Best Printer for College Students of 2020 – Top Picks and Budget Friendly

Having a personal printer allows college students to avoid the lines, frustration, and hassle of trying to use the machines in the library. It also allows for more setting customization and makes it simple to print homework and assignments from the comfort of the home.

Although the majority of colleges allot students a set printing amount, most people will run out during the school year. This is especially true for difficult majors that need to print readings, lectures, and homework on a regular basis. Having a personal printer can save students money in the long run.

When it comes to finding the best printer for college students, it is important to look at several key features: affordability, size, and ability to connect wireless to routers. You might also want to check what kind of smart devices you or your child use, as some printers only work with Samsung or Apple products.

Comparison of 10 Best Printer for College Students in 2020

Top 10 Best Printer for College Student Reviews in 2020

Here are our reviews of the ten best printer for college student that you can find to handle your homework and lessons like a pro. When finding the ideal printer for you or your child, remember that printer companies make most of their money through the sale of ink. Just because a printer looks like a cheap option at first doesn’t mean it will be once in use.

1. HP Envy 4520 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer

The HP Envy 4520 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer is a classic in the industry. This HP model includes numerous standard features for an inkjet photo printer, including the ability to print, scan, copy, and print wirelessly from a variety of mobile devices.

It works best when connected to a traditional desktop or laptop but also implements mobile printing from smartphones and tablets (regardless of the manufacturer). All you need to do is download a free and convenient app.

Because this is a relatively inexpensive model, it prints on certain varieties of paper. This includes standard letterhead, legal paper, no. 10 envelopes, and any document of the following sizes: 4 x 6 in., 5 x 7 in., 8 x 10 in. Printing is available in black or color, and the HP Envy 4520 only works with designated HP cartridges.

A digital display allows students to rapidly move between functions and features. It is possible to scan to email, and students can implement a special “quiet mode” to reduce the noise of the machine while working in shared living spaces.

This is a small, lightweight best printer with dimensions of 14.45 x 17.52 x 5.04 in. and a total weight of 12 lbs. Users will be able to print a whopping 20 pages per minute without struggle – a great feature for those last minute paper writers out there.

2. Brother HL-L2350DW Compact Monochrome Laser Printer

The Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer HL-L2350DW lists its greatest feature in the name. This is a small, lightweight, and compact model designed to fit on desks, dressers, and tables. The full product dimensions are 14.2 x 14 x 7.2 in. and it weighs 16 lbs.

While it is not the most lightweight option, it is portable and easy to carry to the dorms. It utilizes laser printing technology and connects easily to Ethernet or wireless technology. If you need to print from a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or standard desktop, it is possible.

This is not a color printer and instead prints documents exclusively in black and white. This cuts down on the internal technology used in construction and makes a product that is simple and easy for college students to use.

The maximum printing capacity is 32 pages per minute with a tray that holds 250 sheets ready for use. The greatest amount the Brother Compact HL-L2350DW can handle in a month is 15,000 pages, with 2,000 being the most recommended number.

This model utilizes duplex printing, and it is recommended to print on both sides of the paper to conserve ink. The Brother Compact HL-L2350DW is compatible with high yield ink cartridges (TN 760) and automatically limits consumption so you get the best value possible.

Users of this best printer for college student can enable the Amazon Dash Replacement feature, which automatically sends requests to Amazon to refill ink. Regular customer service and tech support is available at all times online or by phone. Each Brother Compact HL-L2350DW comes with a limited 1-year warranty.

3. Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-In-One Inkjet Printer

Students who like to decorate their dorm rooms will love how the Canon Pixma Mg3620 is available in multiple colors, including black, red, and white. Canon has long been synonymous with high picture quality, and this inkjet printer is capable of printing highly saturated images and color pages without difficult.

It also manages to create pure black text documents without hassle. The Canon Pixma MG3620 is high resolution with a maximum capacity of 4800 x 1200 color dots per inch. This produces incredible detail on lesson plans, notes, PowerPoint slides, and other documents your busy student might need to print.

Users of this model can use a variety of technology to develop and print their documents, including Airprint, Google Cloud Print, NFC, Mopria, and Canon Print. Wireless connectivity is a top feature. It is possible to connect to your Canon Pixma MG3620 using a smartphone or tablet made by any manufacturer.

Standard wired internet connection is also available. This best printer for college student is designed to save student’s money, so it does not utilize a digital touchscreen like many others. Instead, students can make their printing requests from their device and make modifications in the Canon program.

