What Brand of Printer Is the Best? A Comprehensive Guide for 2025
When it comes to choosing a printer, the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming. From inkjets to lasers, all-in-ones to photo-specific models, the market is flooded with brands claiming to be the best. As someone who’s spent hours researching and tinkering with printers (and yes, occasionally cursing at them when the ink runs dry mid-project), I’ve learned that “best” depends on what you need. Are you printing school essays, family photos, or shipping labels for a small business? Your answer shapes the brand that’ll suit you.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the top printer brands of 2025—Brother, HP, Epson, and Canon—based on real-world performance, cost, and reliability. I’ve sifted through expert reviews, user feedback, and hands-on testing insights from sites like PCMag, Tom’s Guide, and RTINGS.com to give you a clear picture. By the end, you’ll know which brand deserves your hard-earned cash—and which might leave you with a paper jam and a headache.
Why Printer Brand Matters
Printers aren’t just about slapping ink or toner on paper. The brand you choose affects everything: print quality, long-term costs, durability, and even how much you’ll want to chuck it out the window when it jams. A great brand balances upfront price with ongoing expenses like ink or toner, while a lesser one might lure you with a cheap buy-in only to drain your wallet later.
In 2025, the printer landscape has evolved. Ink tank systems are slashing running costs, while laser printers are getting faster and more compact. Brands like Brother and Epson are pushing innovation, while HP and Canon hold strong with decades of trust. But which one’s the best? Let’s break it down.
The Contenders: Top Printer Brands in 2025
Four brands dominate the conversation: Brother, HP, Epson, and Canon. Each has its strengths, quirks, and fan base. Here’s a closer look at what they bring to the table.
Brother: The Workhorse Champion
If reliability and value had a lovechild, it’d be a Brother printer. This brand consistently tops lists for its sturdy builds and low running costs. Take the Brother MFC-J4335DW, PCMag’s pick for the best all-in-one home printer in 2025. It’s an inkjet that prints, scans, copies, and faxes, all while keeping ink costs under a penny per black page and five cents for color. That’s a steal compared to traditional cartridge-based models.
Brother’s secret sauce is its INKvestment Tank system. Unlike old-school inkjets that guzzle cartridges, these models use high-yield tanks that last longer and cost less. I’ve seen friends rave about printing hundreds of pages without a refill—perfect for home offices or families with homework-heavy kids. Plus, Brother lasers like the HL-L2460DW are budget-friendly and clog-free, even if you only print once a month.
Pros:
- Low running costs
- Reliable, durable hardware
- Great for text-heavy documents
Cons:
- Photo quality lags behind competitors
- Designs can feel utilitarian
Brother shines for practicality. If you want a printer that just works without breaking the bank, it’s hard to beat.
HP: The All-Rounder with Smart Features
HP’s been a household name forever, and for good reason—it’s versatile. Whether you need a budget inkjet or a speedy laser, HP has options. The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e, Wirecutter’s top all-in-one pick for 2025, blends ease of use with solid print quality. It’s fast (up to 22 pages per minute for black-and-white), affordable to run (around 3.2 cents per monochrome page), and pairs with the HP Smart app for remote control.
HP’s Instant Ink subscription is a game-changer for some. You pay a monthly fee based on pages printed, and ink shows up at your door before you run out. It’s not for everyone—high-volume users might find it pricey—but for casual printers, it’s hassle-free. On the laser side, the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw delivers crisp text and vibrant graphics without the clogging issues of inkjets.
Pros:
- User-friendly software
- Wide range of models
- Solid color printing
Cons:
- Instant Ink locks you into HP’s ecosystem
- Some models feel flimsy
HP’s strength is flexibility. It’s got something for everyone, from students to small businesses, with a modern twist.
Epson: The Ink Tank Innovator
Epson’s bet big on ink tank printers, and it’s paying off. The Epson EcoTank ET-4800, ZDNET’s top inkjet pick for 2025, comes with enough bottled ink for 4,500 black pages or 7,500 color ones. That’s years of printing for most households, and refills are dirt cheap—think half a cent per page. No more $30 cartridges every month.
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 takes it further for photo buffs. It churns out vibrant, gallery-worthy prints at a fraction of the cost of cartridge-based rivals. Epson’s focus on eco-friendly, high-yield ink systems has made it a darling of cost-conscious buyers and environmentalists alike.
Pros:
- Insanely low ink costs
- Excellent photo quality
- Eco-friendly design
Cons:
- Slower print speeds
- Higher upfront cost
Epson’s ideal if you print a lot and hate ink expenses. It’s less about speed and more about savings.
Canon: The Photo Printing King
Canon’s roots in photography give it an edge for image quality. The Canon PIXMA Pro-200, TechGearLab’s top photo printer for 2025, uses an eight-cartridge system for unmatched color accuracy. Portraits pop, landscapes stun—it’s a dream for creatives. Even its budget models, like the PIXMA G7020, hold their own with decent photos and low-cost ink tanks.
