Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall Inkjet Printer on Earth today is the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer.
- Inkjet printers are unsurprisingly expensive but will boost workplace productivity, as you can print roughly 20 sheets per minute.
- Inkjet printers are easy to use, guarantee high-quality printouts, and are versatile, as you can print documents and photos.
- When looking for a good inkjet printer, consider its printing speed, functionality, paper handling, ink and toners, and price.
Starting a small business has its fair share of challenges, but one thing you will need in your office is a printer. Whether it’s your business tax records, client invoices, loan documents, purchase files, or a plethora of other tasks you must take on, you’ll need an inkjet printer that doesn’t clean out your wallet. Those working from home aren’t immune to this, either, as a home printer is handy when you require hard copies of your work-related documents.
Many are tempted to purchase a modern laser printer over an inkjet one. However, remember that inkjet printers are the cheaper option for someone looking for a home office printer or who has a small business.
Moreover, a good inkjet printer should be an all-around performer and help you with your scanning and photocopying needs, making it a reasonable long-term purchase.
Don’t be confused! We’re here to help. Here are the 5 best inkjet printers on Earth today!
- Best Overall: EcoTank Pro ET-5850 All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer
- Best for Businesses: Canon MAXIFY GX6021
- Best Mid-Range: HP Office Jet Pro 9025e
- Best for Photographs: Canon Image PROGRAF PRO-300
- Best Budget-Friendly: Canon PIXMA MG3620
#1 Best Overall: EcoTank Pro ET-5850 All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer
- 1-year limited warranty
- White
- With scanner, copier, and fax
- Ethernet
The EcoTank Pro ET-5850 All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer is an all-around great performer for printing, scanning, and photocopying documents.
Design-wise, the EcoTank Pro ET-5850 won’t clutter your working desk, as it is an all-in-one machine. This means you do not need extra space for a photocopier or scanner. The EcoTank Pro ET-5850 looks a bit bulky at first glance.
Surprisingly, it only weighs 39.2 pounds, which is relatively light for an all-in-one machine. Epson also packed it with a 4.3-inch touchscreen display for easy navigation and a sleek display.
Running on the DuraBrite pigment ink, the EcoTank Pro delivers black and colored printed sheets at 25 pages per minute. And with a 4,800 x 2,400 DPI resolution, you can easily print professional documents or crisp images of your after-work activities. Even so, nothing beats this printer’s two front trays that provide enough real estate to hold 500 sheets.
In addition, this mid-range printer aligns with your business saving plan. The printer’s replacement bottles have enough ink to print 7,500 black pages, which is economical for a startup business. But what impressed us the most is the EcoTank Pro’s voice activation feature, which allows you to use voice commands to control it. This printer also supports wireless connectivity, allowing you to connect via Wi-Fi and print documents.
The EcoTank Pro ET-5850’s main shortcoming is its price tag. You must fork out $749.99 for this printer, which is quite expensive.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Prints 25ppm, making it super-fast | This printer is quite expensive. |
| Its ink bottles can print 7,500 black pages per refill. | |
| Supports wireless connections, including Wi-Fi |
Check out the EcoTank Pro ET-5850 All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer on Amazon.
Best for Businesses: Canon MAXIFY GX6021
- Print, scan, copy, and ADF
- White
- Small design to take up less space on your desk
- Easy Wi-Fi setup in minutes
- Easy to fill with ink
- Load up to 250-Sheets of plain paper in the bottom cassette
Get the Canon MAXIFY GX6021 if you are shopping for the best inkjet printer for your business.
You don’t need a big office to house this printer thanks to its 15.8 x 25.4 x 12.9 dimensions with the trays extended. Moreover, weighing 25.6 lbs, this printer is lightweight and very portable from one office section to another.
With a 4-color pigment ink system, the GX6021 boasts fast print speeds of 24 IPM for black pages and 15.5 IPM for colored pages. Buying this printer for your office work is very cost-effective. A full ink bottle prints 6,000 black and white or 14,000 colored pages. Adding to the printer’s productivity are two trays holding 350 sheets of paper and an automatic document feeder supporting 50 sheets.
Considered a printer ready for any job, the GX6021 can print up to 47 inches of paper. You can also use it to print envelopes, labels, and other images, adding to its versatility. Speaking of versatility, you can also use it to scan your documents.
