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How to choose a printer in 2026

Printers remain the most quietly hostile category in consumer tech: subscription ink, firmware-locked third-party cartridges, and feature drift over time. The Mars Score weights print quality, speed, running cost (cost per page), connectivity, and warranty/firmware policy.

Inkjet vs laser

Inkjet (HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e, Canon PIXMA TR8620a) is best for photo printing, occasional color, and low-volume use. Laser (HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw, Brother HL-L2400DW) is best for high-volume mono printing, sharper text, and infrequent-use reliability — toner does not dry out the way ink does. Choose by usage pattern, not by price.

Running cost dominates total cost of ownership

A $200 inkjet that costs $0.20 per color page is more expensive over 3 years than a $400 inkjet with refillable ink tanks (EcoTank, MegaTank) at $0.01 per page. Always compute cost per page across the expected ownership window before deciding.

Subscription ink: read the fine print

HP Instant Ink and similar programs lock cartridges to active subscriptions; cancelling can disable cartridges you already paid for. Read the cancellation terms before opting in.

ADF and duplex

A duplex ADF (automatic document feeder with two-sided scanning) is the difference between a printer that handles real office work and one that does not. Look for "duplex ADF" or "single-pass duplex," not just "ADF."

Wireless and AirPrint / Mopria

Wi-Fi, AirPrint (Apple), and Mopria (Android, Windows) cover modern device-to-printer pairing without driver pain. Ethernet still matters for shared office printers — Wi-Fi alone can be unreliable on busy networks.

Firmware behavior

Some manufacturers ship firmware updates that disable third-party cartridges. Check our Field Reports for the current state of cartridge lock-in by brand before buying.

How vsMars scores printers

Each score combines speed (PPM), resolution (DPI), duplex/ADF presence, connectivity, and ink cost estimates per the methodology. See Buyer's Guides for use-case shortlists.