5 Fastest Wide Format Printers For A Home Office: PPM Speed Comparison
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Looking for the fastest wide format printer? I can help!
Wide form printers are perfect for work-at-home professionals - especially for graphic designers, photographers, or anyone who needs to print anything larger than the standard 8.5 Letter size.
While some huge wide form printers sit on the floor, the ones I’ll be focusing on are better suited for the desktop in your home office:
Smaller printers that print at tabloid size (11 x 17 inches)
Larger printers that print at supertabloid size (13 x 19 inches)
How did I measure print speed?
I’ve researched a wide variety of the most popular wide format printers and done a deep-dive into their print speed, measured in “ppm” (pages per minute) - the number of pages they can print in 60 seconds in monochrome and color.
I’ve gathered data from manufacturers and the thoughts of real customers to help you discover the best and fastest wide format printer for your needs.
Note: Keep in mind that while I’ve focused on speed here, do take into consideration other factors when choosing the best wide format printer, especially ink replacement cost, which can soon add up depending on how much you print.
At A Glance: The Fastest Wide Format Printer for Home Office Use
| Printer Model | Max Print Size | ISO Print Speed Black/Color (ppm) | Max Print Resolution (dpi) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 | 13" x 19" | 25/25 | 4800 x 1200 | $$$ |
| Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 | 8.5" x 14" | 25/12 | 4800 x 2400 | $$ |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 | 11" x 17" | 21/17 | 4800 x 1200 | $$ |
| Epson ET-8500 | 13" x 19" | 16/12 | 5760 x 1440 | $$ |
| Canon PIXMA iX6820 | 13" x 19" | 14.5/10.4 | 9600 x 2400 | $$ |
The fastest wide from printer is the Epson EcoTank Pro-ET-16650 (see table above), which is able to print up to 25 black or color pages per minute.
However, it is also expensive, at over a thousand dollars - so probably only worth considering if printing a large number of color sheets is of the utmost importance.
My top pick for a balance of speed, price and functionality is the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830. At around $250, it can print in monochrome at up to 25 pages per minute, and up to 12 sheets per minute for color.
However, its replacement ink cartridges are expensive, so if you are going to be printing a ton of images, another option might be more suitable.
Keep reading for a full breakdown of all of the printers’ features.
5 Fastest Wide Format Printers for Home Use: A Full Rundown
Let’s take a closer look at all of my picks for the fastest wide format printers.
EpsonEcoTank Pro ET-16650
The fastest home office wide format printer is the EcoTank Pro ET-16650; a wireless all-in-one printer that redefines efficient printing with its Cartridge-Free Printing technology.
It’s an ideal choice for those who need large, vibrant prints up to 13" x 19" and scanning capabilities up to 11" x 17".
How Fast Does It Print?
The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 delivers remarkable printing speeds of up to 25 ISO ppm (pages per minute) for both black and color prints.
This level of speed, combined with PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology, ensures that the printer can handle high-volume tasks with ease, providing print-shop-quality output without slowing down.
More Details
The Epson ET-16650 is a 4-in-1 device equipped with wireless and Ethernet capabilities, enabling you to print, copy, scan, and fax.
Includes enough ink to print up to 6,000 pages, offering an incredibly low cost of ownership.
User-friendly, with a 500-sheet front tray paper capacity, rear specialty-paper feed, a 4.3" color touchscreen, and hands-free voice-activated printing.
Pros
Fast printing for monochrome and color sheets
Long-lasting ink (up to 6,000 pages)
Copy, scan and fax capabilities
Cons
Expensive compared to other printers
What Customers Say
“I have run nearly 3000 sheets through this, at least 2-300 of those have been solid coverage on 11x17 and 12x18 and I have yet to replace any ink. My old Epson I would have added ink at least every 100 prints easily. This is fantastic, so happy I got this.”
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 is my top pick wide format all-in-one printer (and copier, scanner, and fax machine) - and it also happens to be one of the fastest home office wide format printers, too.
With a maximum print size of 8.5" x 14", this printer is well-suited for various business needs, from detailed reports and charts to comprehensive brochures and flyers.
How Fast Does It Print?
Speed is one of the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830's strong suits. It boasts an impressive ISO print speed of up to 25 pages per minute (ppm) in black and 12 ppm in color.
More Details
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 offers automatic two-sided printing, which not only saves time but also reduces paper usage.
Equipped with PrecisionCore technology, ensuring professional-quality prints with sharp text and vivid colors.
Touchscreen interface and easy navigation further add to its convenience.
Pros
Very affordable wide format printer
Fast printing in monochrome and color
Wireless connectivity
Cons
Replacement ink is expensive
What Customers Say
“I needed a printer that could do relatively fast high volume duplex printing and scanning. I have been thrilled with the speed and clarity of the printing. For this price, what's not to like?”
HP OfficeJet Pro 7740
The HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 is a versatile all-in-one printer that caters to a variety of printing needs.
It's designed to handle not just printing, but also scanning and copying tasks, accommodating paper sizes up to 11.7" x 17".
This wide format capability makes it particularly useful for those who require larger prints such as architectural plans, brochures, and marketing materials.
