A good cheap MFP for home. Choosing ZOOM: the best MFPs for home

Purchasing a multifunctional printing device may be due to various reasons. For some, this is the first step towards practicality; for others, it is a kind of versatility upgrade.

However, most ordinary users have the question “How to choose an MFP for the home?” still causes some difficulties. Still would! After all, today the market for “printing” products is represented by dozens of well-known companies and hundreds of new companies.

It’s understandable that it’s easy to get confused about who to give your preference to and what modification you should focus on. After all, everyone has different goals and everyone intends to use the purchased piece of office equipment in their own way. “How not to be deceived in expectations?” - it is in this vein that the topic of the presented article will be revealed.

Laser or inkjet: which MFP to choose for your home?

Today, two fundamentally different technologies for applying paint to paper (and not only!) are widely used. A laser printer uses toner, while an inkjet printer uses ink of different types and properties. In the first case, dust particles of paint interact with an electric charge and are fixed on paper through heat treatment.

The second type of printing allows you to obtain the most detailed image using the smooth operation of thousands of nozzles (nanomized holes). If you want to achieve the highest quality perception from the image (photo) obtained as a result of printing, then the appropriate choice is obvious. However, the user may not always pursue purely “creative” goals...

Rainbow Value

If color and an immense palette of paints are an unjustified luxury for you, and you do not intend to endure significant expenses for “juicy” printing, then the monochrome option - a black and white paint application scheme - is your choice, which, by the way, solves the problem of how to choose a laser MFP for home.

Typically, this goal is pursued by business people when their home environment doubles as a work environment. However, it is not only high-tech laser printers that have the “black and white” saving advantage. Most inkjet units can also operate in economy mode, but when purchasing such a device, you will still have to pay for a color cartridge, since it is included.

Copying advantages

The versatility of the device provides a number of incredibly convenient functions. And the more “favorables”, the higher the price of the product. However, the built-in scanner must be able to copy a document with a resolution of at least 600 Dpi, which will allow you to save a digital duplicate of the sample with optimal accuracy. It is quite possible that, in principle, the standard “copier” function (simultaneous scanning and printing) is provided in the model that you like. If not, expand your search...

Print speed

The above parameter is very important when the consumer poses a question like this: how to choose an MFP for the office? The number of copies per minute is not only a technical indicator of the speed capabilities of the device, but also a condition, the favorableness of which will affect the productivity of your activities. By the way, the printing speed declared by the manufacturer will differ slightly from the actual performance.

The justification for a company to "reassure" the consumer through technical documentation is likely to be the "Ideal Conditions of Use" clause. Carefully, even practically, make sure that the printer is fast enough to meet the conditions of use “In an external environment”.

Number of paper trays

Not a critical indicator, but nevertheless in the context of the previous paragraph - more than important. However, the question “How to choose an MFP for your home?” taking into account some circumstances of domestic use, it is also appropriate here.

Having multiple paper trays can be a very handy addition, especially if you do large volumes of multi-format printing. It is worth noting that under this condition the user will spend less time loading consumables. And one more argument in favor of “multithreading” - the simultaneous use of different types of paper requires a certain comfort in organizing the supply of sheets for printing.

"Culp addiction"

Some multifunction devices are somewhat of a generalist when it comes to the types of paper they support. If not everything, then a lot depends on the design features of copying equipment. How to choose an MFP if you need to print envelopes or, on the contrary, documents that exceed the A4 standard?

Very simple! Ask the seller how “omnivorous” the model you are considering is. It would be a good idea to ask us to demonstrate the process of loading various paper sizes. Remember, the future usefulness of the purchased device depends on the breadth of optional features.

Duplex printing capability

Incredibly convenient feature. Imagine how much easier the operation will be if you are freed from the sometimes difficult process of manually turning pages printed on one side. Of course, if you choose a laser MFP for your home, then with a 99% probability the device will have the ability to independently transfer the document for the subsequent printing stage. It is worth noting that duplex can also be provided in an inkjet printer, but most devices of this type do not have this capability.

Device performance

Another important factor in making an appropriate choice is the duty cycle. This term usually expresses the number of pages printed per month. Therefore, the lower the “efficiency factor”, the greater the risk that the device will not withstand intensive printing. A laser printer is more productive than an inkjet printer. Therefore, when the user is faced with the task of everyday replication, the selection process must correspond to the specifics of the question: “How to choose a laser MFP for the home?” For your information, there are multifunctional devices with a truly titanic safety margin (from 25,000 to 50,000 pages per month), the rest of the majority are “owners” of a light duty cycle.

Communication properties

Agree, when a device is able to print a document directly from a flash drive, it is incredibly convenient. Make sure that the printer interface has a USB connector. The existing slot (card reader) will be a nice addition, since almost all compact gadgets are equipped with a camera and save data to a memory card.

But the most important advantage of the MFP is still considered to be the presence of an Ethernet connector. The ability to connect locally will significantly expand the horizons of comfortable use. And if you don’t know which MFP to buy for your home, then focus on this convenience. The presence of a Wi-Fi module or Bluetouch makes the model even more attractive...

After all, in the future the user will not have difficulties organizing a local network, and the inconveniences associated with connecting connecting cables will disappear on their own. Don't forget that a wireless network allows you to interact with mobile devices. So sending a photo directly from your smartphone to print is a reality today! Finally, PictBridge technology. Perhaps some readers will consider the mentioned functionality overkill, however, when connecting the camera to an MFP, the user will have the opportunity to instantly print out the footage.

Ergonomics and design

The home environment is a place of special atmosphere. The harmony of the interior depends primarily on the aesthetics of the surrounding objects. When a buyer solves a “forced by circumstances” problem of how to choose an MFP for his home, then the color, lines, shape and size of the device must match the household space in which it will take its place. The smell emitted by a working unit and the sounds of mechanisms should not be a source that destroys the perception of home comfort.

Control Panel

As a rule, budget modifications have a small number of buttons. In the case where the result of the selective process “how to choose an MFP” is important to the buyer, it is imperative to test the tactile travel of the keys and objectively evaluate the convenience of their location. By the way, fairly “serious” devices are equipped with an LCD display and a keyboard module.

There are printers with a touch control unit, through which the user can work absolutely comfortably in offline mode, that is, edit multimedia data without the participation of a computer. True, such monsters can hardly claim to be a home MFP, since their cost may border on the expression “exorbitant.”

