An all-in-one printer, also called a multifunction printer or MFP, combines printing with scanning and copying, and sometimes faxing, in one device. It can save space and money, but it also combines several functions into one point of failure.
Does this affect you?
Use this if you are shopping for a home or small-office printer and want to know whether all-in-one features are worth choosing over a print-only model.
What you get and the trade-offs
More functions can be useful, but they are not free of compromise.
- Core functions: printing and scanning are standard; copying is scan-then-print handled by the device; fax appears on some office models.
- Space savings: one box replaces a separate printer and scanner.
- Convenience: occasional scans of forms, IDs, receipts, and school documents are easier when the scanner is already there.
- One point of failure: if the scanner, ADF, or printer mechanism breaks, the whole unit may need repair or replacement.
More control
Good fit for occasional scanning
Households and small offices that scan a few times a month usually benefit from an all-in-one. Heavy scanning workflows may need a dedicated document scanner.
Check the scanner type
A flatbed handles books, photos, and delicate pages. An automatic document feeder scans stacks faster. Duplex ADF scanning is needed for automatic two-sided originals.
Consumable costs are still printer costs
An all-in-one does not make ink or toner cheaper. Compare cost per page just like any other printer.
Sources
- HP Support – All-in-One Printers Explained (2025)
- Canon – What Is a Multifunction Printer (2025)
- Epson – Choosing Between a Single-Function and All-in-One Printer (2025)