Inkjet printers vs. inkjet photo printers

General-purpose inkjet printers print text, graphics and photos on a variety of paper sizes, including envelopes and 8.5-by-11-inch paper. The better ones quickly produce pages of sharp text, even at small point sizes. Additionally, many general-purpose printers can produce photographs that are as good as those made using entry-level photo printers.

Photo printers, on the other hand, are engineered for printing pictures rather than text. They can print text documents, but most do so at a slower pace and lesser quality than general-use printers. Some photo printers have small LCD screens that let you preview images and do some basic editing, cropping and color correction. Some have a dedicated paper tray for 4-by-6-inch photo paper.

The line between general-purpose and photo inkjet printers is becoming increasingly blurred. Consumer demand is forcing manufacturers to improve the photo output of general-purpose models as well as strengthen the text performance of photo printers.

To achieve a continuous tone, most full-size photo printers use six or more inks. In addition to the standard CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and key black) cartridges, many also use light cyan and light magenta cartridges. Some photo printers use an extra gray ink cartridge, or different grades of black ink. Manufacturers have developed longer-lasting inks, and many models can produce prints that rival the output from photo labs. Some prints are predicted to last more than 200 years, according to testing. Keep in mind, however, that getting the best quality prints requires buying expensive photo paper and using the manufacturers' inks.

Printers use either dye-based or pigment-based inks, or a combination of both. Traditionally, pigment-based inks lasted longer, while dye-based inks cost less and have a larger color range (commonly called the gamut). But with modern inks, experts say both types can produce outstanding prints and last for 100 years or more, although expensive, professional photo printers still tend to use pigment-based inks.

Along with print quality, consider the following when shopping for an inkjet printer:

  • General-purpose vs. photo printers: General-purpose printers have finer, faster text output, while dedicated photo printers have more accurate color output, especially for flesh tones. If possible, compare sample printouts on various types of paper before buying.
  • Compatibility: Make sure the printer can connect to your computer. Most connect via USB 2.0, and some can also connect via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. If your PC or Macintosh is older, check the manufacturer's system requirements.
  • Footprint: The printer must fit the space you have allocated for it. You may need a particular size and shape to fit a specific desk space. Printers with small footprints make the most sense for college dorms or occasional transportable use. Models that don't top-load are the easiest to fit into desk cubbyholes.
  • Paper path: If you plan to print labels, card stock, envelopes, CDs or other challenging media, a printer's paper path should be a consideration. Look for a straight-through paper path.
  • Speed: For typical home and family use, speed may not matter as much as it does for business use. If you print many photos, speed can be an important consideration. However, you cannot compare printer speeds in a store; the output speed of demos is unrelated to what you will experience when the printer is connected to your computer. Although manufacturers sometimes exaggerate speed in their specifications, they're a good place to start. Expert reviews also usually test printers' speed.
  • Budget for a printer cable: Manufacturers almost never include cables, so you'll need to buy a USB cable if you don't already have one. Some of the printers covered in this report can connect to a network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, too.
  • Paper types and sizes: Be sure that the printer you are considering takes the types and sizes of paper that you use. Almost all photo printers can be adjusted to print 4-by-6-inch photos and some have dual trays, so you can keep one tray loaded with photo paper.
  • Archival inks: The best-quality inks from Canon, Epson and HP are all rated to last 100 years or more. If long-lasting prints matter to you, you should confirm that the model you are considering uses long-lasting inks and check the length of time they are rated to last.
  • Computer-free printing: Printers that can print directly from digital cameras aren't universally compatible with all interfaces or all types of memory cards. Check the printer's media slots to make sure it's compatible with what you have.
  • Printing to CDs and DVDs: Some printers support printing on inkjet-printable CDs and DVDs. Printing directly onto the media is better than printing labels and sticking them onto discs, because in rare instances labels may eventually develop bubbles that can ruin the disc. However, you'll need special discs to use this feature.

Cost of ownership

Reviews praise printers that use separate cartridges for each color. Using separate cartridges means that you don't throw away any unused ink, as you do with a single multicolor cartridge. However, you do throw away more plastic. Manufacturers want you to buy their proprietary ink cartridges, but if you don't need the best print quality, off-brand cartridges or cartridge refills cost less. See our companion report on printer ink.

Cartridge costs can be deceptive. Some cartridges hold less ink than others, so they appear to be cheaper, but they may cost more per ounce than a more expensive cartridge.

Before throwing your old cartridge in the trash, see if it can be recycled. Some communities have recycling programs. Several companies will buy old cartridges, and sometimes charities and schools will collect used cartridges to raise money. Some companies, such as HP, provide postage-paid mailers bundled with new cartridges for people to send in old cartridges. Office supply stores have varying policies, but most accept used cartridges for recycling and will offer a token gift or credit in exchange.

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