Homeschooling is more popular than ever, and as families continue to embrace this educational path, having the right tools is essential for smooth learning. Among these tools, a reliable printer is indispensable. From printing out worksheets and project materials to scanning assignments, the right printer can make a huge difference in the efficiency of your homeschooling setup. In this guide, we'll go over what to consider when choosing a printer and highlight some of the best printers for homeschooling in 2024.
Ⅰ. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Homeschool Printer
Choosing the right printer for your homeschoo requires some careful consideration. You can consider the following important factors to ensure it meets your needs.
Print Quality
Print quality is critical, especially if you need to print charts, diagrams, or project materials. Choose a homeschool printer that can handle both high-quality text and vibrant color prints.
Cost Efficiency
Homeschooling often requires printing a large amount of material. It’s important to choose a printer with a low cost per page, especially when printing frequently. Printers with high-yield ink cartridges or large ink tanksare ideal in this regard.
Print Speed
Homeschooling may require printing numerous worksheets and projects, so a printer with fast printing speeds can save a lot of time. Check the printer’s pages-per-minute (PPM) to determine if it can handle your workload efficiently.
Functionality
Multifunction printers that offer printing, scanning, and copying capabilities are very useful in a homeschooling environment. They allow you to scan completed assignments, make copies of important documents, and even fax or send emails from the printer.
Connectivity
Wireless printing is a must for a modern homeschooling setup. Make sure the printer supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cloud-based printing options. This will allow you to print from various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Durability
A durable and reliable printer is important for handling the high volume of printing in a homeschooling environment. Look for printers with a long lifespan and low maintenance costs.
Ⅱ. Recommended Printer Types for Homeschooling
When choosing a printer for homeschooling, it's important to consider the specific type that fits your family's needs. Here are the main types of printers and their advantages.
Inkjet Printers
Inkjet printers are great for printing colorful charts, images, and other learning materials. They are versatile and can handle both text and images with good quality. These printers are usually cheaper but less efficient in terms of ink consumption.
Laser Printers
Laser printers are ideal for homeschoolers who print a lot of text-heavy materials. They are faster than inkjets, have lower operating costs (especially for black-and-white printing), and are highly reliable for handling large print volumes.
Ink Tank Printers
For families with high print volumes, printers with large ink refills, like the Epson EcoTank or Canon MegaTank series, are great choices. These printers have a higher upfront cost but offer significantly lower cost-per-page rates, making them ideal for long-term savings.
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Inkjet Printers |
Laser Printers |
Ink Tank Printers |
Best for |
Printing colorful charts, images, and project materials. |
Efficiently printing large volumes of black-and-white text. |
High-print volume households require a cost-effective solution. |
Advantages |
Excellent color reproduction for visually engaging materials. Versatile enough to handle both text and images. Compact and affordable upfront cost. |
Faster printing speeds than inkjet printers. Lower cost per page for monochrome printing. Durable and ideal for heavy daily use. |
Large ink reservoir reduces the need for frequent refills. Lower cost per page than traditional cartridge printers. Eco-friendly options with less waste from discarded cartridges. |
Example Models |
Epson EcoTank ET-4850, HP Smart Tank 7602 |
Ⅲ. Best Monochrome Laser Printer for Homeschool
Brother HL-L2395DW
Brother HL-L2395DW is an excellent choice if you print primarily black-and-white materials. It's fast, reliable, and has a low cost per page to meet frequent printing needs. It has a high-speed printing capacity of 36 pages per minute and automatic double-sided printing to help efficiently process textbooks, exercises and study materials. Moreover, its additional scanning and copying features make it a great all-in-one solution for a homeschool setup.
Image |
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Purchase Price |
$149-$199 (varies by retailer and region) |
Functions |
Print, Copy, Scan |
Print Quality |
Monochrome laser printing, resolution up to 2400 x 600 dpi |
Print Speed |
Up to 36 ppm (single-sided printing) |
Consumables |
TN730 standard yield toner: 1,200 pages TN760 high yield toner: 3,000 pages TN770 super high yield toner: 4,500 pages DR730 drum unit: 12,000 pages |
Cartridge Price (CPP=Cost Per Page) |
TN730: $47.99 (4.00 cents CCP) TN760: $84.99 (2.83 cents CCP) TN770: $127.49 (2.83 cents CCP) DR730: $111.99 (0.93 cents CCP) |
Display |
2.7-inch color touchscreen |
Connectivity |
Wi-Fi, USB interface, Ethernet, mobile printing (AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Brother iPrint&Scan) |
Paper Handling |
250-sheet input tray, manual feed slot; supports automatic duplex printing; supports Letter, A4, A5, A6, Legal, etc. |
Operating Systems |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
Dimensions |
16.1 x 15.7 x 10.7 inches (W x D x H) |
Weight |
22.7 lbs (approximately 10.3 kg) |
The above prices are from Brother's official website and may fluctuate over time.
