Best Printer For Occasional Use: Reviews, Buying Guide and FAQs 2023

Many of us have printers at our homes, and no doubt printers are a handy machine, especially if there is a school or office-going member at the house. But one thing we all have to admit, there are times when the printer stays idle for weeks or even months, and in this time, the ink cartridges dry out, which leaves us with a machine without any work.

Well, this problem now has a solution.

Thankfully many companies have come out with an innovative thought of manufacturing the best printer for occasional use. Unfortunately, with many companies coming forward, there are too many options to choose from, which can sometimes confuse us. To detangle these knots of confusion, we have selected the 10 best printers for occasional use to help you decide which one would be the most dependable printer for you.

Top Picks: Best Printer For Occasional Use

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• Bestseller No. 1
  
  Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer, HL-L2350DW, Wireless Printing, Duplex Two-Sided...
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• Bestseller No. 2
  
  Brother MFCL2750DW Monochrome All-in-One Wireless Laser Printer, Duplex Copy & Scan,...
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• Bestseller No. 3
  
  HP LaserJet Pro M254dw Wireless Color Laser Printer, Works with Alexa (T6B60A)
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• Bestseller No. 4
  
  Canon® PIXMA™ G3260 Wireless Color All-in-One Printer, Black
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Comparison Table for Best Printers for Infrequent Use

Top 10 Best Printer For Occasional Use Reviews 2023

1. Epson Expression Premium XP- 7100

The new Epson Expression Premium XP- 7100 is a wireless color photo printer with ADF, Scanner, and Copier. The printer is compatible with Alexa, and it comes in jet black color. This is an absolute choice if you are looking for a basic printer for home use. If used with Epson cartridges, the printer gives its best result; other ink or cartridges may not give its desired result.

It prints sharp, borderless eye-catching color documents with a 30-page auto document feeder. In addition, the Epson Expression Premium XP- 7100 printers can copy/scan/print on both sides and have multiple media feeds for easier productive work.

Key Features

• Sharp borderless prints
• Multiple media connectivity
• Touchscreen 4.3 inches display
• Special paper printing

Features

Sharp borderless prints- Stunning photo quality that gives the best borderless prints with vivid color. Print out borderless eye-catching prints every time.

Multiple media connectivity- This ultimate wireless plus printer can print photos and documents directly from a tablet and smartphone. Includes WiFi Direct for network-free printing.

Touchscreen 4.3 inches display- Its 4.3 inches touchscreen display can view, edit and print photos directly from USB and SD card slot.

Special paper printing- XP- 7100 printers can print on special paper & even on DVDs. It can also print up to 8 inches X 10 inches of paper. Best for home use, this printer is excellent for school and office presentations.

Pros

• Excellent quality prints
• Multiple media connectivity
• Can print on special paper
• 4.3 inches touchscreen display

Cons

• Works with Epson cartridges only

2. Canon TR8520 All-in-One Printer

Canon TR8520, as the name suggests, is an All-in-One printer that is convenient for both home and office use. This wireless inkjet printer is excellent for multiple paper printing, including glossy photo paper, and has a 5 color individual ink for best-looking documents and photos. In addition, the Canon TR8520 works with Alexa and has multiple connectivity facilities which connect with any smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop.

The Pixma TR8520 prints from Cloud4, Bluetooth5, from social Media3, or even on the go. This wireless inkjet printer can fit anywhere perfectly, and it is the easiest printer to set up. It is an easy-to-use printer for seniors who want to help their young family members with homework or assignments.

Key Features

• Memory capacity
• Best resolution printing
• All-in-One

Features

Memory capacity- Pixma TR8520 can hold up to approximately 250 pages, has a modem speed of around 33.6 Kbps (Super G3 color fax) 18, memory card slot1 and 20 sheet ADF, which makes printing, copying, scanning, and faxing quick and easy.

Best resolution printing- Canon TR8520 delivers the best result every time, be it printing, scanning, copying, or faxing. This is because it has a print resolution of up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. Moreover, with intuitive features like 4.3 inches LCD touchscreen display, the printing now gets quicker and simpler.

All-in-One- With built-in WiFi, connectivity with every possible device such as smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, hassle-free printing from Cloud4, Bluetooth5, social Media3 makes everything easier like never before. It is the one-stop device for all your paper necessities. In addition, it is the best printer for occasional home use.

