Products at a Glance
How We Picked the Best InkJet Printer
InkJet printers are great resources for crafting, as they are able to provide better color quality and resolution than traditional laser printers. We prioritized printers that offered the best print resolutions for their price points, both ongoing and upfront. A major draw of InkJet printers is their ability to print specialist media, and we gave preferential treatment to printers with the most versatile compatibility: from greeting cards to edible ink. We also factored in the overall compatibility and compactness of the printers, so avoid printers that inadvertently took over their workspaces.
We settled on five products, each with their own respective merits, that are all top choices for InkJet printers in 2024. We’ve made sure to detail what makes each printer necessarily better or worse for different use cases, in order to help you make an informed purchase.
What is an InkJet Printer?
An InkJet printer utilizes dedicated printheads to place quick-drying color ink onto a surface. Though they can be more expensive to buy and run than laser printers, they are able to provide better color clarity, resolution, and versatility in terms of print materials. Despite the “InkJet umbrella”, these printers can vary in a number of key factors. More advanced InkJet printers utilize more varied ink colors, with as many as ten different ink cartridges required to run the printer, or alternatively utilize Ink Tank reservoirs for higher ink efficiency. They are generally all capable of high-resolution prints on an array of specialist media, allowing you to print borderless photos, greeting cards, and even cricut templates from the comfort of home. The best InkJet printers are particularly sought after by artists and designers, as a terrific way to turn their digital works into physical prints.
Product Reviews
- Highly versatile - the ET-5850 can print on a wide range of materials with a generous print size.
- Efficient Ink Tank - the large ink reservoirs mean that the cost-per-print is far lower on this printer.
- Bulky design - heavy and large, the ET-5850 may not be suited to all households or studio spaces.
With quality that rivals even higher-end professional printers, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 is easily the best InkJet printer on the market today. Able to print pristine photo-quality images with ease, this InkJet printer from Epson is an ideal solution for crafting incredible high-quality works.
With a dual-paper tray setup, the ET-5850 is capable of taking over 500 sheets at a time, ideal for those who hate constantly replenishing their print supply. Similarly, the ink tank system means that the ink bottles you purchase last longer – making for a tremendously low cost-per-print. You can print on a variety of materials up to 8.5″ x 14″ in size. With an integrated flatbed scanner and intuitive touchscreen, the unit is a very versatile addition to any designer’s arsenal – along with boasting the ability to connect to a range of devices. As a top printer for graphic design, there’s a lot to love about the ET-5850.
However, there are some things to dislike: the printer is especially heavy and bulkily designed, which can make it cumbersome to store. If you can find a convenient spot to house it, then the ET-5850 is definitely the best InkJet printer with a tremendous median of price, quality and versatility.
- Large print format - at 17" x 22" maximum print size, with newly-added roll-feed support, the PRO-1000 can create huge, detailed images.
- Detailed color gamut - with a 12-color ink system, this Canon printer is capable of supreme depth and detail.
- Slow print speeds - the PRO-1000 is notably poor for fast prints, making it less suited to busy photo printing environments.
A large-format printer capable of stunning photos, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 is a tremendous InkJet printer offering from Canon. Employing a proprietary LUCIA PRO 12-ink system, this photo printer gives you a wide range of colors and superb dark details on large-scale prints.
With this 12-color ink system, the PRO-1000 is a superb print solution for those needing color depth and vibrance in their prints. It features anti-clogging technology and a tubular ink delivery system that makes your working time more efficient. These two features minimize the chance of clogging and give you faster printing speeds, increasing your overall productivity. Additionally, it has an air-feeding system that keeps your paper aligned inside, making for more accurate ink placement.
That accuracy comes at the cost of speed, however. At 5 prints per minute for color images, the PRO-1000 is a notably slow InkJet printer. If you are willing to make the tradeoff between speed and quality, then this is the best InkJet printer for you.
- Affordable - the ET-2800 packs all the top features of an InkJet printer into a low-price unit.
- Easy to use - the InkJet printer is incredibly compatible and versatile, allowing you to print easily on a number of different materials.
- Poor design feature - the specialist media tray is located at the rear of the printer, making it difficult to access.
If you need a budget printer that retains all the top qualities of an InkJet printer, consider the Epson EcoTank ET-2800. You can often find this printer retailing under $200 – practically giving away this top-quality InkJet printer.
Though it’s since been outclassed by the ET-2850, the ET-2800 still boasts great value for money with a lower price point. Capable of printing specialist media such as cardstock or art prints thanks to its high-quality ink, this printer is ideal for those wanting versatility out of their unit. It’s wirelessly compatible with a wide range of devices, from PCs to iPads, making it easy to set up and even easier to print from. And we can’t stress enough how low the price point is for such a tremendous InkJet printer.
There’s only one major flaw in the ET-2800’s design, which is the placement of the specialist media tray. Inconveniently opened at the rear of the printer, it makes storing the InkJet printer a difficult task. It’s a small issue, however, and it’s still a highly worthwhile budget printer.
- Great starter printer - easy to set up and easier to use, the 6055e comes with a range of top features.
- Versatile print options - with an 8.5" x 11" print size across cardstock and other specialist media, you can create high-quality and varied designs with ease.
