Are you looking for a new printer for your home or small office, but don't want to break the bank? You're not alone! Finding a printer that meets your needs without costing a fortune can be tricky.
Don't worry, we're here to help. We've scoured the market to find the best cheap printers available in 2024, considering factors like print quality, speed, cost per page, and features.
Whether you're a student printing assignments, a freelancer working from home, or a small business owner managing documents, we've got a printer that fits your needs and budget.
Best Overall Cheap Printer: Canon PIXMA TR8620
The Canon PIXMA TR8620 is our top pick for the best overall cheap printer. This versatile all-in-one model delivers excellent print quality, fast speeds, and impressive features, all at an affordable price.
Here's why the Canon PIXMA TR8620 is our top choice:
- Excellent print quality: The TR8620 boasts sharp text, vibrant colors, and detailed photos, making it suitable for both everyday documents and creative projects.
- Fast printing speeds: It can print up to 15 pages per minute in black and white and 10 pages per minute in color.
- Versatile connectivity options: This printer connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi, enabling printing from smartphones, tablets, and computers. You can also connect via Ethernet for a more stable connection.
- Automatic document feeder (ADF): The ADF allows you to scan and copy multiple pages automatically, saving you time and effort.
- Affordable running costs: While initial purchase price is reasonable, the ink cartridges are also budget-friendly, making it an excellent option for frequent printing.
The Canon PIXMA TR8620 is a fantastic all-around printer that delivers exceptional performance without breaking the bank. It's perfect for individuals and small businesses who need reliable printing, scanning, and copying capabilities.
Best Budget-Friendly Inkjet Printer: Epson EcoTank ET-2760
The Epson EcoTank ET-2760 takes the crown for the best budget-friendly inkjet printer. It's a fantastic choice for those seeking a low-cost option with incredible ink efficiency.
Here's what makes the Epson EcoTank ET-2760 stand out:
- Ultra-low running costs: The ET-2760 uses refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges, allowing you to print thousands of pages before needing to replace the ink.
- Sharp text and vibrant colors: The ET-2760 delivers excellent print quality for both text documents and photos.
- Versatile connectivity options: Connect to this printer wirelessly using Wi-Fi, or connect via USB for a direct connection to your computer.
- Affordable upfront cost: The ET-2760 is one of the most affordable inkjet printers available, making it a fantastic value proposition.
If you're looking for a printer that's easy on your wallet in the long run, the Epson EcoTank ET-2760 is a fantastic choice. It's ideal for home users who need a reliable and cost-effective printer for everyday tasks.
Best for Home Office: HP Envy Pro 6455e
The HP Envy Pro 6455e is a fantastic choice for home offices looking for a compact and feature-rich printer that doesn't break the bank.
Here's why the HP Envy Pro 6455e is a great pick for home offices:
- Exceptional print quality: The Envy Pro 6455e delivers sharp text and vibrant colors, making it suitable for printing everything from spreadsheets to photos.
- Fast print speeds: This printer can produce up to 10 pages per minute in black and white and 7 pages per minute in color.
- Smart features: The Envy Pro 6455e integrates with HP Smart app, allowing you to print, scan, and copy from your smartphone or tablet.
- Automatic two-sided printing: Save paper and reduce your environmental impact with automatic duplex printing.
If you need a reliable, feature-rich printer for your home office, the HP Envy Pro 6455e is an excellent choice. It offers a balance of performance and affordability, making it a great value proposition.
Best for Students: Canon PIXMA TS6320
The Canon PIXMA TS6320 is a compact and user-friendly printer that's perfect for students. It offers excellent print quality, easy setup, and a variety of features that make it a great choice for tackling assignments and printing photos.
Here's why the Canon PIXMA TS6320 is a great choice for students:
- Easy to use: The TS6320 is designed with simplicity in mind. It's straightforward to set up and operate, even for first-time printer users.
- Compact design: The TS6320 is small and space-saving, making it ideal for dorm rooms or small apartments.
- Wireless connectivity: Print from your laptop, smartphone, or tablet using Wi-Fi.
- Affordable ink cartridges: While initial purchase price is reasonable, the ink cartridges are also budget-friendly, making it an excellent option for frequent printing.
If you're a student on a budget, the Canon PIXMA TS6320 is a great option. Its easy-to-use features, affordable price, and excellent print quality make it a reliable and convenient printing solution.
Best for Photos: Epson EcoTank Photo ET-7750
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-7750 is the best choice for photo printing enthusiasts. This all-in-one printer delivers stunning photo prints with vibrant colors, crisp detail, and beautiful color accuracy.
Here's what makes the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-7750 stand out:
- Exceptional photo print quality: This printer uses six-color ink technology to reproduce incredibly realistic and detailed photographs.
- Automatic document feeder (ADF): The ADF allows you to scan and copy multiple pages automatically, saving you time and effort.
- Versatile connectivity options: Connect wirelessly via Wi-Fi or connect directly via USB for a stable connection.
- Low running costs: The ET-7750 uses refillable ink tanks, significantly reducing printing costs compared to cartridge-based models.
If you're passionate about photography and need a printer that can bring your images to life, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-7750 is an excellent choice. It offers exceptional print quality, advanced features, and low running costs.
Best for Small Businesses: HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e is a feature-packed all-in-one printer that's perfect for small businesses. It offers fast printing speeds, excellent print quality, and a suite of business-focused features that enhance productivity.