Brother HL-L2350DW
If you are on a budget or just need a printer that can print, consider Brother HL-L2350DW. It is a single-function monochrome laser printer with no scanning, copying, or faxing capabilities. Its compact design and small footprint make it easy to place even on limited desk space. In addition, the affordable purchase price and cost-effective toner cartridges make it a long-term solution for homeschooling families with frequent printing needs.
Image |
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Purchase Price |
$119-$149 |
Functions |
|
Print Quality |
Monochrome laser printing, resolution up to 2400 x 600 dpi |
Print Speed |
Up to 32 ppm (single-sided printing) |
Consumables |
TN730, TN760, TN770, DR730 |
Display |
No touchscreen; LED indicator lights |
Connectivity |
Wi-Fi, USB interface, mobile printing (AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Brother iPrint&Scan) |
Paper Handling |
250-sheet input tray, manual feed slot; supports automatic duplex printing; supports Letter, A4, A5, A6, and Custom sizes |
Operating Systems |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
Dimensions |
14.2 x 14 x 7.2 inches (W x D x H) |
Weight |
15.9 lbs (approximately 7.2 kg) |
The above prices are from Brother's official website and may fluctuate over time.
Ⅳ. Best Color Laser Printer for Homeschool
Brother MFC-L3770CDW
Brother MFC-L3770CDW is perfect for homeschool users with its multi-function, high efficiency, low noise, and excellent color printing effect. It is a stable and reliable all-in-one printer that supports printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. It can efficiently handle diverse needs such as textbook printing, homework scanning, and document copying. In addition, the Brother MFC-L3770CDW has economical consumables and low long-term running costs, making it suitable for homeschoolers who need to print frequently.
Image |
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Purchase Price |
$399-$499 |
Functions |
Print, Copy, Scan, Fax |
Print Quality |
Color laser printing, resolution up to 2400 x 600 dpi |
Print Speed |
Up to 25 ppm (both color and black-and-white) |
Consumables |
TN223 standard yield toner: BK: 1,400 pages, C/M/Y: 1,300 pages TN227 high yield toner: BK: 3,000 pages, C/M/Y: 2,300 pages DR223CL drum unit: K/C/M/Y: 18,000 pages each |
Cartridge Price (CPP=Cost Per Page) |
TN223: BK: $63.49(4.54 cents CCP), C/M/Y: $79.99(6.15 cents CCP) TN227: BK: $82.99(2.77 cents CCP), C/M/Y: $106.49(4.63 cents CCP) DR223CL: K/C/M/Y: $138.49(0.19 cents CCP) |
Display |
3.7-inch color touchscreen |
Connectivity |
Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, NFC, mobile printing (AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Brother iPrint&Scan, Mopria) |
Paper Handling |
250-sheet input tray, manual feed slot, 50-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF); supports automatic duplex printing; supports Letter, A4, A5, A6, Legal, Custom sizes. |
Operating Systems |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
Dimensions |
16.1 x 18.7 x 16.2 inches (W x D x H) |
Weight |
63.1 lbs (approximately 28.6 kg) |
The above prices are from Brother's official website and may fluctuate over time.
Canon imageCLASS LBP622Cdw
Brother MFC-L3770CDW too expensive? If you don't need anything other than printing, consider Canon imageCLASS LBP622Cdw as an economical alternative. It is a cost-effective color laser printer for homeschooling families who need to print vibrant images, diagrams, and educational content. Moreover, its high print quality and fast print speed makes it great for handling regular assignments and projects. It’s a reliable choice for families who print both text and color materials frequently.
