Remember that giant, clunky machine that took up half your desk? The one that printed blurry documents and scanned in shades of gray? Things have changed! Today’s printer scanners are sleek, smart, and incredibly useful. But with so many models boasting different features, how do you pick the perfect one for your home or office?
Choosing the right device can feel like a maze. Do you need all-in-one power, or just a speedy scanner? Is wireless printing a must-have? These decisions often lead to wasted money or a machine that just doesn’t meet your needs. We understand that frustration.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the essential features, explain confusing jargon, and show you exactly what to look for. By the end, you will know how to select a printer scanner that works perfectly for you.
Ready to upgrade your printing and scanning game? Let’s dive into the world of modern multifunction devices!
Top Printer Scanner Recommendations
- Print at home like a Pro.
- Reliable technology uniquely built to work at home.
- Print from your couch with the best print app.
- Always be ready to print. Never run out of ink.
- The DeskJet 2827e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm color, 7.5 ppm black
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- KEY FEATURES – Color printing, copy, scan, and a 60-sheet input tray
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- HP APP – Print, scan, copy, or fax right from your smartphone, PC, or tablet with the easiest-to-use print app
- FOR WHOLE FAMILY: Dad can take a print-anywhere small printer on business trips to improve productivity; Mom can print clear shopping lists from home printer and never forget what to buy again; Daughter can print reports; son can print personalized tattoos and more. Many more scenarios that can be used, it would make your life simpler, more organized and more interesting!
- UPDATED PORTABLE THERMAL PRINTER: COLORWING portable printer is 300DPI clear print quality, supports 5 different sizes, $0 cost no need ink or ribbon to save your money, simple to use only 1 minutes, support computer phone or tablet, 1.5 LB only 1 bottle of water weight to easily carry.
- CLEAR PRINT QUAILITY & EASY TO USE: Our wireless thermal printer is 300DPI, compared to most of the mini thermal printers on the market is 203DPI, the print quality is more clear. The mini portable printer is easy to install and use. The printer includes detailed videos on the official website to assist you in making printing easier and simpler.
- MEET YOUR DIVERSE PRINTING NEEDS: COLORWING printer is equivalent to buying five different sizes printers. Our portable wireless printer can support five different sizes with US Letter, A4, 4'', 3'' , 2''. It is also compatible with roll paper, flat paper, and continuous thermal paper. The roll paper printer saves you space and you don't have to worry about forgetting to bring paper. Thermal paper and thermal labels are also support.
- SAVE YOUR COST AND TIME: COLORWING no ink printer don’t need ink, ribbon or toner $0 costing, only $0.14 thermal paper. More cleaner and more convenient, and does not jeopardize your human health. Small printer with large capacity, charging for 2 hours can print 300 sheets continuously.
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES – Engineered for extraordinary productivity, the Brother DCP-L2640DW Monochrome (Black & White) 3-in-1 combines laser printer, scanner, copier in one compact footprint and delivers high-quality black & white prints
- FAST PRINTER WITH EFFICIENT SCANNING – Produces documents quickly with print speeds up to 36 ppm(2) and scan speeds up to 23.6/7.9 ipm(3) (black/color). A 50-page auto document feeder(4) allows for convenient, time saving multi-page scanning and copying
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS – Easily navigate the changing demands of your business with secure multi-device connectivity via built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz) and Ethernet. Or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Print, scan, and manage your wireless printer anytime, from almost anywhere from your mobile device. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(5)
- CHOOSE BROTHER GENUINE TONER – When it’s time to replace your toner, be sure to choose Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL replacement toner. And with Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service, you’ll never worry about running out of toner again and you’ll enjoy savings of up to 50%(6) on Brother Genuine Toner. Get started with Refresh today with a Free Trial(1)
- The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm color, 7.5 ppm black
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- KEY FEATURES – Color printing, copy, scan, and a 60-sheet input tray
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- HP APP – Print, scan, copy, or fax right from your smartphone, PC, or tablet with the easiest-to-use print app
- BEST FOR HOME AND HOME OFFICE: Get all your work done with an all-in-one multifunction printer. Print, copy, and scan on one compact printer for home use and home offices. Brother inkjet printers produce beautiful prints for results that stand out.
