While printer use has certainly decreased in a substantial way as organizations move to a paperless future, they remain a must-have electronic device for the home and office.
Printers have made many strides since they were initially introduced, becoming extremely easy to set up, offering better-looking and more efficient print quality, and costing less than ever.
Dealspotr took a look at several publications’ all-in-one printer reviews and best-of lists, finding that there is a clear leader in the under-$75 segment.
Currently listed at just $69.99 on Amazon and Epson.com, the Epson Expression Home XP-420 has the best appearance, printing quality, and bundle of features in its class, making it the best all-in-one printer under $75. It is also available for $69.99 at Best Buy and Office Depot if you prefer those stores.
The Epson Expression Home XP-420 offers a simple set up; however, it is much more than a basic inkjet printer. This small, cube-like device is able to provide Wi-Fi and Cloud printing, features a surprisingly large 2.5” LCD screen, and includes a convenient SD card slot for direct-from-the-camera printing.
The Expression Home XP-420 is cleverly marketed as a “small-in-one” printer, calling attention to the fact that at 15.4”W x 20.8”D and a height of 11”, it is one of the smallest printers on the market. With its small size and cable-free technology, this printer can be placed in any discreet location around the office.
In fact, the small size of the XP-420 is a major reason both CNET and TechRadar gave it glowing 4-star reviews. The reviewer at TechRadar showed particular appreciation for the printer’s ease-of-use and simple set-up/start-up process. Meanwhile, CNET’s expert states that the XP-420’s black text and full-color graphics have the crispness and clarity produced by much pricier laser printers.
The XP-420 is a versatile printer because it can be easily used by both Windows and Apple operating systems and even on Cloud printing projects. With this level of universal compatibility, there’s no surprise it is a #1 New Release and has earned a 4.3/5 purchaser rating on Amazon.
For mobile professionals and students, the most exciting aspect of the Expression Home is “Epson Connect,” which allows for printing directly from a tablet or a smartphone. A standard feature of Epson printer models, it allows you to print from just about anywhere with your device.
When you are shopping on the low end of the all-in-one printer price spectrum, it is not wise to expect it to be able to handle large volumes of work or produce top-of-the-line print quality. Instead, the Epson Expression Home XP-420 is probably best utilized by small businesses, in at-home offices, or by college students.
CNET has a single negative comment for the XP-420 – despite the addition of an SD card slot intended for printing directly from a camera, the printer lacks a USB port with Pictbridge compatibility, a feature included on previous generations of this product.
TechRadar has a few more complaints about the XP-420, though they are not particularly scathing. One of their “cons” for the printer is that it operates only at a moderate speed while producing average-quality images. Despite this complaint, the printer still punches well above its weight when price is considered. The reviewer also dislikes the construction of the printer, going so far as to call it “shoddy.”
Though the Epson Expression Home XP-420 may be small, it has the capability to perform like a much larger and more expensive all-in-one printer. For smaller-scale scanning, printing, and copying needs, it is helpful to have a compact appliance like this that takes up so little space on a desk or shelf.
While the XP-420 is not intended to dazzle its owner with superb performance, this “small-in-one” printer is a high-value option. It is no surprise that CNET included the XP420 at the top of its Best Printers of 2015 feature.
