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10 Best Printer For Students 2026 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

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

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,360
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Cost of Consumables

Most important from
20217 reviews

Print Quality
Print quality is excellent, delivering bright and vivid colors for photos with no ink smudges.
Connectivity Options
Entering the WiFi password can be a bit tedious due to the small display, but it's manageable.
Cost of Consumables
Filling the ink tank is not only easy but also satisfying, and the ink lasts much longer than traditional cartridges, reducing plastic waste.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a wireless all-in-one printer tailored for students and home use, particularly appealing for its cost-effective, cartridge-free printing system. With high-capacity ink tanks, this printer significantly reduces the hassle associated with traditional ink cartridges. Students can benefit greatly from the dramatic savings on replacement ink, with costs slashed by up to 90%. The printer boasts a remarkable yield, allowing for printing of up to 4,500 pages in black and 7,500 in color before needing a refill.

One of its notable strengths is the print quality, thanks to Epson's Micro Piezo technology, which produces sharp text and vibrant colors, making it suitable for both assignments and color photos. The inclusion of a built-in scanner and copier adds to its versatility, allowing students to manage documents easily.

In terms of speed, it prints black-and-white at 10 pages per minute and color at 5 pages per minute, which is decent for home use but may feel slow for those needing to print large volumes quickly. Paper handling is satisfactory with a capacity of 100 sheets, accommodating various paper sizes, from standard letters to envelopes. Connectivity options are robust, supporting both wired and wireless connections, which is convenient for students who may need to print from different devices. The EcoTank ET-2800 also features mobile printing capabilities, enhancing its usability in a tech-savvy environment.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,360
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Cost of Consumables

Most important from
20217 reviews

Print Quality
Print quality is excellent, delivering bright and vivid colors for photos with no ink smudges.
Connectivity Options
Entering the WiFi password can be a bit tedious due to the small display, but it's manageable.
Cost of Consumables
Filling the ink tank is not only easy but also satisfying, and the ink lasts much longer than traditional cartridges, reducing plastic waste.
#2

Epson EcoTank ET-2803 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan, Copy and AirPrint Support

Rating
8.8
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Paper Handling

Most important from
20217 reviews

Print Quality
Setup is straightforward and the print quality is high, making it a reliable choice for both printing and scanning.
Connectivity Options
The Epson app is user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to print directly from your phone without connection issues.
Paper Handling
The paper tray can only hold about 10 sheets at a time, which might be inconvenient for larger print jobs.
Cost of Consumables
The huge ink refill bottles are a game-changer, eliminating the need to constantly replace tiny cartridges.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2803 is a versatile all-in-one printer that's a great fit for students. The standout feature is its cartridge-free printing, which uses high-capacity ink tanks. This can save you a ton of money on ink and means fewer trips to the store, as a single set of ink bottles can last up to two years, depending on your usage. This is especially useful for students who print a lot of assignments and projects.

The print quality is impressive, with sharp text and vibrant color photos, thanks to Epson’s Micro Piezo Heat Free technology. However, print speed is not the fastest, with 10 pages per minute for black and white and 5 pages per minute for color, which might be a bit slow if you're in a hurry. Connectivity is modern and convenient, offering wireless options and the ability to print directly from your smartphone using AirPrint or the Epson Smart Panel app. This makes it easy to print from anywhere in your dorm or home.

It also has a built-in scanner and copier, which adds to its functionality. On the downside, it lacks dual-sided printing, which could be a minor inconvenience if you frequently need to print double-sided documents. Additionally, the printer is relatively light at 8.8 pounds and compact, so it won’t take up too much space on your desk. The upfront cost is higher compared to traditional inkjet printers, but the savings on ink over time can make it a cost-effective choice. If you’re a student looking for a reliable, cost-efficient, and easy-to-use printer, the Epson EcoTank ET-2803 is definitely worth considering.

Rating
8.8
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Paper Handling

Most important from
20217 reviews

Print Quality
Setup is straightforward and the print quality is high, making it a reliable choice for both printing and scanning.
Connectivity Options
The Epson app is user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to print directly from your phone without connection issues.
Paper Handling
The paper tray can only hold about 10 sheets at a time, which might be inconvenient for larger print jobs.
Cost of Consumables
The huge ink refill bottles are a game-changer, eliminating the need to constantly replace tiny cartridges.
#3

Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan, Duplex, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), (Renewed Premium)

Rating
7.9
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Additional Features

Most important from
3285 reviews

Print Quality
The printer delivers sharp, clear print quality with consistent, professional results ideal for text-heavy documents.
Connectivity Options
Wireless connectivity works smoothly once set up directly via the printer’s console, enabling hassle-free printing from multiple devices including laptops and smartphones.
Additional Features
Duplex printing operates seamlessly, helping to save paper and reduce costs without compromising speed or quality.
Cost of Consumables
Toner cartridges last impressively long, handling heavy print volumes without frequent replacements, which keeps running costs reasonable.
Paper Handling
The device handles various paper types well, including envelopes and voucher checks, with only minor learning curves related to software settings rather than hardware limitations.

