Best Printer for Occasional Use | Top 10 Picks for 2021

July 8, 2021

Robert

The present decline of printer usage is quite evident, with the seamless integration in our lives of paperless technologies, such as cloud storage, digital billing, and e-tickets. Generally, it’s not very practical anymore to buy a fancy, expensive printer.

However, due to infrequent use, your printer’s ink cartridges might dry up, and the machine itself might stop functioning.

So, you might be wondering, what’s the best printer for occasional use? It’s the one that won’t dry out even if left dormant.

Below, we’ve reviewed 10 printers fit for infrequent use which can still produce quality prints. Let’s check them out.


Image	Name	Editor’s Rating	Price
	HP OfficeJet 3830	5/5 5 out of 5	Check Price
	Canon TR4520	5/5 5 out of 5	Check Price
	Brother HL-L2370DWXL	4.5/5 4.5 out of 5	Check Price
	Epson EcoTank ET-4760	4/5 4 out of 5	Check Price
	HP DeskJet 3755	4.5/5 4.5 out of 5	Check Price

Benefits of Having a Printer at Office or Home

Having your own printer makes life a lot easier. Imagine having to depend on someone else or a copy shop to make your prints. Not only is it inconvenient, but it’s also risky as you might not always have access to a printer.

Helps You Save Money and Time

When you need access to a printer but don’t have one of your own, you'll have to visit a print or copy shop. A printer lets you enjoy savings in this way.

Editing Is Easier

If your work involves frequently making revisions and corrections, it’s much easier to do on a printed document than digitally.

Our Recommended Best Printer for Occasional Use in 2021

1. HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Printer for Infrequent Use

Our first pick for you today is available from HP. The OfficeJet 3830 is the perfect choice for low-key printing needs both at home and the office.

Highlighted Features:

Quiet mode allows you to enjoy noiseless printing.
Document feeder has a capacity of 35 pages.
2.2″ mono touch screen.
HP Instant Ink cuts down costs by up to 50%.
Compatible with Alexa for voice control.

2. Canon PIXMA TR4520 Wireless All in One Photo Printer for Infrequent Use

The Canon PIXMA is not only affordable but super-efficient as well.

Highlighted Features:

Canon Print app enables remote printing and setup.
Offers seamless multifunctionality with printing, scanning, and faxing capabilities.
Can be voice-controlled using Alexa.

3. Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer (HL-L2370DWXL)

A compact laser printer from Brother that offers fast, good-quality black and white prints.

Highlighted Features:

Offers both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Has an impressive printing speed of 36 pages per minute.
Comes with two years’ worth of toner.

4. Epson EcoTank ET-4760 Cartridge-Free Printer

This printer utilizes an ink tank system with bottled ink, allowing for low-cost printing.

Highlighted Features:

Cartridge-free printing cuts down costs significantly.
Multifunctional capabilities with fax, scan, print, and copy.
30-sheet document feeder.

5. HP DeskJet 3755 Occasional Use Printer

Compact and suitable for any room; it offers multiple functionalities at a low cost.

Highlighted Features:

Integrated HP Scroll Scan.
HP Smart companion app for remote printing tasks.

6. Canon Pixma TR150 Low Usage Printer

A lightweight and compact printer ideal for printing on the go.

Highlighted Features:

Wireless printing from various cloud platforms.
Optional battery kit for portable use.

7. Lexmark C3224dw Color Laser Printer for Rare Use

A highly efficient machine with wireless printing capabilities.

Highlighted Features:

Offers Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity.
Fast printing speed of 24ppm.

8. HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer

Offers seamless wireless connectivity and reliable multifunction capabilities.

Highlighted Features:

2.2″ mono touchscreen for easy control.
HP Instant Ink system

9. Brother HL-L3290CDW Compact Digital Color Printer

A laser printer that offers high performance and low toner usage.

Highlighted Features:

Offers voice control with Alexa compatibility.
Comes with Amazon Dash Replenishment for hassle-free toner refills.

10. Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA Wireless Monochrome Printer

Offers a fast print speed of 21ppm.

Highlighted Features:

Supports a wide variety of paper types and sizes.
Integrated imaging technology for sharp monochrome prints.

Comparison Chart of Top Printer for Occasional Use

Product Name	Type	Speed	Functionality	Duplex Printing
HP 3830	Inkjet	8.5 ppm black, 6 ppm color	Print, scan, copy, fax	Manual
Canon TR4520	Inkjet	8.8ipm black, 4.4ipm color	Print, scan, copy, fax	Auto
Brother Compact Printer	Laser	36ppm	Print only	Auto
Epson ET-4760	Reservoir (inkjet)	15ppm	Print, scan, copy, fax	Auto
HP 3755	Inkjet	8 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color	Print, scan, copy, fax	Manual
Canon TR150	Inkjet	5.5ppm black, 9ppm color	Print only	Manual
Lexmark C3224dw	Laserjet	24ppm	Print only	Auto
HP ENVY 5055	Inkjet	10 ppm black, 7 ppm color	Print, scan, copy, fax	Auto
Brother HL-L3290CDW	Laserjet	25ppm	Print, scan, copy, fax	Auto
Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA	Laserjet	21ppm	Print only	Manual

Printers for Occasional Use Buying Guide

Printer Type

The three printer types for you to choose from: inkjet, laserjet, and ink tank.

Intended Use

The kind of prints you expect to make should influence your choice of printer.

Functionality

A printer intended only for infrequent use should not be difficult to operate.

Print Quality

Consider factors like color or monochrome printing and print resolution requirements.

Printer Speed

Depicted in pages per minute (PPM), speed is an important consideration.

Connectivity

Look for both wired and wireless connectivity options.

Cartridge Compatibility

Check for compatibility with other brand cartridges for budget considerations.

Tips to Take Care of Your Printer for Long Lasting

Keep the printer clean

Regular cleaning can prevent printer jams and enhance print quality.

Buy high-quality cartridges

Invest in quality cartridges to extend the life of your printer.

Keep your printer drivers updated

Regular updates ensure optimal performance and compatibility.