Buying Guide
The Best Easy-to-Use Printers for Everyday Desk Work
We looked at 8 easy-to-use printers side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
9 min read8 products evaluated
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Easy to use is not one thing, it breaks down into easy setup, easy daily use, easy maintenance like ink changes and jam clearing, and easy troubleshooting when something goes wrong. A printer can nail one of these and fail badly at another, a simple setup wizard doesn't help if clearing a jam six months later requires reaching into an awkward gap.
Below are 8 printers we compared across all four dimensions of ease of use, setup friction, daily operation, maintenance simplicity, and troubleshooting clarity, ranging from a $59 basic inkjet to a $139 all-in-one with a fuller feature set.
Quick Picks
Our 8 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best for Non-Tech Users
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
First-time printer buyers or non-tech users wanting the simplest setup
Our take Check price for HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Simple Daily Use
Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer
Buyers who want the simplest possible daily print routine
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Display for Troubleshooting
Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer
Buyers who want clear on-screen guidance when troubleshooting an issue
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Auto Document Feeder for Easy Scanning
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer
Buyers who scan documents regularly and want that task simplified
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Value Easy Setup
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer (Black)
Buyers who want the TR4720's easy setup in a black finish
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer (Black) (opens in a new tab)
Simplest Possible Setup
Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer
Buyers who want the fewest possible settings and buttons to deal with
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Mobile App Experience
Canon PIXMA MG3620 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Buyers who want to manage their printer primarily through a mobile app
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA MG3620 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer (opens in a new tab)
Easiest Compact All-in-One
Canon TS6420 All-in-One Wireless Printer
Buyers who want Canon's easy setup and controls in a fuller-featured all-in-one
Our take Check price for Canon TS6420 All-in-One Wireless Printer (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best for Non-Tech Users1 of 8
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The DeskJet 4355 leans on HP's straightforward wireless setup flow and simple print, scan, copy button layout, making it a reasonable pick for an elderly relative or someone printing for the first time in years.
Best for
- First-time printer buyers or non-tech users wanting the simplest setup
Why we like it
AI-capable printing features are optional rather than required to get a basic print job done.
Cartridge swaps take a couple of minutes with a clearly labeled access door, and the included 3-month Instant Ink trial means a first-time buyer doesn't have to research cartridge purchasing right away. It won't handle high volume well long-term, but for straightforward setup and daily use it's one of the simplest picks here.
Quick cartridge swaps with clear access door.
Key dimensions & specs
- Color inkjet all-in-one: print, scan, copy
- 3-month Instant Ink trial included
- Simple wireless setup flow
- Clearly labeled cartridge access door
- Compact, low-cost design
Pros
- Simple setup flow suited to first-time or non-tech users
- Quick cartridge swaps with clear access door
- Low price removes pressure to get every feature right
- Instant Ink trial simplifies early ink purchasing
Cons
- Not built for high daily volume
- Cartridge costs return to normal after the trial
- No automatic document feeder
Best Simple Daily Use2 of 8
Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Canon markets the PIXMA TS4320 around easy setup, and in practice its compact single-tray design keeps daily operation simple, load paper, hit print, done, without extra trays or settings to manage.
Best for
- Buyers who want the simplest possible daily print routine
Why we like it
Duplex printing is built in without requiring manual page-flipping.
The companion app handles mobile printing setup in a few steps, and Canon's app has historically drawn fewer complaints about forced account creation than some competitors, worth checking current app store reviews before buying since app quality can shift between updates.
Duplex printing without manual flipping.
Key dimensions & specs
- Color inkjet, duplex printing
- Copier/scanner built in
- Compact single-tray design
- Easy setup, 1-year limited warranty
- Mobile app printing support
Pros
- Simple single-tray daily operation
- Duplex printing without manual flipping
- Straightforward mobile app setup
- Compact footprint
Cons
- No automatic document feeder
- Cartridge-based ink costs more at higher volume
- Limited to Letter/A4 paper size
Best Display for Troubleshooting3 of 8
Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
42-inch OLED display gives the PIXMA TS6520 a real advantage when something goes wrong, plain status messages and error prompts are easier to act on than a cryptic blinking light code, which is where cheaper printers often leave users guessing.
