How do I print a test page?

How to print a printer test page by method: (1) From Windows — open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → click your printer → Printer properties → Print Test Page button; (2) From macOS — System Settings → Printers & Scanners → select printer → Open Print Queue → Printer menu → Print Test Page; (3) From the printer directly — most printers have a test page button on the control panel; check your printer's manual; common methods: hold the Resume/OK button for 5 seconds, or navigate to Settings → Maintenance → Print Test Page; (4) From Chrome browser — type 'chrome://print' → Print → Select printer. If the test page prints successfully from the printer but not from the computer, the issue is software/driver; if it won't print from the printer itself, it's a hardware, cartridge, or paper jam issue.

What is the best printer for printing from a phone?

Best mobile-printing printers for 2026: (1) HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e — best overall for Apple and Android; HP Smart app; AirPrint and Mopria compatible; auto-duplex, ADF for scanning; (2) Canon PIXMA TR4720 — best budget mobile printer (under $100); AirPrint, Mopria, Canon Print app; compact for home use; (3) Epson EcoTank ET-2800 — best value inkjet with AirPrint; refillable tanks; minimal ink cost (under $200); (4) HP LaserJet Pro MFP M183fw — best for mostly black text from phone; fast, toner lasts 700+ pages. AirPrint (Apple devices, no app needed) works with most modern printers; for Android, Mopria Print Service covers most brands; alternatively, use the manufacturer's app (HP Smart, Canon Print, Epson Smart Panel) for additional features like scan-to-phone. WiFi Direct allows printing without a router — useful for guests or travel.

How long do printers last?

Printer lifespan by type: laser printers — 5-10 years for home/office use; drum units and fusers are consumables ($50-200 each) that need periodic replacement; quality brands (Brother, HP LaserJet) routinely last 7-10 years. Inkjet printers — 3-7 years; inkjet print heads are the most failure-prone component; many inkjet printers die from clogged print heads rather than mechanical failure. Signs a printer needs replacement: physical cartridge damage after cleaning cycles; print heads won't respond to cleaning; paper jam rollers worn out causing repeated jams; cost of repair exceeds 50% of replacement cost. Extending printer life: use the printer regularly (inkjets that sit idle develop clogged nozzles); use quality paper (cheap paper sheds fibers that clog print paths); keep in a stable temperature/humidity environment; never yank jammed paper — remove gently in the paper direction. Budget $50-100/year in ink/toner for normal use; plan to replace after 5+ years.

⚔️ INKJET VS LASER - THE ULTIMATE PRINTER SHOWDOWN

Inkjet vs Laser Printer

Side-by-side comparison built from published specifications

📊 Professional Printer Comparison Guide

🏆 Best for Home: INKJET

Photos, occasional printing, versatility

🏆 Best for Office: LASER

High volume, text documents, speed

Complete Comparison Table

Feature	INKJET	LASER	Winner
Initial Cost	$30-300 ✅	$100-500	Inkjet
Cost Per Page (B&W)	$0.05-0.15	$0.02-0.05 ✅	Laser
Cost Per Page (Color)	$0.10-0.25 ✅	$0.15-0.30	Inkjet
Print Speed	5-20 PPM	20-40 PPM ✅	Laser
Photo Quality	Excellent ✅	Good	Inkjet
Text Quality	Good	Excellent ✅	Laser
Maintenance	High (clogs)	Low ✅	Laser
Durability	3-5 years	5-10 years ✅	Laser

Inkjet: 4 wins

Laser: 4 wins

Which Should You Choose?

Choose INKJET If You:

✓ Print photos regularly
✓ Print less than 100 pages/month
✓ Need color printing
✓ Have limited budget upfront
✓ Print on various media types
✓ Want compact size

Top Pick: Canon PIXMA G6020

MegaTank system, $0.002/page B&W

Choose LASER If You:

✓ Print 500+ pages/month
✓ Mainly print text documents
✓ Need fast printing
✓ Want lowest cost per page
✓ Require reliability
✓ Print infrequently (no clogs)

Top Pick: Brother HL-L2350DW

32 PPM, $0.03/page, compact

Test Your Current Printer

See how your inkjet or laser performs

Supplies & Upgrades for Your Printer

Hand-picked recommendations from the TestMyPrinter team

HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e

Under $200

Time for an upgrade? A popular pick for this kind of printing

See This Printer →

Laser Printer Toner

Under $100

High-yield toner for laser printers

Shop Toner →

Printer Paper

Under $25

Works great with inkjet and laser printers

Shop Paper →

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Reviewed in detail

Both technologies have full reviews here: the Brother MFC-L5710DW for laser document work, where an 11,000-page cartridge produces the cheapest pages on this site, and the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 for inkjet photo output without cartridge costs.