For many, starting university is the beginning of a great adventure. Often, it’s a student’s first time living away from home, discovering their own independence, and making their own mark on the world. Part of starting life as a student is having the right equipment for the years of study ahead. Aside from laptops, stationery, and other study materials, one essential piece of equipment for any modern student is a good-quality printer. From Photography students needing to print off their images to English students needing to print off reading materials, students in all subjects need access to a printer. But what is the best printer for your needs and budget? Let’s explore.
Printer Needs for Students: What Matters Most
A good student printer needs to do it all. Speed is key for meeting those last-minute deadlines, while reliability means fewer unexpected problems, just when an assignment is due. Affordability is essential, not only up front, but for ink and toner cartridges throughout the year. Students also benefit from compact printer designs that fit neatly onto a desk or shelf, and all-in-one models that add scanning and copying functions for digitising notes and paperwork. Lower running costs help students avoid surprise expenses, while usability means less time fiddling with technology and more time focusing on coursework.
Canon: Quality Prints and Easy Setup
Canon inkjet models are ideal for student life. They’re affordable and compact, ideal for smaller, shared living spaces. Canon printers shine when it comes to crisp, readable text for essays and sharp, true-to-life colour for photo projects or creative coursework. Setup is straightforward and has seamless wireless connectivity, so students can print straight from laptops or smartphones.
Canon ink and toner cartridges are easy to find and reasonably affordable. However, students who print frequently may find themselves replacing cartridges more often, as page yields can be lower than laser models. Plus, some Canon models use tri-colour cartridges, so if one colour runs out, the whole thing may have to be replaced, which isn’t always cost-effective.
HP: All-in-One Features and Smart Ink Options
HP’s OfficeJet Pro series delivers big student appeal by offering all-in-one functionality: print, scan, and copy in one compact package. HP’s printers are fast enough to keep up with busy coursework demands and are built for hassle-free wireless and cloud printing. Many HP printers also have smart touchscreen controls and dedicated mobile apps, making them particularly easy for tech-savvy students.
Ink costs can be managed effectively with HP Instant Ink, a subscription-based service that automatically sends replacement cartridges when levels are low. For those preferring to buy as needed, HP’s standard ink cartridges are fairly priced, and high-yield XL options stretch each cartridge even further, helping to reduce long-term printing costs.
Brother: High Capacity, Low Running Costs
Brother printers work well for students who expect to print large volumes of text or need dependable black-and-white results. They’re robust, deliver consistent results, and are renowned for lasting toner and ink. With Wi-Fi connectivity, straightforward operation, and simple maintenance, these machines suit students who want powerful features without premium pricing.
Brother ink and toner cartridges generally cost less per page compared to Canon or HP. They offer larger capacity options, ideal for students who print often and want to keep costs in check, making Brother printers a true budget winner.
Which Brand’s Ink and Toner is More Affordable?
It’s easy to focus on the price of a new printer, but running costs add up. Canon and HP may offer slightly cheaper printers up front, but their standard ink cartridges yield fewer pages and need to be replaced more often. Tri-colour cartridges, common in Canon models, can be wasteful if one colour runs out before the others.
Brother’s ink and toner cartridges are designed for higher volume output. Brother cartridges tend to last longer, deliver a lower cost per page, and suit students on tighter budgets who anticipate lots of printing. At Toner One, students will find a full range of genuine and high-quality compatible ink and toner options for all three brands, making it easy to balance costs with quality.
Choosing the Right Printer for Student Life
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Creative Arts/Photography Students - Canon printers deliver top-notch colour accuracy and smooth photo paper performance at a fair price.
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All-around Productivity and Tech Features - HP stands out with smart integrations, mobile apps, and flexible units that cover printing, scanning, and copying in one.
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For Cost-Conscious Students - Brother’s low ink and toner prices, plus their reliable hardware, make them the value champion.
Still Looking for a New Printer?
All in all, there are many factors that go into choosing the right printer for university students. Budget, durability and specs are all things to consider when making the choice. Still unsure which student printer or ink solution is best? At Toner One, we offer a full range of top-brand printers, including Brother, HP, and Canon, as well as compatible ink and toner cartridges to keep costs manageable throughout your years of study. Our experts are ready to help you make an informed choice based on your course, budget, and preferences. Ready to find the ideal student printer? Contact us today for more information, and let us help you start university life with the right equipment for success.