Brands and models tested
Colour inkjet MFPs
- Brother DCP-J140W
- Brother DCP-J315W
- Brother DCP-J525W
- Brother DCP-J725DW
- Brother DCP-J925DW
- Brother MFC-J220
- Brother MFC-J430W
- Brother MFC-J4510DW
- Brother MFC-J5910DW
- Brother MFC-J625DW
- Brother MFC-J6510DW
- Brother MFC-J6910DW
- Brother MFC-J825DW
- Canon MP230
- Canon MX715
- Canon MX895
- Canon Pixma MG2260
- Canon Pixma MG3260
- Canon Pixma MG4260
- Canon PIXMA MG5350
- Canon PIXMA MG8250
- DELL V725W
- Epson Artisan 730
- Epson Artisan 837
- Epson Expression Premium XP-600
- Epson Expression Premium XP-800
- Epson Workforce Pro WP-4540
- Epson Workforce WF-7510
- Epson XP-100
- Epson XP-200
- Epson XP-300
- Epson XP-400
- HP Deskjet 1050A (J410)
- HP Deskjet 2510
- HP Deskjet 3520
- HP Envy 110
- HP Officejet 4620 e-AiO
- HP Officejet 6600 eAiO
- HP Officejet 6700 Premium
- HP Officejet 7500A wide format e AIO E910a
- HP Officejet Pro 8600 e-AIO
- HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus e-AIO
- HP Photosmart 5520
- HP Photosmart 6520
- HP Photosmart 7520
Colour laser MFPs
- DELL 2155cn
- Samsung CLX-3305FW
- Brother MFC-9970CDW
- HP LaserJet Pro CM1415fnw
- DELL 1355cnw
- HP Laserjet Pro 100 MFP M175nw
- Brother MFC-9325CW
- HP LaserJet Pro M275nw
Changing scores
Since the last review, many readers asked for print speed and print quality to be separated. We’ve now done this. We’ve also taken the Ease of Use and Versatility components out of the Scanning and Copying scores to make those scores more specific to scanning and copying, and combined them with Printing into overall scores for Ease of Use and Versatility.
We’ve also added components for Networking, Direct Photo Printing – that’s the ability to print straight from a camera without a computer – and Power Consumption. And while it’s not simple to measure the noise of printers in normal use, we’ve noted those we found particularly noisy or particularly quiet in the Good and Bad points.
How we test
Testing includes technical performance testing and ease of use assessment by a panel of printer experts. Printer testing is a complicated and expensive process. To help with the high cost, we share the results between a number of consumer organisations around the world. All the tests are carried out by professional labs in Europe that specialise in printer testing and all models listed and their respective consumables are available in Australia.
Performance
Performance testing includes assessment of print quality, ink/toner life, moisture resistance, plus scan and copy speed and quality.
Print quality is assessed by a panel of experts looking at typical black-and-white letter, an 8x10-inch high quality photo, a spread sheet and a colour document with a mixture of graphics and text. This simulates the most common printing habits.
Ink/toner life is determined by running the printers almost continuously, printing as many text, spreadsheet and photo pages as possible from three sets of cartridges. This information is used to calculate cost per page and long-term running costs (based on our average use scenario of 1000 mono prints, 250 colour document prints and 250 full-colour photo prints over the course of a year).
Moisture resistance is assessed by seeing if text smears when using a highlighter pen on it and also whether ink would run or bleed by dripping water on a 24 hours-old photo print.
Scan and copy speed and quality Is assessed by scanning and copying a magazine page, an 8x10-inch colour photo and scanning a 3D object.
Ease of use
This includes expert assessment of each product by running through everyday scenarios that replicate to typical use.
Setting up and installation This includes setting up the printer and installing any necessary software, installing ink cartridges and connecting to a computer or the internet where relevant.
Everyday printing tasks include loading paper, changing cartridges and various printing options including double-sided printing (where applicable) and changing print quality settings.
Advanced feature assessment includes scanning, copying, printing from memory cards and network printing. This covers versatility and identifies the ones with the easiest to navigate menus.
Handling of paper jams and replacement of ink cartridges is assessed, how easy it is to remove paper if there’s a print jam and potential problems with changing ink or toner cartridges, including leakage and difficult locks and catches.