5 Best Printers for College Students

Published: Last Updated on Fact checked by Trayan Valchev
Best Printer for College Students

College life is hectic and demands a lot from students, from attending classes to completing assignments and projects. Having the right tools can make a big difference in simplifying your routine, and one such tool is a printer.

In this article, we bring the best printers for college students to help you stay on top of your game.

Key Takeaways

  • A printer is a valuable tool for college students to improve organization, time management, and grades.
  • Choosing the right printer for college students requires considering factors such as print quality, connectivity, cost, size, and portability.
  • Wireless connectivity is a must-have feature for college students as it allows for easy printing from multiple devices.
  • The Brother MFC-J4335DW is a great overall option for college students, offering fast, high-quality prints, wireless connectivity, and cost-effectiveness.

5 Best Printers for College Students

Importance of Having a Printer for College Students

Printers can be a great investment for college students for many reasons. Here are a few:

  1. Organization and Convenience: With a printer, students can easily print out important notes, assignments, and study materials from the comfort of their room. No more running to the library or computer lab in the middle of the night! A printer also allows for easy organization and storage of coursework, making it easier to study and stay on top of deadlines.
  2. Time Management: Printing out materials at home can save time that would have been spent traveling to and from a library or computer lab. This allows students to use their time more efficiently, leaving more time for other important tasks.
  3. Better Grades: With a printer, students can print out high-quality copies of their work, improving their assignments’ overall appearance and readability. This can lead to better grades and a more polished final product.
  4. Cost-effective: Although purchasing a printer may seem like an initial expense, it can save students money in the long run. No more paying for expensive print jobs at the library or local print shop, and no more wasting money on ink and toner by printing at a computer lab.
  5. Flexibility: A printer allows students to print out materials at any time, regardless of whether the library or computer lab is open. This means students can meet tight deadlines and keep up with the fast pace of their coursework.

Related: What Is the Best Printer With the Cheapest Ink Cartridges?

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Printer for College Students

Printing is essential to college life as students must produce various materials, including essays, research papers, presentations, and study notes. With the plethora of options available in the market, choosing the right printer for college students can be a daunting task. Here are some critical factors one must consider before investing in a printer.

  • Print Quality

When it comes to printing quality, resolution, and color accuracy are two of the most significant parameters that must be considered. A high resolution of at least 600 dpi is crucial for printing text and images with crisp detail. On the other hand, color accuracy is vital for printing high-quality graphics, illustrations, and photographs. Make sure to opt for a printer that uses an advanced color management system and produces accurate and consistent color outputs.

Related: How to Scan a Document on HP Printer

  • Connectivity

Modern printers offer multiple connectivity options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB, among others. Wi-Fi connectivity is a must-have for college students as it allows for easy and wireless printing from multiple devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Bluetooth connectivity is another useful feature for printing from mobile devices, and USB connectivity is crucial for printing from a USB drive.

  • Cost

The cost of a printer is one of the most significant factors to consider, including the initial cost of the device and running cost, which includes ink or toner replacement. Investing in a printer with a low initial cost is a good idea, but the running cost can significantly increase the overall expenses. Therefore, it’s important to choose a printer that strikes a balance between the initial cost and running cost.

Related: Why Is Your HP Printer Not Connecting to Wi-Fi?

  • Size and Portability

College students often have limited space in their dorm rooms, and a bulky and heavy printer may not be ideal. Therefore, choosing a printer with a compact and space-saving design is crucial. A lightweight and portable printer is also a valuable asset as it can be easily moved around.

  • Additional Features

Apart from the basic printing function, modern printers also come with various additional features like scan and copy functions and faxing capabilities. These features can come in handy for college students as they can perform multiple tasks with just one device.

Related: 5 Best All-In-One Printers for Home Use With Cheap Ink

Best Printers for College Students

Here are the best printers you can opt for as a college student for various printing tasks.

1. Best Overall Printer for College Students 

Brother MFC-J4335DW

Brother Mfc-j4335dw
Image by RTINGS
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On the top of our list of the best printers for college students is the Brother MFC-J4335DW. With its sleek and compact design, this printer is the perfect solution for students who are tight on space in their dorm rooms or apartments.

This all-in-one printer features wireless connectivity, making it easy for students to print from their laptops, smartphones, or tablets. The Brother MFC-J4335DW also comes with a 2.7-inch color touchscreen display, making it easy for students to navigate and control the printer’s functions.

