What do we mean when we talk about the best all-in-one printer, exactly? As printer technology becomes ever more advanced, their functionality has increased correspondingly. It’s commonplace now to find printers packed with versatile productivity options so that your home and office don’t need the expenditure of separate devices for printing, scanning or copying. But too much choice can be a bad thing, and it can be easy to pick up the wrong printer for your needs.
So to help you pick the right printer, we’ve compiled a buyer’s guide with some of the top all-in-one printer choices on the market, across an array of budgets and specialist needs. Whether it’s for a more productive office space or simply a more useful home printer, our choices today span a number of use cases and are sure to improve your printing experience.
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Best All-in-One PrinterEpson EcoTank ET-2850
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Bluetooth, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing: Yes
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Best Productive All-in-One PrinterBrother MFC-J4535DW
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing?: Yes
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Best All-in-One Printer Under $200Canon PIXMA TR4720
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing: Yes
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Best Multipurpose All-in-One PrinterEpson EcoTank Pro ET-5850
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Ethernet, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth
- Duplex Printing: Yes
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Best All-in-One Printer Under $100Brother MFC-J1010DW
- Printer Output:: Color
- Printer Type: : InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: : USB, Ethernet, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing?: Yes
How We Picked the Best All-in-One Printer
Naturally, all-in-one printers need to be stellar all-rounder printers, whilst also featuring document scanner and copier functionality housed in the same unit. But in addition to additional functions, we also prioritized printers with additional print functionality: capable of printing specialist media such as cardstock or photo paper. These printers generally have higher print resolution than standard document printers, but we also factored in the scanning quality and general print speeds for a comprehensive assessment of their productivity. Connectivity was also an important consideration, for all-in-one printers are only as useful as their accessibility. We gave preferential treatment to printers that come with an array of connection options, from standard USB through to Apple’s AirPrint system to allow multiple devices to easily print.
We settled on five products, across different budget allocations, so that any prospective buyer can find the best all-in-one printer for small business or home use – or any other application. Though each is a worthwhile investment, some of our choices may be better suited than others to your specific use case, so we’ve highlighted the various merits of each.
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Bluetooth, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing: Yes
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Wi-Fi Direct
- Duplex Printing: Yes
We sung the praises of the ET-2850 in our review, and we’ll happily do the same in regards to its all-in-one capabilities.
- Versatile print options – the ET-2850 can print a variety of specialist media as well as scan and copy to a high standard.
- Cost-effective – an affordable upfront cost makes this InkJet printer a great value purchase for households or offices.
- Average color quality – whilst not bad, other printers on this list beat the ET-2850 for color reproduction in prints.
As mentioned in our Epson EcoTank ET-2850 review, we quickly fell in love with this printer’s superb balance of functionality, quality and affordability. All these traits, and more, earn it the top spot as our best all-in-one printer, with sterling features and tremendous value in its purchase.
An ink tank printer, the ET-2850 is capable of stellar value for money, coming with an estimated 2 years’ worth of ink in the box (though this will vary with mileage). For your standard suite of documents, the printer boasts an impressive 33 pages-per-minute print speed – along with the requisite scanner and copier functions. For more specialist prints, you can create lifelike images with 5,760 x 1,440 dpi resolution up to 8.5″ x 14″ in size. Connectability is high too, with everything from wired USB connections through to iPad printing via Apple AirPrint. This Epson printer is a terrific all-in-one purchase for home use, small business, and even more intensive graphic design.
The one limiting factor that stands in the way of this all-in-one printer is the overall color gamut: without a dedicated ICC color profile, we found lighter colors lacked vibrancy – which may be an issue for dedicated photo printing. It’s a small issue, however, and it doesn’t stop us from claiming the ET-2850 as our top all-in-one printer purchase!
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing?: Yes
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing?: Yes
For a highly productive print solution, the MFC-J4535DW is the ultimate choice.
- High productivity – with optional high-yield cartridges and a large paper capacity, the MFC-J4535 doesn’t need constant replenishment.
- Easy to use – setup is fast and easy with this Brother printer, able to connect to a plurality of devices with ease.
- Prone to jamming – under heavy use, the MFC-J4535 is likely to jam, which can be frustrating when printing lengthy documents.
If you want to invest in a reliable all-in-one printer without having to worry about constant resupplying, consider the Brother MFC-J4535DW. Brother printers are some of our favorites for their efficiency and quality, and this unit is no exception to the rule.
The MFC-J4535 allows for high-yield cartridges as part of its InkJet system, meaning that it can go for long periods without requiring replenishment. It also comes with a 400-sheet paper tray, for equally long-lasting printing. Standard documents are printed at around 20 pages per minute – a little slower than average, but compensated by the efficiency of this all-in-one printer. And of course, scanning and copying are included as standard, and work just as well as you’d expect. Setup and connection are almost as fast as one another, with this printer being ready nearly as soon as it is unboxed.
However, whilst the MFC-J4535 is capable of highly productive printing, jamming can become more frequent with intensive duty cycles. It’s a common issue with heavy print use, but more pronounced in this Brother printer – which is the only thing preventing it from our top spot as the best all-in-one printer. For productive office or household printing, this is still an ideal choice.
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing: Yes
As a laser printer, the TR4720 lacks multimedia support but compensates with highly productive printing.
- Automatic duplexing – the TR4720 is able to quickly and easily print double-sided documents.
- Automatic scan feeder – scan up to 20 pages with ease with the printer’s automated document feeder for the flatbed scanner.
- Slow print speed – at just under 9 pages per minute, this budget printer is far slower than average.
For a more barebones print solution, the Canon Pixma TR4720 is an ideal all-in-one print solution. This Canon printer is ideal for all your printing, scanning and copying needs without going over-budget; and provides simple, high-quality results.