Canon’s not just a one-trick pony, though. Multifunction models like the Canon Maxify GX7020 cater to small offices with bulk ink and duplex printing. It’s not as fast as a laser, but it’s a solid all-rounder.
Pros:
- Top-tier photo printing
- Affordable ink tank options
- Sleek designs
Cons:
- Slower than lasers for text
- Fewer budget laser options
Canon’s your go-to if visuals matter most. It’s less about raw speed and more about making every print look good.
Comparing the Brands: Key Factors
So, how do you pick? Let’s weigh them against what matters most: print quality, cost, speed, and reliability.
Print Quality
- Text: Brother and HP lasers (like the HL-L2460DW and LaserJet M209d) excel at crisp, smudge-free text. Inkjets from all four brands handle text well, but lasers edge out for professional docs.
- Photos: Canon and Epson dominate. The PIXMA Pro-200 and EcoTank ET-8500 produce gallery-quality prints, while Brother lags and HP’s decent but not exceptional.
- Graphics: HP and Epson strike a balance, with vibrant colors suitable for flyers or school projects.
Cost (Upfront and Running)
- Upfront: Brother and HP offer budget models under $200. Epson and Canon ink tanks cost more initially (often $300+), but their ink savings pay off.
- Running Costs: Epson and Brother lead with sub-penny-per-page inkjet costs. HP’s Instant Ink can be economical for low volumes, while Canon’s ink tanks are competitive but slightly pricier.
Speed
- Lasers: HP and Brother lasers (e.g., 22-26 ppm) outpace inkjets for text-heavy jobs.
- Inkjets: HP’s OfficeJet Pro 9125e hits 22 ppm, but Epson and Canon inkjets hover around 10-15 ppm. Fine for home use, less so for offices.
Reliability
- Durability: Brother’s built like a tank—rare breakdowns, even with sporadic use. HP and Canon hold up well, though some budget models feel cheap. Epson’s ink tanks are solid but slower to start if idle.
- Clogging: Lasers (Brother, HP) win for infrequent use. Epson and Canon inkjets rarely clog thanks to tank designs, while HP’s cartridge models can be hit-or-miss.
Best Printer Brand for Specific Needs
Your “best” brand depends on your use case. Here’s how they stack up.
Best for Home Use: Brother
For everyday printing—homework, recipes, tickets—Brother’s MFC-J4335DW is tough to beat. It’s affordable, reliable, and sips ink. Tom’s Guide agrees, praising its balance of quality and cost.
Best for Small Businesses: HP
HP’s OfficeJet Pro 9125e or LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw handle higher volumes with ease. The app integration and speed make them small-office staples. CNET highlights HP’s versatility here.
Best for Photo Printing: Canon
Canon’s PIXMA Pro-200 is unmatched for pros or hobbyists wanting frame-worthy prints. Trusted Reviews calls it the photo gold standard.
Best for Budget Buyers: Epson
Epson’s EcoTank ET-4800 saves you from ink sticker shock. ZDNET notes its long-term value, even if the upfront price stings.
The Dark Side of Printer Brands
No brand’s perfect. HP’s Instant Ink ties you to subscriptions, and some firmware updates block third-party ink—a sneaky move. Brother’s photo quality disappoints, Epson’s slow speeds frustrate, and Canon’s laser lineup is thin. Cheap models from any brand can feel flimsy, and customer service varies—HP and Canon get more flak than Brother or Epson.
What Do the Experts Say?
- PCMag: Brother’s MFC-J4335DW is the “best for most people” thanks to its all-in-one prowess and cost efficiency.
- Wirecutter: HP’s OfficeJet Pro 9125e wins for ease and quality, with the LaserJet 3301fdw as a close second.
- RTINGS.com: Epson’s EcoTank ET-8500 tops photo printing, while Brother dominates office lasers.
- Consumer Reports: Brother and Epson score high for reliability and ink economy.
My Take: The Verdict
After weighing it all, Brother edges out as the best overall brand in 2025. Its mix of reliability, low costs, and no-nonsense performance wins for most users. HP’s a close second for its versatility and tech-savvy features, while Epson and Canon shine for budget ink and photos, respectively.
But here’s the kicker: don’t just buy the brand. Match the model to your needs. Test-driving a few at a store or reading deep-dive reviews (like those on PCMag or RTINGS.com) can seal the deal. Printers are personal—what’s “best” for me might jam up your workflow.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best printer brand isn’t about chasing a logo; it’s about what fits your life. Brother’s your steady Eddie, HP’s the jack-of-all-trades, Epson’s the penny-pincher, and Canon’s the artist. As of February 27, 2025, these brands lead the pack—but tech moves fast, so keep an eye on new releases.
Got a favorite printer brand or model? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s working for you. And if you’re still stuck, those links to PCMag, Wirecutter, and the rest will guide you home.