Best for
- Buyers who want clear on-screen guidance when troubleshooting an issue
Why we like it
Duplex printing and built-in scan and copy round out the feature set.
The intuitive control panel keeps common tasks a button press away rather than buried in a menu, which matters most in the moment a jam or low-ink warning actually appears.
Key dimensions & specs
- Color inkjet, duplex printing
- Built-in copier and scanner
- 1.42-inch OLED display with clear status messages
- Intuitive control panel
- Compact design
Pros
- OLED display gives clear, readable error messages
- Intuitive control panel for common tasks
- Duplex printing built in
- Compact footprint
Cons
- Cartridge ink costs more at high volume
- No automatic document feeder
- Ink can dry out with infrequent use
Best Auto Document Feeder for Easy Scanning4 of 8
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PIXMA TR4720's automatic document feeder simplifies a task that's normally fiddly on budget printers, scanning multiple pages without repositioning each one manually on the glass.
Best for
- Buyers who scan documents regularly and want that task simplified
Why we like it
Mobile printing setup follows a short, guided process for pairing a phone or tablet.
Built-in fax is a legacy holdover most buyers won't touch, but it doesn't complicate daily use. For anyone who scans regularly and wants that specific task to be simple, this is the easiest pick in this list for that job.
Key dimensions & specs
- Color inkjet all-in-one with auto document feeder
- Mobile printing support
- Built-in fax (legacy feature)
- Wireless connectivity
- Compact home printer design
Pros
- Automatic document feeder simplifies multi-page scanning
- Guided mobile printing setup
- Affordable price
- Simple daily operation
Cons
- Cartridge-based ink costs more at high volume
- Fax feature adds a menu option most won't use
- Not built for sustained high-volume printing
Best Value Easy Setup5 of 8
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer (Black) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This is the same easy setup and document-feeder convenience as the white PIXMA TR4720 above in a black finish, a straightforward wireless pairing process and simple button layout for everyday printing, scanning, and copying.
Best for
- Buyers who want the TR4720's easy setup in a black finish
Why we like it
It's a reliable, low-fuss option for a shared household printer.
As with the white version, the built-in fax feature is rarely used but doesn't complicate the interface, and mobile printing setup follows the same short, guided steps.
Key dimensions & specs
- Color inkjet all-in-one with auto document feeder
- Mobile printing support
- Built-in fax (legacy feature)
- Wireless connectivity
- Compact home printer design
Pros
- Same easy setup as the white TR4720
- Automatic document feeder included
- Affordable price
- Simple daily operation
Cons
- Cartridge-based ink costs more at high volume
- Fax feature adds an unused menu option for most
- Not built for sustained high-volume printing
Simplest Possible Setup6 of 8
Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
With the fewest features of any pick in this list, print, scan, copy, and nothing else, the PIXMA TS3720 has correspondingly little to configure or go wrong.
Best for
- Buyers who want the fewest possible settings and buttons to deal with
Why we like it
Fewer buttons and no extra modes make it hard to get lost in a menu.
This simplicity is a trade-off, no automatic document feeder or fax, but for a buyer who wants a printer that does exactly one job with minimal friction, that's a feature rather than a limitation. It's also the cheapest pick in this list.
Lowest price in this list.
Key dimensions & specs
- Color inkjet all-in-one: print, scan, copy
- Basic home printing design
- Wireless connectivity
- Compact and low-cost
- No automatic document feeder or fax
Pros
- Fewest features means fewest things to configure
- Lowest price in this list
- Simple, minimal button layout
- Compact footprint
Cons
- No automatic document feeder
- No fax
- Not built for sustained daily high-volume printing
Best Mobile App Experience7 of 8
Canon PIXMA MG3620 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MG3620 is built around mobile and tablet printing as its primary interaction model, which suits a buyer who'd rather manage everything from a phone screen than a physical control panel.
