8 Best Printers for Occasional Use in 2026
8 best printers for occasional use in 2026, chosen for resisting ink dry-out and jam-free performance after weeks of idle time. Compare price and upkeep.
Comparison Table
| Pick | Product | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall for Occasional Use | HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer | Check price |
| Best Budget Pick | Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer | Check price |
| Best with Status Display | Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer | Check price |
| Best for Occasional Multi-Page Scans | Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer (White) | Check price |
| Simplest, Lowest-Cost Option | Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer for Basic Home Printing | Check price |
| Best for Occasional Tablet Printing | Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer | Check price |
| Best for Occasional Photo Printing | Canon TS6420 All-in-One Wireless Printer | Check price |
| Best for Zero-Ink-Maintenance Printing | MT610Pro Inkless Portable Thermal Printer for Travel and Home Office | Check price |
Prices are approximate. Check Amazon for current pricing before purchasing.
Occasional use isn't one thing, weekly, monthly, and quarterly printing carry very different ink-drying risk profiles, and the printer that suits a weekly user isn't necessarily the right pick for someone printing a boarding pass once a quarter. Basic inkjets and one inkless thermal model dominate this list because they avoid the higher upfront cost of ink-tank printers that only pays off at real volume.
Below are 8 printers we evaluated for occasional use, weighing ink dry-out risk, jam-free reliability after idle stretches, and low upfront cost over raw print speed or volume capacity, ranging from a $53.97 inkless thermal printer to a $139.00 basic all-in-one.
6 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a Printers for Occasional Use
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Define your actual frequency before choosing
Weekly, monthly, and quarterly printing carry very different ink-drying risk profiles. A weekly printer can safely use any cartridge-based model in this list, while a quarterly printer should lean toward the inkless thermal option or plan to run maintenance cycles before each rare use.
Auto power-on and nozzle-check cycles quietly consume ink
Inkjet printers left plugged in run periodic auto-clean and nozzle-check cycles even when not actively printing, consuming a measurable amount of ink over months for an occasional user. Over a year, this can amount to a meaningful fraction of a cartridge's total ink for a printer that's rarely used.
Unplug an idle inkjet printer between uses
Many inkjet models skip their scheduled auto-clean cycles when fully unpowered, which reduces the ink wasted maintaining a printer nobody's using. Fully unplugging, not just leaving it in sleep mode, is the more effective habit for occasional use.
Laser toner has a shelf life too
Bundled toner commonly has a shelf life of around 2 years from the date of manufacture, meaning a very-low-volume laser user could see toner expire before finishing it. If you're considering a laser printer for occasional use, check the toner's manufacture date rather than assuming it lasts indefinitely.
Expect the first print after a long idle period to need a check
Inkjet printers commonly show streaks or missing nozzle lines on the first job after weeks of idle time, while laser printers are more forgiving. Run a test page before anything important rather than trusting the first print to look right.
Don't over-invest in ink-tank economics for rare printing
Ink-tank printers only pay back their higher upfront price at real volume, hundreds of pages a month. An occasional user printing a handful of pages a month is almost always better served by a basic cartridge inkjet or the inkless thermal option in this list.
8 Best Printers for Occasional Use in 2026
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
About this pick
The DeskJet 4355 keeps things simple with print, scan, and copy in a low upfront package, ideal for a household that prints a handful of times a month rather than daily. The included Instant Ink trial gives a soft landing on early ink costs while you gauge your actual usage.
Because this is a standard cartridge printer rather than an ink-tank model, it fits occasional use better than high volume, cartridges left idle between uses can dry out over weeks, so plan to run a nozzle check before an important print job after a quiet stretch.
Best for: Households printing a handful of times a month who want the lowest upfront cost
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Very low upfront price
- +Simple setup for infrequent use
- +Scan and copy included
- +Instant Ink trial softens early ink costs
Cons
- −Cartridge ink can dry out over long idle stretches
- −No automatic document feeder
- −Not built for high-volume printing
Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer
About this pick
The TS4320 is one of the least expensive printers in this list, a straightforward inkjet built for compact spaces and easy setup rather than sustained daily use. Duplex printing and built-in copy and scan cover the basics.
For a quarterly or monthly user, unplugging the printer between uses helps, many inkjets skip periodic auto-clean cycles when unpowered, which reduces the ink wasted maintaining a printer that's mostly sitting idle.
