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Best Printer for Schoolwork

perfect printer for schoolwork

From printing out homework task sheets to creating presentation materials for class, a good printer can make a big difference in a student’s academic success.

There’s something about physically holding a page of work on paper, rather than reading from a computer screen, the same way as paperback books are better to read from than on tablets and e-readers.

Reading in print improves engagement, understanding, and recall of information, and delivers a sense of accomplishment when a student sees their hard work in print.

We have researched and tested many of the top printers to find the very best machines for schoolwork and homeschooling.

  1. Epson EcoTank Schoolwork Printer
  2. HP DeskJet Cheap Student Printer
  3. Canon Pixma Portable Printer

1. Best School Printer Overall: Epson EcoTank ET-2812

Epson student printer for school

Having a printer at home is not just useful for schoolwork, it can be used for hobbies such as crafts and art, educational entertainment, and printing pictures of memories with classmates and friends.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2812 is a popular – and highly rated – multifunction inkjet printer that has gained a lot of attention due to its ultra-low-cost high-quality printing capabilities. This printer is designed to help students save up to 90% on printing costs, making it an excellent choice for teenagers and school students.

With up to 72 cartridges in one set of inks, this printer can print up to 4,500 pages in black and 7,500 pages in colour, making it a cost-effective option for those who print frequently.

One of the key features of the Epson EcoTank ET-2812 is its hassle-free ink tank system, which comes with unique key-lock bottles and front-facing ink tanks, making it easy to refill – without mess. Perfect for frequent printing and super easy to use, with a simple interface that allows users to print, copy, and scan from one compact machine.

2. Best Cheap Printer for Students: HP DeskJet 2720e

cheap HP printer

Introducing the HP DeskJet 2720e Printer: Empowering Student Success, on the cheap.

The highly rated HP DeskJet 2720e Printer is an affordable and efficient printing solution for students – whether at primary school, secondary school, college, or university – this machine will cover all your printing needs.

Let’s explore how this printer can benefit you on your academic journey.

Compact: Save space in your dorm room, bedroom, or study area with the sleek and compact design of the DeskJet 2720e. It easily fits on your desk or in a small corner, perfect for students with limited space.

Wireless Connectivity: Print from your smartphone, tablet, or school laptop hassle-free with seamless wireless connectivity. No more tangled cords or complicated router setups. Submit assignments and papers directly from your device to be printed and had to your teacher on time, with exceptional quality printing.

Crystal clear Printing: Enjoy crisp and vibrant prints with the DeskJet 2720e. Impress teachers and classmates with everything from black-and-white text to colourful graphs and charts with precision and clarity.

Print Faster: Meet deadlines and stay on top of your coursework with the HP DeskJet printer’s fast printing speed and quick setup. Print multiple pages quickly at the touch of a button, no more waiting around for the printer to build your page, like an old ZX Spectrum game loading.

3. Best Portable Printer for Students: Canon PIXMA TR150

small portable Canon printer

The Canon PIXMA TR150 is a compact and lightweight printer designed for easy portability so you can take it from your bedroom to classroom, and is small enough to fit in most school backpacks.

It supports wireless wifi connectivity, allowing you to print documents and photos directly from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer without the need for extra cables or a separate network.

With the Canon PRINT app, you can print directly from your mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets. This feature enables convenient printing of emails, web pages, photos, and documents from your mobile devices – everything you’d need to print for school or homeschool subjects.

Of course, the Canon PIXMA TR150 delivers high-quality prints with a maximum resolution of up to 4800 x 1200 dots per inch (dpi). It uses a hybrid ink system that combines pigment-based black ink for sharp text and colour dye inks for vibrant photos.

Load and print on various paper sizes and thickness types, including letter-size, legal-size, envelopes, and photo album paper. It has a 50-sheet paper tray that can accommodate different media.

The built-in rechargeable battery ensures that the printer remains functional even when you don’t have access to a power source. The surprisingly long battery life allows for printing a significant number of pages on a single charge.

In addition to the built-in battery, you can also attach an optional back-up battery accessory (sold separately) for extended battery life should you ever run out during heavy printing work.

The printer features a user-friendly interface and a simple setup process. It has a 1.44-inch OLED screen that displays printer status and allows for easy navigation through various settings.

Apart from wireless printing, the portable Canon PIXMA TR150 also supports direct USB printing. You can connect a USB flash drive directly to the printer and print documents or photos without the need for a computer or mobile device.

Understanding Printer Types

Printing technology for schools comes in various forms – inkjet, laser, all-in-one, black and white, and 3D printers. Let’s explore each of these types in more detail, to give you a better understanding of how these printing applications differ from each other.

Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are a popular, cost-effective pick for school pupils. The functioning mechanism behind this printing involves the precise “jet” of “ink” (hens the name “inkjet”) droplets onto paper, to form sharp text and captivating colour images.

The wide range of affordable choices available for inkjet printers includes both monochrome (plain black and white) and vibrant colour options, enabling students to print crisp text essays, comprehensive reports, and visually appealing graphics and pie charts.

What sets inkjet printers apart is their compactness, low cost, and user-friendly nature, rendering them perfect companions for students desiring the convenience of printing directly in class, dorm rooms, study areas, or even their bedrooms at home.

Although relatively cheap for good-quality printing, like with all printers, there are expenses associated with replacement ink cartridges over an extended period.

Of course, you knew that, and you’ll be happy to hear that most online ink cartridge sellers offer a student discount to help keep any ongoing costs down, ideal if your class subject or curriculum involves a lot of printing.

Laser Printers

You’ve probably heard of laser printers, they’ve been around since the 1970s, but they weren’t available in homes until the late 1980s. They create text and colour images using toner instead of wet ink, which results in sharp, high-quality prints.

Laser printers are typically faster than inkjet printers and are better suited for printing large volumes of text-based documents in large batches.

Laser printers are often more expensiver than inkjet printers machines, but more cost-effective over time because the toner last longer than an ink cartridge, reduring cost per page. They are also known for their reliability and durability, making them a great investment for students who need to print frequently.

All-In-One Printers

All-in-one printers, also known as multifunction printers, combine the functions of a printer, scanner, copier, and sometimes a fax machine – yes, those things still work, but not for long – into one device. They are a great option for students who need to perform multiple tasks like scan edit and then print, but have limited space.

All-in-one printers are available in both inkjet and laser types, but expect to pay more than you would for a basic standalone printer. However, they can be a cost-effective solution for students who need to perform multiple tasks and don’t want to purchase and manage a separate scanner, copier, and printer.

3D Printers

3D printers are not for your traditional printing ink on paper, and are more for engineering, design, and architecture classes, and can also be used for creating prototypes and models for science and art projects.

They are a more expensive option than traditional printers and more suited to hobbie or technical class subjects like science, craft and design (tecky), providing a unique and innovative way for students to bring their ideas to life.

Ink and Toner Considerations

When choosing a printer for schoolwork, it’s important to consider the cost of replacement ink or toner. Look for a printer with affordable replacement ink or toner cartridges or retailers that offer student discounts.

When choosing a printer for schoolwork, consider the printing speed, print quality, connectivity options, size and portability, and ink and toner cost considerations. By choosing a printer with these features, you can ensure that you have a reliable and efficient printer for all your school printing needs, that won’t cost you a fortune.