Criteria for Selecting a Printer for Schools
Choosing the right printer for a school setting entails evaluating several key factors that can significantly impact overall efficiency and effectiveness. One of the most crucial aspects is the printing speed, often measured in pages per minute (ppm). In an educational environment where numerous documents—including handouts, tests, and reports—must be printed regularly, having a printer that can deliver documents quickly can enhance productivity. A speedier printer minimizes wait times for students and teachers alike.
Print quality, typically measured in dots per inch (dpi), is another vital component. Schools require clear and legible prints that convey information effectively. High-quality prints are essential, especially for materials that include images or graphs, where clarity can substantially affect comprehension.
The cost of consumables, which includes ink or toner, is a significant ongoing expense that schools must consider. Educators should assess the printer’s efficiency and the lifespan of its cartridges to determine the total cost of ownership. Selecting a printer that uses high-yield cartridges or ones that offer better page yields can save money over time, allowing for more budget allocation towards other essential school supplies.
Ease of use is also important; educators and students should be able to operate the printer with minimal training. User-friendly interfaces and straightforward setup processes are ideal for busy school environments. Additionally, maintenance costs should not be overlooked. A printer that requires frequent repairs or costly service can become a financial burden.
Durability is another key criterion, as school equipment often experiences heavy usage. A robust printer that can handle extended workloads will provide better value over time. Furthermore, features like wireless connectivity and mobile printing options are increasingly important in modern schools, allowing for flexible printing solutions that accommodate various devices and media sizes commonly used in classrooms.
Top 10 Printers for Schools on Amazon
When selecting the right printer for schools, evaluating both performance and cost-effectiveness is essential. Here’s a curated list of ten highly rated printers available on Amazon that cater specifically to educators’ needs.
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1. Brother MFC-J995DW https://amzn.to/4eHpYCs
This all-in-one printer offers high-quality prints, scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities. It features Brother’s INKvestment tank technology for extended ink life, allowing for cost savings.
Pros: Low operating costs, and versatile features.
Cons: Relatively large footprint.
- Up to 1 year of ink in box: Using the MFCJ995DW cartridges provided, get exceptional savings and uni…
- Inkvestment tank system: Reengineered ink cartridges hold more ink and work with an internal ink sto…
- Eliminate ink replacement guesswork: Brother intelligent Page Gauge(2) lets you know the amount of i…
2. HP LaserJet Pro M15w https://amzn.to/402qiHp
This compact laser printer provides fast printing speeds up to 19 pages per minute. It is perfect for schools with limited space.
Pros: Affordable price, Wi-Fi capable.
Cons: Lacks scanning capabilities.
- FROM AMERICA’S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Perfect for small teams printing professional-quality black & white document…
- WORLD’S SMALLEST LASER IN ITS CLASS – Precision laser printing that fits anywhere
- FAST PRINT SPEEDS – Up to 21 black-and-white pages per minute single-sided
3. Canon PIXMA TR8620 https://amzn.to/3BRizSu
This versatile all-in-one printer supports a range of media types and has an automatic document feeder. It also features wireless connectivity.
Pros: Excellent photo printing, user-friendly.
Cons: Ink cartridges can be costly.
- Never run out of ink. Connect your printer to Alexa and receive notifications when you’re running low. Alexa can even pl…
- Enrolling in Smart Reorders with Alexa ensures that you never have too much or too little ink supplies. No subscription …
- Wireless 4-in-1 (Print | Copy | Scan | Fax)
4. Epson EcoTank ET-2720 https://amzn.to/3BH5MSF
Utilizing refillable ink tanks, this printer drastically reduces ink costs while providing vibrant print quality. It’s designed for busy classrooms.
Pros: Low cost per print, environmentally friendly.
Cons: Initial setup can be challenging.
- Your family needs a printer that’s fast, affordable, and easy to use. That’s why we developed the EcoTank ET-2720 – an i…
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― High-capacity ink tanks mean no more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; Epson’s exclus…
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges (1) – that’s enough…
5. Samsung Xpress M2020W https://amzn.to/3YpmzSb
A compact laser printer ideal for schools needing speedy printing without the bulk. It supports mobile printing options.
Pros: Fast printing, compact design.
Cons: Limited color printing features.
- GREAT VALUE FOR YOUR HOME OFFICE – This Samsung single-function monochrome laser printer features superior print quality…
- GET PRINT ON TAP – NFC enables your mobile device to connect and communicate with your printer. Simply tap your NFC-enab…
- EASY MOBILE PRINTING – Download the free Samsung Mobile Print app or use Google Cloud Print and print directly with your…
6. HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 https://amzn.to/4h63MDA
This all-in-one printer combines high productivity with energy efficiency. It provides mobile printing and excellent print quality.
