What to Look for When Buying a Printer

17th Mar 2025
Simon Cross

Buying a printer might seem simple at first, until you start looking at all the options and realise just how many different features, specs, and models there are! Making the right printer choice can save you money, frustration, and a lot of wasted ink.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know before buying a printer. We’ll cover the different types (inkjet vs. laser), print speed, quality, paper handling, running costs, and even some extra features you might find useful. By the end, you'll have a clear idea of what to look for and which printer will best suit your needs. Let’s dive in!

Choose the Best Printer Type for You 

The first big decision is choosing the right type of printer for your needs. Let’s break it down.

There are two main types of printers: inkjet and laser. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, so the best choice depends on what you’ll be using it for.

Inkjet printers

Inkjet printers use liquid ink to create crisp text and vibrant images, making them ideal for printing everything from school assignments to colourful photos. They use ink cartridges.

Inkjet printers are the go-to option for most home printer users because some models are really cheap and simple. So, if you don’t print super often and just need something convenient and easy, an inkjet might be your best bet. 

There are also some higher-end inkjet models which produce really high-quality printing for professionals like photographers or marketers. Laser printers don’t produce the same kind of quality when it comes to graphics and photos, so that’s why I recommend inkjets for creative professionals. 

Pros of inkjet printers

• Great for printing high-quality photos and colourful graphics

• Typically more affordable upfront compared to laser printers

• Compact and lightweight, perfect for small spaces

• Can print on various types of paper, including glossy and specialty paper

Cons of inkjet printers

• Ink cartridges are generally filled with less ink so will run out quicker than toner cartridges

• Slower printing speed

• Ink can smudge if not dried properly

• If you don’t use it regularly, the ink can dry up and clog the nozzles

Laser printers

Think of laser printers as the powerhouse of the printing world. They use toner (a dry powder) instead of liquid ink, making them super fast and efficient. These are often found in offices, but they can also be a great option for home users who print a lot - especially if you mostly print black-and-white documents.

Pros of laser printers

• Super-fast printing, great for bulk jobs

• Toner lasts much longer than ink, making it more cost-effective in the long run

• Less maintenance. You won’t have to deal with clogged printheads like with inkjets

Cons of laser printers

• Higher upfront cost compared to inkjet printers

• Not the best for high-quality colour printing or photos

• Larger and bulkier than an inkjet - takes up more space, less portable

• Toner replacements can be expensive, even if they last a long time

So there’s my very simple breakdown of why you might choose a laser or inkjet printer. For a more detailed guide, check out my blog on the pros and cons of laser printers vs inkjet printers! 

Go for Trusted Brands

When it comes to printers, I recommend sticking with the big four brands: Canon, Brother, HP, and Epson. These brands are popular for a reason. They consistently deliver reliable printers, solid warranties, and excellent customer support.

Choosing one of these brands means you're getting a printer that’s been tried and tested by millions of users. They have a track record of quality and innovation, so you can be confident that your printer will perform well. Plus, you are more likely to find quality third-party consumables for these popular brands, like our IJT recycled cartridges.  

While there are other brands out there, they can be a bit of a gamble. You might find a great deal, but in my experience, you also risk dealing with unreliable hardware, lacklustre support, or expensive repairs down the line. Sticking with a trusted brand means fewer headaches and a printer that lasts.

Printer brands I recommend

• HP - Reliable and versatile, with a great range of printers for both home and office use.

• Epson - Excellent for photo printing and eco-friendly ink options with refillable EcoTank models.

• Canon - Known for exceptional photo printing, all-in-one functionality and ease of use.

• Brother - Best for small businesses who need a cost-effective laser model.

• Xerox - Ideal for professional and commercial laser printers with high-speed output.

• Elegoo - High-quality, affordable 3D printers.

• DYMO - best for label printers.

Check out the Recommended Monthly Pages

In my opinion, one of the most important things to consider when buying a printer is its recommended monthly page volume. And no, this isn’t the same as the duty cycle.

The duty cycle tells you the absolute maximum number of pages a printer can handle in a month before it risks breaking down. But just because a printer has a high duty cycle doesn’t mean you should push it to its limit every month.

Instead, focus on the recommended monthly page volume. This number gives you a realistic idea of how much the printer is designed to handle comfortably on a regular basis. Sticking within this range helps keep your printer running efficiently and extends its lifespan. For more info on this topic, check out my blog on how to maximise the life of your printer. 

Apart from longevity, you’ll usually find that a model with the right monthly volume has features that match your needs. For example, printers with lower monthly volumes are typically aimed at home users and are designed to be compact, all-in-one printer models with easy set-up. 

On the other hand, those with higher monthly volumes may have features like multiple document trays or advanced settings that are more suitable for an office environment. Basically, by working out which printer is designed for your printing volume, you won’t be paying for things you don’t need or missing out on important features. 

Choosing the right printer based on your actual printing habits will save you money and prevent unnecessary wear and tear. In my experience, looking at the recommended monthly volume narrows down your options really quickly and makes choosing a suitable model much easier. 

Make Sure the Print Speed is Quick Enough 

Nobody likes waiting around for a printer to finish a job, so print speed is definitely something to consider.

In general, inkjet printers are slower, while laser printers are much faster. But, speed comes at the cost of print quality, especially for colour and images.

If you regularly print long documents (think 10 pages or more), look for a model with at least 15 pages per minute (PPM) to avoid frustration. For context, some models built for home use print just 5 pages per minute.