Like many others, Canon recommends only using ink made by them in the Pixma MG3620. This model is compatible with PG-240XXL, PG-240XL, PG-240, CL-241XL, and CL-241. It is also remarkably small for a color printer of its capabilities. It has dimensions of 12 x 17.7 x 6 in. and only weighs 12 lbs.

4. HP DeskJet 3755 Compact All-in-One Wireless Printer

The HP DeskJet 3755 Compact All-in-One Wireless Printer has a long name with many claims. These claims are backed by the device itself, which strives to fulfill all of the potential office needs of a student, freelancer, or home work.

This option can print, scan, and copy with the best of them and works with color images as well as standard black ink documents. It also can be used as a wireless printer, and students can reach the device through online options like HP ePrint, iPhone AirPrint, and Wireless Direct.

One of the greatest features of the HP DeskJet 3755 is its ability to accommodate documents of all sizes. The tray can hold paper ranging from 3 x 5 in. to 8.5 x 14 in., and the printer itself works on letterhead, glossy photo paper, cardstock, and many others.

24/7 web support is available to address any questions students might have while trying to print last minute assignments, and a limited 1-year warranty covers typical wear and tear. For plain black text, the HP DeskJet 3755 can print 19 pages per minute. Individuals interested in full color sheets will be able to do 14 pages per minute.

The maximum capacity of the tray is 60 sheets, and the manufacturer recommends printing no more than 200 during the average month. The maximum scan resolution is 600 dpi. When it comes to basic dimensions, this printer is 15.9 x 7 x 5.5 in. and weighs 5.5 lbs. It is compatible with multiple HP ink cartridges and accepts refurbished ones.

5. HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer

The HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer is popular for many reasons. Like several others on the market, the 5055 functions as a printer, scanner, and copier without sacrificing the quality of any of those devices. College students who are interested in having a full office in their dorm room will be pleased by the space-saving nature of this product.

Besides fulfilling all of the functions of an office, the HP ENVY 5055 can also print full color images with ease and works well with plain black text documents. It works with multiple types of paper, including letter, legal, 4 x 6 in., 5 x 7 in., 8 x 10 in., and No. 10 envelopes. Wireless connectivity is an important feature, and one HP did not forget.

Students will be able to connect to the ENVY 5055 from their smartphones, tablets, desktops, and laptops. Individuals can also use online options like the Cloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox to send documents to the machine. The ENVY 5055 comes with an automatic ink replenishment service and is only compatible with one type of ink.

It uses high yield cartridges to save users money and limit how much ink winds up on the pages. The full product dimensions are 14.4 x 17.5 x 5 in. and it weighs 12 lbs. It has a rather slow printing speed of 9 pages per minute, but makes up for its snail’s pace by printing high resolution images and high quality text documents.

6. Canon TS9120 Wireless All-in-One Printer

Canon continues to be a popular choice for printers intended for college students and home offices. This Canon TS9120 Wireless model combines the function of a best printer for college student, scanner, and copier all in one without sacrificing quality.

This device can be connected wirelessly to desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. It also is one of the few contemporary models capable of using a standard Ethernet connection so students can use wires with the printer.

Because this is a Canon model, the TS9120 is known for its sharp color images and high definition photos. It further works well when printing standard black text documents and features a simple, easy to read digital touchscreen. This model uses a 6 color individual ink system to illuminate the nuances and individual details of documents.

It further includes CD/DVD/Blu-ray Disc printing. The only downside is that it does not appear to be compatible with traditional USBs and similar devices. The Canon TS9120 has full dimensions of 14.2 x 14.7 x 5.6 in. and is only compatible with envelopes and plain paper.

7. Canon TS5120 Wireless All-In-One Printer

The Canon TS5120 Wireless Printer prides itself on incorporating the function of a scanner and copier in the device itself. Students will be able to perform all of these functions with the convenience of a digital touchscreen and apps available from their laptop, smartphone, or tablet.

The Canon TS5120 features standard wireless connectivity and allows students to also print via Bluetooth, the Cloud, and even social media like Snapchat or Instagram. The printer generates high resolution color or plain black images and is compatible with a broad range of paper types and sizes.

A 1-year limited warranty is included with this product and covers basic wear and tear. Users are expected to only use compatible Canon ink cartridges. This model only prints 9 black pages per minute or 4 color pages depending on the resolution and complexity of the image.

