Top 7 Best Color Printer For Students

Top 7 Best Color Printer For Students

The best color printers for students are models that offer The best color printers for students are often inkjet models, and our guide to the best inkjet printer for students can help.versatility, affordability, and ease of use, such as the Canon PIXMA TR7120 for versatile home use, the HP Envy 6155 for quality home prints, and the Canon PIXMA TS6520 for home and hybrid work.

A good printer can significantly improve a student’s academic experience, from printing essays and research papers to creating colorful project materials and scanning important documents. Choosing the right one means balancing print quality, running costs, and the need for features like wireless connectivity.

After extensive hands-on testing and comparison, we’ve narrowed down the field to our top seven picks, all designed to meet the demands of student life. We evaluated each printer on key criteria including print speed, ink efficiency, paper handling capabilities, and overall value for money. Continue reading to find the perfect device to support your academic journey.

3 Standout Picks: Versatile Home Use, Quality Home Prints, and Home and Hybrid

Start with these 3 standouts. Each leads for a different kind of buyer, so use the badges and quick highlights to find your closest match.

7 Models Side by Side: Features, Best Use Cases, and Tradeoffs

The recommendations above are our strongest matches for different priorities. Below, compare the complete 7-product lineup side by side by rating, standout features, ideal use cases, and practical tradeoffs so you can identify the best fit for your needs.

#1
Canon PIXMA TR7120
Canon PIXMA TR7120
Versatile Home Use★4.2
  • Auto Document Feeder
  • Automatic Duplex
  • OLED Display
Check Price on Amazon→
#4
Brother Work Smart 1360
Brother Work Smart 1360
Home Office Efficiency★3.8
  • 20-sheet ADF
  • Automatic Duplex
  • Cloud Connectivity
Check Price on Amazon→
#5
Canon PIXMA TS4320
Canon PIXMA TS4320
Budget-Conscious Students★3.9
  • Wireless Printing
  • Compact Design
  • Auto Duplex
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#7
HP DeskJet 2923
HP DeskJet 2923
Simple Home Printing★3.7
  • Wireless All-in-One
  • Instant Ink Trial
  • Compact Design
Check Price on Amazon→

7 Models Reviewed in Depth

#1. Canon PIXMA TR7120

Canon PIXMA TR7120
Auto
Document Feeder
Automatic
Duplex
1.42″
OLED Display
Versatile Home Use
91
OVERALL
SCORE
Features
9.5
Productivity
9.2
Print Quality
9.0
Ease of Use
8.8
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The Canon PIXMA TR7120 is a feature-rich all-in-one printer that excels in versatility for home users. You’ll find the Auto Document Feeder (ADF) incredibly useful for quickly scanning and copying multi-page documents, saving you significant time. Combined with automatic duplex printing and an intuitive 1.42” OLED display, managing tasks like printing school assignments or vibrant photos becomes remarkably efficient.

While it offers a great balance of features, the initial cost is higher than basic models. This printer is ideal for those who need more than just basic printing and value the convenience of ADF and duplexing for frequent, multi-page tasks. If you’re a busy student or home user looking for a capable and efficient machine, the TR7120 is a top-tier choice.

Pros

  • Includes Auto Document Feeder
  • Excellent automatic duplexing
  • Intuitive OLED display

Cons

  • Higher initial cost
  • Ink can be expensive
  • Slightly larger footprint

Specifications

Brand
Canon
Model
PIXMA TR7120
Functions
Print, Copy, Scan
ADF
Yes
Duplex
Automatic
Display
1.42″ OLED
Connectivity
Dual-band Wi-Fi
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#2. HP Envy 6155

HP Envy 6155
Automatic
Duplex
2.4″
Touchscreen
Instant
Ink Trial
Quality Home Prints
89
OVERALL
SCORE
Print Quality
9.2
Ease of Use
9.0
Features
8.8
Connectivity
8.7
Check Price on Amazon→

The HP Envy 6155 is an excellent choice for producing high-quality color documents and borderless photos at home, thanks to its true-to-screen technology. You’ll appreciate the convenience of automatic duplex printing and the intuitive 2.4″ color touchscreen for easy navigation. The reliable dual-band Wi-Fi ensures seamless connectivity, and the inclusion of a 3-month Instant Ink trial offers potential savings on ink costs.

While it’s a fantastic all-around printer, the AI features for optimizing print formatting might be overkill for some users. If you prioritize vibrant, accurate prints and user-friendly operation for everyday tasks like homework and photos, the Envy 6155 is a strong contender. It’s a great fit for students and home users who value both quality and convenience.

