8 Best Printers for Remote Workers in 2026
8 best printers for remote workers in 2026, matched to realistic WFH print volume, confidential-document handling, and quiet operation for video calls.
Comparison Table
| Pick | Product | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall for WFH | Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer | Check price |
| Best Display for Quick Setup | Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer | Check price |
| Best for Full Office Function | HP OfficeJet Pro 8139 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer | Check price |
| Best Budget Laser | Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer | Check price |
| Best for Steady Ink Costs | Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer | Check price |
| Best Budget All-in-One | Epson Workforce WF-2930 Wireless All-in-One Printer | Check price |
| Best Value Supertank | Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer | Check price |
| Best Long-Term Ink Value | HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All-in-One Refillable Printer | Check price |
Prices are approximate. Check Amazon for current pricing before purchasing.
A home office printer for remote work has a smaller job than an office printer, most remote workers print somewhere in the 30-80 page per month range for contracts, onboarding paperwork, and reports, nowhere close to the 500-plus pages a shared office machine handles. That lighter volume changes which features actually matter, and it raises a concern office printers don't have: printing confidential work documents on a machine your family or roommates also use.
Below are 8 printers for remote workers we evaluated on fit for realistic WFH print volume, noise level during video calls, and confidentiality-friendly features like locking paper trays, ranging from a $99.99 monochrome all-in-one to a $209.99 duplex laser suited to daily home-office use.
6 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a Printers for Remote Worker
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Size your printer to real WFH volume, not office volume
Most remote workers print somewhere in the 30-80 page monthly range for contracts, onboarding paperwork, and reports, far below the 500-plus pages a shared office printer handles. Buying office-grade capacity is usually wasted money, a compact laser or a modest inkjet covers typical WFH volume comfortably.
Confidential documents need a plan, even at home
If you print HR files, signed contracts, or financial reports on a printer your family or roommates also use, treat it the same way you would in an office, keep printed pages out of a shared tray for longer than necessary and retrieve them promptly. None of the picks in this list include a true locking paper tray, so a dedicated desk location or a habit of retrieving pages immediately is the practical substitute.
Check whether your employer will reimburse it
Many employers approve home office equipment, including printers under $200, as an expensable cost, but this is rarely offered proactively. Check your company's remote-work equipment policy before paying out of pocket for a printer at the DCP-L2640DW or OfficeJet Pro 8139 price tier.
A printer firing mid-call can get picked up by your mic
Printer noise during a video call is a genuinely remote-work-specific problem that office guides don't address, since office printers usually sit away from your desk. Laser printers generally run quieter and more predictably than inkjets, worth prioritizing if your printer sits near your video call setup.
VPN printing to a company network printer has simpler alternatives
Printing directly to a company network printer over VPN is technically possible but often complex to set up and maintain for a remote worker. In most cases, printing locally to your own printer or working entirely in PDF and only printing final versions is the simpler, more reliable workflow.
Refillable ink tanks change the ink math at moderate volume
Cartridge-free tank printers like the Epson EcoTank or HP Smart Tank lines cost more upfront but bring per-page ink cost down close to laser levels while keeping color output, a good fit for a remote worker who needs occasional color charts alongside routine text printing.
8 Best Printers for Remote Workers in 2026
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
About this pick
The DCP-L2640DW is built for a genuine daily home-office workload, with duplex printing, copy and scan built in, and laser toner that handles contracts and reports at a lower cost-per-page than any inkjet in this list. For a remote worker printing in the 30-80 page monthly range, toner also means no dried-out cartridges after a slow week.
It's the pricier pick here, but if your employer covers home office equipment, many companies approve printers under $200 as an expensable cost, which is worth checking before you pay out of pocket for a laser printer at this tier.
Best for: Remote workers with steady daily printing who want the lowest running cost
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Low cost-per-page for regular contract and report printing
- +Duplex printing built in
- +Toner doesn't dry out during slow printing weeks
- +Often qualifies for employer equipment reimbursement
Cons
- −Highest price in this list
- −Black and white output only
- −No physical locking tray for shared-household confidentiality
Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer
About this pick
The PIXMA TS6520's OLED display makes wireless setup and everyday operation straightforward, useful for a remote worker who wants the printer running before a first video call rather than fighting a driver install. Duplex printing and a full print, copy, scan set cover typical WFH paperwork.
As a color inkjet, it's better suited to lighter, mixed-document printing than the high daily volume a busy contract or reporting job generates, where the ongoing ink cost adds up faster than toner would.
Best for: Remote workers with lighter, occasional-color printing needs
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Easy setup with a clear OLED display
- +Duplex printing for double-sided documents
- +Compact footprint for a home office desk
- +Lower upfront price than the laser picks
Cons
- −Higher cost-per-page than laser at real WFH volume
- −Color inkjet ink can dry out during slow weeks
- −No confidentiality-specific features
HP OfficeJet Pro 8139 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
About this pick
The OfficeJet Pro 8139 covers print, scan, copy, and fax with an automatic document feeder and duplex printing, the fullest feature set in this list for a remote worker whose job still occasionally requires faxing signed documents. A 1-year Instant Ink trial is included to offset early ink cost.
