Buying a printer sounds simple until you start comparing models. Inkjet or laser? Colour or mono? A4 or A3? Printer only, or multifunction? Cheap upfront, or cheaper to run long term?
The right printer depends on how often you print, what you print, how many people will use it and how much you want to spend over time. A printer that suits a home office may not be the right choice for a busy workplace, and a low-cost printer can quickly become expensive if the replacement cartridges are small or costly.
This guide will help you understand the main printer types and choose the best option for your needs.
Inkjet vs Laser Printers
One of the first decisions is whether you need an inkjet printer or a laser printer.
Inkjet printers are usually a great choice for home users, students, families and small offices that need colour printing. They are especially useful if you print images, school projects, occasional documents or mixed colour pages. Inkjet printers are often cheaper to buy upfront, but the running costs can vary depending on the cartridge or ink tank system.
Traditional cartridge-based inkjets can be convenient for light use, but if you print regularly, a high-yield ink tank model may be better value. Ink tank printers, such as Epson EcoTank-style devices, use refillable ink bottles instead of standard cartridges, helping reduce the cost per page for users who print often.
Laser printers are usually the better option for sharp text, fast document printing and higher print volumes. They are popular in businesses because toner cartridges generally last longer than ink cartridges, prints do not smudge as easily and pages can be produced quickly. Mono laser printers are especially cost-effective if you mainly print black-and-white documents.
If you mostly print documents, invoices, forms, reports or schoolwork, a laser printer may be the most practical choice. If you need colour images, occasional photos or lower upfront cost, an inkjet may suit you better.
Home Printers vs Business Printers
A home printer is usually designed for occasional use. It may be compact, affordable and easy to connect to Wi-Fi. For households, students or small home offices, a simple inkjet, ink tank or compact laser multifunction may be enough.
A business printer is designed for heavier workloads. Businesses often need faster print speeds, larger paper trays, better scanning options, network connectivity, higher-yield consumables and lower running costs. While business printers usually cost more upfront, they can be much cheaper and more reliable over time.
For home and small office options, visit our Home & SOHO Printers page.
For workplace and professional printing, visit our Business Printers page.
Colour vs Mono Printing
Another important question is whether you really need colour.
If you only print invoices, forms, documents, shipping labels or internal paperwork, a mono laser printer is often the best value. Mono printers are generally faster, simpler and cheaper to run than colour printers.
If you print brochures, presentations, signage, reports, certificates or customer-facing documents, a colour printer may be worth the extra cost. Colour can make documents look more professional, but it is important to consider toner or ink costs before choosing a model.
For some businesses, the best setup may even be two machines: a mono laser printer for everyday document printing and a colour printer or multifunction device for marketing material and presentation work. This can reduce colour printing waste and keep everyday printing costs low.
A4 vs A3 Printers
Most homes and offices only need an A4 printer. A4 printers are smaller, more affordable and suitable for everyday documents, forms, invoices, letters and general office printing.
An A3 printer is useful if you print larger documents, plans, posters, booklets, spreadsheets, design proofs or marketing material. A3 printers are common in schools, construction businesses, real estate offices, design teams and workplaces that need more flexible document output.
If you never print larger than standard paper, stick with A4. If you regularly outsource A3 printing or need larger-format documents in-house, an A3 device may save time and give your business more flexibility.
For larger office devices and business-grade multifunction printers, visit our Epson Business Printers page.
Printer Only or Multifunction?
A printer-only device is fine if you simply need to print. However, many homes and businesses benefit from a multifunction printer that can also scan and copy.
A multifunction printer is useful if you need to scan documents to email, copy forms, digitise paperwork or handle general admin tasks. For businesses, scanning can be just as important as printing, especially when dealing with invoices, contracts, forms, medical records or customer documents.
If multiple people need to scan or print, look for features such as an automatic document feeder, duplex printing, duplex scanning, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and secure print options.
Budget Tiers: What Should You Spend?
Printer pricing can be misleading. The cheapest printer is not always the cheapest printer to own.
Entry-Level Printers
Entry-level printers are best for light home use, occasional schoolwork or very low-volume printing. They are affordable upfront but may have smaller cartridges or slower print speeds.
