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10 Best Printers For College Students 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.8 score

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer - White, Medium

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a solid choice for college students looking for an all-in-one printer that combines functionality and cost savings. One of its biggest strengths is the cartridge-free printing system, which uses high-capacity ink tanks. This feature greatly reduces costs, allowing students to save up to 90% on ink expenses compared to traditional cartridge systems. With enough ink included to print thousands of pages, it minimizes the frequent need to purchase replacement supplies, which is ideal for busy students.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,374
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Cost of Consumables

Most important from
13123 reviews

Print Quality
Print quality is excellent for both documents and photos, with vibrant colors and no smudges, making it great for home photo printing.
Connectivity Options
Entering the WiFi password during setup is cumbersome due to the small display and non-intuitive button symbols.
Cost of Consumables
Filling the ink tank is very easy and satisfying, with ink lasting significantly longer than traditional cartridges, reducing plastic waste.
Size and Portability
The printer is smaller and more lightweight than expected, taking up less desk space and being easier to move and position.
#2
9.6 score

Brother MFC-J1010DW Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Mobile Device and Duplex Printing, Refresh Subscription and Works with Alexa

The Brother MFC-J1010DW is a compact, all-in-one inkjet printer well suited for college students who need a reliable device for homework and projects. Its size is friendly for small dorm rooms or study areas, measuring just over 6 inches high and weighing about 16 pounds. Print speeds are decent, offering up to 17 pages per minute in black and about 9.5 ppm in color, which should be enough for everyday student use but might feel slow if printing large volumes frequently. Print quality is good with a high resolution, so text and color graphics come out clear and sharp. The printer supports wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi and can be easily managed from a mobile app, allowing printing directly from smartphones or laptops without hassle. It also includes duplex (double-sided) printing and a 20-page automatic document feeder, which saves time on copying or scanning multi-page documents.

Rating
9.6
Printer Type
Print Speed
Connectivity Options

Most important from
7406 reviews

Printer Type
The automatic document feeder handles multi-page scanning and copying efficiently, though two-sided copying requires manual intervention for each side.
Print Speed
Black-and-white draft printing is fast and quiet, though photo printing with full-edge color takes noticeably longer.
Connectivity Options
Setup is straightforward and quick, with seamless integration to mobile devices allowing easy printing from smartphones and tablets.
All-in-One Functionality
The automatic document feeder handles multi-page scanning and copying efficiently, though two-sided copying requires manual intervention for each side.
Cost of Consumables
Ink cartridges last longer than expected under moderate use, but heavy printing consumes ink rapidly, requiring frequent replacements.
Paper Handling
The printer's compact design fits well in small spaces and includes an enclosed paper tray that keeps paper dust-free.
Size and Portability
The printer operates quietly and has a small footprint, making it suitable for dorm rooms and study areas without causing distraction.

Top 10 Best Printers For College Students 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.8 score

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer - White, Medium

Printer Type: Inkjet
Print Speed: 10 ppm (black), 5 ppm (color)
Print Quality: 5760 x 1440
Connectivity Options: wired, wireless
All-in-One Functionality: Copy, Scan
Cost of Consumables: High-capacity ink tanks, saves ink
Paper Handling: Max Input: 100 sheets, various sizes
Size and Portability: 14.8"D x 22.8"W x 10"H, 8.8 lbs

Chosen by 1374 this week

Brother MFC-J1010DW Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Mobile Device and Duplex Printing, Refresh Subscription and Works with Alexa

Printer Type: Inkjet
Print Speed: 17 ppm mono, 9.5 ppm color
Print Quality: 6000x1200 dpi Windows, 3600x1200 Mac
Connectivity Options: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet
All-in-One Functionality: Print, scan, copy
Paper Handling: 150-sheet tray, max 8.5x14", duplex
Size and Portability: 13.5x15.7x6.6 inches, 16.4 lbs

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier, Ethernet and 4.3-inch Color Touchscreen, Large, White

Printer Type: Inkjet
Print Speed: 12 ppm (color), 16 ppm (mono)
Print Quality: Lab-quality photos and graphics
Connectivity Options: Wireless, USB
All-in-One Functionality: Copy, Scan
Cost of Consumables: 4 cents per 4" x 6" photo
Paper Handling: Max input: 100 sheets, up to 13" x 19"
Size and Portability: 29.8"D x 20.6"W x 16.9"H, 24.5 lbs

HP OfficeJet 8015e Wireless Color All-in-One Printer, 6 month Instant Ink trial included

Printer Type: Inkjet
Print Speed: 18 ppm (black), 10 ppm (color)
Print Quality: 1200 x 1200 dpi (black), 4800 x 1200 dpi (color)
Connectivity Options: wireless, dual-band Wi-Fi, USB
All-in-One Functionality: Print, Copy, Scan, Fax
Cost of Consumables: 6 months Instant Ink included
Paper Handling: Auto feeder, Two-sided printing, 225 sheets
Size and Portability: 18.04 lbs, 13.29"D x 18.11"W x 9.17"H

Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier, Fax, ADF and Ethernet – Ideal-for Your Home Office, White