Question of price

Good selection is not the definition of high value. Laser monochrome printing technology will be the optimal option for students, as well as a group of people whose professional activities require systematically printing reporting documents, etc.

The high performance, wide range of features and practicality of an all-in-one printing device will require a more significant investment. If, when deciding how to choose an MFP for your home, you need to take into account the economic feasibility of the purchase, then you should give your preference to an inkjet type of printer and standard equipment with a minimum set of additional functions.

Now about the value of the acquisition

After you have made sure that all the points have been taken into account, and the question “How to choose the right MFP?” implemented in the form of an optimally selected option, analyze... You may have missed something from the list below.

Laser color printers are much more expensive to maintain than competing technologies.
Choose an inkjet MFP model with cartridges that can be refilled later.
Calculate how much paint will cost you?
Are there high-capacity cartridges for your chosen MFP model?
Bet on the future. Do not buy a device with clearly limited functionality, as you may need “rejected” options in the future.
You should not trust a manufacturer that has not been tested by time. You can always learn about products from well-known brands from reviews and opinions of users, which can always be found on specialized forums.

Finally

It is impossible to give a specific answer to the question: “Which MFP is best for the home?” Because each user has their own set of preferences and requirements. Therefore, before you buy, you need to study the subject of your attention in more detail, and only when your desire gains the strength of confidence, make the right choice. Convenient printing to you!

Updated: 10/31/2018 12:59:31

Expert: Lev Kaufman

An MFP – or so-called “multifunction device” – combines a printer, scanner and copier. Therefore, it is perfect for both home and small office.

There are laser and inkjet MFPs. The latter are not the most profitable option, since they are characterized by high ink costs and high consumption. Therefore, it is better to use laser MFPs for the office.

How to choose an MFP

When choosing an MFP, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

Chroma;
Print speed;
Compatible paper;
Scan quality;
Connection type.

The print resolution of MFPs is usually optimized for use in offices and at home. That is, it is optimal for black and white and color documents, but is not suitable for photographs and other images with a high filling density.

Chroma

There are color and monochrome (black and white) MFPs. The first ones can print multi-colored images. However, color laser MFPs have a relatively high price.

Black and white are cheaper, but they can only print in grayscale.

Print speed

This parameter consists of three separate ones - warm-up time, time to output the first page and the printing speed itself. For the office, it is advisable to purchase devices that take about 1-1.5 minutes to warm up and print the first page. For home use, such characteristics are not particularly important.

Compatible paper

This parameter refers not only to the types of paper, but also to the size of the source. If you plan to print on thick paper, it is recommended to purchase MFPs that can work with materials with a density of 350 grams per square meter or more.

The compatible paper size is determined in the same way. If you plan to print only on regular A4 sheets, almost any MFP will do. For A3, accordingly, you will need an A3-compatible MFP, and such devices can also print on A4.

If you plan to print on stickers, envelopes, labels, etc. – this is also worth paying attention to when choosing an MFP.

By the way, the maximum print size is usually equal to the maximum scan size. That is, MFPs compatible with the A4 format can scan documents on A4 sheets; and those compatible with A3 format – on A3 sheets.

Scan quality

This setting determines the detail of scanned documents. The standard scanning quality for MFPs is 600x600 dpi, which is enough to solve the vast majority of office or home tasks.

However, if you plan to scan any photographs, highly detailed documents or images onto the MFP, you should pay attention to devices with higher scanning resolution.

It is worth considering that “space” numbers like 6400x9600 dpi are usually provided by extrapolation - a software increase in the number of pixels - and do not actually improve image quality. But the “weight” of the electronic copy increases to hundreds and thousands of megabytes.

Connection type

There are three types of connection - wired to a computer, wired network, wireless network. The first is convenient when using the “one computer - one MFP” method, and installing an MFP as a network one becomes a rather complicated process.

Wired and wireless network connections are a convenient solution if you need to print to an MFP from multiple computers. They differ in the type of connection. In the first case, a regular Ethernet network cable is inserted into the MFP, and in the second, it is connected to a local Wi-Fi network.

Which MFP is better, inkjet or laser?

Parameter	Inkjet MFP	Laser MFP
Price of the device itself	Low (from 1-1.5 thousand rubles)	High (from 5-6 thousand rubles)
Cartridge capacity in MFPs for home and small office	200-500 pages	1000-2000 pages
Cartridge price	High (comparable to the cost of an MFP)
Cost of printing 1 sheet of A4 format	Up to 2 rubles with small filling	Up to 30 kopecks with small filling
The need for regular maintenance	Yes, print head nozzles need to be purged
Full color print quality	High (good color reproduction)
Operation speed
Refilling cartridges	Not supported

Thus, laser MFP is an excellent solution for cost-effective printing. But if you need to output photos, images or graphics, then it is better to take an inkjet device.

Rating of the best laser MFPs

Nomination	place	Name of product	price
The best black and white laser MFPs for home and small offices	1		9,520 RUR
	2		10,950 RUR
	3		10,200 ₽
	4		8,690 RUR
The best color laser MFPs for home and small offices	1		RUB 23,094
	2		RUB 23,992
	3		13,840 RUR
	4		5,702 RUR
The best color laser MFPs for medium and large offices	1		79,000 ₽
	2		RUB 24,437
	3		23,990 ₽
The best black and white MFPs for medium and large offices	1		RUB 133,084
	2		54,700 ₽
	3		45 300 ₽
	4		52,015 RUR

The best black and white laser MFPs for home and small offices

Why it's number one: Very fast, high-resolution printing.

A universal MFP that is suitable for both home and small office. The built-in black and white printer provides high-resolution printing, but the main advantage is productivity. In particular, it takes only 8.5 seconds to output the first page, and the total speed is 20 pages per minute. Compatible with paper sizes up to A4+ inclusive, works with matte and glossy materials with a density of up to 163 grams per m 2.

The laser MFP is equipped with a flatbed scanner, whose maximum extrapolated resolution is 4.8K. Can make digital copies of originals up to A4+ in size.

The toner lasts for 1000 pages. The laser MFP can connect to a computer (by the way, there are drivers for macOS and Linux), and to a local network - wired and wireless. Supports NFC technology for quickly transferring printing settings and communication with smartphones.