8. Canon SELPHY CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer

The Canon SELPHY CP1300 is another Canon model which emphasizes the importance of having high quality color images. This lightweight and compact choice possesses full dimensions of 5.4 x 7.1 x 2.5 in. and weighs a mere 4 lbs. It is perhaps the most portable option college students will ever have, making it great for the dorms, the local library, or even a nearby coffee shop.

With a printer this size, wireless connectivity is a must. In fact, the Canon SELPHY CP1300 can only be connected to wirelessly. Students will be able to use their iPhones, iPads, tablets, and other smartphones without difficulty.

Students can also connect a basic USB flash drive or even a camera memory card depending on their preferences. This is great news for students who take pictures during lecture or need to copy someone’s notes from a missed class. Because this is such a small best printer for college student, it is not packed with special features like some other models on this list. It does, however, print high resolution color or black ink documents without trouble.

It can hold 18 sheets of paper and forgoes digital touchscreens in favor of simple physical buttons. Settings are easy to adjust and manipulate, and users can save their favorites. The Canon SELPHY CP1300 is slow, capable of printing a single sheet per minute. It also does not accommodate standard letterhead but can print on long sheets of paper.

9. Workforce WF-7710 Wireless Wide-Format Color Inkjet Printer

The Workforce WF-7710 Wireless Wide-Format Color Inkjet Printer is powered by Precision Core and designed to go a step beyond traditional ink models. It is highly economical, utilizing 80% less power than the average color laser printer.

It is convenient and has full dimensions of 32.2 x 22.3 x 13.4 in. The only downside to the size is that it weighs 44 lbs., which might be difficult to lug through the dorms or across campus.

One feature of the Workforce WF-7710 which stands out is its versatile paper handling. The regular tray can hold 250 sheets of regular or glossy paper, while there is a second tray in the rear for specialty options. There’s even a 35-page auto document feeder.

Like many contemporary printers, the Workforce WF-7710 is meant for individuals who would like to print from any device or location. It can be connected to iPads, iPhones, Android tablets, and smartphones. Students can also use regular computers and laptops through the convenient Wi-Fi and Ethernet connection options.

Because of its size, the Workforce WF-7710 can print documents up to 13″ x 19″ and scan papers up to 11” x 17”. It has a digital touchscreen, double-sided capabilities, works with Epson ink cartridges, and includes a 1-year limited warranty.

10. Samsung Xpress C430W Wireless Color Laser Printer

The Samsung Xpress C430W Wireless Color Laser Printer is ideal for home offices and students who know they will want to print tons of documents, pictures, and lesson plans. This option includes simple NFC + Wi-Fi connectivity as well as a built-in Ethernet connection so students can connect their computer to the printer anywhere on campus.

It’s even possible to print from a mobile device like a Smartphone with the NFC feature. All you need to do is download the Samsung Mobile Print app, or use AirPrint or Google Cloud Print.

Besides the awesome connectivity, the Samsung Xpress is great for fast printing. It can complete 19 pages per minute using black ink, or 4 full color pages. You can utilize different paper types depending on your needs. This model is compatible with plain paper, recycled paper, label, cardstock, colored, and glossy paper in sizes ranging from 3″ x 6″ – 8.5″ x 14″.

Unlike some other options on the market, the Samsung Xpress C430W comes with a limited 1-year warranty with 24/7 web support. It only takes Samsung ink cartridges but remains compatible with CLT-C404S, CLT-M404S, CLT-Y404S, and CLT-K404S.

When it comes to specs, the Samsung Xpress C430W includes a 400 MHz processor and 64 MB memory. It is recommended for up to 500 pages of printing a month and rests well on the average desk with dimensions of 12.2 x 15 x 8.3 in. It weighs 22 lbs., so it will be easy to get up and down the dorm stairs.

Conclusion

The best printer for college student in your life needs to be something simple and easy to access. Students are known for writing papers at the last minute and getting creative with technology to facilitate learning and educational accessibility.

All of these printers emphasize the important of flexibility and being able to print from anywhere. A few models can even be stuffed in a backpack and taken on the go for the busy student. All that is needed is a strong wireless connection, some paper, and a well-stocked ink cartridge.

Out of the ten options listed here, perhaps the best one for the average college student is the Samsung Xpress C430W Wireless Color Laser Printer. It prints large documents rapidly, can be connected to a broad range of devices, and is even compatible with a variety of paper types like recycled and cardstock.