With so many different types of printers for occasional use available in the market, how can you find the one that offers you the best value for money? Well, don’t worry; help is available, and it comes in the form of this definitive guide for finding the best printers for occasional use in 2020. We evaluated the top 5 picks in this category on a range of parameters and stacked them against each other so that you wouldn’t have to.
So which one is best for you? Continue reading to find out for yourself.
Table of Contents
Comparison Of Best Printer For Occasional Use: In 2020.
| Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Epson EcoTank ET-370 |
| |
 | ES-300WR Wireless Printer |
| |
 | Pantum M6552NW Printer |
| |
 | Canon TS8220 Wireless Printer |
| |
 | Brother MFC-J6530DW Printer |
|
Top 5 Printers For Occasional Use In 2020.
1. Epson Ecotank Et-370 – Wireless All In One.
Are you looking for a printer that can deliver quality color pictures? Do you want a wireless, all-in-one printer? Is wireless printing a priority for you? If you said yes to these questions, the ET-370 may be just what the doctor ordered for you. This baby has all these features, plus some more. For starters, it comes with a year’s ink, which helps you save on your refill expenditure. On top of this, the EcoTank ET-370 ranked as the best color printer for occasional use by more than one online review, is easy to set up and simple to navigate, thanks to its 2.4 in color display.
On top of it, the printer gives you added versatility with its auto 2 sided printing and saves you time with its 150-sheet paper tray. And did we tell you that the ET-370 supports voice-activated printing along with wireless printing? Oh, yes, you can enjoy hands-free printing with this baby, isn’t that cool? All in all, this is perhaps the best all-in-one printer for occasional use at present.
- High-quality color printing
- Wireless and voice-activated printing
- All-in-one (Scanner, Copier, and Ethernet)
- Auto 2-sided printing
- Affordable
- The display screen is small
- Sometimes frequently disconnects from the network
2. Es-300wr Wireless Printer – Portable With Auto Document Feeder.
This printer is not like your run-of-the-mill wireless printers. It offers much more than your average printer. For instance, it wirelessly scans to smartphones, computers or tablets. On top of this, it supports wireless printing from online cloud storage accounts. What’s more, this product works just as with Mac as with Windows, making it the best home printer for occasional use for a varied group in our opinion. Another impressive thing about this baby is its total portability and faster scan speeds.
However, perhaps the most outstanding feature is its ability to automatically extract data from invoices and receipts and export to Excel or QuickBooks Online. This printer is also very versatile, with features such as scan 2-sided documents and auto document feeder. This model comes with smart software that saves you time, thanks to its scan object recognition and automatic file naming features.
- Fully portable
- Wireless printing
- Auto document feeder
- Easily export data to 3rd party software
- Includes receipt management software
- The display screen is small
- Sometimes frequently disconnects from the network
3. Pantum M6552NW Printer – Monochrome Laser Printer.
Those looking for an affordable monochrome laser printer that effortlessly prints over a network may not want to look further than this Pantum model. This product has got most bases covered and fully deserves a mention in the best laser printer for occasional home use list. For starters, the printer delivers fast and high definition printing, up to 23 pages per minute (in case of letters), and 22 pages per minute (in case of A4 sheets). What’s more, its one-step wireless installation is an absolute hit. You can easily print through any mobile device, as well as from Google cloud.
There’s an auto document feeder to help you speed up printing and an LCD control panel for easy navigation and control. You will also be pleased to know that the Pantum M6552NW comes with an automatic sleep mode. The printer has a sleek design and metal frame, which makes it beautiful to look at. Given these qualities, we have no reservation in naming this product the best printer for occasional home use.
- Fully portable
- Wireless printing
- Auto document feeder
- Easily export data to 3rd party software
- Includes receipt management software
- The display screen is small
- Sometimes frequently disconnects from the network
4. Canon TS8220 Wireless Printer – High Quality Prints.
This printer features a 6-color individual ink system, and as a result, quickly prints documents with stunning photographs and black text. If you want a printer that makes your everyday prints beautiful, you may not want to look beyond the Canon TS8200. Thanks to its sleek, smart design, this wireless printer can fit just about anywhere in your home. You can print photos and documents using AirPrint, Bluetooth, Mopria Print, and the Cloud.
We were also very pleased with the quality of greeting cards we printed using this product. They were sharp, vivid, and colorful, perfect for celebrating special occasions and moments. There’s an LCD touchscreen, 4.3 inches, too, which makes it easy to navigate and use the printer. The Canon TS8200 supports auto duplex printing and disc-label printing, features that make it a perfect candidate for the best printers for occasional use title.
