Let’s be real — if you’re homeschooling, your printer is about to become your best friend (or your biggest headache!). From worksheets and unit studies to coloring pages and student projects, having the right printer can make your homeschooling life so much easier. But how do you pick one that won’t eat up your budget — or your patience?
What Are You Actually Printing?
First, think about what you’ll be printing the most. Is it mostly black-and-white worksheets and curriculum pages? If so, a simple black-and-white laser printer might be all you need. They’re super fast, the pages are crisp, and toner lasts way longer than regular ink.
But if you’re printing colorful charts, student art projects, or photos for a scrapbook, you’ll probably want a good color inkjet printer. They can handle vibrant colors and photo paper much better than a laser printer.
Beware the Ink Money Pit
Here’s the catch: some cheap printers have really expensive ink. You know the ones — they lure you in with a low sticker price, then you spend hundreds on ink every year.
To avoid this, look for printers with high-yield cartridges or, even better, refillable ink tanks (such as the Epson EcoTank or Canon MegaTank). These cost more upfront but can save you a ton in the long run.
Do You Need Extra Features?
Next, think about what bells and whistles would make your life easier:
- A scanner/copier is gold for homeschooling — you can easily copy worksheets or digitize student work.
- An Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) helps when you need to scan or copy multiple pages at once.
- Double-sided printing (duplex) saves paper, and trust me, you’ll go through a lot of it!
Don’t Forget About Wi-Fi
You probably don’t want to be tethered to the printer with a cable. Ensure your printer supports wireless printing, such as Wi-Fi Direct or AirPrint so that you can print from your laptop, phone, or tablet from anywhere in the house.
If you’re old-school, USB works too — but wireless is way more convenient, especially if you have multiple kids and devices.
Size, Space & Noise
Some printers are big. Some are loud. Neither is fun if you’ve got a tiny homeschool space — or a baby napping nearby. Check reviews to see if the printer is noisy or takes up half your desk!
A Few Good Choices
If you want some ideas, here are a few tried-and-true favorites:
- Brother black-and-white laser printers — super reliable, affordable toner, great for text-heavy printing.
- Canon or Epson inkjet printers with refillable tanks — perfect for colorful pages and crafts without insane ink costs.
- HP OfficeJet or Canon PIXMA all-in-ones — a nice balance if you want good color prints, scanning, and copying in one machine.
Bottom Line
The right printer can save you money, time, and numerous headaches on your homeschooling journey. Consider what you’ll use it for, review the ink costs, and don’t forget the features that make life easier, such as wireless printing and scanning.
Ready to shop? Or want help picking a few models that fit your needs and budget? Just let me know — I’m happy to help you find your homeschool’s new best friend!
