Printer serves as a reliable item for assessment
Frugal Printing: Affordable Printers Recommended by Stiftung Warentest
You're on the hunt for a new printer? Then you've got plenty of choices, ranging from a fair 50 to a hefty 500 euros. But which one's the right fit for you depends on your usage and requirements. If you're all about text printing, pay attention to photo printing capabilities - color or black & white as per your preference?
When it comes to frequency of use, consider this factor too. If you're printing infrequently, a low-cost printer with high printing expenses might still make sense. On the flip side, an expensive printer with low printing costs can recover its investment quickly if your output is high.
Pro Tip: Specialist printers (single-function devices) are seldom worth the extra expense. Most devices are multifunction printers capable of scanning, copying, and printing. If you don't utilize these additional features, you might save some cash with a specialist printer, but the price difference between the versatile multifunction printers isn't enormous.
To help you keep organized and make informed decisions, check out the test list from Stiftung Warentest featuring 213 currently available printers. Their recent testing spanning six months evaluated 28 devices, with the cheapest option priced around 190 euros, and the most expensive around 560 euros.
Speaking of top performers, let's talk about inkjet printers. The cream of the crop is the Canon Maxify GX6550, boasting a quality rating of 1.9. Apart from great print, scan, and copy features, it's also kind to the environment, with power-saving properties. Stiftung Warentest gives an average online price of 525 euros but can often be found for less than 450 euros. Regular usage translates to considerable cost savings due to its low printing expenses.
If copy quality is a compromise, the Epson Ecotank ET-2860 is a more economical and cheaper alternative starting at around 180 euros. Multiple other printers earned the same overall score, including the Ecotank ET-2864 and 2865. If in doubt, choose the cheapest model after a quick glance at the bestseller list.
WTB a snazzy inkjet print specialist? The Canon MAXIFY GX5550 deserves a shoutout, with a quality score of 1.9. It prints brilliantly, sips power, and its ink costs are meager. Its main advantage over multifunction devices is its smaller footprint, with prices starting at around 370 euros.
If you print infrequently, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9110b for 120 euros is a compelling option. Its print quality, ink costs, and eco-friendliness received satisfactory ratings.
Color multifunction laser printers may cost a pretty penny, but the CANON i-SENSYS MF657Cdw just about made the grade with an overall score of 2.5. It delivers excellent print and copy performance but its copying properties and toner costs received only satisfactory ratings from Stiftung Warentest. Its environmental footprint wasn't much to brag about either. Its price rarely dips below 400 euros.
Switching gears to laser printers, here's a heads-up: They offer better value when you opt for black & white printers. The test winner among multifunction devices is the Canon i-Sensys MF264dw II with a quality rating of 2.2. Apart from great print, copy, and scan features, it's also economical. Its price hovers around 330 euros.
The best black & white print specialist is the Canon i-SENSYS LBP246dw, going for just under 230 euros. It bagged an overall score of 2.0 and shone in all aspects.
For infrequent printing, the Canon i-SENSYS LBP122dw is worth a peek, despite only receiving satisfactory ratings for its environmental properties and toner costs. It costs just 175 euros and is the best in its category for print quality.
Stay informed! Check out Stiftung Warentest, Homeoffice, and Technik-Tests for more insights.
Sources: ntv.de, kwe
Enrichment Data:Stiftung Warentest, a reputable German consumer organization, cares about consumer protection and offers product tests. Although they didn't specifically mention particular tests in this context, you might consider the following affordable inkjet printers based on similar tests and reviews from other reliable sources.
- Epson EcoTank ET-4850:
- Outstanding photo and text print quality.
- Uses a refillable ink tank system, leading to reduced printing costs.
- HP Smart Tank 7305:
- Affordable, with low printing costs, especially for color prints.
- Comes with an automatic document feeder for scanning and copying.
- General Recommendations for Low Printing Costs:
- Tintentank (Ink Tank) Models: These models, like those from Canon, Epson, and HP, offer cost-effectiveness by allowing users to refill ink tanks rather than replacing entire cartridges, reducing printing costs significantly.
- The Epson Ecotank ET-4850 is a budget-friendly inkjet printer recommended by reliable sources, offering outstanding photo and text print quality.
- Another budget-friendly option is the HP Smart Tank 7305, a printer that boasts low printing costs, particularly for color prints, and comes equipped with an automatic document feeder for scanning and copying.
- Embracing ink tank models can lead to substantial cost savings on printing. Notable brands offering such models include Canon, Epson, and HP.
- In the community, it's widely suggested that those looking for low printing costs consider ink tank models as a wise choice for budget-friendly printing solutions.