- Status light - a bright and irritating blue LED bathes whatever room the InkJet printer is in in light and can't be disabled.
As we mentioned in our dedicated guide on the best printer for greeting cards, the HP Envy 6055e is a tremendous low-cost entry-level InkJet printer. The HP printer can provide multimedia results across a range of sizes and use cases, all with low ongoing and upfront costs.
With a versatile multimedia tray, the 6055e is capable of producing deliverables up to 8.5″ x 11″ in size. Setup is quick and easy thanks to a simple setup process and connectivity via WiFi Direct, Bluetooth or USB. All this is kept within a low price tag – lower than even the ET-2800 from Epson.
So why isn’t this the best InkJet printer? One crucial flaw restricts this otherwise tremendous budget-friendly printer: it features an obnoxiously bright status light on the front of the printer doesn’t switch off unless disconnected from power. Though it’s easily solved with a line of tape, it’s an issue that severely hamstrings this InkJet printer’s value.
- Excellent photo print quality
- Can print on large paper and special media
- High cost-per-print - along with the initial upfront cost, the ink economy on this printer is notably poor, making for long-term investments in ink replacements.
Our final selection for the best InkJet printers is the Brother MFC-J5330DW, a tremendous high-end InkJet printer that combines the capabilities of other printers on our list into one model. With an array of top features, this Brother printer proves itself a worthwhile investment for homes or offices of any size.
The MFC-J5330DW has a print speed of 22 prints per minute, with a competitive print size of 11″ x 17″. Though it’s primarily suited for document printing, with a built-in scanner and auto-duplexing for double-sided prints, it still comes with a rear tray for specialist media. With this combination of features, the MFC-J5330DW can make for a highly productive office printer with accommodating graphic design support.
Though it combines a great many benefits of the other printers on our guide, the overall ink economy of this printer loses it points, making for a higher cost-per-print in proportion to use. Given that the upfront cost is also high, this makes the MFC-J5330DW a hefty investment – less suited to households. If you need a versatile all-rounder office printer and are able to swallow the cost, then this is still a highly worthwhile investment.
Features and Considerations
If you’re looking into investing in an InkJet printer outside of today’s ranking, here are some key factors to consider:
Print Quality
For the most aesthetically-perfect designs, you’ll want a printer with a high print resolution. In general, InkJet printers produce more vivid color accuracy without losing sharpness – though this can vary from model to model. Resolution is measured in Dots per Inch (DPI), same as many graphic design applications, so make sure that your printer can match your high-clarity and colorful designs.
Media Compatibility
Making sure that your printer can produce your designs on whatever materials you need it to is essential. There are a variety of available materials that are capable of being run through a printer – from glossy photo paper to specialist sublimation ink. Most of the best printers we’ve listed here are rated for materials such as cardstock, envelopes or stickers as standard – for anything more specific, you’ll need to check with the manufacturer in question.
Ink Economy
If you are looking to run a cost-effective printer, the best way to measure that is via the cost-per-page statistics – the average cost of ink and paper for every sheet printed – listed with the product. This is measured in cents rather than dollars, thankfully, but make sure that you aren’t having to print constantly on an inefficient printer. Ink economy also refers to how efficiently the printer uses the ink that you provide, with minimal waste – another core consideration.
Print Speed
Whilst speed is not essential, it is helpful – especially for business-minded printing. Depending on the size and frequency of prints, make sure you opt for a printer that can supply as quickly as you demand. Be sure to factor in drying time, as some substrates such as art prints can be smudged if immediately retrieved.
Printer Size
Similarly not crucial, but worth considering, is the size of your printer. InkJet printers can range from small desktop units to industrial-sized models for large tableaus. Factor in the space you have at your disposal to avoid overcrowding.
Ink Tank vs InkJet Printers: Which is Better?
Ink tank printers are a variant of InkJet printers that have risen in popularity in recent years – several of the above products are ink tank printers, as they often represent the best-value units on the market. Utilizing large ink vessels that can be easily refilled as and when you run out of each color, ink tank printers offer great value for money on ink.
This doesn’t mean that traditional InkJet printers are by any means worse off, as they effectively utilize the same technology on a smaller scale. Though they have smaller reservoirs, InkJet printers are generally smaller models and can be found at lower prices than their larger counterparts.
As with many facets of technology, it comes down to your own subjective requirements: ink tank printers are great for spacious studios or households that want an efficient ink economy, whilst InkJet printers are more compact and easier to store, suited for those on a budget.
What is an InkJet printer's lifespan?
If correctly maintained, an InkJet printer can last anywhere between 3-6 years. Careful maintenance, such as regularly cleaning the printheads and clearing paper jams, will ensure better longevity from your printer.
What colors can InkJet printers print?
Most standard InkJet printers employ a 4-color CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key) system, that allows for most colors and shades to be faithfully reproduced. The best InkJet printers employ more color ink systems for great color variety, with some having as many as 12 dedicated ink reservoirs.
Our Verdict
If you want a high-quality multimedia printer for an array of craft scenarios, then the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 is the best InkJet printer to suit your needs. Though it’s a little more cumbersome than other units, it makes up for it’s weight with great print quality and efficient ink usage – more than paying for itself as a printer for households, offices or small businesses.
Looking to add another dimension to your designs? Check out our guide on the best 3D printers on the market today.