The Best Printers of 2023: Our Top Picks for Every Need

In 2023, the printer market is more diverse than ever, catering to different needs—whether you’re printing high-quality photos, scanning multiple pages, or just need something reliable for your home office. But with so many options out there, how do you know which one is right for you?
In this guide, we’ll break down the best printers of 2023 across various categories, from budget-friendly picks to high-end photo printers. We’ll also share pros and cons to make your decision easier.
1. Best Printer Overall: HP Envy Pro 6455e
Why It’s the Best:
When it comes to versatility and performance, the HP Envy Pro 6455e truly stands out as the best all-around printer for most people. Whether you’re working from home, printing family photos, or handling basic office tasks, this printer does it all.
Pros:
- Affordable upfront price: Great for those who don’t want to break the bank right away.
- All-in-one features: It can print, scan, copy, and fax—ideal for small home offices or personal use.
- Voice-activated: Supports Alexa and Google Assistant, meaning you can print with a simple voice command.
- Instant Ink subscription: Reduces ink costs dramatically if you sign up for HP’s Instant Ink service.
- Modern design: Sleek and stylish, this printer fits in with any home decor.
Cons:
- No SD card port: No ability to print directly from SD cards or USB flash drives.
- Slow printing speed: It prints at a modest 7–10 pages per minute (ppm), which may be a downside for heavy-duty users.
- Ink cartridge design: The printer uses just two cartridges, which may limit color accuracy and vibrancy compared to more advanced models.
Why It’s Great for You:
This is an excellent option for the average user—great print quality, easy to set up, and low-cost ink with a subscription. However, if you print a lot and want faster speeds or more vibrant colors, you may want to consider other options.
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2. Best Budget Printer: Brother HLL2305W
Why It’s the Best:
For those who just need basic printing without any frills, the Brother HLL2305W is a no-nonsense, affordable option. This monochrome laser printer offers fast, crisp printing at an unbeatable price.
Pros:
- Affordable price: It’s hard to beat the value of this budget-friendly printer.
- Compact: Ideal for smaller spaces like apartments or home offices.
- Fast print speeds: Prints up to 32 pages per minute (ppm)—perfect for basic printing tasks.
Cons:
- No color printing: This is a black-and-white-only printer, so not suitable for photo printing or color documents.
- No scanning or copying: This is a single-function printer, so it can’t handle other tasks like scanning or copying.
Why It’s Great for You:
If you’re on a tight budget and need a simple, reliable printer for everyday tasks like printing documents, the Brother HLL2305W is an excellent choice. It’s fast, efficient, and won’t cost a fortune.
3. Best Home Office Printer: HP Color LaserJet Pro Multifunction M479fdn
Why It’s the Best:
The HP Color LaserJet Pro Multifunction M479fdn is an excellent choice for home offices that need more power. It’s a color laser printer that can handle high volumes of printing, scanning, copying, and even faxing—ideal for small to medium-sized businesses or busy home offices.
Pros:
- Color laser printing: High-quality color prints, ideal for professional documents and presentations.
- Fast print speeds: Prints up to 28 pages per minute in both color and black and white.
- All-in-one functionality: Copy, scan, fax, and print—this printer handles it all.
- Automatic duplex printing: Save paper and time with double-sided printing.
Cons:
- Expensive: It’s on the pricier side compared to inkjet printers, but that’s typical for laser printers.
- Large size: This printer is bulky, so it may not fit well in smaller spaces.
- Ongoing toner costs: Laser printers tend to have higher upfront costs for toner cartridges.
Why It’s Great for You:
If you’re running a business or need a workhorse for your home office, this laser printer will save you time with its fast speeds and high-quality output. However, if you only print occasionally, it might be more printer than you need.
4. Best Photo Printer: Epson Expression Photo XP-970
Why It’s the Best:
For photography enthusiasts or anyone looking to print high-quality images, the Epson Expression Photo XP-970 is the top pick. This printer is designed to deliver rich, vibrant color prints that bring photos to life.
Pros:
- Excellent photo quality: With a 6-color Claria Photo HD ink system, your prints will have rich, vibrant colors.
- Wide format printing: Print borderless photos up to 11” x 17”—perfect for larger photos or posters.
- Compact design: Despite its photo printing capabilities, it’s relatively compact compared to other photo printers.
