If you’re into photography, you know how colorful photographs have taken over everything in this modern era. Hence, few people appreciate monochrome images. But if you are one of those who still do appreciate it and are looking for the best black and white photo printer, you’ve come to the right place.
An artistic black and white photographer knows very well that achieving the finest results for a monochrome output doesn’t only depend on your skills and talent but also on the type of printer you’ll be utilizing.
So what makes a non-color printer the best? This article will provide you with the answers. Here, you will find 10 products that we recommend, along with their in-depth review and a buying guide to assist you in selecting the appropriate one for you.
Should You Go for Monochrome Printers?
It’s undeniable that a lot of people love the vivid colors they see on printed materials.
However, black and white printing holds a lot of advantages, that’s why there are people who still choose monochrome printers over the colored ones.
Exceptional Quality
Monochrome printers are equipment that prints only in black and white. Therefore, it utilizes a single ink cartridge intended for black ink only. But you should also know that it can print various shades of gray and light gray. It can provide exceptional print quality and detail while saving you a lot on the cost department.
High Speed
One of the greatest advantages of these types of printers is its print speed. Whether you chose to buy an inkjet printer or a laser printer, these black and white printers will always be faster than the colored counterparts. It will be able to improve your efficiency, which is vital when you’re dealing with a hundred printworks every day. This is a great bonus for a black and white photographer.
Economical
Monochrome printing is always the most economical option to choose from. Besides, print specifications should be a perfect balance of cost and benefit. With its features and functionalities, it is undeniably worth the cost.
Top 10 Best Black and White Printer for Home Use
For sure, you’ll find numerous options on the market for this type of printers, and it just becomes daunting to choose one for you. Among the finest ones, here are some of the top-notch photo printers for black and white photography that we recommend the most along with their review and pros and cons.
1. Canon PIXMA TR4520
The first spot is earned by a printing machine from Canon, a popular brand that has an eye for top-notch products. Hence over the years, they have been manufacturing some of the best units on the market. And this PIXMA TR4520 is one of them.
This all-in-one wireless printer can perform the four standard functions – print, copy, scan, and fax. It comes with a compact design making it ideal for both home and office utilization. Imagine how much space and money you can save with this unit.
You won’t have a hard time in setting-up this device. It will just be a simple and easy process. The printer comes with a Wireless Connect feature that will allow you to configure it using the Canon print app through your smartphone or tablet.
Moreover, Canon has started to utilize smart home functionality. It’s a feature that supports the voice-assistance technology, both Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. You can use your voice to prompt them to do some stuff for you, like checking the ink level, printing your tasks, etc.
It also supports the IFTTT (IF This Then That) technology that allows you to use various web services and applications. You can utilize those platforms to create a very efficient automated workflow for the printer and your media device. So there is no need to go through much hassle in doing your tasks.
Also, it comes with an automatic document feeder. Many consumers love this feature since it enables the machine to continuously scan or copy a large pile of documents allowing you to do some other errands while waiting for it to finish. You’ll improve your productivity for sure!
With all these features, it’s no wonder why this model pops up in every list of the best ones. It can surely deliver both quality and functionality.
Pros
- Great photo printing quality
- Versatile connectivity options
- Comes with an ADF both for scan and copy functions
- Enhance productivity
Cons
- Slow printing speed
2. HP DeskJet 2622
The next one is from another popular manufacturer all over the world, HP. It never disappoints in fabricating top-notch products like this DeskJet 2622. This is a multifunction printing machine that’s made and designed with a touch of modern print technology, specifically its wireless printing.
Moreover, you’ll appreciate the presence of other very useful functions. It doesn’t only function like inkjet printers, but it can be an advanced scanner and copier. With this, you’ll be able to easily digitize your photos and document. Other than handling inkjet papers it can also print colors like light cyan and light magenta.
When it comes to the printing speed, this machine offers you a rate of 7.5 pages per minute for monochrome documents. It may not be that fast, but it is sufficient enough, making it one of the best printers for black and white photo printing.
But it isn’t only capable of monochrome printing, you can always produce colorful printouts. This printer offers almost similar quality but with different printing speeds. You can print colored ones at a rate of 5.5 ppm. Its production speed may not be ideal for jobs with high demands.
Furthermore, this device is equipped with a small 2.2-inch display that has an ergonomic design. However, it doesn’t have any buttons that can assist you to easily navigate the machine. You may, instead, configure your printer using your phone or laptop through a Wi-Fi network.
