Types of Printers and Their Prices in Saudi Arabia

28 September 2025
Safaa SEO
انواع الطابعات واسعارها في السعودية

Introduction to Printers and Their Everyday Use

Imagine you need to print an important report at the last minute, or perhaps you want to print family photos as a holiday gift for relatives. At such moments, you realize the importance of having a reliable printer at home or in the office. But with the wide variety of printer types and prices in the Arab market, the choice can be overwhelming.

From our experience providing technical consultation to hundreds of clients in the region, we noticed that most people face the same challenge: How do I choose the right printer without overspending or sacrificing quality?


The Role of Printers in Home and Work Life

In today’s digital age, some may assume printers are less important. But reality tells a different story—especially in the Middle East and North Africa, where paper-based transactions and printed documents remain essential in daily life.

  • At home: Families use printers for school assignments, utility bills, and even printing favorite recipes from the internet.
  • At work: Printers remain a backbone for daily operations, from reports and contracts to official correspondence.

The Evolution of Printers: From Paper to Smart Printing

Over the past decade, the printing industry has evolved dramatically. From traditional printers that needed a USB cable connection to smart printers you can control from your smartphone while sitting at a café.

Today, we have printers that support cloud printing, voice control, and even AI-powered automatic print quality optimization. This evolution makes choosing the right printer more complex, but it also opens up new horizons for efficiency and convenience.


👉 Also check: Best Card Printers at Competitive Prices in Saudi Arabia


Common Types of Printers and Their Features

Let’s be clear: there’s no “best” printer overall—only the printer that’s best for your needs and budget. Let’s explore the main types:


1. Inkjet Printers

If you’re looking for the “all-in-one solution” for home printing, inkjet printers might be your top choice. Think of them as the watercolor artist—great with details and colors, but a bit slower to complete the job.

Pros:

  • Exceptional print quality for images (up to 4800×1200 DPI)
  • Affordable entry price starting from 200
  • Flexibility in paper size printing
  • Quiet operation—ideal for homes

Cons:

  • Ink costs can reach 50% of the printer’s value annually
  • Slow speed (8–15 pages per minute)
  • Ink may dry out if unused for long periods

Best for Home Use:

  • Printing family photos with lab-like quality
  • School projects and colorful assignments
  • Personal documents in low volumes (under 100 pages/month)

2. Laser Printers

If inkjet printers are artists, laser printers are engineers—fast, precise, and cost-effective in the long run. They are the favorite for offices and businesses across the region.

Types of Laser Printers:

  • Monochrome (black & white):
  • Prices range 400–800. Perfect for reports and text documents. Print speeds up to 35 pages per minute (a 100-page report in under 3 minutes!).
  • Color laser printers:
  • Prices 1,200–3,000. Professional quality for presentations and marketing materials. Printing costs are 60% lower than inkjets when printing in bulk.

Top Budget-Friendly Laser Printers for Offices:

  • HP LaserJet Pro M15w – ideal for small offices
  • Canon imageCLASS LBP6030 – best for tight budgets
  • Brother HL-L2340DW – excellent balance of cost and performance

3. All-in-One Printers

These are the “Swiss Army knife” of the printing world—combining printing, scanning, copying, and faxing in a single device.

In a survey of 500 SMEs in the Gulf region, 78% preferred multifunction printers for reasons like:

  • Saving space (critical for small offices)
  • Lower costs compared to buying separate devices
  • Easier maintenance—just one device to manage

4. Photo Printers

For professional photographers or serious hobbyists, photo printers turn your home into a full printing studio. With ultra-high resolution (up to 9600×2400 DPI), they handle specialized paper sizes from 4×6 inches up to A3+.


5. Portable Printers

With the mobile lifestyle in the Gulf, portable printers are growing in popularity. They weigh less than 1 kg, run on batteries, and connect directly to your phone—perfect for sales reps, accountants on the move, and students.


6. Modern Printers (3D Printers & More)

3D printing is finding its way into Arab markets, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Prices start at 1,500 for basic home models and reach tens of thousands for professional ones.


👉 Order now: Plastic Card Printer at the Best Price


Printer Price Comparison: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE

Prices vary significantly across countries, so understanding these differences helps you make smarter decisions.


HP Printer Prices

HP leads the Arab market with a 35% market share.

