Inkjet printers have come a long way over the past few decades. Once known for slow print speeds, frequent jamming issues, and high operating costs, modern inkjets now deliver professional-quality prints at speeds rivaling laser printers, with greatly improved reliability and lower ink expenses.
After extensive research comparing over 50 current inkjet printer models on the market, we‘ve selected the 5 very best choices available in 2023 based on print quality, speed, features, reliability, and overall value:
1. Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 – Best Overall
With its unique cartridge-free ink tank system for ultra-low ink costs, the EcoTank Pro ET-5850 brings exceptional value without compromising on performance or features.
Key specs:
- Print Speed: 25ppm black/color
- Print Resolution: 4800 x 2400 dpi
- Paper Capacity: 500 sheets
- Ink Yields: up to 7,500 pages black/6,000 color
- Print/copy/scan/fax
- WiFi/Ethernet connectivity
Boasting the same high print resolution as Epson’s $1,000+ professional photo printers, the ET-5850 delivers Gallery-quality prints even on plain paper. Vibrant colors and sharp detail make it a fantastic choice for photos, graphics, charts and text documents alike.
The integrated supersized ink tanks eliminate pricey ink cartridges entirely. A full set of bottles yields up to 7,500 pages in black and 6,000 pages in color – equivalent to around 50 cents per color page – a fraction of the cost of standard cartridge inkjets.
With fast print speeds, dual paper trays, and full connectivity options, the ET-5850 can handle even heavy workloads in busy offices smoothly. And the intuitive touchscreen interface makes operation simple and straightforward.
For exceptional all-around performance coupled with unprecedentedly low ink costs over time, the EcoTank Pro ET-5850 earns our vote as the #1 Best Inkjet Printer available today.
Key Pros
- Gallery-quality photo prints
- Ultra low ink costs over time
- Fast print speeds up to 25ppm
- 500 sheet paper capacity
Cons
- Higher upfront cost
Overall: 5/5
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2. Canon MAXIFY GX6021 – Best for Businesses
With ultra high-capacity ink tanks for fewer interruptions, robust paper handling, fast print speeds and low operating costs per page, the MAXIFY GX6021 is built to power through heavy workloads with ease.
Key Specs:
- Print Speed: 24ppm black/15.5ppm color
- Print Resolution: 1200 x 4800 dpi
- Paper Capacity: 350 sheets
- Ink Yields: 6,000 pages black/14,000 color
- Print/copy/scan
- WiFi/Ethernet
The GX6021 shines in high-volume office settings where minimizing downtime is crucial. The mega ink tanks provide enough ink to churn out up to a whopping 14,000 color pages before needing a refill, enabling uninterrupted productivity.
It prints sharp, professional-looking documents at excellent speeds up to 24ppm, while keeping ink costs at just 5 cents per color page. The 35-page auto feeder and 350 sheet paper capacity allow you to print, copy and scan multi-page reports, presentations and contracts with ease.
With robust connectivity options, you can print from desktops, laptops, tablets and phones on demand. And operation is simple thanks to the intuitive touchscreen interface.
For offices that need to economize while handling heavy workloads smoothly, the MAXIFY GX6021 strikes the ideal balance of speed, low TCO and minimal interruptions.
Key Pros:
- Ultra high-capacity ink tanks
- Very low cost per page
- Fast print speeds
- Robust paper handling
Cons:
- Lack of fax capability
Overall: 4.8/5
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3. HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e – Best Mid-Range
Delivering professional quality prints and scanning alongside robust paper handling and office-friendly features, the OfficeJet Pro 9025e shines as a mid-range workhorse.
Key Specs:
- Print Speed: 24ppm black/20ppm color
- Print Resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi
- Paper Capacity: 500 sheets
- Ink Yields: 1000 pages black/700 color
- Print/copy/scan/fax
- WiFi/Ethernet
While ink yields are lower than more specialized printers optimized for efficiency, print quality and speed impress for the price. Sharp blacks and vibrant color prints look fantastic even for detailed graphics and photos thanks to HP’s enhanced printhead design.
The 35-page auto feeder and 500 sheet paper capacity allow you to scan, copy and print multi-page reports and presentations efficiently. Convenient fax capability and robust connectivity options including printing directly from Dropbox and Google Drive round out a feature-packed package.
For small offices needing an affordable, high-performing machine to create professional quality prints, copies and scans – while still delivering office-friendly capabilities – the OfficeJet Pro 9025e hits a sweet spot combining speed, quality and value.
Key Pros:
- Great print quality
- Fast print speeds
- Robust paper handling
- Convenient cloud and fax features
Cons:
- Higher ink costs over time
Overall: 4.7/5
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4. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 – Best for Photos
With a dedicated 13-ink Professional Print and Layout system optimized for photographers, the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 excels at printing gallery-quality photos, fine art prints and graphics.
Key Specs:
- Print Speed: 3.4 minutes per 13”x19” photo
- Print Resolution: 4800 x 2400 dpi
- Paper Capacity: 60 sheets
- Inkset: 9 color dye + Chroma Optimizer
- Print only
- WiFi/USB/Ethernet
A built-in color calibrator and Advanced Media Handling System allow you to fine tune the printer to match the specific paper you use, optimizing gamut to produce stunningly vivid and accurate color prints.
