All-in-One Printer vs Single Function Printer

Choosing between an all in one printer vs single function printer is one of the first decisions you face when shopping for a new device. Both types serve different needs, and picking the wrong one can mean wasted money, wasted desk space, or missing features you rely on daily. Whether you work from home, run a small office, or just need to print the occasional document, understanding the core differences will save you regret later. Visit our printer buying guide for curated recommendations across both categories.

A single function printer does one thing — it prints. An all-in-one printer (also called a multifunction printer, or MFP) adds scanning, copying, and often faxing to that same unit. On the surface the choice seems simple, but price, print quality, ink costs, and desk footprint all complicate things fast.

What Sets These Printers Apart

The fundamental gap between these two printer types comes down to functionality. A multifunction printer combines multiple peripherals into one housing, while a dedicated printer strips everything away except the print engine itself.

All-in-One Printer Explained

An all-in-one printer includes a flatbed or automatic document feeder (ADF) scanner on top of a standard print engine. This lets you scan documents directly to your computer — something worth exploring in our guide on how to scan documents with a printer. Most current models also support Wi-Fi, mobile printing, and cloud services. Mid-range all-in-ones handle duplex printing, ADF scanning up to 35 sheets, and even borderless photo output.

Single Function Printer Explained

Single function printers focus exclusively on printing. Because the hardware is simpler, manufacturers can invest more in the print engine itself. The result is often faster output, lower paper jam rates, and a smaller physical footprint than a comparably priced all-in-one. These machines are common in environments where scanning is handled by a dedicated document scanner or a separate shared device.

Feature and Performance Comparison

Print Quality

At equivalent price points, single function printers frequently edge out all-in-ones on print resolution and color accuracy. That said, photo-focused all-in-ones from Canon and Epson close this gap significantly. For text documents, most users will not notice a difference between an entry-level all-in-one and a comparably priced single function laser printer.

Speed and Throughput

Speed is measured in pages per minute (PPM). Single function laser printers regularly hit 30–40 PPM in their class. All-in-ones of the same price tend to land in the 20–30 PPM range due to the extra hardware and firmware overhead. For light home use this rarely matters; for offices printing hundreds of pages per day, those numbers add up.

Cost of Ownership

Upfront Price

Single function printers cost less at the register. An entry-level inkjet single function model typically runs $40–$90, while a comparable all-in-one starts around $60–$120. The premium you pay for an all-in-one covers the scanner hardware, larger control panel, and extra firmware. If you genuinely need scanning, paying that premium makes economic sense versus buying a dedicated scanner separately.

Ongoing Ink and Toner Costs

The real cost of any printer lives in its consumables. Our detailed breakdown in laser toner vs inkjet ink total cost shows that per-page costs vary dramatically by technology and brand. All-in-one inkjets often share the same cartridge system as their single function siblings from the same manufacturer, so ongoing ink costs may be identical. The key is to check the cost per page (CPP) stated in the spec sheet, not just the cartridge price. High-yield cartridges and ink subscription plans can reduce CPP significantly regardless of which type you choose.

Space, Design, and Connectivity

All-in-one printers are physically larger. The scanner lid adds height and the ADF adds length. In a cramped home office or dorm room this matters. Single function printers, especially compact laser models, often fit under a shelf or in a drawer when not in use.

On connectivity both types are broadly similar today. Most mid-range models offer USB, Wi-Fi, and mobile print support (Apple AirPrint, Mopria). If network sharing matters to you, see our guide on how to share a printer on a home network — the setup steps are nearly identical for both types. A handful of business-grade single function lasers still skip Wi-Fi to cut costs, so double-check specs before buying.

Which Printer Is Right for You?

Best for Home Users

Most home users benefit from an all-in-one printer. Scanning insurance documents, school assignments, or receipts is common enough that having it built in pays off quickly. Families with kids printing photos or craft projects also appreciate the copy function. If your budget is very tight and you are certain you will never scan, a single function inkjet saves you $20–$40 upfront.

Best for Office Use

Small offices with moderate print volumes should consider an all-in-one laser printer. You gain scanning and copying without buying separate hardware, and laser toner is cheaper per page than inkjet for high-volume text printing. Larger offices with dedicated IT infrastructure often deploy high-speed single function laser printers at individual desks and a shared network MFP for scanning and copying — splitting the tasks to maximize throughput at each station.

The verdict: when comparing the all in one printer vs single function printer, the all-in-one wins for most households and small offices. Single function printers make sense when speed, simplicity, or budget is the top priority and scanning is not needed.