Printers, Copiers & Fax Machines

Best Printers, Copiers & Fax Machines in the UK: Where to Buy and How to Choose

Why choosing the right printer matters

Picking a printer might feel as simple as grabbing the cheapest model on a shelf, but trust me, the wrong choice can become a pricey headache. Whether you need crisp photos, reliable home office output, or robust copier features for a small business, the right machine saves time, money, and frustration. Think of a printer as the bridge between digital ideas and physical results — choose the right bridge and your workflow flows; choose the wrong one and you’ll be constantly stuck on the wrong bank.

Popular places to shop for printers in the UK

UK shoppers have a healthy mix of general retailers, specialist stores and niche suppliers to choose from. Some stores focus on gadgets and novelty items, others on professional tools and heavy-duty copiers, and specialist retailers concentrate on supplies and business-grade machines. Below I break down what each type of store typically offers so you can match the store to your needs.

Menkind — gadget-first selection

Menkind is best known for quirky, giftable tech and novelty gadgets, but they also stock a few fun, portable printing devices. Models like the Red5 Phone Printer and the Denver Mini Printer target photo-lovers who want instant, pocket-sized prints without the fuss of ink cartridges. If you want a gadget-style printer that connects to your phone for party-ready photo printing, Menkind is worth checking out.

Expert Electrical — tools and specialist equipment

Expert Electrical tends to lean toward trade tools and professional kit. They often carry label printers like the Kewtech Bluetooth Label Printer which are aimed at technicians, tradespeople and teams that need rugged, reliable labelling on site. If you’re a tradesperson or you need handheld, durable solutions rather than home-photo printers, Expert Electrical can have the right niche devices.

Currys and John Lewis — mainstream and trusted options

Currys and John Lewis are go-to high-street choices for most buyers. You’ll find household names like HP, Canon, Epson and Brother across their ranges, from budget inkjet all-in-ones to midrange laser printers. These retailers offer convenience, broad warranties, and the ability to compare models side-by-side, which is great if you want to test Wi-Fi setup or paper handling before committing.

Printerland and specialist online retailers

If you want depth in printers, supplies and service, specialist shops like Printerland, Cartridge Save and Cartridge People are strong contenders. They focus on printing technologies, have broad consumable ranges, and often offer detailed specs and support targeted at both home users and businesses. Specialists can help you find lower running-cost options and compatible cartridges that big-box stores might not highlight.

Office supply stores — Staples UK, Ryman and Argos

Office retailers such as Staples UK, Ryman and Argos are solid for practical, work-oriented purchases. They stock business-friendly copiers, AIOs (all-in-ones), and small office multifunction machines. If you run a small office or need a dependable MFP that prints, copies and scans without extra frills, these stores are good places to compare practical specs like duty cycle and paper handling.

Types of printers and who they suit

Not all printers are created equal. Understanding the main types helps you avoid regret at checkout. Let’s break the categories down so you can quickly see what fits your day-to-day.

Inkjet printers — flexible and photo-friendly

Inkjet machines are the go-to for photos and flexible media like glossy photo paper. They excel at colour gradients and rich detail, so hobby photographers and home users who print occasional photos love them. However, ink can be expensive per page if you print heavily, so look at cartridge yields and compatible refill options if cost is a concern.

Laser printers — speed and low running costs for text

If you’re printing lots of black-and-white documents, a laser printer makes sense. Toner cartridges typically last longer, so your cost per page drops as volume grows. Laser models also tend to be faster and handle higher monthly duty cycles, which is ideal for students, home offices, and small businesses that produce lots of paperwork.

All-in-one (MFP) machines — print, copy, scan, sometimes fax

All-in-ones combine multiple functions in one footprint, saving space and simplifying workflows. Modern MFPs include wireless connectivity, mobile printing, duplexing and cloud support. They’re a strong choice for families and small teams who need a single device to handle multiple tasks without extra clutter.

Label and portable printers — niche but handy

Label printers like the Kewtech Bluetooth Label Printer are designed for tradespeople or home organization efforts, producing tough adhesive labels on demand. Portable compact printers — examples include the Denver Mini Printer and Red5 Phone Printer — are for instant photos or on-the-go printing where convenience beats high volumes.

Key features to consider before you buy

Shopping for a printer is easier when you know which features matter to you. Here’s a checklist to guide the purchase so you don’t pay for bells you won’t use or miss a must-have.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile printing

Most modern printers offer Wi-Fi and mobile app support. Bluetooth is useful for label printers and portable devices that pair directly with phones. If you plan to print from multiple devices, ensure the model supports network printing and popular mobile standards like AirPrint or Google Cloud Print alternatives.

Duplex printing and paper handling

Automatic duplex (double-sided) printing is a time-saver and eco-friendly feature. Also check input tray capacity and whether the printer handles heavier media like glossy photo sheets. Small offices benefit from bigger trays, while portable printers often sacrifice capacity for compact size.

