How to choose an MFP for home use? Rating

A multifunction device is a device that combines in itself in one case a scanner, printer, fax and photocopy machine at the same time. Thanks to him, you can significantly save work space and money, since you do not have to purchase all these devices separately. The use of MFPs at home is especially important if you have schoolchildren or students, as well as for arranging a small office. Given the huge assortment, many inexperienced users are lost and are led by negligent sellers who are trying to sell expensive or illiquid models. In order for you not to make a mistake when choosing and purchase a high-quality and functional unit, we will tell you in this article how to choose an MFP for home use - the rating of the best manufacturers will help you with this.

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Advantage of the MFP over a conventional scanner and printer

If you are still thinking about purchasing an MFP, we offer you a number of indisputable advantages of this unit:

• Unlike a scanner and printer, an MFP takes up much less space than two of these devices at the same time. Therefore, you will significantly save free space at the desktop.
• The MFP is equipped immediately with a printer, scanner and photocopy machine, so the process of working with documents is much simpler and faster.
• The cost of MFPs is much lower than the purchase of a separate Xerox, printer and scanner.

Important! Sometimes the MFP also includes a fax and a telephone.

• This device uses ink more economically during printing.
• You can print a document not only using a computer. Most modern models are connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which allows you to print files with smartphone or tablet.

Important! If you are seriously concerned with finding the best MFP, then you will be interested in our article. “Which MFP is better - Canon or HP?”

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The main criteria for choosing an MFP for home use

Before choosing this device, you should decide on those functions and parameters that it should have.

Important! What to look for when buying? What are MFPs? What is the difference between old and new models of multifunction devices? You can find the answer to these other questions in our article. "MFP rating for the home".

Print type

The first thing you may encounter when choosing an MFP is the type of printing. Today, laser and inkjet devices are shared.

Laser devices

Such devices are mainly used in offices, as they have a fairly high print quality, especially black and white, while being inexpensive to maintain.

Important! The print speed of a laser MFP can be up to 20 copies per second.

The main advantages of a laser MFP include:

• Economical paint consumption;
• Refueling such a device with a special coloring powder;
• Low cost of refilling cartridges;
• Sufficiently long period of use.

The disadvantages of the laser device include:

• Dimension, since it takes up a lot of space;
• The high cost of the device itself, its components and new cartridges;

Important! Please note that the refilling of laser MFP cartridges is carried out exclusively by special organizations.

• They are mainly used for black and white printing, which is not always convenient for home use.

Important! Modern models of laser MFPs can also have color printing, but they are quite expensive, so not everyone can afford it.

Such devices are designed for printing on A4 paper. In addition, it is very important that its minimum density is at least 90g / m2. In case of non-compliance with this requirement, the print head will very quickly fail.

Inkjet MFPs

Compared to laser, they lose a little in print quality. Their main advantages are:

• Small size;
• High quality photo printing;
• Low cost;
• Opportunities to refill cartridges yourself.

The disadvantages include:

• Slow print speed
• The need for constant use, as otherwise, the ink in the cartridge may dry out and will have to be replaced with a new one;
• In order for the paint supply to be uniform, it is still necessary to install an additional CISS;

Important! Choosing the best inkjet color MFP for the home, you may come across abbreviations such as CISS or continuous ink supply system. This is a special accessory that is used exclusively with inkjet MFPs. Thanks to it, printing costs and the amount of ink are significantly reduced.

• If there are adjacent ink tanks in the device, after the paint finishes in one of them, the second one will simply be unsuitable for further operation.

Important! When choosing a multifunction device, ask a consultant to turn it on for you. This way you check the noise level that this unit emits during printing.

Which MFP to choose for home laser or inkjet?

Before making your choice in favor of a particular model, first you need to decide on the number of pages, what print quality they should have. Both laser and inkjet options have color printing. Nevertheless, better color images are obtained on inkjet models of multifunction devices.

Print resolution

When choosing an MFP, you should consider the fact that high print resolution is required exclusively for printing photos.

Important! Print resolution shows the maximum number of dots per square inch.

Therefore:

• 300 dpi will be sufficient for plain text;
• for graphics - 600 dpi;
• for a photo - 1200 dpi.