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact laser printer designed for black-and-white printing, copying, and scanning, making it a strong choice for students who primarily need to print text documents. Its laser technology ensures sharp, clear print quality at a high resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi, which is great for essays, reports, and assignments. With a fast print speed of up to 36 pages per minute, it can handle heavy workloads without long waits. The automatic duplex feature allows you to print on both sides of the paper easily, saving paper and money. Connectivity is flexible with Wi-Fi (including dual-band), Ethernet, and USB options, so you can print from laptops, smartphones, or tablets without hassle. The 250-sheet paper tray and 50-page automatic document feeder add convenience for scanning or copying multi-page documents.

Another plus is the Brother Mobile Connect app, which lets you manage your printer remotely—a handy feature for busy students. Ink costs are kept reasonable thanks to Brother’s genuine toner cartridges and an optional subscription service that helps avoid running out of toner and offers savings. On the downside, this printer only supports monochrome printing, so it won’t be suitable if you need color prints. It’s also on the bulkier and heavier side compared to some compact models, which might be a consideration if space is tight. Although the initial setup and app might take a bit of time to get used to, its ease of use makes it a solid, reliable option for students who need fast, quality black-and-white prints with good connectivity and scanning features.

Rating
7.9
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Additional Features

Most important from
3285 reviews

Print Quality
The printer delivers sharp, clear print quality with consistent, professional results ideal for text-heavy documents.
Connectivity Options
Wireless connectivity works smoothly once set up directly via the printer’s console, enabling hassle-free printing from multiple devices including laptops and smartphones.
Additional Features
Duplex printing operates seamlessly, helping to save paper and reduce costs without compromising speed or quality.
Cost of Consumables
Toner cartridges last impressively long, handling heavy print volumes without frequent replacements, which keeps running costs reasonable.
Paper Handling
The device handles various paper types well, including envelopes and voucher checks, with only minor learning curves related to software settings rather than hardware limitations.

Buying Guide for the Best Printer For Students

Choosing the right printer for students involves considering several key factors to ensure it meets their academic needs. Students often require a printer that is reliable, cost-effective, and versatile enough to handle various types of documents, from essays and reports to presentations and graphics. Here are some important specifications to consider when selecting a printer for students.
Print TechnologyPrint technology refers to the method a printer uses to produce text and images on paper. The two main types are inkjet and laser printers. Inkjet printers are generally more affordable and can print high-quality color images, making them suitable for students who need to print photos or graphics. Laser printers, on the other hand, are faster and more cost-effective for high-volume black-and-white printing, which is ideal for text-heavy documents. Choose an inkjet printer if you need color printing and a laser printer if you primarily print text documents.
Print SpeedPrint speed is measured in pages per minute (PPM) and indicates how quickly a printer can produce documents. This is important for students who need to print large volumes of work quickly, especially when deadlines are tight. Printers with a print speed of 20-30 PPM are generally sufficient for most student needs. If you frequently print large documents or need to print quickly, look for a printer with a higher PPM.
Print QualityPrint quality is measured in dots per inch (DPI) and determines the clarity and detail of the printed output. Higher DPI values result in sharper and more detailed prints. For most student needs, a printer with a DPI of 600x600 is adequate for text documents. If you need to print high-quality images or graphics, consider a printer with a higher DPI, such as 1200x1200 or more.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity options refer to the ways a printer can connect to your computer or other devices. Common options include USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Wi-Fi connectivity is particularly useful for students as it allows for wireless printing from laptops, tablets, and smartphones, making it more convenient to print from anywhere in the dorm or home. Ensure the printer you choose has the connectivity options that match your devices and usage habits.
Paper HandlingPaper handling refers to the types and sizes of paper a printer can accommodate, as well as the capacity of its paper tray. For students, it's important to have a printer that can handle standard letter-sized paper (8.5x11 inches) and possibly other sizes like legal or A4. A printer with a larger paper tray capacity (e.g., 100-250 sheets) reduces the need for frequent refilling, which is convenient during busy study sessions. Consider your typical printing needs and choose a printer that can handle the paper types and volumes you require.
Cost of ConsumablesThe cost of consumables includes the price of ink or toner cartridges and paper. This is an important factor for students who are often on a tight budget. Inkjet printers generally have lower upfront costs but higher ongoing costs for ink, while laser printers have higher upfront costs but lower per-page costs for toner. Consider the long-term costs of consumables when choosing a printer, and look for models with affordable and readily available cartridges.
Additional FeaturesAdditional features such as scanning, copying, and duplex (double-sided) printing can add value to a printer for students. A multifunction printer (MFP) that includes scanning and copying capabilities can be very useful for digitizing notes, copying handouts, and more. Duplex printing saves paper and is environmentally friendly. Consider what additional features might be beneficial for your academic work and choose a printer that offers those functionalities.

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