- EASY TO USE WITH CLOUD APP CONNECTIONS: Print from and scan to popular Cloud apps(2), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the simple-to-use 1.8” color display on your printer.
- PRODUCTIVITY-FOCUSED PRINTING FEATURES: This printer includes automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a 20-sheet single-sided Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)(3), and a 150-sheet paper tray(3). Engineered to print at fast speeds of up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 9 ppm in color(4).
- MULTIPLE CONNECTION OPTIONS: Connect your way. Interface with your printer on your wireless network or via USB.
- THE BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP: Go mobile with the Brother Mobile Connect app(5) that delivers easy onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from your mobile device. Monitor your ink usage with Page Gauge to help ensure you don’t run out(6) .
- Sold as 1 Each.
- All-in-one convenience from print, copy, and scan effortlessly with the TR7020a Wireless Color All-in-One Inkjet Printer.. Stay connected with versatile USB and Wi-Fi printing options, suitable for both home and office environments.. Intuitive 1.44" display for simple setup and navigation through all your printing needs.. Flexible paper feeding options with front and rear trays, allowing for simultaneous plain paper loading and easy media switching..
- Compatible with the Print Plan Ink Subscription Service - Flexible plans available where ink is delivered hassle-free right to your door automatically when you run low!
- . Compact design with dimensions of 8.2"H x 14.4"W x 15.9"D enhances productivity without taking up too much space. Superior scanning quality with 1200 x 2400 dpi optical resolution, and 8-bit color depth, ideal for capturing detailed text and images.
- High-quality, vibrant prints with impressive 4800 DPI resolution, perfect for professional documents and photos.. Versatile media support, handle everything from glossy photo paper to cards, envelopes, and even magnetic photo paper.. Energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, the TR7020a meets ENERGY STAR standards.. Backed by a 1-year manufacturer limited warranty for peace of mind and protection for your investment..
- EASIEST-TO-USE TANK PRINTERS – Quick setup, easy print and scan, reliable Wi-Fi and an app that makes it all easy
- BEST EVERYDAY PRINT QUALITY – HP tank printers deliver crisp text and frame-worthy photos with vivid, true-to-life colors for consistently impressive prints
- MESS-FREE REFILL – Replenish ink with HP's easy-access, mess-free refill system. Simply plug the ink bottles into this cartridge-free ink tank and let them drain—no squeezing, no spilling
- FULLY LOADED WITH SAVINGS – Best for low-cost, high-volume printing—2 years of Original HP Ink included; get up to 6,000 black or color pages right out of the box
- KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan, plus borderless prints, mobile and wireless printing
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing Your Perfect Printer Scanner
A printer scanner combo, often called an All-in-One (AIO) device, is a powerhouse for your home or office. It lets you print documents, copy papers, and scan important files. Picking the right one can save you time and frustration. This guide helps you make a smart choice.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look closely at what the machine can do. These features make a big difference in how you use your device.
1. Print Technology: Inkjet vs. Laser
- Inkjet Printers: These spray tiny drops of liquid ink onto the paper. They are great for printing colorful photos and detailed graphics. Ink cartridges can sometimes be expensive to replace.
- Laser Printers: These use toner powder and heat to create images. They print text very quickly and sharply. They are usually better for high-volume, black-and-white documents.
2. Scanning Resolution (DPI)
Resolution is measured in Dots Per Inch (DPI). Higher DPI means better detail when you scan. For everyday documents, 300 DPI is fine. If you scan old photos or artwork, look for 1200 DPI or higher.