Advantages

High printing speed;
High resolution printing;
Easy to set up.

Flaws

Difficulty connecting to Wi-Fi, you need to act strictly according to the included instructions;
Non-standard method for detecting remaining toner (the cartridge counts sheets, not actual consumption);
When refilling the cartridge, you need to reset the counter of printed sheets.

Why second place: Lower print resolution than the leader in the rating and longer warm-up time.

This laser MFP offers excellent value for money. It is aimed at use at home and in small offices, and the printer is intended primarily for working with documents, as it has a fairly average printing resolution. But the toner in the cartridge is enough for 2600 pages! The printer is capable of printing at a speed of 23 pages per minute, but it takes 10 seconds to print the first sheet and 30 seconds to warm up after turning it on. Compatible with glossy and matte office paper up to 105 grams per m2.

The broaching scanner/copier is compatible with originals in formats up to A4+ inclusive and is capable of feeding sheets independently. However, it scans only in black and white mode, and the maximum resolution is 600x600 dpi, which is not extrapolated.

The MFP can connect to a computer and a local network - both wired and Wi-Fi. Capable of working in fax mode.

Advantages

Small-sized;
Supports Plug-and-Play on Windows (connection without installing drivers);
Fast printing.

Flaws

Scans only in black and white mode;
It takes a relatively long time to warm up and get ready to print the first page;
"Office" scanner resolution.

Why third place: Low RAM, so it’s only suitable for printing documents.

This laser MFP is designed exclusively for working with documents, including those containing simple graphics. You won’t be able to print “heavy” images with it, since the device’s RAM capacity is only 32 MB.

But as a document printer it is excellent. Provides high resolution printing, runs at speeds of up to 20 pages per minute, takes 10 seconds to output the first sheet, and warms up after turning on or emerging from “deep” sleep in 18 seconds. Compatible with “office” glossy and matte paper up to 105 g/m2. The cartridge is enough for 1000 pages.

A flatbed scanner with a native resolution of 600x1200 dpi can extrapolate it to 19.2K, which is important when working with images.

Connects via USB - the necessary drivers are included - or Wi-Fi. Supports AirPrint for printing from mobile devices and remote control via a web interface.

Advantages

The only MFP in its rating segment with a web interface, which is ideal for the office;
Very easy setup;
Prints quietly.

Flaws

Relatively small cartridge volume;
Sometimes the network “loses”;
Flimsy, unreliable plastic.

Why fourth place: Minimum printing speed, but also the lowest price.

A budget MFP, which, nevertheless, is well suited for everyday use. The main advantage of the device is an economical and practically universal printer, which is somewhat “slow” compared to other models in the rating (print speed up to 18 pages per minute), but provides high-contrast document prints with low toner consumption. Cartridges are refillable.

The built-in scanner is color, supports originals up to A4+ format inclusive.

Supports wireless connection via Wi-Fi and wired. Can print documents and images from smartphones through a proprietary application.

Advantages

Compact dimensions;
Quiet operation;
Very high print quality for its price segment.

Flaws

Small volume of the starter cartridge;
Cartridges need to not only be refilled, but also serviced at service centers;
Does not support scanning when connected via Wi-Fi.

What is better MFP or printer?

Parameter	MFP	Printer
Ability to scan and copy documents
Print Resolution	Typically optimized	Usually optimized, but there are models with high
Ease of use	Some models (like Canon i-Sensys) require switching between operating modes	“Plug it in and forget it”
Reliability	Designed for 30-100 thousand pages per month depending on the model	Designed for 30-500 thousand pages per month depending on the model

Dimensions were not taken into account, since laser printers and MFPs have similar dimensions.

It is worth noting that the printer is one of the functions of the MFP, so such a comparison in some cases is meaningless.

The best color laser MFPs for home and small offices

Why first place: One of the best price-quality ratios in the ranking.

This MFP is designed for printing text documents and simple graphics (for example, diagrams and images with little detail). The laser MFP uses 4 color cartridges. The maximum printing resolution is 0.6K, but the operating speed is very high. So, even when outputting color images, the printer can “accelerate” to 24 pages per minute, and the first sheet takes 9-10 seconds, depending on the content. Works with paper up to A4 inclusive, glossy and matte with a density of up to 200 g/m2.

The broach scanner is equipped with an automatic document feeder capable of holding 50 sheets. The resolution is 1.2K, not extrapolated. Scanned copies can be sent directly to the post office, making it easy to use in small offices.

Can connect via Wi-Fi, wired LAN and computer. Supports AirPrint and direct printing mode from connected USB drives.

Advantages

Convenient printing from remote devices (smartphones, email, Direct Print and wireless network);
High cartridge resource - from 2300 to 6000 pages;
Very easy setup.

Flaws

Expensive cartridges;
Small volume of starter cartridges;
Relatively slow scanning.

Why second place: More expensive than the previous model in the rating, but well suited for printing images.

This laser MFP is equipped with a high-quality color printer that uses 6 toners to output color images. Thanks to this, the shades are conveyed more realistically. In addition, the high print resolution ensures maximum detail. The speed of operation is also at an excellent level - the printer is capable of outputting up to 38 pages per minute! The printer is compatible with matte and glossy paper up to A4 size inclusive and with a density of up to 300 g/m2. The cartridge is enough for 3600 pages of average coverage.

The MFP is equipped with a flatbed scanner, which has a native resolution of 1200x2400 dpi.

The MFP does not support network connection. However, it is equipped with a card reader for direct printing of photos from external storage devices, supporting many types of memory cards. A 2.7-inch color display is used for control.

Advantages

Highest print quality;
There is a scanning mode to a USB drive;
Silent scanner.

Flaws

No wireless connection;
Sensitive to paper quality when printing photographs;
Non-standard placement of the paper tray.

Why third place: Great value for money, but very bulky.

One of the cheapest laser models in its segment. Great for office use thanks to its flatbed scanner with automatic document feeder and high quality printer. The printing resolution is excellent, 4 tones are supported for optimal image reproduction, and there is an automatic two-sided output mode. Speeds up to 20 pages per minute and the first sheet takes 14 seconds. Works with paper up to A4 size inclusive, glossy and matte, with a density of up to 160 g/m2. The cartridge is enough for 1600-2000 pages.

