Imagine this: you have an important document that needs to be shared, but it’s only on paper. Or maybe you need to make a copy of your child’s artwork to keep forever. What if you could do both – print and scan – with just one amazing device? That’s where a printer scanner, also called an all-in-one printer, comes in handy!
But choosing the perfect printer scanner can feel like a maze. There are so many different kinds, and they all promise different things. Do you need one that prints super fast? Or one that makes perfect copies? It’s easy to get confused and overwhelmed. This can lead to buying a device that doesn’t quite fit your needs, which can be frustrating and a waste of money.
Don’t worry, though! This blog post is here to help you navigate the world of printer scanners. We’ll break down what you need to know so you can pick the best one for your home or office. By the end, you’ll understand the important features to look for and feel confident in your choice. Let’s dive in and discover how to find your perfect printing and scanning partner!
Our Top 5 Printer Scanner Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Printer Scanner Detailed Reviews
1. Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan
Rating: 8.9/10
The Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer is a workhorse for small businesses. It’s a 3-in-1 device, meaning it prints, scans, and copies, all in a small package. This printer is designed to help you get more done quickly and efficiently, and it prints in crisp black and white.
What We Like:
- It’s built for busy small businesses, combining printing, scanning, and copying into one compact unit.
- It prints documents super fast, up to 36 pages per minute, and scans quickly too.
- The 50-page automatic document feeder makes scanning and copying multi-page documents a breeze, saving you time.
- You can connect it in several ways: wirelessly with dual-band Wi-Fi, through an Ethernet cable, or directly to your computer with USB.
- The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you print, scan, and manage the printer from your phone or tablet, even when you’re not at your desk.
- It works with Alexa, so you can use voice commands.
- The Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service can save you money on toner and ensures you never run out. A free trial is included!
What Could Be Improved:
- It only prints in black and white, so it’s not suitable for color printing needs.
- The initial setup of the mobile app and subscription service might take a little time.
This Brother printer is a solid choice for small businesses that need a reliable and fast monochrome printer. Its many connection options and mobile app support make it a convenient addition to any office.
2. Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer
Rating: 8.5/10
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer is a great choice for home use. It’s a black, wireless printer that can print, copy, scan, and fax. It also has an auto document feeder, which makes scanning and copying multiple pages super easy. You can print from your phone or tablet with mobile printing. Plus, it has a built-in fax machine, so you can send and receive faxes right from the printer.
What We Like:
- It’s a 4-in-1 printer, meaning it does print, copy, scan, and fax.
- It has an Auto Document Feeder (ADF) for quick multi-page copying and scanning.
- You can print wirelessly from your phone or tablet, which is really convenient.
- It offers auto 2-sided printing, saving you paper.
- The printer can produce quality documents, photos, and borderless prints up to 8.5″ x 11″.
- It’s ENERGY STAR certified, so it’s good for the environment and can save you money on electricity.
- The printer can connect to Alexa, helping you reorder ink when you’re running low without needing a subscription.
- Ink cartridges are designed for easy installation and replacement.
- It has a 100-sheet paper capacity, which is good for most home needs.
What Could Be Improved:
- The print speed is 8.8 pages per minute for black and white and 4.4 pages per minute for color, which might be a bit slow for heavy printing jobs.
- While it has a built-in fax, many people don’t use fax machines anymore, so it might be an unnecessary feature for some.
This Canon PIXMA TR4720 is a versatile printer that offers many helpful features for a home office. Its wireless capabilities and smart ink reordering make it a convenient choice for everyday printing needs.
3. HP DeskJet 4227e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.9/10
The HP DeskJet 4227e is a fantastic all-in-one printer designed for your home. It can print, scan, and copy all sorts of documents, from to-do lists and letters to recipes and financial papers. It’s built to make printing easy and efficient for everyday tasks.
What We Like:
- The HP AI feature is a game-changer. It automatically formats web pages and emails so you don’t waste paper or get weird layouts.
