Inkjet printers

Inkjet printers for home, study and small offices: A4 models for documents and everyday printing, plus a few A3 printers for larger sheets. Many are multifunction devices that also scan and copy. Our range has over 70 models, mainly from Epson and Canon, with HP and Brother alongside.

How to choose an inkjet printer

Cartridges or refillable tanks. If you print often, the cost per page matters more than the purchase price. Cartridge models suit occasional printing, while printers with refillable ink tanks usually cost less per page.

Number of cartridges. In our range, many printers use four cartridges (black, cyan, magenta and yellow) and quite a few use two: one black and one tri-colour. Separate colour cartridges mean you replace only the colour that has run out. Models with five or six cartridges are aimed at better photo printing.

Print quality. The maximum resolution in our range is most often 4800 x 1200 DPI, and some models reach 5760 x 1440 DPI. For letters, invoices and school work, the first figure is already plenty. Higher values and extra photo inks matter mainly if you print photographs.

Paper size and trays. Most printers here print up to A4, while a handful also handle A3 for drawings, posters and wide spreadsheets. Most models have a single input tray, so check its capacity if you print long documents. A few have three trays, which lets you keep different paper types loaded.

Functions and connectivity. Multifunction models add a scanner and copier, and some can print on both sides of the sheet automatically. Wi-Fi is worth having if several people print from phones and laptops.

Inkjet printer brands we carry

• Epson: known for its EcoTank printers with refillable ink tanks, designed for high print volumes.
• Canon: best known for the PIXMA inkjet line, valued for photo quality, and also makes MegaTank models with ink tanks.
• HP (HP Inc., Hewlett-Packard): one manufacturer listed under several names, known for its DeskJet and OfficeJet series for home and office use.
• Brother: known for ink tank multifunction printers (INKvestment Tank) aimed at home offices.

Inkjet printer FAQ

Is an inkjet or a laser printer better for home use?

An inkjet printer is usually the better choice at home if you print colour documents, photos or school projects. Laser printers come into their own when you print large amounts of black text. Inkjets also let you use glossy photo paper and a wider variety of paper types.

Does inkjet ink dry out if the printer is not used?

Yes, ink can dry in the print head if a printer sits unused for weeks, which leaves streaks on the page. Printing a colour page once or twice a week helps prevent this. Switch the printer off with its own button rather than pulling the plug, so the print head is capped properly.

Which is cheaper to run: cartridges or refillable tanks?

For frequent printing, a printer with refillable ink tanks is usually cheaper to run, because bottled ink costs less than original cartridges. If you print only a few pages a month, a cartridge model is normally perfectly adequate. Check which ink the model uses before you buy.

How do I find an inkjet printer for A3 paper?

Choose a model whose specification lists A3 as the maximum paper size, as most inkjet printers only go up to A4. Our range includes a few A3 models, and some also support A3+. An A3 printer needs more desk space, so measure the spot you have in mind first.