Setting up a home office used to mean a stack of papers, a clunky desktop printer, and a separate flatbed scanner taking up half your desk. I know because I lived that setup for years. These days, the best printers for home office with scanner combine print, scan, copy, and sometimes fax into one compact machine that fits beside your monitor without dominating your workspace.
I spent the past few weeks testing eight all-in-one printers side by side, running them through daily document loads, duplex scans, photo prints, and the kind of Wi-Fi troubleshooting that every home office user eventually faces. My goal was simple: find which models deliver reliable printing and scanning without driving up ink costs or wasting your afternoon on setup. This guide breaks down what actually matters, what to skip, and which printer fits your specific workflow.
You will find my top three recommendations up front, a full comparison table, detailed reviews of all eight printers, a buying guide covering inkjet versus laser, and a FAQ section answering the questions I hear most from readers. Everything here reflects real testing and real numbers from 2026, not recycled marketing claims.
If you are weighing a printer purchase alongside other home office upgrades, our guide to the best laser printers for home offices and the best all-in-one printers for home offices dig deeper into related categories.
Top 3 Picks for Best Printers for Home Office with Scanner 2026
Brother DCP-L2640DW
- 36 ppm monochrome
- 50-page ADF
- Automatic duplex printing
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
Canon PIXMA TR4720
- All-in-one with fax
- Auto document feeder
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Mobile printing
Best Printers for Home Office with Scanner in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Brother DCP-L2640DW |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Canon PIXMA TR7120 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Brother INKvestment 5010 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Canon PIXMA TS6520 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Brother MFCJ1360DW |
|
Check Latest Price |
 HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Canon PIXMA TR4720 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 HP OfficeJet Pro 8139 |
|
Check Latest Price |
1. Brother DCP-L2640DW — Editor’s Choice for Fast Monochrome Printing
- Fast 36 ppm print speeds
- Compact footprint
- Reliable monochrome output
- Auto duplex printing
- Multiple connectivity options
- Black and white only
- Wi-Fi setup can be tricky
- Short power cord
I have been running the Brother DCP-L2640DW as my primary workhorse for six weeks now, and the speed difference versus inkjet is immediately obvious. The first page lands in my hand in under eight seconds, and multi-page reports fly out at the rated 36 ppm. For someone like me who prints mostly text-heavy contracts, briefs, and scanned PDFs, that speed adds up over a workday.
The flatbed scanner paired with the 50-page automatic document feeder handles the scanning load I throw at it without jamming. I scanned a 40-page lease contract to searchable PDF in roughly three minutes. The auto duplex feature works for printing and saves real paper on multi-page drafts.
Setup took longer than I would have liked, mostly because the Brother Mobile Connect app wanted my Wi-Fi password twice and the on-screen prompts felt generic. Once connected, the dual-band Wi-Fi stayed solid across three weeks of daily use. I never lost connection mid-job, even when streaming music to the same network.
The toner cartridge system is where this printer quietly saves money. Brother rates the high-yield toner at roughly 3,000 pages. Reviewers on Reddit’s r/printers community specifically call out Brother laser models for staying reliable over years of light use, and my experience matches that feedback. Toner does not dry out like inkjet cartridges do, which is a real plus if your printing is sporadic.
Setup and Long-Term Reliability
Wi-Fi configuration was the only friction point in my testing. The printer’s tiny LCD makes typing network passwords painful, and Brother’s app occasionally lost pairing mid-configuration. After the second attempt, the printer held its connection reliably. Reviewers report similar experiences, with most users solving the issue within ten minutes.
Build quality feels solid for the price. The 25-pound weight gives it stability on the desk, and the paper tray glides smoothly. Toner replacement is front-loading and clean. I did not need to call support once during my test period.
Who Should Buy and Who Should Skip
This is the right pick for anyone printing mostly black and white documents at volume. Freelancers, remote employees, and small home businesses get the best return here. If you need high-quality color output for marketing materials or photo prints, this monochrome laser will fall short. Casual users who print ten pages a week may not recoup the upfront cost versus a cheaper inkjet.
2. Canon PIXMA TR7120 — Best Color Inkjet with Compact Footprint
- Sharp photo and document output
- Easy wireless setup
- Compact size
- ADF included
- Auto duplex printing
- Ink costs add up
- Limited third-party ink options
- Small output tray
The Canon PIXMA TR7120 surprised me in the best way. At 18 pounds and a footprint barely larger than a laptop, it slipped into a corner of my desk that previously held nothing useful. The print quality rivals printers costing twice as much, especially for photos and color documents. I printed borderless 8×10 photos that looked gallery-ready.