Print speed and duty cycle

Print speed (usually measured in pages per minute) matters if you print long documents. Duty cycle indicates how many pages the printer can handle monthly; match it to your expected use. For a busy home office, aim for higher rated duty cycles to avoid premature wear.

Resolution and colour quality

Photo printers focus on higher optical resolution and more refined ink droplet control. For documents with occasional images, midrange inkjet resolution is usually fine. If you’re printing professional photos or marketing materials, look for models designed for photographic output.

Running costs and how to compare them

Beyond purchase price, the real long-term cost of a printer is in ink or toner and maintenance. Smart buyers check cost per page estimates and cartridge yields before buying. Think of the printer price as the headline, and cartridges as the subscription you’ll pay over time.

Cost per page: a quick math trick

To compare models, divide the cartridge price by the estimated page yield. That gives you a rough cost per page that’s easier to compare across brands and technologies. Some vendors advertise "XL" or high-yield cartridges that lower this number, so factor those options into your calculations.

Refill and third-party cartridges

Specialist retailers often offer compatible cartridges and refill services that can slash running costs. However, consider warranty implications and print quality trade-offs. For businesses that need guaranteed performance, factory cartridges may still be the safer bet.

Best picks by use case

Different users have different needs. Below are quick recommendations matching common scenarios to printer types and store choices.

Home photo enthusiast — portable and photo inkjets

If you love instant prints and photo sharing, look at the Denver Mini Printer or phone-compatible portable printers from gadget retailers. For higher-quality photo prints at home, choose a dedicated photo inkjet from Canon or Epson available at Currys or John Lewis.

Home office — reliable all-in-ones

A compact all-in-one laser or inkjet with good duplexing and mobile printing is ideal. You’ll find sensible, budget-friendly models at Currys, John Lewis, and office stores like Staples UK. Consider models with automatic document feeders for easy scanning of multi-page documents.

Small business — robust laser MFPs and copier options

For frequent printing and copying, business-grade laser MFPs from Brother or HP provide speed, durability and lower cost per page. Specialist retailers and office suppliers often carry machines with higher duty cycles and optional extended warranties suitable for small teams.

Trades and technicians — label printers and handhelds

Tradespeople should prioritize durability and reliability. Devices like the Kewtech Bluetooth Label Printer sold by specialist electrical suppliers are built to withstand site conditions and provide long-lasting label adhesives for wiring, plumbing and equipment tagging.

Where to hunt for the best deals in the UK

Timing and retailer type affect the deals you’ll find. If you’re patient and strategic, you can reduce upfront and running costs significantly.

Seasonal sales and clearance

Major retailers run sales around seasonal events and when new models arrive, so watch for discounts during peak sale periods. Clearance models are often last-gen but can offer decent specs at reduced prices if you don’t need cutting-edge features.

Refurbished and open-box options

Refurbished machines from reputable dealers can deliver like-new performance with a lower price tag. Specialist retailers and manufacturer outlets sometimes offer warranties on refurbished units, giving you peace of mind while saving money.

Bundle deals with supplies

Some shops bundle printers with extra cartridges or paper, which can lower the total cost of ownership in the short term. If you print a lot, a bundle with a high-yield toner can be a sensible buy.

Practical tips to extend printer life and save money

Once you’ve chosen a printer, simple habits can extend its life and keep running costs down. A little care goes a long way.

Use the device regularly

Ink can dry if a printer sits idle for long periods, so running a short test print weekly helps keep heads unclogged. For laser printers, occasional use keeps fuser components functioning smoothly.

Choose the right paper and settings

Use recommended paper types for photo printing and choose draft mode for everyday documents to save ink. Matching the media type in the printer settings improves output and prevents unnecessary ink usage.

Recycle responsibly

Many stores and manufacturers offer cartridge recycling schemes. Recycling not only helps the environment but can sometimes earn you store credit or discounts on future purchases.

Final thoughts before you buy

Buying a printer in the UK is more than picking the brand with the flashiest ad. Match the machine to your actual printing habits, factor in running costs, and pick a retailer that fits your need for warranty and support. Whether you’re after a pocket-sized photo printer from gadget retailers, a robust label printer from specialist electrical suppliers, or a reliable all-in-one from mainstream retailers, there’s a model and a store for every use case.

Conclusion

Choosing the right printer is a mix of understanding your use case, comparing running costs, and picking a retailer that offers the right balance of price, support and specialist knowledge. From Menkind’s fun portable printers to Expert Electrical’s professional label solutions, and mainstream options at Currys and John Lewis, the UK market covers every need. Take your time, check cartridge yields, and remember that the cheapest model up front isn’t always the cheapest in the long run. With a little planning, you’ll land a printer that feels like it was made for you — not a compromise you have to live with.