While homeschooling may sound quite relaxing and pressure-free, in reality, it's anything but that. When you choose to teach your kid at home with all the teaching responsibilities, it still calls for a lot of activities, countless projects, and researches.
Being detached from the formal paper-based regulations of schools, you can easily move to computer-based books and exercises. But things don't quite actually work great digitally, especially if that involves pressure on the tiny eyes of your kids.
Using the best printer for homeschool can come as handy for your kid if you don't want to mess up their vision. The good news is, there are quite a lot of composers out there with incredible printing quality to keep your child competitive all the way!
In this piece, we are picking up the top 10 devices that deserve your attention!
Best Printer for Homeschool
Printing regularly for school-work and printing once in a blue moon is not the same. For educational purposes, you need to ensure top-quality color, super fast speed, and the least number of technical issues on a printer. Here are the top 10 picks that suit all these criteria!
1. Canon TS5120
Modern-day printing needs a modern-day solution. That's why the Canon TS5120 fits perfectly into the ecosystem of our digital world. We begin our printer for homeschool review with the TS5120.
With a built-in Wi-Fi system, this one works like magic. Whatever device you have - a smartphone, a tablet, a PC, you can easily connect it to your printer in one go. Using different apps and software, getting a printout without tangling yourself with wires is a great selling point.
Its manual enlargement and reduction option is a big perk for most parents, especially if they are schooling a kid. It supports enlarging any document up to 400 percent of its original size. On the other hand, it's easy as a pie to reduce the document size to 25 percent.
In a rush? Need a bunch of printouts in a short time? Own the TS5120 today. It's just like printing at lightning speed. You get to print at a rate of 40 pages per minute without any interruption.
As for implanting life in the output of any photo or colorful document, the TS5120 introduces a FINE Hybrid ink system. This gives you an upper hand in three different areas of your printout. You get the best quality output, awesome performance, and it puts lesser pressure on your pocket.
Whenever you forget to pull out the unused paper from the machine, it puts the internal hardware under threat. It may get jammed, or the paper may get torn apart in some cases. To save you from this disaster, the TS5120 will remind you to remove documents once it's not in use.
Lastly, to navigate properly without using a phone or PC, you can use the 2.5-inch LCD screen set on the top of the device. It's super-easy to use and very comfortably positioned.
2. Canon PIXMA TR4520
If you thought that a printer, a scanner, or a fax machine are three separate things to buy for your homeschooling purpose, just hold your horses. Introducing the Canon Pixma TR4520. This is a composer that can scan documents and a full-fledged fax gadget in one 13-lbs device.
So, if you need to scan docs for your kid to stick to the laptop, scan it right away with the TR4520. That's a must-have feature for the best printer for homeschool.
Who said connecting modern gadgets needs tangling cable? Go wireless with this latest design composer in one go. Simply use the Canon Print App on your smartphone and connect straight to the machine from your gadget.
This works similarly on your desktop or laptop, too. So, say goodbye to weird wired connections, and step into the era of true wirelessness. As the device uses the IFTTT system and smoothly integrates with it, hassle-free printing from different web pages is finally a reality.
Along with being an ultra-modern gadget, this one can print at a great speed. If you are printing color photos with this machine, you can expect a print speed of around 4.4 images per minute. The rate can reach up to 8.8 IMP if you choose to print only in Black & White.
What made us particularly interested in this one is its one-of-a-kind auto usage directing option. The device can read ink level and can smartly reorder when necessary. This whole system is absolutely free and needs only a little bit of the activation process.
It comes with a navigation panel that is actually pretty large, we must say. Although the display may not impress most users, being a bit on the tinier side, the buttoned-panel may make up for it.
3. Canon Pixma MG3620
When you need top-class performance from a printing device but at the same time want it to be smart and compact, you have very few choices left. Luckily enough, we have found one match in our printer for homeschool review that can suit your desire in style.
Say hello to the Canon Pixma MG3620. It has got all you want - from printing to scanning and comes in a very handy construction. Weighing just above 11 pounds, this machine takes up about 17 inches from your desk in length.
You can place it anywhere you want. It suits your desktop, your bookshelf; it even fits the side table you are working beside. Just put it in one corner, and your guest may not even notice it!
To keep up with the modernized way of printing, this one allows you to connect to different devices without any cable. If you have an android phone or an Apple gadget, be it a phone or tablet, you get to connect it right away with the composer wirelessly.
A lot of apps are out there to help you out with the connection. Just prompting commands from the apps will print in seconds.
