Buying Guide
The Best Printers for Windows 11, Compared
We looked at 7 printers for windows 11 side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
10 min read7 products evaluated
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Windows 11 can usually detect and install a basic driver for a new printer automatically, but that built-in driver often lacks scan tools, ink-level monitoring, and maintenance utilities that come with the full driver package from the manufacturer's own installer. Many connectivity complaints blamed on the printer are actually Windows-side Print Spooler service crashes, a background process that can hang or fail independently of the printer hardware, and knowing that distinction before buying a replacement printer can save an unnecessary purchase.
Quick Picks
Our 7 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Overall for Windows 11
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Duplex
Home office buyers who print high document volume and want laser reliability on Windows 11
Our take Check price for Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Duplex (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Pick
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer with Auto Document Feeder and Mobile Printing
Buyers who want an inexpensive Windows 11 printer with a document feeder
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer with Auto Document Feeder and Mobile Printing (opens in a new tab)
Best for Low Cost-Per-Page
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Ink Supertank Printer
Windows 11 home offices that print frequently and want low ongoing ink cost
Our take Check price for Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Ink Supertank Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best for Document-Heavy Offices
Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with ADF and Ethernet
Shared Windows 11 home offices that want a stable Ethernet connection and document feeder
Our take Check price for Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with ADF and Ethernet (opens in a new tab)
Best for Simple Setup
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier
Budget shoppers who want simple setup and will remember to cancel the ink trial
Our take Check price for HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier (opens in a new tab)
Best with Automatic Duplex
Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex Printing
Windows 11 users who print longer documents and want automatic duplex printing
Our take Check price for Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex Printing (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact All-in-One
Canon TS5320 All in One Wireless Printer, Scanner, Copier with AirPrint, Black
Buyers who want Canon's full driver feature set in a compact everyday printer
Our take Check price for Canon TS5320 All in One Wireless Printer, Scanner, Copier with AirPrint, Black (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Overall for Windows 111 of 7
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Duplex on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The DCP-L2640DW is a monochrome laser printer that installs a full driver package on Windows 11 with scan, copy, and maintenance tools, going well beyond what the operating system's built-in driver alone provides.
Best for
- Home office buyers who print high document volume and want laser reliability on Windows 11
Why we like it
Brother's laser engines are known for consistent, low-fuss operation on Windows, with fewer reported offline and reconnection issues than some inkjet competitors.
Automatic duplex printing and wireless connectivity round out a printer built for steady document output rather than photos. It costs more upfront than the inkjet picks here, but a laser engine typically holds up to higher print volumes with fewer maintenance interruptions over its lifespan.
Laser reliability with fewer reported connectivity issues.
Key dimensions & specs
- Monochrome laser engine
- Automatic duplex printing
- Full Windows 11 driver with scan and maintenance tools
- Wireless connectivity
- Compact laser footprint
Pros
- Full driver package, not just the Windows built-in basic driver
- Laser reliability with fewer reported connectivity issues
- Automatic duplex printing
- Handles higher document volume than inkjet picks
Cons
- Highest price in this list
- Monochrome only, no color printing
- Toner replacement costs more upfront than ink cartridges
Best Budget Pick2 of 7
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer with Auto Document Feeder and Mobile Printing on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TR4720 installs through Canon's full driver on Windows 11, which brings scan and print quality settings beyond the operating system's automatically-installed basic driver.
Best for
- Buyers who want an inexpensive Windows 11 printer with a document feeder
Why we like it
Its auto document feeder is a useful inclusion at this price for scanning multi-page documents without repositioning each sheet. Windows 11's built-in printer troubleshooter is a reasonable first step if this printer ever shows offline, since it resolves many spooler-related hiccups without needing a full driver reinstall. It is an affordable entry point for a home office that mostly needs occasional document printing and scanning.
Key dimensions & specs
- Auto document feeder
- Full Canon Windows 11 driver package
- Wireless network printing
- Built-in fax
- Compact footprint
Pros
- Lowest price in this list
- Auto document feeder for multi-page scans
- Full driver with scan and quality settings
- Compact enough for tight desk space
Cons
- Cartridge-based ink costs more per page over time
- No color display
- Fax feature is unnecessary for most buyers
Best for Low Cost-Per-Page3 of 7
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Ink Supertank Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ET-2800 replaces disposable cartridges with refillable ink tanks, meaningfully lowering the cost per page for a Windows 11 home office printing regularly.