Best for: Buyers prioritizing the lowest possible upfront price for infrequent printing
Check price on AmazonPros
- +One of the cheapest printers in this list
- +Compact footprint
- +Duplex printing included
- +Simple setup
Cons
- −Cartridge ink can dry out during long idle periods
- −No automatic document feeder
- −Basic feature set overall
Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer
About this pick
The TS6520's 1.42-inch OLED display makes it easier to check ink status or clear an error without a phone app, useful for an occasional user who might forget how the printer behaves after weeks away from it. Duplex printing and built-in copy and scan round out the basics.
Expect the first print after a long idle period to sometimes show streaks or missing lines from settled ink, running a quick test page before anything important sets the right expectation and catches issues early.
Best for: Occasional users who want an easy way to check printer status between uses
Check price on AmazonPros
- +OLED display simplifies status checks after idle periods
- +Duplex printing built in
- +Compact footprint
- +Straightforward control panel
Cons
- −Cartridge ink can dry out with infrequent use
- −No automatic document feeder
- −First print after idle time may need a quality check
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer (White)
About this pick
The PIXMA TR4720 includes an automatic document feeder, unusual at this price point, useful for someone who occasionally needs to scan a small stack of pages rather than feeding them one at a time. Mobile printing and built-in fax round out a fuller feature set than most budget printers.
As a cartridge-based printer, it's better suited to occasional or light use than sustained daily volume, where an ink-tank model would pull ahead on cost per page.
Best for: Occasional users who periodically need to scan a small stack of documents
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Auto document feeder at a budget price
- +Mobile printing from phone or tablet
- +Low upfront price for the feature set
- +Simple setup
Cons
- −Cartridge ink costs more per page than ink-tank models at real volume
- −Fax feature is unnecessary for most households
- −Not built for sustained daily high-volume printing
Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer for Basic Home Printing
About this pick
The TS3720 strips things down to basic print, scan, and copy at the lowest price in this list, a sensible pick for a household that prints rarely and doesn't want to pay for features they won't use. Setup is straightforward.
Because a very-low-volume user may go months between print jobs, unplugging the printer when it's not needed and running a quick nozzle check before printing helps avoid streaky first pages from settled ink.
Best for: Households that print only occasionally and want the simplest, cheapest option
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Lowest price in this list
- +No unnecessary extra features to pay for
- +Simple setup
- +Compact footprint
Cons
- −Cartridge ink can dry out with infrequent use
- −No automatic document feeder
- −Basic feature set with no fax or ADF
Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
About this pick
The MG3620 emphasizes mobile and tablet printing, useful for someone who occasionally prints a boarding pass, recipe, or PDF straight from a phone rather than a computer. Wireless setup covers the basics for a shared home network.
At a higher price than the more basic picks in this list, it makes the most sense if tablet or mobile printing convenience specifically matters to you, rather than as a pure low-cost option.
Best for: Occasional users who mostly print from a phone or tablet
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Strong tablet and mobile printing support
- +Simple print, scan, copy feature set
- +Reliable wireless setup
- +Good for occasional phone-based printing
Cons
- −Higher price than the more basic picks in this list
- −No automatic document feeder
- −Cartridge ink costs more at higher volume than an ink tank
Canon TS6420 All-in-One Wireless Printer
About this pick
The TS6420 is priced higher than most picks in this list but delivers better photo output, worth it if occasional use for you means printing family photos a few times a year rather than only documents. Print, scan, and copy round out the feature set.
At this price, it's the priciest cartridge-based option here, so it fits best when photo quality specifically matters more than minimizing upfront spend.
Best for: Occasional users who want better photo quality for infrequent photo prints
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Better photo output than most picks in this list
- +Simple print, scan, copy feature set
- +Reliable wireless setup
- +Good all-around performer for occasional mixed use
Cons
- −Priciest cartridge-based pick in this list
- −No automatic document feeder
- −Ink can dry out over long idle stretches like the other cartridge picks
MT610Pro Inkless Portable Thermal Printer for Travel and Home Office
About this pick
This inkless thermal printer sidesteps the ink dry-out problem entirely, there's no ink to dry out because there isn't any, making it a genuinely different fit for someone who prints extremely rarely, once every few months or less. It supports full 8.5 by 11 inch US Letter and A4 pages over Bluetooth from a phone or laptop.
The tradeoff is thermal printing quality and paper cost, thermal paper is pricier per page than standard paper and doesn't hold up as well long-term as ink or toner on regular paper, so this suits quick, disposable documents rather than anything you need to keep for years.
Best for: Extremely infrequent printers who want zero ink maintenance and don't mind thermal paper limits
Check price on AmazonPros
- +No ink to dry out, ever, genuinely zero-maintenance for rare use
- +Lowest price in this list
- +Portable, works well for travel or car use
- +Simple Bluetooth setup
Cons
- −Thermal paper costs more per page than standard paper
- −Print quality and longevity is lower than ink or toner on regular paper
- −Not suited to documents you need to keep long-term
How We Evaluated These Printers for Occasional Use
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
Ink dry-out resistance
Weighed whether each printer's ink system tolerates weeks or months of idle time without clogging or streaking on the first print after a break.