- It offers wireless printing, and its Wi-Fi connection is super reliable, fixing issues on its own.
- You can print, scan, and copy right from your phone or tablet using the easy HP app.
- It comes with a 3-month Instant Ink trial, which means ink gets delivered to your door before you run out.
- The compact design fits perfectly in any home, and the simple LCD screen makes it easy to use.
- It’s made with at least 60% recycled plastic and is ENERGY STAR and EPEAT Certified, so it’s good for the environment.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print speeds are a bit slower for color (5.5 ppm) compared to black and white (8.5 ppm).
- The printer only works with HP cartridges, which means you can’t use other brands.
The HP DeskJet 4227e is a user-friendly and smart printer for home use. Its helpful AI features and convenient app make printing a breeze.
4. HP DeskJet 4255e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 9.2/10
Meet the HP DeskJet 4255e, your new home printing buddy! This all-in-one printer handles printing, scanning, and copying with ease. It’s designed for busy households, perfect for printing to-do lists, letters, and even those delicious recipes you found online. Plus, you get a 3-month trial of HP Instant Ink, so you’ll never run out of ink unexpectedly.
What We Like:
- HP’s AI makes printing web pages and emails super neat. It fixes layouts so you don’t waste paper.
- Printing, copying, and scanning are all simple. The auto document feeder is a time-saver.
- Wireless printing is reliable. It automatically fixes connection problems.
- The HP app lets you print from your phone or tablet easily.
- It’s compact and fits well in any home.
- The printer is made with recycled plastic and is good for the environment.
- You get a 3-month Instant Ink trial to start.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print speeds are a bit slow for color printing (5.5 ppm).
- The printer only works with HP ink cartridges.
- The Instant Ink service requires a subscription after the trial period.
The HP DeskJet 4255e is a smart choice for home users who need a simple and reliable all-in-one printer. Its AI features and convenient app make everyday printing tasks a breeze.
5. HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.6/10
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is a fantastic all-in-one printer designed for busy offices. It handles printing, scanning, copying, and even faxing with ease. This printer is especially good at creating professional-looking color documents, making your presentations and flyers stand out. Plus, it comes with a 3-month trial of HP Instant Ink, so you get ink delivered right to your door!
What We Like:
- Produces professional-quality color prints for presentations, brochures, and flyers.
- HP AI helps print web pages and emails perfectly, avoiding wasted paper.
- Fast printing speeds: up to 18 ppm in color and 22 ppm in black.
- Includes convenient features like auto 2-sided printing and scanning, an auto document feeder, and a 250-sheet paper tray.
- Reliable dual-band Wi-Fi automatically fixes connection problems.
- The HP app makes printing, scanning, copying, and faxing easy from your smartphone, PC, or tablet.
- Comes with a 3-month trial of HP Instant Ink for worry-free ink delivery.
- HP Wolf Pro Security protects your data and network from cyber threats.
- A large 2.7-inch touchscreen with a simple interface makes navigation a breeze.
- Made with over 40% recycled plastic, showing a commitment to sustainability.
What Could Be Improved:
- The printer only works with HP cartridges, so you can’t use other brands.
- Firmware updates will continue to enforce this requirement.
This printer is a solid choice for offices needing reliable and high-quality printing. Its smart features and included ink service make it a convenient and secure option.
Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect Printer Scanner
Are you looking to buy a printer scanner? These amazing devices do more than just print papers; they can also copy and scan documents. This guide will help you find the best one for your needs.
What to Look For: Key Features
When you shop for a printer scanner, pay attention to these important features:
- Printing Speed: How fast does it print pages? This is measured in pages per minute (PPM). Faster speeds are great for busy homes or offices.
- Print Quality: This tells you how clear and sharp your printed pictures and text will be. Look for high resolution (measured in DPI – dots per inch).