Best for
- Buyers who want to manage their printer primarily through a mobile app
Why we like it
Setup pairs the printer with Canon's app in a short guided flow.
Daily use then largely happens through the app rather than the printer's own limited controls, a smoother experience for anyone already comfortable with app-based devices, though it depends on the app itself staying reliable and well-maintained over time.
Simple guided app pairing at setup.
Key dimensions & specs
- Color inkjet all-in-one: print, scan, copy
- Mobile and tablet printing emphasis
- Wireless connectivity
- App-based daily interaction model
- Cartridge-based ink system
Pros
- Strong mobile app-first experience
- Simple guided app pairing at setup
- Good fit for buyers comfortable with app-based control
- Reliable wireless setup
Cons
- Relies on the companion app staying well-maintained
- No automatic document feeder
- Higher price than the more basic Canon picks in this list
Easiest Compact All-in-One8 of 8
Canon TS6420 All-in-One Wireless Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Canon TS6420 keeps the same easy-setup wireless pairing and simple control layout as the other Canon picks in this list, in a slightly more feature-complete all-in-one body with print, scan, and copy built in.
Best for
- Buyers who want Canon's easy setup and controls in a fuller-featured all-in-one
Why we like it
It's a reasonable middle ground for someone who wants a bit more capability without stepping up to app-first or ink-tank complexity.
Daily operation stays straightforward with clearly labeled buttons rather than a deep settings menu, and cartridge access follows the same quick swap process as Canon's other budget models in this list.
Key dimensions & specs
- Color inkjet all-in-one: print, scan, copy
- Simple wireless setup flow
- Clearly labeled button layout
- Compact design
- Cartridge-based ink system
Pros
- Simple setup consistent with other easy Canon picks
- Clearly labeled controls for daily use
- Quick cartridge swaps
- Full print, scan, copy feature set
Cons
- Higher price than the more basic Canon picks in this list
- No automatic document feeder
- Cartridge ink costs more at high volume
How We Chose These Easy-to-Use Printers
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Considered wireless pairing steps, whether an account or app download is forced, and how clearly guided the initial setup process is for a first-time user.
- Weighed button layout clarity, display quality, and how many steps a routine print, scan, or copy job actually takes.
- Compared cartridge swap time against ink-tank refill time and mess, since these differ meaningfully, 2-3 minutes for a cartridge versus 5-10 minutes for a tank refill.
- Checked whether each pick surfaces plain-language error messages on a display versus relying on blinking light codes that require a manual to decode.
- Factored in app store reception and whether setup and daily printing can reasonably be done through the app without excessive account creation friction.
What to Look for in an Easy-to-Use Printer
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match actual size and capacity to your real need, not the category label alone
Listings for an easy to use printer often use a size or capacity label ("compact," "large," "heavy-duty") that isn't standardized across brands, so the same label can mean meaningfully different actual dimensions or capacity from one product to the next.
This matters because buying based on the category label rather than the specific listed dimensions or capacity is a common way to end up with something that doesn't actually fit your space or handle your real load.
Check the listing for exact measurements or a stated capacity figure, and compare that directly against your actual space or need, not just the marketing size category.
Verify build material and construction quality from reviews, not just spec-sheet claims
A product description can describe material or construction in flattering terms that don't always hold up under real, sustained use, and the gap between a listing's claimed quality and its actual durability only shows up in how the product performs after weeks or months of real use, not in day-one photos.
This matters more for anything you'll use daily or under real load, less for occasional light use where durability matters less.
Check reviews specifically for mentions of how the easy to use printer holds up over time, not just unboxing-day impressions, and treat a listing's own quality claims as a starting point to verify, not a guarantee.
Confirm any headline feature actually works as advertised, not just that it's listed
A feature appearing in a product's bullet points doesn't guarantee it performs well in practice, some features are functional but limited, and a few are closer to a marketing checkbox than a useful capability.
