The 6 Best Printers For College Students - Fall 2024

The best printer for students we've tested is the HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e. This all-in-one inkjet model has nearly everything you need to get through college. It has Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet connectivity and support for Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service, making it easily accessible. The scanner produces decent scans, and there's an automatic document feeder to process long, multi-page documents. Scanning via the ADF is a little slow, though, as it only processes up to six pages per minute. However, it supports duplex scanning, so you don't need to manually turn the pages. The scanner's lid hinges are extendable to accommodate thicker items like textbooks.

Printing-wise, this model produces amazingly sharp documents. It prints quickly at up to 23 black or 15 color pages per minute and supports automatic double-sided printing. With a paper capacity of 500 sheets, you likely won't need to refill the input tray unless you have a large print load. This printer yields a large number of prints, and the ink cartridges are relatively cheap, so you won't have to spend much on replacement ink. It also comes with three months of ink via HP's ink replenishment service; however, if you accept the offer, you can't use cheaper third-party ink in the future. Also, the printer must remain connected to the internet to function.

As a special mention, the best printer for teachers we've tested is the Epson EcoTank ET-3850. It's a great option if you need to print in bulk for your students; its ink tank yields significantly more prints than the HP's, and its replacement ink is inexpensive, making it easier and cheaper to maintain. However, there are a couple of tradeoffs: it prints more slowly and lacks duplex scanning.

If you still print a lot but don't need as many office printer features, you'll want to check out the Brother MFC-J4335DW. It produces nice documents and photos, doesn't take long to wake from sleep, and prints quickly at 17 black or 15 color pages per minute. Its recurring costs are very low, as it yields a large number of prints, and replacement cartridges aren't expensive. The scanner also has extendable lid hinges and processes up to 20 pages per minute through the feeder; however, it doesn't support automatic double-sided scanning like our top pick, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and USB, and support for Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service is present. It works with Brother's Mobile Connect app, which you can use to print, scan, copy, and perform maintenance tasks from your smartphone. This model's input tray holds 150 sheets of paper, which is likely big enough that you wouldn't need to refill it regularly. If you have a larger print load, you can get the slightly more costly Brother MFC-L4535DW variant, which has an additional 250-sheet tray for a total capacity of 400 sheets. It also has a larger control panel and more connectivity options, including an Ethernet port and NFC support. See our review for more details.

For those on a limited budget but who still print and scan regularly, go with the Brother MFC-J1205W, also sold as the Brother MFC-J1215W at Walmart. Its compact size is perfect for tight spaces, and the printer feels impressively well-built. It has a high-resolution flatbed scanner to digitize notes and class handouts, as well as USB and Wi-Fi connectivity. It's also compatible with the Brother Mobile Connect app, which you can use to perform maintenance tasks and order supplies from your mobile device.

You can print over 1,000 black or 750 color pages before the ink cartridges run low, and the cartridges are cheap, so the maintenance costs remain low even if you print a lot. It prints up to nine black or six color pages per minute, which is a little slow, so you may wait a while if you print long research articles or papers. That said, it's still a fantastic choice if you're looking for a budget-friendly printer.

If you need to spend as little as possible, the Canon PIXMA MG3620 is your best choice. This printer is only a good option for a low print load. Otherwise, if you have a heavier print load, you're better off with the more expensive Brother MFC-J1205W because you'll likely save money in the long run. Or, if you only print once in a blue moon, consider using a laser printer. Check out our pick for the best budget laser printer, the Brother HL-L2460DW.

As for the Canon, its build quality isn't as sturdy as it's made from cheap plastic and lacks some nice-to-have features like an automatic document feeder. But it does what it's supposed to do and prints good-quality documents and photos. It's also a little slow, pushing just nine black and three color pages per minute. The main drawback of a cheap model like this is its low page yield and potentially high ownership costs. It only yields about 200 black or color prints, meaning you'll have to replace them often, and since it uses a tri-color cartridge, you'll have to replace the entire cartridge even if just a single color runs out. The cartridges aren't expensive, but your maintenance cost will still add up quickly if you print a lot.

If you only need to print black-and-white documents but still want the features of an all-in-one model, get the Brother MFC-L2820DW. This all-in-one laser model also features an ADF that scans up to seven pages a minute; while scans look a bit faint, they are exceptionally clear and detailed. Print quality is also outstanding, and the prints come out at an amazing pace, up to 33 pages per minute. It's easily accessible from a wide variety of devices, as you can connect to it via Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet and use the Brother companion app for more functionality.

Its page yield is good at around 1300 prints, and you can get a high-yield XL cartridge that'll last even longer. The drum is a separate unit you'll have to spend extra to replace, although it's usually good for about 15,000 prints, so you won't need to change it too often. There are other variants with more features. For example, the Brother MFC-L2880DW has duplex scanning, single tap NFC support, and prints a little faster at 36 pages per minute; the print quality remains the same, so you'll get sharp-looking documents. The issue is this model can be hard to find in North America. See our review for more details about variants.

If you only need to print the occasional document or return label, consider our budget laser pick, the Brother HL-L2460DW. This print-only model feels well-built and sports all the common connectivity options like USB, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Ethernet. It prints quickly at up to 34 pages per minute, supports automatic duplex printing, and costs little to maintain, thanks to its high page yield and cheap replacement toner. It's also fairly compact and fits nicely into a dorm room or small office space. The main drawback regarding features is the lack of a scanner, so you must be sure you won't need to scan anything when choosing this model.

There's one important difference between this version and previous generation Brother printers at this print point. Out of the box, the printing quality isn't up to par with what you would expect from a Brother laser printer. However, you can still produce sharp-looking documents by changing the printer's settings—it just takes some work. There are cheaper variants if you want to save money, like the Brother HL-L2400D, which prints marginally slower at 32 pages a minute and only offers USB connectivity. See our review for more details.