Overall, this equipment has all the features that you’re looking for, making it one for the books. You’ll love the functionality that it can offer.
Pros
- Equipped with a convenient control panel
- Easy to use and install
- Compatible with various media device through Wi Fi connectivity
- Compact and sleek design
- Accommodates a broad range of media
Cons
- Produces noise while operating
3. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
Epson is another manufacturer that has been pretty familiar to all of us. It’s a brand that’s widely known across the globe for its exceptional products that never fail to impress the consumers. This Expression XP-15000 is one of the best Epson printers.
Well, this is guaranteed to be an outstanding device allowing you to create the finest black and white photographs. It is perfect for anyone who works in the comfort of their home.
On top of it all, the Epson Expression premium boasts its advantage when it comes to printing speed. This is capable of producing black and white printouts at a rate of 20 ppm. You can rely on this one in completing any professional projects making it one of the best black and white photo printer. Some professional features turns the black and white images into stunning photographs with an aesthetic point.
The machine also comes with a wide-format capability that allows any artists to tackle any kind of work. It can produce an amazing ultra-HD photo quality that can print borderless outputs with print sizes up to 13”x19” provided you are running it with HD quality pigmented inks. Maybe that’s why you have the Claria photo HD inks with the printer.
Also, the pigmented ink holds 6-color Claria photo high-definition ink that includes red and gray tones to offer a wide color gamut and enhanced black and white prints. These six individual ink tanks can give you different shades of even gallery sized photos. And printing gallery sized photos will not be like printing poster sized photographic prints. Larger prints are always harder to do.
Much more, it is equipped with two trays – a front tray allocated for plain paper sheets with a 200-sheet capacity and a rear tray allocated for specialty media with a 50-sheet capacity. Without a doubt, it’s a generous size for a compact printer.
All in all, this is one of the top-notch best photo printers for professional photographers that can satisfy your monochrome printing needs at a very reasonable cost.
Pros
- Superb wired and wireless connectivity
- Compatible with a wide range of media devices
- Equipped with a simple color LCD for simple navigation and set-up
- Fast printing speed and offers HD quality photos
- Features automatic duplexing
Cons
- Can’t print or do any function when one cartridge is empty
- Hard to get printer heads clean
4. Canon PIXMA IX6820
Another printing machine from Canon has made it into our list to impress us again. If you’re a professional photographer or just an enthusiast that’s in search of a heavy-duty printer, then you might want to consider this PIXMA IX6820.
This printer is an outstanding device producing incredible outputs both for color and monochrome files. It features a multifunctional capability allowing you to print, scan, copy, and send a fax using just one unit. You’ll love how it doesn’t compromise quality at all.
Moreover, it is equipped with a 5-color ink system. You don’t have to worry when one runs out since it’s an individual cartridge that you can easily replace anytime. This saves you from spending too much on changing the entire cartridge when one empties.
Furthermore, the machine is compatible with a broad range of media sizes. That’s why it boasts its wide-format feeding capabilities. You can let it tackle 13×19 inches and 11×17 inches papers, and it can do the job with no trouble at all. It is also capable of handling 4 x6 inches, 5 x7 inches, and 8 x10 inches papers.
And it’s not only great in black and white printing but also colored ones. The machine offers a color resolution of about 9600×2400 dpi. With this, it is pretty much capable of producing printouts with excellent detail and accuracy.
Given all of these attributes and specifications, it is justifiable why it has earned a spot as one of the best black and white printer for home use with cheap ink.
Pros
- Comes with a high-speed USB for fast data transfer
- Has a quiet mode option
- Includes a fingerprint technology and photo editing software support
- Comes with an auto-feeding tray with a 150-sheet capacity
- Compact footprint making it ideal for small spaces
Cons
- Quite difficult to set up and it can take too much time making it inconvenient
5. HP OfficeJet 3830
Next up is a printer from the OfficeJet series of HP. This printer will leave you in awe with everything that it can offer despite being on the low price point on the market. Keep on reading to find out more!
First off, this is multipurpose equipment that will allow you to enjoy its maximum functionality – may it be to print, scan, copy, or even send a fax. For sure, this will give you the capability to achieve a lot of tasks at home, in the office, or on-the-go. Amazing, right?
When it comes to the connectivity options, this machine won’t come last for sure. It offers both wired and wireless capabilities, which makes it more versatile. So you’ll be able to print from various types of media devices.
In addition to that, you can utilize the HP smart app that the manufacturer incorporated on the machine. With this, it will be able to support mobile printing and scanning. Hence, managing your tasks has never been this convenient.