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Purchase Price |
$249-$329 |
Functions |
|
Print Quality |
Color laser printing, resolution up to 600 x 600 dpi |
Print Speed |
Up to 22 ppm (both color and black-and-white) |
Consumables |
Canon 054 standard yield toner: BK: 1,500 pages, C/M/Y: 1,200 pages Canon 054H high yield toner: BK: 3,100 pages, C/M/Y: 2,300 pages |
Cartridge Price (CPP=Cost Per Page) |
Canon 054: BK: $79.99(5.33 cents CCP), C/M/Y: $81.99(6.83 cents CCP) Canon 054H: BK: $107.99(3.48 cents CCP), C/M/Y: $108.99(4.74 cents CCP) |
Display |
5-line monochrome LCD |
Connectivity |
Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, mobile printing (Canon PRINT Business, AirPrint, Mopria, Google Cloud Print) |
Paper Handling |
250-sheet input tray, 1-sheet manual feed slot, supports automatic duplex printing; supports Letter, Legal, A4, A5, A6, Executive, Statement, Custom sizes. |
Operating Systems |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
Dimensions |
17 x 16.5 x 11.5 inches (W x D x H) |
Weight |
35.2 lbs (approximately 16 kg) |
The above prices are from Canon's official website and may fluctuate over time.
Ⅴ. Best InkJet Printer for Homeschool
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is suitable for homeschooling with its ultra-low printing costs, efficient print performance, and excellent color print quality. It delivers outstanding value for money by reducing ink costs significantly. The high-capacity ink tanks reduce the need for frequent ink replacements, and the low cost per page makes them ideal for printing large quantities of materials. In addition, it’s versatile enough to print, scan, and copy, making it a one-stop solution for homeschooling needs.
Image |
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Purchase Price |
$249-$299 |
Functions |
Print, Copy, Scan |
Print Quality |
Resolution up to 5760 x 1440 dpi |
Print Speed |
Black: 10.5 ppm, Color: 5 ppm (ISO standards) |
Consumables |
BK: 7,500 pages, C/M/Y: 6,000 pages |
Cartridge Price (CPP=Cost Per Page) |
BK: $21.99 (0.29 cents CCP) C/M/Y: $14.99 (0.25 cents CCP) |
Display |
1.44-inch color LCD |
Connectivity |
Wi-Fi, USB, Wireless Direct, mobile printing (Epson Smart Panel App, Apple AirPrint, Mopria) |
Paper Handling |
100-sheet input tray, supports automatic duplex printing; support letter, Legal, A4, A5, A6, 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, Custom sizes |
Operating Systems |
Windows, macOS, Chromebook |
Dimensions |
14.8 x 13.7 x 9.4 inches (W x D x H) |
Weight |
11.5 lbs (approximately 5.2 kg) |
The above prices are from Epson's official website and may fluctuate over time.
Canon PIXMA MegaTank G3260
The initial purchase price of an Epson EcoTank is generally higher, but if you want a more affordable ink tank printer, consider a Canon MegaTank. Canon PIXMA MegaTank G3260 offers superb value for families who print frequently. Its refillable ink system reduces ink costs, and its all-in-one functionality makes it a versatile choice for homeschooling families. Additionally, it excels at producing vibrant, high-quality prints, making it a favorite for families with younger children who need engaging and colorful educational materials.
Image |
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Purchase Price |
$199-$249 |
Functions |
Print, Copy, Scan |
Print Quality |
Resolution up to 4800 x 1200 dpi |
Print Speed |
Black: 10.8 images per minute (ipm), Color: 6.0 ipm |
Consumables |
Canon GI-21 ink bottles BK: 6,000 pages, C/M/Y: 7,700 pages |
Cartridge Price (CPP=Cost Per Page) |
BK: $17.99 (0.30 cents CCP) C/M/Y: $12.99 (0.17 cents CCP) |
Display |
2-line LCD |
Connectivity |
Wi-Fi, USB, Wireless Direct, mobile printing (Canon PRINT App, AirPrint, Mopria) |
Paper Handling |
100-sheet rear input tray, manual duplex printing; supports Letter, Legal, A4, A5, A6, 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, Custom sizes |
Operating Systems |
Windows, macOS, Chromebook |
Dimensions |
17.6 x 13 x 6.6 inches (W x D x H) |
Weight |
12.7 lbs (approximately 5.8 kg) |
The above prices are from Canon's official website and may fluctuate over time.
Conclusion: Best Printer for Homeschooling Use in 2024
Choosing the right printer for homeschooling is crucial for ensuring an efficient and productive learning environment. Whether you need vibrant color prints for younger students, fast and efficient printing for older students, or a high-capacity printer for frequent printing, there’s an ideal printer for your family. By considering your family’s specific needs and print volume, you can find the best printer to enhance your homeschooling experience.
True Image specializes in premium-quality compatible printer cartridge solutions designed to deliver exceptional performance at an affordable price. Whether you print for home, business, or creative projects, our products offer the perfect balance of quality, compatibility, and value.