Best home printers for 2026
Updated June 2026Independently researchedNo paid placement.
The HP Envy 6055 All-in-One is our top pick for most households because it balances a very affordable price, reliable print quality, and a handy set of features for light to moderate use.
If you need fast, sharp color output for a busy home office, the Brother HL-L8360CDW laser delivers; for a no-frills budget option the Canon PIXMA TR4722 gets the basics done, and the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 shines when you want low running costs for high-volume printing.
The printer aisle can feel like a maze of confusing spec sheets and hidden costs. Whether you’re a student printing essays, a remote worker cranking out documents, or a parent organising school projects, the right home printer saves time and aggravation. The key decision today is between an inkjet and a laser. Inkjets tend to have a lower upfront cost and handle photos well, but replaceable cartridges can add up fast. Lasers are faster, usually cheaper per page, and the toner lasts longer, but the initial investment is higher and colour laser machines are bulkier. This year’s best home printers all offer wireless connectivity, a reasonable footprint, and enough reliability to keep you from throwing the thing out the window.
HP Envy 6055 All-in-One Inkjet Printer
the do-it-all default
4.5out of 5The HP Envy 6055 is the sensible choice for a family or shared household that prints a mix of documents, school handouts, and the occasional photo. It prints reliably, connects easily to phones and laptops, and its running costs are manageable if you skip the official high‑yield cartridges. It won’t win any speed records, but for a modest monthly volume it gets the job done without drama.
Price range: $$
Check price on Amazon →Brother HL-L8360CDW Color Laser Printer
the colour‑laser speedster
4.7out of 5The Brother HL‑L8360CDW is a serious machine for anyone who prints a lot of colour documents and values speed and longevity. It produces crisp text and vibrant graphics at a pace that easily keeps up with a busy small office or a house with multiple students. The toner yields are generous, and the networking options (Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, USB) make it a team player. It’s not cheap upfront, but the cost per page is among the lowest in its class.
Price range: $$$$
Check price on Amazon →Canon PIXMA TR4722 All-in-One Inkjet Printer
the budget champion
4.3out of 5The Canon PIXMA TR4722 is the printer for the absolute minimum budget. It covers the basics, print, scan, copy, fax, and ties them together with a simple wireless setup. Print quality is acceptable for text and passable for photos, but it’s slow and feels flimsy. If you print less than a few dozen pages a month and prize low upfront cost above all else, this is your machine.
Price range: $
Check price on Amazon →| Award | Model | Our score | Price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | HP Envy 6055 All-in-One Inkjet Printer | 4.5 / 5 | $$ | Any household that needs one simple device for school papers, bills, light photo printing, | Check price → |
| Runner-up | Brother HL-L8360CDW Color Laser Printer | 4.7 / 5 | $$$$ | A home office or power‑user household that prints dozens of colour pages daily and wants a | Check price → |
| Best value | Canon PIXMA TR4722 All-in-One Inkjet Printer | 4.3 / 5 | $ | A student on a tight budget, a light‑printing household, or a secondary printer for occasi | Check price → |
| Editors pick | Xerox VersaLink C405 Multifunction Color Laser | 4.6 / 5 | $$$$ | A prolific home office, a freelance creative who needs reliable colour output, or a househ | Check price → |
| Best budget | Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 All-in-One Inkjet | 4.2 / 5 | $$$ | A home office or busy family that prints hundreds of pages monthly and wants to keep ink c | Check price → |
The picks in detail
1. HP Envy 6055 All-in-One Inkjet Printer: the do-it-all default
Best overallThe HP Envy 6055 is the sensible choice for a family or shared household that prints a mix of documents, school handouts, and the occasional photo. It prints reliably, connects easily to phones and laptops, and its running costs are manageable if you skip the official high‑yield cartridges. It won’t win any speed records, but for a modest monthly volume it gets the job done without drama.
Pros
- Very easy to set up and connect via Wi‑Fi or HP Smart app
- Accepts third‑party ink cartridges, keeping long‑term costs down
- Compact design fits on a small desk or shelf
- Automatic document feeder simplifies multi‑page copying and scanning
Cons
- Print speed is noticeably slow, especially for high‑volume or double‑sided jobs
- The touchscreen is basic and can feel sluggish
- Paper tray holds only 100 sheets, so you’ll refill often
Who it’s for
Any household that needs one simple device for school papers, bills, light photo printing, and occasional scanning or copying.Who should skip it
You regularly print more than 200 pages per week or need rapid, double‑sided printing without waiting.2. Brother HL-L8360CDW Color Laser Printer: the colour‑laser speedster
Runner-upThe Brother HL‑L8360CDW is a serious machine for anyone who prints a lot of colour documents and values speed and longevity. It produces crisp text and vibrant graphics at a pace that easily keeps up with a busy small office or a house with multiple students. The toner yields are generous, and the networking options (Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, USB) make it a team player. It’s not cheap upfront, but the cost per page is among the lowest in its class.