The scanner not only has high resolution, but also excellent performance. It is capable of processing up to 12 pages per minute in black and white mode.

Supports wired and wireless connections to the local network, communicates with smartphones via NFC for AirPrint operation. There is a USB port for printing from a flash drive.

Advantages

Simple, quick connection and setup;
Quiet operation;
High quality printing.

Flaws

There are spontaneous inclusions and warm-ups;
Heavy;
Bulky.

Why fourth place: Very little work resource.

This laser MFP has a minimum rated service life of 1,250 pages per month, and is therefore suitable for use exclusively at home or in a small office. But the printer has high print quality with extrapolation support, can work without borders, print on both sides of the sheet automatically, and has a maximum speed of 20 pages per minute. Compatible with glossy and matte paper with a density of up to 90 g/m2 and size up to A4.

Scanner – flatbed type, size A4. Operation speed is up to 7 pages per minute (but in color mode it drops by about half).

The MFP supports wireless connection (to Wi-Fi), can be controlled via a web interface, and also works in AirPrint mode for fast printing from a smartphone.

Advantages

Compact design;
Capacity cartridges;
Can print in quiet mode.

Flaws

Small starter cartridge;
Slow start;
Configured via a smartphone with an application.

The best color laser MFPs for medium and large offices

Why first place: Very capacious cartridges and high performance.

An excellent solution for large offices. The device's resource is about 80 thousand pages per month, so it can easily cope with any copying, printing or scanning tasks. The printer supports paper sizes up to A3. Four-color printing is used at speeds of up to 22 pages per minute, and automatic output on two sides of the page is supported. The cartridge is enough for 21-24 thousand pages.

The scanner also works with originals up to A3 size, while its productivity is the highest in the rating, up to 45 sheets per minute. Equipped with an automatic source feed system.

You can use a wired LAN or traditional USB to connect. The MFP supports direct printing from connected media and can be controlled remotely via a web interface. For maximum productivity, the MFP comes pre-installed with about two hundred PCL and PostScript fonts.

Advantages

Convenient remote control;
Capacious and inexpensive cartridges;
High quality printing.

Flaws

Cartridges and scanner cover are not included in the package;
To start, it is advisable to invite a specialist from the service center;
Drivers and web interface are not Russified.

Why second place: Relatively small cartridge capacity.

The main advantage of this full-color laser MFP is the combination of high speed and high print resolution. Thanks to the second parameter, it is suitable, for example, for displaying detailed images. In addition, the printer supports automatic two-sided printing, and the maximum speed is 26 pages per minute. The laser MFP supports glossy and matte paper up to A4 inclusive and with a density of up to 220 g/m2. The cartridge is enough for 3-4 thousand pages.

The flatbed scanner has the optimal resolution for documents and simple images, is compatible with originals up to A4 size and supports automatic sheet feeding. Speed – up to 30 images per minute.

The MFP supports connection to a local wired and wireless network, is compatible with mobile devices via AirPrint, and can print from a USB drive or SD memory card.

Advantages

High-quality and fast printing;
High-quality and fast scanning;
Direct printing mode and AirPrint.

Flaws

Very difficult to set up;
The interface on the MFP display is not always clear;
Poorly compatible with non-original cartridges.

Why third place: Low resource, which is why the printer is only suitable for the average office.

This laser MFP is well suited for use in mid-sized offices. Its resource is 50,000 sheets per month, so it is quite enough for everyday printing. The MFP is equipped with a printer with optimal resolution, but very high speed – up to 28 pages per minute. Compatible with A4 paper. The cartridge is enough for 2300 pages.

The design of the MFP includes an A4 format flatbed scanner with a broaching device for automatically feeding originals and the ability to automatically double-sided scanning. Productivity is also high - up to 26 sheets per minute. Finished copies can be automatically sent to the specified email address.

The MFP out of the box supports connection to wireless and wired LAN. It also features a USB port for direct printing from external storage devices. Supports AirPrint technology for outputting documents from mobile devices.

Advantages

Quick connection and ready to work “out of the box”;
Very quiet operation, both when printing and scanning;
High speed.

Flaws

No automatic two-sided printing;
Minimum cartridge capacity in the rating;
Relatively low print resolution.

The best black and white MFPs for medium and large offices

Why first place: High-performance printer, optimal price-quality ratio.

An excellent solution for companies that need to print a large number of documents. Supports automatic double-sided output, high resolution and fast warm-up. Print speed is up to 30 pages per minute. Compatible with paper size up to A3 inclusive. The cartridge is enough for 15 thousand pages.

The MFP is equipped with an A3+ format flatbed scanner with an automatic document feeder. The operating speed is up to 25 sheets per minute in black and white and up to 13 in color. The scanning resolution is not very high, but sufficient for the vast majority of documents.

The MFP supports a wired connection to a local network, and can also connect to a computer via USB. Features a large number of pre-installed fonts to increase printing speed.

Advantages

Economical printing with excellent quality for documents;
Quiet operation;
Network scanning support.

Flaws

Relatively small amount of memory;
Not suitable for printing images;
No wireless connection.

Why second place: For extended functionality you will need to buy additional modules.

A good solution for large offices. The device resource is 100 thousand pages per month. At the same time, the printer is compatible with paper up to A3 inclusive, has a high operating speed - up to 25 sheets per minute, and the possibility of automatic double-sided output. The cartridge is enough for 15 thousand pages. Works with glossy and matte paper up to 256 g/m2.

The MFP is equipped with a flatbed scanner with a feeding mechanism for automatically feeding originals. Compatible with source files up to A3+ in size. Scanning speed is up to 50 pages per minute.

Why third place: Only a wired connection, non-refillable cartridges, but fast and high-quality printing.

One of the most high-performance office MFPs in the ranking. The printing speed is up to 40 pages per minute, while the resolution is high, and it takes literally a few seconds to “wake up”. Double-sided output is also supported. Compatible with matte and glossy paper up to A4 format and density up to 162 g/m2. The toner is enough for 6000 pages, there are larger cartridges - for 1200 pages.

The scanner is also highly productive. Thanks to the feeder, it can process up to 30 originals per minute. The scanner itself is a flatbed type, so it is suitable for making digital copies of smaller documents. The resolution is optimal.

Supports wired LAN connection. It is also equipped with a card reader for SD memory cards and can print directly from them.