Best for
- Windows 11 home offices that print frequently and want low ongoing ink cost
Why we like it
Epson's full Windows driver package includes the Epson Scan 2 utility and print quality controls that the operating system's automatic driver install does not provide on its own.
The higher upfront price is offset over time by ink savings for households that print often. It does not include an automatic document feeder, so multi-page scanning is done manually on the flatbed.
Full driver package with scan utility.
Key dimensions & specs
- Cartridge-free refillable ink tanks
- Full Epson Windows 11 driver with Scan 2 utility
- Wireless network printing
- Flatbed scanner, no ADF
- Included startup ink bottles
Pros
- Lowest long-run cost per page in this list
- Full driver package with scan utility
- No cartridges to run out of
- Reliable for high print volume
Cons
- Higher upfront price than cartridge models
- No auto document feeder
- Tank refills require occasional manual top-off
Best for Document-Heavy Offices4 of 7
Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with ADF and Ethernet on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ET-4800 adds an auto document feeder and Ethernet to the EcoTank lineup, both useful in a Windows 11 home office where multiple PCs might share the printer over a wired network for a more stable connection than Wi-Fi alone.
Best for
- Shared Windows 11 home offices that want a stable Ethernet connection and document feeder
Why we like it
Ethernet connections are also less prone to the offline errors that wireless-only printers sometimes report after a router reboot or Windows update.
The full Epson Windows driver installs scan, copy, and maintenance tools beyond what Windows 11 sets up automatically. Refillable ink tanks keep cost per page low for households or small offices with steady print volume.
Auto document feeder for multi-page scans.
Key dimensions & specs
- Auto document feeder
- Ethernet and wireless connectivity
- Cartridge-free refillable ink tanks
- Full Epson Windows 11 driver package
- Built-in fax
Pros
- Ethernet option reduces wireless offline errors
- Auto document feeder for multi-page scans
- Low cost per page from refillable tanks
- Full driver with scan and maintenance tools
Cons
- Highest price in this list alongside the ET-2800
- Larger footprint than compact single-purpose picks
- Fax feature is unnecessary for most home buyers
Best for Simple Setup5 of 7
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The DeskJet 4355 pairs with the HP Smart app on Windows 11 for setup, print job monitoring, and mobile scanning, layered on top of the standard printer driver.
Best for
- Budget shoppers who want simple setup and will remember to cancel the ink trial
Why we like it
If it ever shows as offline, running the Windows 11 printer troubleshooter first, before assuming the printer itself has failed, resolves many cases where the actual culprit is a stalled Print Spooler service rather than the hardware. A 3-month Instant Ink trial is bundled in, which converts to paid billing unless canceled, so set a reminder if you don't want ongoing charges. It is one of the cheapest ways into wireless printing for a Windows 11 desk setup.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wireless network printing
- HP Smart app for setup and monitoring
- 3-month Instant Ink trial included
- Flatbed scanner, no ADF
- AI-capable HP Smart features
Pros
- Lowest price alongside the Canon TR4720
- HP Smart app simplifies setup
- Compact for tight desk space
- Instant Ink trial included
Cons
- Instant Ink trial auto-converts to paid unless canceled
- More reported offline/spooler-related complaints than Canon or Epson on forums
- No auto document feeder
Best with Automatic Duplex6 of 7
Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex Printing on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Work Smart 1360 installs Brother's full Windows 11 driver package, which includes duplex printing controls and status monitoring that go beyond the operating system's automatic driver install.
Best for
- Windows 11 users who print longer documents and want automatic duplex printing
Why we like it
Automatic duplex printing saves paper on longer documents printed from a Windows PC without manual page flipping.
8 inch color display makes checking print status and ink levels easier directly on the printer. A Refresh Subscription ink trial is included and converts to paid billing unless canceled within the trial window.