Pros
- Blazing fast print speeds, even for full‑colour pages
- Excellent print quality on text and graphics, with sharp detail
- Durable build and generous toner cartridges that last for thousands of pages
- Automatic duplex printing works smoothly and quickly
Cons
- Large footprint; it needs its own dedicated space
- No flatbed scanner or all‑in‑one functionality – print only
- High purchase price that may be overkill for occasional users
Who it’s for
A home office or power‑user household that prints dozens of colour pages daily and wants a machine that just works for years.Who should skip it
You need a scanner, copier, or fax in one box, or your monthly print volume is under 300 pages.3. Canon PIXMA TR4722 All-in-One Inkjet Printer: the budget champion
Best valueThe Canon PIXMA TR4722 is the printer for the absolute minimum budget. It covers the basics, print, scan, copy, fax, and ties them together with a simple wireless setup. Print quality is acceptable for text and passable for photos, but it’s slow and feels flimsy. If you print less than a few dozen pages a month and prize low upfront cost above all else, this is your machine.
Pros
- Very low purchase price; one of the cheapest all‑in‑ones on the market
- Wireless printing from phones and tablets is straightforward
- Works with Canon’s free mobile app for easy scanning
Cons
- Print speed is glacial, especially in colour or double‑sided mode
- Build quality is plasticky and the paper tray feels cheap
- Ink cartridges are small and expensive per page if you use official ones
Who it’s for
A student on a tight budget, a light‑printing household, or a secondary printer for occasional use.Who should skip it
You print more than 50 pages per month or need a sturdy machine that will survive daily use for years.4. Xerox VersaLink C405 Multifunction Color Laser: the heavy‑duty workhorse
Editors pickThe Xerox VersaLink C405 is a full‑featured colour laser multifunction that can handle a small team’s output without breaking a sweat. It prints, copies, scans, and faxes at a fast clip, and its small‑business features, like secure print and a customisable touchscreen, set it apart from typical home printers. The trade‑off is a steep price and a machine that demands desk space and a modest learning curve. For high‑volume home offices or households that double as a business, it’s a long‑term investment that pays off.
Pros
- Robust all‑in‑one functionality with fast printing, scanning, and copying
- Excellent paper handling, including a large input capacity and automatic duplexing
- Security features like PIN release printing for sensitive documents
- Superb print quality on both text and colour graphics
Cons
- High upfront cost that far exceeds typical home‑printer budgets
- Large and heavy; not suitable for a cramped desk
- Set‑up and initial configuration can be more involved than consumer models
Who it’s for
A prolific home office, a freelance creative who needs reliable colour output, or a household with multiple heavy‑printing members.Who should skip it
Your monthly print volume is under 500 pages or you’re shopping on a strict budget.5. Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 All-in-One Inkjet: the high‑volume inkjet
Best budgetThe Epson WorkForce Pro WF‑4830 is the inkjet for people who print a lot but don’t want to pay laser prices. It uses Epson’s DURABrite ink, which is water‑resistant and smear‑safe, and its per‑page cost is impressively low thanks to high‑yield cartridges. Printing is reasonably fast for an inkjet, though not as zippy as a laser. The machine is large and the touchscreen can be laggy, but for a home office that cranks out hundreds of pages per month, it’s a smart, economical pick.
Pros
- Low running costs per page with high‑yield ink options
- Fast print speeds for an inkjet, especially in black‑and‑white
- Automatic document feeder with duplex scanning makes multi‑page jobs easy
- Print quality on plain paper is crisp and water‑resistant
Cons
- Bulky footprint; it takes up considerable desk or shelf space
- The touchscreen interface can be slow and sometimes unresponsive
- Photo quality is only average, not suitable for serious photography prints
Who it’s for
A home office or busy family that prints hundreds of pages monthly and wants to keep ink costs under control.Who should skip it
You need a compact, lightweight printer or specialise in high‑quality photo printing.Best for specific needs
Best for everyday family printing
If your household prints a mix of homework, coupons, the occasional photo, and travel documents, you want a reliable all‑in‑one that won’t break the bank. The HP Envy 6055 does exactly that: easy Wi‑Fi setup, acceptable speed for low‑volume use, and enough features to handle scanning and copying without fuss. Its running costs stay reasonable if you shop for third‑party ink, making it the safe, do‑everything choice for most families. Our pick: HP Envy 6055 All-in-One Inkjet Printer.
Best for fast, professional‑quality color
For anyone who needs vibrant colour documents, presentation materials, or school projects in a hurry, a colour laser is the way to go. The Brother HL‑L8360CDW delivers blistering speeds and consistently sharp text and graphics. It’s print‑only, so you’ll need a separate scanner if that matters, but its low cost per page and rock‑solid durability make it the top pick for power users who value speed and quality above all else. Our pick: Brother HL-L8360CDW Color Laser Printer.
Best for cost‑conscious high‑volume printing
When you print hundreds of pages every month but want to avoid the high upfront cost of a laser, the Epson WorkForce Pro WF‑4830 strikes a smart balance. Its high‑yield ink cartridges keep per‑page costs impressively low, and it prints quickly enough to clear a long queue. The large paper tray and automatic duplexing are invaluable for busy home offices, and the water‑resistant ink means your documents won’t smudge in a bag or binder. Our pick: Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 All-in-One Inkjet.
Our verdict
The best home printer for 2026 depends entirely on how much you print, what you print, and what you’re willing to spend upfront. For the vast majority of households, the HP Envy 6055 hits the sweet spot of price, features, and reliability without demanding a huge commitment. If your workload leans heavy and colour‑critical, invest in the Brother HL‑L8360CDW laser. And if you’re pinching pennies but printing a lot, the Epson WorkForce Pro WF‑4830 offers the lowest running costs in the inkjet class. Whichever you choose, remember to factor in the cost of consumables, that’s where the real savings live.