In this case, inkjet devices are far superior to laser ones by this criterion.

Important! Please note that most devices print on A4 paper. If you plan to use A3 paper or photo paper, check to see if your MFP supports these formats.

Speed ​​and feature of the printing process

In multifunction devices, there are three types of printing:

• Black and white or monochrome;
• Copy speed;
• Color mode.

This indicator is very arbitrary, and when choosing an MFP for home use, you should not place a special stake on it. This is due to the fact that each page that is sent to print has its own characteristics, such as the number of characters, font option, and the presence of colors.

Important! The average print speed of the multifunction device you have selected is indicated in the technical specifications. Most often it is exaggerated.

Connection interface

In most modern models, the main connection option is a USB cable. Older devices still have LPT and COM.

Important! Have you purchased equipment and don’t know how to connect it? Read on our portal all the necessary information about how to install a printer. 

As for the more expensive options, they are already connected via infrared, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Important! Sometimes with a wireless connection, additional driver installation is required.

Operability

This parameter means the number of pages this device prints in a month. For example:

• More budget options print about 1,000 pages.
• As for the expensive and professional models, they are able to print about 25-30 thousand pages per month.

Important! Please note that cartridges also have their print limit. On average, one cartridge is designed for 100-500 pages.

Control Panel

Most modern models are equipped with a LCD screen that displays all the commands given to the device. Direct control is carried out using buttons that are located near the screen.

Important! Some commands can be set using the buttons, but for commands such as printing or scanning. You will have to use special programs installed on your PC.

additional characteristics

When choosing the best MFP for the home, pay special attention to additional options, as this not only increases the functionality of the device, but also significantly increases its price position.

Important! Pay attention to the fact that computer manufacturers very often increase the price of the device due to the original design. For example, you can meet two models in the store, one of which is much more functional, but cheaper than the one that has a more stylish design, but is weaker in its technical parameters.

Most often, multifunction devices are equipped with the following additional options:

• Bluetooth or infrared;
• Wi-Fi
• Phone;
• Fax;
• Two-sided printing;
• Tray;
• Interface cables

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Rating of the best manufacturers

To date, the market for computer equipment manufacturers has many brands, among which there are undeniable leaders who have won the trust of modern consumers.

Important! Today, many models are assembled in China. Nevertheless, this does not affect the quality in any way, since the main manufacturer is fully responsible for the production of components and parts.

We present to your attention the five leaders among manufacturers of multifunctional devices for both home and professional use:

1. Epson This trademark produces both inkjet and laser models of multifunctional devices that have a low price position, while their quality is at a fairly high level. In addition, Epson devices are characterized by their efficiency and high quality photo printing.
2. Brother. This is an American company that produces multifunctional devices with a fairly wide resolution and print speed, as well as high quality scanning.
3. Hewlett Paccard or, as they say, HP. This manufacturer has long been represented on the computer equipment market, which produces both laser and inkjet models of multifunctional devices. Modern models of MFPs of this brand are distinguished by their compactness and low weight, and due to the release of budget options, the popularity of Hewlett Paccard has increased significantly.
4. Samsung This is a well-known South Korean manufacturer who is constantly improving its products. For example, the latest MFPs have high print speeds and are equipped with an economical toner. Basically, products of this brand have an average price position.
5. Canon This is the main leader in the production and sale of multifunctional devices among the above brands. Canon MFPs have high print quality and performance, as well as the ability to remotely control from absolutely any gadget.

Important! If you plan to print photos on a new technique, we recommend that you read our article “Which photo paper for printers is better? ”.

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Where is the best place to buy an MFP?

MFPs are best purchased in specialized stores, where you can also easily buy all the accessories and supplies for this device. In addition, it is very important that the seller can provide both warranty and post-warranty service. Try to contact those stores that have been on the market for more than a year and have experienced consultants in their staff who will help you make the right choice.

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Stock footage

Among the huge assortment of different models of multifunctional devices, even the most experienced user can get confused. Therefore, it is very important to initially determine the parameters and characteristics that you need for future operation. We hope that our article will help you with this, and you will be able to purchase exactly the model that you will use for your pleasure and without problems.