Penny Pincher's Guide to Home Office Printing: Stiftung Warentest's Top Picks
Printer serves as an effective assessment tool in this review.
Go ahead and splurge? Maybe not. Save those bucks instead! Stiftung Warentest offers tips on affordable yet premium printers for your home office.
In the realm of printers, the price range is vast - from a modest 50 euros to a hefty 500 euros. But the question is, should you shell out a hefty sum for a fancy device, or settle for a more economical model? Well, Stiftung Warentest can help you make the right decision!
Based on various factors - from printing frequency and purpose, to required features like photo printing or multifunctional capabilities - Stiftung Warentest's tests can assist you in selecting the perfect printer for your home office needs.
Tech Wonders: 10-Gigabit LAN and Wi-Fi 7
It's crucial to consider the frequency of use when deciding on a device. If printing is an occasional affair, a budget-friendly printer with higher operating costs might be the better option. However, an expensive device with lower printing costs may prove to be a wise investment when the output is high.
Specialists: To Multifunction or Not to Multifunction?
A majority of the devices available are multifunction printers that are capable of scanning, copying, and faxing. If you barely use these extras, you might find more value in a print specialist, but the price differences between the versatile, high-performance winners and the specialists are not significantly different.
Alphabet Soup: Browsing at Amazon and Stiftung Warentest's Test List
To help keep things organized and ensure a targeted selection, Stiftung Warentest's test list, featuring 213 currently available printers, is a handy tool. Over the past six months, 28 devices have received decent overall ratings, with the cheapest priced around 190 euros and the costliest a hefty 560 euros.
Ink Me Up: Inkjet Printers in the Spotlight
The Canon Maxify GX6550: The Printer with a Silky Smooth Printing Performance
Winning the top acclaim for its overall performance is the Canon Maxify GX6550, with a quality rating of 1.9. This baby prints, scans, and copies well with great environmental ratings too, boasting low energy consumption. Although Stiftung Warentest pegs its average online price at 525 euros, it can typically be found for less than 450 euros. Plus, its low printing costs make it a long-term money-saver if used frequently.
The Epson Ecotank ET-4850: Budget-Friendly Yet Feature-Rich
Another standout performer, the Epson Ecotank ET-4850 also matches the Canon's overall quality rating. Priced around 380 euros, it is more affordable than its competitor and is the best photo printer in the test field.
If the copying function doesn't require much perfection, give the Epson Ecotank ET-2860 a try. It shares the same quality rating as its pricier siblings and has a lower price tag, starting at around 180 euros. Several other printers with similar names and construction have also earned the same rating. To make the best choice, simply select the lowest among them after a brief glance at the bestseller list.
The Ti-Man: The Canon MAXIFY GX5550, Arrayed in Black and White
For those seeking an inkjet printer with superior print quality, the Canon MAXIFY GX5550 fits the bill. With a quality rating of 1.9, it prints exceptionally well and consumes minimal energy, offering low ink costs as well. However, its main advantage over multifunction devices is its smaller footprint, and it starts at 370 euros.
The Occasional Printing Guy: HP OfficeJet Pro 9110b
If you print occasionally, take a look at the HP OfficeJet Pro 9110b, priced around 120 euros. Its results, ink costs, and environmental properties received satisfactory ratings.
The Canon i-Sensys MF657Cdw: Barely Meeting Expectations
The Canon i-Sensys MF657Cdw, while a good color multifunction laser printer, has barely managed to earn a decent overall score of 2.5. It delivers decent printing and copying performances, but its copying properties, toner costs, and environmental properties are only rated as satisfactory. A bit of luck will help you find it for 400 euros or less.
The Price is Right: Less for More with Laser Printers
If what you're looking for is a quality, yet affordable laser printer, you can save some bucks by opting for black and white laser printers. In this category, the Canon i-Sensys LBP246dw takes the lead with a quality rating of 2.0. All its disciplines have received decent ratings, and it can be found for just under 230 euros.
The Canon i-SENSYS LBP122dw: Saving Where it Matters
If printing is an occasional affair, the Canon i-SENSYS LBP122dw remains a credible pick, despite its only satisfactory environmental properties and toner costs. Priced at an affordable 175 euros, it boasts the best print results in its category.
When Black and White is All that Matters
For black and white print specialists, the Canon i-SENSYS LBP246dw takes the crown. Its quality rating stands at 2.0, alongside impressive results in all disciplines.
Source: ntv.de, kwe
- Stiftung Warentest
- Homeoffice
- Technik-Tests
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Stiftung Warentest doesn't provide specific recommendations for reliable and cost-effective inkjet and laser printers for home office use in their search results. However, other trusted sources suggest these top-notch options:
Recommended Printers for Home Office Use
Inkjet Printers with Tintentank Technology
- Epson EcoTank ET-4850:
- Recommendation: Known for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness, Otto recommend this printer for home office use.
- Features: Delivers a balance between quality and price while being ideal for home office environments.
- Canon PIXMA G4570 and Canon PIXMA G3571:
- Recommendation: Offered on Amazon, these printers are budget-friendly and boast superior print quality.
Laser Printers
- HP Color LaserJet MFP 4302dwt:
- Recommendation: A standout laser printer for about 380 euros, this printer excels in high-speed performance, quality print output, moderate printing costs, and scanning capabilities.
- Features: Offers a large paper capacity, easy operation through a touch display, and strong scanning capabilities.
When choosing a printer, look out for factors such as:
- Printer Costs: Inkjet printers with Tintentank technology can offer cost-effectiveness for frequent printing.
- Print Quality: Laser printers usually provide crisp text quality while inkjet printers excel in color printing.
- Functions: Multi-function printers offering scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities can be highly convenient for home offices.
For the most accurate and up-to-date recommendations from Stiftung Warentest, visit their official website or latest publications directly.
- The home office guide suggests considering economical printers from Stiftung Warentest to save on costs without compromising quality.
- When selecting a printer, one should consider factors like printing frequency, purpose, and required features such as photo printing or multifunctional capabilities.
- The guide recommends investigating budget-friendly, multifunction laser printers like the HP Color LaserJet MFP 4302dwt, which offer crisp text quality, high-speed performance, and scanning capabilities at a reasonable price.
- For home offices requiring color printing, Stiftung Warentest recommends inkjet printers with Tintentank technology, such as the Epson Ecotank ET-4850, for superior print quality and cost-effectiveness.