This matters directly if a specific feature is the main reason you're choosing this easy to use printer over a simpler, cheaper alternative, since a feature that underperforms in practice undermines the whole reason for paying more.
Check reviews specifically for real-world experiences with the exact feature that matters most to you, not just whether the feature is listed at all.
Weigh review count alongside rating, not rating alone
This matters more for a purchase you're relying on to perform consistently over time, less for a low-stakes, easily replaceable item.
Check both the star rating and the review count together for any easy to use printer you're considering, and treat a high rating on a very small review count as a promising but less-proven signal.
Check compatibility and fit with your existing setup before ordering
An easy to use printer that looks like a straightforward fit in photos can still have a compatibility detail, a connector type, a mounting requirement, a size threshold, that doesn't match your existing setup, and this kind of mismatch is one of the most common and avoidable reasons for a return.
This matters directly if the product needs to physically connect to, mount on, or otherwise integrate with something you already own.
Check the listing's specific compatibility details against your exact existing setup, not just the general product category, before ordering.
How to Choose an Easy-to-Use Printer
By Rating Confidence: Highest Rated vs Most Reviewed
| HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All | |
| HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All |
| Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All | |
Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All vs Canon TS6420 All
- Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All
- The lower-priced option in this comparison, worth checking its actual specs and review history against your specific need before assuming it's enough.
- The higher-priced option, worth it if it offers real, checkable headroom in build quality, capacity, or features over the cheaper pick.
Default to Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All unless your specific need calls for the pricier pick's extra headroom.
| HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All |
For a First-Time Buyer Specifically
- Clear, specific dimensions or capacity and a real, established review history, not just marketing language.
- You need real durability and feature depth for regular use, where Canon TS6420 All's build gives real headroom over the cheaper picks.
- You only need this for light or occasional use, where Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All covers the same job at a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually makes a printer easy to use?
It breaks into 4 separate things: easy setup (getting it connected the first time), easy daily use (routine print, scan, copy jobs), easy maintenance (cartridge swaps or ink refills), and easy troubleshooting (understanding and fixing a jam or error). A printer can excel at one and struggle at another, so match your pick to which of these matters most for how you'll actually use it.
Is a cartridge printer or an ink-tank printer easier to maintain?
It depends on how you value frequency versus time per task. A cartridge swap, the system every printer in this list uses, takes about 2 to 3 minutes and happens fairly often at moderate volume. An ink-tank refill on a separate ink-tank printer typically takes 5 to 10 minutes, unscrewing caps and pouring carefully, but happens far less frequently. If you'd rather deal with ink less often even if each event takes longer, an ink-tank printer is worth comparing separately from the cartridge-based picks here.
Which printer is best for an elderly or first-time user?
The HP DeskJet 4355 is a solid starting point, its wireless setup flow is straightforward and its button layout keeps common tasks simple without assuming prior printer experience. Avoid printers that force extensive account creation or app-only setup if the user isn't comfortable with smartphone apps.
Why does a printer's display matter for ease of use?
A display that shows plain-language messages, like 'Paper Jam in Rear Tray, Open Door B', is far easier to act on than a cryptic blinking light code that requires pulling up a manual to decode. The Canon PIXMA TS6520's OLED display is a real advantage here over simpler indicator-light printers when something goes wrong.
Should I trust a printer's companion app to be easy to use?
Check current app store ratings before assuming so, app quality shifts over time as printers receive updates, and an app that was well-reviewed a year ago can later pick up complaints about forced account creation or bugs. If you plan to rely heavily on a printer's app, verify its current rating rather than its reputation from launch.
Does having fewer features make a printer easier to use?
Often, yes, for the specific dimension of daily use and setup complexity. A stripped-down printer like the Canon PIXMA TS3720, with just print, scan, and copy, has fewer menus and settings to navigate than a printer packed with fax, automatic document feeding, and advanced modes you may never touch. If you don't need those extras, skipping them can simplify daily use.
Bottom Line
Best overall: HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer — best for non-tech users pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all easy-to-use printers on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.