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Our ease of use test considers set-up and installation, printing standard documents from a computer, printing a 4x6 inch photograph from a computer, handling paper jams, replacing ink cartridges, and setting up wired and wireless connections.

We measure the time it takes to print four types of documents.

Scan quality is assessed on a computer monitor by three expert viewers comparing the results to a high-quality reference scan.

Copy quality is assessed by three expert viewers comparing the printed copy to the original magazine page.

For inkjet printers, we measure how much ink is used in a cleaning cycle. The printers are run intermittently over a couple of weeks and switched off between uses so the cleaning cycle is triggered.

We assess the steps required to set up wired and wireless connections as well as the adequacy of the instructions.

Our priority is testing the models you'll see in stores and major online retailers. To do this, we check current market data to find out what's most popular.

To test as many printers as possible to the depth that's required, we share costs and expertise with our sister consumer organisations around the world. We use professional labs in Europe that specialise in printer testing and test hundreds of printers every year. From their tests, we pick out the models you can buy in Australia and add them to our results.

We rate the printers we test based on test criteria that consider the print speed and quality, ease of use, networking capabilities, power consumption, running costs and more. Using our ratings, you should be able to work out the printer model that's best for you.

Unlike other product review sites, we don't accept free test models from manufacturers (and nor does our sister consumer organisation in Europe). This allows us to be independent and review without interference. Instead, we buy products anonymously from a variety of retailers before bringing them into our labs to test. This means we get what you'd get, and can be sure the model hasn't been potentially 'tweaked' for better performance.