Pros

• Memory capacity
• Quick and easy printing
• High resolution
• 5 color individual ink system

Cons

• Not for bulk printing

3. Canon G7020 All-in-One Printer

Canon G7020 All-in-One Printer is the easiest printer to use for both home and office. Its super tank ink feature is what makes it the best printer for occasional use. It alone can print, scan, copy, fax, and have ADF and mobile printing facilities.

Its mammoth integrated ink tank can be viewed and refilled with ink bottles. The G7020 has a high page yield that prints up to 6000 black pages and 7,700 color pages per ink bottle. With the 350 plain sheet paper capacity, this printer is excellent for a large-scale printing job. Vividly colored, borderless large scale printing from 3 5″ x 3 5″ square to 8 5″ x 11″ Letter 2.

Key Features

• Huge refill tank
• Huge paper capacity
• Airprint facility

Features

Huge refill tank- The Canon G7020 is equipped with a giant ink super tank (mega tank) to deliver ink whenever, wherever. This integrated ink tank can be viewed and refilled anytime as per necessity.

Huge paper capacity- With G7020s high page yield, you can print up to 6000 black and 7700 color pages; with a 350 plain sheet capacity, this printer is built for large-scale printing.

Airprint facility- With the printer's Airprint feature, printing from iPhone, iPad, Mac 4 has become easy. It prints beautiful borderless bright pages along with that it can copy, scan, and fax.

Pros

• Big ink tank
• Excellent for a large printing job
• Airprint feature
• Huge paper capacity

Cons

• It cannot be used at home

4. Canon TR8620

This All-in-one TR8620 printer is not only a solution to your printing needs, but this printer alone can print, scan, copy and fax as well. In addition, it has an auto document feeder, photo and document printing benefits with Airprint ®, and Android printing. Easy printer set-up, easy to use that comes with a 4.3 inches LCD touchscreen display.

The Canon PRINT app[7] allows printing from all sorts of devices, allowing Apple Airprint ® [8] and Mopria ® [9]. In addition, TR8620 saves time and money with Auto 2 sided printing which can save up to 50% of the paper cost.

Key Features

• Smart App feature
• Creative printing options
• Time and money-saving

Features

Smart App feature- With its Canon PRINT app, printing has now become really simple and easy. In addition, printing from Apple Airprint ® and Mopria ® is also possible now with its latest technologies. Easy smartphone, tablet, laptop, and desktop set-up for the fastest hassle-free printing.

Creative printing options- With the help of the Easy Photo Print editor app and Canon Creative Park app, unveil the fascinating world of creative printing. Just download the apps to experience more creative printing options.

Time and money-saving- Auto 2 sided printing allows both sides of paper printing in one go that saves electricity cost and paper cost, and saves time and energy.

Pros

• Easy set-up
• Printing directly from SD memory card
• Creative printing options
• Auto 2 sided printing

Cons

• Less paper storage capacity

5. Brother HL- L6200DW Wireless Monochrome Laser Printer

Brother HL- L6200DW wireless monochrome laser printer with Duplex Printing is dedicated to working under pressure in busy offices. It prints out crisp, clear, borderless prints with outstanding graphics. The HL- L6200DW has a super printing speed of up to 48 ppm. In addition, it has a built-in wireless Gigabit Ethernet network with USB connectivity and can print from even mobile devices.

With huge space for paper handling, this printer can hold up to 1,610 paper sheets together. Excellent for any kind of paper, this printer can print on envelopes, plain paper, card stock, labels, and even glossy paper. This stylish, heavy-duty printer comes in two classic colors, black and grey.

Key Features

• Huge paper tray
• Fast printing
• Multiple connectivities
• Safe and secure
• Multi-purpose paper tray

Features

Huge paper tray- Large print jobs is now flexible and easy with this printer's dual adjustable paper tray that can hold up to 520 sheets of plain paper, a multi-purpose paper tray that holds 50 sheets of paper, along with that an additional paper tray of 520 sheets or 250 sheet capacity tray can be added which makes its paper holding capacity of whooping 1,610 sheets.

Fast printing- Brother HL-L6200DW printer has a printing speed of up to 48 ppm, making it one of the fastest printers on this list. Excellent for busy offices and bulk printing, this printer does not compromise its crisp, sharp, clear text and excellent graphics quality.

Multiple connectivities- With a built-in wireless 802.11b/g/n and Gigabit Ethernet network interfaces, it also has USB 2.0 connectivity that allows multiple users in its network. Printing from mobile devices is easy via Airprint, Google, Cloud Print 2.0, Mopria, Brother iPrint&Scan, Cortado Workplace, and WiFi direct.

