It is time we reviewed our recommendations of the best printer for 2024. Below you will find the latest printers and our current recommendations on what to look for when buying a new printer.
Two Rules When Buying a New Printer For 2024
There are two rules when buying a new printer and using compatible cartridges to reduce your printing costs. There have been no changes to these rules for 2024.
1. Never buy an HP printer.
2. Buy a printer that takes more than 2 cartridges, unless you print very little.
HP uses lots of tricks to ensure you use genuine cartridges and sometimes these tricks work. Even when they don’t work they add to the cost of the cartridges. In 2024 it has become even more important to avoid HP due to their HP+ technology and automatic updates. If you sign up to HP+ or are lured in by their Instant Ink program then you agree to use genuine cartridges only in the printer. There is no way to undo this and it becomes a very expensive trap. The 2 cartridge printers with one black cartridge and one tri-colour cartridge are very cheap to buy, but more expensive to run.
It then depends on what you print as to which is the best printer for 2024.
Printing Small Amounts
If you do not print much, ignore rule 2 and consider the two cartridge printers from Canon (TS3465, TS3660, TR4660). The printhead on these cartridges is built into the cartridge itself. This makes the printer cheaper to buy and has the added benefit that when you replace the print cartridge you replace the print head. It is like getting a new printer every time you replace the ink. This can solve the problems caused by leaving the printer sitting for any length of time. The obvious downside of this is the cartridges are more expensive and these printers will cost a lot to run if you use them for printing large quantities.
Everyday Printing For Home or Small Business
For general printing needs consider the Canon TR range of printers (TR7660, TR8660). An entry level Brother Multifunction Centre Ink Jet printer (MFCJ1010DW, DCPJ1050DW). Also worth considering are the Epson Expression printers (XP3200, XP4200). Or the business machines from Brother (MFCJ4440DW, MFCJ4540DW). We use both Canon and Brother printers ourselves, with Brother being the most popular printers in New Zealand. All of these printers come with paper trays in various sizes, scanning and copying functionality and have document feeders built in (except the DCPJ1050DW). The maximum print size is A4 paper.
Best Laser Printer for 2024
If you only need to print in black consider the Laser printers from Brother. The HL1210W or DCP1610W are good entry level scanner, copier, printer for home use. The MFCL2820DW is a replacement for the reliable MFCL2713DW both of which are great printers for a small business. Laser printers will not produce the photo quality you can get with an inkjet printer, but are excellent when lots of printing is required. There is no ink to dry out in the print head which means laser printers can last a very long time. It is now possible to get colour laser printers at a reasonable price like the DCPL3551CDW and its replacement the DCPL3560CDW and MFCL3760CDW. Compatible toners for these two new printers will be available later in 2024. Some of the cheaper laser printers can only print, with no scanning or copying functions.
Printing Photos, Crafts or A3 size
Inkjet printers are the best for photographs and the more colours the better. Canon printers print beautiful photographs using up to 12 colours in their professional printers. If you are after the very best results then using a premium printer with genuine ink cartridges will acheive this. It will be expensive to buy and run, but the quality may be worth the additional cost.
If you want to print in A3 then take a look at the Brother printers (MFCJ5340DW, MFCJ5740DW) as they have a few machines with this functionality. Canon also offers the TS9560 which is designed for art and crafts and can print on card and up to A3 size as well.
Best Printer for 2024 if Printing a Large Amount
Ink Tank printers are cheap to run but very expensive to buy. If you print very large quantities in colour these printers are worth considering. Epson started this trend and it is certainly worth considering the Ecotank range of printers (ET1810, ET2810, ET2850, ET4850). Canon and HP also have offerings in this range such as the Canon Megatank (G3630, G4610) or even HP Smart Tank (5105). As yet HP has not found a way to restrict the ink you use in these printers, but I am sure they are working on it.
Take a look for specials on particular models at Warehouse Stationery or Noel Leemings. Also take a look at the best printer for 2023 as there may be some of these printers still available from smaller retailers.
Before you buy a printer, please check our website to confirm the price and availability of cartridges. This could save you a lot of money in the long run.
If you have a short list of printers, let the team at Affordable Ink know and we can advise further.