As for speed, a surprise waits for you. You can print about 6 pages per minute if you are copying colorful photos. The speed is even faster if you want a Black & White output. It can be around 10 pages per minute.
Save as much as possible with the dual-printing system. Pages will automatically flip over when you select the duplex copying option. No need to declare war against paper and machines to physically change the paper direction every time you need a both-side printout.
4. HP OfficeJet 5255
Now, this has a separate fan base. When you are talking HP, some users definitely shake their shoulders a bit as this is a brand that listens to what users have to say. That's why we have HP on our quest to find the best printer for homeschool.
Replying to the growing demand for automation in every field, HP didn't want to lag in its composers. Hence, Officejet 5255 is here. It's a 4-in-1 magical device that lets you print, scan, fax, and photocopy, all at once.
Surprised? Don't be, as HP has it what it takes to be at the forefront of the digital revolution. Take their 35-page auto document feeder, for example. It will automatically feed papers one after another.
You don't need to intervene until the 35th page is out of order. Refill 35 more pages and sit back to relax and enjoy the printouts. Along with this, it also supports automatic both-side printing. All you need to do is select the 2-sided copying on your device. Make sure you select the flipping corner correctly.
Without being wireless, there's no way you can adopt digital automation. Thanks to the HP developer team, you can easily connect the Officejet 5255 to multiple gadgets in your home. Using cloud-based storage like iCloud, Gdrive, etc., you can simply sync data with the printer and print directly from the storage.
Paper support is something that makes most users suffer a lot. It's frustrating to get the latest model composer that doesn't support the type of paper you regularly use. But the Officejet 5255 is a complete standout in this case.
It supports the most common papers that we use, like the letter, legal, 4 by 6, 5 by 7, 8 by 10, and even envelope sizes. So, freedom to print at its best!
5. Canon PIXMA TS6220
Liked the HP Officejet 5255? Well, we have more in our printer for homeschool review! Pick the Canon Pixma TS6220 for your homeschooling projects and never regret anytime soon!
This latest-designed device works great when it comes to the picture-perfect quality of printing. When we say picture-perfect, we literally mean it! This gadget comes with a 5-color individual ink system inside!
That means if you need to replace one inkpot only, just replace it! You don't need to replace the entire ink system for that one little inkpot. That's how efficient it is for your wallet! Stop reaching the bottom of your pocket to refill ink for unnecessary reasons!
As it runs with the 5-color individual ink system, it's easier for it to concentrate on details. When it comes to colorful printouts, you won't miss a single detail. Now print those stunning photos with amazing perfection!
Moreover, the best part is, you don't need to wait much longer to get what you want. The machine is super fast in printing pictures. It only takes a minute to print 15 pictures of the Black & White feature. The speed is 10 images per minute if it's a colorful one.
Like most of the modern composers, the Canon Pixma TS6220 works with PC and smart devices wirelessly. Just connect via apps and enjoy the freedom of disconnection of the shackles of wires.
Amazingly, this one works great with Alexa. Once you connect it to Alexa, all you need to do is command Alexa to print, scan, or copy. Use the power of your voice to get the best out of modern tech!
6. HP LaserJet Pro M281fdw
If you want to do something big, go big - don't know who said it, but said it perfectly. HP Laserjet Pro M281fdw is the perfect example of how you should go big when it comes to printing. This is definitely one of the best, if not the best HP printer for homeschool.
Although this one is on the larger and heavier side, considering the yield, it's worth it. You can't expect an impressive 22 imp speed of printing without sacrificing here and there, can you? That, too, with both Black & White and color copying.
The Laserjet Pro M281fdw is a 4-in-1 gadget. You get to print, scan, copy, and fax with it. Scanning on this machine offers more than you can expect. With just a few clicks, you can send the scanned documents via email to your desired recipient.
Its 50-page automatic document feeder is a lifesaver when it comes to copying in bulk. Who's got time to stand beside a device to continuously feed it with paper? Nobody, of course! So all you need to do is just feed 50 pages in the machine and wait for your copies to be done automatically.
Connecting the Laserjet Pro M281fdw to your phone and PC is really pretty simple. You can use an existing Wi-Fi connection to connect it, or you can also use the 'Wi-Fi direct' option to connect without a network.
Its 2.7-inch touchscreen display is all you could have asked. It's brilliantly responsive and comes with all the necessary features and functions. When it comes to setting up scanning sizes and all, the navigation panel proves to be pretty much useful.
Considering the machine's capacity, you can expect it to support you with 2500 pages of printouts every month. That's usually more than we need, especially if there are homeschooling materials involved.