Cons:
- Slow print speeds: High-quality photo printing takes longer, so it’s not the fastest option if you’re printing a lot of photos.
- Expensive ink: Photo ink can be pricey, especially for large prints.
Why It’s Great for You:
This is the ideal printer for those who prioritize photo quality and need to print larger images. If you’re an avid photographer or a scrapbooker, this printer will help you bring your creations to life.
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5. Best Portable Printer: Canon Pixma TR150
Why It’s the Best:
If you’re someone who needs to print on the go—whether for work or personal use—the Canon Pixma TR150 is an excellent portable printer. It’s compact, lightweight, and powerful enough to produce high-quality prints wherever you are.
Pros:
- Portable: Compact and lightweight, it’s perfect for printing in tight spaces or while traveling.
- Good print quality: Prints high-quality documents and photos, even on the go.
- Battery option: It can run off an optional battery, making it even more portable.
Cons:
- Expensive ink cartridges: Like most portable printers, ink can be a little pricey.
- Small paper tray: The paper tray holds just 50 sheets, so it may require frequent refills for high-volume printing.
Why It’s Great for You:
If you need a portable solution for printing while traveling or working remotely, the Canon Pixma TR150 is the perfect fit. It’s small, effective, and won’t weigh you down.
6. Best Ink Tank Printer: Canon Maxify GX6021
Why It’s the Best:
For anyone who prints a lot and wants to save on ink, the Canon Maxify GX6021 offers a revolutionary ink tank system that makes it incredibly cost-effective in the long run. Perfect for small businesses or home offices that need to print high volumes.
Pros:
- Low running costs: The ink tank system offers extremely low printing costs, making it a great choice for high-volume users.
- Fast printing: This printer can print up to 22 pages per minute in black and white, and 15.5 ppm in color.
- High print quality: Delivers sharp text and vibrant colors, making it perfect for both documents and photos.
Cons:
- Large and bulky: The printer is relatively large, so it might not be ideal for very small spaces.
- Higher initial cost: The upfront cost is higher compared to regular inkjet printers, but it’s worth it if you print often.
Why It’s Great for You:
If you print a lot of documents regularly and are tired of constantly replacing cartridges, the Canon Maxify GX6021 is an excellent investment. Its low running costs make it one of the best value printers in 2023.
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Making Life Easier: Smart Features You’ll Actually Use
Modern printers have gotten pretty clever. Here are some features that actually make sense:
Wireless Printing Magic:
- Print from your phone while lounging on the couch
- Send documents to print while you’re still on your commute home
- No more doing the USB cable dance
Smart Home Integration: “Hey Google, print my grocery list” isn’t science fiction anymore. These printers play nice with Alexa and Google Assistant, making printing as easy as ordering a pizza.
The Real Cost of Printing (Or: Why Printer Ink Costs More Than Designer Perfume)
Let’s talk money – specifically, why printer ink is one of the most expensive liquids on the planet. Here’s the deal:
The Printer Pricing Game:
- Cheap printer + expensive ink = the classic printer business model
- Subscription services (like HP Instant Ink) can actually save you money
- Consider cost per page, not just the upfront price
Keeping Your Printer Happy (And Avoiding Paper Jam Drama)
Nobody likes an angry printer. Here’s how to keep yours purring like a kitten:
Monthly Maintenance Musts:
- Clean those printheads (like flossing, but for printers)
- Keep it dust-free (printers are divas about dust)
- Run test prints (think of it as your printer’s exercise routine)
Eco-Friendly Printing (Because Trees Are Cool)
Modern printers are getting greener:
- Automatic double-sided printing saves trees
- Energy-efficient modes save electricity
- Recycling programs for cartridges (because landfills have enough problems)
The Bottom Line
Choosing a printer doesn’t have to be rocket science. The HP Envy Pro 6455e is our top pick for most people – it’s like the Goldilocks of printers: not too expensive, not too basic, just right. But remember, the “best” printer is the one that fits your specific needs and budget.
Just don’t forget to keep it stocked with ink or toner. There’s nothing worse than a printer going on strike right before an important deadline!
And remember, no matter which printer you choose, they all share one universal truth: they can sense fear and deadline pressure. So approach with confidence, and may the printing odds be ever in your favor!