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Finding the best printer for beginners can be tough. The HP DeskJet 2955 is our top pick. It’s an all-in-one color inkjet printer that includes a scanner and copier. It also comes with a three-month trial of Instant Ink, which helps save on ink costs. For a budget option, the Canon PIXMA TS4320 offers solid features at a lower price. You give up some print speed but still get great quality prints.
Most buyers face the choice between cost and functionality. You must decide if you want the convenience of Instant Ink or if you prefer a simple, affordable printer. This article will guide you through your options and highlight what makes each printer a good choice for beginners.
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The Top 8
Top 8 Printers Reviewed in Detail
Here are some of the best printers for beginners. Each offers unique features that cater to new users.
1. Top Pick
The HP DeskJet 2955 is a wireless all-in-one printer. It can print, scan, and copy. It’s easy to set up and use. This model is designed for home use. It comes with a 3-month trial of Instant Ink. You can print quality documents without hassle.
Pros
Affordable price. Lightweight at 10.45 lbs. Simple setup process. Instant Ink trial helps save on costs.
Cons
Limited paper capacity can be inconvenient. Print speed is not the fastest available.
Best for home users needing basic printing. Suitable for students or families with light printing needs.
The HP DeskJet 2955 is a solid choice for beginners. It offers easy use and reliable performance.
2. Best for Beginners
Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer, Duplex Printing, Copier/Scanner, 1.42" OLED Display, Compact, White
- Affordable Versatility – A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints – Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use – Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity – Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling – Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
- Save Time & Paper – Optimize your printing with automatic 2-sided printing, reducing paper consumption and speeding up your workflow
- Diverse Media Support – Print a wide range of documents and photos up to 8.5” x 11”, with or without borders, for all your creative and professional needs
- Intuitive OLED Display – Easily monitor ink levels, printer status, and adjust settings at a glance using the 1.42” Monochrome OLED screen
- Compact & Stylish – Designed to fit seamlessly into any workspace, its small footprint complements your environment without sacrificing functionality
- Convenient Mobile Printing2 – Print directly from your smartphone or tablet with popular services like the Canon PRINT App, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 is a versatile printer. It prints, scans, and copies. You can connect it wirelessly to your devices. This printer features a 1.42-inch OLED display for easy navigation. It uses a two-cartridge ink system for sharp prints.
Pros
Compact design saves space. High-quality prints for documents and photos. Budget-friendly option for home and hybrid work.
Cons
Setup may take longer for less tech-savvy users. Limited paper capacity can be a drawback.
Great for home users needing a compact printer. Suitable for occasional photo printing.
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 is a versatile choice. It’s easy to use and produces high-quality prints.
3. Best Value
Canon PIXMA TS4320 – Wireless Color Inkjet Printer with Print, Copy, Scan
- Affordable Versatility – A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints – Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use – Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity – Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling – Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
- Save Time & Paper – Optimize your printing with automatic 2-sided printing, reducing paper consumption and speeding up your workflow
- Diverse Media Support – Print a wide range of documents and photos up to 8.5” x 11”, with or without borders, for all your creative and professional needs
- Compact & Stylish – Designed to fit seamlessly into any workspace, its small footprint complements your environment without sacrificing functionality
- Convenient Mobile Printing2 – Print directly from your smartphone or tablet with popular services like the Canon PRINT App, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service
- Eco-Conscious Choice – This printer is EPEAT Silver and ENERGY STAR certified, helping you reduce your environmental footprint
The Canon PIXMA TS4320 is another reliable option. It is also a wireless color inkjet printer. This model supports printing, copying, and scanning. It is designed for home users with tight budgets. Expect clear and vivid prints thanks to its ink system.
Pros
Affordable and space-saving. Good print quality for both documents and photos. Easy wireless setup.
Cons
Print speed may be slower than some competitors. Limited features compared to more advanced models.
Best for casual users who need basic printing. Suitable for students or light home office tasks.
The Canon PIXMA TS4320 offers great value. It is perfect for those who need simple printing.
