If you love your 2600N, it's very repairable. I still have a 2840 (a multifunction device with the same print engine), which I got for free and repaired myself, and even though I don't use it anymore, it's a pity to throw it away, not the least because of its "busty" design, akin to old cash registers :-) Cartridges and spares are still available, too, at least here in Europe. If you only use a printer occasionally, consider a used one. Most laser printers live virtually forever. Perfectly functional machines often go for a song, and generic cartridges for them tend to be very cheap too. Answer from FurryTabbyTomcat on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/printers › reliable printer for very occasional home use
r/printers on Reddit: Reliable printer for very occasional home use
February 6, 2025 -
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.
Top answer 1 of 5
7
I've had the best luck with Brother recently, and definitely go with a laser printer. Toner and the printer themselves will be more expensive up front, but you don't have to worry about it expiring on the shelf or clogging your print head, and it's usually (if not always) cheaper per-page
2 of 5
3
Given your low printing volume, I would recommend discarding ANY inkjet with or without ink subscription. Keep things simple with a black-and-white laser printer from Brother or Canon, and your headaches with clogged printheads will be over. Laser printers (especially the multifunction ones that print, scan, copy, etc.) do take more space than inkjets so, unfortunately, you’ll have to make room for one. Specific models change from country to country. So assuming that you are in the U.S., here are some recommendations: Brother DCP-L2640DW - prints double-sided automatically, scans and copies single-side, NO fax. Cheaper toner cartridges. Drums need to be changed every 15,000 pages. Brother MFC-L2900DW - prints, scans, copies and faxes double-sided documents automatically. User interface with a color touchscreen is a nice plus. Cheaper toner cartridges. Drums need to be changed about every 15,000 pages. Canon MF465dw - prints, scans, copies and faxes double-sided documents automatically. Good size color touchscreen. Toner cartridges are more expensive due to having the drum integrated in them. Whatever you do, always use OEM toner cartridges, not aftermarket/generic brands which may cause issues with print quality or durability issues due to leakage. Hope this helps!
Best Buy Canada
bestbuy.ca › en-ca › shop › computers-tablets › best-printer-for-occasional-use
Best Printer For Occasional Use of 2026 | Best Buy Canada
Look for printers that use ink cartridges or toner with a long shelf life, as some inks can dry out if not used regularly. Laser printers are often a good choice for occasional use because their toner doesn’t dry out like inkjet cartridges.
Videos
07:35
✅Top 5 Best Printers for Occasional Use - Best All In One Printer ...
06:18
✅Best Printer for Occasional Use In 2025 | Printers for Occasional ...
05:48
✅Best Printers for Occasional Use In 2025 | The 5 best printers ...
11:11
Top 5 BEST Home Printers in (2026) | Watch BEFORE You Buy! - YouTube
05:19
The ONLY Printer Worth Buying Under $100 in 2025 - YouTube
02:20
Which printer for at home is the best one for you? - YouTube
Is 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.
southernimagingcopiers.com
southernimagingcopiers.com › home › 7 best printers for occasional use: perfect for small businesses with minimal printing needs
7 Best Printers for Occasional Use
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.
southernimagingcopiers.com
southernimagingcopiers.com › home › 7 best printers for occasional use: perfect for small businesses with minimal printing needs
7 Best Printers for Occasional Use
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.
southernimagingcopiers.com
southernimagingcopiers.com › home › 7 best printers for occasional use: perfect for small businesses with minimal printing needs
7 Best Printers for Occasional Use
LD Products
ldproducts.com › blog › best-printers-for-occasional-use
Best Printers for Occasional Use – Printer Guides and Tips from LD Products
Best Multi-function Monochrome Laser Printer: Brother MFC-L2750DW ... Two types of printers are preferred for occasional use: laser printers and ink tank printers.
Southernimagingcopiers
southernimagingcopiers.com › home › 7 best printers for occasional use: perfect for small businesses with minimal printing needs
7 Best Printers for Occasional Use
August 21, 2025 - The GX4020 is one of the best printers for occasional use, thanks to its refillable ink tank system and low running costs. It’s a compact inkjet printer that delivers excellent print quality for both text and color pages.
RTINGS
rtings.com › home › printer › best
The 6 Best Home Printers of 2026 - RTINGS.com
October 24, 2025 - The best home printer we've tested is the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500, an all-in-one model that produces beautiful, vibrant photos. It's a cheaper variant of the flagship Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550.
LinkedIn
linkedin.com › pulse › best-printer-occasional-use-imran-zaman-6nohe
Best Printer for Occasional Use
We cannot provide a description for this page right now
Quora
quora.com › What-type-of-printer-should-I-buy-for-occasional-use-I-am-confused-between-ink-tank-and-cartridge-printers
What type of printer should I buy for occasional use? I am confused between ink tank and cartridge printers. - Quora
Answer (1 of 8): Cartridge printers are becoming less and less desirable do to cost and cartridge availability. Its become common to find a great deal on a major brand printer. Then find the cartridges were probably less than 50% capacity and the ink runs out quickly. Then find replacement cartri...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/printers › best printer for occasional use at home?
r/printers on Reddit: Best printer for occasional use at home?