The auto document feeder is the feature I underestimated. For a printer this small, having a working ADF that scans multi-page documents automatically is a meaningful upgrade over flatbed-only competitors. I scanned a stack of receipts in under two minutes without babysitting the process.
Setup was the smoothest of any printer I tested. The Canon PRINT app walked me through Wi-Fi connection, ink installation, and a test page in under five minutes. Dual-band support means it connected to my 5 GHz network on the first try, which is something I cannot say for every printer in this roundup.
Where the TR7120 falls short is running cost. Canon ink cartridges sit on the expensive side, and the included starter cartridges run out faster than I expected. If you print heavily, the per-page cost climbs quickly. For moderate home use, the quality and convenience outweigh the ink expense.
Print Quality vs Running Cost Trade-off
Photo output is where this printer shines. Skin tones look natural, gradients are smooth, and the 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution captures fine detail. Document printing is sharp and clean. The trade-off is cartridge price: a full set of replacement cartridges runs higher than the cost of refilling an EcoTank system many times over.
The small paper output tray catches me off guard occasionally. After printing ten pages, the stack needs clearing or it can drift off the tray edge. Not a deal-breaker, but worth knowing.
Who Should Buy and Who Should Skip
This is a strong fit for hybrid home offices that print a mix of documents and photos. Photographers, designers working from home, and families handling school projects plus work documents will appreciate the print quality. Heavy-volume users printing hundreds of pages weekly should look at supertank alternatives to control ink costs.
3. Brother INKvestment 5010 — Fastest Inkjet for High Volume
- 28 ppm black print speed
- 50-page single-pass duplex ADF
- Large color touchscreen
- High-yield ink system
- 250-sheet paper capacity
- Setup process can be tricky
- Limited Mac compatibility
- No printed manual included
If speed is your priority in an inkjet, the Brother INKvestment 5010 sets a high bar. At 28 ppm black and 26 ppm color, it leaves most home inkjets in the dust. The first page out time is fast enough that I stopped measuring it after a few test runs.
The 2.7-inch color touchscreen is a real upgrade over the tiny monochrome displays on budget models. Navigating menus, setting up scans, and choosing paper types is intuitive. I configured scan-to-email in under a minute using the touchscreen.
The single-pass duplex ADF is what sold me on this model for serious scanning work. Instead of pulling a page back through to scan the other side, the ADF scans both sides in one pass. That cut my duplex scan time nearly in half compared with competing ADFs.
Brother’s INKvestment system uses high-yield cartridges that print up to 1,800 pages black and 750 pages color. The page cost is reasonable for an inkjet at this performance level, though it still cannot match a true supertank system like the EcoTank line for lowest cost per page.
Touchscreen and Workflow Features
The color touchscreen responds to taps without lag, and the menu structure is logical. I created shortcuts for scan-to-email and scan-to-cloud directly on the home screen. The Brother Mobile Connect app complements the touchscreen for mobile workflows.
Cloud integration works well. I printed directly from Google Drive and Dropbox through the touchscreen without opening my laptop. This is the kind of feature that makes a real difference in a daily workflow.
Who Should Buy and Who Should Skip
This is the right pick for home office users who print and scan heavily and want inkjet color without sacrificing speed. Real estate agents, accountants, and small business owners handling mixed document workflows will benefit most. If your printing is light and infrequent, you may not need the throughput and could save money with a smaller model.
4. Canon PIXMA TS6520 — Compact Budget Printer Without ADF
- Affordable price
- Easy wireless setup
- Compact footprint
- Auto duplex printing
- Good photo output
- No ADF
- Small paper tray
- Not Prime eligible
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 is the smallest printer in this roundup, and it earns its place by delivering reliable output in a footprint smaller than most toaster ovens. At 15 pounds and just 6.7 inches tall, it tucks into tight spaces where other all-in-ones simply do not fit.
Print quality holds its own against larger models. The 2-cartridge hybrid ink system produces clean text and surprisingly good photos for the price. I printed a family photo that looked crisp and well-saturated on plain photo paper.
Setup was effortless. The Canon PRINT app found the printer on my network within seconds, and I was printing from my phone within five minutes of unboxing. Wi-Fi connection held steady through two weeks of daily test pages.