Canon’s LUCIA PRO pigment inks lay down uniform ink coverage and a matte-black Chroma Optimizer for deep blacks that really make photos pop with clarity and dimension. Expert photographers will love the level of control over print settings the included Professional Print & Layout software provides.
While falling short in scan/copy versatility and document printing efficiency compared to more office-oriented models, image quality is unmatched in its price range. For photographic prints, graphics and fine art reproductions under $1,000 – this is the new gold standard.
Key Pros:
- Stunning photo print quality
- Advanced color controls
- Professional-grade 13 ink system
- Built-in calibration
Cons:
- Lack of scan/copy/fax capabilities
- Smaller paper capacity
Overall: 4.9/5
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5. Canon PIXMA MG3620 – Best Budget
If you’re looking for an affordable home printer for light use, it’s tough to beat the bang-for-buck value of Canon’s PIXMA MG3620.
Key Specs:
- Print Speed: 10ppm black/6ppm color
- Print Resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi
- Paper Capacity: 100 sheets
- Ink Yields: 300 pages black/250 color
- Print/scan/copy
- WiFi
Unassuming in stature but big on value, the MG3620 can handle basic printing, scanning, copying and even light photo printing needs for penny-pinching households and home offices.
It may lack the paper handling, features and running costs of heavier-duty office printers. But vibrant colors and detailed prints that rival far pricier models make it a surprisingly capable occasional-use printer for homes on a budget.
If your printing needs are moderate, the PIXMA MG3620 delivers quality and versatility beyond its ultra-affordable price. For frugal light-duty use, it packs impressive ROI.
Key Pros:
- Excellent print quality for the price
- Print/copy/scan versatility
- Ultra budget-friendly
Cons:
- Slow print speeds
- Manual duplexing only
- Small paper capacity
Overall: 4/5
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What To Look For In an Inkjet Printer
Print Speed
Faster print speeds improve productivity and efficiency. Basic home-use inkjets print just 5-10 pages per minute, while faster office models reach speeds over 20ppm. Consider usage – occasional home users can get by with slower speeds, while businesses should look for quicker printers.
Print Quality
Resolution matters – true print quality lies in the details. Look for at least 4800×1200 dpi for vibrant color graphics and photos with sharp detail. Text documents generally only require 1200 dpi for crisp sharpness at small font sizes.
Running Costs
Consider total lifetime costs – purchase price is just one component. Ink yields, energy efficiency and maintenance requirements play a major role in overall cost and disruption over years of ownership. Calculate cost per page for realistic projections.
Connectivity
Basic USB/WiFi connectivity suits most users‘ needs for convenient wireless mobile/desktop printing and PC-free usage. Wired ethernet ports provide more robust large-business connectivity.
Reliability & Warranties
Any printer will require occasional maintenance – but better built models minimize overall disruption. Stick with reputable major brands and check warranties for longer peace of mind.
Inkjet Printers: A Background
Inkjet printers operate by propelling microscopic ink droplets onto paper to build an image. The inkjets spray ink as they move back and forth across the page, laying ink down line by line until the full print is completed.
Charles Hull invented the first inkjet printer all the way back in 1951 based on the advice of his High School shop teacher. Early inkjets were initially adopted primarily by large engineering and architectural firms for printing blueprints and technical drawings requiring high detail and print durability.
In 1976, the IBM 3800 was released – the first full-color inkjet printer that helped pave the way toward mainstream adoption in offices and design studios where print graphics played an integral role day-to-day. By the mid-1980s, Canon, HP and Epson made inkjet technology compact and affordable enough for home and small business use.
Today, modern 4-8 color inkjets can match and even exceed the print quality achievable by traditional photographic development techniques and graphic design houses. Even entry-level inkjets routinely deliver 4800×1200 dpi – allowing exceptional photo-realistic prints and graphics rivaling what high-end commercial print shops could produce just 10-15 years ago.
While businesses focused on document printing still generally utilize laser printers optimized for efficiency and running costs, color graphics-centric applications including marketing collateral, reports and signage all benefit from utilizing dedicated inkjets purpose-built for photographic-grade image printing unachievable via laser toner technology.
And for most home users without specialized needs incentivizing lasers, current-generation inkjets now provide the ideal blend of print quality, moderate speeds for light duties, and improved running costs that finally leave lasers‘ notorious high cost-per-page reputation in the dust.
So whether at home or work, thanks to the exponential advances in 4-color inkjet printing over the past decade, virtually all users can benefit from owning one compact machine that achieves it all – from brochures and photos to term papers and tax forms.
Final Thoughts
Inkjet printer technology has progressed by leaps and bounds from the early days of print-and-pray reliability and jaw-dropping ink costs. Print speeds continue ramping up while ink efficiency skyrockets – dropping cost-per-page dramatically even on mainstream models. And competitive forces keep driving rapid quality and feature improvements across the board.
With such fierce competition between the major players today – Canon, Epson, HP, Brother and more – consumers reap the rewards through printers delivering unbelievable quality and capabilities for modest cash outlay. Whether optimized for photos, documents, efficiency or value – the perfect inkjet now exists at virtually every price point to suit any purpose.
Hopefully our rundown of the top models available in 2023 makes picking out your ideal match simple and straightforward. Just focus on matching key criteria – speed, operating costs, print quality, paper capacity, connectivity and features – to your specific projected usage needs and workspace environment to hone in on the perfect balance of performance, efficiency and affordability.
