Printers For Your Home Office
This ultimate guide is full of insider knowledge and tips that will keep your output running smoothly, at work, and at play.
Here, we'll take a closer look at what every home office needs, picking apart the capabilities and benefits of some of the industry's best-known and most reliable printer manufacturers; while keeping cost-effectiveness and efficiency in mind.
So if you're wondering about the benefits of an all-in-one printer or multifunction device, how to get the most out of your wi-fi connectivity, or what to expect from the overall cost of operation - this is the printer buying guide for you!
Here is a brief overview of the topics we'll be discussing:
- The best printers for the home office
- What do you need from your home office printing solution?
- How a compact printer can save you valuable space at home
- Inkjet Printers vs Laser Printers: which one is best for remote working?
- Your FAQs answered - find the answers to all of your printer-related questions
As part of this in-depth look into the world of home office printers, we've tried to give you an overall scope of everything you’ll need to know. But if you have any more questions regarding any aspect of the printer buying experience, from the cost of ink and print quality to set-up queries - or want to find out more about our unbeatable subscription print services - our team is here to help.
You can get in touch with us quickly and easily by dropping us an email at [email protected] or simply pick up the phone and call 0800 840 1992.
The impact of remote working
It's no secret that remote working is here to stay. After the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at the start of 2020, it is clear that many business models are beginning to fully embrace the benefits of clocking in from the kitchen table - with experts saying the number of people making the switch will increase year on year.
There are a number of factors that have made remote working one of the go-to ways to work for people in the UK, swapping commutes and office banter for a morning cup of tea at home and Zoom calls. Many employees have reported that they enjoy the newfound flexibility in terms of working space and hours, tailoring their working weeks to accommodate aspects like childcare, or being able to be more productive after cutting out that laborious commute.
This increased productivity, motivation, and agility have been boosted by the addition of savvy technology that can be added to home offices old and new, with remote software and management tools deployed to help employers and employees keep track of workflow.
According to the Office of National Statistics, over a third of all working adults reported having operated their businesses or roles from the comfort of their own home within the last seven days. This marks a huge shift in the way that we are working, as the days of connecting to the office network, scanning, and printing from the large office MFP throughout the week appear to be dwindling.
With 87% of British adults reporting that at least one child in their household was being homeschooled due to the impact of the pandemic, printers also had to keep up with the creation of homework sheets, workbooks, and more.
If anything, the impact of home-working has demonstrated that essential pieces of office equipment are more used now than ever before. This, combined with the rising popularity of the flexible hybrid working model, shows that printer companies are having to innovate products to meet the requirements of people who need a business-class machine outside of the office.
Traditionally, all you needed was a paper tray and the cheapest printer you could find to handle small, fairly pedestrian admin tasks, but that’s completely changed now with the transition to remote working for many businesses.
But due to the huge impact of home-working, it's never been more integral for remote business owners and employees to choose a multifunction printer that can do it all - so as not to disrupt the day-to-day demands of the trade.
It is now essential for modern printers to not only be a reliable option - able to handle the challenges of an output you'd find in-house within a home office environment - but also provide an economical choice for budgets of all kinds.
Within a wireless setup, mobile devices such as tablets and smart technology can be hooked up to the latest laser models and printing solutions. Although the wireless printer is a fairly recent introduction to the invention's long-standing heritage, it seems like any home office would be remiss without one - saving many people time and energy when it comes to connecting it to the computer. Their versatility means that app printing can also be used, allowing workers to utilise industry-leading offerings from Apple with AirPrint or Google Cloud.
Of course, it can be difficult to know where to start. Whether you've been working from the spare bedroom and are finally taking the plunge into getting some much-needed office technology, or are looking to upgrade your current set-up - we can certainly help.
You can find your perfect all-in-one printer here, or if you want to learn more about which brand or method is right for you and your home office, read on...
What do you need from a home office printer?
Whether you're looking for a printer that can handle heavy-duty loads or are looking for a versatile all-in-one printer that can match the demands of accurate scanning, photo printing, and document copying, making sure your home solution meets your expectations should be the first thing to consider when choosing an office printer.
Our experts say that the first thing to do is to think about what your printer should deliver. Do you need your documents printed fast, or are you more concerned about quality across numerous sheets of paper? Have you thought about what sort of things you'll be printing on a regular basis - and how much ink this is likely to use? Are print costs a pressing issue in your expenses?
Once you've thought about the above, it's time to start narrowing down the best printer for you.
Nowadays, printing solutions come with a number of key features and aspects to help you streamline your search - something that we'll explore in the next section.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
A wireless printer can make an excellent addition to any home office.
