Alternative to HP
louise1966
Posts: 4,012 Forum Member
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I have always had HP as my main printer. My very first, way back when was Canon, and I did have a brother. My current one is a HP 5280 and it has packed up on me. I always use genuine cartridges, not compatible/refillable, as HP does not display details for your cartridge levels etc,. if they are not HP. I want an all in one, which has automatic duplex printing, two ink cartridges would be preferable to multi, wireless is not essential, but it must have airprint and a definite must is the ability to print from an SD card. I saw a canon pixma MG3250, but it doesn't have the memory card slot. Anyone got any suggestions of brands other than HP, or specific machines? 
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Epson are a good bet as well - don't know any specific models off hand though. I would say Canon in my experience have the best print quality although don't tend to the cheapest to run.
The 'print and scan doctor' has got my HP printer/scanner back up and running a couple of times.
LINK.
I've carried out a search on Which?, based on your preferences and it found 19 printers scoring between 63 and 74%, of which 11 scored between 70 and 72%, and more or less the same in terms of performance, differing only as regards price, noise levels and speed of colour printing. Out of these 11, 3 stood out for price, the other 8 start at £100 and then spiral out of control up to £171.
The cheapest is the Canon Pixma MG6450 at £78: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-PIXMA-MG6450-All-printer/dp/B00EVRT98M/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1405988992&sr=1-1&keywords=Canon+PIXMA+MG6450
Second cheapest, faster and quieter is the Epson Expression Premium XP-610 for £84: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Epson-Expression-Premium-Printer-Printing/dp/B00DVH6JIQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1405989159&sr=1-1&keywords=Epson+Expression+Premium+XP-610
Equal to the Epson is the HP Photosmart 5524 e-AIO also for £84: http://www.amazon.co.uk/HP-CX047B-PHOTOSMART-E-ALL-IN-ONE-89699411/dp/B009ZB08SO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1405989470&sr=1-1&keywords=HP+CX047B+PHOTOSMART+5524+E-ALL-IN-ONE
As well as seeing which of the above 3 printer's user interfaces you like the look of best, I'd suggest you check out the price of compatible carts (chipped so they show ink levels) on Amazon based on customer reviews, and buy the compatible carts instead of the manufacturer's branded ones.
Some good third party ink for Canon printers, not as cheap as Epson, but still pretty cheap and certainly cheaper than most HP machines.