6 Most Reliable Inkjet Printers of 2024

By Eugene WilliamsLast update: 2024-09-26

The problems that some people have with their inkjet printer is that it stops working after a couple of months, which can be a great disappointment. So it is important to carefully consider choosing the most reliable inkjet printer. Here are the six top options we've found, based on our real-life testing.

Here are the most reliable inkjet printers you can buy in 2024:

  • Best For Beginners: HP OfficeJet Pro 6978
  • Best For Large Print Jobs: Canon MG3620
  • Best For High-Precision Printing: Epson® WF-3820
  • Quiet: Brother MFC-J4335DW
  • Energy-Efficient: Brother MFC-J4535DW
  • Fast Printing: HP OfficeJet Pro 9020
6 Most Reliable Inkjet Printers
Best For Beginners
HP OfficeJet Pro 6978
    Best For Large Print Jobs
    Canon MG3620
      Best For High-Precision Printing
      Epson® WF-3820
        Quiet
        Brother MFC-J4335DW
          Energy-Efficient
          Brother MFC-J4535DW
            Fast Printing
            HP OfficeJet Pro 9020

              Best For Beginners: HP OfficeJet Pro 6978

              HP OfficeJet Pro 6978
              HP OfficeJet Pro 6978
              Pros
              • Beginner-friendly – easy setup, clear instructions, & easy-to-change cartridges
              • Fast copying and scanning - built-in duplexing document feeder
              Cons
              • It could be sturdier

              Of all the inkjet printers we tested, the HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 seems to be the most beginner-friendly because it's easy to set up, the instructions are clear, and the cartridges are a breeze to change.

              With its built-in duplexing document feeder, you can quickly copy and scan both sides of a document, making tasks quicker and easier to complete.

              The HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 is a good printer for the price.

              It’s also considered 50% more efficient than laser printers while still delivering high-quality prints, which saves you more.

              With Ethernet and wireless networking, you can easily connect to your devices and print from anywhere.

              HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 Specifications

              Functions

              two-sided scanning and printing

              wireless printing

              fax

              scan

              copy

              Compatible Devices

              Smartphone

              Laptop

              Print Speed (Up To)

              Monochrome: 20 ppm

              Color: 11 PPM

              Input/output Capacity

              225 sheets, 60 sheets

              Highlight Features

              easy setup, clear instructions, & easy-to-change cartridges

              built-in duplexing document feeder

              Verdict

              Offering simple setup, clear instructions, and easy-to-change cartridges, the HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 is a friendly option for beginners.

              Best For Large Print Jobs: Canon MG3620

              Canon MG3620
              Canon MG3620
              Pros
              • Powerful and versatile – three handy printing options
              • Save you time in refilling – ability to pair with a large-size ink cartridge
              Cons
              • Bulky and not easy to transport

              The Canon MG3620 boasts multiple powerful printing options—Including Canon Print, Mopria, NFC, Google Cloud Print, and Airprint—while being able to pair with multiple devices for convenient wireless printing.

              The high resolution allows it to produce incredible quality and detail. You can print on both sides of the page with auto 2-sided printing.

              Best of all, you can use a large-size ink cartridge for this printer, so you won't have to change it out that frequently.

              From our experience, the Canon MG3620 is a perfect choice for large print jobs. The only minor drawback is the large footprint, making it not easy to move around.

              Canon MG3620 Specifications

              Functions

              Print, copy, scan

              Compatible Devices

              Tablet, Android, iPad, and iPhone

              Print Speed (Up To)

              Monochrome: 9.9 ppm

              Color: 16 PPM

              Input/output Capacity

              100 sheets

              Highlight Features

              three handy printing options

              ability to pair with a large-size ink cartridge

              Verdict

              The Canon MG3620 is our solid pick for large print jobs

              Best For High-Precision Printing: Epson® WF-3820

              Epson® WF-3820
              Epson® WF-3820
              Pros
              • High-precision printing - PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology
              • Ideal for professional printing jobs - DURABrite Ultra instant-dry pigment inks
              • Quick navigation and control - 2.7
              Cons
              • Not easy to refill the paper
              • A bit difficult to set up

              The Epson® WF-3820 sets itself apart from the competition by using PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology to deliver fast, high-quality prints with precise dot placement.

              In addition, the DURABrite Ultra instant-dry pigment inks are suitable for professional-quality prints.

              This reliable printer has high-volume reliability for heavy workloads with innovative heat-free technology designed for reduced downtime.

              You can maximize efficiency with the wireless setup using a smartphone or mobile device and the easy-to-use 2.7" color touchscreen for quick navigation and control.

