How We Test

Every printer score on Tech Hub Nerd comes from hands-on testing, not spec-sheet comparisons. Here's exactly how we do it.

1. We buy or borrow — we don't keep

Most test units are manufacturer loans, returned after review. Retail purchases are made anonymously where possible. Nobody keeps review units, so there's no incentive to soften a score.

2. Print quality

• Text: a fixed document set printed at default settings, checked for sharpness and consistency across a full page.
• Photos: a standard reference image set printed on both plain and photo paper, compared side-by-side against the current class leader.
• Color accuracy: measured against a calibration target, not judged by eye alone.

3. Real cost-per-page, not the sticker price

We calculate actual cost-per-page for black text and for color, using street prices for replacement ink/toner — not the manufacturer's optimistic yield numbers. This is usually the single biggest factor in what a printer actually costs you over two years.

4. Speed and reliability

• Pages-per-minute measured with a real multi-page document, not a single test page.
• First-page-out time from sleep/standby, since that's what you'll actually experience.
• A sustained print run to check for overheating, paper jams, or slowdown under real volume.

5. Setup and connectivity

• Out-of-box setup timed from unboxing to first successful print.
• Wi-Fi reconnect reliability tested over a week of normal use, not just the first connection.
• Mobile printing (AirPrint/compatible apps) tested on both iOS and Android.

6. Our scoring system

Editorial scores are 0–100: 90+ exceptional, 80–89 excellent, 70–79 good with caveats, 60–69 average, below 60 hard to recommend. User ratings (★1–5) are separate and never averaged into our editorial score.

7. Corrections policy

Found an error? Tell us. Verified corrections are noted on the page — we don't edit reviews quietly.