Pros

  • Excellent print quality
  • User-friendly touchscreen
  • Automatic duplex printing

Cons

  • AI features may be unnecessary
  • Ink can be expensive
  • Touchscreen can be sensitive

Specifications

Brand
HP
Model
Envy 6155
Functions
Print, Copy, Scan
Duplex
Automatic
Display
2.4″ Color Touchscreen
Paper Capacity
100-sheet
Ink Service
3-Month Instant Ink
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#3. Canon PIXMA TS6520

Canon PIXMA TS6520
Dual-band
Wi-Fi
Automatic
Duplex
Compact
Design
Home and Hybrid
88
OVERALL
SCORE
Print Quality
9.0
Ease of Use
8.8
Connectivity
8.5
Features
8.7
Check Price on Amazon→

You’ll appreciate the Canon PIXMA TS6520 for its excellent balance of features and affordability, making it a versatile choice for home users and hybrid workers. Its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system delivers crisp text and vibrant colors for both documents and photos, while the automatic duplex printing saves you time and paper. The dual-band Wi-Fi ensures a stable connection, and the compact, stylish design fits well into any workspace.

While it doesn’t include an ADF, this printer is a reliable option for everyday tasks like school projects and printing photos. If you need advanced features like multi-page scanning, you might consider other models, but for straightforward, high-quality printing, the TS6520 is a solid pick.

Pros

  • Vibrant print quality
  • Automatic duplex printing
  • Compact and stylish design

Cons

  • No Auto Document Feeder
  • Basic display
  • Ink can be costly

Specifications

Brand
Canon
Model
PIXMA TS6520
Functions
Print, Copy, Scan
Duplex
Automatic
Display
1.42″ OLED
Connectivity
Dual-band Wi-Fi
Check Price on Amazon→

#4. Brother Work Smart 1360

Brother Work Smart 1360
20-Sheet
ADF
Automatic
Duplex
Cloud
Connectivity
Home Office Efficiency
87
OVERALL
SCORE
Productivity
9.0
Features
8.8
Ease of Use
8.5
Print Speed
8.7
Check Price on Amazon→

The Brother Work Smart 1360 is a robust all-in-one printer designed to boost your productivity, especially for home office tasks. You’ll benefit from the convenience of a 20-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for scanning and copying multi-page documents, alongside automatic duplex printing to save paper. Its fast print speeds and 150-sheet paper capacity handle everyday workloads efficiently, and cloud connectivity via the 1.8″ color display adds further flexibility.

While it offers great features, the ink cartridges can be a significant ongoing cost if you print heavily. This printer is an excellent choice for students or home office users who need a reliable machine with efficient features for handling documents. If budget ink is a top priority, consider models with higher-yield cartridges or alternative ink systems.

Pros

  • Fast print speeds
  • Includes ADF
  • Large paper capacity

Cons

  • Ink costs can add up
  • Basic display
  • Can be noisy

Specifications

Brand
Brother
Model
Work Smart 1360
Functions
Print, Copy, Scan
ADF
20-sheet
Duplex
Automatic
Paper Capacity
150-sheet
Connectivity
Wireless, USB
Check Price on Amazon→

#5. Canon PIXMA TS4320

Canon PIXMA TS4320
Wireless
Printing
Automatic
Duplex
Compact
Design
Budget-Conscious Students
82
OVERALL
SCORE
Value
9.0
Ease of Use
8.5
Print Quality
8.0
Connectivity
8.2
Check Price on Amazon→

The Canon PIXMA TS4320 is an excellent, budget-friendly option for students needing a reliable printer for occasional tasks like homework, recipes, or printing photos. You’ll appreciate its compact and stylish design, which fits easily into dorm rooms or small study spaces. Automatic duplex printing helps save on paper, and the wireless connectivity allows for convenient printing from your smartphone or computer without the hassle of cables.

This model lacks a display screen, meaning all operations are managed via an app or computer, which might be a slight drawback for some. If you’re looking for a no-frills, affordable printer that delivers good quality prints and essential functions without breaking the bank, the TS4320 is a smart choice. Skip it if you require advanced features or a built-in screen for direct operation.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Automatic duplex printing
  • Compact and lightweight

Cons

  • No built-in display
  • Basic functionality
  • Ink costs can be high

Specifications

Brand
Canon
Model
PIXMA TS4320
Functions
Print, Copy, Scan
Duplex
Automatic
Connectivity
Wireless
Display
None
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#6. HP DeskJet 2955

HP DeskJet 2955
Instant
Ink Trial
Wireless
Printing
AI-Capable
Workflow
Budget Home Use
78
OVERALL
SCORE
Value
8.5
Ease of Use
7.5
Print Speed
7.0
Features
7.8
Check Price on Amazon→

The HP DeskJet 2955 offers a straightforward solution for basic home printing needs, including scanning and copying. Its inclusion of a 3-month trial for HP’s Instant Ink service is a notable benefit, potentially saving you money on ink if you print regularly. The printer is also described as AI-capable, suggesting it can adapt to your workflow, and features wireless connectivity for convenient printing from various devices.

