The Finder app is here! 🥳🥳 Download the new Finder app!
Get your savings sorted.Take control of your money with the all-new Finder app. Now available for free for iOS and Android. It's your new way to save, sorted.
There are two mane types of printers: inkjet and laser.
Multifunction inkjet printers. The most common multifunction printers are inkjet printers. Basic inkjet models are generally the most affordable multi-purpose devices and offer sufficient quality for everyday use. Inkjet printers can also produce exceptional detail when printing images and colours. These devices require you to buy replaceable ink cartridges every so often, depending on what you're printing, how frequently you use the printer and at what quality you opt to print.
Multifunction laser printers. These devices differ to inkjet printers in that they use toner cartridges, a fine powder substance that's often more expensive but longer lasting than its ink-based counterpart. It's helpful to note that some multifunction inkjet printers don't require cartridges at all. Some come equipped with refillable tanks that offer greater affordability and fewer trips to the store. Additionally, some printers offer up to one year's worth of free ink when you buy. This can have a big effect on the value of your purchase, so it's important to take this into consideration.
Costs
The price of a new multifunction printer will vary depending on the brand, model and technical specifications. Not all devices offer the same list of services, although most are similar in terms of functionality. For example, some multifunction printers don't provide fax capabilities, since fewer people send and receive faxes due to the Internet.
Multifunction printers range in cost from as low as $90 to over $1,200. The sweet spot seems to be between $150 and $300, but this does not take into account individual requirements.
How to compare multifunction printers
The different features of multifunction printers that determine quality, capability, cost and longevity include the following:
Printing capabilities
This remains the primary function of these devices and so considering what it is you will be printing, how often you'll be printing and your particular needs and desires is essential. For example, photographers may need specific size prints and special paper and not all multifunction printers are capable of conforming to these requirements. Office employees or individuals that work from home may need to print documents at a high rate of speed. A laser printer may be useful for those that need to mark or highlight sheets as they're printed.
Scanning
A scanner can quickly transfer documents or images to your computer, allowing you to save, edit and send them on to your network of contacts. Be aware of the types of things you'll be scanning and ensure that the multifunction printer you purchase has sufficient capabilities. Scanner resolution is a key indicator for quality. For example, 600dpi is appropriate for most of your documents and images/photos, while you will need higher resolutions for large printing jobs.
Wireless, Wi-Fi, wired connections and USB ports
Check to see if the printer you're buying offers wireless connections to other devices, such as your laptop or phone. This will allow you to print without cords or a wired connection. Wi-Fi is commonplace on most devices these days, but it's not guaranteed. Some people prefer the confidence of a wired connection. If you're likely to print from an external hard drive or USB stick, check that the multifunction printer you're purchasing comes equipped with these ports.
Faxing
Be aware that not all new multifunction printers come equipped with fax capabilities. Being able to send and receive a fax is convenient when your Internet connection goes down since you send faxes via the phone lines. However, the person you're sharing documents with must also have a fax for this process to be successful.
Copying
The copy function allows you to duplicate paper pages you feed into your printer. There are two types of copiers, monochrome and colour. Colour copiers are often more expensive, so it's helpful to determine whether you'll need this capability or be able to rely on scanning.
Automatic duplexing
Printers with automatic duplexing are able to print on both sides of a piece of paper without any need for you to touch the page during the process. Manual duplex printers can also print on both sides of a piece of paper but you need to feed the page back through the machine.
Automatic document feeding
Some multifunction printers include document feeding stations, where you can load large, multi-page documents for copying or scanning. This can save lots of time and hassle.
Size
Multifunction printers are generally larger than standard printers, but because they're able to perform a variety of tasks, they can go a long way to conserving space and reducing clutter.
Ink and toner cartridges and refills
These are supplemental items that you will need to replace regularly and can differ in cost, size and price depending on your quality requirements and your printer's unique specifications.
Peter Terlato is a writer with over eight years of journalism experience. His work has appeared in a number of global publications including Business Insider and Lifehacker. He's written extensively about travel, business, finance, politics, lifestyle, shopping and technology.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We compare from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers. We value our editorial independence and follow editorial guidelines.
finder.com.au has access to track details from the product issuers listed on our sites. Although we provide information on the products offered by a wide range of issuers, we don't cover every available product or service.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.
Products marked as 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money here.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labelling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