Color display for easy status checks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Automatic duplex printing
- 1.8 inch color display
- Full Brother Windows 11 driver package
- Wireless network printing
- Refresh Subscription ink trial included
Pros
- Automatic duplex printing saves paper
- Color display for easy status checks
- Full driver with duplex and status controls
- Mid-range price with solid feature set
Cons
- Refresh Subscription trial auto-converts unless canceled
- No auto document feeder
- Larger footprint than the compact Canon and HP picks
Best Compact All-in-One7 of 7
Canon TS5320 All in One Wireless Printer, Scanner, Copier with AirPrint, Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TS5320 installs Canon's full Windows 11 driver, exposing print quality tiers, tray settings, and scan controls that the operating system's basic automatic driver does not surface on its own.
Best for
- Buyers who want Canon's full driver feature set in a compact everyday printer
Why we like it
The five-color individual ink system lets a single depleted color be replaced without discarding a combined cartridge.
It lacks an automatic document feeder, so multi-page scanning is manual on the flatbed. For a Windows 11 desk setup that mostly needs everyday color printing and occasional scanning, its compact size and individual ink tanks make it a practical middle-tier pick.
Key dimensions & specs
- 5-color individual ink tanks
- Full Canon Windows 11 driver package
- Wireless network printing
- Flatbed scanner, no ADF
- Compact all-in-one body
Pros
- Full driver exposes print quality and tray settings
- Individual ink tanks reduce waste
- Compact all-in-one design
- Reliable Canon Windows connectivity
Cons
- No auto document feeder
- Higher price than the entry Canon TR4720
- Flatbed-only scanning is slower for bulk jobs
How We Chose These Printers for Windows 11
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Built-in vs full OEM driver
- Checked whether each printer's manufacturer driver adds meaningful tools, like scan utilities and maintenance settings, beyond what Windows 11 installs automatically on first connection.
- Offline and spooler error history
- Weighed forum-reported connectivity complaints by brand, noting where issues trace back to Windows' Print Spooler service rather than the printer hardware itself.
- Compared how straightforward wireless setup and reconnection are after a router reboot or Windows update, which is a common source of avoidable printer troubleshooting.
- Feature completeness for a home office
- Factored in duplex printing, document feeders, and Ethernet options relevant to steady Windows 11 desk and home office document workflows.
- Weighed driver completeness, connectivity reliability, and included features against price across the range of price points in this comparison in this list.
What to Look for in a Printer for Windows 11
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 a 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 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 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 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
A 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 a Printer for Windows 11
By Rating Confidence: Highest Rated vs Most Reviewed
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All vs Brother DCP
- 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 TR4720 All unless your specific need calls for the pricier pick's extra headroom.
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 Brother DCP's build gives real headroom over the cheaper picks.
- You only need this for light or occasional use, where Canon PIXMA TR4720 All covers the same job at a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Windows 11 install printer drivers automatically?
Yes, Windows 11 usually detects a new printer and installs a basic driver automatically over USB or the network. That built-in driver covers basic printing, but scan tools, ink-level monitoring, and maintenance features typically require installing the manufacturer's full driver package separately.
My printer shows offline, is it broken?
A printer showing offline in Windows 11 is frequently caused by the Print Spooler service, a background process that manages print jobs and can hang or crash independently of the printer hardware. Restarting the spooler service or running the built-in Windows 11 printer troubleshooter resolves many of these cases without needing a new printer.
Should I use the Windows 11 troubleshooter before buying a new printer?
Yes, it's a reasonable first diagnostic step. The troubleshooter under Settings can detect and fix common issues like a stalled spooler service or an incorrect default printer setting, both of which are frequently misdiagnosed as printer hardware failure.
Is a laser printer more reliable on Windows 11 than an inkjet?
Laser printers, like the Brother DCP-L2640DW in this list, generally report fewer offline and connectivity complaints on Windows forums than budget inkjets, though this is based on aggregate reports rather than a guarantee for any individual unit. Laser engines also cost more upfront and don't print in color.
Does Ethernet solve Windows 11 printer connectivity issues?
A wired Ethernet connection, available on the Epson EcoTank ET-4800 in this list, avoids the Wi-Fi dropouts that sometimes follow a router reboot or firmware update. It's a good option for a shared home office printer where stability matters more than wireless convenience.
Will an ink subscription trial start billing me automatically?
HP Instant Ink and Brother's Refresh Subscription trials both convert to paid billing automatically once the trial period ends unless you cancel through the account settings beforehand. Set a reminder if you don't want the ongoing charge.
Bottom Line
Best overall: Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Duplex — best overall for windows 11 pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all printers for windows 11 on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.