Whether you’re planning to go to college soon or are already attending classes online, you need a printer to deal with all those study materials, reference notes, and homework assignments. And although there’s no shortage of options on the market, choosing the right printer depends on a number of factors like monthly printing volume and the setting you intend to use it in. For example, Canon’s Pixma iX6820 features great print quality and separate ink tanks that are easy to replace, but it’s not the most compact option. On the other hand, Brother’s HL-L2350DW is a monochrome printer that comes with fast print speeds and an elegant design. You can also go for all-in-one devices like Brother’s MFC-J895DW, which have scanning and copying functionalities. Here are some of the best printers for college students you can buy. Our product reviewer Danny Chadwick thought the print quality was excellent during testing, with vibrant colors and well-defined edges. The inkjet printer is rated for print speeds of approximately 14.5ppm/10.4ppm (black/color) and supports a variety of paper sizes (for example, 8 x 10 inches, letter). It also uses five separate ink tanks, making it easier to replace an individual color’s ink when it runs out. Other noteworthy additions are a 150-sheet feed tray and auto power on functionality. The Pixma iX6820 includes Wi-Fi 802.11bgn, Ethernet, and USB. You also get Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print support for effortless remote printing. It measures around 23 x 12.3 x 6.3 inches and weighs about 18 pounds. Type: Inkjet | Color/Monochrome: Color | Connection Type: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB | LCD Screen: No | Scanner/Copier/Fax: No You can also print photos from SD cards and USB flash drives. The SELPHY CP1300 supports a number of photo sizes and formats (such as 2 x 6 inches, 4 x 6 inches, ID photos, and mini stickers), taking a little less than a minute to print a postcard size photo. A 3.2-inch LCD screen lets you make basic edits (for example, color correction) to your photos before they’re printed. While this feature works well, our product expert Theano Nikitas found it to be a tad slow. Although not as compact as some of its rivals (like the HP Sprocket 2nd edition), the SELPHY CP1300 is still quite portable. That said, you need to buy the battery pack separately to use this thing anywhere. Type: Dye-sublimation thermal transfer | Color/Monochrome: Color | Connection Type: Wi-Fi and USB | LCD Screen: Yes, without touch support | Scanner/Copier/Fax: No Boasting a maximum output resolution of 2400 x 600 dpi and a print speed of 32ppm, the HL-L2350DW supports many paper sizes and media types (including A4, letter, envelopes, and labels). You also get a 250-sheet input tray and a manual feed slot for improved flexibility. Our product reviewer Gannon Burgett found during testing that the printer is a consistent performer, with no paper jams (or other issues) encountered during the entire review period. The HL-L2350DW packs in Wi-Fi 802.11bgn and USB for connectivity, and it supports direct wireless printing (via standards like Apple AirPrint and Mopria) from smartphones and tablets as well. Other features include a one-line LCD panel and a monthly duty cycle of up to 15,000 pages. Type: Laser | Color/Monochrome: Monochrome | Connection Type: Wi-Fi and USB | LCD Screen: Yes, without touch support | Scanner/Copier/Fax: No The inkjet printer has a maximum output resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi and comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that lets you print documents and photos anytime and anywhere. You get decent print speeds of 6.7ppm/3.8ppm (black/color) with an external AC supply and 3.5ppm/2.0ppm (black/color) when the printer is using battery power. The WorkForce WF-110 supports a number of paper sizes and media types (such as 8.5 x 11 inches, 5 x 7 inches, A4, and envelopes), and its 1.4-inch color LCD panel makes controlling and managing the unit’s functions an effortless task. It comes with Wi-Fi 802.11ac and USB as connectivity options. Some other noteworthy features are remote printing support (via Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print) and voice-activated printing that works with all popular virtual assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa. Type: Inkjet | Color/Monochrome: Color | Connection Type: Wi-Fi and USB | LCD Screen: Yes, without touch support | Scanner/Copier/Fax: No With a maximum output resolution of 2400 x 600 dpi and a print speed of up to 27ppm, it’s ideal for high-volume printing jobs. Measuring around 14 x 14.2 x 17.2 inches, it has a cuboid-like design that makes it suitable for small spaces like dorm rooms. It supports a wide array of paper sizes (including legal, executive, A5, and envelopes) and comes with a maximum monthly duty cycle of up to 10,000 pages. Also included in the package are automatic duplex printing and a 250-sheet input tray with a manual feed slot. One area where the HL-L2300D is certainly lacking is connectivity since there’s nothing else except USB onboard. This means there’s no way to wirelessly print from devices such as smartphones and tablets. Type: Laser | Color/Monochrome: Monochrome | Connection Type: USB | LCD Screen: No | Scanner/Copier/Fax: No
Space Considerations
When you’re in a dorm room, the amount of space your printer takes up is important. But remember, printers also have trays that stick out the front, back, and sometimes to the side. Knowing your space is just as important as functionality.
Cost per Page
Many printers give you an estimated cost per page of printing based on ink/toner used. Obviously, lower is better, but you’d be surprised how low the number can get depending on your needs.
About Our Trusted Experts
Rajat Sharma is a technology writer and editor having more than seven years (and counting) of experience and has tested and reviewed numerous gadgets over the course of his career so far. He is an expert in computers and their peripherals, including printers. Danny Chadwick has published hundreds of articles, reviews, and videos on Top Ten Reviews since 2008. He’s an expert in consumer technology, including printers. Theano Nikitas’ interest in technology grew from her love of photography and keeps her ever-curious about the latest products and software that fill both practical and creative needs. She reviewed the Canon SELPHY CP1300, our pick for the best photo printer. Gannon Burgett is a photojournalist and sports photographer. His work has appeared on Gizmodo, Digital Trends, Yahoo News, PetaPixel, and many other sites. He is an expert in computers and their peripherals, including printers.