Canon packed the MAXIFY GX6021 with a 2.7-inch screen for easy navigation. It also has a voice command feature and is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa. The only downside to buying this inkjet printer is that it is only compatible with Windows 7 or MacOS 10.12 and above.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Has fast printing speeds of 24ipm and 15.5ipm colored pages | Limited to those using Windows 7 and MacOS 10.12 versions and above |
| Boasts an automatic document feeder that holds 50 sheets | |
| The GX6021 doubles as a scanner. |
Check out the Canon MAXIFY GX6021 on Amazon.
Best Mid-Range: HP Office Jet Pro 9025e
- 6 free months instant ink subscription
- Fast print speeds up to 24 ppm in black and 20 ppm in white
- HP Smart App includes 24 month subscription
- Great choice for small and home office businesses
We must include the HP Office Jet Pro 9025e, a reliable mid-range inkjet printer that doesn’t shy away from performance.
Our first impression was that this printer looked bulky for a machine measuring 17.20 x 21.54 x 12.53 inches and weighing 25.65 lbs. But it is an aggressive performer, considering it can print, copy, scan, and fax.
Designed to save you time, the Jet Pro will print your sheets at a speed of 24ppm while still maintaining the 1,200 x 1,200 DPI resolution quality for black pages. Moreover, this HP printer is not dubbed the king of productivity for no reason. It has a 35-page auto feeder and two 250-sheet paper trays, making printing as efficient as possible. And with a 1.2GHz processing speed, the printer remains efficient even when printing multiple papers continuously.
Powered by the HP printer software, you can download the HP smart app and link your phone to the printer, allowing you to control it remotely. HP also packed this printer with thermal inkjet technology to boost its printing quality. Adding to the Jet Pro’s specs is a 2.7-inch touchscreen with an intuitive interphase for easy navigation.
Unfortunately, the Jet Pro isn’t perfect. You are only limited to devices that use Windows 7 or MacOS 10.14 and above, discouraging those with older OS versions.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is versatile, as you can use it for printing, copying, scanning, and faxing. | Limited to Windows 7 and MacOS 10.14 and above operating systems |
| The printer’s 24ppm printing speed is impressive. | |
| Has an auto feeder and sheet trays for convenience |
Check out the HP Office Jet Pro 9025e on Amazon.
Best for Photographs: Canon Image PROGRAF PRO-300
- Prints up to 13" x 19"
- 3.0" LCD screen with Profession Print and Layout software
- Mobile device printing
- Black
- 9-color plus Chroma Optimizer ink system
- Easy to check ink levels and printing status
Next, we have the Canon Image PROGRAF PRO-300, an inkjet printer ideal for photographers.
Boasting a compact and sophisticated design, the PROGRAF PRO-300 won’t clutter your desk, even with its 25.2” x 33” x 16.4” dimensions. Moreover, it packs a 3.0 LCD touchscreen display for streamlined navigation and a modern interface.
Operating on the LUCIA Pro Pigment ink system, this inkjet printer will bring your images to life. Canon paired the printer with the New Matte Black ink, which ensures your printed photos have deep blacks in the dark areas, making them as realistic as possible. This inkjet printer is also a proven workhorse, printing A3 photos in 2 minutes and 50 seconds at 4,800 x 2,400 DPI resolution without color bleeds.
Like any modern printer, the PROGRAF PRO-300 supports wireless connections, including Wi-Fi. This means you can print your photos remotely.
This printer’s main damper is its price tag. It will cost you $849 to own the PROGRAF PRO-300 printer. Your devices must also run on Windows 7 or a MacOS 10.11 and above.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Prints A3+ photos in 2 minutes and 50 seconds, which is fast | It is very expensive. |
| You can connect the printer wirelessly, which is impressive. | You must have Windows 7 and above or MacOS 10.11.6 to 10.15 to connect the PROGRAF PRO-300 printer. |
| Has a compact design, ideal for office spaces |
Check out the Canon Image PROGRAF PRO-300 on Amazon.
Best Budget-Friendly: Canon PIXMA MG3620
- Wireless 3-in-1 (Print | Copy | Scan)
- 9.9 / 5.7 ipm Print Speed
- 100 Sheet Capacity
- Auto 2-Sided Printing
- ENERGY STAR
- Mobile and tablet printing
For less than $60, you can go home with the Canon PIXMA MG3620, one of the cheapest inkjet printers in the market.
However, do not underestimate the MG3620’s performance based on its price tag. This inkjet printer clocks average printing speeds of 9.9 IPM for black papers and 5.71 IPM for colored sheets, which, though slower than other printers on our list, is quite decent. Surprisingly, this printer delivers crisp documents at 4,800 x 1,200 DPI resolution for colored pages.
