The best printer is the one that matches how much you print and what you print. Most wrong purchases happen because the buyer looked at the price of the machine and not at the cost of every page after it.
This guide covers the four types we sell and service every week at Upixel. If you already know what you need, see our printer sales and service page.
Laser, inkjet or ink tank: which type fits you
- Laser printers use toner. They are fast, the print does not smudge, and toner does not dry out if the printer sits unused. Best for offices and shops that print mostly text.
- Ink tank printers have refillable tanks. The machine costs more than a cartridge inkjet, but each page costs very little. Best for homes, students and small offices that print colour often.
- Cartridge inkjet printers are the cheapest to buy and the most expensive to run. They suit people who print a few pages a month.
- Dot-matrix printers are still the right tool for billing on multi-part stationery.
Count the running cost, not just the price
Divide the price of a cartridge or ink bottle by the number of pages it prints. That is your cost per page, and over two or three years it matters far more than the price of the printer. A laser printer with a refillable cartridge keeps this cost low; see our guide to toner cartridge refilling.
Features worth paying for
- Duplex printing prints both sides automatically and halves your paper use.
- Wi-Fi lets phones and laptops print without a cable.
- Multifunction (print, scan, copy) saves buying a separate scanner.
- Duty cycle is the monthly volume the printer is built for. Buy above your real volume, not at the limit.
Brands and ranges to look at
For laser, look at the HP LaserJet range, Canon imageCLASS and Brother. For ink tank, look at Epson EcoTank, Canon PIXMA G-series and HP Smart Tank. For billing, TVS Electronics dot-matrix printers are common across Indian counters.
Quick checklist
- Pages you print per month
- Mostly text or mostly colour
- Cost per page of toner or ink
- Duplex, Wi-Fi and scanning needs
- Local service and spare availability
Common questions
Which printer is best for home use?
For regular colour printing, an ink tank printer gives the lowest cost per page. If you print only text, a small mono laser printer is simpler to live with.
Which printer is best for a small office?
A mono laser or laser multifunction printer with duplex printing. It is fast, the toner lasts, and the cartridge can be refilled.
Need help choosing?
Upixel sells and services printers in Ahmedabad, with service done on site. See the types and brands we handle, or send us an inquiry and we will suggest what fits.