Using the said app, you can also easily set up and configure the device. It will also allow you to make commands like scanning from your tablet or smartphone, ordering toner, and print directly from Cloud, such as Dropbox, iCloud, and Google Drive. Yes, Google cloud print is also an option.
Also, it is fabricated to be compatible with the common operating systems. You’ll be able to connect your device to Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android systems.
Much more, this device offers more convenience because of its capability of handling various media types. It can function pretty well with high-resolution paper, envelopes, cardstock, labels, plain paper, glossy paper, and more. And it can also accommodate paper rolls like professional grade printers. You can also look for a way to increase the gloss with an instrument like HP gloss enhancer.
And in conclusion, it does a pretty great job of delivering the performance and quality that you opt for. The capabilities of this printer make it one of the best, indeed!
Pros
- Fast and convenient
- Capable of handling all media types
- Features an automatic document feeder with a 35-sheet capacity
- Multifunctional and versatile
Cons
- Paper jams often occur
6. Canon PIXMA MG3620
This PIXMA MG3620 is one of the most affordable printers from Canon. Despite being in the low-price range, it can deliver way beyond its cost value. Keep on reading to find out why it belongs on the list of the best here in the black and white photo printer review.
First off, this all-in-one wireless printing machine is designed to be versatile, just perfect for home businesses, small offices, or for personal use. It comes with a compact design that lets you save more space in your workplace and lets you easily transfer from one place to another.
As for the compatibility of the media types, it can accommodate a lot of papers for printing, scanning, and copying. You may make use of plain paper, high-resolution canon paper, matte photo paper, photo paper plus semi-gloss, US #10 envelopes, and many more. You will have photo and matte finishes at the same time if you use proper matte black color inks and paper rolls.
Furthermore, it comes with a control panel, along with a lot of function buttons. With this, you’ll be able to easily operate and navigate your device. It will allow you to switch between plain and photo papers, to adjust it to print either monochrome or colored, etc.
You wont find a printer like this whether which can do both monochrome photography and also handle matte black inks. It can also handle delicate media. one such example is museum quality papers.
You’ll also be offered with some connectivity options. It can support Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and USB. Although it doesn’t provide a lot of options like other devices, it’s still sufficient enough to provide you with the means to work on the document that you want.
With all these specs, it’s a top-notch printing machine indeed. It may have few drawbacks, but it can still deliver and never disappoints.
Pros
- Great quality for photo print
- Compact design with a sleek appearance
- Good cost per print ratio
- Ease of operation and navigation
Cons
- Slow color printing speed
- Doesn’t have a separate tray allocated for photo paper
7. Canon PIXMA TS6220
This PIXMA TS6220 is yet another impressive printing machine from Canon. They have manufactured world-class quality products, and this is just one of the many. A wireless all-in-one device that’s incredibly fabricated to be perfect for satisfying all your production needs every day like documents, photos, reports, and more.
One noteworthy feature of this equipment is its compact size. It’s built with the appropriate dimensions allowing you to place it on your desk, shelf, or table since it doesn’t take too much space.
Much more, this is equipped with an integrated control panel. It has a 3-inch LCD color screen that comes with a few buttons. You’ll be able to navigate the menus through the touch screen. While you can use the buttons to set the machine, whether you’ll be printing/scanning in black/color mode. That is the least a brand can do in the digital age.
The machine comes with two paper trays, which allows you to put two different media types of preference. It’s also versatile as it is capable of accommodating sizes up to the letter paper which might be unattainable for many printer sizes.
With all of these features, there’s no doubt as to why it is dubbed as one of the best black and white photo printers on sale. You’ll be able to produce the highest-quality photographs with this printing machine with a speed of about 9.8 ppm. Printing photographs can be a big challenge without the right photo printer.
Also, it can allow you to use voice-activated printing through Amazon’s Alexa. You can prompt it to do stuff for you by using your voice, such as to manage your printing list, check your monochrome ink levels, and get notifications, color pages, templates, and more.
All in all, this printer is pretty amazing! It is jam-packed with features even though it’s compact.
Pros
- Speed is fast for each function
- Equipped with two paper trays
- Allows two-sided printing
- Low text printing cost
Cons
- Unresponsive touch panel
- Doesn’t come with automatic roll feeder
8. Canon SELPHY CP1300
This SELPHY CP1300 is an excellent compact printer from Canon. It’s an upgrade from the award-winning CP1200. Let’s get to know what makes it one of the best printers in the market.