4. Best Budget
Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Print, Scan, Copy
- AFFORDABLE ALL-IN-ONE FOR HOME AND HOME OFFICE: Print, copy, and scan on one compact wireless printer designed for everyday home office printing, schoolwork, documents, and reports. Produce beautiful prints for results that stand out.
- EASY TO USE WITH CLOUD APP CONNECTIONS: Print from and scan to popular Cloud apps(2), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the simple-to-use 1.8” color display on your printer.
- FULL-SIZE FEATURES IN A COMPACT DESIGN: This printer includes automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a 20-sheet single-sided Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)(3), and a 150-sheet paper tray(3). Engineered to print at fast speeds of up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 9 ppm in color(4).
- MULTIPLE CONNECTION OPTIONS: Connect your way. Interface with your printer on your wireless network or via USB.
- MOBILE PRINTING MADE EASY: Go mobile with the Brother Mobile Connect app(5) that delivers easy onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from your mobile device. Monitor your ink usage with Page Gauge to help ensure you don’t run out(6).
The Brother Work Smart 1360 is an all-in-one printer. It can print, copy, and scan from one machine. This model is compact and designed for home offices. It connects easily to cloud apps. Expect high-quality prints for everyday use.
Pros
Affordable and versatile for home use. Easy to connect to cloud applications. Produces vibrant color prints.
Cons
The design may not appeal to everyone. Limited advanced features compared to some models.
Suitable for small home offices needing an all-in-one solution. Good for students and families.
The Brother Work Smart 1360 is a dependable choice. It meets the needs of home and small office users.
5. Best for Beginners
HP Smart Tank 5003 Wireless All-in-One Ink Tank Printer, Scanner, Copier with up to 3 Years of Ink Included, Best-for-Home, Cartridge-Free Refillable,…
- THE LAST PRINTER YOU’LL EVER NEED – Set it up once and print with confidence; no complicated maintenance, just easy, reliable printing you can count on
- FULLY LOADED WITH SAVINGS – Best for low-cost, high-volume printing—up to 3 years of HP Ink included; get up to 6,000 color or black pages right out of the box
- KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan, plus borderless prints, mobile and wireless printing
- MESS-FREE REFILL – Replenish ink with HP’s easy-access, mess-free refill system; simply plug the ink bottles into this cartridge-free ink tank and let them drain—no squeezing, no spilling
- BEST PRINT QUALITY, PERIOD – Sharper text, richer colors, only with HP Smart Tank
The HP Smart Tank 5003 is a cartridge-free printer. It comes with up to three years of ink included. This model supports printing, scanning, and copying. It’s designed for high-volume printing. You can expect easy setup and reliable performance.
Pros
Long-lasting ink supply saves money. Easy to maintain and use. Great for high-volume printing needs.
Cons
Larger size may not fit smaller spaces. Initial setup might seem complex for some users.
Ideal for families or home offices with heavy printing needs. Useful for users looking to save on ink costs.
The HP Smart Tank 5003 offers excellent value. It is perfect for users who print frequently.
6. Best Heavy-Duty
Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer
- Wireless Print/Copy/Scan
- Up to 2 years of ink included (2)
- Print up to 6,000 black & white / 7,700 color pages using a single set of inks! (1)
- Save up to $1,000 on ink (1)
- 1.35” Square LCD display
- Single-sided printing
- See below for disclaimers
The Canon MegaTank G3270 is a wireless all-in-one printer. It includes up to two years of ink. This model can print thousands of pages before needing more ink. It is designed for efficiency and easy use. The 1.35-inch LCD display helps with navigation.
Pros
Massive ink savings can cut costs significantly. High page yield ensures less frequent ink changes. Easy to print and scan wirelessly.
Cons
Initial cost may be higher than basic printers. The design may not fit all styles.
Best for users needing a reliable printer for high-volume tasks. Great for families or small businesses.
The Canon MegaTank G3270 is a smart choice. It’s efficient and cost-effective for heavy users.
