I just went through my 3rd printer in the last 5 years, and I'm fed up with buying them. The first was an HP home office printer, that just stopped working after about a year (conveniently after the warranty) and I'm sure I printed less than 100 pages on it.

My 2nd was a much more expensive Epson printer, which worked very well. Had it for about two years, and it definitely was put through its paces because I was printing every other day when I was in school. Then all of the printing went kinda wonky with weird colors and lines, and then stopped printing altogether.

My 3rd was another HP, which was an older model given to me by a family member for free. It didn't print images but would print words ((somewhat)) clearly. It finally died today and I've thrown my hands up.

What is a good home printer, that won't dry its ink if it's not used for a few weeks at a time, and is reliable for longer than the warranty?

Before you start with “laser printers!!!” let me explain my situation and why that /may/ not be the best option.

My family very rarely uses a printer, but when we do we need our stuff printed now and in colour. We typically end up using it once every 1-2 months for anything from forms to sheet music and beyond, but again, very rarely.

We have an HP inkjet that’s treated us decently, but we’re fed up with it for a few reasons. Half the time it doesn’t connect to our devices to print something (more than once my mom has had to email me something so I can print it from my phone even though we have the exact same phone model) and because of how infrequently we use it, the ink dries up all the time. We’re tired of buying over a hundred dollars with of ink every few months

So what we need is a printer that does the following: -prints wirelessly -scan/copy/print -colour -doesn’t dry up, or if it does, does so infrequently enough that buying ink isn’t the worst thing in the world -isn’t huge! we DO NOT have room for a massive printer -retails for <$400 CAD

Currently I’m looking at Ecotanks, but I’ve heard mixed opinions on whether they’re good for infrequent use. I’d appreciate whatever suggestions anyone can give!

EDIT: Went with a small brother monochrome laser. So far it’s held up perfect for my household’s uses!

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.

I bought a HP printer during COVID and had problems since day 1. fixed it last year printer a few times but the ink keeps drying 🙄 I’m fed up and starting to hate printers. We don’t print much it’s just good to have in the house.

What’s a cost effective printer u recommend? Is ink or laser better for me?

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.

I need a cheap printer, ideally $100 or less, that will be used maybe 10-20 times a year to print documents and shipping labels. Being able to print directly from an iPhone is preferable, either color or black and white is fine.

In the past I’d usually just go to Walmart and buy a cheap HP printer, then use it so rarely that after a year or so one of the ink cartridges dries up or just stops working then I end up having to buy another cheap printer or $50 worth of cartridges to print another 10 pages then rinse and repeat. With the ink subscriptions HP isn’t an option anymore.

I was looking at printers with refillable tanks but most are a bit more than I’m looking to spend. Are there any decent laser printers for around $100 that will last a few years? Should I just buy something like a $40 Canon Pixma TS3522 and hopefully get a year or two out of it?

Edit- I found the Brother HL-L2325DW for $100, is that still a good budget laser printer or is there a better newer model around that price?

I'm looking for a basic printer under $200 that I'll only use about a dozen times a year, mostly for documents and shipping labels. Printing directly from an iPhone would be a big plus, and Im fine with either color or black and white.

My past experience has been buying cheap inkjet models that end up with dried cartridges after a year of barely any use, which makes them more hassle than they're worth. What models would you recommend that work well for minimal printing and won't be a headache to maintain?

EDIT: I decided to go with this printer from Brother, and its exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the recommendations!

I do not often have a need for a printer and because of this every printer i've owned ends up not doing well or not working at all because the ink dries up and with their scammy ink costing more than a new printer, so i'm hoping to find one that will actually be happy to sit quiet for 6mos or so and still work. Are there any other than an expensive laser printer (that i'm only guessing would fit the bill being the ink is dry to begin)? with

I bought a printer in 2020, I had problems with it from the start. Anyways the ink dries up bc we barely use it and we’ve been buying ink each time we want to use it, it’s annoying. I’ve researched and watched yt videos but can’t find one suitable.

I need a printer that can: Scan Copy Print (black and colour) Automatic double sided Wi-Fi connection Budget: £150

Any suggestions? Thank you

Looking for a simple printer for occasional home use. I would prefer a color printer, and should be hassle free and economical (no subscriptions or expensive inks). Appreciate your help. TIA

• Budget: under $100 (ideally lower) • Country: US • Color or black and white: Color • Laser or ink printer: Unsure • New or used: Either works, however, I reside in a small town so used might be difficult to come by • Multi-function: No • Duplex Printing: No • Home or business: Home • Printing content: Documents • Printing frequency: once a week (max) • Pages per minute : Indifferent • Page size: A4 • Device printing from: Laptop or mobile • Connection type: Any

Thanks!

Im looking for a new printer. My old one was an cheap ink printer but it died rather quickly. I print like only 2 times per week. However I would still spent more than 100€ per year on color.

I already searched and found the Epson Ecotank ET-2820 but I heard that the printhead will dry out.