How Fast Does It Print?
In terms of printing speed, the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 delivers impressive results. It can print up to 21 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 17 ppm in color in ISO standard mode.
More Details
The HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 can also scan and copy, providing a comprehensive solution for office tasks.
Additionally, its high-capacity paper trays and efficient ink usage make it a cost-effective choice for frequent printing tasks.
Pros
Great for ledger sized paper
Affordable price
Impressive ink life
Cons
Some customers report that connecting wirelessly can sometimes be finicky.
What Customers Say
“Excellent printer. Super fast, great quality prints. Large format is great. Having a home printer with multiple real paper trays is a great feature, since most home printers only hold a very small amount of paper. AirPrint works great, plus from PCs. Setup was simple.”
Epson ET-8500
Another Epson on this list, the ET-8550 is designed to handle a variety of tasks, from everyday document printing to high-quality, large-scale photo prints. It's particularly well-suited for those requiring borderless printing capabilities for sizes up to 13" x 19", making it an excellent choice for photographers, graphic designers, CAD drawings, and small businesses.
How Fast Does It Print?
When it comes to speed, the Epson ET-8550 can produce a borderless 4" x 6" photo in just about 15 seconds in Draft Mode on Premium Glossy Photo Paper, showcasing its prowess in rapid photo printing.
For regular document printing, it offers a speed of 16.0 ISO ppm (pages per minute) in black and 12.0 ISO ppm in color.
When printing double-sided, the ET-8550 maintains efficiency with speeds of 6.0 ISO ppm in black and 5.0 ISO ppm in color.
More Details
The Epson ET-8550 EcoTank system eliminates the need for cartridges, reducing running costs and making it an eco-friendly option.
The printer's high-accuracy printhead and Claria ET Premium 6-color inks ensure vibrant colors and sharp text, essential for producing professional-grade prints.
The ET-8550 offers versatile connectivity options, including wireless printing and compatibility with various devices.
Pros
Great print quality
Ink lasts a long time
Prints 6x4 photos quickly
Cons
Relatively expensive printer
What Customers Say
“Very affordable prints. It's not that fast but it's not that slow either. It works out of the box. Connects to all devices easily. Very easy to use. Ink lasts ages. Very happy with this printer.”
Canon PIXMA iX6820
The Canon PIXMA iX6820 Wireless Inkjet Business Printer is the cheapest printer on this list, ideal if you are on a budget.
It’s not as fast at printing monochrome or color sheets than other wide format printers, but it’s certainly no slouch, and you can’t really complain about the price.
This printer can handle everything from small 4" x 6" mailers to large 13" x 19" presentation charts.
The PIXMA iX6820 stands out with its exceptional print quality, boasting a maximum color dpi of 9600 x 2400, which ensures incredible detail and vibrancy in both documents and photos.
How Fast Does It Print?
The PIXMA iX6820 is designed for speed and efficiency, capable of printing documents and web pages at a rate of 14.5 images per minute (ipm) for black and 10.4 ipm for color.
This speed is complemented by its ability to produce borderless 4" x 6" photos in approximately 36 seconds, making it an excellent choice for businesses that require both rapid document printing and high-quality photo output.
More Details
The PIXMA iX6820 has a five individual ink tank system that allows for economical ink usage; you only need to replace the color that runs out.
Auto Power On for convenience, Quiet Mode for non-disruptive printing, and Solution Templates to streamline document creation.
The printer supports various connectivity options, including wireless printing, AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Ethernet, and Hi-Speed USB, offering flexibility for different work setups.
Pros
Cheap and cheerful price point
Supports wireless printing
Five-tank ink system
Cons
Not a fast printer compared to others on this list
What Customers Say
“Prints decently fast. Larger than expected. Does a great job with card stock.”
Fastest Wide Format Printer: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about wide format printers.
Which Large Format Printer Is The Best?
When it comes to choosing the best large format printer, it depends on your specific needs. For businesses, especially large offices/workgroups, printers like the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 and HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 stand out for their balance of speed, print quality, and cost efficiency. For professional photographers or those in graphic design, the Canon PIXMA iX6820, with its high resolution of 9600 x 2400 dpi and individual ink tanks, offers exceptional photo quality. If you're looking for eco-friendly wide format printer options, the Epson EcoTank series with its cartridge-free system is a great choice.
What Does “wide format printer” mean?
A wide format printer, often interchangeable with a large format printer, is designed to handle larger print media that standard printers cannot accommodate. This includes materials like large posters, banners, and signage. They differ from standard printers in their ability to handle wider print media - typically anything from 17 inches to 100 inches wide.
Conclusion: The Fastest Wide Format Printers
In conclusion, choosing the right wide format printer requires a careful balance of speed, quality, and specific features tailored to your needs, whether it's for a home office, small business, or professional-grade photography. By understanding the nuances of each model, from eco-friendly options to high-speed performers, you can make an informed decision that boosts your productivity and brings your creative projects to life with stunning clarity.
Want more? Check out these articles for products to help you build the best home office setup in the world:
About the Author
Andrew Macarthy is a blogger and the author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips - with over 150,000 copies sold. He has worked from home since 2010.