7. Epson Expression Home XP-430
In the world of HP and Canon, Epson has successfully found its place among the hearts of users. For decades, Epson has produced numerous models of printers that satisfied users around the globe.
The Expression Home XP-430 is of no exception when it comes to the signature quality of Epson. This one concentrates more on perfect photo printing than documents.
That's why it comes with a 4-individual ink system to support better printout. If you are looking for the best color printer for homeschool, this one should be your prime choice.
And it works. The details you find on the output are simply amazing. Plus, it cuts the cost to a whole new level as you need only to replace the ink box that runs out of ink.
The device can hold up to 100 sheets at a time. That means you don't need to refill the paper-tray every now and then when you need a bulk amount of printouts. Just load it with 100 pages and forget reloading it intermittently.
Its 2.7-inch LCD screen is a masterpiece. You can control the print, copy, or scan options from the navigation screen very easily. Plus, it has some photo rendering and editing options, as well. You get to remove the red-eye effect, work on photo restoration, and many more with it.
Connect the device to your PC or phone using the Wi-Fi connection of your home. If that's not a suitable option, you can go for the 'Wi-Fi direct' feature to connect without any Wi-Fi connection.
To save more ink, you can easily subscribe to the Dash Replacement program through this machine. It will automatically track ink usage and reorder when necessary - no more ink will go wasted.
8. Brother MFC-J995DW.
If you are obsessed with top-class quality, Brother MFC-J995DW definitely deserves your attention. A compact and smart device like this with a high yield of the printout is a hard-to-see combination nowadays. If you are looking for the best home printer for homeschool, try this one out!
The most amazing perk of this machine is its ink system. If you are buying the regular ink system with the model, you will get 1 year of ink with it. That's one simple way to eliminate the worry of refilling the ink for a year.
If you are getting the XL model, you will get 2 years of ink in the box. That's double the happiness, surely!
Its cartridges are also unique. Re-Engineered with precision, the ink cartridges can now hold more ink than before. The cartridges are connected to an internal storage tank and constantly supply ink to it. This way, you get the uninterrupted ink supply that you deserve.
Another eye-catching feature of the cartridges is the page gauge system. It lets you know how much ink you have used and how much is left. It's a simple and manual way to keep track of your usage so that you can reorder when necessary.
It has an automatic document feeder option that allows about 20 sheets at a time. Plus, the paper tray can hold up to 150 papers in it. Paper management seems to be an easy task on this device.
Thanks to this efficient paper use, the machine can yield a monthly printout of 3000 pages. That's a good amount of yield to keep you up with all those school assignments and tasks.
Navigating the machine without using your PC or phone is pretty much straightforward. Simply use the 2.7-inch touchscreen display on the top and set the right setting for your need.
9. Workforce WF-7710
Workforce has to be one of the most talked-about models from Epson. Because of its versatility, the Workforce series stands pretty firmly in securing the best place in the composing segment. Here's WF-7710, the most promising model from Workforce, for your consideration.
Its huge paper tray will surely blow you away. Stack up to 250 sheets in the tray and let go of the regular reloading tasks. Unless you are printing in bulk every half an hour, the fully packed tray won't be asking for feeding for a week.
Compose-capacity and page support are crucial. For homeschooling purposes, it's evident that we need to present some of the study material to our kids in large sizes. That's where WF-7710 comes into play.
This one can print on paper sizing up to 13 inches by 19 inches. It covers most of the paper types that we use on a daily basis. This doesn't end here. The WF-7710 is capable of scanning documents up to 11 inches by 17 inches, too.
Its printing speed is pretty amazing. In a given minute, the WF-7710 can extract 18 pages of Black & White printouts. Considering the detail and quality it reserves, that's a good number we have here.
The WF-7710 took a huge move when Epson decided to install a gigantic 4.3-inch touchscreen display. It made navigation and roaming around settings a simple task for every level of users.
Connect the device with your PC or smart gadgets through the Wi-Fi network in your home. If you don't get it, you can alternatively use the 'Wi-Fi direct' option, too. It won't ask for a network and can sync the printer without a Wi-Fi connection.
10. Brother Monochrome Laser Printer
Remember how we said 'go big' in the HP Laserjet Pro M281fdw review? Well, Brother has something that you would love to try out if you liked the M281fdw.
Introducing the MFC-L5900DW from Brother. Trust us; it's bigger, smarter, and more efficient than anything we have reviewed so far. Yes, this is the ultimate show-stopper here! If we were to distinguish the best laser printer for homeschool, this one would top it!