Some people also suggested an laser printer but the cartridges are all very expensive. Does somebody know about a better solution. It doesnt need to be fast but reliable. Thanks.

-Budget max 400€

-LAN (WLAN inconsistent)

-Color print

-should last long

-cheap cost per page

Currently using an older HP office jet 3830. We use the printer maybe once or twice per month, but when we do, could be printing about 20-50 pages at a time. Print is mostly just black, but some worksheets with color. No photos.

The current printer gets the job done, but I feel like the ink empties/drys out so fast. We use the genuine HP XL cartridges and I feel like after the first use on the ink, every time we have to print, it shows low or no ink and everything looks faded.

Wondering what’s out there for a decent printer? Not looking to break the bank, but I’m already buying ink constantly anyway. I’d like to stay around $100, but if going up in price solves our issue, then it will pay for itself over time in money saved on ink. I’d say absolute max would be $200.

For our use, which is better, inkjet, laser, etc?

Edit: WOW! Front page! I'm on cloud 9 right now.

To answer the most common question, inkjet ink is exceptionally expensive and priced that way because the company's got you where they want you by selling you a cheap printer. Laser printers use toner which is more expensive to replace, but lasts longer. Inkjet ink dries out when it's not used and is wasted. Kinda like running the engine on a car when it's not being driven.

As for photos, many people have pointed this out and it's a valid concern. Many laser printers do an excellent job on photos and they're getting better, but ink is still king. You still have options.

I mostly despise how the companies are gouging consumers.

Hello,

• I am looking to by a printer for home use, typical A4 pages.

• My budget is under 200€.

• I need to be able to print in colors

• I need to be able to scan documents, that will actually be my most common use

• I would prefer to have Automatic duplex printing. Duplex scanning would be nice I guess but a luxury I don't need.

• I am mostly thinking about buying new, but if there are convenient reputable sellers around me (France) why not !

• I am very unsure about Laser or Ink. At first I though that ink was the obvious choice for home use, but now I've read online that for irregular use a laser one would be better/cheaper in the long term as the ink does dry or whatnot.

• I would prefer a wifi printer but it seems it's basically the default now anyway. Ideally, both wifi and usb in case the wifi has issues.

• I am using a computer with Windows 10. Being able to print from my Android phone would be a plus.

Thanks to all that will answer, I really appreciate.

I don't print that often, mostly just when I have to do forms, or make copies. Mostly black and white stuff. Currently have an HP 7520 all in one color inkjet. It always seems to have issues whenever I go to print. First page is good, then it gets light after that. It's about 5 years old and I've used it maybe 15 times at most. I've tried unclogging, etc before. Cartridges seem to get low on ink fast.

Before I had an older gray/blue All In One from HP also that seemed better made/more reliable. Only replaced it because the cartridges were getting very difficult to find. Actually still have it, just sitting in a closet. Liked the cartridge setup better on that because it had one black/one color instead of one black and multiple color ones.

I'm being pushed to replace it, and I don't know what's best to get. Are there any well built, reliable printers on the market? I'm leaning toward laser, because I rarely print and rarely need color. But not sure, and I notice most of the laser units don't have all the features mine has (no touchscreen, etc). So seems like a downgrade but I'm not sure I even need all that.

We have some HP Laserjets at work that seem very reliable, but again I need an all in one unit, don't have room for a separate scanner, etc.

So anyone recommend a new reliable printer, or are either of these units I have here actually better, and there's something I'm missing?

I’m looking to get a cost-effective printer for home use for infrequent use (maybe a couple times per year).

While it may be cheaper to use the library or staples, that’s not really an option.

I’ve been thinking of a laser printer. The only other option I’ve been thinking of, while tedious, is keep the printer we have (HP Envy 7155) and after each use put the ink cartridges in a zip block bag to help keep the ink last.

Though, when we’d do this and buy ink ahead of time if it was on sale it would still be dry after a couple months even if we didn’t open it. So I fear the same issue would happen if we put it in a air tight bag.

My printer took a crap and now I’m in need of a new one. I need a printer that is good for very infrequent use so I do not have to buy an ink cartridge every single time I need to use it. We are very tired of having to do that

Hey reddit, the amount of choice and features is overwhelming.. Please recommend a good printer that'll last. I'd rather buy ink than a new printer every year and contribute to the growing ewaste problem..

Thanks!!!

What would you like to accomplish?

Just trying to occasionally print/scan/copy some papers and homeworks in black and white for university purposes.

Are there any models you are currently looking at?

Currently looking at the HP LaserJet Pro lineup, especially the model m281fdw. This one is a color printer if I understood the description correctly, so I'm open to any suggestions regarding alternative B/W printers in that price range.

More Details:

I'm sick of my ink based printer. I only use it occasionally and the print head is always dried up and it's just trash. I need a reliable printer that can sit unused for months and still print reliably when I need it. I don't need color since this will just be for shipping labels, invoices, receipts, letters, etc. Text only. Can anyone steer me in the right direction?