  • Entry-level models:
  • HP DeskJet 2130: 280–350 / EGP 1,200–1,800 / AED 250–320
  • HP DeskJet 2320: 320–420 / EGP 1,500–2,200 / AED 290–380
  • Mid-range models:
  • HP LaserJet Pro M15w: 450–580 / EGP 2,800–3,600 / AED 420–550

Canon Printer Prices

Canon is known for outstanding photo printing quality.

  • Canon PIXMA MG2540S: 290–380 / EGP 1,400–2,000 / AED 270–350
  • Canon PIXMA TS3140: 380–480 / EGP 2,000–2,800 / AED 350–450

Epson Printer Prices

Epson revolutionized the market with EcoTank refillable ink tank printers.

  • Epson EcoTank L3110: 750–950 / EGP 4,500–6,000 / AED 700–900
  • Epson EcoTank L3150: 900–1,150 / EGP 5,500–7,200 / AED 850–1,100


Printer Buyer’s Guide (How to Choose the Right Printer)

When buying a printer, the decision should not be based on price alone. Instead, you need to consider your needs, budget, and the environment where the printer will be used. Below are the most important factors to help you make the right choice:


1. Purpose of Use

  • Home Use → Inkjet or budget laser printers are ideal for occasional printing, school projects, and photographs.
  • Office Use → Laser printers (monochrome or color) are more suitable for high-volume document printing.
  • Specialized Use → Thermal printers (for labels and receipts) or 3D printers (for design and prototyping).

2. Printing Speed (PPM – Pages Per Minute)

  • Low speed (5–10 ppm): Suitable for home or student use.
  • Medium speed (15–25 ppm): Ideal for small offices.
  • High speed (30–50+ ppm): Designed for enterprises and print shops.

3. Print Quality (DPI – Dots Per Inch)

  • 300–600 DPI: Sufficient for documents.
  • 1200+ DPI: Necessary for professional photographs and graphic design.

4. Connectivity Options

  • USB: Basic wired connection.
  • Wi-Fi / Wi-Fi Direct: Wireless printing from multiple devices.
  • Cloud Printing and Mobile Apps: Google Cloud Print, AirPrint, etc.

5. Running Costs

  • Compare ink or toner cartridge prices and page yield.
  • Look for EcoTank or refillable models to reduce long-term costs.

6. Additional Features

  • Duplex (double-sided printing)
  • Scanner and Copier (All-in-One models)
  • Touchscreen Display
  • Compatibility with different operating systems

Printer Maintenance Tips

To extend the life of your printer and reduce operational costs, follow these maintenance practices:


1. Regular Cleaning

  • Use a soft cloth to clean dust from the exterior.
  • Run head cleaning cycles regularly in inkjet printers.

2. Correct Usage

  • Avoid overloading paper trays.
  • Use the correct type and size of paper to prevent jams.

3. Cartridge and Toner Care

  • Store cartridges in a cool, dry place.
  • Replace cartridges when print quality declines, such as faded or streaky text.

4. Firmware Updates

  • Keep your printer’s firmware updated to improve performance and security.

5. Power Management

  • Turn off the printer when not in use to save energy and extend component life.

Printer Troubleshooting (Common Problems and Solutions)

1. Paper Jam

  • Open the paper tray, gently remove the stuck sheet, and reload the paper correctly.

2. Faded or Blurry Prints

  • Check ink or toner levels.
  • Run a printhead cleaning cycle.

3. Slow Printing

  • Reduce print quality settings if high resolution is not needed.
  • Ensure the printer is connected through a stable network.

4. Connectivity Issues

  • Restart both the printer and router.
  • Reinstall the drivers.

5. Printer Not Recognized

  • Check USB or Wi-Fi connections.
  • Update or reinstall printer drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Which printer is cheapest to maintain?

Laser printers generally have lower running costs compared to inkjet printers.

Q2: Can I use third-party ink cartridges?

Yes, but it may void the warranty and sometimes affect print quality.

Q3: What is the best printer for students?

Affordable inkjet printers with Wi-Fi connectivity are a great option.

Q4: Which printer is better for photo printing?

High-resolution inkjet printers with 6-color ink systems provide the best results.

Q5: How long does a printer usually last?

With proper care, inkjet printers last about 3–5 years, while laser printers can last 5–7 years.