Safe and secure- The printer helps safeguard sensitive documents with its highly secure triple layer security system like never seen before. In addition, it helps to connect with your personal device without any third-party interference.

Multi-purpose paper tray- Build with a multi-purpose paper tray that can handle any paper of any size with ease. Letter, envelope, legal-size, executive, A4, A5, A6 and custom sizes (WxL) (3.0-8.5″, 5.0-14″); along with that dimensions (WxDxH) - 14.7″ x 15.3″ x 11.3″.

Pros

• Fastest printing with the best quality
• Large paper space
• Multiple connectivities
• Includes toner cartridge and drum unit

Cons

• Not for home or small office use

6. HP LaserJet Pro M29w Wireless printer (Y5S53A)

This HP LaserJet Pro M29w Wireless monochrome printer is the world's smallest laser printer printing, scanning, and copying all-in-one facilities. Works with Alexa, this printer can print any paper, including envelope, plain paper, card stock, and labels. It gives out clear, sharp, vivid prints and has the ability to print 19 pages per minute.

The HP Smart app allows the fastest printing from smartphones, tablets, and all other devices. It can also scan easily from the device using the smart app. Print from iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Its easily accessible WiFi lets print and shares files with other networks. Devices with no WiFi connectivity can be connected using WiFi direct.

Key Features

• Files to direct PDF
• Compact and efficient
• Free HP web support

Features

Files to direct PDF- Scan files directly to PDF on your smart device and send an email.

Compact and efficient- This all-in-one laser printer can print, copy and scan without blocking large space in your room. It is 30% smaller than an average printer with the same technology as this.

Free HP web support- Any question or operation difficulty can easily be solved now with the help of their 24 hours, 7 days a week HP web support team, which makes the newbies more comfortable with this printer.

Pros

• All-in-one printer that takes 30% less space
• WiFi Direct feature
• Easy files to PDF scanning
• Auto on/off technology

Cons

• It only comes in one color variant

7. HP LaserJet Pro M402n Laser Printer

Built-in Ethernet and facilities like fast and protected printing, Alexa friendly, and more. This HP LaserJet Pro M402n printer gives you the ultimate printing experience. Sharp, clear, vivid, eye-catching color printing that is excellent for school projects and office documents. This printer can print on any paper; the ink dries fast and works efficiently without wasting any of your valuable time.

With the pre-installed toner cartridges, printing can be done immediately, and it can also be replaced with the optional high yield cartridges. Also, save energy with its auto on/off feature that will turn the printer off automatically when not in use.

Key Features

• Protected fast printing
• Energy saving
• Printer different papers with ease

Features

Protected fast printing- This printer's security features keep printing safe from starting to shut down. In addition, fast wake-up technology wastes no time and prints faster than other competitor printers.

Energy-saving- HP LaserJet Pro M402n automatically shuts itself down when not in constant use. This feature allowed this printer to be on the list of best printers for occasional use.

Print different papers with ease- Papers like an envelope, plain paper, card stock, labels, fabric, glossy photo paper can be printed in this laser printer. It can be obtained in most prints if used with Original HP High Yield Black Toner cartridges with JetIntelligence.

Pros

• Fast printing
• Protected with security features
• Power saver auto on/off
• One year hardware warranty with 24 hours 7 days a week free web support

Cons

• Will not give best output if not used with HP toner cartridges

8. HP Tango Smart Wireless Printer

This Wireless inkjet color printer does more work than just printing. It can print, copy, scan, and can also be operated with Alexa. Built-in a modern design with white color, it can fit anywhere from your bedroom to study or office cubicle. Work from anywhere and handsfree with its special features of working with voice activation, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home can create anything from shopping lists to crossword puzzles, documents, or projects.

With its HP Smart App, printing has now become easier than ever. Printing can be done from the cloud and social media, scan with a smartphone, and print photos free up to 5×7″ with paid HP instant ink plan.

Key Features

• Professional-quality prints
• 2 months free ink
• Voice-activated

Features

Professional-quality prints- Stunning color quality photos up to 8.5×14″ to borderless photos up to 5×7″ this printer will assure the best color output and vivid image every time. Even documents with texts will look just like how it's seen on the mobile screens.

2 months free ink- On enrolling in the HP Instant Ink option, free ink will be delivered to our doorstep for 2 months. This ink will provide even better and professional-quality prints.

Voice-activated- Using a printer has never been so easy with its voice activation feature and Alexa. You don't have to be in front of the printer to print; this printer will make your day so much more productive.

