The best multi purpose printer scanner combines print, copy, and scan functions in one compact device. This guide helps buyers choose models suited for home offices, student setups, or small business teams. We highlight five reliable options and explain who each is best for, plus practical caveats to consider before you buy.
Buyer snapshot:
- Home users and students: look for affordable all-in-one with simple setup and good photo/text quality.
- Hybrid workers and small teams: prioritize faster print speeds, reliable wireless connectivity, and a larger paper capacity.
- Budget-conscious buyers: focus on value bundles, economical ink or toner, and easy maintenance.
| Product | Best For | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Canon PIXMA TS6520 | Home office users who print photos | Vibrant color and easy setup |
| Brother MFC-L3720CDW | Small teams and offices with higher volume | Fast color laser printing and strong paper handling |
| HP DeskJet 4355 | Budget-focused households | All-in-one versatility with mobile printing |
| Canon PIXMA TS4320 | Students and light home use | Compact, affordable all-in-one with good output |
| HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw | Small offices needing fast, black‑and‑white docs | High-speed mono printing with scan/copy/fax |
Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Printer
Best for a home office that values photo-quality prints and easy smartphone setup. This model uses a 2-cartridge hybrid ink system to deliver sharp text and vivid colors, making it suitable for documents plus photos. The 1.42” OLED display and intuitive control panel simplify daily tasks like printing, scanning, and copying. It fits compact desks well and supports wireless printing from mobile devices.
Who it’s for: households that blend work with personal photo projects, or hybrid workers who print presentations and photos in small volumes. If you prefer a budget-friendly all-in-one with strong color fidelity, this is a solid pick.
Caution: Ink costs can accumulate with frequent photo printing; monitor running costs to maintain efficiency.
Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer
Best for small offices that need durable, fast color laser output and multi-user connectivity. It supports auto duplex printing, a 50-sheet auto document feeder, and a 250-sheet paper tray, enabling steady productivity. Wi‑Fi, Wi‑Fi Direct, and USB 2.0 keep different devices connected with ease. It’s a strong choice for teams that print reports and client-facing materials regularly.
Who it’s for: teams with moderate-to-high print volumes and the need for reliable color laser documents. Choose this if you require robust enterprise-like features in a compact package.
Caution: The initial setup can be more involved than simpler inkjet models, and replacement color toner costs should be planned for.
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One
Best for budget-conscious households that still want all-in-one versatility. It offers color printing, scanning, copying, and a mobile-friendly setup with wireless printing. It is a good everyday machine for tasks like homework, forms, and casual photo printing. The 35-page auto document feeder adds convenience for light scanning jobs.
Who it’s for: students and families who value affordability and basic AI-assisted formatting features via HP AI to optimize print layouts. Avoid if you frequently print large volumes or need heavy-duty photo printing.
Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Printer
Best for value-seeking setups that need reliable everyday color printing with straightforward operation. Like the TS6520, the TS4320 relies on a two-cartridge hybrid ink system to deliver crisp text and vibrant color. It’s compact, easy to set up, and suitable for light home use or student projects.
Who it’s for: buyers who want an affordable, compact all-in-one with dependable performance for documents and light photo printing. Caution: lower monthly duty cycle means it’s best for lighter workloads.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw
Best for small offices requiring fast, reliable black-and-white printing with robust scanning and copying. It offers up to high-speed monochrome printing and a practical auto document feeder, making it suitable for professional reports and daily office tasks. It’s a strong fit for teams that primarily print text documents and need efficient workflow management.
Who it’s for: workgroups that prioritize speed and document clarity in mono printing. Caution: color printing is not available; consider your occasional color needs before choosing.
Buying Guide
What type of printer should I choose?
All-in-one inkjet models are versatile and best for mixed needs—document printing plus occasional photos. Laser all-in-ones excel with fast monochrome printing and higher page yields for busy offices. For space-constrained desks, consider compact designs with easy setup.
What matters for home use versus small offices?
Home use benefits from affordable running costs and simple mobile printing. Small offices should prioritize faster print speeds, higher duty cycles, robust wireless networking, and a larger paper capacity for ongoing workloads.
How important is color quality and photo printing?
Color and photo quality matter if you print marketing materials or family photos. Look for printers with a dedicated color cartridge system or pigment-based inks for longer-lasting photos and sharper text.
What about ongoing costs?
Evaluate ink or toner per page and the price of replacement cartridges. Some models offer high initial savings but higher long-term ink costs. Consider a model with economical cartridge options or replacement bundles.
What connectivity features should I expect?
Wi‑Fi, USB, and mobile printing support are common. Wi‑Fi Direct or Bluetooth adds flexibility for devices in absence of a router. Check compatibility with your devices and operating systems before purchase.
Maintenance and setup considerations
Look for models with straightforward setup wizards and easy ink replacement. A user-friendly display helps when configuring scan-to-email, network setup, and driver installation on PCs or Macs.
Quick comparison checklist
- Best for photos: Canon PIXMA TS6520 or TS4320
- Best for high-volume work: Brother MFC-L3720CDW
- Best for budget homes: HP DeskJet 4355 or TS4320
- Best for fast mono prints: HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw
FAQ
- What is a multi purpose printer scanner best used for?
- Should I pick inkjet or laser for mixed needs?
- How important is wireless connectivity?
- Are color cartridges expensive to replace?
- What maintenance should I expect?
- Is a built-in auto document feeder necessary?
It combines printing, scanning, copying, and often fax into one device, saving space and enabling quick document handling for home and small office environments.
Inkjet is better for color photos and graphics; laser is typically faster for text-heavy documents and higher duty cycles. The right choice depends on your typical print mix.
Wireless helps when multiple devices share the printer. Look for reliable Wi‑Fi, Wi‑Fi Direct, and mobile printing compatibility to minimize setup friction.
Color costs vary by model. Some printers use high-yield cartridges that reduce per-page costs. Check the total cost of ownership over time.
Expect routine ink or toner replacements, occasional print head cleaning (for inkjets), and simple software updates to maintain compatibility with new devices or OS versions.
An ADF is convenient for scanning or copying multiple pages in one pass, especially for office workflows, but it’s not essential for casual home use.