The Best Printers for Home Use in the UK

As remote work becomes standard practice across the UK, having a home printer has evolved from luxury to necessity. However, this widespread adoption has made choosing the right printer more challenging. With numerous options flooding the market and factors like budget, printing needs, and evolving technologies to consider, the selection process can feel overwhelming.

HP offers three distinctive printer lines designed to fulfil the needs of every home user: HP DeskJet for budget-conscious buyers, HP ENVY for versatile all-in-one use, and HP Smart Tank for high-volume printing. This comprehensive guide walks you through each line, helping you decide which printer best matches your needs and budget.

What to Consider When Choosing a Home Printer

Before purchasing a printer, evaluate these four key factors that will drive your decision.

Print Volume Needs

Most home printers handle occasional use rather than bulk printing. Consider your typical workload:

Light Usage (school worksheets, occasional documents)

• Choose a printer optimised for minimal use
• Requires close to no maintenance
• Lower upfront cost is practical

Heavy Usage (creative professionals, work-from-home requirements)

• Need higher capacity systems
• Require cost-effective consumables
• Benefit from refillable tank designs

Honestly assess your monthly print volume. This single factor dramatically influences long-term costs and satisfaction.

Document Types

The types of documents you print directly affect which printer class you need:

Black and White Documents

• Emphasise speed over quality
• Prioritise cost efficiency
• Standard inkjet or laser works well

Colour Documents and Photos

• Require higher resolution and colour fidelity
• Demand quality output
• Need better ink systems and colour management

Mixed Use (text and photos)

• All-in-one or multi-function printers ideal
• Balanced speed and quality important

Budget Considerations

The budget extends beyond upfront printer cost. The real expense emerges in running costs—ink and toner replacement can quickly exceed your initial investment.

Upfront Cost

• Budget printers: £50–150
• Mid-range printers: £150–300
• Premium printers: £300+

Running Costs

• Cheap printers with expensive cartridges become costly long-term
• Refillable tank systems reduce per-page costs dramatically
• High-yield cartridges offer better value than standard cartridges

Choosing a printer with efficient consumable costs may seem expensive initially but saves significantly over time with frequent use.

Space and Features

Home environments typically feature limited space and connectivity. Consider:

Physical Space

• Compact printers fit desk corners and shelves
• Larger models consume significant desk real estate
• All-in-one multifunction designs maximise efficiency

Connectivity Requirements

• Wireless printing matches modern workflows
• Mobile app support enables printing from phones and tablets
• Network connectivity suits multiple household users

Additional Features

• Scanning and copying expand functionality
• Automatic duplex (double-sided) printing saves paper
• ADF (automatic document feeder) simplifies batch copying

Best Budget Home Printer: HP DeskJet Series

The HP DeskJet series delivers affordable, reliable printing without unnecessary professional features. These compact printers provide print, copy, and scan capabilities with wireless connectivity for easy mobile printing through the HP Smart App.

Who This Series Suits

Ideal for:

• Families with light printing needs (schoolwork, occasional documents)
• Home office workers printing a few pages daily
• Budget-conscious buyers prioritising low cost
• Users with minimal feature requirements

Strengths

• All-in-one capability: Print, copy, and scan from one device
• Low upfront cost: Entry-level pricing under £100 for many models
• Wireless setup: HP Smart App integration for easy mobile printing
• Compact design: Minimal desk space requirements
• Easy maintenance: Simple setup and operation

Considerations

• Cartridge costs add up: High-volume printing becomes expensive
• Limited graphic support: Not ideal for frequent photo printing
• Modest speeds: May feel slow for larger jobs
• Basic feature set: No advanced connectivity or speciality functions

Who Shouldn’t Choose DeskJet

Users planning frequent colour photo printing or high monthly page volumes (200+ pages) should upgrade to ENVY or Smart Tank series. If printing habits exceed expectations, you’ll outgrow DeskJet quickly.

Verdict: Solid everyday performance at minimal cost. Perfect for occasional printing; upgrade if needs increase.

Best All-in-One Home Printer: HP ENVY Series

The HP ENVY series addresses users wanting versatility, including high-quality photo printing. These printers deliver print, copy, and scan functionality with touchscreen navigation and full wireless support, making them ideal for households with diverse printing needs.