Pros

• Voice-activated
• Free photo print offer on Tango
• Professional high-quality print every time
• Good for any kind of paper

Cons

• No SD card support

9. HP DeskJet 2722 All-in-One Printer

This inkjet printer is all you need in a paper emergency. It alone can print, scan, and copy, and its trendy up-to-the-mark design fits perfectly in your workspace. In addition, fast printing facilities can print from mobile phones or any smart device.

USB port supported, has WiFi, wireless and stress-free printing from iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Scan files to PDF and share externally. On top of that, it comes with a one-year warranty.

Key Features

• Simple set-up, simple printing
• Icon LCD
• High-speed printing

Features

Simple set-up, simple printing- The HP DeskJet 2722 All-in-One Printer is an A4 color inkjet all in one printer that can alone do the job of 3 machines, yet it is straightforward to use and prints as fast as 7.5 ppm (black) and 5.5 ppm (color) papers.

Icon LCD- This printer has a built-in USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, WiFi; it can be operated by HP smart app and has an icon LCD for faster, more convenient printing. It weighs about 3.42kg and comes in the color light stage indigo.

High-speed printing- Its wireless operations are compatible with 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz operations. Bluetooth v4.2+ must be enabled with a mobile device only for high-speed printing.

Pros

• Dual-band WiFi with self reset for faster connection
• Perfect for home, all-in-one usage
• High-quality printing, vibrant color
• Has WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, Smart App operation benefits

Cons

• Not for office use

10. HP DeskJet 3755 Compact All-in-One Wireless Printer

This HP DeskJet 3755 Compact All-in-One is an inkjet printer, as the name suggests, does all the paperwork itself like print, scan, copy, Airprint. Running out of ink is not a problem with this printer. Get ink delivered to your doorstep with its Instant Ink feature.

You can have all the power in your hand because the Smart App allows the easiest printer setup. Also scanning, ordering toner can be done from the app. Print from iCloud, Dropbox, and Google Drive. This compact and wireless printer being the world's smallest printer, can fit in every corner without taking too much space.

Key Features

• Compact and wireless
• Supports all paper sizes
• Instant free ink for 2 months

Features

Compact and wireless- This is the world's smallest all-in-one printer for a home that does hassle-free paperwork. Prints out vibrant color and sharp printed paper every time has 7 segments plus LCD and many more in the smallest size possible.

Supports all paper sizes- Various types and sizes of paper supported envelopes to plain paper and size starting from 3×5 inch to 8.5×14 inch including letter, legal, 4×6 inch, 5×7 inch, 8×10 inch, and No10 envelopes.

Instant free ink for 2 months- The HP Smart App detects when ink is running low and orders itself. 2 months free ink delivered to doorstep when enrolled in HP Instant Ink during printer set-up. In the market of low ink usage printers, this printer can put its own mark.

Pros

• 1-year warranty
• Different paper and sizes supported
• Works with Alexa
• 7 segments plus LCD
• Compact

Cons

• It does not have security features

Buying Guide for the Best Printer for Occasional Use

Getting a good printer in the market has become quite easy now, but choosing what's best according to your needs can get tricky sometimes, given so many choices. So here we will discuss which printer you can choose according to your needs.

Laser or Inkjet?

If text, graphics, and photos are typically what you print, then inkjet will be a good choice for you. This is because most inkjet printers can print almost anything. But if you are into printing texts only, then laser printers will be an appropriate choice as they print out sharp texts. However, laser printers are not very suitable for photo printing as they are not very good with glossy paper, so the color on the print can often come blotchy.

All-in-One or Regular?

A regular printer's work is to print. So if you don't want to scan, copy or fax, a regular printer will be well suited for you. All-in-One printers are like its name does everything; they can print, scan, copy and fax.

Wireless Printing

Printers can now get connected to multiple devices and can print without the hassle of connecting wires. You can make your printer do its job from anywhere in the world, and you can also send documents to your printer from anywhere. All this is possible because of the latest technologies of wireless printers.

Ink Usage

Printer ink can be one of the most costly liquids to buy. Also, this ink is not always used by it as printers use ink for routine maintenance. This ink usage will depend on the printer and its specifications, so it is important to know about the printer in detail before buying it.

Heavy Duty

If you are looking for a printer for a large-scale printing job or think you have way too much paperwork than average, you must choose a printer designed to perform under pressure and that can print an expected amount of paper. You have to print way below that expected number to reduce your machine's extra wear and tear for prolonged usage.

