Study Space

Best Printers for Students

Updated November 2026 · 21 buying guides for Canadian students

Many assignments are submitted online, but students still print essays, forms, and study notes. A home printer saves late-night trips to a copy shop.

The purchase price is the least important number. Ink or toner cost per page determines whether the printer is cheap or expensive over a school year. A cheap printer with costly cartridges is a bad deal.

Top Picks at a Glance

PickBest forWhy it stands out
Brother HL-L2350DW Best overall laser A compact monochrome laser with duplex printing and low toner costs.
Brother MFC-L2710DW Best laser all-in-one Print, scan, copy, and fax in a compact monochrome laser.
Canon PIXMA TS3420 Best budget inkjet A cheap colour inkjet for occasional printing and photos. Ink costs are high.
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Best for high volume Refillable tanks cut ink costs dramatically for students who print a lot.
HP DeskJet 2755e Best compact inkjet A small all-in-one for light printing and scanning in a bedroom.

The Best Printers for Students in Detail

Brother HL-L2350DW

Best overall laser

Brother

A compact monochrome laser with duplex printing and low toner costs.

  • Cheap per page
  • Duplex
  • Reliable
Check price on Amazon.ca

Brother MFC-L2710DW

Best laser all-in-one

Brother

Print, scan, copy, and fax in a compact monochrome laser.

  • Scanner included
  • Duplex
  • Low toner cost
Check price on Amazon.ca

Canon PIXMA TS3420

Best budget inkjet

Canon

A cheap colour inkjet for occasional printing and photos. Ink costs are high.

  • Low price
  • Colour
  • Wireless
Check price on Amazon.ca

Epson EcoTank ET-2800

Best for high volume

Epson

Refillable tanks cut ink costs dramatically for students who print a lot.

  • Low ink cost
  • Refillable
  • Colour
Check price on Amazon.ca

HP DeskJet 2755e

Best compact inkjet

HP

A small all-in-one for light printing and scanning in a bedroom.

  • Compact
  • Scanner
  • Wireless
Check price on Amazon.ca

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What to Look For

Cost per page, not printer price

Toner is usually far cheaper per page than ink. Calculate the real cost using cartridge yields.

Duplex printing

Automatic double-sided printing saves paper and halves the stack of notes.

Wireless and mobile printing

Printing from a phone or Chromebook is useful when the printer is shared.

Scanner and copier

A multifunction model covers forms and ID copies, which students need more often than expected.

Best Printers for Students FAQ

Is a laser or inkjet printer better for students?

Laser is better for text-heavy schoolwork because toner is cheaper per page and does not dry out. Inkjet is better if colour photos matter.

Do students really need a printer?

Not always. If the school or a nearby library offers printing, that may be enough. A printer is most useful for students who print regularly.

Why is ink so expensive?

Cartridge pricing and yield vary widely. Tank printers and laser models usually cost less per page than cheap inkjet cartridges.

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More Student Guides

Browse all school product buying guides or see the back-to-school supplies checklist for the full list of what Canadian students need.