Upfront cost over long-term volume economics
Prioritized low purchase price over cost per page at high volume, since an occasional user rarely accumulates enough volume for an ink-tank printer to pay back its higher price.
Setup simplicity
Considered how quickly an infrequent user could set up or reconnect the printer to wifi after not touching it for weeks, since occasional users forget setup steps between uses.
Feature fit for light use
Checked whether extra features like automatic document feeders or fax add real value for occasional use, or just add cost without matching how these printers actually get used.
Storage footprint
Factored in physical size, since an occasional-use printer is more likely to be stored away in a closet or cabinet between uses rather than left permanently on a desk.
How to Choose the Right Printers for Occasional Use
By Print Frequency
Match your realistic print frequency to the right pick, not the printer with the most features.
| Frequency | Ink dry-out risk | Recommended pick |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | Low, ink stays fresh with regular use | Canon PIXMA TS6520 or HP DeskJet 4355 |
| Monthly | Moderate, worth a nozzle check occasionally | Canon PIXMA TR4720 or TS3720 |
| Quarterly or less | High for cartridge printers | MT610Pro inkless thermal printer |
By What You Actually Print
Mostly documents and forms
The Canon PIXMA TS3720 or HP DeskJet 4355 cover basic document printing at the lowest cost.
Occasional multi-page scanning
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 includes an automatic document feeder at a budget price.
A few photos a year
The Canon TS6420 delivers noticeably better photo output than the more basic picks.
Quick throwaway prints, labels, or notes
The MT610Pro inkless thermal printer skips ink maintenance entirely for disposable prints.
The Unplug Habit for Inkjet Owners
If you own any of the cartridge-based inkjets in this list, unplugging the printer fully between uses, rather than leaving it in sleep mode, reduces the ink wasted on periodic auto-clean and nozzle-check cycles that run even when the printer sits idle. This one habit meaningfully extends how long a single cartridge lasts for an occasional user.
Inkjet vs. Inkless Thermal for Rare Use
| Factor | Cartridge inkjet | Inkless thermal (MT610Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Ink dry-out risk after months idle | Real risk, may need a nozzle check | None, no ink involved |
| Per-page paper cost | Lower, standard paper | Higher, thermal paper |
| Document longevity | Good on standard paper | Weaker, thermal print fades over time |
| Best for | Occasional documents you'll keep | Quick, disposable prints |
First Print After a Long Break: What to Expect
For any cartridge-based inkjet in this list, don't trust the first print after weeks or months of idle time to look right. Run a nozzle check or test page first, streaking or missing lines are common after a long break and usually clear up after a cleaning cycle or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as occasional printer use?
It varies widely, weekly, monthly, and quarterly printing each carry different ink-drying risk. Weekly use is close to regular use and any printer in this list handles it fine. Monthly use benefits from an occasional nozzle check. Quarterly or rarer use is where an inkless thermal printer or careful cartridge maintenance really matters.
Does leaving my inkjet printer plugged in waste ink even when I'm not printing?
Yes. Inkjet printers run periodic auto-clean and nozzle-check cycles even when idle, which consumes a measurable amount of ink over months. Fully unplugging the printer between uses, rather than leaving it in sleep mode, reduces this waste for an occasional user.
Can toner expire before I use it all?
Yes. Bundled toner commonly has a shelf life of around 2 years from manufacture. A very-low-volume laser printer user could see toner degrade or expire before finishing the cartridge, so check the manufacture date rather than assuming toner lasts indefinitely.
Why would I want an inkless printer instead of a basic inkjet?
If you print extremely rarely, once every few months or less, an inkless thermal printer like the MT610Pro sidesteps ink dry-out entirely since there's no ink involved. The tradeoff is higher per-page paper cost and lower long-term print durability compared to ink or toner on standard paper.
Should I expect quality issues on the first print after not using my printer for a while?
For inkjet printers, yes, streaking or missing nozzle lines are common after weeks of idle time. Run a test page or nozzle check before anything important rather than trusting the first print to come out clean.
Is it worth buying an ink-tank printer if I only print occasionally?
Usually not. Ink-tank printers only pay back their higher upfront price at real volume, hundreds of pages a month. For occasional use, a basic cartridge inkjet or the inkless thermal option in this list is almost always the more cost-effective choice.
Bottom Line
best overall: HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer - best overall for occasional use pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
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