7. Best for Daily Use
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-Home, 3 Month Trial of Instant Ink Included, AI-Capable (AJ4Y0A)
- AFFORDABLE COLOR PRINTING – Print everyday color documents like to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes
- KEY FEATURES – Color print, copy, scan, a 35-sheet auto document feeder and a 60-sheet input tray, plus mobile and wireless printing
- OPTIMIZE PRINT FORMATTING WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- ICON LCD – Print your basic documents with ease from the intuitive control panel
- PRINT SPEED – Up to 8.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- 3 MONTH TRIAL OF INSTANT INK INCLUDED – Subscribe to Instant Ink delivery service to get ink automatically delivered before you run out ; after 3 months, a monthly fee applies unless cancelled
- HP APP – Print, scan, copy, or fax right from your smartphone with the easiest-to-use print app
- SUSTAINABLE DESIGN – Made with at least 70% recycled plastics, plus it’s ENERGY STAR and EPEAT certified
- COMPACT DESIGN – Made to fit any home
The HP DeskJet 4355 is another versatile printer. It offers printing, scanning, and copying. This model is designed for home use. It has a 35-sheet auto document feeder for easy handling. The mobile and wireless printing features are convenient.
Pros
Affordable and compact design. Auto document feeder saves time. Good print quality for everyday tasks.
Cons
Print speed is average. Limited features compared to more advanced printers.
Suitable for families needing a basic printer. Good for students with simple document needs.
The HP DeskJet 4355 is a functional choice. It provides ease of use for everyday printing.
8. Best Compact
HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Print, Scan, Copy, ADF, Duplex Printing Best-for-Home Office, 3 Month Trial of Instant Ink…
- FROM AMERICA’S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The OfficeJet Pro 8125 is perfect for home offices printing professional-quality color documents like business documents, reports, presentations and flyers. Print speeds up to 20 ppm black, 10 ppm color.
- 3 MONTH TRIAL OF INSTANT INK INCLUDED – Subscribe to the Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out, and you save up to 50% on ink; after 3 months, a monthly fee applies unless cancelled
- KEY FEATURES – Fast color printing, scan, copy, auto 2-sided printing, auto document feeder, and a 225-sheet input tray
- 2.7-INCH TOUCHSCREEN – Quickly navigate your printer with a large color touchscreen and a phone-like user interface
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- HP APP – Print, scan, copy, or fax right from your smartphone with the easy-to-use print app
- OPTIMIZE PRINT FORMATTING WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- PROTECTS YOUR DATA – HP Wolf Essential Security bolsters security and helps keep your network protected from cyber threats
- SUSTAINABLE DESIGN – Made with more than 45% recycled plastic content
- This printer is intended to work only with cartridges with original HP chips or circuitry and will block cartridges using non-HP chips or circuitry. Periodic firmware updates will maintain the effectiveness of these measures.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 is designed for home offices. It prints, scans, and copies with high quality. This model features fast print speeds at 20 pages per minute for black. It supports duplex printing, saving paper. A trial of Instant Ink is included.
Pros
High print speed saves time. Professional-quality prints for business documents. Easy to set up and use.
Cons
Higher price point may not suit all budgets. Larger size may require more desk space.
Best for home offices needing reliable performance. Great for users who print professional documents regularly.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 is an excellent investment. It combines speed and quality for serious users.
Printers Compared Side by Side
The table below compares key features of each printer. You can see which one might suit your needs best. Look for specs like print speed, connectivity, and ink options to identify the best printer for beginners for you.
| # | Product | Best for | Brand | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HP DeskJet 2955 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer | Top Pick | HP | $49.99 | Check |
| 2 | Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer | Best for Beginners | Canon | $79 | Check |
| 3 | Canon PIXMA TS4320 | Best Value | Canon | $69 | Check |
| 4 | Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One… | Best Budget | Brother | $99.98 | Check |
| 5 | HP Smart Tank 5003 Wireless All-in-One Ink Tank Printer | Best for Beginners | HP | $189.99 | Check |
| 6 | Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer | Best Heavy-Duty | Canon | $159 | Check |
| 7 | HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer | Best for Daily Use | HP | $69.99 | Check |
| 8 | HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet… | Best Compact | HP | $109.99 | Check |
| 9 | Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome… | — | Brother | $209.99 | Check |
Prices come from Amazon and change often. The price on Amazon at checkout is the one that applies.