              Epson® WF-3820 Specifications

              Functions

              Print

              Compatible Devices

              Windows and iOS devices

              Print Speed (Up To)

              Monochrome: 21 ppm

              Color: 11 PPM

              Input/output Capacity

              250-sheet

              Highlight Features

              PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology

              DURABrite Ultra instant-dry pigment inks

              2.7" extra-large color touchscreen

              Verdict

              The Epson® WF-3820 offers impressively high-precision printing capability without breaking the bank when it comes to one of the most reliable inkjet printers we’ve seen.

              Quiet: Brother MFC-J4335DW

              Brother MFC-J4335DW
              Brother MFC-J4335DW
              Pros
              • Perfect for people sensitive to loud noise - Very quiet
              • Hold more ink than traditional cartridges - exclusive INKvestment Tank technology
              Cons
              • No duplex scanning

              We wouldn't say the Brother MFC-J4335DW is noiseless. It still emits a bit of sound while operating, however, nothing is irritatingly loud, so it's no problem to place this printer near you.

              Our testers also noticed this inkjet printer worked much better than other brands on the market. Not only quiet, but it's also intuitive, responsive, easy to use, and fast-printing, which is ideal for businesses, home offices, or busy individuals who want uninterrupted, worry-free printing.

              While you don't have to replace your ink cartridges constantly, the exclusive INKvestment Tank technology helps accommodate more ink and delivers more savings than regular cartridges—which is super-convenient.

              Brother MFC-J4335DW Specifications

              Functions

              Print, scan, copy, fax

              Print Speed (Up To)

              Monochrome: 20 ppm

              Color: 16 PPM

              Input/output Capacity

              150-sheet

              Highlight Features

              Very quiet

              exclusive INKvestment Tank technology

              Verdict

              Offering crisp prints quickly and quietly, the Brother MFC-J4335DW is a great choice for anyone who’s sick of that annoyingly noisy printer.

              Energy-Efficient: Brother MFC-J4535DW

              Brother MFC-J4535DW
              Brother MFC-J4535DW
              Pros
              • Energy-efficient - EPEAT and ENERGY STAR certified
              • Exceptional savings and convenience - 4 cartridges
              • Easy to track the remaining ink - Page Gauge feature
              Cons
              • Color prints are not the best

              At this great price point, no other options out there can beat the quickness and efficiency of the Brother MFC-J4535DW.

              It excellently meets federal guidelines for sustainability and energy efficiency to receive EPEAT and ENERGY STAR labels.

              Using 4 cartridges that are provided in-box, it delivers exceptional savings and convenience.

              We appreciate the revolutionary ink system allows up to 1-year of uninterrupted printing, meaning you'll save time and money on ink replacements, while the Page Gauge feature eliminates guesswork on when to replace your ink cartridge.

              Brother MFC-J4535DW Specifications

              Functions

              Print, copy, scan, fax

              Compatible Devices

              Smartphone, laptop

              Print Speed (Up To)

              Monochrome: 20 ppm

              Color: 19 PPM

              Input/output Capacity

              400 sheet

              Highlight Features

              EPEAT and ENERGY STAR certified

              4 cartridges

              Page Gauge feature

              Verdict

              Energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and convenient, the Brother MFC-J4535DW continues to be our team’s favorite inkjet printer.

              Fast Printing: HP OfficeJet Pro 9020

              HP OfficeJet Pro 9020
              HP OfficeJet Pro 9020
              Pros
              • Fast-printing - 24 ppm black and 20 ppm color
              • Reduce downtime - an extra-large 500-sheet tray & a 35-page automatic document feeder
              • digitize and organize receipts and business documents quickly - Smart Tasks feature
              Cons
              • A steep price
              • No duplex scanning

              The HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 is a versatile and powerful all-in-one printer that offers faster printing at 24 ppm black and 20 ppm color.

              Compared to the HP OfficeJet Pro 9010 series, this version is twice faster scanning. It also features an extra-large 500-sheet tray and a 35-page automatic document feeder to help optimize your time.

              Regardless, this model is considered nearly 40% smaller than its predecessor, which is space-saving and easy to maneuver.

              The Smart Tasks feature in the HP Smart app lets you digitize and organize receipts and business documents effortlessly and quickly.

              And with its sustainable design made with up to 10% recycled plastic, you can be sure you're doing your part for the environment.

              HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 Specifications

              Functions

              Print, copy, scan, and fax

              Compatible Devices

              Smartphone and laptop

              Print Speed (Up To)

              Monochrome: 24 ppm

              Color: 20 PPM

              Input/output Capacity

              500 sheets, 100 sheets

              Highlight Features

              24 ppm black and 20 ppm color

              an extra-large 500-sheet tray & a 35-page automatic document feeder

              Smart Tasks feature

              Verdict

              There’s so much we love about the HP OfficeJet Pro 9020, but the incredibly fast-printing ability impressed us the most.

              How To Choose The Most Reliable Inkjet Printer?

              There are a few key factors you'll want to consider when choosing an inkjet printer, such as print quality, speed, and reliability.

              Speed is worth-considering if you need to print quickly, and reliability is key if you need your printer to be dependable.

              Print Quality

              Print quality is important if you need to print high-quality photos or graphics. After all, you want your prints to look their best! Here are a few things to keep in mind when assessing print quality:

              Number of cartridges: Look for a printer with at least four ink cartridges so that you can produce rich, detailed prints.

              Resolution: This is measured in dots per inch (dpi) and essentially dictates how detailed and sharp your prints will be. The higher the dpi, the better the quality.

              Color accuracy: For many people, color accuracy is vital. Make sure to choose a printer that can accurately reproduce the colors you need.

              Fade resistance: You want your prints to last, so fade resistance is an important factor to consider. Some inks are more fade-resistant than others, so do your research before making a purchase.

              Blotchiness: Blotchy prints are never fun! Avoid printers that tend to produce prints with lots of smudging or streaking.

              Printing Speed

              If speed is a priority, look for a printer with high printing speeds.

              The faster the printer, the more productive you'll be.

              There are two main types of inkjet printers: those that print in black and white only, and those that print in color. Black and white inkjet printers are typically faster than color inkjet printers.

              If you're looking for a fast inkjet printer, pay attention to the print speed specified by the manufacturer. The print speed is usually listed in pages per minute (ppm). The higher the number, the faster the printer.

              However, keep in mind that the actual printing speed will depend on a number of factors, including the complexity of the document being printed and the quality setting you choose.

              In general, black and white inkjet printers have speeds ranging from 15 to 30 ppm. Color inkjet printers have speeds ranging from 5 to 20 ppm.

              Other Factors

              Here are a few other important factors to ensure that you're getting a reliable inkjet printer:

              -Duty cycle: This is the maximum number of pages that the printer can handle per month. If you print a lot, you'll need a machine with a high duty cycle.

              -Connectivity: Make sure that the printer has the right ports and connectivity options for your needs. USB is the most common, but some printers also offer Ethernet or Wi-Fi connectivity.

              -Paper handling: Look at the paper tray capacity and different paper types that the printer can handle. If you print on specialty paper often, make sure that the machine can accommodate it.

              -Manufacturer

              Which Brands Make The Most Reliable Inkjet Printer?

              HP

              For both home and office users, HP inkjet printers offer high-quality printing at an affordable price, with a wide variety of models to choose from.

              In addition to offering reliable performance, they are also easy to use, making them a good choice for anyone who wants a hassle-free printing experience.

              Canon

              Founded in 1937, Canon is a Japanese company that specializes in imaging and optical products.

              In the realm of computer printers, Canon inkjet printers are some of the most reliable on the market. This is due in part to the high-quality components used in their construction, as well as the rigorous testing they undergo before being released for sale.

              Epson

              Epson is a Japanese electronics company established in 1942 and one of the world's largest manufacturers of printers and scanners.

              They're also a leading provider of digital imaging products. Epson has a reputation for making reliable products, and that extends to their inkjet printers.

              FAQs

              Are inkjet printers best for long term use?

              No, they aren’t. Laser printers are known to last longer than inkjet models.

              How long do inkjet printers last?

              Under normal usage, inkjet printers last around 3 to 5 years

              Is Canon better than Epson?

              Regarding operation costs as well as scanning and copying speeds, Canon is more efficient than Epson. But in terms of printing speeds, Epson is the winner.

              Is it worth repairing an inkjet printer?

              It’s recommended repairing an inkjet printer only when the repairing cost is equal to or less than ½ the price of a new machine.

              Are more reliable inkjet printers more expensive?

              Yes, they are. Reliable inkjet printers commonly are made from well-known brands, built with higher-quality components, and/or backed by better warranty, so they’re more expensive.

              Conclusion

              After reading through all of the most reliable inkjet printer reviews, we hope you have found the perfect one for your needs. Do keep in mind that there are many different types of printers on the market, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase.

              We also recommend reading user reviews to get a better idea of how a particular printer performs in real-world use.

              Thanks for reading and happy printing!


              Related Articles