What impressed us the most about the Canon PIXMA MG3620 is its hybrid ink system. You get the best of both worlds because the printer combines dye ink for clear colors and black pigments for sharp text. The printer is also an all-in-one machine with a scanner and a copier, further cementing its versatility.
This printer is also very productive and has a tray capacity of 100 pages. Our only issue with this budget-friendly machine is that it lacks an automatic document feeder.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Surprisingly fast for a low-budget printer | Lacks an automatic document feeder |
| The printer’s 4,800 x 1,200 DPI resolution is impressive. |
Check out the Canon PIXMA MG3620 on Amazon.
©alfredhofer/Shutterstock.com
How to Pick the Best Inkjet Printer: Step-by-Step
The perfect inkjet printer does not exist, as every machine has flaws. However, you can get a printer that ticks most, if not all, of your preferences. You should also compare different printers to get one that matches your intended use.
We compiled a list of some essential tips to keep in mind when shopping for an inkjet printer.
- Print speed
- Connectivity
- Overall costs
Let’s break them down below.
Print Speed
A printer’s speed influences your productivity and efficiency. Print speed is mostly measured in pages per minute and should match your intended use. Small machines, mainly used at home, may only print 5 pages per minute, while big printers can produce roughly 20 pages per minute. Remember, printing speeds vary depending on whether you print a single-page or double-page document. So, you must account for this when comparing different inkjet printers.
Connectivity
Printers offer different connectivity options. USB connections are the most common on many printers, letting you connect your printer to your computer using a USB cable and start printing. Basic Wi-Fi connections are now the standard, as seen with the EcoTank Pro ET-5850 printer, which gives you access to other features like wireless printing.
Overall Costs
Consider your lifetime printing costs when shopping for a printer. For instance, look at the printer’s energy consumption, ink and toner costs, and maintenance expenses. Cutting corners when purchasing a printer may lead to additional costs, especially if you overwork a printer that doesn’t have enough power to keep up with your workload.
Be sure to buy a printer that matches your intended use. Also, choose a multipurpose printer to avoid buying other office equipment like scanners and photocopiers.
What to Know Before Buying an Inkjet Printer
The tray should be large enough to handle your workload. A good printer should have a large tray that can hold at least 500 sheets of paper for better productivity. It should also have an automatic document feeder, which makes printing easier, especially in a busy office.
Printing resolution matters. Anything less than 1,200 x 1,200 DPI resolution for black pages won’t give you crisp images.
A good inkjet printer should not be bulky both in weight and design. A bulky printer may clutter your office or be unsuitable for small office spaces.
Using the Best Inkjet Printers: What It’s Like
Most inkjet printers are easy to set up as you can connect them to your computer using a USB cable. Alternatively, depending on the model, you can connect the printer wirelessly, as this is not available for all inkjet printers. A wireless printer also allows you to print documents remotely, which is very convenient for open-plan offices.
Using an inkjet printer may feel different, especially if you’re used to laser printers, as they print using jets. The jets spray ink on the paper as it moves through the printer. However, inkjet printers are not noisy, so their printing mechanism should not be a concern.
Summary Table
| Printer | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| EcoTank Pro ET-5850 All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer | Prints 25ppm, making it super-fast. Its ink bottles can print 7,500 black pages per refill. Supports wireless connections, including Wi-Fi. | This printer is quite expensive. |
| Canon MAXIFY GX6021 | Has fast printing speeds of 24ipm and 15.5ipm colored pages. Boasts an automatic document feeder that holds 50 sheets. The GX6021 doubles as a scanner. | Limited to those using Windows 7 and MacOS 10.12 versions and above |
| HP Office Jet Pro 9025e | It is versatile, as you can use it for printing, copying, scanning, and faxing. The printerâs 24ppm printing speed is impressive. Has an auto feeder and sheet trays for convenience. | Limited to Windows 7 and MacOS 10.14 and above operating systems |
| Canon Image PROGRAF PRO-300 | Prints A3+ photos in 2 minutes and 50 seconds, which is fast. You can connect the printer wirelessly, which is impressive. Has a compact design, ideal for office spaces. | It is very expensive. You must have Windows 7 and above or MacOS 10.11.6 to 10.15 to connect the PROGRAF PRO-300 printer. |
| Canon PIXMA MG3620 | Surprisingly fast for a low-budget printer. The printerâs 4,800 x 1,200 DPI resolution is impressive. | Lacks an automatic document feeder |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Torychemistry/Shutterstock.com.