Advantages

Very fast printing;
Excellent combination of price and characteristics;
Supports paper heavier than rated paper.

Flaws

Maximum paper size – A4;
Cartridges are not refillable;
No wireless connection.

Why fourth place: Quite an expensive MFP, but the price is justified.

Perhaps the best laser MFP for use in large offices where fast printing is required. Print speeds are up to 47 pages per minute without loss of resolution. The MFP supports double-sided printing thanks to integrated duplex. The kit includes two input trays: a pull-out tray for 550 sheets and a folding multifunction tray for 100 sheets. If necessary, you can add up to three additional trays, then the maximum paper supply will be 2300 sheets.

The flatbed scanner has a reversing automatic feeder and scans both sides of the original, flipping the sheet in between. The scanning speed is also high, 45-48 sides per minute with a black and white original and 30-32 sides per minute with a color original image. In double-sided scanning mode, the speed is 20-21 and 13-14 sides per minute, respectively. The destination of the scanned files can be a computer, a flash drive or email. When scanning, you can set resolution parameters, size, color density, and saving format.

The MFP has all the standard ports: Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000), USB 2.0 Type A and B on the front and rear panels, one port for a memory card.

Advantages

High speed;
Ability to work with paper of different densities from 60 to 163 g/m2;
Long life cartridges – up to 20,000 prints.

Flaws

There is no way to refill the cartridge;
Maximum print format – A4;
Menu overload with rarely used settings.

Attention! This rating is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

The most profitable option when you need to copy, scan, or print documents at home is to buy the best MFP rather than individual devices. It combines the functions of 3 of these devices, and sometimes also includes a fax, which allows you to significantly save on their purchase. To choose a good device that will not let you down, we advise you to study the most reliable inkjet and laser devices and become familiar with their pros and cons.

When compiling the TOP, reviews, expert opinions and product characteristics were given priority.

Among other things, we took into account the following indicators:

Functions – printing, photocopying, scanning, sending and receiving faxes;
Dimensions and weight;
Design;
Type – inkjet or laser, black and white or color;
Cartridge resource and quantity;
Convenient refilling of paints;
Speed of work;
Time to warm up;
Noise level during operation;
Thickness, type and format of paper;
Possibility of photo printing;
Number of colors;
Print brightness;
Scanner sensitivity;
Clarity of copies.

A special point was the quality-to-price ratio of the best black-and-white and color MFPs for the home, the ease of operation and maintenance of the device.

Which brand of MFP for home is better to choose?

Many multifunctional devices on the market are created in Asia. The leaders in this ranking are models from Japanese, American, and South Korean manufacturers.

Canon– the company is widely known in the world of photographic and office equipment; it produces both printers and full-fledged MFPs for working with documents and printing photos. Its products are distinguished by high build quality, versatility and interesting design.
Epson is Canon's main competitor, specializing in the production of printers and multifunction devices. It has offers for both small, medium and large volumes of printing, photocopying, scanning. There are both laser and inkjet options.
HP is the largest and one of the most prestigious manufacturers of office equipment in the world, headquartered in the USA. Its range includes both budget inkjet models and more expensive laser, color and black and white. They are characterized by fast and reliable operation, good print and scanning quality.
Ricoh is a Japanese manufacturer of multifunctional devices, operating since 1936. He uses modern technologies, focusing on the ease of use of his devices and the high quality of their work. Among its offerings are multicolor and black and white models, inkjet and laser, designed for photo printing.
Brother– a leading manufacturer of printing equipment for office and home. The company was founded in 1908 in Japan. Its product range is based on black-and-white inkjet MFPs, but laser models, including color ones, are also produced here.
Kyocera is another Japanese company whose field of activity is the production of office equipment, solar power systems, automobile parts and many other products. Its products help reduce the cost of scanning and photocopying documents. The machines accept many sheets and work with paper of different thicknesses and sizes.
Samsung– the company not only creates office equipment, but also produces phones, computers, tablets and many other gadgets. It attracts attention with reasonable prices for goods, strict fulfillment of warranty obligations to customers and the optimal quality of its products.

The best inkjet MFPs for home

This is a cheap type of multifunctional device compared to laser ones, but even the best inkjet MFPs for the home have a slower operating speed, but the quality is no worse. They operate using a cartridge, which may have a built-in print head and be refilled with ink. An option with a continuous supply of ink from containers is also possible. Two interesting devices will be considered in this category.

Those who chose this MFP for their home do not regret their decision, primarily because it can print both high-quality color text and bright, rich photographs, even with high resolution. The CISS introduced here can significantly reduce the cost of a print. In one minute, the device can print 8 pages of A4 paper. According to reviews, this is a real assistant for those planning to make copies of documents quickly and in large quantities.

Advantages:

A black and white cartridge is enough to print up to 12 thousand pages;
Availability of Wi-Fi;
Weight 6.3 kg;
Durable scanner glass;
You can use envelopes, plain paper, and photo paper;
Good color depth;
Quickly scans documents.

Flaws:

You need to be careful; when pouring paint, the rubber caps of the cans may get dirty.
Possibility of printer blocking when printing without borders;
4 colors to form a palette.

Users especially note the low cost of consumables for the Canon Pixma G3411.

The device combines a “3-in-1”, but despite this, both the printer and the scanner perform their tasks fully. This is possible due to good characteristics - high resolution in color printing mode (5760×1440 dpi), color depth of 48 bits and fast copy output. Being one of the best all-in-one printers for the home, it's no surprise that it's compact in size and doesn't take up much desk space. This proposal is also interesting from the point of view of the possibility of using completely different materials - envelopes, matte and glossy paper, labels, film, which makes the device universal.

Advantages:

Not heavy, weighs 4.3 kg;
Supports Windows and Mac OS;
Accepts up to 100 sheets of paper at a time;
Economical paint consumption;
Ease of connection;
A good indicator of the speed of the first prints is 5 seconds.

Flaws:

Not the largest volume of ink tanks (70 ml);
There is some noise when printing;
Modest cartridge resource - color: 7500 pages, black and white: 4500.

I used it to print photos taken with a DSLR camera and was pleasantly surprised by the results. The photos turned out deep, clear, beautiful, the high quality immediately catches the eye.