Their ease of use makes it simple to print from anywhere in the house, cutting out the fuss of wrestling with cables in order to connect your device to the internet. Many models boast full mobile connectivity thanks to built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, so you can send documents to your printer from any handheld device. From a dedicated mobile app, email, or your tablet, wherever work takes you, this option means complete usability that keeps up with the demands of the job - from the home office and beyond.
Before making a purchase, make sure to check the full specifications of any wireless printer model to ensure that it is compatible with any existing devices or your current Wi-Fi setup.
Copying functions and built-in scanners
When you're working from home, it can be easy to forget the amount of scanning and photocopying that gets done while in the office. So if you are working in a role where you are frequently sharing, scanning, and digitising documents between yourself and the team, enlisting the help of an all-in-one printer will make your process even speedier.
Keep an eye out for additional features such as scanning and uploading capability, especially when combined with an automatic document feeder. This allows you to transfer hard copies straight into your work chats or email, as it works through multi-page documents with ease.
Printing costs and economy
Whether you're working on a hybrid model or operating on a fully remote basis, the likelihood of you printing more pages at home is going to increase. That's why it's essential that you think about a number of factors that come into the cost of ownership - beyond the initial price tag.
However, some printers simply aren't practical when it comes to ink.
To tackle this, our experts recommend using your best judgement - which sometimes means skipping the cheaper models and investing in a reliable, solid printer that will save you money over time with efficient ink usage. This helps reduce the overall cost of operation.
When you first get a printer, it will come with starter ink and toner cartridges that will get you up and running - but it's important to remember that these cartridges won't be able to stretch too far. If you’re purchasing a starter device for home printing, keep your eye out for printers that ship with full inks and printers with high-capacity levels - these help to reduce costs in the long run!
At Printerland, our product listings come with a clear 'What's in the Box' section that details exactly what you get when you order, helping you judge the true cost of setting up your new home office printer.
We know our customers have busy lives, so to make sure you don't run out of ink soon after setting up, keep an eye out for printers that come with a complete set of ink cartridges - as opposed to the standard starter set-up. This will make sure you get more for your money and can enjoy the full operation of your device even quicker.
At Printerland, we stock an impressive collection of ink and toner cartridges from more than 20 different manufacturers, supporting most printers still in service, regardless of age or model.
Finding the perfect fit for your office
Working from home can sometimes mean your new business environment is suddenly a lot smaller than your traditional office. However, just because you're suddenly short on space, it doesn't mean that your need for reliable, functional printing technology should be compromised.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend checking, marking, and measuring the full dimensions of the space you expect your new printer to fit in. Once you've done this, you can start your search without any guesswork.
As a rule of thumb, we find that an all-in-one model will usually be a little taller than a single function printer - as extra capabilities such as scanners and copiers can bulk up its build slightly. Other aspects such as the output or rear tray being put in use can take up more room, but in general, you should be able to find a small footprint printer that’s the perfect size for your office in both single function or all-in-one styles.
Still struggling to find out which compact printers will best suit your office? We've got you covered.
Space-saving printers that can be used at home
When it comes to finding out which printer is best for home office use, the experts here at Printerland have a wealth of experience to draw from.
Stuck for room? A mono-laser printer can help
If you need a quick operation without the fuss of colour printing, buying a mono printer is one of the simplest ways to keep your home office looking neat and tidy. By nature, these printers are more compact than others. As they produce black and white documents by fusing toner particles to the paper with a handy laser, they don't require bulky colour cartridges to get the job done, so your desk setup is streamlined. Their attractive price points and compact style make them great additions to home offices and businesses, which is why we stock a number of fantastic models from some of the best names on the market.
Xerox
Xerox mono laser printers offer you fantastic value for money with efficient, speedy printing. With a wealth of small and slim options, our experts add that they are well-positioned to suit a variety of customer needs - whether you're a small business working from home or need to meet the demands of a hybrid environment.
When you require a printer that is just as productive as you are, many Xerox mono laser models come with automatic dual-sided document printing and a large paper tray for seamless loading.
Many Xerox models come complete with their Smart Start Software as part of the setup process. This takes the fuss out of spending hours messing around with calibrations and long-winded computer installations - meaning you can get to work as soon as you need.
HP
For speed demons with an eye for quality, HP is an excellent creator of mono printers.
These printers are fantastic solutions for home workers or small business owners who need a machine that can be depended on - without breaking the bank. They make great additions to a desk or spare side with a range of additional features, with some models boasting an intuitive 'assign' quality that allows anyone to print directly from their mobile, tablet or interactive device.
This is perfect for workers who handle a multitude of printing jobs at a time, especially if you are operating from a shared business network. With a clever system that retains documents that it regularly prints, this allows you to pick and choose what you need with a push of a button. With HP, handling multiple workloads has never been easier.