A color laser printer, the TR4720 is capable of high-quality color documents, and even photos. With a 100-sheet capacity, this printer excels at document printing: with automatic duplexing for double-sided prints. The flatbed scanner, whilst not double-sided, still provides high-resolution scans with ease. Setup is quick and easy, and the printer is compatible with a range of wireless connection options including Canon’s own print app for smartphones. All of this comes in a compact package and a low price point for added value.
However, this budget printer is notably slower than other all-in-one printers on this list, which can hamstring overall productivity. All budget printers have drawbacks, and the TR4720’s doesn’t stop it from remaining a sterling all-in-one printer under $200.
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Ethernet, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth
- Duplex Printing: Yes
On the other end of the spectrum, the ET-5850 is a highly versatile printer for graphic design: enabling you to print, copy and scan a wide range of media.
- Versatile media compatibility – boasting support for specialist media like cardstock, the ET-5850 is tremendously valuable.
- Efficient – even by ink tank standards, the cost-per-print is low.
- Bulky – quite a heavy printer, the ET-5850 may not suit every space.
The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 is easily one of the best all-in-one printers on the market: offering all-in-one functionality, fast print speeds, and high yields. It checks all the right boxes, and is sure to add value to any home or office!
Alongside standard documents, the ET-5850 can print borderless photos with a maximum print size of 8.5” x 14”. It also features a flatbed scanner that lets you scan and copy easily. Thanks to the automatic document feeder, you don’t have to feed every single piece of paper manually into the scanner, allowing you to save time and effort. What’s more, the ET-5850 supports auto duplexing, enabling you to save drastically on paper costs. The dual paper tray setup can hold up to 500 sheets, making this printer well-suited for volume printing with great efficiency. There’s also a rear feed for specialty media.
The only potential downside of the ET-5850 is its large footprint: you’d do well to clear some space for this bulky printer model. Other than that, the ET-5850 is a top-tier option for an array of home and office applications!
- Printer Output:: Color
- Printer Type: : InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: : USB, Ethernet, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing?: Yes
Affordable whilst still boasting impressive all-in-one capabilities, the MFC-J1010DW is a low-budget but high-value investment.
- InkJet printing – this Brother printer is capable of borderless photos to a high standard, along with standard documents.
- Affordable – the low cost doesn’t affect the MFC-J1010DW’s functionality, as it boasts an array of top features.
- Heavy – despite its size, this printer is heavy and cumbersome to move.
Our final selection for the best all-in-one printer is the Brother MFC-J1010DW, another top printer under $100. We recommend this printer to anyone on a budget, from sole trader businesses to students, as it provides exceptional results at a record-low price.
The MFC-J1010DW is capable of your standard suite of copying, scanning and printing; but boasts the additional ability to print borderless photos up to 8.5″ x 11″ in size – a rarity for such an affordable unit. Equally remarkable is the inclusion of auto-duplexing and cloud-based scanning. All of these features are contained within this small printer, with a price reflective of its size.
However, for such a small printer, the MFC-J1010DW is quite heavy, and isn’t as portable or maneuverable as we’d like. For a highly budget-friendly all-in-one printer, this is the ideal solution.
Features and Considerations
If you’re looking to invest in one of the best all-in-one printers and are considering a product not on this list, here are some features to consider:
Resolution
For both printing and scanning, resolution is a key factor. Determining the overall quality of your output, resolution is generally measured in dots per inch (DPI), and is especially important for crafting projects and specialist media. We recommend a resolution no lower than 600 dpi for most use cases.
Connectivity
Equally important to the printer itself is the device that you send or receive prints or scans from. The best all-in-one printers now come with an array of wireless connectivity options such as Bluetooth or Morpia. Alternatively, the simplest option is always a wired connection to a PC or laptop – the most reliable, but cable management can be a cumbersome task.
Compatibility
Though most use cases for all-in-one printers involve documents, having the option of specialist media is always useful. Even budget printers are capable now of borderless photos, cardstock and even edible ink. We always recommend InkJet printers, for the best median of resolution, color quality and versatility. Equally, having a more versatile scanner can be useful: for archival projects such as digitizing film slides or simply scanning more varied sizes, we recommend a flatbed scanner.
Speed
Though it isn’t as critical in more relaxed environments, having a fast speed – both printing and scanning – is a worthwhile consideration. Elements such as automatic duplexing or document feeders can speed up the process, but we still recommend opting for a relatively fast print speed regardless – generally no lower than 10 pages per minute for the best productivity.
What is an All-in-One Printer?
All-in-one printers are a medley of a printer, scanner and photocopier: enabling the user to have a highly productive tool for documents, photos and some specialist media. Though many think that all-in-one printers are the standard in modern times, the declining use of scanners and copiers – and print documents altogether – means that fewer printers come with scanning and copying functions. All-in-one printers remain a touchstone of functionality, though there are benefits to having seperate devices. Investing in a more efficient printer and a portable scanner, for example, can be advantageous for larger businesses or multiple locations – bringing the scanner to the documents rather than the documents to the scanner.
FAQs
There are a number of causes behind blurry scans: low scan resolution can cause images to lose quality, along with vibrations or movement causing a blurry end result. Equally, dust or other particulates in the scanner bed can affect the process, so be sure to clean your scanner with an air blower or alcohol wipes.
Generally speaking, the best all-in-one printers will last between 3-5 years, depending on overall usage and care.
Verdict
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Bluetooth, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing: Yes
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Wi-Fi Direct
- Duplex Printing: Yes
At a median of versatility, quality, and affordability; the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is our top pick for the best all-in-one printer. Capable of highly productive printing, scanning and copying; the ET-2850 gives you top-quality results at a bottom-shelf price.
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