3. Connectivity Options
How does the printer talk to your computer or phone? Look for these options:
- Wi-Fi: This lets you print wirelessly from anywhere in your house. This is very convenient.
- USB: The standard cable connection. It is reliable but limits where you can place the printer.
- Mobile Printing Apps: Check if the brand offers apps (like Apple AirPrint or Google Cloud Print) so you can print right from your phone.
4. Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)
If you often scan or copy stacks of papers, an ADF is essential. This feature automatically pulls multi-page documents through the scanner without you having to place each page manually. This saves a lot of time.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used determine how long your printer scanner will last.
Look for a sturdy plastic casing. Wobbly parts often break first. Pay attention to the paper trays. Metal rollers inside the printer handle paper better than cheap plastic ones, especially if you print often. Always check reviews for reports on the device’s long-term durability.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality involves speed, clarity, and ease of maintenance.
Improving Quality:
- Print Speed (PPM): Pages Per Minute (PPM) tells you how fast it prints. Faster speeds mean less waiting.
- Duplex Printing: This means the printer can automatically print on both sides of the paper. This saves paper and looks professional.
- Good Software: Easy-to-use scanning software helps you crop, correct colors, and save files in the right format (like PDF or JPG).
Reducing Quality (Things to Watch Out For):
- Proprietary Ink Systems: Some brands force you to use only their expensive ink cartridges. Refillable ink tanks (often found on newer inkjets) can lower your long-term printing costs.
- Slow Warm-up Times: Laser printers sometimes take a minute to warm up before the first page prints.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use the machine daily.
Home User / Student:
You need good photo quality and reliable wireless printing for homework assignments. A compact inkjet AIO usually works well here.
Small Office / Home Office (SOHO):
Speed and handling large print jobs matter most. A laser AIO with an ADF is often the best choice for handling contracts and invoices quickly.
Photo Enthusiast:
Prioritize high DPI scanning capabilities and printers known for excellent color accuracy when printing photos.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Printer Scanners
Q: Do I need separate software to use the scanner part?
A: Most modern printer scanners come with basic software included. However, you might download updated, feature-rich software directly from the manufacturer’s website for the best scanning control.
Q: Are all-in-one printers slower than single-function printers?
A: Sometimes, yes. Because they combine multiple parts, a dedicated scanner or printer might be slightly faster at its single job. However, for most home or small office needs, the convenience of the AIO outweighs minor speed differences.
Q: What is the difference between a flatbed scanner and an ADF?
A: A flatbed scanner is the glass surface where you place one item at a time (like a book or a single photo). An ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) is a tray that automatically feeds multiple sheets through the scanner mechanism.
Q: Can I scan directly to my email?
A: Many newer, higher-end models allow you to scan a document and send it directly as an attachment to an email address without needing a computer in between.
Q: Which type of printer is cheaper to run over time?
A: Laser printers usually have cheaper costs per page for black and white text printing. Inkjet printers using refillable ink tanks are becoming very cost-effective for color printing.
Q: What is “copy quality”?
A: Copy quality refers to how accurately the machine reproduces the original document when making a photocopy. Good copy quality means sharp lines and accurate colors, similar to the original.
Q: Will an old printer scanner work with a new computer operating system?
A: Sometimes older models lack updated drivers, meaning they won’t work perfectly with new Windows or macOS versions. Always check the manufacturer’s support page before buying an older model.
Q: How much physical space do I need?
A: Check the dimensions listed online. AIOs are compact, but you need extra space above the lid to fully open the scanner cover. Allow for space behind the printer for paper output and power cords.
Q: What file formats are best for scanning documents?
A: PDF (Portable Document Format) is generally best for multi-page documents because it keeps the formatting locked down. JPG or TIFF are better for high-quality photo scans.
Q: Should I buy a color laser or color inkjet AIO?
A: If you print color photos often, choose inkjet. If you print colorful charts or marketing flyers occasionally but need fast black text most of the time, a color laser might be better.