6 Best Printers for Infrequent Use in 2024

By Robin Owens 21 days ago, Printers

What are the best printers for infrequent use to buy this year?

best printer for infrequent use

If you don’t use your printer often, you might occasionally discover that its cartridge has dried out, which might cause some inconvenience when you need to print something quickly. While many people prefer working with digital documents nowadays, sometimes you still need to print something, which is why it’s important to find the best printer for infrequent use to ensure that you will cope with any printing task without any delays.

I have compiled a list of the most reliable models available on the market to help you choose an option that suits your needs most.

Top 6 Best Printers for Infrequent Use

  1. HP LaserJet Pro - Our Choice
  2. Lexmark C3224dw - Budget-friendly
  3. HP DeskJet 2755 - Suitable for a small office
  4. HP ENVY Pro 6455 - Good for families and home offices
  5. HP OfficeJet Pro 8210 - Wireless
  6. HP OfficeJet Pro 6230 - Prints through the cloud

While most printers are designed for regular use, some options are suitable for occasional use as well. I have tested the most popular models and hand-picked the most reliable ones that will serve you for years to come. After reading this article, you will easily select a decent printer for infrequent use. When making your choice, you need to pay attention to several things, such as reliable performance, high-quality output and price.

1. HP LaserJet Pro

Our Choice
printer for low usage

Print speed: 19 ppm | Paper capacity (input): 150 sheets | Paper size: 10.49 x 14.81 to 21.59 x 29.69 cm | Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi (black) | Weight: 3.81 kg

  • ✚ High speed
  • ✚ Easy to set up
  • ✚ A budget model
  • Doesn’t support dual-side printing
Rating

The HP LaserJet Pro M15w takes up no more space than a shoebox. With this printer for infrequent printing, you can facilitate your workflow. It allows you to print many documents in no time, which makes it suitable for office use.

Besides, it’s a perfect option for home use since it has a small form-factor. The printing quality is at the top-notch level as well. This model can be quickly connected and configured with the help of the HP Smart HP.

2. Lexmark C3224dw

Wireless
printer for low usage

Print speed: 24 ppm (color), 24 ppm (black), 13 ppm (color duplex), 13 ppm (black duplex) | Paper capacity (input): 250 sheets | Paper size: 10.41 x 14.73 to 21.59 x 35.56 cm | Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi (color), 600 x 600 dpi (black) | Weight: 18.23 kg

  • ✚ Small size
  • ✚ Supports wireless connection
  • ✚ Great maximum volume
  • Expensive running costs
Rating

This model comes with a set of impressive specs, which makes it suitable for small offices. It’s based on Lexmark’s advanced security architecture. Besides, it’s eco-friendly and EPEAT Silver & energy Star Certified since its toner cartridge can be recycled.

3. HP DeskJet 2755

Budget-friendly
printer for occasional use

Print speed: 7.5 ppm (black), 5.5 ppm (color) | Paper capacity (input): 60 sheets | Paper size: 7.62 x 12.70 to 21.59 x 35.56 cm | Resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi (black), 4800 x 1200 dpi (color) | Weight: 3.45 kg

  • ✚ Doesn’t take up much space
  • ✚ High-quality printing
  • ✚ Simple mobile setup
  • Doesn’t have a memory-device port
Rating

This is a great model for personal use. With it, you can solve regular printing tasks more quickly. It allows you to print, copy and scan documents and images. This printer offers decent output quality and is extremely simple to use. It’s a perfect choice for small projects, scanning family photos and other basic tasks.

4. HP ENVY Pro 6455

Good for families and home offices
printer for infrequent printing

Print speed: 10 ppm (black), 7 ppm (color) | Paper capacity (input): 100 sheets | Paper size: 7.62 x 12.70 to 21.59 x 35.56 cm (input), 7.62 x 12.70 to 21.59 x 29.72 cm (ADF) | Resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi (black), 4800 x 1200 dpi (color) | Weight: 6.17 kg

  • ✚ Solid build
  • ✚ Impressive printing quality
  • ✚ Low print cost (HP Inst. Ink)
  • No automatic duplex printing
Rating

It’s an all-in-one model for personal use and small offices. With it, you can quickly print documents and photos. The high-quality output makes it a great printer for infrequent printing and ensures that you will be satisfied with the results.

Since it uses HP Instant Ink, it can be considered as one of the most affordable printers with low running costs.

5. HP OfficeJet Pro 8210

Suitable for a small office
printer for occasional use

Print speed: black: 22 ppm (ISO), 34 ppm (draft), color: 18 ppm (ISO), 34 ppm (draft) | Paper capacity (input): 250 sheets | Paper size: 7.6 x 12.7 cm to 21.6 x 35.6 cm | Resolution: 2400 x 1200 dpi | Weight: 8.6 kg

  • ✚ Supports Wi-Fi connection
  • ✚ Can be connected to a router
  • ✚ Duplex printing by default
  • An output tray is impossible to close
Rating

Unlike basic inkjet models, the HP OfficeJet Pro 8210 is inexpensive and has low running costs. It has a nice design and a solid build. This model is more suitable for printing various documents. The printer has decent speeds.