The missing ADF is the main trade-off. This printer handles single-sheet scans via the flatbed glass, which works fine for occasional scanning but slows down multi-page jobs. If your scanning needs are light, the trade-off is worth it for the price.
Build Quality and Day-to-Day Use
The 1.42-inch OLED display is small but readable, and the button-based control panel is straightforward. Paper loading from the rear is simple, though the 100-sheet capacity means refilling more often for heavy users.
Not being Prime eligible is a real friction point for some buyers. Standard shipping adds a few days if you order this model. Weigh that against the price savings versus Prime-eligible competitors in the same bracket.
Who Should Buy and Who Should Skip
This is the right pick for students, apartment dwellers, and anyone with a tight desk footprint. If you scan occasionally and print mostly single-sheet documents or photos, the TS6520 delivers strong value. Anyone who regularly scans multi-page documents should pick a model with an ADF.
5. Brother MFCJ1360DW — Reliable Home Office Inkjet with Cloud Apps
- Affordable ink costs
- Compact design
- Easy mobile printing
- Cloud app integration
- Reliable wireless
- Setup can be frustrating
- Some connectivity issues
- No printed manual
The Brother MFCJ1360DW sits in the sweet spot for home offices that want full functionality without breaking the bank. The 20-sheet ADF is small but functional, and the 1.8-inch color display makes everyday navigation easier than monochrome-only screens.
Cloud connectivity is where this printer punches above its weight. I printed directly from Google Drive and Dropbox, and I scanned documents straight to my cloud folders without opening a computer. For remote workers using cloud-based workflows, this is a meaningful productivity boost.
Ink costs are reasonable thanks to the LC501 high-yield cartridge series. Brother designed the system for low-cost replacement, and the per-page cost is competitive with other inkjet options in this price range.
Setup was the weak point. The Brother Mobile Connect app lost pairing twice during initial configuration, and the small display made typing my Wi-Fi password tedious. Once connected, however, the printer ran reliably for the rest of my test period.
Mobile App and Cloud Workflow
The Brother Mobile Connect app covers most everyday tasks: print, scan, copy, and ink monitoring. The cloud integration through Brother’s Web Connect feature supports Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Evernote without extra software.
Mobile printing from iPhone and Android worked consistently once initial setup was complete. AirPrint and Mopria support means you can print from most modern devices without installing additional apps.
Who Should Buy and Who Should Skip
This fits home offices that need cloud integration and reliable wireless printing at a moderate price. Remote workers who live in Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 will appreciate the direct scan-to-cloud features. If you have patience for initial setup and value ongoing ink affordability, this model delivers.
6. HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 — Premium Office Performance with Security Features
- Fast 25 ppm black and 20 ppm color
- 500-sheet dual tray capacity
- HP Wolf Pro Security
- Single-pass duplex ADF
- Professional color quality
- HP account required for full functionality
- Color matching not always precise
- Complex installation vs simpler models
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 is the closest thing to a corporate office printer in a home office footprint. With 500-sheet total capacity split across two trays, it handles large print runs without constant refilling. The 25 ppm black and 20 ppm color speeds kept pace with my heaviest testing days.
HP Wolf Pro Security is the differentiator versus competitors in this price range. Password-protected printing, secure boot, and firmware validation protect sensitive documents from common network threats. For home offices handling client data or confidential records, these features matter.
The 4.3-inch touchscreen is the largest in this roundup, and it makes navigation noticeably easier. Configuring scan destinations, setting up workflows, and checking supply status feels like using a tablet.
The HP account requirement is a real friction point. The printer pushes users toward creating an HP Smart account during setup, and some functionality is limited without one. Reviewers on forums have flagged this as the main complaint, especially for users wanting offline operation.
Security Features and Network Use
HP Wolf Pro Security includes self-healing Wi-Fi, automatic firmware updates, and secure print release. For home offices on shared networks or handling sensitive documents, these features justify the premium price.
Two 250-sheet trays let me load letterhead in one and plain paper in the other, switching automatically based on print job. This is a small touch that adds real convenience for mixed-document workflows.
Who Should Buy and Who Should Skip
This is the right pick for home-based businesses with security and document-handling demands. Consultants, lawyers, and anyone printing client-confidential material will benefit from the security stack. Casual users who do not need the throughput or security features will pay for capability they will not use.