This is a genuinely business-oriented machine, which makes it a strong candidate for employer equipment reimbursement, many companies approve printers in this price range as a home office expense, worth confirming with your employer before purchase.
Best for: Remote workers who need scan, fax, and full office functionality in one printer
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Most complete feature set for business-style documents
- +Auto document feeder for multi-page scans
- +Fax support for jobs that still require it
- +Strong candidate for employer expense reimbursement
Cons
- −Pricier than most inkjet picks in this list
- −Color inkjet running cost is higher than laser at volume
- −Larger footprint than compact laser or basic inkjet picks
Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
About this pick
The HL-L2405W delivers the same laser cost-per-page advantage as the pricier DCP-L2640DW but drops the copy and scan functions, a reasonable tradeoff if you already have a scanning solution elsewhere and mainly need reliable, low-cost text printing for contracts and reports.
Laser printers also tend to run quieter and more consistently than inkjets during a print job, which matters if your desk sits near where video calls happen and a printer firing up mid-meeting risks being picked up by the mic.
Best for: Remote workers who mainly need reliable, quiet text printing without scanning
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Lower price than the full-featured DCP-L2640DW
- +Low cost-per-page for regular text printing
- +Laser mechanism tends to run quieter than inkjet
- +Toner doesn't dry out over slow weeks
Cons
- −No copy or scan function
- −Black and white output only
- −No dedicated confidentiality features
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
About this pick
The EcoTank ET-2800 replaces disposable ink cartridges with refillable ink tanks, which keeps per-page cost low without switching to monochrome-only laser output, a useful middle ground for a remote worker who occasionally needs color charts or presentation printouts alongside routine paperwork.
The supertank design does give it a larger footprint than typical compact inkjets, so measure your desk space honestly before buying rather than assuming it matches a standard printer's size.
Best for: Remote workers who need occasional color output alongside routine printing
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Low per-page cost without giving up color
- +No disposable cartridges to replace
- +Print, scan, and copy in one unit
- +Ink tanks don't dry out as easily as small cartridges
Cons
- −Larger physical footprint than compact inkjets
- −Higher upfront price than basic inkjet picks
- −Not as fast as a laser for high daily text volume
Epson Workforce WF-2930 Wireless All-in-One Printer
About this pick
The Workforce WF-2930 covers print, scan, copy, and fax with an auto document feeder and duplex printing at the lowest price point among the full-featured picks in this list, a solid fit for a remote worker whose WFH print volume sits at the lower end of the typical 30-80 page monthly range.
A 1.4-inch color display keeps day-to-day operation simple, and its compact size fits easily into a home office desk setup without dominating the space.
Best for: Remote workers on a budget who still want full print, scan, and fax function
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Full feature set at the lowest price among comparable picks
- +Auto document feeder included
- +Compact footprint for a home office desk
- +Duplex printing built in
Cons
- −Inkjet cost-per-page is higher than laser at volume
- −Ink can dry out during slow printing weeks
- −No dedicated confidentiality features
Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
About this pick
The EcoTank ET-2400 offers the same cartridge-free refillable ink advantage as the pricier ET-2800 for everyday home printing, slightly undercutting it on price while keeping the same low per-page cost benefit for a remote worker who prints steadily but not at office-level volume.
Like the ET-2800, its ink tank design adds bulk compared to a compact inkjet, so it suits a dedicated home office desk better than a tight shared workspace.
Best for: Remote workers who want low ink cost at a slightly lower price than the ET-2800
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Low per-page cost without disposable cartridges
- +Slightly cheaper than the ET-2800 with the same core benefit
- +Print, scan, and copy in one unit
- +Good fit for steady, moderate WFH print volume
Cons
- −Larger footprint than compact inkjets
- −No auto document feeder
- −No dedicated confidentiality features
HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All-in-One Refillable Printer
About this pick
The Smart Tank 5101 ships with 2 years of ink included, which removes ink-buying decisions almost entirely for a remote worker's first two years of ownership, a meaningful convenience for anyone who would rather not think about consumables at all. It covers print, scan, and copy in a refillable tank design similar to the Epson EcoTank line.
After the included ink period ends, refills are typically inexpensive compared to cartridge-based printers, keeping long-term cost low for steady WFH printing.
Best for: Remote workers who want to avoid thinking about ink cost for the first two years
Check price on AmazonPros
- +2 years of included ink removes near-term ink cost
- +Refillable tank design keeps long-term cost low
- +Print, scan, and copy in one unit
- +Good fit for steady daily WFH printing
Cons
- −2.4GHz-only wireless can be slower to pair on dual-band routers
- −No auto document feeder
- −No dedicated confidentiality features
How We Evaluated These Printers for Remote Workers
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
Fit for realistic WFH print volume
Weighed each printer against a typical remote-work volume of 30-80 pages a month, well below office-level use, rather than scoring for capacity most remote workers will never need.
Cost-per-page over time
Compared laser toner, standard inkjet cartridges, and refillable ink tank systems at realistic WFH volume, since the cheapest printer to buy isn't always the cheapest to run month to month.