Pros: Fast printing, useful smart features.
Cons: Higher ink costs.
- 6 MONTHS INK INCLUDED when you activate HP+ – Includes a 6 month subscription for Instant Ink delivery service with HP+ …
- INCLUDES HP+ SMART FEATURES – Activate HP+ to get advanced features for mobile printing, security, automatic updates and…
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND HOME OFFICES – Print professional-quality color documents like presentations, brochures an…
7. Kodak Dock Plus https://amzn.to/483yIjM
Ideal for schools that focus on photo printing, this compact printer delivers high-quality prints directly from smartphones or tablets.
Pros: Great photo quality, easy to use.
Cons: Limited standard document printing.
- Dock & Charge – With the Kodak Dock Plus photo printer, you can dock your phone to print your favorite photos instantly….
- Lowest Photo Cost – Why pay more to print? Our Kodak Dock Plus photo printer is the most affordable option to print righ…
- Superior Photo Quality – Kodak Dock Plus photo printer uses 4Pass Technology to print flawless photos instantly. This po…
- Two Photo Types – The Kodak Dock Plus phone photo printer supports both border and borderless type photos. With this por…
- Download the KODAK Photo Printer application and print from anywhere at any time. It provides decorative features such a…
8. Xerox Phaser 3260/DNI https://amzn.to/4dJ5Hv9
This laser printer offers solid performance for text documents, making it suitable for schools with heavy printing needs.
Pros: Reliable performance, low operation costs.
Cons: Lacks advanced features such as scanning.
- Affordable Reliability. Keep your costs down with fast, reliable printing for a single user or small team.
- Wi-Fi Direct. The Phaser 3260 can communicate with Wi-Fi-enabled devices without needing an existing wireless network. W…
- It’s not Complicated. Position the printer anywhere it’s convenient, the Xerox Easy Wireless Setup helps you connect qui…
9. Ricoh C125 P Laser Color Printer https://amzn.to/3Ylc96Y
This monochrome laser printer is designed for faster printing speeds while maintaining quality output. It is wireless and supports mobile printing.
Pros: Fast performance, good for text-heavy documents.
Cons: The color printing quality is 26 ppm.
- Fast double-sided printing up to 26ppm in color with clean, clear text and vibrant graphics
- Large 250-sheet capacity paper tray and single-sheet capacity multi-purpose tray
- Small footprint, fits in limited spaces with front loading tray and bottom tray options
10. Epson WorkForce WF-2860 https://amzn.to/407XpKh
A compact all-in-one printer that fits well in school environments. It offers wireless connectivity and a range of features.
Pros: Versatile and compact, affordable ink replacement.
Cons: Slightly slower than some competitors.
- Epson printing system is designed to be used exclusively with Epson Genuine Cartridges. Use of non-genuine ink could cau…
- Get laser-quality performance — The workforce WF-2860, powered by PrecisionCore
- Packed with features — All in one compact, space-saving design
Conclusion and Recommendations
As has been discussed throughout this guide, the need for reliable printers in schools cannot be overstated. With the increasing demand for educational materials, efficient printing solutions significantly contribute to the overall productivity of both educators and students. When selecting a printer, educators should consider factors such as print speed, cost-effectiveness, and specific printing requirements unique to their school environment. The printers highlighted in our list serve as excellent starting points for schools seeking to enhance their printing capabilities without straining their budgets.
It is essential for educators to conduct a comprehensive assessment of their respective printing needs. This includes evaluating the volume of prints required, the types of documents generated, and any specific features that might enhance their workflows, such as wireless connectivity or double-sided printing capabilities. Additionally, understanding budget constraints while prioritizing quality will guide schools in making informed purchases. Selecting the right printer can lead to substantial long-term benefits, improving classroom efficiency and the overall educational experience.
To maximize the lifespan and effectiveness of their printing devices, educators should implement a proactive maintenance strategy. Regularly checking for software updates, cleaning printer components, and using quality printer supplies can prevent common issues that disrupt printing tasks. Furthermore, schools ought to familiarize themselves with the troubleshooting guides provided by manufacturers to address minor issues independently. Educators are encouraged to involve students in the upkeep of these machines, fostering a sense of responsibility and care for school supplies.
Following these recommendations will help ensure that the chosen printers serve their educational purposes effectively, supporting the diverse and dynamic needs of today’s classrooms. By investing in the right printing technology and adopting best practices for maintenance, schools can achieve optimal performance from their printing supplies, paving the way for enhanced learning outcomes.