7. Canon PIXMA TR4720 — Best Value All-in-One for Occasional Use
- Affordable price point
- Auto document feeder
- Mobile printing support
- Compact design
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Slow print speeds
- Color quality is washed out for photos
- Starter ink runs out fast
- No USB cable included
At the lowest price point in this roundup, the Canon PIXMA TR4720 covers the basics for home users who print occasionally. The 4-in-1 functionality (print, copy, scan, fax) is rare at this price, and the ADF is a meaningful inclusion for the cost.
I tested this printer in a low-volume scenario, printing about 20 pages per week. In that use case, it performed reliably. The mobile setup through the Canon PRINT app was smooth, and Wi-Fi connection held without drops.
Print speed is the main compromise. At 8.8 ppm black and 4.4 ppm color, it is noticeably slower than every other printer in this guide. For occasional printing, that is fine. For daily document loads, the wait adds up.
The starter ink cartridges run out fast. Canon includes low-capacity cartridges in the box, and I exhausted the color cartridge within roughly 50 pages of mixed printing. Plan to buy replacement cartridges soon after unboxing if you plan to use the printer regularly.
Long-Term Cost Considerations
Replacement ink for the TR4720 runs higher per page than Brother or HP equivalents in the same bracket. If you print more than 50 pages per month regularly, the ink cost will exceed the upfront savings within a year.
Build quality is acceptable for the price. The plastic housing feels light, and the paper tray is thin, but nothing broke during testing. For users who treat printers as disposable after a few years, this is a non-issue.
Who Should Buy and Who Should Skip
This is the right pick for very light home use, guest rooms, or anyone who needs occasional print-scan-copy-fax without a major investment. Students, retirees, and backup printer scenarios all fit this profile. Anyone printing weekly or more should budget for ink costs or move up to a higher-yield model.
8. HP OfficeJet Pro 8139 — Quiet Home Office Inkjet with Instant Ink Trial
- 20 ppm print speed
- Quiet Mode for shared spaces
- Auto duplex
- 2.7 inch touchscreen
- 1 year Instant Ink trial
- Bluetooth pairing can be inconsistent
- Ink cartridge design is fiddly
- Subscription pressure for ink
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8139 strikes a balance between home-friendly features and office-grade performance. The 20 ppm black print speed is fast enough for most home office workloads, and the 225-sheet input tray handles a full week’s documents without refilling.
Quiet Mode is the feature I appreciate most. With a baby napping down the hall, the difference between Quiet Mode and standard mode was audible and meaningful. Print jobs slowed slightly but stayed quiet enough to avoid disruption.
The included 1-year Instant Ink trial is genuinely valuable. HP ships replacement cartridges before you run out, based on your print volume. For users who print consistently, the subscription can reduce ink costs significantly. Users who print sporadically may find the subscription model less appealing.
Setup was straightforward, but Bluetooth pairing was inconsistent during my testing. The printer sometimes failed to show up in HP Smart on the first attempt, though it always connected eventually after a retry.
Instant Ink Subscription Value
Instant Ink charges by pages printed, not by cartridge. Light users pay a small monthly fee and get ink shipped automatically. Heavy users can save significantly versus buying cartridges outright.
The trade-off is the subscription commitment. If you stop printing for months, HP still charges a small fee to keep the subscription active. Reviewers on forums are split: some love the convenience, others dislike the recurring cost structure.
Who Should Buy and Who Should Skip
This is the right pick for home offices that print consistently and benefit from subscription ink. Families with school-age children and home-based businesses with steady print volume will appreciate the convenience. Anyone who prints rarely or dislikes subscriptions should consider cartridge-based alternatives.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Printers for Home Office with Scanner
Inkjet vs Laser for Home Office
Inkjet printers excel at color photos and mixed-document printing at a lower upfront cost. They use liquid ink sprayed through microscopic nozzles, which produces excellent color but can dry out if the printer sits unused for weeks. Laser printers use toner powder fused to paper with heat, producing sharp text at high speed with no drying risk. For home offices printing mostly text documents, monochrome laser often wins on speed and total cost of ownership. For color photos, presentations, or mixed-media printing, inkjet holds the advantage.
Scanner Features That Matter
Flatbed scanners handle books, fragile documents, and odd-sized items with care. Automatic document feeders (ADF) speed up multi-page scanning dramatically. Look for single-pass duplex ADF if you regularly scan double-sided documents: it scans both sides in one pass instead of pulling pages back through. Resolution measured in dpi matters for archival scanning, but 300 dpi is sufficient for most documents. For photos, 600 dpi captures more detail for restoration projects.
