Households with regular paperwork
You often print forms, revision materials or text-heavy documents and want readable black text without overlooking replacement supplies.
Who is this for?
Households handling colour coursework and scans
Your work includes colour diagrams or mixed documents, and you may also need to copy or scan pages from several household devices.
Occasional printers and document digitisers
You print infrequently, or your main task is turning paper records into digital files. A print service or a separate scanner may deserve consideration before you buy a printer.
What matters when choosing?
Decide whether you need a printer at home, then choose a print method for your volume and colour requirements. Treat scanning and copying as features to check separately: a multifunction printer can use either an inkjet or a laser print method.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Print volume and supplies | Estimate your usual black-text and colour pages. Check the exact model’s replacement supplies, stated yields and any optional page plan. | If I print forms and revision packs every week, I need a supply system that fits repeated use. Around 31% of consumers put recurring supplies first. |
| Colour and document types | Confirm whether colour or glossy paper is required, then check the model’s supported media and colour capability. | When coursework includes diagrams or images, plain black-text output will not cover everything I need. For around 25% of consumers, colour and document versatility are the primary concern. |
| Scanning and copying | Check print, copy and scan functions separately; for repeated batches, check for an automatic document feeder (ADF) and the required mobile-device compatibility. | If I regularly digitise signed forms or copy several pages, handling each sheet by hand matters to me. Scanning and workflow come first for around 25% of consumers. |
| Whether to own a printer | Compare how often you print with local service access, turnaround, collection and the space needed for a device. | For a few occasional documents, I would rather collect a print job than keep equipment at home. Avoiding ownership is the main concern for around 19% of consumers. |
Common buying mistakes
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Overlooking replacement supplies
A printer used regularly for coursework also needs a steady supply of ink or toner. Cartridge, refillable-tank and toner models involve different replacement routines.
Estimate a normal month’s black-text and colour pages, then check the supplies and stated yield for the exact model. If considering a subscription, read its terms separately.
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Choosing mono printing when colour is required
A mono laser can suit text-heavy work, but it will not produce the colour charts or images some coursework requires. Which? also distinguishes laser text output from printing on standard glossy photo paper.
Gather examples of the pages you expect to print before deciding whether mono output is enough.
Pages that require colour would need another printing arrangement.
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Assuming every multifunction model handles batches
Printing, copying and scanning do not establish whether a device has an ADF or can handle two-sided pages automatically.
Check the exact model’s scanner type, feeder capacity, automatic two-sided printing and two-sided scanning if those functions matter to your paperwork.
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Ruling out a print service for occasional jobs
A service can spare you device storage for rare assignments, provided its turnaround works with your deadline. Repeated trips may be less convenient for routine forms.
Compare a typical month’s jobs with your local service’s availability and collection arrangements before deciding.
Travel and collection time can become a practical burden close to a deadline.
Brands to consider
Brother
Brother offers mono laser, colour inkjet and multifunction routes relevant to home documents.
- Brother positions its laser range for text documents and its inkjets for colour images.
- Check the chosen model for colour printing, an ADF, two-sided printing and the connections you need; those functions vary across the range.
Epson
Epson is relevant if you are considering refillable-tank printing or a separate document scanner.
- Epson describes EcoTank as a refillable alternative to replacement ink cartridges; its scanner guidance also distinguishes flatbeds from feeders for multi-page jobs.
- Check the exact printer’s functions and bottle supplies rather than applying range-wide claims to one model.
Canon
Canon’s home range includes multifunction inkjets, refillable-tank options and separate flatbed scanners.
- A separate scanner such as the CanoScan LiDE 300 offers a way to digitise documents without buying a printer.
- A scanner will not print; Wi-Fi, feeder and copying functions also need checking on the particular device.
HP
HP is relevant when an optional ink subscription forms part of the supply decision.
- HP says Instant Ink sends cartridges when ink runs low for eligible printers on a page plan.
- Check printer eligibility and the current plan terms; a subscription need not suit irregular printing.
Joybuy product choices
These models cover refillable-tank choices for recurring colour documents and mono laser choices for black-text paperwork. Decide separately whether their scanning and copying arrangements fit your household tasks.
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Epson EcoTank ET-5150 A4 multifunction printer
Consider this model for recurring mixed paperwork when a refillable-tank printer and scanning are both relevant. Its product name specifies A4, Wi-Fi and multifunction use; check replacement-bottle availability and the scanning functions you need.
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Canon MAXIFY GX6150
Consider this refillable-tank model if repeated colour documents and household paperwork are your priority. Check the exact print, copy and scan functions alongside compatible refill bottles before choosing it.
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Brother DCP-L1640W mono laser printer
This mono laser model suits households whose printing is mainly black-text forms and documents, not colour coursework. If you also scan multi-page records, check whether handling them on a flatbed meets your needs.
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HP LaserJet M209dw wireless black-and-white printer
Consider this model for black-text documents when wireless and two-sided printing matter more than colour output. It has a 150-sheet input tray; confirm the exact model’s scanning and copying functions before relying on either.
Questions about home printing
Do I need a laser printer for coursework and forms?
No: a mono laser is worth considering for recurring black-text pages, while an inkjet is more relevant when coursework requires colour images or glossy paper. Which? notes that ink can dry out after long periods without use; check the exact printer’s supplies and colour capability against your workload.
Should I buy a multifunction printer or a separate scanner?
Choose a multifunction printer if you regularly need printing and scanning in one device; consider a separate scanner if digitising paper is your main task and you rarely print. Epson’s scanner guidance identifies an ADF as the feature for feeding multiple pages, so check for one if batch scanning matters.
When might a local print service make more sense?
A local service may suit occasional assignments or forms if you can meet its collection timetable. Ryman offers document printing as one such option; check your chosen service’s current arrangements before relying on it for a deadline.
What should I do with an old printer?
Check electrical-recycling options with your local authority or ask the retailer about take-back. GOV.UK describes same-type electrical-waste take-back when a customer buys an equivalent item, subject to the applicable retailer arrangements; ask what route is available for your printer.