When it comes to performance, this printer delivers fast and high-quality prints with a resolution of up to 6000 x 1200 dpi. It also comes with automatic duplex printing, allowing students to save time and paper by printing double-sided pages. This printer is also an excellent investment for college students in terms of cost. It is designed to be cost-effective and efficient, saving students money on ink and paper costs.

Specifications

  • Print speed: up to 22ppm (black and color)
  • Maximum print resolution: 6000 x 1200 dpi
  • 2.7-inch color touchscreen display
  • Automatic document feeder: up to 20 sheets
  • Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, and USB
  • Mobile device printing: AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Brother iPrint&Scan, and more

Pros

  • High-speed printing and reliable performance
  • Affordable ink cartridge replacement
  • Easy to use, with an intuitive touchscreen display
  • Versatile connectivity options

Cons

  • Limited paper capacity

Check the Brother MFC-J4335DW’s latest prices on Amazon.

2. Best Printer for College Students Under $100

HP Deskjet 2755E

HP Deskjet 2755E
Image by TOM’S GUIDE
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The HP DeskJet 2755e is the perfect printer for college students who need a budget-friendly option. With a low price point of under $100, this printer is packed with key features that make it a great choice for students. Its compact design takes up minimal desk space, and its wireless capability allows easy printing anywhere in your dorm.

It’s also compatible with HP’s Smart app, which makes printing from your smartphone or tablet a breeze. The DeskJet 2755e supports manual duplex printing. This means that users need to manually flip papers to print on the other side.

Specifications

  • Print speed: up to 7.5 pages per minute (black and white) and 5.5 pages per minute (color)
  • Print resolution: up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi (color)
  • Connectivity: Wireless, USB 2.0
  • Compatible Operating Systems: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, macOS X v10.15-10.9, Linux
  • Paper handling: 60-sheet input tray, 25-sheet output tray
  • Dimensions: 14.33 x 16.14 x 7.52 in (W x D x H)

Pros

  • Affordable price point
  • Compact design saves on desk space
  • Wireless connectivity for easy printing from anywhere
  • Compatible with HP’s Smart app for easy smartphone and tablet printing

Cons

  • Slow print speed compared to more expensive printers

Check the DeskJet 2755e’s latest prices on Amazon.

3. Cheapest Printer to Run for College 

Canon Pixma G5020

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The Canon PIXMA G5020 is an all-in-one inkjet printer designed to offer college students cost-effective printing solutions. This printer boasts a high-capacity ink system that reduces ink replacements’ frequency, helping keep running costs low.

With its high-yield ink bottles, the Canon PIXMA G5020 delivers up to 6,000 black and white pages or up to 7,000 color pages per set of inks. This translates to a low cost per page, making it one of the most economical printers.

Furthermore, it offers high-quality printing performance. It also has a maximum print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, delivering sharp, vibrant images and documents that are sure to impress. The Canon PIXMA G5020 features fast print speeds of up to 13.0 ipm for black and white pages and 6.8 ipm for color pages, making it a fast and efficient choice for busy students.

Specifications

  • Print technology: Inkjet
  • Print resolution: Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi
  • Print speed: Up to 13.0 ipm (black and white) and 6.8 ipm (color)
  • Maximum paper size: 8.5 x 14 inches
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB
  • Operating system compatibility: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android
  • Cartridge type: High-yield ink bottles
  • Page yield: Up to 6,000 pages (black and white) and up to 7,700 pages (color)

Pros

  •  Cost-effective
  •  High-quality printing
  • Fast printing speeds of 6.8 – 13.0 ipm
  • Versatile connectivity

Cons

  • No memory device support

Check the Canon PIXMA G5020’s latest prices on Amazon.

4. Best Printer for College Students With Macbook 

Epson Expression Premium XP-6100

Epson Expression Premium Xp-6100
Image by Epson
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The Epson Expression Premium XP-6100 is the best printer for college students with a MacBook. It offers excellent versatility and convenience in one compact package.

One of the key features of this printer is its wireless connectivity. With built-in Wi-Fi, students can easily connect their MacBook to the XP-6100 anywhere in their room or at home. This allows quick and easy printing without physically connecting their laptop to the printer.