How We Reviewed
Where our data comes from
We gathered data from trusted sources like product specifications, user reviews, and expert articles. We looked at around 30 different printers focusing on those specifically designed for beginners.
How we built this shortlist
After extensive research, we narrowed our list down to eight printers. We focused on ease of use, features beneficial for beginners, and overall affordability. Each printer also needed to have good print quality.
What we ruled out and why
We removed printers that had complicated setups or lackluster user reviews. If a printer had frequent complaints about connectivity or reliability, it was not included. Only models with proven track records made the final list.
What we did not do
No printers were tested by hand, nor were there any lab measurements taken. We did not create scores or ratings based on personal use. All evaluations are based on available data and user experiences.
How often this page is updated
This page is updated every three months to reflect new releases and changing user feedback. We check for any changes in product specifications and user experiences to keep the information current.
How to Choose Printers
Print Quality
Look for a printer that delivers clear and vibrant prints. A printer with a minimum resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi is usually good for photos and documents. This ensures that text is sharp and images are vivid.
Connectivity Options
Choose a printer that connects easily to your devices. Wireless options let you print from your phone or tablet. If you plan to print directly from your computer, check for both USB and wireless capabilities.
Size and Weight
Consider the printer’s size and weight if you have limited space. Compact models can fit on smaller desks. A weight under 15 pounds is manageable for most users.
Ease of Use
Look for user-friendly features like a simple control panel and easy setup. Some printers come with touchscreens that make navigation easier. A smartphone app can also simplify printing from mobile devices.
Ink System
Check the ink system and how long it lasts. Models with all-in-one cartridges can be easier to maintain. Some printers offer refillable tanks that can save money over time, especially for heavy users.
What to look for
Print Speed
Print speed is important for efficiency. Most printers have speeds listed in pages per minute (ppm). A good beginner printer should print at least 8-10 ppm for black and 5-7 ppm for color. This ensures you don’t wait long for your documents.
Multi-functionality
Having multiple functions like printing, scanning, and copying is helpful. All-in-one printers are great for beginners as they handle various tasks. This can save space and money on separate devices.
Durability
Consider the printer’s build quality. A sturdy printer can withstand daily use. Look for reviews that mention reliability and longevity. This helps ensure your printer lasts through various tasks.
Customer Support
Good customer support can make a big difference for beginners. Check if the manufacturer offers helpful resources. This may include online guides, customer service, or warranty options for issues that may arise.
Compatibility
Ensure the printer works with your devices. Check for compatibility with operating systems like Windows or macOS. Some printers also work better with specific programs or apps for printing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best printer for beginners?
The best printer for beginners is the HP DeskJet 2955. It offers user-friendly features and includes a scanner and copier.
What features should a beginner printer have?
A beginner printer should have a simple setup, wireless connectivity, and multi-functionality like scanning and copying. Easy-to-use controls make operation smoother.
Are all-in-one printers worth it?
Yes, all-in-one printers are worth it for beginners. They combine multiple functions into one device, saving space and money. They are convenient for a range of tasks.
How can I save on ink costs?
To save on ink costs, consider printers with high-capacity cartridges or refillable tanks. Some printers also offer subscription services for ink delivery.
What is the average price of a beginner printer?
While prices vary, beginner printers generally range from low to mid-range. Look for models that provide good value for the features offered.
Shopping around? We have 75 more printer guides for other budgets and use cases.
Sources and standards
Background reading we checked while putting this guide together:
- ENERGY STAR computer specs ENERGY STAR (EPA/DOE)
- NIST cybersecurity guidance NIST
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