Who This Series Suits

Ideal for:

• Creative households with mixed document types
• Home offices printing text and occasional photos
• Users wanting one machine handling multiple tasks
• Those desiring higher photo quality without premium pricing
• Small businesses operating from home

Strengths

• Versatile functionality: Print, copy, scan, and photo support
• Strong colour output: Quality suitable for casual photo printing
• Multiple photo sizes: Supports diverse creative projects
• Wireless connectivity: Seamless mobile printing and app integration
• Touchscreen interface: Intuitive navigation and settings
• Balanced speed: Handles most workloads efficiently
• Reasonable pricing: Mid-range cost for all-in-one capability

Considerations

• Higher than budget models: £200–350 range typical
• Photo quality not professional-grade: Adequate for home use, not exhibition-quality
• Moderate monthly duty cycle: Designed for regular rather than heavy use
• Cartridge costs: Traditional cartridges vs. refillable tanks

Real-World Performance

Customers describe the ENVY series as a strong home office performer with photo quality good enough for casual photo-printing. All-in-one capabilities and robust wireless and app support make it a practical workhorse for diverse household printing needs.

Verdict: Excellent balance of features, quality, and cost. Best for households mixing document and photo printing.

Best High-Volume Home Printer: HP Smart Tank Series

The HP Smart Tank series handles heavy-duty printing needs from document quantity to complete photo books. The HP Smart Tank 7005 Wireless All-in-One Colour Printer delivers printing seamlessly from start to finish with a cartridge-free design for the whole family, creating a variety of outstanding-quality colour documents at a low cost with up to three years of Original HP ink included in the box.

Who This Series Suits

Ideal for:

• Home office users printing 500+ pages monthly
• Students printing large assignments regularly
• Photo enthusiasts printing batches of images
• Small businesses operating from home
• Cost-conscious users with high print volumes
• Anyone prioritising cost-per-page above all else

Strengths

• Ultra-low cost per page: Refillable tanks reduce consumable costs 70–90%
• Refillable ink tanks: Large capacity reduces frequent refilling
• Network and wireless connectivity: Full mobile printing support
• Larger input capacity: Accommodates more paper
• Exceptional value long-term: Monthly printing costs drop significantly
• Multi-function capability: Print, copy, and scan from one device

Considerations

• Higher upfront cost: £300–500 range typical (compared to DeskJet £100–150)
• Larger footprint: Takes more desk space than compact models
• Learning curve: Refill system requires initial understanding
• Better for committed users: Long-term value requires sustained use

Another excellent option in the Smart Tank range is the HP Smart Tank 5107 Wireless All-in-One Colour Printer, which delivers the HP quality you expect with savings that are anything but expected.

Quick Comparison: Which HP Home Printer Is Right for You?

Common Questions About Home Printers

What is the most cost-effective printer for home use?

For light printing, a DeskJet series printer offers the lowest upfront cost and easiest setup. However, if you plan printing 200+ pages monthly, a Smart Tank refillable system offers better long-term savings despite higher initial investment.

Are ink tank printers worth it for home users?

Yes, especially with high print volumes or frequent colour and photo printing. Higher upfront cost is offset by substantially lower per-page costs and simplified supply management. Tank refills cost significantly less than cartridge replacements.

What features should I prioritise in a home printer?

Essential features depend on your use case:

• Wireless connectivity and mobile printing for modern workflows
• Print quality and resolution especially for photo printing
• Speed (ppm rating) for your typical job size
• Multi-function capability (scan/copy) for versatility
• Refillable tank system if printing frequently
• Automatic duplex printing to save paper and costs
• Adequate tray capacity for your paper needs

What’s the difference between inkjet and laser printers for home use?

Inkjet Printers

• Versatile for documents and photos
• Typically lower upfront cost
• Excellent colour printing quality
• Better for occasional use due to ink drying concerns
• HP DeskJet and ENVY series are inkjets

Laser Printers

• Faster monochrome printing
• Lower cost-per-page for black-and-white documents
• Better for high-volume document printing
• Less ideal for quality photo printing
• More expensive upfront
• Better for business-heavy workflows

For home use combining documents and photos, inkjet (DeskJet or ENVY) is typically better. Browse HP’s range of laser printers if your needs are primarily business-focused.

Key Takeaways: Your Perfect Home Printer

Your search for the best home printer ends here with the right choice for your needs:

Budget-Friendly Choice

• HP DeskJet Series: Perfect for light home use with minimal upfront cost
• Best for: Occasional printing, school documents, basic home office needs

Versatile All-in-One

• HP ENVY Series: Ideal for home offices and mixed document/photo workflows
• Best for: Creative households, photo enthusiasts, multi-purpose printing

High-Volume Solution

• HP Smart Tank Series: Cost-efficient for heavy home printing or small business use
• Best for: Frequent printing, cost-conscious users, creative professionals

Whatever your printing plans, HP has a solution matching your needs specifically so you can maximise value and performance. Explore HP’s complete home printer lineup, compare models within each series, and find your perfect match with confidence.

Ready to upgrade your home printing? Browse the full HP printer collection today and make your choice with certainty. Whether you need a business printer for your home office or a home office printer for everyday use, HP has the perfect solution for you.