The best color laser MFPs for home

This is the most convenient, practical and versatile type of office equipment. It allows you to print on labels, film, envelopes, and paper. But best of all, it produces photographs that delight with clarity and brightness. The device has built-in cartridges that can be replaced with new ones or refilled depending on the specific option. In this rating category, it is worth highlighting the 3 best MFPs.

This model is designed for a small office, but can also be used at home. Yes, it is larger in size compared to devices with CISS, but it works effectively. Its advantages are obvious - automatic two-sided printing, the ability to print 40,000 pages per month, but you can get more without damaging the device, high scanner resolution of 1200x1200 dpi, which allows you to scan texts with good quality.

Advantages:

Ease of management;
Possibility of printing on cards, film, paper, envelopes;
Low power consumption in standby mode;
Noise level 50 dB;
Availability of internal memory of 256 MB.
Fast fax transmission;
Suitable for printing on paper of different weights;
Large zoom range.

Flaws:

Heavy weight – 18.7 kg.

The HP Color LaserJet Pro M281fdw is also valuable because it also performs fax functions. Very convenient, in my opinion, is the option of direct printing from connected cameras, bypassing a connection to a computer.

This is another model in the ranking of the best MFPs for the home, which can offer users automatic duplex printing, including on paper, film, envelopes, and labels. Due to the support of different OS, up to Android, it is compatible even with phones. The device accepts sheets of standard A4 sizes; you won’t be able to print or scan anything larger here. But the speed with which it does this is high - 6 pages per minute. The device supports AirPrint, so you can print photos or documents from your phone without connecting a gadget to it.

Advantages:

80 installed fonts;
Transfer rate 33.6 Kbps;
Memory capacity – 256 MB;
Paper output 150 sheets;
Ability to zoom up to 400%;
Function of sending images by mail;
The first print comes out in 14 seconds;
Prints up to 30,000 pages per month.

Flaws:

You cannot print on paper with a density higher than 160 g/m2;
Heavy weight of 29 kg.

...After the experiment, I came to the conclusion that the HP DeskJet 2630 is best suited for printing documents, scanning and copying texts, but with photos it copes with 3-4 points due to two colors...

Expert opinion

This is the best laser-type MFP for home use for printing color photos and documents in terms of low price. The “native” cartridges of the device allow you to print 2 times more pages than on other devices, without replacing the cartridge. Working wirelessly, it saves space. Control is carried out from a clear panel located on the surface. A plus is the ability to scan directly from mobile devices. The HP All-in-One Printer Remote application is available for this purpose. But its main advantage is the ability to work with paper in completely different formats - A4, A6, B5, envelope.

Advantages:

Suitable paper with a density of 60-300 g/m2;
4 cartridges – 2 black and two tri-color;
There is Wi-Fi, you can transfer photos via it;
Displaying information on the LCD panel;
Weight 3.42 kg;
Quick scan;
Copies clearly, without smudging.

Flaws:

Not intended for large volumes of printing.

The best laser black and white MFPs for home

Such devices are designed for printing non-color texts; they are most often chosen by students or those who do not need to print photographs. Compared to color models, they are cheaper. Three models became leaders in this category.

This is a rather expensive MFP model for the home, but it meets all the expectations of both students and those who often print, scan, or copy something. This device is not a “3-in-1”, but a “4-in-1”, since it can handle fax functions. What sets it apart from other models is the large tray for loading paper, which will allow you to insert paper less frequently and improve work efficiency. An optional high-capacity toner cartridge helps reduce printing costs. Conveniently, files for printing can be transferred via Wi-Fi.

Advantages:

Easy to maintain;
Scans quickly;
Warms up instantly;
Easy setup;
Wi-Fi connection;
Works with recycled materials;
Two-sided printing;
Ideal operation of the automatic feeder.

Flaws:

The highest paper density is 105 g/m²;
When the cartridge runs out, there are malfunctions.
Not the most stylish.

The 4-in-1 multifunctional device Kyocera Ecosys m2540dn is maximally automated for comfortable work. It supports automatic printing on both sides of the sheet, which saves paper and time, is easy and quick to set up, and has a long guaranteed cartridge life, on average up to 100,000 pages. There are no problems with it when printing files in different formats. The design is strong, reliable, the body is made of plastic. The presentation of information on the display, large numbers, is also convenient. The device weighs 19 kg.

Advantages:

Good cartridge life;
Clear printing;
Can produce up to 50,000 pages per month;
Warms up in 17 seconds;
You can send files by mail from the scanner;
Memory capacity 512 MB;
Reads memory cards;
93 installed fonts.

Flaws:

The menu is not entirely clear;
You will have to tinker with the instructions, they are large and confusing;
There is no document recognition program;
Unusual interface.

This piece of office equipment has a moderate cartridge consumption, which saves money. The paper tray is very convenient, spacious and opens without problems. The scanner's improved resolution of 4800×4800 dpi allows you to obtain original files without blur. This indicator is also good for copying, so the quality of the duplicate is excellent. A multifunctional device for home use, it warms up quickly and works without lag. The presence of USB makes it possible to connect different devices directly to it; the port is located in a convenient location.

Advantages:

Prints at 20 pages per minute;
Supports sending files by mail;
The first copy comes out in 14 seconds;
Works with 3 OS – Windows, Linux, Mac OS;
Weighs 7.32 kg;
Low price;
During operation there is almost no noise.

Flaws:

Does not support PostScript.

After the cartridge runs out, it has to be either completely replaced (the chip) or the board must be reflashed. In any case, the user loses the manufacturer's warranty and, in the event of a breakdown, will not be able to compensate for repairs, but after the last procedure, the cartridge can be refilled as many times as desired.

Which MFP is better to choose for your home?

If high print quality is important, then the most optimal solution would still be to purchase a laser model. Inkjet devices are quite suitable when, for example, you need to print abstracts, tests, coursework for schoolchildren and students, make photocopies of books, scan notes. These same options are also the cheapest, so they are chosen when they want to save money.

If printing photos is your priority, then it is best to pay attention to the Canon Pixma G3411 model.
For scanning documents in large quantities, the Epson L222 is an ideal choice.
For those who often plan to use the MFP as a color copier, you can buy the HP Color LaserJet Pro M281fdw or Samsung Xpress M2070.
For double-sided printing, the Ricoh SP C260SFNw or Kyocera Ecosys m2540dn are ideal.
To work with thick paper and non-standard sizes, you can choose the HP DeskJet 2630.
If you also need a fax in the machine, then the Brother MFC-L2700DWR would be a suitable option.

