Podcast Summary: The Wirecutter Show – "Tormented by Our Printers"

Episode Information:

• Title: Tormented by Our Printers
• Release Date: January 8, 2025
• Hosts: Christine Cyr Clisset, Kyra Blackwell, Rosie Guerin
• Guest: Ben Keough, Wirecutter’s Home Office and Cameras Editor

Introduction to Printer Frustrations

The episode opens with the hosts, Christine Cyr Clisset, Kyra Blackwell, and Rosie Guerin, sharing their favorite recipes from New York Times Cooking, creating a warm and relatable start for listeners. However, the tone shifts swiftly as Rosie delves into her personal frustrations with home printers, setting the stage for the episode's main topic.

Rosie Guerin begins at [01:05] by recounting her stressful evening caused by the necessity of printing forms for her twins’ doctor appointment. She vents her disdain for printers, citing their cumbersome size, complicated connectivity, and the high cost of ink:

“Printers are the worst. Listen, they're large, they're clunky... Inflation is high. Am I really meant to set money aside for toner or ink? Get out of here.” [00:01:22]

Understanding the Universal Printer Struggle

Christine relates to Rosie’s frustrations, referencing a previous Wirecutter article titled "All Printers Suck," and shares her own transition from an unreliable inkjet to a more dependable laser printer:

“I used an inkjet for many, many years and I was definitely in your camp... And then I switched over to a real cheap laser printer from Brother, which is actually like a precursor. And you know what? I'm pretty happy with it...” [00:03:02]

Kyra adds her perspective, opting not to own a printer herself due to similar frustrations but acknowledges the need for some households:

“I want a printer at home because my kids sometimes need to print stuff for school... But buying a printer can be really confusing.” [00:04:03]

Expert Insight with Ben Keough

To address these challenges, the hosts bring in Ben Keough, an experienced Wirecutter journalist specializing in home office equipment. Ben provides an in-depth analysis of the printer landscape, starting with the fundamental types of printers: inkjet and laser.

Differences Between Inkjet and Laser Printers:

At [00:07:59], Ben explains:

“An inkjet printer uses a nozzle to spray tiny sub-millimeter dots of ink onto paper in a very precise pattern... Laser printers... point a laser that imitates the pattern of the image or text onto a drum, which is electrostatically charged.” [00:07:59]

Pros and Cons:

Ben elaborates on the advantages of inkjet printers, particularly their superior color quality, making them ideal for photos and family snapshots. However, he highlights significant downsides such as higher ongoing costs due to expensive ink cartridges and maintenance issues like clogged printheads.

Conversely, laser printers are praised for their speed, durability, and lower cost per page, especially for black and white documents. Despite these benefits, laser printers generally come at a higher upfront cost and lack the photo-printing prowess of inkjets.

Decision-Making Process for Choosing a Printer

Ben guides listeners through a decision tree to determine the most suitable printer based on individual needs:

1. Do You Need a Printer?

   • Many can rely on public or commercial printing services, reducing the necessity of owning a printer.

2. How Often Do You Print?

   • Infrequent Printing/Text-Only: A basic black and white laser printer, such as the Brother HL2460DW ([00:11:58], [00:12:15]), is recommended for its efficiency and low cost per page.
   • Frequent Printing/Color Needs: An inkjet offers better color quality for photos and versatile functionalities like scanning and copying, though with higher ongoing costs.

3. Specialized Needs (e.g., Photo Printing):

   • Hobbyist or Professional Photographers: A dedicated photo printer, though expensive (up to $1,000 for models like the Canon Pro Image Graph Pro 1000), provides superior photo quality and versatility.
   • General Home Use: Multifunction inkjets balance cost and functionality, suitable for both documents and casual photo printing.

Ongoing Costs and Cost-Saving Strategies

Cost per Page:

At [00:18:03], Ben introduces the concept of cost per page, advising listeners to calculate the annual costs based on ink or toner consumption. This metric helps in understanding the true cost of owning a printer.

Third-Party Inks and Toners:

Rosie voices concerns about the high cost of ink refills and the reliability of third-party cartridges. Ben addresses these by acknowledging that while third-party inks can reduce costs, they may compromise print quality and compatibility:

“Inkjets do have certain advantages... but the downside is... ink costs more than toner and it's also very tightly controlled by the manufacturers... sometimes not even use third party ink.” [00:07:15]

Ben also discusses the challenges posed by manufacturers like HP, who lock printers into using their proprietary inks, limiting consumer choices and increasing costs.

Refurbished Printers:

Christine shares her positive experience with buying a refurbished printer, prompting Ben to recommend purchasing refurbished models from reputable sources, such as directly from manufacturers like Brother, to ensure reliability and warranty support.

Alternatives to Owning a Printer

Ben suggests alternatives for those who find owning a printer too cumbersome or expensive:

• Public and Commercial Printing Services: Libraries, FedEx, and office supply stores offer affordable printing options.
• Mobile Scanning Apps: Tools like Adobe Scan can replace traditional scanners, providing high-quality document scans via smartphones.
• Photo Labs: Services like Nations Photo Lab offer superior photo printing without the need for home equipment.

Lightning Round: Printer Recommendations for Specific Tasks

The hosts engage in a lightning round where Rosie poses various printing scenarios, and Ben provides tailored printer recommendations:

1. Returning Shoes (Printing a Label):

   • Recommendation: Use a black and white laser printer or utilize services at FedEx or UPS stores to print the label directly. [29:20]

2. Printing a Photo for a School Project:

   • Recommendation: A color laser printer is sufficient for non-glossy photos; otherwise, use a color laser or take the photo to a FedEx store for higher quality. [29:43]

3. Printing Paper Copies of Bills:

   • Recommendation: Black and white laser printer for efficient and cost-effective document printing. [29:58]

4. Occasionally Printing Important Documents (e.g., Passport Applications, Medical Docs):

   • Recommendation: Black and white laser printer for reliability and low maintenance. [30:07]

5. Budding Photographer Printing Exceptional Work:

   • Recommendation: Invest in a dedicated photo printer or utilize a professional photo lab for high-quality prints. [30:14]

Final Takeaways and Recommendations

As the episode nears its conclusion, the hosts summarize their key insights:

• Opt for a Black and White Laser Printer: For the majority, especially those who primarily print text documents, a basic laser printer like the Brother HL2460DW offers reliability and low ongoing costs.
• Consider Inkjet Printers for Color Needs: If color printing, especially photos, is essential, an inkjet or dedicated photo printer may be appropriate despite the higher costs.
• Explore Refurbished Options: Purchasing refurbished printers from reputable sources can provide cost savings without sacrificing quality.
• Leverage Alternative Services: Utilize public and commercial printing services to avoid the hassles and costs of owning a printer.

Rosie Guerin reflects on the episode’s insights, expressing a newfound appreciation for laser printers while still harboring some printer-related frustrations:

“Honestly, my main takeaway is I probably should get a laser printer. When I'm really ready to get serious about having something in my home, I can pick one up for $160...” [32:26]

Ben Keough shares a personal note on his passion for photography and his recent acquisition of a vintage Nikon F3 camera, highlighting the intersection of technology and personal hobbies.

Conclusion: "Tormented by Our Printers" provides a comprehensive exploration of the challenges associated with home printers, guiding listeners through the complexities of choosing the right device based on their specific needs and budget. With expert advice from Ben Keough, the episode demystifies printer technology, offers practical cost-saving strategies, and presents viable alternatives for those wary of the traditional printing experience.

For more detailed recommendations and product reviews, visit nytimes.com/wirecutter.