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Color is the biggest driver of printer running cost, so it pays to pick the type that matches how you actually use it: school projects, photos, charts or brochures.
This list mixes ink tank, inkjet and color laser. It is based on published specifications, not our own testing.
New to printers? Start with our guide to the best printers for home use, then come back here for the details.
Quick Picks
| Printer | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | Ink tank all-in-one | High-volume home printing at low running cost |
| Canon PIXMA G3270 | Ink tank all-in-one | Budget-minded ink tank printing |
| HP Envy Photo 7975 | Color inkjet photo all-in-one | Documents and photos from one printer |
| Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca | Color inkjet all-in-one | Photos and documents with auto duplex |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw | Color laser | Color laser without a scanner |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw | Color laser all-in-one | Sharp text plus color for a busy workspace |
6 Best Color Printers for Home and Family Use
1. Epson EcoTank ET-2850
A refillable ink tank all-in-one that prints, scans and copies over wireless. The tanks replace small cartridges, which is the whole appeal.
Good for: families and students who print every week. Strengths: ink tanks usually bring a lower cost per page than cartridges. Weaknesses: higher up-front price than a basic cartridge model, and inkjet nozzles can clog if left idle. Skip it if you print only a few pages a month.
2. Canon PIXMA G3270
A refillable ink tank all-in-one from Canon’s MegaTank line.
Good for: households that print often but want to avoid cartridges. Strengths: refillable tanks tend to lower cost per page. Weaknesses: bigger than a cartridge printer and higher entry price. Skip it if you print very little.
3. HP Envy Photo 7975
A wireless color inkjet photo all-in-one that prints, scans and copies.
Good for: families printing school projects and photos. Strengths: photo-friendly design in a home body. Weaknesses: ink program and cartridge costs. Skip it if you only print text.
4. Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca
A wireless home all-in-one inkjet that prints, copies and scans, with auto duplex printing and a 4.3-inch touchscreen, per the listing.
Good for: households that print photos and documents. Strengths: automatic two-sided printing, a touchscreen and a five-ink system, per the listing. Weaknesses: the listing mentions no document feeder, and cartridge costs add up with volume. Skip it if you need a feeder for scanning stacks or the lowest ink cost.
5. HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw
A wireless color laser printer with two-sided printing and no scanner.
Good for: someone who only prints, in color, regularly. Strengths: color laser quality and automatic duplex. Weaknesses: no scanning or copying, and costly toner. Skip it if you need an all-in-one.
6. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw
A current color laser all-in-one from HP’s Color LaserJet Pro line with wireless and two-sided printing.
Good for: a home office printing reports and charts. Strengths: laser text quality with color, and prints resist smearing. Weaknesses: color toner sets are expensive and the body is big. Skip it if you mostly print black-and-white.
How to Choose a Color Printer for Home
Color is the main running cost
Color is the biggest driver of ink cost, so pick by how often you print it. For frequent color, a tank printer lowers cost per page.
Photos versus documents
Inkjets suit photos and graphics. Color lasers suit color documents and charts. Think about which you print most.
Paper matters
Color looks better on coated paper than on plain copy paper. See the best paper for printers.
Check ink sets
Printers with separate cartridges for each color let you replace only the one that runs out. Compare the price of each.
How to Choose
Photos or documents?
Inkjets, especially those with extra photo inks, handle photos better. Color lasers do better on charts and reports.
Ink tank for frequent color
If you print color every week, refillable tanks usually bring cost per page down.
Occasional color
If you print color a few times a year, a monochrome printer plus a print shop may be cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to print color?
For frequent use, ink tank models. For rare use, a low-cost inkjet or a print shop.
Do color laser printers fade?
Laser prints are generally smudge-resistant and hold up well on everyday documents.
Can I print only black and white on a color printer?
Yes. Most drivers let you choose grayscale to save color ink.
Bottom Line
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is the all-round choice for frequent color, and the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw suits a color-heavy home office.
More Printer Guides
- Best Printers for Home Use
- Best Epson EcoTank Printers for Low Ink Cost
- Best Laser Printers for Home and Home Office
- Best Wireless Laser Printers for Home and Small Office
- Best Wireless Printers for Home Use