Each case has its own device, but we tried to collect the best universal MFPs for the home that meet strict requirements in terms of functionality and quality of work.

In the recent past, printers, faxes, scanners and, of course, a huge copy machine were indispensable attributes of a successful office. Only a few could organize all this diversity at home. But times have changed, multifunctional devices have appeared. Contrary to the fears of skeptics, inkjet printing did not go into oblivion with the advent of laser printers. Its higher quality is also used in MFPs. In addition, the cost of such units is significantly lower than their laser counterparts. Now anyone has the opportunity to fully work with documents and print photos at home. Our rating includes the most popular and best models of inkjet MFPs of 2017 - early 2018.

Which company's inkjet MFPs are better?

The inkjet MFP segment is occupied by four well-known brands: Epson, Canon, Hewlett-Packard and Brother. The remaining companies operating in the inkjet printing market are either not represented by any MFP models at all, or they are not very popular.

It is difficult to single out a clear favorite from the above four. In terms of the number of models produced, all except Brother have almost equal positions. The latter company is represented locally, but its products are quite competitive in their niches.

Epson and Canon products are extremely popular and these brands are fighting each other in the market at every price range. HP has pulled away from them only in the segment of professional MFPs - plotters, where the maximum print format reaches A0 size.

There is no point in searching and choosing a black and white inkjet MFP. In addition to the fact that there are only a few such models, in price and quality they differ little from color and black-and-white laser ones, but at the same time you will also limit yourself in the ability to perform color printing.

So which inkjet MFPs offered to Russian consumers are considered the best?

Laser multifunction devices are designed for printing, scanning, copying documents or images, and many are also equipped with a fax. The cost-effectiveness of laser technology is justified for intensive black-and-white printing, but for large volumes of color printing, inkjet devices with CISS are more profitable. There are many criteria for choosing a good laser MFP for home use: cost-effectiveness, size, performance and many other factors. There are multi-purpose models, but there are no universal ones for everyone. The TOP 10 rating of 2016 – 2017 includes the best devices for home printing in accordance with the various requirements of modern users.

The best among the cheapest was this model for black and white printing of text or pictures.. At an affordable price, the device has acceptable manufacturing quality, as well as decent technical characteristics. The MFP is intended for home or occasional office use.

affordable price, good workmanship;
decent print quality – no distortions or distortions;
print/copier productivity – 20 pages/min;
attractive design;
Thanks to interpolation, the image resolution increases to 19200*19200 dpi (base 600*2400 dpi).

as users write, the device is picky when it comes to paper thickness;
To print in different formats, you need to set the print settings each time;
not suitable for the production of printed circuit boards (there is distortion when gluing fragments into a single sheet);
the basic package does not include a USB cable;
small cartridge volume.

With all its disadvantages, the MFP will be an excellent purchase for solving basic printing problems: text documents, images and photos of medium quality, copying/scanning documents.

The laser printer copes with its task quite quickly, although it will require frequent refilling of toner.

Prices :

Samsung Xpress M2070W – Trustworthy

When looking for the cheapest black-and-white laser MFP model for your home, you should take a closer look at the Xpress M2070W from Samsung. Strictly speaking, this is not the cheapest device, but in comparison with analogues - best in its price category. The cost of the device is quite affordable, the brand has long been well-known and trustworthy.

compact dimensions for an A4 format device;
Wi-Fi wireless support;
operates on Windows, Android, Linux, Mac, iOS;
Copier/printer performance 20 pages per minute, prints on a variety of papers;
printing up to 10,000 pages per month;
copier resolution 1200*1200 dpi, improved – 4800*4800 dpi;
printing one copy – 14 s;
firmware available.

Possible difficulties with Wi-Fi (configured via WPS, with 5Gz the printer is not visible);
small volume of initial cartridge refill (according to reviews, it prints no more than 70-100 pages);
expensive original cartridges, but you can choose an analogue;
no double-sided printing.

This model is good for occasional use at home or in a small office. The device copes with its tasks perfectly: decent print quality, acceptable scanner resolution, sufficient speed of the printer/copier.

Reliability is best evidenced by reviews from owners, where the emphasis is on uninterrupted operation and long service life.

Prices :

Brother MFC-L2740DWR - the best choice for a home office

The MFP was included in the rating of the best because it is a truly high-quality, reliable and durable model. It is difficult to find even one negative review about the MFC-L2740DWR. The device is more intended for office use, all technical characteristics slightly exceed the capabilities of “home” models.

multifunctionality of settings, flexibility of control;
two-sided black and white printing/scanning;
increased print and drum life;
inexpensive spare parts and consumables;
Printing/copier productivity – 30 pages/min;
can be used as a fax;
high enhanced image 19200*19200 dpi;
touch control panel.

There are no objective shortcomings in this model, but users note that the springs of the lid closer are too tight, and there is no function for printing from flash media.

The device is very convenient when working with one or more computers; it allows you to set different settings, scan automatically or print up to 250 sheets without user intervention. The advantages of this model will be especially appreciated by all users who regularly use the scanner function in their activities - here this option is thought out to the smallest detail and will fully replace a separate device.

Prices :

Panasonic KX-MB2130RU – compact and inexpensive mini-office

A small-sized 5-in-1 multifunctional device perfectly combines a laser printer, scanner, copier, fax, and telephone. A device for monochrome printing is indispensable when setting up an office at home or for frequent home use. It is possible to connect several computers and set passwords for access. MFP accepts faxes without paper– up to 80 pages, stores scans of documents in memory.

separate cartridge;
automatic two-sided printing;
average productivity, good printing speed;
functionality – 5 devices in 1;
decent drum life – 12,000 pages.

not the cheapest “consumables”;
one-sided module for automatically feeding sheets to the scanner;
does not support Wi-Fi;
Not every model is equipped with a cartridge.

The device is compact and ergonomic. For average volumes of work, the high cost of the photodrum and cartridge will be justified. The build quality is at a high level, at its price - an excellent model for various purposes of use.