Types of Printers for Occasional Use

There are a variety of printers available on the market for occasional use. Some of the most popular printers include inkjet, laser, and dot matrix printers.

Inkjet printers are typically the cheapest option, and they produce high-quality prints. However, they can be slow and use a lot of ink. Laser printers are faster than inkjet printers and can produce sharper text, but they are typically more expensive. Dot matrix printers are the cheapest type of printer available, but they produce low-quality prints.

When choosing a printer for occasional use, consider your needs and budget. If you need a high-quality printer that is affordable and fast, an inkjet printer is a good choice. If you need a printer that is fast and can produce sharp text, a laser printer is a good option. If you are on a tight budget, a dot matrix printer is your best bet.

Benefits of Owning a Printer for Occasional Uses

There are several benefits of owning a printer for occasional uses. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it allows you to print documents without having to go to a library or copy shop. This can save you time and money. Additionally, owning your own printer gives you more control over the printing process. You can choose the type of paper, the font style and size, and other printing options that are important to you. Owning a printer also allows you to print documents quickly and easily, without having to wait for someone else to do it for you. Finally, owning a printer can be convenient if you need to print a document while on the go.

How to Choose a Home Printer for Occasional Use

When choosing a printer for occasional use, you must look into few matters with more importance. It is said that ink tank printers or reservoir printers are good for occasional use, and here we will tell you why.

Ink Tank System

Although this machine is relatively new in the market, it got people's attention in this little time for its working capacity. As the name suggests, ink tank printers rely on ink tank systems and ink bottles to produce prints, whereas inkjet printers solely depend on ink cartridges that dry out fast.

Airtight Tube

The ink used for printing in ink tank printers is delivered through an airtight tube that ensures that the ink is sealed in the tank until it is being used.

Save Printing Cost

Ink tank printers print thousands of pages at half the cost of a regular printer. Although the machine is expensive, it is all worth it when the printer saves a lot of ink cost compared to regular printers over time.

FAQs about Printers for Occasional Home Use

Which printer is best for infrequent use?

There are two main types of printers that are preferred for infrequent use. One is ink tank printers : They rely on ink tanks and ink bottle systems instead of cartridges for more efficient printing. Another is laser printers : These machines use toner for printing. However, unlike ink cartridges, this toner doesn't dry out when not in use.

Are laser printers better for occasional printing?

In comparison to inkjet printers, laser printers are better for occasional printing. However, if you don't need a printer regularly, go for a laser printer as they use a dry, plastic material called toner to print that doesn't dry out like ink cartridges.

Which printer is most economical for ink costs?

While buying a printer, it is essential to look into what type of ink it will use for printing your important files. Whether it is an inkjet or laser printer, it should be well analyzed before buying, as ink cartridges can cost you more than the printer itself in the prolonged future. So choose a printer that meets your requirements and saves its ink life even if used occasionally.

What is the most reliable printer brand?

The answer for that would be HP. HP makes many different types of printers that can meet each and everyone's requirements. Be it inkjet or laser printers; for large-scale printing or occasional use, HP covers it all with their top quality printers that can print every type of paper with perfect sharpness, clarity, and color.

What printer has the longest-lasting ink cartridges?

There are many kinds of printers in the market claiming a lot of things. Choosing the correct printer can be tough, especially when there are so many things to look into. Going for a cheap printer, in this case, won't be a wise decision as these printers can run out of ink very soon, and buying ink cartridges can get more expensive than the printer itself. So instead, go for a high-quality printer as they serve well and save ink for a long time.

Buy now at Etsy, Walmart, eBay (quality guaranteed)

Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer, HL-L2350DW, Wireless Printing, Duplex Two-Sided - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

Brother MFCL2750DW Monochrome All-in-One Wireless Laser Printer, Duplex Copy & Scan, - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

HP LaserJet Pro M254dw Wireless Color Laser Printer, Works with Alexa (T6B60A) - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Canon® PIXMA™ G3260 Wireless Color All-in-One Printer, Black - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Conclusion for Occasional Use Printer Buyers

Like most electronics, buying a printer can sometimes get intimidating with so many available options in the market. But few simple things to keep in mind before choosing the right printer can save your day. Firstly, look into the paper space, ink capacity, and ppm if you want a heavy-duty printer. Also, wireless facilities, multiple users friendly, WiFi, USB connectivity, all-in-one or regular these things should be considered before confirming the final one.

For home use, choose a printer with less paper and ink space, and also, it is not important to have the fastest printer for home. There are many varieties with different specifications, so researching the market before buying your printer will be a wise decision to make.