Here's why the HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e is a great choice for small businesses:
- Fast printing speeds: This printer can print up to 22 pages per minute in black and white and 18 pages per minute in color.
- Automatic document feeder (ADF): The ADF allows you to scan and copy multiple pages automatically, saving you time and effort.
- Mobile printing: Use the HP Smart app to print, scan, and copy from your smartphone or tablet.
- Smart features: The 9025e comes with HP Instant Ink, a subscription service that automatically orders ink when you're running low, eliminating the hassle of manually replacing cartridges.
If you're looking for a reliable and efficient printer for your small business, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e is a solid choice. Its speed, connectivity, and business-focused features make it a valuable addition to any office.
Best for Ink Efficiency: Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 is our top pick for the best printer in terms of ink efficiency. It's an excellent choice for high-volume printing, as it boasts incredibly low running costs and can print thousands of pages before needing to replace the ink.
Here's what makes the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 stand out:
- Ultra-low running costs: The WF-4830 uses refillable ink tanks, enabling you to print thousands of pages at a fraction of the cost of cartridge-based printers.
- Fast printing speeds: This printer can produce up to 24 pages per minute in black and white and 15 pages per minute in color.
- Automatic document feeder (ADF): The ADF allows you to scan and copy multiple pages automatically, saving you time and effort.
- Versatile connectivity options: Connect wirelessly via Wi-Fi, connect directly via USB, or connect via Ethernet for a stable connection.
If you're a heavy printer looking to minimize your printing costs, the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 is the perfect solution. Its exceptional ink efficiency and high-speed performance make it a valuable investment.
What to Consider When Choosing a Cheap Printer
Here are some essential factors to consider when choosing a cheap printer:
1. Print Quality:
- Resolution: Resolution is measured in dots per inch (DPI) and determines the sharpness and detail of your prints. Higher DPI typically equates to better quality, but it also increases the price. For everyday documents, 300 DPI is sufficient, but for photo prints, look for a printer with at least 1200 DPI.
- Color accuracy: This factor is crucial for photo printing, especially for professionals who need accurate color reproduction. Look for printers with features like six-color ink technology or advanced color management settings.
- Ink type: Inkjet printers are typically more affordable than laser printers, but they can be more expensive in the long run due to the cost of ink cartridges. Laser printers use toner, which generally lasts longer and produces sharper text, but can be more expensive upfront.
2. Speed:
- Print speed: Print speed is measured in pages per minute (PPM). If you frequently print large documents, a faster printer is crucial.
- Warm-up time: The time it takes for a printer to warm up and be ready to print can vary depending on the model.
- Duplex printing: Automatic duplex printing (two-sided printing) is a helpful feature that saves paper and reduces your environmental impact.
3. Connectivity:
- Wi-Fi: Wireless connectivity allows you to print from smartphones, tablets, and laptops without a physical connection.
- Ethernet: Ethernet provides a more stable and reliable connection, making it ideal for office environments.
- USB: USB connectivity is a standard feature, offering a direct connection to your computer.
4. Features:
- Scanning: Most printers come with a built-in scanner, which allows you to scan documents and photos.
- Copying: Copying is a useful feature for making quick copies of documents.
- Automatic document feeder (ADF): An ADF allows you to scan and copy multiple pages automatically, saving you time and effort.
- Mobile printing: Many printers offer mobile printing functionality, allowing you to print from your smartphone or tablet using apps like HP Smart or Canon PRINT.
5. Cost Per Page:
- Ink or toner costs: Ink or toner costs can vary greatly depending on the printer model and ink type. Some manufacturers offer high-yield cartridges that reduce the cost per page, while others offer subscription services like HP Instant Ink, which automatically delivers new cartridges when needed.
- Maintenance costs: Consider any potential maintenance costs, such as replacing printheads or other components.
6. Warranty:
- Standard warranty: Most printers come with a one-year standard warranty.
- Extended warranty: Consider an extended warranty for added protection against defects or malfunctions.
7. Size and Space:
- Printer size: Consider the size and footprint of the printer and ensure it will fit comfortably in your chosen space.
- Paper handling: Consider the paper tray capacity and how easily you can access the paper tray for refilling.
FAQs
1. What is the cheapest printer I can buy?
The cheapest printer you can buy will depend on the type of printer you need. Inkjet printers are generally more affordable than laser printers, and some budget-friendly inkjet models are available for under $50.
2. What is the best cheap printer for photos?
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-7750 is our top pick for the best cheap printer for photos. It offers exceptional photo print quality, advanced features, and low running costs.
3. What is the best cheap printer for a home office?
The HP Envy Pro 6455e is an excellent choice for home offices. It offers a balance of performance and affordability, making it a great value proposition.
4. What are the best cheap printers for students?
The Canon PIXMA TS6320 is a great choice for students. Its easy-to-use features, affordable price, and excellent print quality make it a reliable and convenient printing solution.
5. What is the best cheap printer for high-volume printing?
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 is an excellent choice for high-volume printing. Its ultra-low running costs and fast print speeds make it a cost-effective solution.
Conclusion
Finding the best cheap printer for your needs doesn't have to be a chore. With a little research and consideration of your printing requirements, you can find a printer that delivers excellent performance without breaking the bank.
We hope this guide has helped you narrow down your options and find the perfect printer for your home or small office. Remember to consider your budget, printing needs, and the features that matter most to you. Happy printing!