If you are looking for a printer for a small office or home use, it’s a great option to consider. You can adjust the settings either by using the buttons on the printer or remotely, via a Wi-Fi connection. Since this printer supports automatic duplex printing, it doesn’t use a lot of paper.

6. HP OfficeJet Pro 6230

Prints through the cloud
printer for infrequent use

Print speed: black (ISO): 18 ppm, color (ISO): 10 ppm, black (draft): 29 ppm, color (draft): 24 ppm | Paper capacity (input): 225 sheets | Paper size: simplex: 7.6 x 12.7 cm to 21.6 x 35.6 cm | Resolution: color: 1200 x 600 dpi, black: 1200 x 600 dpi | Weight: 5.1 kg

  • ✚ Duplex printing support
  • ✚ Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wireless Direct
  • ✚ Can be accessed via the cloud
  • A single paper tray
Rating

If you are looking for an inkjet printer for occasional home use or a small office, make sure to consider this model. It offers decent speeds and printing quality. Besides, it supports an Ethernet and Wi-Fi connection. You can access it from your mobile device as well, which makes it perfect both for personal use and basic office tasks.

IMAGE NAME FEATURES
best printer for infrequent use
HP LaserJet Pro
Our Choice
  • Print speed: 19 ppm
  • Paper capacity (input): 150 sheets
  • Paper size: 10.49 x 14.81 to 21.59 x 29.69 cm
  • Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi (black)
CHECK PRICE
printer for low usage
Lexmark C3224dw
Professional
  • Print speed: 24 ppm (color), 24 ppm (black), 13 ppm (color duplex), 13 ppm (black duplex)
  • Paper capacity (input): 250 sheets
  • Paper size: up to 21.59 x 35.56 cm
  • Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi (color), 600 x 600 dpi (black)
CHECK PRICE
printer for infrequent printing
HP DeskJet 2755
Budget
  • Print speed: 7.5 ppm (black), 5.5 ppm (color)
  • Paper capacity (input): 60 sheets
  • Paper size: up to 21.59 x 35.56 cm
  • Resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi (black), 4800 x 1200 dpi (color)
CHECK PRICE

How to Choose the Best Printer for Infrequent Use?

printer for infrequent use

Type of Printer

When selecting the best printer for infrequent use, it’s better to opt for a laser model since toners can be used longer than ink cartridges. Laser and inkjet printers might stop working properly if you don’t use them often, however, there are some important differences between them. If you have an inkjet printer, its nozzle might get clogged up, while laser printers are considered to be more reliable.

Speed

If you want to solve any printing task in no time, pay attention to the printing speed. It’s crucial to consider if you are selecting a printer for office use and want to print documents daily. Those who need to print a lot of documents, need to pick a model that will cope with large volume quickly. However, even if you are selecting a printer for home use, it’s still better to pick a printer that can print a lot of documents in no time.

Size

Those who don’t plan on using a printer often, need to find a model that doesn’t take up much space. Whether you need a model for your office or home, a printer for occasional use should be small and compact. This way, it will be easier for you to move your printer around when you don’t need to use it.

Resolution

printer for occasional use

Before buying a printer, think carefully about what you are going to print. If you want to print images, you need to purchase a high-resolution printer. Unfortunately, many models don’t allow you to adjust the resolution. Laser printers usually deliver better quality, however, they are also less affordable.

Budget

Even if you are on a budget, it’s better to opt for a laser printer. However, inkjet models are less expensive, which makes them suitable for infrequent use. You don’t need to shell out your money on an expensive model unless you want to use it regularly. This is why you need to plan your budget accordingly and pick a printer that suits your needs best.

FAQ

  • • Which printer is the most suitable for occasional use?

If you take into account the ranking, many positive reviews and the specifications, the HP LaserJet Pro is the best printer for low usage among all the models that I have tested.

  • • Which printer is easy to use?

With the HP LaserJet Pro M15w, you can quickly print any document since this model is easy to use and can be configured quickly with the help of the HP Smart HP.

  • • Can a laser printer dry out if I don’t use it often?

Laser printers are fitted with toner cartridges filled with powder that won't dry up even if you don't use a printer regularly. However, they still can stop functioning properly if you don't keep them dry. It's important to keep them from being exposed to moisture to ensure that they will deliver high-quality performance.

  • • Are laser printers more suitable for occasional printing?

If you don't need to use a printer often, it's better to select an inkjet model since it will be less expensive. While ink might seem too expensive, it's cheaper to refill than toner cartridges. Laser printers are more suitable for those who need to print large volumes. Such models deliver faster performance and can print large documents in no time.

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