Best Printer for Occasional Use 2026: Won't Dry Out or Clog
Our top picks:
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Brother HL-L2350DW Mono Laser Printer
HP LaserJet M110we Mono Laser Printer
Epson EcoTank ET-2860 Inkjet Printer
Here’s a mistake I see people make all the time: they buy a cheap inkjet from Currys, use it three times in two months, then wonder why it prints like a drunk spider when they actually need it. The ink dries out. The nozzles clog. The cleaning cycle chews through half the cartridge. And you end up spending more on wasted ink than the printer cost in the first place.
I’ve tested and recommended printers for occasional users for years. The models below are specifically chosen because they handle long gaps between prints without throwing a tantrum.
For a deeper dive, see our detailed guide on the best printer for infrequent use.
Why Standard Inkjets Fail Occasional Users
The problem is fundamental to how inkjets work. They spray liquid ink through nozzles as thin as 20 microns — about a quarter the width of a human hair. When you don’t use them:
- Ink dries in the nozzles — within 2-4 weeks, it starts to solidify.
- Cleaning cycles waste ink — the printer detects blocked nozzles and flushes ink through the system. Each cycle burns 5-10% of a cartridge. You’re paying to fix a problem that shouldn’t exist.
- Cartridges “expire” — many cartridge-based inkjets track cartridge age and flag them as expired, even when they’re still full. Absolute racket.
- Print quality tanks — even after cleaning, partially blocked nozzles produce streaky, banded rubbish.
Buy cartridges. Don’t use them fast enough. They dry out or “expire.” Buy more. It’s a cycle designed to sell ink, not to serve people who print occasionally.
The Two Technologies That Fix This
Laser Printers
Toner is a dry powder. It can’t dry out because it’s already dry. Shelf life of 2-3 years sealed, 12-18 months installed. Leave a laser printer untouched for six months and it’ll print perfectly on the first page.
That makes laser the default recommendation for anyone who doesn’t print regularly. Full rundown in our advantages of laser printers guide.
Tank-Based Inkjets
Epson EcoTank, HP Smart Tank, Canon MegaTank — these use refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges. Still liquid ink, still can clog. But they handle inactivity better for two reasons:
- Bigger ink reserves — cleaning cycles don’t obliterate your ink supply
- No chip-based expiry — the ink doesn’t “expire” in software like cartridges do
Tank inkjets can typically manage 3-4 weeks between prints. Beyond that, you’re risking clogs. Printing one test page every fortnight keeps things flowing. Not a huge ask, but something to be aware of.
Our 6 Best Printers for Occasional Use
1. Brother HL-L2350DW — Best Overall for Occasional Use
Price: ~£120 | Type: Mono laser | Speed: 30 ppm
The Brother HL-L2350DW is the printer I recommend more than any other. I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve pointed towards this, and every single one has been happy.
Why it’s brilliant for occasional use:
- Toner never dries out — print after weeks or months of sitting idle, no drama
- The TN-2420 high-yield toner (3,000 pages, ~£45 on Amazon UK) will last years at occasional-use volumes
- 30 ppm means even when you do need to print, it’s fast
- Auto-duplex and Wi-Fi included
- Compact for a laser — fits on a desk shelf
Limitations: Mono only (no colour), no scanner or copier. If you need those, the Brother MFC-L2710DW below is the ticket.
Running cost: ~1.5p per page with high-yield toner. At 20 pages a month, one cartridge lasts over 12 years. Not a typo.
2. HP LaserJet M110we — Best Compact Option
Price: ~£130 | Type: Mono laser | Speed: 21 ppm
The HP LaserJet M110we is absurdly small for a laser printer. It’s barely larger than a thick hardback. If desk space is your constraint, this is the answer.
Why it works for occasional use:
- Toner won’t dry out. Same benefit as every laser.
- Smallest laser printer I’ve ever seen
- Text quality is sharp and professional
- HP Smart app makes mobile printing dead easy
Limitations: No auto-duplex — manual flipping only. Higher running costs than Brother (HP 142X: 1,500 pages, ~£60, so 4p per page). HP+ account required for full functionality, meaning permanent internet connection.
When to choose this over the Brother: Only if space is genuinely the deciding factor. The Brother HL-L2350DW beats it in every other area.
3. Epson EcoTank ET-2860 — Best for Occasional Colour Printing
Price: ~£230 | Type: Colour tank inkjet | Speed: 10.5 ppm (mono)
The Epson EcoTank ET-2860 is the best option if you genuinely need colour but don’t print often. Refillable tanks instead of cartridges, with included ink for up to 4,500 mono or 7,500 colour pages. That’s an absurd amount of ink for a home user.
Why it works for occasional use:
- Huge ink supply means cleaning cycles barely dent your reserves
- No cartridge “expiry” chips
- Handles 3-4 weeks of inactivity reasonably well
- Sub-1p per page mono, about 2p colour
- Decent photo printing on glossy paper
The honest catch: It’s still liquid ink. Leave it more than 3-4 weeks, and you should run a test page to keep the nozzles happy. If you regularly go months without printing, a laser is simply safer. A colleague bought one, went on a six-week holiday, came back to clogged nozzles. Took two cleaning cycles to sort out.
Limitations: Slower than laser. Small paper tray (100 sheets). The £230 upfront is steep for an inkjet.
Verdict: Best balance of colour capability and low running costs — but only if you’ll use it at least once a fortnight.