March 20, 2023 -
My HP color laser jet 2600n (best printer I’ve ever owned) is going to the printer graveyard after countless years of incredible service. I no longer need something of that caliber. I only print a few pages a month and don’t care about a fax and/or scanner. I don’t “need” color but it’s always nice to have. Something that takes up the least amount of space is ideal. I’ve done countless hours of research and feel like I haven’t made any progress except to avoid ink subscriptions. Any recommendations? Thank you! Editing to add that it must print over wifi. I was looking at the Brother HL-L2350DW but would love something more compact.
Top answer 1 of 4
2
If you love your 2600N, it's very repairable. I still have a 2840 (a multifunction device with the same print engine), which I got for free and repaired myself, and even though I don't use it anymore, it's a pity to throw it away, not the least because of its "busty" design, akin to old cash registers :-) Cartridges and spares are still available, too, at least here in Europe. If you only use a printer occasionally, consider a used one. Most laser printers live virtually forever. Perfectly functional machines often go for a song, and generic cartridges for them tend to be very cheap too.
2 of 4
2
Get a Brother or a Canon printer now. My recommendation is the Canon imageCLASS LBP632Cdw , but you can find a lot more options in this comprehensive datasheet of printers . I highly recommend you go through this.
ElectronicsHub
electronicshub.org › home › 6 best printers for occasional use: reviews & buying guide
6 Best Printers For Occasional Use: Reviews & Buying Guide
February 1, 2025 - HP’s DeskJet 2755e merges compact design with essential functionality, offering an ideal solution for occasional home use. It supports printing, scanning, and copying all fundamental requirements for a home office.
Staples
staples.ca › a › learn › choosing-the-best-home-printer
Choosing the Best Home Printer
If you aren’t planning on printing ... of ink cartridges you need to a single colour. For occasional printing at home, an inkjet printer is a practical choice....
BobIsTheOilGuy
bobistheoilguy.com › home › forums › general and off topic › computers
Best printer type for occasional use | BobIsTheOilGuy
October 2, 2018 - Take a cruise through their lineup ... Christmas time. 99 bucks was a steal from Office Depot website. Wireless, scan to whatever, really nice prints. A cheap laser is what you want for occasional use....
Andrew Macarthy
andrewmacarthy.com › andrew-macarthy-social-media › best-printer-occasional-use
5 Best Home Printers for Occasional Use 2024: Infrequent Printing Guide — Andrew Macarthy - Social Media Marketing
January 8, 2024 - Here’s a quick list of my top printer picks for occasional use. Keep on reading for a full, detailed breakdown of each. TOP PICK! Best Overall: Brother HL-L2350DW: Compact laser printer with fast printing speeds and wireless connectivity.
NYTimes
nytimes.com › office › home office › the best home printers
The 4 Best Home Printers of 2026 | Reviews by Wirecutter
June 25, 2025 - In general, we’ve found that a black-and-white, print-only laser machine is the way to go for most people, and the Brother HL-L2460DW is the best one you can get. This printer is reliable, cheap to buy and run, and simple to operate.
MoneySavingExpert
forums.moneysavingexpert.com › techie stuff
Occasional use printers — MoneySavingExpert Forum
September 24, 2024 - Still available for about £200. Barely used now, but it works every time and is still on the original toners. ... For occasional use I would get a mono laser as inkjets tend to dry up with infrequent use.
Colour Label Printer
colourlabelprinter.com › home › 3d printing › best printer for infrequent use
Best Printer for Infrequent Use
May 27, 2024 - When you're looking for a printer that can handle infrequent use, it's important to choose the right type of printer that meets your specific needs. For occasional printing, a laser printer is an excellent choice.
CNET
cnet.com › tech › computing › computer accessories › printers › best printer for your home or office in 2026: tested by our experts
Best Printer for Your Home or Office in 2026: Tested by Our Experts - CNET
3 weeks ago - Why I like it: Of the printers I've tested so far, the OfficeJet Pro is the most versatile. It allows work-from-home business people to scan, copy and print with ease, while offering up decent image quality for the occasional printed image.
Printrec
printrec.com › faq › what is the best printer for occasional home use?
What is the best printer for occasional home use?
If you prefer a laser printer, the Brother HL-L2350DW Compact Monochrome Laser Printer is an excellent choice. Laser printers are known for their fast printing speeds and high-quality output.
PrinterKnowledge
printerknowledge.com › home › forums › miscellaneous › laser printers -everything-
Good printer for home occasional use | PrinterKnowledge - Laser, 3D, Inkjet Printer Help
April 30, 2023 - You are right that a laser could be a better choice - laserprinters are less prone to have startup problems - clogs etc than inkjet printers if we talk about idle times of months. Don't consider the use of third party inks - cartridges - toners at all - if you only print a few pages your total ...
Scanse
scanse.io › printers › best printer for occasional use (infrequent use)
Best Printer for Occasional Use (Infrequent Use)
January 4, 2023 - The best printer for occasional use or infrequent use is the HP Envy 5530 Wireless All-in-One Printer. This printer includes features that are typically found in much more expensive printers. It is also one of
Printing Watch
printingwatch.com › best-printer-for-infrequent-use
Best Printers For Infrequent Use - Printing Watch
February 28, 2025 - Many printers clog up or waste expensive ink when left unused for weeks. The best printers for infrequent use include laser printers like the Brother HL-L2350DW and ink tank models like the Epson EcoTank ET-2720, which ...