Well, one of the noteworthy features it possesses is the inclusion of a 3.2-inch color LCD screen. It’s still not a touch screen, but it comes with a range of buttons on top that you can utilize to select a certain function. Also, the screen is installed with a forward tilt so you can have a better view and visibility.
When it comes to connections, you can print directly from a USB device or an SD card since it has allotted ports for that. You can either choose what you prefer – a Wi-Fi network or a USB connection.
Also, you’ll be able to print from any Android, iPhone, or iPad device. It’s done over a Wi-Fi along with the dedicated app from Canon. But it can also work with AirPrint and Mopria. You can also print directly from cameras through DPS over IP or PictBridge.
On top of it all, it produces great photo quality since it utilizes the dye-sublimation variety of printing. It can also dry immediately and rated to last about a hundred years. Moreover, this printer can provide you with optimal quality at a relatively fast speed.
All in all, the SELPHY CP1300 is an excellent option, especially if you’re working as a professional that’s demanding great quality printouts. It’s an easy-to-use compact printer that holds a lot of incredible features.
Pros
- Superb print quality
- Comes with good connectivity options
- Competitive cost per print
- Equipped with a large color LCD screen making it user-friendly
Cons
- No touchscreen
- USB cable not included
9. Canon TS5120
Canon never fails to impress its consumers with all of its fabricated products. This is what makes them the best among its competitors. And the TS5120 is also delivering and never disappoints.
Well, this printing machine is equipped with a fine hybrid ink system, one of its defining features. With this feature, you can make detailed graphics and images, making it one of the top black and white photo printers on sale. It can make even the borderless prints.
No doubt, the device offers the perfect combination of quality, cost, and performance. Much more, it is equipped with a small 2.5-inch LCD screen.
Although it doesn’t come with a touchscreen interface, it has physical buttons, each with unique stand-alone functions. So you won’t have a hard time navigating and operating your device.
This printing machine won’t be left behind when it comes to connectivity options. It will much easier and more convenient for you to print your documents and photos directly from various media devices such as AirPrint, Google CloudPrint, and even Cloud.
Moreover, it can accommodate XL ink cartridges. This is just optional, but if you wish to increase the ink capacity, you can go for this. It can save you from buying a replacement from time to time since it can extend the time to change them. You can also produce output twice as much.
Since it is equipped with an automatic two-sided printing, it can help you lessen the usage and cost of the paper sheets for as much as 50 percent. Imagine how much you can save with this one. Also, you can load paper in the tray with 100 sheets of plain paper or 20 sheets of 4 x6 inches paper.
In conclusion, this printing machine is ideal for anyone who wants maximum resolution photos and documents. It’s also compact, making it perfect for your area with limited space.
Pros
- Commendable photo printing speed
- Physical buttons can provide easy navigation
- Equipped with two paper trays
- Decent connectivity options
Cons
- Flimsy paper trays
- Slower duplex printing speed
10. Epson Eco Tank ET-2720
To complete our list of the best here in our black and white photo printer review is this Eco Tank ET-2720 from Epson. This printing machine is an excellent option if you’re looking for a low operating cost super tank device.
It’s definitely worth the investment, especially that it’s a super tank printer. This feature refers to the capacity of the equipment to print thousands of pages on just a single refill.
However, there’s a downside to the speed. It cannot provide you with great quality output. So if you’re just working on some casual photos and graphics, then you might want to consider this printer.
One of the amazing aspects that many consumers love about this printing machine is ink savings. Its cost per page is 0.3 cents for monochromatic outputs while 0.9 cents for colored ones. Hence, you can expect great savings for black and white printing!
For the connectivity options, it can support USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Direct. You’ll then be able to print from devices with a network. This is pretty much a convenient way of managing your tasks remotely.
Much more, this device offers an entry-level production speed. It can produce colored pages at 5 ppm and monochrome pages at 10.5 ppm. That only means that it won’t be ideal for a workplace that has a high printing demand.
Therefore, this printing machine excels incredibly when it comes to printing costs despite being a basic device. Perhaps, it is what sets it apart from its rivals on the best black and white photo printers on the market.
Pros
- Simple and lightweight
- Low cost black and white photo printing
- Best printer ink savings
- Input tray 100-sheet capacity
Cons
- Quality may not be that good
Best Black and White Printers for Photo Printing: Buying Guide
Buying a certain product shouldn’t be an instant decision to make. To end up with the right printer, you need to consider a few factors beforehand. It might help if you take the time to read some reviews and feedback to ensure the quality of the equipment. The same goes when selecting a black and white photo printer.
