Contents
- The Top 9
- Top 9 Printers Reviewed in Detail
- 1. Top Pick
- 2. Best for College Students
- 3. Best Value
- 4. Best for Small Spaces
- 5. Best for Beginners
- 6. Best Design
- 7. Best Premium
- 8. Best Lightweight
- 9. Best Budget
- Printers Compared Side by Side
- How We Reviewed
- How to Choose Printers
- What to look for
- Frequently asked questions
Choosing the best printer for college students can feel overwhelming. The HP DeskJet 2955 is the top pick because it combines a printer, scanner, and copier in one compact device. You also get a three-month trial of Instant Ink, which helps manage ink costs. For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Canon PIXMA TS6520. It provides excellent print quality but lacks some advanced features like automatic duplex printing.
The main tradeoff in this category is between compact design and extra features. You may choose a model that saves space, like the Canon PIXMA TS4320, or one that offers more functions, such as the Brother Work Smart 1360. This page will guide you through the best options available for college students.
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The Top 9
Top 9 Printers Reviewed in Detail
Here are the top printers that meet the needs of college students. Each one is selected for its unique features and benefits.
1. Top Pick
The HP DeskJet 2955 is a compact all-in-one printer. It offers printing, scanning, and copying. You can connect it wirelessly, making it easy to use from anywhere.
Pros
Easy to set up and use. Compact design fits small spaces. Includes a trial of Instant Ink.
Cons
Print speeds may be slower than some competitors. Limited to color printing only.
Best for students needing a budget-friendly printer for basic tasks.
The HP DeskJet 2955 is a great choice for everyday printing needs.
2. Best for College Students
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 versatile and compact. It can print, scan, and copy. Its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system ensures vibrant prints.
Pros
Excellent print quality for documents and photos. Easy wireless connectivity. Compact design saves space.
Cons
Ink cartridges may need frequent replacement. May not handle high-volume printing well.
Ideal for students who need a reliable printer for both schoolwork and personal use.
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 is a solid pick for versatile printing needs.
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 a budget-friendly all-in-one option. It offers good print quality for school projects and daily tasks.
Pros
Affordable and easy to use. Compact design fits well in small spaces. Good print quality.
Cons
Limited to wireless printing. Can be slow for large print jobs.
Great for students who want a simple printer for basic tasks.
The Canon PIXMA TS4320 provides good value for students on a budget.
4. Best for Small Spaces
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 designed for home and office use. It prints, scans, and copies efficiently. The compact design saves space.
Pros
Easy to connect to cloud apps. Quality prints for everyday documents. Compact size fits well in tight spaces.
Cons
Not ideal for high-quality photo printing. Ink can be costly.
Suitable for students needing a reliable printer for reports and documents.
The Brother Work Smart 1360 is a practical choice for everyday printing.
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 option. It comes with up to three years of ink, making it cost-effective.
Pros
High-volume printing capabilities. Low-cost printing with refillable tanks. Easy setup.
Cons
Larger size may not fit in small spaces. Initial setup may take time.
Best for students who print a lot and want to save on ink costs.
The HP Smart Tank 5003 is excellent for budget-conscious students who print often.
6. Best Design
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 offers long-lasting ink. It can print, scan, and copy, making it versatile.
Pros
Includes up to two years of ink. High page yield for both black and color prints.
Cons
Limited to single-sided printing. Larger footprint may not suit all spaces.
Great for students who want long-lasting ink for regular printing.
The Canon MegaTank G3270 is a strong option for heavy-duty printing needs.
7. Best Premium
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 an all-in-one printer for home use. It features mobile and wireless printing for convenience.
Pros
Affordable color printing. Easy to use with mobile devices. Good for everyday documents.
Cons
May not perform well for high-volume printing. Slower print speeds compared to some others.
Suitable for students needing reliable color printing for class assignments.
The HP DeskJet 4355 is a practical option for students with basic printing needs.
8. Best Lightweight
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 professional-quality documents quickly.
Pros
Fast print speeds for both black and color. Includes a trial of Instant Ink.
Cons
Higher price point than basic models. Larger size may not fit in smaller workspaces.
Great for students who also work from home and need quality prints.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 is a solid choice for students balancing work and study.
9. Best Budget
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Printer, Copy, Scan, Duplex, Mobile Printing
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES – Engineered for extraordinary productivity, the Brother DCP-L2640DW Monochrome (Black & White) 3-in-1 combines laser printer, scanner, copier in one compact footprint and delivers high-quality black & white prints
- FAST PRINTER WITH EFFICIENT SCANNING – Produces documents quickly with print speeds up to 36 ppm(2) and scan speeds up to 23.6/7.9 ipm(3) (black/color). A 50-page auto document feeder(4) allows for convenient, time saving multi-page scanning and copying
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS – Easily navigate the changing demands of your business with secure multi-device connectivity via built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz) and Ethernet. Or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Print, scan, and manage your wireless printer anytime, from almost anywhere from your mobile device. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(5)
- CHOOSE BROTHER GENUINE TONER – When it’s time to replace your toner, be sure to choose Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL replacement toner. And with Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service, you’ll never worry about running out of toner again and you’ll enjoy savings of up to 50%(6) on Brother Genuine Toner. Get started with Refresh today with a Free Trial(1)
The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact monochrome printer. It combines a laser printer, scanner, and copier.