Noise during video calls
Weighed laser vs inkjet mechanisms for print-time noise, since a printer firing up mid-call risks being picked up by a work laptop's microphone.
Confidentiality-friendly features
Checked for features relevant to printing HR files, contracts, or financial reports on a printer a family or roommate might also use, including any locking tray or dedicated-use design.
Home office feature completeness
Compared scan, copy, fax, and duplex printing support against what a genuine WFH workload, not a general household printer, actually needs.
How to Choose the Right Printers for Remote Workers
By Realistic WFH Print Volume
Remote work print volume runs far lower than office volume, size your printer to what you'll actually print each month.
| Monthly volume | Recommended type | Best pick |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 pages/month, occasional | Basic all-in-one inkjet | Epson Workforce WF-2930 |
| 30-80 pages/month, typical WFH range | Compact laser or refillable tank inkjet | Brother HL-L2405W or Epson EcoTank ET-2400 |
| 80+ pages/month, heavy daily use | Full-featured laser with duplex | Brother DCP-L2640DW |
Handling Confidential Work Documents at Home
None of the picks in this list include a true locking paper tray, so confidentiality comes down to habits and placement rather than hardware alone.
Dedicate the printer to your home office only
Placing the printer in a room only you access removes most of the risk of a shared household printer.
Retrieve printed pages immediately
Confidential contracts or HR files sitting in an open tray are the actual risk, not the printer itself, retrieve sensitive prints right after the job finishes.
Consider a printer with fewer household users nearby
The Brother HL-L2405W and DCP-L2640DW's business-oriented design and placement in a dedicated office make them reasonable defaults for confidentiality-conscious setups.
"Expense Your Printer" — Employer Reimbursement Guide
Many companies approve home office equipment as an expensable cost, but employees often don't ask.
| Price tier | Typical reimbursement likelihood | Best pick |
|---|---|---|
| Under $100 | Usually approved without much scrutiny | Epson Workforce WF-2930 |
| $100-$200 | Often approved under standard home-office policies | Brother DCP-L2640DW, HP OfficeJet Pro 8139 |
| $200+ | May need manager approval or a stated business need | Brother DCP-L2640DW |
Check your company's remote-work equipment policy before purchasing, many employers cap reimbursable printers under $200, which covers every pick in this list except the DCP-L2640DW just at the line.
Noise Ranking for Video-Call Compatibility
| Printer | Mechanism | Video-call friendliness |
|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2405W / DCP-L2640DW | Laser | Quieter, more consistent print cycle |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2800 / ET-2400 | Inkjet, ink tank | Moderate noise during printing |
| Canon PIXMA TS6520, HP OfficeJet Pro 8139 | Standard inkjet | Typical inkjet noise, avoid printing mid-call |
If your desk sits near where you take video calls, schedule print jobs before or after meetings rather than during them, regardless of which printer you choose.
VPN Printing vs. Simpler Alternatives
Printing to a company network printer over VPN is possible but often more setup than it's worth for occasional use.
Rarely need to print company documents
Work in PDF and only print final versions locally on your own printer, the simplest and most reliable workflow.
Occasionally need a company-branded document
Request a PDF export from IT rather than setting up VPN printer access for a one-off need.
Regularly need to print to a company printer
VPN printer setup is worth the effort here, but confirm with IT that your VPN client supports printer redirection before assuming it will work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do remote workers actually print per month?
Realistic WFH print volume runs about 30-80 pages a month for contracts, onboarding documents, and reports, far below the 500-plus pages a shared office printer typically handles. Sizing your printer to this lower volume avoids overpaying for office-grade capacity you won't use.
Can my employer pay for my home office printer?
Many employers approve home office equipment, including printers under $200, as an expensable cost under standard remote-work policies, but this is rarely offered automatically. Check your company's reimbursement policy before buying, since most picks in this list fall under a typical $200 cap.
How do I keep confidential work documents private on a shared home printer?
None of the printers in this list include a true locking paper tray, so the practical approach is placement and habit, dedicate the printer to a room only you access if possible, and retrieve sensitive prints like HR files or contracts immediately after the job finishes rather than leaving them in an open tray.
Will my printer be too loud during a video call?
Laser printers like the Brother HL-L2405W and DCP-L2640DW tend to run quieter and more predictably than inkjets. Regardless of printer type, it's safest to schedule print jobs before or after meetings rather than during a call, since a printer firing up can get picked up by your laptop's microphone.
Is VPN printing to a company network printer worth setting up?
For occasional use, it's usually simpler to work in PDF and only print locally on your own printer, or request a PDF export from IT for one-off needs. VPN printer redirection is worth the setup effort only if you regularly need to print directly to a company printer, and even then it depends on whether your VPN client supports printer redirection.
Is a refillable ink tank printer worth it for a remote worker?
If you print steadily at the 30-80 page monthly range and occasionally need color output, a tank printer like the Epson EcoTank ET-2400 or HP Smart Tank 5101 brings per-page cost close to laser levels while keeping color capability. For mostly black-and-white printing, a compact monochrome laser like the Brother HL-L2405W is still the cheaper option to run.
Bottom Line
best overall: Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer - best overall for wfh pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
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