Setting up a functional home office means finding gear that can handle a bit of everything without taking over the entire room. That’s where the best all-in-one color printers come into play. These machines are the true multitaskers, combining printing, scanning, and copying into one sleek device. For anyone dealing with school projects, client invoices, or even just printing the occasional recipe or photo, having an all-in-one is a game-changer. It saves you from needing separate devices and keeps your workspace tidy and efficient.
When I look for a good model, I focus on a few key things. Print quality is obviously huge—you want your colors to pop and your text to be sharp. But I also pay close attention to running costs, because cheap ink can be a trap. Features like automatic duplex printing (printing on both sides automatically) and wireless connectivity are now pretty much essential for a smooth workflow. The goal is to find a printer that feels like a helpful assistant, not a high-maintenance piece of tech that constantly demands attention or expensive supplies.
Our Picks for the Best All-in-One Color Printers
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9011e All-in-One Printer
- Canon PIXMA TR8620 All-in-One Printer
- Epson WorkForce WF-2860 All-in-One Color Printer
- Brother MFC-J995DW INKvestmentTank Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer
- HP Envy 6055 All-in-One Printer
- Epson EcoTank ET-3850 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer
HP OfficeJet Pro 9011e All-in-One Printer
I’ve been using the HP OfficeJet Pro 9011e for a few months now, and it’s become the workhorse of my home office. What really stands out is the speed; it prints professional-quality color documents incredibly fast, which is a lifesaver when I’m up against a deadline. The automatic document feeder is a must-have for scanning or copying multi-page contracts without having to stand there and feed each page manually. Setup was a breeze with the HP Smart app, guiding me through the process and getting me connected to my Wi-Fi in just a few minutes. The print quality is consistently excellent, with sharp text and vibrant colors that make my presentations look great.
One of the main reasons I chose this model is HP’s Instant Ink program. It’s a subscription service that monitors my ink levels and automatically ships new cartridges before I run out. I never have to worry about last-minute trips to the store, and the cost-per-page is surprisingly low, which is a huge relief for my budget. The printer is also surprisingly compact, fitting neatly on the corner of my desk without feeling bulky. While the initial cost might be a bit higher than some basic models, the time and money saved on ink and the sheer reliability make it a solid investment for anyone who prints regularly.
Pros
- Very fast printing speeds for both color and black-and-white documents.
- HP’s Instant Ink program helps manage ink costs and ensures you never run out.
- Compact design that doesn’t take up too much desk space.
Cons
- The initial purchase price is higher than some entry-level all-in-ones.
- Instant Ink requires a monthly subscription, which might not suit everyone.
Canon PIXMA TR8620 All-in-One Printer
The Canon PIXMA TR8620 feels less like a simple printer and more like a compact home office command center. It has a unique 5-inch color touchscreen that’s super responsive and makes navigating menus and settings really intuitive. I especially like the built-in automatic document feeder and the 20-sheet photo tray, which is perfect for printing directly onto specialty paper without having to swap out the main paper tray. The print quality is what you’d expect from Canon—absolutely stunning photos with rich, accurate colors and smooth gradations. It’s a great choice if you need to print client work or family photos alongside your everyday documents.
Connectivity is a strong point with this model. It has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even a front USB port for printing directly from a thumb drive. The Quiet Mode is a feature I use often when I’m working late; it significantly reduces the operational noise. While it uses individual ink cartridges (which is good because you only replace the color that runs out), the cost of genuine Canon ink can add up if you’re a very heavy user. For a small to medium-volume home office that values photo quality and versatile features, the TR8620 is a fantastic and user-friendly option that covers all the bases.
Pros
- Excellent photo and document print quality with a dedicated photo tray.
- Large, easy-to-use touchscreen and versatile connectivity options.
- Quiet Mode is effective for not disturbing others in the home.
Cons
- Ink costs can be high for frequent, high-volume printing.
- The design is a bit larger than some other home all-in-one models.
Epson WorkForce WF-2860 All-in-One Color Printer
If you’re looking for a no-fuss, budget-friendly workhorse, the Epson WorkForce WF-2860 deserves a close look. This printer is all about getting the job done without a lot of extra fluff. I found the print speed to be more than adequate for typical home office tasks like printing reports, school assignments, and web pages. The color accuracy is good for business documents, producing clean and professional-looking results. It includes automatic duplex printing, which is a fantastic paper-saving feature that I always look for, and the 30-page automatic document feeder handles multi-page scans and copies with ease.
