The best printer for infrequent use is a laser printer, preferably with wireless connectivity and a built-in scanner. Laser printers use toner instead of ink, which does not dry out or clog when left unused for a long time. They are also fast, reliable, and cost-effective in the long run. Wireless connectivity allows you to print from any device or cloud service, while a scanner lets you copy and digitize documents easily.
If you only need to print occasionally, you may not want to deal with the hassle of inkjet printers. Inkjet printers use liquid ink that can dry up or clog the print head if not used regularly. This can result in poor print quality, wasted ink, and frequent maintenance. Inkjet cartridges are also expensive to replace and can run out quickly if you print a lot of pages or images.
Laser printers, on the other hand, use toner, which is a dry powder that does not dry out or clog. Toner cartridges last longer than ink cartridges and can print thousands of pages before needing to be replaced. Laser printers also print faster and more accurately than inkjet printers, especially for text and graphics. They are ideal for printing documents, reports, invoices, and other professional or personal papers.
However, laser printers are not perfect for every situation. They are usually more expensive to buy than inkjet printers, and they take up more space and power. They also do not print well on glossy or photo paper, and most of them only print in black and white. If you need to print high-quality color photos or images, you may want to consider an ink tank printer instead.
What are the Features to Look for in a Laser Printer for Infrequent Use?
When shopping for a laser printer for infrequent use, you should look for the following features:
Wireless connectivity: This allows you to print from your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop without using cables or drivers. You can also print from cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, or use apps like AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, or Mopria. Wireless connectivity makes printing more convenient and flexible, especially if you have multiple devices or users in your home or office.
Scanner: A scanner lets you copy and digitize documents, receipts, photos, and other papers. You can save them as PDFs, JPEGs, or other formats, and send them via email, fax, or cloud. A scanner is useful for archiving, sharing, or editing your documents, and can also help you reduce paper clutter and waste.
Duplex printing: This means that the printer can print on both sides of the paper automatically, without you having to flip it manually. Duplex printing can save you paper, money, and time, and also make your documents look more professional and eco-friendly.
Paper capacity: This refers to the number of sheets that the printer can hold in its input and output trays. A higher paper capacity means that you do not have to refill the paper often, and you can print larger or multiple documents at once. A good paper capacity for a laser printer is at least 250 sheets in the input tray and 100 sheets in the output tray.
Print speed and resolution: These are the measures of how fast and how well the printer can print. Print speed is measured in pages per minute (ppm), and print resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi). A higher print speed and resolution mean that you can print more pages and get sharper and clearer prints. A good print speed and resolution for a laser printer are at least 20 ppm and 600 dpi, respectively.
What are the Best Laser Printers for Infrequent Use in 2024?
Based on the features mentioned above, here are some of the best laser printers for infrequent use in 2024:
HP LaserJet Pro MFP M140w: (Check Discounted Price Now) This is a compact and affordable all-in-one laser printer that offers wireless connectivity, a scanner, duplex printing, a 250-sheet paper capacity, a 23 ppm print speed, and a 1200 dpi print resolution. It is easy to set up and use, and it supports various print apps and cloud services. It is ideal for home or small office use, and it can print in black and white only.
Canon imageCLASS MF452dw: (Check Discounted Price Now) This is a powerful and versatile all-in-one laser printer that offers wireless connectivity, a scanner, duplex printing, a 250-sheet paper capacity, a 40 ppm print speed, and a 1200 dpi print resolution. It also has a 5-inch color touchscreen, a 50-sheet automatic document feeder, and a 900-sheet maximum paper capacity. It is suitable for medium to large office use, and it can print in black and white only.
Brother HL-L9310CDW: (Check Discounted Price Now) This is a high-performance and high-quality laser printer that offers wireless connectivity, duplex printing, a 250-sheet paper capacity, a 33 ppm print speed, and a 2400 dpi print resolution. It also has a 2.7-inch color touchscreen, a 50-sheet multipurpose tray, and a 1300-sheet maximum paper capacity. It is designed for business use, and it can print in color.
Conclusion
The best printer for infrequent use is a laser printer, preferably with wireless connectivity and a scanner. Laser printers use toner instead of ink, which does not dry out or clog when left unused for a long time. They are also fast, reliable, and cost-effective in the long run. Some of the best laser printers for infrequent use in 2024 are the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M140w, the Canon imageCLASS MF452dw, and the Brother HL-L9310CDW. These printers offer various features and functions that can meet your printing needs and preferences.
