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A student printer should be small, cheap to run and easy to connect to a laptop. Most students print essays, readings and the odd poster, so low running cost matters more than photo quality.
This guide covers six printers for students and dorm rooms. It is built from published specifications and listings, not our own testing, so check size and connectivity on each product page.
New to printers? Start with our guide to the best printers for home use and how we pick printers.
Last updated: October 30, 2026.
Quick Picks
| Printer | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Canon PIXMA TR4720 | Color inkjet all-in-one | Light, occasional printing in a small space |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2800 | Ink tank all-in-one | Entry-level ink tank printing |
| Brother HL-L2460DW | Compact monochrome laser | Text-only printing with two-sided output |
| HP Envy 6555e | Color inkjet all-in-one | Everyday home color printing |
| Canon MegaTank G3290 | MegaTank all-in-one | Everyday printing with refillable tanks |
| Brother DCP-L2640DW | Monochrome laser all-in-one | Copy and scan on a laser |
6 Best Printers for Students and Dorm Rooms
1. Canon PIXMA TR4720
A small, plain color inkjet all-in-one that prints, copies and scans.
Good for: a dorm, spare room or apartment. Strengths: compact body and a simple feature set. Weaknesses: small cartridges mean it is not meant for heavy use. Skip it if you print daily.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-2800
A simple entry model in Epson’s EcoTank range that prints, copies and scans over wireless.
Good for: light-to-moderate printing where ink cost matters. Strengths: refillable tanks and a basic feature set. Weaknesses: fewer conveniences than higher-tier models; check duplex and feeder support. Skip it if you need an automatic document feeder.
3. Brother HL-L2460DW
A wireless compact monochrome laser with duplex printing, from the same family as the HL-L2350DW.
Good for: students and home workers who print text. Strengths: toner does not dry out between uses, and duplex saves paper. Weaknesses: no color, and no scanning or copying. Skip it if you need color or a scanner.
4. HP Envy 6555e
A home-focused color inkjet all-in-one aimed at families.
Good for: homework, recipes and occasional photos. Strengths: a straightforward feature set at a modest price. Weaknesses: cartridges and HP’s ink program may add running cost. Skip it if you print in volume.
5. Canon MegaTank G3290
A wireless MegaTank all-in-one from Canon, a newer model in the line that includes the G3270.
Good for: families and students who print a lot. Strengths: refillable tanks tend to lower the cost per page. Weaknesses: bigger than a cartridge printer; check the feeder and duplex support on the product page. Skip it if you print very little.
6. Brother DCP-L2640DW
A wireless compact monochrome laser all-in-one that prints, copies and scans with two-sided printing.
Good for: home offices that need laser text plus a scanner. Strengths: laser text with copy, scan and duplex in one body. Weaknesses: no color and no fax. Skip it if you need color or fax.
What Students Should Look For
Budget and running cost
Students print essays, readings and the odd poster, so low cost per page matters more than photo quality. See printers under $100.
Size and power
Dorm desks are small. Measure first and check whether the printer needs a wall socket.
Laptop support
Most wireless printers work with Windows, Mac and Chromebook. Confirm support on the product page. See printers for Chromebook.
Shared use
If roommates share it, a wireless printer on a shared network saves cables. Agree on who buys ink.
How to Choose
Estimate your pages
A few pages a month suits a compact inkjet. Heavy printing suits an ink tank or a laser.
Check size and power
Dorm desks are small. Measure the printer and check whether it has a battery or needs a wall socket.
Look at your laptop
Most wireless printers work with Windows, Mac and Chromebook. Check support for your laptop on the product page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do students need a color printer?
Only for presentations or posters. A monochrome laser is cheaper if you print mainly text.
Is it cheaper to print at the library?
For a few pages, yes. For regular printing, owning a printer can cost less over a semester.
Can I print from my phone?
Most wireless printers support phone printing through an app or a built-in system.
What are the best printers for dorm rooms?
A compact wireless inkjet or a small monochrome laser suits a dorm. See our small printers and printers under $100.
Bottom Line
For light use in a small room, the Canon PIXMA TR4720 is the compact choice. For heavy printing, an ink tank such as the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 keeps costs down, and the Brother HL-L2460DW is the low-fuss text-only option.
More Printer Guides
- Best Printers for Home Use
- Best Printers for Teachers
- Best Printers for Working From Home
- Best Printers With an Automatic Document Feeder
- Best Printers With Automatic Duplex
- Best Printers With Fax
