Printer reviews: Features explained
When looking for the best printer, think carefully about the extras before you buy. Printers today come packed with features, such as the ability to print wirelessly or directly from your digital camera, but there’s no point paying for features you won't use.
Types of printer
Some printers can also scan, copy, fax and print from memory card.
Standard printers
A printer will just print documents, and the type of technology that printer uses will affect which documents you'll be able to print (see ‘Inkjet vs laser’, below). Inkjet printers can produce a wide range of documents whereas laser printers can't print photos.
All-in-ones
An all-in-one is a printer combined with a scanner and photocopier, and some models also have a built-in fax machine. They're sometimes known as multi-function printers.
Some printers have wi-fi connectivity, but the 'next-generation' of printers are web-enabled, with applications that let you print specific documents direct from the web without using your computer. Visit our eprinters page to see these printers in action.
Need more information on connecting a wi-fi printer? Check out our wireless printing explained advice guide.
To find the best printer, panelists analyse images for accurate colours and sharpness
Inkjet vs laser
There are two main types of printing technology used by home printers: inkjet and laser.
Inkjet printers are versatile machines particularly suited to producing complex colour documents such as photographs.
Laser printers are generally more expensive but can print off reams of text documents in no time at all. Laser printers (all-in-ones or printers) are often very large, so ensure you have the desk space for them before you buy.
Resolution
Printers produce documents with varying amounts of detail. This level of detail is known as resolution and is expressed by manufacturers in dots per inch (dpi). Many manufacturers claim dpi is the best way to measure print quality. However, other factors, such as the way the dot patterns are formed by the printer, also count.
Our results are a better indication of the quality you can expect from a printer as they take all these other factors into account, and aren't based on resolution.
Photos
If you want a printer that can produce realistic colour photos, we recommend buying a printer that uses inkjet technology. Inkjets produce more realistic images and, unlike laser printers, have no problems printing on glossy photo paper.
You can print photos on an inkjet printer or an inkjet all-in-one printer, so the one you opt for will depend on your other needs. Printers and all-in-ones will accept a variety of different photo paper sizes.
Many printers are capable of producing borderless photos (generally 6x4-inch). However, this can be an expensive way of getting your snaps printed.
Direct photo printing
Many all-in-ones and printers let you print directly from a camera via a PictBridge connection (look for the distinctive 'pb' logo on your camera to see if it's compatible with PictBridge). Some will also let you print from a memory card.
PictBridge allows you to print photos directly from your digital camera
When your camera is connected, its LCD screen doubles as a monitor for the print process.
With memory cards, the printer needs a screen - otherwise it will print a proof sheet of all the images on the card, which you mark up and scan to tell it which ones to print.
If you want to print from memory card ensure the device you plan to buy accepts the memory cards that your cameras use. Some printers will require your memory card to be put into an adaptor before you can print from it – this is particularly common for xD Picture Cards.
Scanning
An all-in-one may be the best printer if you have a home office
All-in-ones generally have a flatbed scanner (the most common type, with a flat glass bed and a lid that closes over it).
It's the scanner that allows the all-in-ones to operate as copiers, too. But if you're used to standard photocopier speeds, you might be disappointed as it takes 20 to 40 seconds to copy an A4 letter.
With some scanners, items scan clearly only when pressed hard up against the surface of the glass bed - tricky when copying a book, say.
Optical character recognition
This software automatically interprets scanned text and outputs it into a computer file, such as a Word document, for easy editing. Free optical character recognition software comes with most all-in-one printers.
Slide scanning
A transparency adaptor in the lid of some all-in-one printers enables you to scan 35mm film negatives and slides. This feature is generally available only on more high-end, expensive printers.
Faxing
Faxing is less popular nowadays as most people use email instead. However, if you need a fax, a few all-in-ones on test still have one built in.
Auto-document feeder
An auto-document feeder (ADF) is useful for photocopying or faxing long documents. Place your documents into the feeder, which is normally found on the top of the printer, and it will automatically feed the paper through the machine without you supervising it.
