the contrary, there are smaller printers that can print on pages format A5 and A6. These are used to produce sublimation printers, as well as compact portable devices.

By the way, paper trays are also different. For a home, one that holds a small number of pages, 50-150, is suitable, but for an office it is better to choose a larger option.

No. 4. Print speed

If you are going to print a lot and constantly, then to save nerves and save time, it is better to take a device with a higher printing speed (measured in pages/minute). Even the simplest laser printer will not make you nervous - it prints very quickly. With jets everything is more complicated. If black and white printing they are given even more or less quickly, then a color print has to wait up to 2 minutes.

No. 5. Additional features

We won’t even talk about the fact that there are MFPs that can not only print, but also copy and scan. These are such popular devices that when we talk about printers, we often mean printer + scanner + copier.

Among additional functions can be distinguished:

automatic two-sided printing useful in the office when print volumes are high and there is no time to constantly manually turn sheets. Students, as a rule, need one-sided printing, and if necessary, you can turn the sheet over several times and not overpay for this function;
ability to connect to the network. This is also a function for offices, although in certain conditions it will also be useful at home. Network printers connect not to one specific computer, but to an entire network, and you can print a document from any computer in it. Typically, the connection is made to local network wired way, but it is also possible wireless connection via Wi-Fi, if the printer and all network devices support this technology. In this case, you can print documents and photos even from a smartphone;
memory card slot allows you to print a photo immediately after it is taken. All you have to do is remove the memory card from the camera, insert it into the printer, press a few buttons and get a printed frame. The function is practically not in demand in everyday life;
Fax necessary in the office, and even then not always, so don’t overpay for unnecessary features.

If the noise level is important, then pay attention to this parameter. As for manufacturers, printers have long and firmly established themselves in the market Canon, HP, Xerox, Epson and Samsung.

Best printers for home 2017/2018

Canon PIXMA MG3040

An excellent MFP, compact, convenient and functional. Suitable for printing documents and photos. The latter come out of very decent quality, since the minimum The volume of the drop here is only 2 pl. The volume of a drop can be compared to the size of a pixel: the smaller it is, the clearer the picture. Maximum color printing resolution – 4800*1200, black and white – 1200*1200, one color photography size 10*15 cm will print 44 s – good indicator. The printer can print not only on plain paper, but also photo paper, glossy paper and envelopes. The model has a built-in Wi-Fi module (function AirPrint allows you to print documents wirelessly), a small screen and consumes 10 W during operation. The problem of quickly running out of ink can be solved by refilling it yourself. For the money, this is an excellent printer, compact, not very noisy and with high print quality.

Ricoh SP 150w

Good laser printer. For an affordable price, the user receives an economical printing device. Black and white prints with a maximum resolution of 1200*600 will be output with high speed, the printer needs 25 seconds to warm up. It is possible to print on labels, films, envelopes, and cards. The printer has a Wi-Fi module, consumes 800 W during operation, and prints quietly. Setting up the device is simple and easy; its advantages also include compactness, but the disadvantage is the lack of AirPrint technology, which is very strange given the presence Wi-Fi module. When installing special application It becomes possible to print wirelessly, but only images. Otherwise, everything is fine - this is a good desktop option for printing documents.

Canon PIXMA G3400

The price, of course, is steep, but if you carefully look at what you get for your money, the savings are obvious. The printer is already equipped CISS, so it will use ink as economically as possible, a color cartridge will be enough to print 7000 prints, black and white - 6000. The quality of color printing is excellent, the minimum drop size is 2 pl, the maximum resolution is 4800 * 1200, however, wait until the photo It will take longer to print. A photograph measuring 10*15 cm is printed in 60 s. The device scans, of course, faster – it takes 19 seconds to scan an A4 sheet. Among other things, the printer has Wi-Fi support and AirPrint, consumes 14 W during operation. The only downside is the price, but according to reviews, this device is worth every penny and is called by many users one of best printers for home.

Xerox Phaser 3020BI

Xerox focuses on professional printing equipment. This model, for example, is intended for a small office, but will also work as a home printer. The device copes with its main task with a bang - it prints efficiently and quickly, is capable of producing up to 15,000 pages per month, allows you to print on films, labels, cards, glossy and matte paper, it has a Wi-Fi interface and the ability to print wirelessly AirPrint . During operation it consumes 313 W, one toner will last for a really long time. An excellent option for students, teachers, office workers and anyone who has to type a lot. For a laser printer, this device is quite compact.

Epson L486

One of the best printers for those who plan to print color photos a lot and often. This module is distinguished from numerous analogues by its printing technology. It does not use thermal inkjet printing, but piezoelectric jet technology. It allows you to make better quality prints, adjust the droplet size and provides high print resolution. The print head is attached to the printer itself, and not to a replacement cartridge. This machine can print from maximum resolution 5760*1440 at a fairly high speed. Minimum drop volume 3 pl. Borderless printing is supported. It will take 69 seconds to print the photo. Already installed on the printer CISS, there is support AirPrint and memory cards. All this is worth the money and will pay off with interest.

Canon PIXMA G1400

An excellent option in terms of price/quality ratio. The printer is equipped CISS, prints good quality photo, minimum drop size 2 pl, Consumables inexpensive, so if you have to print a lot, both in color and in black and white, this good model, only there is no copier and scanner here- be careful.

Samsung Xpress M2070W

A good device for a small office or home if you need to print a lot. The device is quite simple to operate, prints quickly, makes noise at 50 dB and consumes 310 W. You can change the scale when copying. In general, the device is very good, there are minor glitches, but they do not spoil the impression of the device.

HP DeskJet Ink Advantage Ultra 4729

A decent inkjet printer that does a good job of printing documents and photos. It works quickly, does not make much noise, takes up little space, is simple and convenient to use, great for home use, and economical. The cartridge resource is sufficient, and consumables are not very expensive. In terms of price/quality ratio it is a very good printer.

Canon PIXMA MG2540S

Let's finish our rating of the best printers for the home very cheap device. It is well suited for those who print often, but not a lot. It is difficult to judge this device strictly, given its cost. WITH basic functions it does an excellent job, it prints documents and color images normally, but you can’t print photos with it highest quality It’s unlikely to work - for this you need a slightly different device. The main disadvantage is the inability to refill the cartridge and install the CISS, since there is a chip that requires replacing the cartridge after a certain number of printed pages. This is still a good option for home use.