Inkjet printers are more suitable for a family's needs than a laser printer, offering better value for money, reports German magazine PCgo. Even though an inkjet used by an entire family will go through multiple ink cartridges, the constant use means the cartridges will almost never dry up. Also, most manufacturers sell larger cartridges at a discount, lowering the cost per printout.
To save even more money, consider a multifunction device, which will include a scanner and a copier. These 3-in-1 devices can be had for as little as 100 euros or 130 dollars and offer decent printing quality. Some even come with a fax option too: a 4-in-1 device.
Most models can easily be integrated into a network with an Ethernet cable or via wi-fi. That has the advantage that every user can access the device, wherever they are in the home, meaning the days of carrying USB sticks and other storage devices from place to place are gone. Nor is there the ongoing fuss of plugging and unplugging the printer multiple times a day.
If you opt for a wi-fi connection, there is also the advantage that it will be able to communicate with smartphones and tablets, given the right apps. That's especially practical, for example, if one wants to print an individual photograph from a phone.