Best for:
- Occasional home printing
- School assignments
- Light personal use
- Users with limited space
Mid-Range Home and SOHO Printers
Mid-range printers are a better fit for home offices, families, students and small businesses that print regularly. This is where ink tank printers, compact laser printers and small multifunction devices become attractive.
Best for:
- Working from home
- Students and families
- Small offices
- Regular document printing
- Users who want better long-term value
Business-Grade Printers
Business printers are designed for higher volume, better reliability and lower running costs. They often support larger toner or ink yields, stronger paper handling and better network features.
Best for:
- Offices with multiple users
- Businesses printing daily
- Workplaces needing scanning and copying
- Customers wanting lower cost per page
- Businesses looking at managed print services
For businesses wanting predictable costs and access to selected Brother and Epson business models, see our Brother Business Printers, Epson Business Printers and Managed Print Services pages.
Specific Printer Recommendations by Use Case
Best for Basic Home Printing
If you only print occasionally, a compact inkjet multifunction printer may be enough. This gives you printing, scanning and copying without taking up much space.
Recommended type: Entry-level inkjet multifunction
Best for: Households, occasional documents, schoolwork and simple scanning
Best for Students
Students often need reliable black-and-white document printing, with occasional colour. If colour is not essential, a mono laser printer can be a smart choice because it is fast and cost-effective.
Recommended type: Mono laser printer or affordable inkjet multifunction
Best for: Assignments, study notes, forms and everyday documents
Best for Home Office
For home office users, reliability and running costs matter. A compact laser multifunction or high-yield ink tank printer is usually a better long-term option than the cheapest cartridge printer.
Recommended type: Mono laser multifunction, colour laser multifunction or ink tank printer
Best for: Remote work, invoices, forms, reports, scanning and regular use
Best for Small Business
Small businesses should look for a printer that balances purchase price with ongoing running costs. Brother business laser printers are a strong option for many workplaces because they offer practical features, strong reliability and cost-effective toner options.
Recommended type: Business-grade mono or colour laser multifunction
Best for: Offices, reception areas, trade businesses, real estate, admin teams and professional services
Best for Higher-Volume Business Printing
If your business prints every day or has multiple staff using the same machine, consider a managed print solution or a business inkjet multifunction device with high-yield consumables.
Recommended type: Brother business laser device or Epson business inkjet multifunction
Best for: Larger offices, schools, medical practices, finance teams and busy admin environments
Best for Low Running Costs
If long-term running costs are your main concern, do not only compare the printer price. Look at toner or ink yield, cartridge cost, drum life, maintenance requirements and energy usage.
Recommended type: High-yield laser printer, Brother MPS model or Epson business inkjet
Best for: Businesses wanting predictable costs and less frequent consumable replacement
Best for A3 Printing
If you need larger paper sizes, look at an A3 multifunction device. Epson business inkjet models can be a strong option for businesses wanting A3 capability, lower energy use and high-capacity ink.
Recommended type: A3 business multifunction printer
Best for: Plans, posters, spreadsheets, booklets, school use and marketing documents
Do Not Forget Ink and Toner Costs
Before buying any printer, check the cost and yield of replacement ink or toner. A printer with a low purchase price may cost far more over time if cartridges are expensive or low capacity.
For replacement consumables, visit our Inks & Toners page.
Need Help Choosing?
The best printer is not always the cheapest, fastest or most expensive model. It is the printer that suits your actual printing habits.
Before choosing, ask yourself:
- How many pages do I print each week?
- Do I need colour?
- Do I need scanning and copying?
- Will multiple people use the printer?
- Do I need A3 or only A4?
- What will replacement ink or toner cost?
- Is this for home, business or both?
If you are unsure, Hunter Office Technology can help you compare your options and choose a printer that suits your needs, budget and ongoing running costs.
Explore our printer range here:
- Brother Business Printers
- Epson Business Printers
- Home & SOHO Printers
- Inks & Toners
- Managed Print Services
For expert advice, contact Hunter Office Technology and let our team help you find the right printer for your home or business.