AIO printers tend to be bigger than single-function printers, and even some home-oriented models can be tall enough to tower over you if you put them on your desk. Check out the MFP's size and weight, though chances are you won't be moving it very often.

Then there's the connectivity, which might tie in to where you place your printer. In addition to a USB port, some MFPs include an Ethernet jack, and almost all support Wi-Fi for easy printer sharing across multiple computers. (See advice on diagnosing printer Wi-Fi issues.) When choosing between Ethernet and Wi-Fi for connecting the printer to your network, keep in mind that if your router offers Wi-Fi, you can print wirelessly to any MFP on that network, regardless of whether the MFP is connected via Wi-Fi or not.

Some MFPs now include support for Wi-Fi Direct (which can be known by different names from some printer manufacturers). If available, this allows the printer to effectively function as its own access point, enabling you to connect a phone, tablet, or computer directly to it, rather than through a wider network. A few models offer support for Near-Field Communication (NFC), which allows you to initiate a wireless connection to a compatible mobile device simply by tapping the printer with your phone or tablet.

If you never print in color, there's no reason to spend money on this feature. Keep in mind, however, that many color laser MFPs can print at high enough quality to let you print your own marketing materials. This could be less expensive than printing small quantities at your local print shop, which may be a sufficient reason to choose a color laser, even if you don't need its color output for anything else.

The vast majority of inkjet AIOs are color printers, and they should be avoided if you don't specifically need color output. Even if you never print a single color image, an inkjet AIO will use up some of its color ink for cleaning nozzles and similar housekeeping tasks. And when those colors run out, many models will refuse to print at all, forcing you to buy more color ink just to print monochrome pages. Note that a few mono-only inkjet AIOs are available on the market; they are designed to compete with mono laser printers in offices. The least expensive of these is roughly $300.

Whether you're looking for a home or office all-in-one, a good place to start your search is with our highest-rated AIO printers outlined above and in our detailed spec table. Looking beyond strictly AIO models, if you are interested in exploring more printer options to expand your search, consider our top printer picks overall, as well as our favorite inkjet and laser models.