In an office setting, I’d usually recommend something faster than 30ppm to avoid workflow disruptions. Think about printing a 50-page contract at 15ppm compared to 30ppm - that’s a noticeable difference of about 2 minutes! 

Check if the Print Quality Is Up to Standard

When it comes to print quality, the key thing to look at is DPI (dots per inch). But what does that actually mean?

DPI refers to how many tiny ink or toner dots a printer places on a single inch of paper. The higher the DPI, the sharper and more detailed the print will be.

• 72 DPI - Good enough for basic text documents, but will produce very blurred images. I don’t recommend printers with such low resolution. 

• 300 DPI – A step up, giving crisper text and decent quality for simple images.

• 600 DPI – Produces high-quality images and graphics. This is the most common resolution for modern printers. 

• 1200+ DPI – Best for creative professionals and photo printing. 

For everyday printing like work documents, school assignments, or basic graphics, 600 DPI is usually more than enough in my opinion. But if you're printing high-resolution photos or professional materials, you’ll want a printer with at least 1200 DPI or higher for the best results.

Inkjet printers generally offer higher DPI than laser printers, making them the better choice for photos and detailed colour prints. But if you mainly print text and speed is more of a priority, laser printers still deliver good enough quality.

Does Paper Handling Matter?

Honestly, paper handling is only a concern if you’re planning on printing large volumes OR you need to print paper sizes larger than A4.

If you’re planning on printing large volumes, like in an office setting, make sure that the print tray capacity is decent (I recommend at least 250 pages), otherwise you’ll be constantly refilling the paper. 

In terms of size, even HP’s most basic DeskJet model supports A4, B5, A6 and DL or envelope, so you don’t have to worry about having a variety of print sizes for most models. You really just need to consider if you regularly need to print pages that are bigger than A4, which obviously requires a much larger printer.  

Check Cost of Consumables

This might seem obvious but, when buying a printer don’t just look at the price tag. You also have to think about the long-term cost. Printers need consumables like ink or toner, and those costs can add up over time.

Generally speaking:

• Inkjet printers tend to be cheaper upfront but have higher running costs because ink cartridges need frequent replacing.

• Laser printers cost more initially, but toner cartridges last much longer, making them more cost-effective in the long run.

Common inkjet printer configurations

If you’re going for an inkjet printer, it’s important to check what kind of ink system it uses because this will factor into the long-term cost. Here are the three most common setups:

1. Two-Cartridge System – One black cartridge and one tri-colour cartridge (cyan, magenta, and yellow combined). If one colour runs out, you have to replace the entire colour cartridge, which can be wasteful and costly.

2. Multi-Cartridge System – Separate black, cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges. Some printers often have more than 4 cartridges, those specialist photo printers for example. This is more efficient because you can replace individual colours as needed. In my opinion, this is the best option.

3. Refillable Ink Tanks – Instead of cartridges, these printers have built-in ink tanks that you refill with bottled ink (like the Epson EcoTank series). They cost more upfront but save money in the long run.

Before buying, check the cost of replacement ink or toner for your specific model. A cheap printer with expensive cartridges can end up costing more than a pricier printer with affordable consumables! 

And remember to check the cost of recycled cartridges as they can be big cost savers and are much more eco-friendly. For more info about recycled cartridges vs OEM, check out this blog!  

Special Features and All-in-One Capabilities

Okay, last thing to consider is which extra features you need, and which are just a waste of money.

Do you need more than just printing?

If you also need to scan, copy, or fax, an all-in-one (AIO) printer is the way to go. Most home and office printers these days include scanning and copying, but faxing is less common, so double-check if that’s a must-have for you.

Duplex Printing (Double-Sided Printing)

Tired of flipping pages manually to print on both sides? Duplex printing lets your printer do this automatically, saving you time and reducing paper waste. 

If you print a lot of double-sided documents, this feature is a game-changer. But honestly, I would only recommend upgrading to a model with duplex printing if you print most days a week. For a lot of home printer users, duplex printing isn’t necessary. 

ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)

If you scan or copy multi-page documents often, an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a must. Instead of scanning one page at a time, an ADF lets you load a stack of papers, and the printer handles the rest. 

For businesses, an ADF is a non-negotiable feature in my opinion. Even scanning just a 10 page document on a flat bed scanner takes a ridiculous amount of time. For home users, consider how often you need to scan. If it’s once a month or less, I’d recommend saving yourself the extra money and just making the trip to a print/scan shop when needed. 

Connectivity – not a big concern anymore

Most modern printers support Wi-Fi, USB, and mobile printing, so wireless printer connectivity isn’t something you need to stress over. Whether you're printing from your phone, laptop, or cloud storage, most models can handle it seamlessly.

When choosing a printer, think about which of these features will actually make a difference in your daily use. No point in paying extra for a fax machine if you’ll never use it!

Key Takeaways

At the end of the day, the best printer for you depends on what you actually need. 

If you print photos and colourful designs, an inkjet might be your best bet. If you need speed and efficiency for documents, go for a laser printer. Beyond that, checking things like recommended monthly page volume, print speed, and consumable costs will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises down the road.

While fancy features like duplex printing, ADF, and all-in-one capabilities can be useful, don’t pay for extras you won’t use. And most importantly, stick with reliable brands so you’re not stuck dealing with poor quality or bad customer support.

Hopefully, this guide has helped narrow down your options and made choosing a printer a little less overwhelming.

Blog Author: Simon Cross is the engaging and knowledgeable voice behind the insightful articles on printers and printer consumables at IJT Direct, an ecommerce store renowned for its comprehensive selection of printers, printer consumables, and hardware. View Simons author page to find out more about him.