- Wireless printing
- 4.3 in LCD touchscreen
- Mobile printing
- Sleek design
- All-in-one (Print, copy, and scan)
- Slightly expensive
- No Mac disc included
5. Brother MFC-J6530DW Printer – Automatic Duplex Printing.
Want a printer that prints and scans from almost anywhere? Looking for a printer that directly scans to major cloud services? Searching for a printer that seamlessly works with both Windows and Mac? If you said yes to any or all of these questions, the Brother MFC-J6530DW printer, ranked as the best inkjet printer for occasional use by many online reviews might just be one for you. It works with the tablet, smartphone, desktop computer, and laptop.
What’s more, with this model by your side, you will get to enjoy the freedom of wireless connectivity. This printer comes with Wi-Fi Direct and as such doesn’t require a router. It also supports cloud services like Google Drive, Evernote, Dropbox, and more. The printer comes with a 2.7 inches touchscreen display which makes navigation and controls easy-peasy. All in all, this is a good cheap printer for occasional use.
- Wireless connectivity
- Automatic Duplex printing
- Supports popular cloud services
- 2.7’’ touchscreen display
- Sleek design
- Bulky in size
- Customer support is not the best
Buyer’s Guide For The Best Printers For Occasional Use In 2020.
When you require a printer for occasional use, it is obvious that you may not want to spend a lot of money on it. Depending on your needs, there are many budget printers for occasional use available. However, the best printer for your friend may not cut it for you, since you may want a printer for a different reason than her. All the same, there are several things that every occasional printer user must consider while shopping for one.
Which Are Those?
Let’s have a look.
Monochrome Or Color
Color printers not only require a higher upfront cost, but they are also more expensive to maintain. Monochrome printers, on the other hand, are lighter on your wallet. If you don’t need to print color pages often, you may well consider purchasing a monochrome printer. Otherwise, it would make sense to invest in a color printer, even if that means coughing out more money.
Laser Or Inkjet
Laser printers boast a much better print speed compared to Inkjet and can easily print tens of pages in less than a minute. However, this feature comes at a cost. They are considerably more expensive than inkjet printers. Moreover, the maintenance cost in the case of laser printers is on the higher side. If you are on a tight budget, it may make sense to compromise on speed. On the other hand, if you want a top printer for occasional use, a laser printer may suit you better.
Print Quality
You may also want to look at the image quality. Typically, printers that deliver high-quality print outputs cost more. However, if this feature is a priority, you may be better off in investing in a high-end printer.
Wireless Connection
Wireless printing is more convenient since it helps save time. Also, you can print from your mobile devices, such as a smartphone or tablet, which is an added advantage. That’s why it makes sense to spend a little extra and go in for a printer with inbuilt Wi-Fi.
Battery Life
Lastly, you may want to look at the battery life of the printer. If you plan to do a lot of wireless printing, you may want a printer with good battery life. Otherwise, you may end up charging the printer after just a couple of prints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Printers Have The Cheapest Ink?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the ink prices differ depending on the type of printer and brand. As a rule of thumb, inkjet printer inks don’t cost as much as laser printer toners. Additionally, you are likely to spend less on black inks compared to color ink cartridges.
In the case of ink efficiency is a big factor, opting for an Epson printer might be a good deal. While not the cheapest, its ink lasts a fairly long time.
Is Ink Included With The Printer?
The answer is “yes”. An ink cartridge is usually included with the printer. These ink cartridges are genuine ones recommended by the brand.
However, if you are buying a refurbished printer, it may not include an ink cartridge. Therefore, you will have to buy it separately, which could mean an extra expenditure of anything between $20 to $100.
Do Printers For Occasional Use Support Printing On Cardstock Paper?
Well, some do, but not all of them. Therefore, make sure you check the product’s features first.
Is It Possible To Use Two Black Ink Cartridges In Place Of One Black And One Color?
This depends on the type of printer you use. If the printer uses two or more black inks, you may use two or more black ink cartridges. A few high-end color printers use more than one black ink with varying intensities for delivering high-resolution prints.
However, in the case of most regular printers, you can’t use black ink in place of color ink. If you print only black and white pages, get a monochrome printer.
Do Printers For Occasional Use Sublimation Printing?
No, they don’t. Sublimation printing is used for printing designs on home decors or fabrics or for printing advertising displays. This is a special type of printing which calls for special types of printers, which are generally more expensive than your average home printer.
Wrapping Up
We hope this guide will help you find the best printers for occasional use. Every product discussed here is of the top order and offers unique benefits. However, since every user is different, we recommend you check out each product to make an informed decision. Only then you would know which printer is right for you. However, if you were to ask for our recommendation, we would go with the Epson Ecotank ET- 370, which is not only affordable but also supports wireless printing and delivers high-quality print outputs. Nevertheless, as we said before, every printer in this list is just about as good as any other. So pick the one that matches your needs and budget the best.
