Why HP Dominates the Printer Market as Japanese Brands Hold Their Ground

The home printer, once a must-have device, seems to be fading from priority lists. A recent TechRadar Pro survey sheds light on printer ownership trends and reveals a surprising fact: a significant number of people don’t own a printer at all.

Despite this, HP dominates the printer market, with Japanese brands like Brother, Canon, and Epson not far behind.

HP Leads the Printer Market

Among the 3,676 survey participants, 38% reported owning an HP printer. This figure cements HP’s position as the leader in the printer market.

However, what stands out is that 21% of respondents said they do not own a printer. This trend could be due to increased reliance on digital technologies, where cloud storage, document sharing, and mobile apps take over traditional printing tasks.

Japanese Brands in the Spotlight

While HP commands the largest share, Japanese printer brands collectively dominate the market.

• Canon holds a respectable 14% share, demonstrating its popularity for quality and affordability.
• Epson follows closely with 12%, often praised for its innovative ink tank systems that reduce long-term printing costs.
• Brother secures an 11% share, known for its reliability and value in small businesses and homes.

Combined, these three brands represent 37% of the total market, underscoring the influence of Japanese technology in the global printer landscape.

Niche Brands Struggle for Market Share

Other brands such as Kyocera, Oki, Ricoh, Xerox, and Lexmark collectively account for less than 5% of ownership. While these companies excel in specific niches like office printing or specialized tasks, they seem to have limited reach among the broader consumer base.

Why Are Many People Skipping Printers?

One in five respondents opting out of printer ownership highlights a shift in consumer behavior. Several reasons explain this decline:

1. Urban Living and Printing Alternatives: In cities, libraries, coworking spaces, and office supply stores provide easy access to printing services, reducing the need for personal printers.
2. High Maintenance Costs: The true expense of owning a printer lies in its upkeep. While ink cartridges may appear affordable with a shelf price of under $20, the actual cost of printer ink ranges between $5,000 to $10,000 per liter, according to TechRadar Pro’s data. For many, this steep expense outweighs the convenience of ownership.
3. Shift to Digital Solutions: With online document sharing and storage options becoming the norm, many tasks once reliant on printers are now handled digitally, from schoolwork to business operations.

The Printer Market Today: Essential Yet Evolving

While the importance of home printers is declining for some, they remain indispensable for others, such as remote workers, students, and small business owners.

HP’s dominance, coupled with the enduring popularity of Japanese brands, showcases a competitive yet evolving market.