Here's my conundrum: I have a printer in my office already. In my daily life, I rarely need to print something. It's usually about a month or two where I have absolutely zero reason to print something, but then something happens or there's a form I need to fill out, and I have to print, sign and scan a few pages.
Right now, that process is invariably:
try to print
Ink in printer is completely solid and blank pages come out
I have to run to the store and buy $40 worth of ink
I can then handle everything I need to do
Obviously this sucks, so I want to buy a printer I can setup once, and hopefully never have to worry about again. I'm guessing a laser printer will fix this.
I also need to be able to scan documents to my computer. I want to connect my printer to my wifi so I can access it without a cable. I don't care if it has copy or email functions, I'll never use them.
EDIT TO POST: I purchased a Brother DCP-L2640DW. It has been 10 months of essentially the exact use case I described above. Every two months I have a sudden need to print and scan some assorted documents. It has solved this case for me. It just works.
To anyone finding this thread with a similar question: buy a laser printer.
The printer needs to fit comfortably in roughly a 16"x16" space so I don't have to rearrange my office space.
Price point should be reasonable, but I don't mind paying more for a printer if I can be confident in always printing when I need it to.
Occasional use printers
Best printer type for occasional use | BobIsTheOilGuy
Durable laser printer for occasional home use
Whoever did the SUB's template for this, THANK YOU!!!!!!!
edit:
more info HP LaserJet Pro M15w Wireless Laser Printer (W2G51A) - bought this POC 1 year ago and its completely none functional now - the paper feeding mechanism is stuck and it never takes in paper; havent attempted to fix it tbh
More on reddit.comSmall Budget Printer for very occasional use? Mainly use for printing return labels once a month.
I just purchased the Brother HL-L2300D laser printer for $99 USD. It’s perfect for the occasional jobs that I need to print and laser won’t dry out like inkjet. Highly recommend. FYI it’s B&W Only, no scanner. Check out Adobes free scanner phone app, works just as well if not better than home scanners.
More on reddit.comIs laser or inkjet better for occasional use?
Laser printers are generally better for occasional use. They use toner cartridges instead of liquid ink, which won’t dry out. However, modern inkjet printers with refillable ink tanks can also perform well if used regularly and maintained properly.
Does wireless connectivity matter for occasional business printers?
Yes, wireless printing makes it easy to print from laptops, tablets, or phones—especially in small offices or hybrid setups. Look for Wi-Fi–enabled printers or models that support mobile printing apps and cloud services.
What printer maintenance tips are essential for infrequent printing?
Keep your printer in a cool, dry area and turn it off properly after each use. Run a cleaning cycle once a month, even if you’re not printing. Store extra ink or toner properly, and check for software updates to keep the printer running smoothly.