Setting up the WF-2860 was straightforward. The wireless connectivity works reliably, allowing me to print from my laptop, phone, or tablet without any hiccups. One thing to keep in mind is that it uses a standard four-color individual ink cartridge system. This is efficient because you only replace the color that runs out, but like many inkjets, the cost of replacement cartridges can be a consideration over time. For its price point, the WF-2860 offers a solid set of features and reliable performance, making it a great value-oriented choice for a home office that doesn’t need the absolute highest photo quality but demands dependable everyday function.
Pros
- Excellent value for money with essential features like auto duplex and an ADF.
- Fast and reliable wireless printing from multiple devices.
- Compact design that fits easily on a desk or shelf.
Cons
- Print quality is good for documents but not ideal for high-end photo printing.
- Ink cartridge yields may be lower than some competing models.
Brother MFC-J995DW INKvestmentTank Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer
For those who print a lot and are tired of constantly buying ink, the Brother MFC-J995DW with its INKvestmentTank system is a game-changer. This isn’t a full-blown tank printer, but it uses high-yield ink cartridges that are housed in a tank-like system, promising up to a year of ink based on a typical usage pattern. In my experience, the ink really does last an impressively long time. This is a huge advantage for reducing both cost and the hassle of frequent replacements. The printer itself is a full-featured all-in-one with a 50-sheet automatic document feeder and automatic two-sided printing, making it ready for serious home office work.
Performance is robust and reliable. I’ve used it for everything from long text documents to color charts and graphics, and the output is consistently sharp and clear. The wireless setup was simple, and the Brother iPrint&Scan app works well for mobile printing. The one trade-off is that the printer itself is quite large, so you’ll need to make sure you have adequate space for it. If your primary concern is lowering your long-term cost per page and you need a dependable machine that can handle a high volume of printing, the Brother MFC-J995DW is an incredibly smart and economical choice.
Pros
- Extremely high-yield ink system drastically reduces the cost per page.
- Robust feature set with a large ADF for handling big jobs.
- Reliable performance and strong wireless connectivity.
Cons
- The physical size is quite large and requires significant desk space.
- The initial investment is higher than basic cartridge-based printers.
HP Envy 6055 All-in-One Printer
The HP Envy 6055 is the printer I often recommend to friends and family who are setting up their first home office. It strikes a perfect balance between affordability, style, and capability. The design is sleek and modern, and it’s compact enough to fit almost anywhere. Despite its small size, it doesn’t skimp on features. It prints, scans, and copies, and it does so wirelessly with minimal setup required through the HP Smart app. Print quality is more than sufficient for everyday tasks, producing crisp black text and vibrant colors for flyers or charts.
One of the best things about the Envy 6055 is its compatibility with HP’s Instant Ink program. This subscription service can be a real money-saver if your printing volume is predictable. You can choose a plan based on how many pages you print per month, and HP sends you ink automatically. The printer also supports voice printing with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which is a neat trick for quick prints. For a home user who prints occasionally but wants the convenience of an all-in-one with modern connectivity, the HP Envy 6055 is an outstanding and hard-to-beat value.
Pros
- Extremely affordable upfront cost and a compact, attractive design.
- Easy setup and reliable wireless printing via the HP Smart app.
- Optional HP Instant Ink program can help manage long-term ink costs.
Cons
- Not designed for high-volume printing; best for light to moderate use.
- The paper input tray holds only 80 sheets, which might be small for some.
Epson EcoTank ET-3850 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer
The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is the answer for anyone whose main printer complaint is the cost of ink. Instead of cartridges, it uses refillable ink tanks that come with enough ink in the box to print thousands of pages. I was initially skeptical, but the savings are very real. The cost per page is a fraction of what you’d pay with a cartridge system. The ET-3850 is a full-featured all-in-one, offering printing, scanning, copying, and even a dedicated borderless photo printing function. The print quality is excellent, with Epson’s Claria ink producing smudge-resistant and long-lasting photos and documents.
Setting up the ink tanks is a bit messier than popping in a cartridge, but the included bottles are designed to prevent spills, and you only have to do it once every couple of years for the average user. The printer has a built-in 30-page automatic document feeder and supports wireless connectivity. The initial purchase price is higher than a cartridge printer, but you have to think of it as a long-term investment. If you print regularly, even a moderate amount, the EcoTank will pay for itself over time and then some, making it one of the most cost-effective choices on the market.
Pros
- Extremely low cost per page due to the high-yield bottle ink system.
- Excellent print quality for both documents and photos.
- Comes with a full set of ink bottles capable of printing thousands of pages.
Cons
- Higher initial purchase price compared to cartridge-based printers.
- The ink tank refilling process requires more care than changing cartridges.