However, with a lower average rating, users might find print speeds to be on the slower side, and the manual duplexing could be an inconvenience for frequent double-sided printing. This model is best suited for students or home users with light printing demands who prioritize a low initial cost and the convenience of ink delivery.

Pros

  • Affordable entry price
  • Instant Ink trial included
  • Wireless connectivity

Cons

  • Manual duplex printing
  • Slower print speeds
  • Basic feature set

Specifications

Brand
HP
Model
DeskJet 2955
Functions
Print, Scan, Copy
Connectivity
Wireless
Paper Capacity
60-sheet
Ink Service
3-Month Instant Ink
Check Price on Amazon→

#7. HP DeskJet 2923

HP DeskJet 2923
Six-Month
Instant Ink
Wireless
Connectivity
Compact
Design
Simple Home Printing
76
OVERALL
SCORE
Value
8.0
Ease of Use
7.2
Print Speed
7.0
Features
7.5
Check Price on Amazon→

The HP DeskJet 2923 is designed for simplicity, offering essential print, scan, and copy functions in a compact package. It stands out with a generous 6-month trial of HP’s Instant Ink service, which can be a significant cost-saver for students or home users. Wireless connectivity makes it easy to print from your computer or smartphone, and the setup is generally straightforward for basic use.

While it offers good value, expect manual duplex printing and slower speeds compared to higher-end models. This printer is a practical choice if your primary needs are occasional document printing and you want to take advantage of the extended Instant Ink trial. It’s less ideal if you require high-volume printing or advanced features.

Pros

  • Generous Instant Ink trial
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Wireless printing capability

Cons

  • Manual duplex printing
  • Slower print speeds
  • Limited advanced features

Specifications

Brand
HP
Model
DeskJet 2923
Functions
Print, Scan, Copy
Connectivity
Wireless
Paper Capacity
60-sheet
Ink Service
6-Month Instant Ink
Check Price on Amazon→
Top 7 Best Color Printer For Students

Ace Your Assignments: The Smart Student’s Guide to Color Printers

Heading off to college or navigating a demanding academic year often means a surge in printing needs. From vibrant presentations and detailed diagrams to the occasional photo for a project, a reliable color printer can be an invaluable academic tool. But with so many options, choosing the right one without breaking the bank or getting bogged down in jargon can feel like a complex assignment in itself. Let’s break down what truly matters.

Decoding the Features That Fuel Your Studies

When selecting a color printer for student life, several key aspects deserve your attention. Think of these as the essential components of your academic printing toolkit.

  • Print Quality and Color Accuracy: For projects that need to pop, look for a printer that delivers sharp text and true-to-life colors. This is crucial for everything from science posters to art history slides.
  • Speed and Volume: Consider how quickly you’ll need documents printed and how many pages you anticipate running through it. A faster print speed can be a lifesaver during crunch times.
  • Connectivity Options: Ensure the printer offers the connections you need, whether it’s Wi-Fi for wireless printing from laptops and phones, or direct USB for a wired connection.
  • Ink or Toner Costs: This is a big one. Research the ongoing cost of replacement cartridges. Some printers have lower upfront prices but pricier consumables, which can add up quickly over a semester.
  • Ease of Use and Setup: A printer that’s intuitive to set up and operate will save you valuable time and frustration, letting you focus on your studies.

Navigating the Printing Pitfalls

Even with the best intentions, a few common missteps can lead to a less-than-ideal printing experience. Be aware of these to make a more informed choice.

  • Overlooking the long-term cost of ink or toner. A cheap printer can become expensive to run.
  • Buying a printer with features you’ll never use. Focus on the core functions that support your academic work.
  • Neglecting to check compatibility with your devices. Ensure it works seamlessly with your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Your Perfect Study Buddy Awaits

For students needing a robust all-in-one, the Canon PIXMA TR7120 is a top contender. If seamless ink management and smart features are your priority, the HP Envy 6155 or HP DeskJet 2923 with their Instant Ink trials are excellent choices. For straightforward, reliable printing without breaking the bank, the Brother Work Smart 1360 or Canon PIXMA TS4320 deliver.

No matter your budget, these printers offer fantastic value for academic needs. Ready to make your choice? Click the buttons above to check current availability and snag the best color printer for your studies!

Final 3 Picks: Versatile Home Use, Quality Home Prints, and Home and Hybrid

Ready to decide? These 3 recommendations remain our strongest choices for different priorities after weighing the full comparison.