"Most people want a few simple things from their next printer: a low price tag, tolerable ink costs, WiFi connectivity, and the ability to copy and scan documents, says Consumer Reports."

"All-​in-​one inkjets can hit all four marks, which is one of the reasons they're the most popular printers among consumers. However, Consumer Reports' tests show it can be hard to find a model that delivers across the board."

"Determining the long-​term cost is the trickiest part. Some cheap all-​in-​one printers will put a serious dent in your bank account as the price of frequent ink replacements adds up, while other printers that cost a lot up front may be cheaper in the long run because they're more frugal with ink."

"Printers use ink in two ways. Of course, they use ink to print documents. But inkjet printers also use ink for maintenance, mainly for cleaning the printheads. Consumer Reports' testing shows that some printers are more efficient with maintenance ink than others, and that does a lot to drive the differences in the overall cost of ownership."

"A newer type of inkjet printer, often called a supertank, can cut ink costs dramatically. You refill a sizable ink reservoir rather than buying individual cartridges. If you can afford the upfront price, Consumer Reports has found the best reservoir models can be a capable and highly thrifty choice."

"Many inkjet models refuse to print if a single hue of ink runs dry — even if it’s magenta and you’re just trying to print black text. But other models will keep chugging along in that situation."

This can vary within a brand, which makes it harder to shop. It can take some effort to track this info down. You often have to go online, download the owner’s manual, and confirm that the printer has what’s called 'single-​cartridge mode.' Printers with a single-​cartridge mode can be less of a hassle. But surprisingly, printers that lack that feature can still be thrifty with ink overall."

"Most new home printers allow for wireless printing over WiFi — but not all. Some manufacturers leave this feature out to cut costs. That’s inconvenient for many people, so check our ratings or product descriptions before you buy."

"A wireless printer lets users print over the air from any device connected to the same network. Families with multiple computers will see immediate benefits, as will anyone who works on a laptop from the sofa, kitchen table, or back porch."

"Some printers can also print from a smartphone or tablet using Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print. Some manufacturers have their own apps that accomplish the same thing, but those apps may not be as handy."

Office Equipment Shoppers are likely already online researching the best type of printer to purchase. In fact, last month, 77.4% of these shoppers used a search engine to research a product they were considering, according to AudienceSCAN.

AudienceSCAN data is available for your applications and dashboards through the SalesFuel API. In addition, AdMall contains industry profiles on office and business supply retailers and office equipment equipment dealers, as well as lead lists at the local level. Media companies, sales reps and agencies can access this data with a subscription to AdMall from SalesFuel.