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Kyocera
Strong, durable and resilient. They are also pretty compact, making a Kyocera mono laser printer one of the most recommended machines from the team of experts here at Printerland. Much like HP, Kyocera also deals with larger standalone printing solutions for the office - but their smaller offerings are just as good.
One of the other benefits of being at the more compact end of the scale, Kyocera mono laser printers have fewer parts to replace in comparison with other brands. This makes them one of the best printers for any home office, promising cost efficiency as well as print quality that can be relied on again and again.
With features spanning USB and double-sided printing across their range of models, with speeds boasting up to 40 pages per minute, having a Kyocera on your desk will make quick work of large-scale jobs.
Streamline Your Desk With A Multifunction Printer
But what happens when you still need all the forms and features of a traditional office MFP, but you simply don't have the space?
If scanning or copying are still non-negotiable, multifunctional printers that can handle the tasks of their older, standalone siblings could be the solution. Investing in a model that combines the functionality of the above with competent home printing can save you plenty of money and much-needed room, letting you save on the overall cost of three separate machines - without compromising on efficiency.
At Printerland, we have a range of all-in-one printers to suit a number of budgets and requirements, while saving you space, time and energy.
Our experts have even done all the hard work for you, selecting some of the best brands producing multifunction printers for your home office.
Epson
Epson's range of all-in-one multifunction printers give you the best of both worlds without breaking the bank. With both full-colour and high-quality mono printing capability, working seamlessly with USB, Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct connectivity - their range of printers are able to meet different home office demands.
With incredibly short printing and ink drying times, the Epson range of all-in-one printers are understandable firm favourites for those looking to get the maximum out of a minimal space.
HP
Similarly, HP offers some of the smallest all-in-one printers we have here at Printerland, providing cohesive scanning, copying and printing right from your desk. With some of the lowest costs of any HP printer across their complete range, choosing a multi-functional machine that can do it all doesn't mean having to give up precious space or money.
To further conserve space, some models don't even require the use of an ink cartridge: just load it up using resealable, mess-free bottles. Make sure to keep an eye out for printers that come with additional inks included to help you save even more cash.
Inkjet vs Laser: Which printers are best for remote working?
When we talk about printers, we can usually split them into two rather distinct categories: inkjet printers and laser models.
These names come from the method of ink delivery they use, with inkjet printers using minute 'jets' of ink to create images on the document it is creating. Their counterparts, whether they are colour laser printers or working in monochrome, both use a laser to create static-charged dots on a light-sensitive drum. This electrical current attracts dry ink powder, also known as toner, which is then placed onto the paper and fixed through heating.
But which one makes the best small office printer?
Inkjet printers: what are the pros and cons?
For remote working, an inkjet printer might be your best bet if you are working on smaller, image-heavy documents. Because they work by spraying tiny, microscopic drops of ink onto the page, these models are usually cheaper and smaller, making them great companions for any workspace. Their versatility also allows them to print high-quality colour photographs and images as well as in-depth text documents, making them a great all-rounder.
So, if you are planning on printing a small number of documents on a constant basis - but are more reliant on the production of high-resolution images - then inkjets are a good solution. Although inkjet printers are usually the cheapest when it comes to the initial purchase, it's important to remember that if you don't use them often your ink is likely to dry up.
This might cost you a lot more in the long run, so be mindful of how often you are going to be using this in your home office.
Which brands are best for inkjets?
When it comes to inkjet technology, HP and Epson make some of the best available on the market.
HP
HP inkjet printers are leaders when it comes to combining the ability to create high-quality imagery with all the benefits of an all-in-one model, allowing you to fax, scan, copy and print in one compact hub. They also boast plenty of 'smarts', such as a USB and wireless connection on some models, which allows you to take full advantage of printing from a number of devices. It's never been easier to print photos or documents directly from your phone, tablet or laptop, letting you get the most out of its creative outlets.
Worried about ink levels? This printer's smart technology has you covered. Some HP models also come with HP Instant Ink as part of their HP+ subscription, which automatically orders new cartridges straight to your door when your printer detects that it is running low.
Epson
Epson is another brand that knows how to make an inkjet printer that will suit a variety of home office settings. The Epson Workforce Pro range goes the extra mile, delivering plenty of useful options whilst the Epson Ecotank range comes pre-supplied with lots of ink, allowing you to get the most out of every page - and giving you peace of mind when it comes to pricey replacements.
When it comes to delivering a top-level performance in a simple, streamlined package, Epson printers are fantastic companions for home offices or small businesses. They can handle the challenge of high-volume, productive workloads, before switching seamlessly to photo-printing or high-quality image reproductions.
