The Best Home Office Printers for Your Remote Employees

Posted on March 29, 2023

Topics: printers

The Best Home Office Printers for Your Remote Employees

As remote work continues to be popular, many businesses (and their employees) are looking for home office printers that will meet their print, scan, and photocopying needs. But with so many different options available, choosing the right printer can be a daunting task. 

To help make your decision easier, we'll provide some helpful tips and considerations for choosing the best home office printers for your remote employees.

But first, let’s look at the three main categories of printers. 

Types of Printer 

There are many different types of printers available on the market, each with their own unique features and advantages. The most common types of printers include inkjet, laser, and all-in-one printers.

1. Inkjet Printers

An inkjet printer is a type of printer that sprays tiny droplets of ink to create text and images on paper. Inkjet printers are generally more affordable and offer excellent print quality for documents and photos. They’re also compact and easy to use, making them a great choice for home office environments.

2. Laser Printers

Laser printers, on the other hand, use a laser to beam information onto the inside of a drum. This drum builds up static electricity to attract toner powder and fuses it to the paper using heat. Laser printers are typically more expensive than inkjet printers, but offer faster printing speeds and lower operating costs. They’re also more durable and can handle large print volumes, making them a good choice for businesses with high printing demands.

3. All-In-One Printers

All-in-one doesn’t refer to the type of print technology used in your printer. In fact, all-in-one printers can be inkjet, laser or any other type of printer. Insead, all-in-one refers to their ability to print, as well as scan, and copy documents. All-in-one printers are a great choice for home offices where space is limited, and employees need access to multiple functions. 

Choosing the Right Printer For Your Needs

The type of printer you choose will depend on your needs. Here are some important considerations to make when choosing which best suit your employee’s home office…

1. Print Volume

If your remote employees only need to print a few pages a day, a basic inkjet printer should be sufficient. However, if they need to print hundreds of pages a day, a laser printer may be a better option as they’re designed for high-volume printing and have a lower cost per page.

2. Paper Variety 

It's also important to consider the printer's paper handling capacity. If your employees need to print on a variety of paper types and sizes, make sure the printer can accommodate those needs.

3. Wireless Connectivity

Wireless connectivity can be essential if your employees print from multiple devices, like their mobile devices, laptops, and tablets. Some printers also come with built-in NFC technology that allows users to tap their mobile devices against the printer to print documents wirelessly.

If your employee is only using one device and their printer will always be located near it, wireless is not necessary, but always a good idea in case circumstances change. 

4. Security Features

Security is a critical consideration for any printer used in a business environment. Make sure the printer you choose offers built-in security features like user authentication, encryption, and secure printing.

User authentication ensures that only authorized users can access the printer's functions, while encryption ensures that data transmitted between the printer and the user's device is secure. Secure printing allows users to release print jobs from the printer only after entering a PIN or password, ensuring that sensitive documents are not left unattended in the output tray.

5. Eco-Friendly Features

When selecting a printer, consider picking one with eco-friendly features that can help reduce your business's carbon footprint. Look for printers with automatic duplex printing, which can reduce paper usage by up to 50%, as well as features like sleep mode and automatic power off. Both of these can help reduce energy consumption and lower your energy bills.

6. Reliability 

Choose a brand that has a good reputation for reliability and customer support. If you have any issues with the printer, you want to be sure your remote employee can get assistance quickly. Especially since they may not have access to a backup printer. 

Similarly, you want to check the warranty and support options available for the printer. Consider purchasing a printer with a warranty that covers repairs or replacements for a specific period of time.

7. Size

Oftentimes remote employees have limited space in their home offices. To ensure the printer isn’t too big for their space, consider a printer that is compact and lightweight. Inkjets are generally smaller than lasers, however, compact laser printers do exist and can be a good compromise. 

8. Noise

Some printers can be very noisy, which can be distracting if your remote employees need to take calls or participate in virtual meetings. Look for printers that have a low noise level or a "quiet mode" option.

Choosing the best home office printer for your remote employees requires careful consideration. By taking the time to consider these factors, you can make sure your remote employees have access to a reliable and efficient printer that meets their needs and helps them stay productive from the comfort of their own home.

Need help choosing the right home office printer for your remote employees? Book a call with OT Group’s team of Ontario-based office technology experts today

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