A printer can be a useful addition to a family home, student bedroom or university accommodation, particularly when coursework, revision notes, forms and project work need to be printed at short notice.

Choosing one can be confusing, though. Printer listings often focus on speed, wireless features and a low purchase price, while the cost of replacement ink or toner receives much less attention.

The right choice does not need to be the fastest or most expensive model. It simply needs to suit the student’s workload, available space and likely printing habits.

Does a student really need their own printer?

Not every student needs a personal printer. Schools, colleges, universities and public libraries may provide printing facilities, and many assignments are now submitted online.

However, having a printer at home can still be helpful for:

• Homework sheets and revision exercises.
• Coursework drafts and final assignments.
• Timetables and study planners.
• Forms, letters and permission slips.
• Research notes and reading material.
• Maps, diagrams and presentation content.
• University, college and apprenticeship applications.
• CVs, covering letters and interview preparation.

1. Check the replacement cartridge cost

The price of the printer is only the beginning. Over time, the cost of replacement ink or toner can become more important than the amount paid for the machine.

A very inexpensive printer may use small cartridges that need replacing more often. A slightly more expensive model can sometimes be better value if its cartridges print considerably more pages.

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2. Look at page yield, not just cartridge price

Page yield is the estimated number of pages a cartridge can print under standard test conditions. Two cartridges may have similar prices but very different yields.

3. Decide whether colour is really needed

Colour printing is useful for creative projects, presentations, photographs, graphs and diagrams. It also increases the number of cartridges that may need replacing.

A mono laser printer may be a sensible choice for students who mainly print essays, reports, revision notes and reading material. A colour inkjet or colour laser printer may suit students who regularly need charts, photographs or creative project work.

4. Choose between inkjet, laser and ink tank

5. Check whether XL cartridges are available

XL cartridges normally contain more ink than standard versions. They cost more initially but can print more pages and may reduce the cost per page.

They are worth considering when several children use the same printer, the student prints every week, coursework includes regular colour content or the printer will also be used by parents working from home.

6. Make sure Wi-Fi printing is straightforward

Students may print from laptops, tablets and phones, so reliable wireless printing can be more useful than a small difference in print speed.

For university accommodation, check the network rules before buying. Some managed student Wi-Fi networks make it difficult to connect a wireless printer directly.

7. Decide whether scanning and copying are useful

An all-in-one printer can scan and copy as well as print. This may be useful for forms, handwritten notes, artwork, textbook pages and application documents.

Many phones can also scan documents using an app, so a built-in scanner is helpful rather than essential for every student.

8. Look for automatic double-sided printing

Automatic duplex printing allows the printer to print on both sides of the paper without the user manually turning each sheet over. It can reduce paper use and make revision packs less bulky.

Check that double-sided printing is automatic. Some entry-level printers only provide instructions for manually reinserting the pages.

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9. Check the physical size

Printer dimensions can be easy to underestimate when shopping online. Measure the available space and allow room for paper trays, the scanner lid, cables, rear access and changing cartridges.

Some printers become considerably deeper when their paper trays are open, so check both the stored and operating dimensions.

10. Do not assume starter cartridges are full

Many new printers include starter or setup cartridges. These allow the printer to be installed and tested, but they may contain less ink or toner than a normal replacement cartridge.

11. Read the details of subscription ink plans

Some printers are promoted with subscription plans that charge according to the number of pages printed each month.

Check the monthly allowance, extra-page charges, rollover rules, cancellation terms and whether supplied cartridges depend on an active subscription.

12. Think about how often the printer will be used

An inkjet printer benefits from regular use. If it is left unused for long periods, ink can dry around the printhead nozzles and affect print quality.

A laser printer uses dry toner powder and may be more suitable when the student mainly prints text or leaves the machine unused for several weeks at a time.

Which type of printer suits each student?

Student or household	Printer type to consider	Main things to check
Primary-school family	Colour inkjet or ink tank	Colour costs, scanning, simple controls and wireless printing.
Secondary-school student	Inkjet, ink tank or mono laser	Running cost, homework volume, duplex printing and colour requirements.
GCSE or A-level student	Mono laser or efficient colour printer	High-yield supplies, fast first-page output and dependable text printing.
University student	Compact mono laser or small all-in-one	Size, accommodation Wi-Fi, cartridge cost and scanning needs.
Creative-course student	Colour inkjet or suitable ink tank	Colour quality, paper support, borderless printing and ink costs.

Student printer buying checklist

Do not forget the basic supplies

Useful essentials include A4 printer paper, a spare cartridge where needed, notebooks, revision pads, pens, pencils, highlighters, folders and labels.

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Final thoughts

A student printer does not need every feature or the fastest advertised speed. It needs to be reliable, affordable to run and suitable for the documents the student is likely to print.

Checking cartridge prices before buying can prevent the most common surprise. From there, think about colour, scanning, Wi-Fi, duplex printing, physical size and how regularly the printer will be used.

Frequently asked questions

Disclaimer: Printer features, cartridge availability and running costs vary by model and may change over time. Always check the manufacturer’s current specifications, accommodation network requirements and the price of the correct replacement supplies before purchasing a printer.