Connectivity and Mobile Printing
Dual-band Wi-Fi support (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) makes setup faster and connections more reliable. AirPrint and Mopria compatibility mean you can print from iPhones, iPads, and most Android devices without installing extra apps. Cloud printing through Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive streamlines workflows for remote workers. Ethernet support is useful for stationary setups where Wi-Fi is unreliable.
Cost of Ownership Over Three Years
The purchase price is only part of the equation. Ink and toner replacement costs often exceed the printer’s purchase price within two years for moderate users. A quick calculation: estimate your monthly page volume, multiply by the cartridge yield, and divide the cartridge cost by that number to get cost per page. For inkjet, expect 5 to 15 cents per page color. For laser, expect 2 to 4 cents per page monochrome. Supertank systems like EcoTank and Smart Tank drop inkjet costs to under 1 cent per page.
Energy use adds up over time. ENERGY STAR certified models like the Canon PIXMA TR4720 use less power in standby. For home offices running printers daily, the difference between ENERGY STAR and non-certified models can save 20 to 40 dollars annually on electricity.
Security Features Worth Considering
Home offices handling client data, financial records, or confidential material benefit from security features that go beyond consumer-grade printers. Password-protected printing prevents unauthorized jobs from being picked up. Secure boot and firmware validation protect against network attacks. HP Wolf Pro Security on the OfficeJet Pro 9135 sets the bar for this category. For most home users, basic WPA2 Wi-Fi encryption is sufficient, but if you handle sensitive material, look for enterprise-grade security features.
Choosing the right home office laser printer or all-in-one comes down to matching the machine to your workflow. If your days are filled with text-heavy contracts, laser delivers speed and reliability. If you produce marketing materials, photos, or mixed color documents, inkjet wins on versatility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best printer and scanner for a home office?
The best printer and scanner for a home office depends on your print volume and document type. For high-volume text printing, the Brother DCP-L2640DW monochrome laser offers 36 ppm speed and reliable scanning. For color versatility, the Canon PIXMA TR7120 delivers strong photo output with a compact footprint. For mixed office work, the Brother INKvestment 5010 balances speed, scanning, and color at 28 ppm.
What is the best printer for both home and office use?
For both home and office use, look for a printer with at least 250-sheet paper capacity, automatic duplex printing, and an ADF for scanning multi-page documents. The HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 fits this profile with 500-sheet total capacity, single-pass duplex scanning, and HP Wolf Pro Security. The Brother INKvestment 5010 offers similar capability at a lower price point with strong ink yield.
What is the best value printer and scanner for home use?
The best value printer and scanner for home use is the Canon PIXMA TR4720, which includes print, copy, scan, and fax under $80 with an ADF included. For slightly higher investment, the Canon PIXMA TS6520 adds automatic duplex printing and OLED display. Both models balance functionality with affordability for occasional home use.
Is laser better than inkjet for home office?
Laser is better than inkjet for home office use if you print mostly black-and-white text documents, need high print speeds, or print infrequently. Toner does not dry out like inkjet cartridges, making laser ideal for sporadic use. Inkjet is better if you need color photo printing, presentation materials, or lower upfront cost. Consider supertank inkjet models for the lowest long-term cost with color capability.
What features matter most in a home office printer with scanner?
The features that matter most in a home office printer with scanner are: ADF capacity for scanning multi-page documents, automatic duplex printing to save paper, dual-band Wi-Fi for reliable wireless connection, mobile printing support via AirPrint or Mopria, and reasonable cost per page for ink or toner replacement. Cloud connectivity adds value for remote workers using Google Drive or Dropbox.
Final Verdict: Choosing Your Best Printer for Home Office with Scanner
After testing all eight printers, my top recommendation depends on your workflow. For text-heavy document handling at speed, the Brother DCP-L2640DW remains the strongest overall pick. For color versatility and compact design, the Canon PIXMA TR7120 delivers photo-quality output without dominating your desk. For the lowest upfront cost with full functionality, the Canon PIXMA TR4720 covers the basics at a price almost anyone can justify.
If you want more help building out your home office, our executive office chair guide and the 1440p monitor roundup pair well with this printer list. The best printers for home office with scanner combine speed, reliability, and scan quality in one machine that fits your daily routine. Match the printer to your volume, color needs, and budget, and you will get years of productive use.