Pros
Fast printing speeds for black and white documents. Compact design saves space.
Cons
Limited to black and white printing. Not suitable for color prints or photos.
Best for students who primarily need a printer for text documents.
The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a dependable choice for students needing efficient printing.
Printers Compared Side by Side
The following table compares the best printer for college students across various features. You will see columns for key specs, functionality, and suitability. Focus on the features that matter most to 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 College Students | Canon | $79 | Check |
| 3 | Canon PIXMA TS4320 | Best Value | Canon | $69 | Check |
| 4 | Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One… | Best for Small Spaces | 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 Design | Canon | $159 | Check |
| 7 | HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer | Best Premium | HP | $69.99 | Check |
| 8 | HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet… | Best Lightweight | HP | $109.99 | Check |
| 9 | Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome… | Best Budget | 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
Our data comes from trusted sources like user reviews, expert opinions, and product specifications. We gathered information from over 30 models in the printer category. This includes checking product reviews and ratings on sites like Amazon and Best Buy.
How we built this shortlist
We built this shortlist by analyzing features that college students often need. Key factors include wireless capabilities, print quality, and multifunction options like scanning and copying. After a thorough comparison, we narrowed it down to eight printers that best serve this audience.
What we ruled out and why
We ruled out printers that did not meet basic needs such as wireless printing or that had poor print quality. Models with limited functionalities or high operating costs were also removed. Only printers with a proven reliability and versatility made it to the final list.
What we did not do
We did not conduct any hands-on testing or lab measurements for these printers. All information is based on research and analysis of available data. No subjective scores or personal experiences were included in this assessment.
How often this page is updated
This page will be updated quarterly to reflect new models and changes in technology. We will revisit the list as new printers are released and as prices or features change. This ensures that you always have the best information available.
How to Choose Printers
Consider Print Volume
Think about how much you’ll print each month. If you’re printing a lot of papers, look for models with higher ink capacities or lower cost-per-page. Some printers can handle thousands of pages before needing more ink.
Check Wireless Capabilities
Make sure the printer connects easily to your devices. Look for models that support Wi-Fi and mobile printing. This allows you to print directly from your laptop or smartphone without needing to connect with a cable.
Look for All-in-One Features
Consider printers that offer multiple functions, like scanning and copying. These all-in-one devices can save you space and money. They are especially useful for students who need to copy assignments or scan documents.
Evaluate Size and Space
If you have a small dorm room or limited space, choose a compact printer. Check the weight and dimensions of the printer. A small footprint will make it easier to fit in tight spaces.
Assess Print Quality
Print quality is important for both documents and photos. Look for printers with a good resolution, measured in dots per inch (DPI). A higher DPI means clearer and sharper images.
What to look for
Print Quality
Print quality is important for students. Look for printers with at least 600 x 600 DPI for crisp text and clear images. Higher DPI values will deliver better results, especially for presentations and reports.
Cost of Ink
Consider the ongoing cost of ink. Some printers come with high-yield cartridges that last longer. Models like the HP Smart Tank have refillable ink tanks that can save you money over time.
Portability
Portability can be essential for students moving between classes. Lightweight models are easier to carry. Aim for printers weighing under 15 pounds for ease of transport.
Multifunctionality
Multifunction printers can print, scan, and copy, which is convenient for students. This helps reduce clutter and the need for multiple devices. Look for all-in-one features in your printer choice.
Durability
Durability matters, especially for students on the go. A sturdy printer can withstand bumps and falls during transport. Check user reviews for insights into durability and reliability.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best printer for college students?
The HP DeskJet 2955 is the best printer for college students due to its combination of features, including wireless printing and all-in-one capabilities.
Are all-in-one printers worth it for students?
Yes, all-in-one printers are very useful for students. They save space and money by combining printing, scanning, and copying in one device.
How much ink do I need for college?
The amount of ink you need depends on your printing habits. For heavy users, look for printers with high-capacity ink tanks or cartridges.
Can I print wirelessly from my laptop?
Most modern printers, like the Canon PIXMA models, offer wireless printing. This allows you to print directly from your laptop or smartphone without cables.
What’s more important: speed or quality? For quick documents, speed matters. For projects with images, print quality should be prioritized.
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
About the author
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