How to choose a multifunction printer
Multifunction printers include a scanner and copier.
They are becoming increasingly more popular both in homes and offices.
Frequently asked questions when choosing a multifunction printer
How long does a refill last?
You can choose from inkjet and laser/LED multifunction printers. The yield depends mainly on the printer type.
Laser multifunction printers are notable for their high yield – their toners can last for more than 2000 pages.
For inkjet printers one cartridge has a yield of hundreds of pages. The total yield of course also depends on the cartridge volume. One millilitre of ink is enough for about twenty pages, so as a general rule you can use this simple equation:
cartridge volume in ml x 20 = number of pages printed with one refill
Keep in mind that inkjet printers consume a certain amount of ink to automatically clean the printhead every time you switch on the printer. Every such cleaning consumes about the same amount of ink as printing 5 pages.
What type should I buy?
Before buying a multifunction printer, consider what and how often do you print. If you are buying an office printer and are expecting to print large amounts of text, we recommend choosing a quality laser or LED printer. If you want something for home and your family prints documents or photos only occasionally, then buying a cheaper inkjet printer may be a good idea.
Monochrome laser printers are the cheapest. Colour laser multifunction printers and LED multifunction printers cost considerably more.
Basic inkjet multifunction printers are very cheap, though if you print photos frequently, we recommend buying a more advanced model with a higher resolution and additional features, such as a memory card reader, Wi-Fi etc.
Shouldn’t I buy a standalone scanner instead?
Multifunction printers need to be compact, so the general rule of thumb is that their scanners are simply not as good as standalone scanners. However, they are more than adequate for scanning photos and text at home or office. In this case, the compact size matters more than any difference in quality. If you want to do professional photo printing, we recommended buying a standalone scanner and a high-quality inkjet printer.
Important parameters
Paper format
Most multifunction printers use the A4 format and smaller, but there are also those that can handle A3 and larger. Before buying, consider carefully how many A3 pages you are honestly expecting to print and whether this feature is worth paying extra. A3 compatible printers are significantly more expensive.
Maximum print resolution
Maximum print resolution is usually listed in DPI, which refers to the number of dots a printer can print per inch. Generally, the higher the DPI, the finer and more detailed images you get.
Laser printers are designed mainly for printing text, so their resolution does not have to be particulalry high - basic laser printers have a resolution of 600 x 600 DPI, but even among the less expensive devices you can find models that can handle resolutions up to 4800 x 600.
Inkjet printers are more image-oriented, so the resolution matters more. If you want to print photographs, we recommend choosing a printer with a higher resolution, ideally 5760 x 1440 DPI or more.
Print speed
For laser printers, the standard print speed is 20-30 pages per minute, even for cheaper models. High-end printers can print 60 pages per minute and more.
Wi-Fi interface
Many modern printers can be connected to a PC or even phone via Wi-Fi. This allows you to do printing tasks without any cables, making your work both easier and faster.
Glossary - Printer
Printhead
A device inside every inkjet printer that performs the actual printing process. The printhead moves horizontally, applying ink onto paper. Cartridges may or may not be part of the printhead. One printhead usually prints in three colours.
Cartridge
A replaceable cartridge used in inkjet printers.
Toner
Black or coloured powder (CMYK: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key - black) used in laser printers and copiers. Toner production involves various polymers.
Printing technology
Multifunction printers can be either inkjet or laser. Before buying, consider how often you use a printer and what you print. Inkjet printers are more suited for printing photos and artworks, while laser printers are ideal for printing text documents.