Whatever you are looking for, Epson's inkjet offering provides durable and reliable printing that goes the extra mile.
Laser printers: what are the pros and cons?
Laser printers are generally known to be more hard-wearing. Should your home working require plenty of heavy-duty printing, in both coloured and monochrome documents on a constant basis, laser models will be able to withstand the pressure.
The laser printer does not dry up if left unused, as it uses toner cartridges rather than traditional ink. As well as making your cash stretch further, you can also print more pages from these kinds of cartridges in comparison to their inkjet contemporaries.
If you're looking for a laser printer to handle high-resolution photographic printing, then technology is starting to catch up. Inkjet does have a slight edge when it comes to depth of colour and tone, but colour laser printers can still produce great high-quality images while bringing you cost-effective and durable solutions for your home office.
Which brands are best for laser printers?
If you are looking for laser printers that will deliver time and time again, look no further than the following three brands.
Xerox
Xerox is one of the most popular choices when it comes to productivity in the office, often found hard at work in businesses and in the home. These models are designed for ultimate ease of use and connectivity, allowing you to get the most out of your colour prints, using top-quality laser technology to reproduce photos, documents and more in eye-catching tones and depth.
With some of the biggest page handling capacity available on selected models, Xerox is able to get through huge workloads with ease.
For those of you who are environmentally-minded, used toner cartridges can be easily recycled through The Xerox Green World Alliance. Energy and media costs are also reduced, thanks to its intuitive Earth Smart Driver Settings - minimising printer waste and electricity usage.
Kyocera
Like most laser models, Kyocera offers brilliant colour and mono options within their versatile Kyocera Laser printer range.
These A4 printers are fantastic economical choices, with a number of specifications and designs that make them a perfect match for any office. They more than make up for their initial price point over the course of their use, with a shockingly low cost per page - offering speedy printing and top-of-the-line DPI quality.
If you require the production of complicated forms, text, and high-definition photographs, a Kyocera laser printer can do it all. With a compact design that fits into most office environments, you get a functional printer that is capable of saving you ink and precious time, able to switch between black and white or colour with the touch of a button.
HP
With models available in colour and mono, HP provides a range of solutions that can fit into any small office - with options that can be chosen for your exact needs. If you're looking for printers that can handle the strain of constant, text-heavy document production, the HP Laser Printer range is a fantastic choice.
These printers are the perfect size for any home office, coming in at 40% smaller than their standard counterparts. By utilising low melt toner cartridges, they are also incredibly energy efficient, saving you extra pennies when it comes to electrical output. You also get full access to cloud and mobile printing capabilities too, that protect your documents from prying eyes - without taking away your ability to print remotely.
FAQ Section
Do print speeds vary?
When it comes to print speed, some models and makes will vary. As a rule, every printer sold will advertise their print speed - which is the estimated time it takes the printer to produce a single page.
Obviously, the actual speed is entirely reliant on what you're printing and how demanding it is to produce - as text-heavy or image-laden documents will probably take longer than a short paragraph. Other factors include the paper quality and the image you are looking to print, as well as the type of cartridges your machine is pulling ink from.
For home offices looking to print huge amounts of documents, a printer that can sort through that workload faster will streamline productivity. As a rule, most offices require a range between 20 to 40 pages per minute in order to be effective. Anything faster is best suited for high-volume use, but the price point will reflect this.
Which printers have the highest print quality?
To spot which printers will do the best job, make sure to look for its DPI 'specification'. The DPI - or dots per inch - is a resolution measure within scanning or printing. Usually, the DPI marks the amount of dots that can be placed lineally within an inch. The higher the density means a better quality of print, with sharper images, more detail, and better depth.
Printers with low DPI will not be able to produce great images - even if it has a super-powerful processor and all manner of gadgets. You can tell a printer is struggling with this if the images look fuzzy or unclear.
What is PagePack?
Xerox PagePack is an exclusive and all-inclusive contract for Xerox printers. If you choose to go for a PagePack contract with your model, you will pay a fixed cost-per-page - which is helpful for those printing from home who would like to plan and budget their upcoming printing expenses. This helps you stay on top of costs while seeing exactly what you print, and can be tailored as and when your requirements change.
Still got questions? Get in touch with our team of experts at Printerland - and we’ll help you find the best solution for your home office.
'For me, the Xerox B225 is a clear choice for any home user who wants to boost productivity whilst keeping running costs to a minimum. The print/scan/copy functionality and fast-paced printing make this model perfect for handling all of your home office needs and AirPrint and Mopria Alliance compatibility means convenient, reliable printing from Apple and Android mobile devices.'