There are numerous best black and white photo printers available on the market. And with the myriad of options you have, it sure is overwhelming to choose one. Some tend to overlook other features when they’re too focused on one aspect. If you want to confidently pick one, you must be keen on everything.
So what makes an appropriate monochrome printer? This part of the article will provide you with answers.
Compatibility with Various Types and Sizes of Media
One of the very first things you should look for in a monochrome printer is its ability to accommodate various media types and sizes. You should be aware beforehand of the type of paper you are going to utilize most of the time. The paper type is very important because of some reasons.
First, you need to carefully check if the printer you’re intending to buy can be compatible with the type of paper you’re using. Then, each type of paper will affect the quality and outcome of the photo print.
The most common types of paper are matte-finish paper and glossy photo paper. You won’t practically have issues with this one if you’re going to use a dedicated black and white printer. However, there are some acid free fine art papers and museum quality papers that are more delicate.
Hence, it’s very vital to scrutinize the compatibility of the media first before coming up with a final decision to buy the unit so you won’t have regrets in the future.
Also, size is as important as the type. Almost every model has a maximum paper size that they can accommodate. So don’t ever overlook this aspect of the printer, check them out beforehand.
Number of Black Inks
Another factor that you shouldn’t fail to notice is the number of black inks. If you want to make you photo black, you need the best black printer inks. It may appear as a simple basic monochrome image for normal people, but the professionals know that there’s a wide range of tonal gradations for monochrome prints. And not all inks hae the ability of producing artist grade black and white photo prints.
The appropriate printer will be able to provide you with pure black, luminous prints, and gray prints. You might also get light black if you are doing optimum image generating. Its number of inks merely determines the range of monochrome prints. You might want to opt for a printer that can guarantee you at least three black variations to achieve the rich tones of your photo.
Consider the printing equipment with more ink pots. It’s because the more the available grayscale ink tones, the higher the chances for producing an evenly toned darkroom. Sophisticated printers utilize multiple grayscale ink tones for printing photos. And that is possible with more color pots.
If you are doing color photography, getting an industry leading color management gets even more important. However, the marketing is getting flooded with more and more sophisticated printers. So, printer manufacturers are increasing color prices and lowering printer price
Specialty Drivers
The standard drivers of some printers can’t fully satisfy or meet your desired output, especially when working with black and white photos. Most of the photo printers that have a high-quality output commonly utilizes specialty drivers called Raster Image Processors (RIPs).
These drivers are known to provide control and depth of image printing. It is a type of fine-tuning that is relatively essential when you are looking to manage the black density of your printouts.
There are two types of RIPs – the ImagePrint RIP and the QuadTone RIP. These RIPS represent modes to stop color casts if you are viewing it under various artificial light sources. And this is typically known as “illuminant metamerism.”
In most cases, you’ll be able to calibrate the RIPs to your prints. This is done to react favorably with the paper you prefer to choose. It’s very important, especially when cutting smaller prints from an oversized roll paper or printing irregular sizes.
One major setback of this feature is its price point. If you want the appropriate RIP, then you should be willing to spend more since it will cost you a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here we have the most commonly asked queries regarding the best black and white photo printers:
1. What is a monochrome printer?
A monochrome printer is a type that utilizes black ink only. Other printer inks won’t work if you are printing black unless you want some ugly color casts. They are usually used in professional environments since it has a faster printing speed, superior text quality, and low cost per page.
2. Which utilizes less ink – monochrome or grayscale?
Most printers create gray by mixing colors, while monochrome is simply printed with the use of the black ink. However, it takes just a smaller amount of each color to get a gray and a larger amount of black ink to achieve the color density needed for true black.
3. Do monochrome printers print color?
No. Since monochrome printers only print in black, they are not capable of producing color photos or any documents that require color.
4. Can I buy a printer that only prints black?
Yes. You’ll be able to find models that only use a single cartridge to print your documents. This will also help you lower your printing costs since you only have one cartridge to replace.
5. Are black and white laser printers better?
If your printing needs deals more with text files and documents, then it is much better to opt for the best black and white laser printer for home use since they guarantee a sharp, clear text quality.
Final Words
Hopefully, this article about black and white photo printer review has been of assistance to you through the 10 recommended options and the buying guide to help you confidently choose one of the best printing machines available on the market.