Best Printer for Home Use UK: Which Type to Buy
Quick answer: the best printer for home use depends on what you print. For occasional colour printing and photos, a compact inkjet like the Brother DCP-J1260W (£88.98) is the cheapest to buy. For lots of colour printing, an ink tank printer such as the Brother DCP-T580DW (£228.99) costs more upfront but far less per page. For mostly black text, homework and documents, a mono laser such as the Brother HL-L2400DWE (£113.99) is fast and cheap to run.
Buying a home printer is less about the price on the box and more about what each page will cost over the next few years. This guide matches printer types to how you print, then compares the models we sell.
Which type of printer do you need?
| You print | Best type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A few pages a month, some colour | Inkjet | Cheapest to buy, prints photos and colour |
| Lots of colour: school projects, flyers, photos | Ink tank | Refillable bottles make each page much cheaper |
| Mostly black text, often | Mono laser | Fast, sharp text, toner does not dry out |
| Colour documents for work | Colour laser or LED | Crisp colour, good for business documents |
| A3 posters or spreadsheets | A3 inkjet | Prints up to twice the size of A4 |
Still deciding between technologies? Read laser vs inkjet printer for home.
Our home printer picks
| Printer | Type | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother DCP-J1260W | 3-in-1 inkjet | Occasional colour printing, small spaces | £88.98 |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e | All-in-one inkjet | Quiet home printing | £103.98 |
| Brother HL-L2400DWE | Mono laser | Black text, 30ppm, 2-sided printing | £113.99 |
| Brother MFC-J4350DW | All-in-one inkjet | Home office with scanning and 2-sided printing | £158.99 |
| Brother DCP-L2627DWE | 3-in-1 mono laser | Black text plus scan and copy | £158.99 |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 9720e | A3 all-in-one inkjet | A3 printing at home | £188.99 |
| Brother DCP-T580DW | Ink tank | High-volume colour at low cost per page | £228.99 |
| HP Smart Tank 7305 | Ink tank all-in-one | Busy home offices | £278.99 |
Features worth having
- Wi-Fi and app printing: print from phones, tablets and laptops without cables.
- Automatic 2-sided printing: saves paper on long documents.
- All-in-one: scanning and copying are useful for forms, ID and receipts.
- Automatic document feeder (ADF): scans multi-page documents in one go.
- Running costs: check the cost and page yield of replacement ink or toner before you buy.
How to keep printing costs down
- Print in draft or eco mode for everyday pages.
- Use 2-sided printing by default.
- Buy high-yield or XL cartridges, which cost less per page.
- Print something every week or two on inkjets to stop nozzles drying out.
- Consider an ink tank if you print in colour often. See our best printer with cheap ink guide.
Browse printers and scanners, wireless printers and printer paper.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best type of printer for home use?
An inkjet for occasional colour, an ink tank for lots of colour, and a mono laser if you mostly print black text.
Is an inkjet or laser printer cheaper to run?
For black text, a laser is usually cheaper per page. For colour, an ink tank inkjet is usually cheapest per page.
Do inkjet printers dry out?
Inkjet nozzles can dry out if unused for long periods. Print a page every week or two to keep them working.
Do I need an all-in-one printer?
If you ever scan or copy documents, yes. All-in-ones cost little more than print-only models.