The XP-6100 also has a compact design. Measuring just 15.4 x 11.8 x 5.7 inches, it occupies minimal space on a desk or in a dorm room. Despite its small size, it delivers impressive print quality, with sharp text and vivid colors.

Furthermore, it offers automatic double-sided printing, which saves students time and money by reducing paper usage. It also has a 100-sheet capacity, making it easy to print large documents without constantly refilling the paper tray.

Specifications

  • Printing technology: 4-color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) Claria Premium dye ink technology
  • Maximum print resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi
  • Print speed: 15 pages per minute (black and white) and 8 pages per minute (color)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB 2.0, Wireless Direct
  • Operating systems: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android
  • Paper handling: 100-sheet input tray, 30-sheet output tray
  • Dimensions: 15.4 x 11.8 x 5.7 inches
  • Automatic duplex printing: Yes
  • Scanner: Flatbed color scanner, 1200 dpi resolution
  • Software: Epson Connect, Epson Easy Photo Print, Epson ScanSmart

Pros

  • Compact and sleek design
  • Fast print speeds
  • High-quality print resolution
  • Multiple connectivity options
  • Automatic duplex printing
  • All-in-one printer, scanner, and copier
  • Easy to set up and use with the Epson Connect software

Cons

  • It may not be suitable for large-volume printing needs

Check the Epson Expression Premium XP-6100’s latest prices on Amazon.

5. Best HP Printer for College Students 

HP Envy Inspire 7220E

HP Envy Inspire 7220E
Image by Tradeinn
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The HP Envy Inspire 7220e is a top-notch all-in-one printer that is perfect for college students. This versatile printer can handle all your printing, scanning, and copying needs, making it the ideal choice for a busy student. Its sleek and compact HP design takes up minimal desk space and looks great in any student’s dorm room or apartment.

It features HP’s cutting-edge technology, which ensures high-quality, sharp, and vibrant prints every time. Additionally, the 7220e offers quick print speeds, so you can get your work done quickly, and the touch-to-print functionality lets you print from your smartphone or tablet easily.

Specifications

  • Printing Technology: Inkjet
  • Print Speed: Up to 10 pages per minute (black and white), up to 7 pages per minute (color)
  •  Print Resolution: Up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi (color)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB 2.0, HP Smart App, Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service
  • Paper Handling: 60-sheet input tray, 25-sheet output tray
  • Scanner: Flatbed
  • Display: 2.65-inch (6.75 cm) Touchscreen
  • Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X, and Chrome OS

Pros

  • Compact and stylish design
  • High-quality printing
  • Fast print speeds
  • Multiple connectivity options
  • Good paper handling capacity

Cons

  • Limited touchscreen functionality

Check the HP Envy Inspire 7220e’s latest prices on Amazon.

Related: What Does Collate Mean on a Printer?

Best Printer for College Students: FAQs

Q: What Kind of Printer Does a College Student Need?

A: A college student may need a multi-functional printer with features such as printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing capabilities. It’s also important to consider portability, connectivity options, and compatibility with different devices.

Q: Which Printer Is Most Suitable for a Student?

A: The most suitable printer for a student would depend on their specific needs. Still, a compact, affordable, all-in-one printer that offers reliable performance and low running costs would be ideal.

Related: What Does Spooling Mean on a Printer?

Q: What Is the Best College Dorm Room Printer?

A: The best college dorm room printer would be one that is compact, affordable, and offers good print quality, scanning, and copying capabilities. A wireless, portable model with mobile printing support and low ink or toner replacement costs can also be a great option.

Q: Is It Worth Buying a Printer in College?

A: Buying a printer in college can be worth it if you have frequent printing needs, as it saves time and money compared to using a campus printing center or a public printer. However, consider the cost of ink or toner, the printer’s features, and if they suit your needs.

Related: Best Photo Printer for iPhone – 5 Model To Consider in 2023

Conclusion

Having a printer can greatly benefit college students in terms of organization, time management, grades, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility. When choosing the best printer for your needs, it is important to consider factors such as print quality, connectivity, cost, size and portability, and additional features.

Based on our analysis, the Brother MFC-J4335DW is the best overall printer for college students due to its compact design, wireless connectivity, high-quality prints, and cost-effectiveness. Whether you need to print out notes, assignments, or study materials, a printer can significantly simplify your college life and help you stay on top of your game.

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