The printing speed it comes with is a staggering 42 pages per minute! This is enough to send you a signal about what this machine is capable of. Plus, the monthly expected yield from it is around 8000 pages in total. It's surely more than what you need for a homeschooling project.
There's an automatic document feeder tray that can hold up to 70 sheets inside. All of these 70 pages will be dragged inside automatically without you needing to push a little bit.
Stack up to 250 sheets inside the paper tray. If you are not frequently printing in bulk, a week may go without reloading papers in it. Plus, the tray can be adjusted to a home letter or legal paper, as well.
Besides that, it allows 50 sheets of different papers, including envelopes and other types of sheets. So much to get in one device, isn't it?
It obviously is a wireless composer that can be connected to your phone or PC. What traversed this function is the multiple scan-to destination systems of it. You can directly send the scanned document to an Email ID, cloud storage, network, and many more!
Moreover, there's a glass surface on top of the machine that enables you to scan or copy legal-size papers. So, if you are not able to feed a legal-paper in the tray, just place it on the glass!
Things to Consider Before Buying a Printer for Homeschool
Before you step into shopping the best printer for homeschool use right away, we would like to remind you of some of the most vital features that you absolutely shouldn't miss. Here's a checklist for you.
Color or Black & White?
Before you move on with specific specs, you have to decide on what type of printer you need for your child. Obviously, you have only two options in your hand that include color and Black & White variant.
Color composers may be suitable for preschoolers or elementary-level kids. That's because they are still learning to get hold of textbooks, and colorful representations of the material may appear quite attractive to them.
On the other hand, if your kid is in middle school or higher, he/she may have become used to plain Black & White textbook style. So, you can go for a cheaper B&W printer in this case.
Monthly Yield
When you have decided to opt for homeschooling for your kid, this means a lot of printouts. That, too, on a daily basis. This calls for a monthly yield of output that needs to be considered when you are buying a device.
While many machines offer a staggering number of yield, these models are often associated with high prices. But for the purpose of homeschooling, a decent yield around 2000 to 3500 may be a good deal for you.
Ink Replacement Cost
As you are going to print a lot, it's going to be a costly experience for replacing cartridges. You can avoid the hassle by choosing the most suitable device that asks for less when refilling ink.
There are different options in the market that come with year-long ink support or even an auto reordering system. Both choices may work great in cutting your cost down. Plus, make sure you can keep track of the ink-level on your gadget.
Versatility
In today's world, a printer is not expected to be confined to the composing capacity. However, in most of the cases, these devices now work as a scanner, copying, fax machine, and a printing gadget. While this may suggest a bit of spending more, it's definitely worth it.
Sometimes, you need to scan different notes and documents so that your kid can read or learn it on the PC or phone. Getting a separate scanner would be an inferior choice if you can get a two-in-one or a three-in-one machine.
Wireless Connection
Although the devices that we have reviewed are all capable of being connected cable-free, if you are looking for other models, you better not compromise here. It will make your printing job a lot smoother and more enjoyable. Who has got time to connect a cable every time you need to print?
Paper Support
It's not that you need A4 paper output every single time. Depending on the projects you are working on for your kid's schooling, resorting to legal or letter paper would be a regular phenomenon. So, make sure the device you are after comes with a range of paper-size support.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I connect to a printer wirelessly without Wi-Fi?It depends on the model you are using. Some devices come with an option known as Wi-Fi direct that enables it to sync with other gadgets without the need for a Wi-Fi network.
2. How do I check the cartridge ink level?You can use the cartridges that come with the page gauge system. It will help you clearly see the ink consumed and ink left. Alternatively, you can avail of some reordering subscription plan to keep track of your usage.
3. Is 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 devices worth it?If you are solely concentrating on homeschooling projects, you should definitely try out the 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 printers. It will allow you to scan, copy, or even fax alongside printing.
4. Can I print directly from cloud storage?Yes. You can sync directly with cloud storage via app support and a Wi-Fi connection.
5. What's an automatic document feeder?With ADF support, you can place a number of papers in the printer and can copy documents on it without any physical support. The device will automatically drag the papers in with great speed.
Final WordsChoosing the best printer for homeschool doesn't have to be rocket science. Being a simple form of use, finding one should be more comfortable than searching for a device for business purposes.
However, it still feels like we are in a fix among so many options we have. We believe our in-depth reviews on the top 10 products will pave the way for you to decide.
Keep our buying guide handy if you are planning to explore beyond what we have discussed here. You will definitely end up buying the best one, indeed!