Client done with HP printers

[Velvis]

I have a client who has had nothing but issues with HP Inkjet printers over the last year or so. He replaced an all in one unit with another HP (in the $300 range I don't have the exact model handy, but not a $65 special...) about 3 months ago and HP had to mail him a printhead to replace a failed one already.
His secretary has a similar HP unit that is always complaining about the ink cartridges not being legit (they are).

Basically, they want to move on from HP.

Does anyone have recommendations for a reliable color inkjet with a scanner?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Unless you're going at least above 500-600 bucks...you'll find all printers are quite...similar in disappointment.
I see you mention "secretary"...so that makes me think business. Laserjet..laserjet...laserjet. I'd never recommend an inkjet for a business.
Yes, laserjets cost more up front, but they last for the long haul, and "price per page" is much cheaper after just a couple of years.

 

[Rosco]

all the inkjet seem to stink. I really push laserjet for most.

 

[GTP]

Xerox, Kyocera, or Oki. Serious printers for serious work.

 

[lan101]

If they insist on inkjet I'd say brother still. I don't think they are as good as the old ones like everything but still better than any other brand.

 

[britechguy]

I agree that for office work in particular I'd get a laser printer, not an inkjet. But if they insist on an inkjet definitely get one that sports the refillable "mega tanks" made by Brother, Canon, or Epson.

I've been a fan of Canon printers for years and just bought this one for a client: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMBH1N9C?th=1

 

[Rosco]

I agree that for office work in particular I'd get a laser printer, not an inkjet. But if they insist on an inkjet definitely get one that sports the refillable "mega tanks" made by Brother, Canon, or Epson.

I've been a fan of Canon printers for years and just bought this one for a client: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMBH1N9C?th=1

I like the Canon refillable tanks if it has to be ink. I have had nothing but problems with the Epson refillable tanks ones though.

 

[HCHTech]

Brother's cheap laserjets are an easy sell to residential clients and micro-businesses that don't need color, and have been bulletproof in my experience. Toner and drums are cheap and easily available.

 

[britechguy]

Brother's cheap laserjets are an easy sell to residential clients and micro-businesses that don't need color, and have been bulletproof in my experience. Toner and drums are cheap and easily available.

@HCHTech,

Definitely. Brother makes very good monochrome laser printers/multifunctions.

These days if someone insists on an inkjet printer, unless they have already bought it themselves, I insist on a Canon MegaTank or Brother EcoTank or similar. The savings in ink (because any third-party inkjet ink will do) easily and quickly makes up for any increase in initial purchase cost of any significant amount or print output is being produced (and with an inkjet, whether the output is a large number of pages or not, it needs to occur on a routine basis to prevent clogging of the print heads from disuse).

 

[sapphirescales]

Printers suck. I recommend that clients buy the cheapest piece of crap they can because they're all crap anyway and they can just sh*tcan the thing when it dies without being out too much. Brother printers are probably the most reliable but honestly in 2026 they all just suck. I have a cheap $35 Canon printer I bought from Walmart back in 2020 to use in my home based business and it's still working. It's such a piece of crap that it doesn't have a screen or WiFi. It's USB only. The cartridges are more expensive that the printer. I've put probably 2,500 pages through the thing. I never would have bought it except for the fact that all printers were pretty much sold out in 2020 when everyone suddenly had to work from home and these things were the only printers left. Man it's a piece of crap but it's lasted longer than any printer I've ever had save for my old HP DeskJet from 1994. That HP was used when I got it and it lasted me until 2014. No USB. Only parallel.

 

[HCHTech]

save for my old HP DeskJet from 1994. That HP was used when I got it and it lasted me until 2014. No USB. Only parallel.

Their laserjets were so sturdy, you could run them over with your car and they would still work. I just retired a 2200 at a client's this year that was old enough to drink!

 

[timeshifter]

Does anyone have recommendations for a reliable color inkjet with a scanner?

No

 

[timeshifter]

I was working with a residential client a few days ago for something unrelated, then he asked me about his printer. He's on his third inkjet printer in so many years and having trouble. There's a jammed paper in there. It was one of those Epson EcoTank printers that you probably spend $250 to $300 on new, but the print engine is what is basically the same printer as the $79 regular inkjet.

They're all garbage. I was giving him my speech about how lasers are better, but he had one exception, or his main interest in printing is he has an interest in printing pictures from his photography. Not a big-time photographer, but every now and then likes to have a nice printout.

That's a good recommendation on Canon. I'm going to keep that in mind as a brand for someone that wants color the way he does.

In next post I've listed the printers that I think are the current picks and the pros and cons in April 2026. I picked up the Canon for someone for $399. That customer isn't very savvy and I think, while more expensive, the simplicity of one toner / drum cartridge would be a net win for them. Countless people I've dealt with over the years have a tough time understanding that there's a drum that you replace separately.

 

[timeshifter]

Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw​

Status: Recommended — April 2026

• All-in-one color laser: print, copy, scan, fax
• 26 ppm, 5" touchscreen, duplex print and scan
• Single cartridge system (toner only, no separate drum) — simpler for users
• 3-year warranty — best in class for this price range
• Street price: ~$400-$499 (got it at $400 from Best Buy, possibly sale)
• Works with third-party toner — confirmed
• Third-party toner:LD Products Canon 075H high-yield set of 4 (BK/C/M/Y) ~$220
  • Link: https://www.ldproducts.com/compatible-canon-075-h-high-capacity-toner-cartridge-set-of-4-bk-c-m-y
• Why Canon over Brother: Brother's separate drum + toner cartridges confuse users; Canon single cartridge is simpler
• Why Canon over HP: Not a fan of newer HP color laser models

Brother MFC-L3780CDW​

Status: Good printer, but second choice due to drum/toner complexity

• Best toner economy (~2.66¢ black, ~13.73¢ color)
• Single-pass duplex ADF, NFC, 3-year warranty
• Separate drum and toner cartridges — confuses non-technical users
• Street price: ~$430-$570

Brother MFC-L3765CDW​

Status: Budget pick

• ~$330-$380
• Shares toner with L3780CDW
• Good value for price-sensitive clients

 

[britechguy]

My own printer is a Canon Color ImageCLASS MFC656Cdw.

It's been just fine for several years and I like the fact that it gives me no issue using third-party toner cartridges beyond not being able to give accurate level readings for those. I've also never spent more than a bit over $100 on a 5-pack of 2 black, plus color, toner cartridges of the high yield variety. I just watch for sales, and they occur routinely. The idea of $200 plus for third party aftermarket options is a no-go for me.

 

[Markverhyden]

Their laserjets were so sturdy, you could run them over with your car and they would still work. I just retired a 2200 at a client's this year that was old enough to drink!

LOL!!!! Got a 4200n that's just humming along fine. I've had it a similar amount of time. Printed next to nothing the last few years so the toner is still sitting at 98%.

 

[timeshifter]

I’ve had good luck and service from LD. Where do you guys get your 3rd party toner?

@britechguy is your printer the predecessor to the one I mentioned? I guess you like it.