- Scanning Resolution: Similar to printing, this shows how detailed your scanned images will be. Higher DPI means better scans.
- Connectivity: How do you connect the printer scanner to your computer or phone? Options include USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. Wi-Fi lets you print from anywhere in your home.
- All-in-One vs. Single Function: Most printer scanners are “all-in-one,” meaning they print, scan, and copy. Some might also fax.
- Ink Type: There are two main types: inkjet and laser. Inkjet printers use liquid ink, good for photos. Laser printers use toner powder, great for sharp text and faster printing.
- Automatic Document Feeder (ADF): This handy feature lets you scan or copy multiple pages without putting them on the scanner glass one by one.
Important Materials
Printer scanners are made of plastic and metal. The quality of these materials affects how sturdy and long-lasting the printer is. Well-built printers feel solid and can handle daily use.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
- Things that make it better:
- High DPI for printing and scanning means sharper images and text.
- Good quality ink or toner produces vibrant colors and clear black text.
- Fast processors inside the printer help it work quickly.
- Reliable Wi-Fi connections make printing easy and seamless.
- Things that can make it worse:
- Low resolution can result in blurry prints or scans.
- Cheap ink or toner might fade or look dull.
- Slow printing speeds can be frustrating.
- Poorly made parts can break easily.
User Experience and Use Cases
Printer scanners are super useful for many people.
- For Students: You can print homework, scan notes, and copy important documents.
- For Home Offices: Print reports, scan invoices, and make copies of receipts.
- For Families: Print photos, scan school artwork, and copy recipes.
- For Creatives: Scan drawings and artwork to share or edit.
The best printer scanner for you depends on what you need it for. If you print a lot of photos, an inkjet printer might be best. If you print many documents, a laser printer could be faster and cheaper in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Printer Scanners
Q: What’s the difference between inkjet and laser printers?
A: Inkjet printers spray tiny drops of liquid ink onto paper. They are usually better for printing colorful photos. Laser printers use a powder called toner. They are often faster and produce sharper text, making them good for documents.
Q: Do I need Wi-Fi?
A: Wi-Fi is very convenient. It lets you print from your computer, phone, or tablet without plugging in a cable. It makes sharing the printer easy.
Q: What does DPI mean?
A: DPI stands for “dots per inch.” It measures how many tiny dots of ink or toner the printer can place in one inch. A higher DPI means a sharper and more detailed image or text.
Q: Is an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) worth it?
A: Yes, an ADF is very helpful if you scan or copy many pages at once. It saves you time because you don’t have to lift the lid for each page.
Q: How much should I expect to spend?
A: Prices vary a lot. Simple inkjet printers can start around $50-$100. More advanced models with Wi-Fi and ADF can cost $150-$300 or more.
Q: Can I print photos with any printer scanner?
A: Most inkjet printer scanners are great for photos. Laser printer scanners are usually better for text and graphics, but some can print decent photos too.
Q: What is the best way to connect my printer scanner?
A: USB is a direct and reliable connection. Wi-Fi is great for wireless printing from multiple devices. Ethernet is good for wired network connections in offices.
Q: How do I know if a printer scanner is good quality?
A: Look for good reviews from other users. Check the build quality – does it feel sturdy? High DPI ratings for both printing and scanning are also good signs.
Q: Can I scan documents to my phone?
A: Yes, many modern printer scanners allow you to scan directly to your smartphone or tablet using a special app provided by the manufacturer.
Q: What are the ongoing costs of a printer scanner?
A: The main ongoing cost is ink or toner cartridges. Laser printers often have higher initial costs but cheaper toner over time. Inkjet printers have cheaper printers but more frequent ink purchases.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
My name is Gary Flores, the creator of deepskyblue-owl-132507.hostingersite.com.. With a passion for creating cozy, functional, and beautiful spaces, I share my personal experiences and expertise about everything related to home improvement. From practical tips to design inspiration, my goal is to help you make your home the best it can be.