Printer Type: Inkjet
Print Speed: 10 ppm (mono), 5 ppm (color)
Print Quality: Sharp text, vibrant color prints
Connectivity Options: wired, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
All-in-One Functionality: Yes
Cost of Consumables: Reduced with cartridge-free system
Paper Handling: 100-sheet input and output tray
Size and Portability: 13.6"D x 14.7"W x 9.3"H

Brother HL-L2460DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Duplex, Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa

Printer Type: Monochrome Laser
Print Speed: 36 ppm
Print Quality: 1200 x 1200 dpi
Connectivity Options: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet
All-in-One Functionality: Print Only
Cost of Consumables: High, reduced with Refresh EZ Print
Paper Handling: 250-sheet capacity, manual feed slot
Size and Portability: 14.2 x 14 x 7.2 inches

Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer. for Home Use, Print, Scan and Copy, Black

Printer Type: Inkjet
Print Speed: 11 ppm B&W, 6 ppm Color
Print Quality: 4800x1200 DPI Color
Connectivity Options: Wi-Fi, USB
All-in-One Functionality: Print, Scan, Copy
Cost of Consumables: Cost-effective ink system
Paper Handling: Max input: 100 sheets
Size and Portability: 21.9"D x 16.4"W x 10.6"H

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax, Best-for-Office

Printer Type: Laser
Print Speed: 35 Mono, 33 Color ppm
Print Quality: 600 x 600 dpi
Connectivity Options: USB, Ethernet, Wireless, Bluetooth
All-in-One Functionality: Copy, Scan, Fax, All In One
Cost of Consumables: Higher than inkjets, original toner
Paper Handling: 300 sheets, duplex, envelopes, glossy
Size and Portability: 45 lbs, 16.6x30x27 inches, bulky

Canon Color imageCLASS MF656Cdw - Wireless Duplex Laser Printer, All-in-One with Copier, Scanner, Fax, Auto Document Feeder, Mobile Ready, 3 Year Limited Warranty, 22 PPM, White

Printer Type: All-in-One
Print Speed: 22 ppm
Print Quality: 1200 x 1200 dpi
Connectivity Options: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet
All-in-One Functionality: Printing, Copying, Scanning, Faxing
Cost of Consumables: High-capacity toner cartridges
Paper Handling: 250-sheet capacity, auto duplex printing
Size and Portability: 18.2"D x 17.8"W x 16.3"H
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Buying Guide for the Best Printers For College Students

Choosing the right printer for a college student involves considering several factors to ensure it meets their academic and personal needs. College students often require a printer that is reliable, cost-effective, and versatile enough to handle a variety of tasks, from printing essays and reports to scanning and copying documents. Here are some key specifications to consider when selecting a printer for a college student.
Printer TypePrinters come in two main types: inkjet and laser. Inkjet printers are generally more affordable and are great for printing high-quality color images and photos, making them suitable for students who need to print graphics or presentations. Laser printers, on the other hand, are faster and more cost-effective for high-volume black-and-white printing, which is ideal for students who primarily print text documents. Consider your primary printing needs to decide which type is best for you.
Print SpeedPrint speed is measured in pages per minute (PPM) and indicates how quickly a printer can produce documents. For college students, a printer with a moderate print speed (around 15-20 PPM for black-and-white and 10-15 PPM for color) is usually sufficient. If you anticipate printing large volumes of documents frequently, a higher print speed may be beneficial to save time.
Print QualityPrint quality is measured in dots per inch (DPI) and determines the clarity and detail of printed documents. A higher DPI (1200 DPI or more) is important for printing detailed images and graphics, while a lower DPI (600 DPI) is typically adequate for text documents. Consider the types of documents you will be printing most often to determine the necessary print quality.
Connectivity OptionsModern printers offer various connectivity options, including USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Wi-Fi connectivity allows for wireless printing from multiple devices, which is convenient for students who use laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Some printers also support mobile printing apps, enabling you to print directly from your mobile device. Ensure the printer you choose has the connectivity options that match your usage habits.
All-in-One FunctionalityAll-in-one printers combine printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing capabilities in a single device. This multifunctionality can be very useful for college students who need to scan and copy documents for their studies. If you anticipate needing these additional functions, an all-in-one printer can save space and money compared to purchasing separate devices.
Cost of ConsumablesThe cost of consumables, such as ink or toner cartridges, can add up over time. Inkjet printers typically have lower upfront costs but higher ongoing costs for ink, while laser printers have higher initial costs but lower per-page costs for toner. Consider the long-term cost of consumables and how often you will need to replace them based on your printing volume.
Paper HandlingPaper handling refers to the types and sizes of paper a printer can accommodate, as well as its paper tray capacity. For college students, a printer with a standard paper tray capacity (around 100-250 sheets) and the ability to handle various paper sizes (such as letter, legal, and photo paper) is usually sufficient. If you plan to print a lot of documents, a larger paper tray can reduce the frequency of refilling.
Size and PortabilityThe physical size and portability of a printer can be important for college students who have limited space in dorm rooms or apartments. Compact and lightweight printers are easier to fit into small spaces and can be moved around as needed. Consider the available space and how often you might need to relocate the printer when choosing the right size.

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