New Home Printer?

[Catbert]

What's a good, low cost printer for home use?  My current printer is 15+ years old.  The only device we have that can interact with it is an old laptop that was on its last legs 3 years ago when I replaced it.  I only turn it on when I need something printed.

The printer will be infrequently used (even I am mostly digital these days).  The ability to print color is desirable but not an absolute requirement.  My current printer is a Dell and goes through printer cartridges like crazy so something refillable or cheaper ink would be great.  We have a Chromebook and android phones if that matters.

If you don't have specific brand/model recommendation is there something I should look for when selecting one? 

[JLee]

I have had a ~$100 black and white Brother laser printer for nearly a decade and it's still chugging along.  Brother is generally my go-to for printer recommendations.

[Sibley]

I have a basic Brother laser printer, black and white. It can do double sided though my current driver refuses to acknowledge that (just haven't dug out the disc to install).

As far as I know, pretty much all the inkjets are ripoffs.

[Uturn]

Check FB marketplace for a used laser.   Run like crazy from ink jet.  They dry out before you can use them again.

[yachi]

I'd hang my hat on a laser printer too.  Toner lasts forever without use, and works when you need it.  I've gone months without printing, and when I need it - it's there.  Color is more expensive in this style, so we went back (from the ink jet printer we replaced) to black and white.

[GuitarStv]

I've been using a brother laser printer for nearly 20 years.  Had to replace the toner a couple years ago, but other than that she has been kicking along quite happily.

[Dr Kidstache]

I had to replace my printer earlier this year. I also don't do a lot of printing but find color printing useful. I wanted a scanner which it doesn't sound like you need. I bought the all-in-one printer recommended by Wirecutter (the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e) and have been happy with it. It prints sharp enough that I can print usable topo maps on standard cheap paper.

[ChickenStash]

I would look around for a used laser printer, color if you need it. Most of the big name printer manufacturers make affordable color lasers for home/small office use these days. I'm partial to Ricoh and Brother, but HP is probably fine. Even used, there will be a higher initial purchase price but the toner cartridges tend to last a lot longer and they won't dry out. I hate inkjet printers with a passion, particularly for low-use.

[sonofsven]

I just got my first Chromebook last year and found it would not work with my six year old printer.
I got an inexpensive HP Envy recommended by the resident tech guy at my Costco. It prints wirelessly from my Android or Chromebook. So far so good. It's small and white so I have it on the countertop/eating bar that separates the kitchen and dining table. That's my "office".

[reeshau]

I have had a ~$100 black and white Brother laser printer for nearly a decade and it's still chugging along.  Brother is generally my go-to for printer recommendations.

Love my Brother.  Cheap toner cartridges are available online.  Dug out our old one that had been in storage for 3 years, and it worked fine.  We did upgrade to color.  It takes quite a bit of space, as there are now 4 toner cartridges, but we like it as much.  2-sided prints, A4 (which we occasionally have) envelopes, etc.  It is wired, for use with our PC's, but also print wirelessly from our Android devices, no problem.

[Samuel]

Another big fan of the Brother monochrome laser printer. Works flawlessly for documents no matter how long it's been since I last used it and I'm still on the original toner cartridge after many years. 

I figure if I really need color it's going to be for a photograph and no low end home printer will yield satisfying results anyways. My fridge is covered in 4x6 travel photos, all printed at Walgreens for super cheap (they almost always have discount codes). If it's to be enlarged and framed I'll use a legit print company.

[nalor511]

Brother or Canon bw laser

[Catbert]

Thanks, everybody.  I think I'm sold on a Brother laser printer.  They come at all price points starting around $110 new if I resist any "extras".  It appears, however, that Brother printers have (had?) problems with Chromebooks and printing from the cloud.  I'll probably have to go to a store (horrors!) to ensure that I get something that will easily work with my Chromebook. 

All this discussion of inkjets reminded me of an old story.  This was probably 20 years ago.  My office had a printer that a dozen people used.  Printer cartridge was large and cost iirc $75 or so which seemed really expensive to me.   The cartridges lasted 9+ months of heavy use.  Then the organization gave people at a certain level (me) a small individual Lexmark printer.  It was convenient to have but v-e-r-y slow.  And the tiny ink cartridges lasted 2 months or less and cost $35! 

[seattlecyclone]

Yeah a laser printer is totally the way to go in terms of price and reliability. We have a pretty cheap HP that has been serving our needs well for several years.

[Dr Kidstache]

Definitely make sure whatever you buy works with a Chromebook. I only have a Chromebook and it won't work with some printers because you need a computer to do the initial setup on many models.

[HipGnosis]

If you decide you do want color, look at the (kinda) new type of ink-jet printers that are "ink tank" printers.
They have ink tanks instead of using ink cartridges.  They are (reportedly) cheaper to use.  You refill the tanks with little bottles of ink.
But, ink cartridges include a 'print nozzle' which is the print 'head'.  Giving you a new one with each cartridge.  I think you will have to do regular print nozzle / head cleanings on a print tank printer.

[Daley]

If you decide you do want color, look at the (kinda) new type of ink-jet printers that are "ink tank" printers.
They have ink tanks instead of using ink cartridges.  They are (reportedly) cheaper to use.  You refill the tanks with little bottles of ink.
But, ink cartridges include a 'print nozzle' which is the print 'head'.  Giving you a new one with each cartridge.  I think you will have to do regular print nozzle / head cleanings on a print tank printer.

Backing this up, and not just any ink tank printer, but Canon PIXMA Megatank models specifically if you absolutely must use inkjet and do occasional color printing and print frequently enough to keep the heads from clogging.

Otherwise, Brother B&W laser like everyone else has said should be your first choice.