4. HP Smart Tank 5105 — Best HP Tank Alternative
Price: ~£220 | Type: Colour tank inkjet | Speed: 12 ppm (mono)
The HP Smart Tank 5105 is HP’s answer to the EcoTank. Included ink for up to 6,000 mono or 6,000 colour pages, and the HP Smart app is — credit where it’s due — genuinely the best printer management app around.
Why it works for occasional use:
- Massive ink supply absorbs cleaning cycle waste
- HP Smart app makes wireless setup painless
- Borderless photo printing up to A4
- Slightly faster than the EcoTank at 12 ppm mono
Limitations: Same clogging risk as any liquid ink system after 3-4 weeks. Text is slightly softer than the EcoTank — not dramatically, but noticeable side by side. Scanner is basic — flatbed only, no ADF.
Verdict: Pick this if you like HP’s software. Pick the EcoTank if you want slightly sharper text and Epson’s proven Micro Piezo print heads.
5. Brother MFC-L2710DW — Best All-in-One for Occasional Use
Price: ~£180 | Type: Mono laser MFP | Speed: 30 ppm
The Brother MFC-L2710DW is what you get when you take the HL-L2350DW and add scanning, copying, and faxing. Same laser reliability, same 1.5p per page running costs.
Why it’s great for occasional use:
- Laser engine — zero clogging risk, works perfectly after months of doing nothing
- 50-sheet ADF for scanning multi-page documents
- Auto-duplex, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
- Same cheap TN-2420 toner as the HL-L2350DW
Limitations: No colour. It’s bigger and heavier than the print-only models — needs its own shelf. The fax function is there if you need it (solicitors, GP surgeries) but irrelevant for most people.
Verdict: If you scan even occasionally — signed contracts, receipts, school permission slips — this is the one. The laser engine means you can ignore it for months and it’ll still work perfectly when you need it.
6. Canon PIXMA G3570 MegaTank — Best Budget Tank Inkjet
Price: ~£200 | Type: Colour tank inkjet | Speed: 11 ppm (mono)
The Canon PIXMA G3570 MegaTank is Canon’s refillable tank system, with included ink for up to 6,000 mono or 7,700 colour pages. Often a bit cheaper than the Epson EcoTank.
Why it works for occasional use:
- Enormous ink supply out of the box
- Canon’s colour reproduction is strong — photo printing is genuinely good
- Wi-Fi and mobile printing via Canon PRINT app
- Borderless A4 photo printing
Limitations: No auto-duplex — you’re manually flipping pages for double-sided. No ADF. Print speed is middling. Same liquid-ink clogging caveats as every tank printer.
Verdict: A capable tank inkjet, often available cheaper than the Epson or HP equivalents. The no-auto-duplex thing is a pain, but if you mainly print single-sided, it’s a solid buy.
Cost of Ownership: The Numbers That Matter
Here’s what each option actually costs over 3 years, assuming 30 pages per month (typical occasional user):
| Printer | Purchase | Consumables (3 years) | Wasted Ink/Toner | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cartridge inkjet | £60 | £150-250 | £50-100 (dried/cleaning) | £260-410 |
| Brother HL-L2350DW (laser) | £120 | £15-25 | £0 | £135-145 |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2860 | £230 | £5-10 | £5-10 (cleaning) | £240-250 |
| HP LaserJet M110we | £130 | £30-50 | £0 | £160-180 |
Look at that. The cheapest printer to buy — the standard cartridge inkjet — is the most expensive to own. The laser printer costs the least overall, with zero waste. That’s the bit that gets me. People buy the cheap inkjet thinking they’re saving money, and they end up spending double.
Which One Should You Buy?
Just need black and white: Brother HL-L2350DW. No clogging, 1.5p per page, works perfectly after months of inactivity. Safest choice going.
Need black and white plus scanning: Brother MFC-L2710DW. Same laser reliability with scan/copy thrown in.
Need colour and can print a test page every fortnight: Epson EcoTank ET-2860. Sub-penny running costs, decent photos, but you need to give it a quick print occasionally to stop the nozzles drying.
Need colour but go months between prints: Don’t buy a colour printer at all. Buy a mono laser for documents and use Boots Photo, ASDA Photo, or an online print service for the rare colour job. Seriously — it’s cheaper and the quality is miles better than any home printer.
For more on the laser vs inkjet decision, see our full laser vs inkjet printer comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of printer won't dry out if I don't use it often?
Laser printers — they use powdered toner that never dries out, even after months of inactivity. Tank-based inkjets (EcoTank, Smart Tank, MegaTank) handle infrequent use better than cartridge inkjets but can still clog after 4-8 weeks.
How often should I print to keep an inkjet from clogging?
At least once a week for cartridge inkjets, once every 2-3 weeks for tank-based inkjets. Most inkjets run automatic maintenance cycles, but these waste ink and don't always prevent clogging.
Is it cheaper to buy a laser printer or keep replacing dried-out inkjet cartridges?
Much cheaper to buy a laser. A single set of replacement inkjet cartridges costs £30-60. After two or three sets dry out (£60-180 wasted), you've spent more than a laser printer costs.
Can I use a laser printer for colour printing?
Yes, but colour laser printers cost £250-500 and colour toner sets cost £100-200 to replace. For occasional colour printing, a tank-based inkjet is a better choice.
What's the best all-in-one printer for occasional use?
The Brother MFC-L2710DW (mono laser, ~£180) for documents only. The Epson EcoTank ET-2860 (~£230) if you need occasional colour too — just print a test page every two weeks to keep the heads clear.