Prices :

Kyocera FS-6525MFP – great opportunities in A3 format

Choosing an MFP for your home with monochrome printing in A3 format– really not an easy task. Considering the prices of these devices, a mistake in choosing will be “expensive.” This model is not flawless, but in its class it is the best combination of price and quality. Like any A3 laser printer, the FS-6525MFP has impressive dimensions and a weight of 52 kg. Equipment of this level always has its own requirements, but the product from Kyocera meets everyone.

relatively low cost of maintenance;
cartridge resource – 15,000 pages;
excellent scanner performance - quickly and efficiently (not counting the 8-second warm-up for starting);
decent printing speed (b/w A4 – 25 ppm, b/w A3 – 12 ppm);
double-sided printing of the printer, double-sided module for feeding sheets to the scanner;
flexible settings and various “tricks”, for example, informing the user about the completion of the operation by e-mail.

does not support Wi-Fi;
complex menu;
when working on a file server, it is possible to “dump” files into a network folder - this can be solved by simply rebooting while maintaining the current settings;
It is not particularly fast in executing commands.

This device will cope with its task equally well at home or in the office, where large amounts of work are required. According to technical support specialists, printing a large number of pages from one command is not recommended; with such volumes, the device needs a break every 500 sheets. According to user reviews, the MFP complicated, unfriendly menu, which is slowly mastered as you use it. The settings are not perfect, and sometimes they can go wrong, but the print quality is very good.

Scanning is a separate advantage of the MFP; the device makes high-quality copies of text or images in any format, sends them to the specified address (to a folder, to the post office).

Prices :

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M177fw – color palette for home printing

The device is designed in the best HP traditions: convenient, simple, reliable. The laser MFP for black-and-white or color printing has good manufacturing quality - as the owners write, no distortions, jams or design defects were found. The print quality is also at the same level, the laser printer copes well with text and prints photographs of quite acceptable quality.

fax with built-in memory up to 500 pages;
Wi-Fi and Ethernet support;
color LCD screen;
quiet operation;
simple and convenient control;
good color rendition.

printing is too slow, the device regularly requires a “break”;
calibration after about 2 - 3 pages, it will be very inconvenient to use for the office;
with a low starting price for the entire device, the purchase of consumables will become noticeable;
the cost of one print is higher than average (when compared with analogues).

The budget model of a color laser MFP combines good functionality and average performance is an excellent solution for home use where there is no need to quickly print a large volume of pages. More productive models with similar capabilities are in a different price category.

Prices :

Xerox WorkCentre 6025 – excellent quality LEDs

LED printers are a type of laser printing technology. Assessing their differences, advantages and disadvantages, such devices can be placed on the same level as laser devices.

This MFP model is equipped with LED technology for color and black and white printing. Not only sellers and the manufacturer speak about quality, but also happy owners of a multifunctional device. The device will cope equally well with work both at home and in the office.

stable, well-functioning, uninterrupted operation: Wi-Fi functions correctly, there are no paper jams, there are no print distortions, system errors do not bother you;
Wi-Fi is easy to set up;
good touch display;
economical - no chips on cartridges and the ability to refill yourself;
decent resource of consumables and many analogues;
duplex (printing on both sides);
good print and scan speed.

no connector for USB flash drive;
To print high-quality color illustrations, you need to make a number of settings.

When to buy inexpensive but high quality machine for color printing - the choice is obvious. In general, the MFP deservedly takes its place in the ranking of the best, because full compliance with the declared characteristics and the absence of failures are key quality criteria for office equipment of this class.

Prices :

HP LaserJet Pro 500 color MFP M570dn – savings and reliability

Reliable, durable, economical - this is how this MFP model for color laser printing can be characterized. The laser printer is productive and can print up to 75,000 pages per month; the cartridges are economical and have a good resource (b/w - 5500 pages, color - 6000 pages). The printer resolution is not the highest, but 600*600 dpi is more than enough for printing text or pictures. The device is very convenient and easy to use, and the owners note excellent quality and ergonomics.

good speed;
decent technical characteristics of all devices (printer/scanner/copier/fax);
Ethernet and PostScript support;
two-sided printing;
sending files by e-mail.

a little noisy;
periodic initialization slows down the work.

MFP for home with easy and intuitive controls represents a good combination of price and quality. It is not for nothing that the HP brand is famous for its unsurpassed quality of “mechanics” and a competent combination of options, this model only confirms this.

Prices :

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdw – color quality and performance

Among laser MFPs for home and office with monochrome and color printing, it is not always easy to choose a model that can handle large print volumes, provide high-quality color rendering, and at the same time will not create any problems for the user. As the owners of this device write, this model meets all the listed factors. The device will fit perfectly into your home interior and will “master” intensive use in large volumes, both in a home office and at an enterprise (naturally, the model is not suitable for large-scale production of printed products).

long working life of cartridges, high productivity of the device (up to 50,000 pages per month);
two-sided printing;
good speed of printer and scanner – 28 pages per minute;
sending a scanned image to email, all computers on the network, to a network folder;
wireless control;
fax with memory up to 400 pages.

the cost of a replacement cartridge is higher than average;
noticeable noise during operation.

Prices HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdw:

Xerox WorkCentre 7220 – color and format

The choice of MFPs with color laser printing in A3 format is quite wide, but not very diverse. As a rule, top-level equipment is equipped with all modern options and can replace a whole set of devices: color and black-and-white A4/A3 printer, A4/A3 scanner, two-format copier.

This model is in the TOP 10 due to its ease of use and absence of various defects— jams or unexplained system errors. The device can be easily installed on Windows 7 or 8 versions; it can work on Mac and Linux (with PostScript installed).

prompt printing of documents or graphics in good quality;
It is possible to use paper of different densities and print on envelopes;
decent color printing – resolution 2400*600 dpi;
flexible user scanner settings;
ease of use;
productivity 87,000 pages per month;
affordable price for consumables.

PostScript is a separate, paid option;
For high-quality color printing, use only recommended Xerox paper;
complex network settings.

The model from Xerox is well known among users. If you evaluate the reviews of the owners of this device, the device is worth the money and does not create problems during operation.

Prices :

The review of the best MFPs for 2016-2017 includes models from earlier years of production. Not every new product of 2017 can compete with devices of previous years in terms of print quality and software usability. A selection of the most successful MFPs demonstrates the advantages and disadvantages of each, which make it easy to make a choice in favor of one device or another.