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The best cheap printer depends on what you print. For mostly black text, the Brother HL-L2460DW is the strongest budget laser candidate. A color all-in-one such as the Brother MFC-J1360DW makes more sense when scanning and copying matter, while the Canon PIXMA TR7120 is aimed at inexpensive photo features. Frequent color printing can justify a refillable tank such as the Epson EcoTank ET-2410. If you only need occasional, simple output, a basic print-only inkjet may have the lowest entry price—but its cartridges can make it expensive over a year.
These are five use-case picks, not a universal ranking. The cited 2026 guides do not provide equivalent live prices, stock data, or identical testing for all five options, so compare your local purchase price, supply costs, page yield, and required features before buying.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWhich cheap printer is best for each type of job?
There is no single cheapest printer for every household. A low sticker price can be offset by costly cartridges, while a higher-priced tank printer may cost less to refill if you print color regularly. The shortlist below assigns each option a distinct job and identifies where the available evidence is limited.
| Pick | Best fit | What is established | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2460DW | Black-and-white paperwork | Print-only laser; wireless, USB and Ethernet; automatic duplex; 250-sheet tray; up to 34 pages per minute according to RTINGS’ 2026 guide | No scanner or copier; separate drum; standard toner yield was about 1,300 pages in RTINGS testing |
| Brother MFC-J1360DW | Low-cost color documents with scanning and copying | Color inkjet all-in-one; RTINGS’ current budget inkjet candidate | The cited material does not establish a current price or a complete lifetime-cost comparison |
| Canon PIXMA TR7120 | Budget photos and occasional home documents | Detailed photos, borderless printing up to letter size, automatic duplex, flatbed scanner and automatic document feeder | Low page yields; replacing a tri-color cartridge when one color is empty can waste usable ink |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2410 | Frequent color printing | Very high yields, inexpensive refills, flatbed scanner and color output | Slower output, no automatic duplex, and possible clogging after long periods unused |
| Basic print-only inkjet | The lowest feature set for occasional, inexpensive purchase | Consumer Reports used a basic inkjet as an example costing $45 to buy and about $97 per year for ink | That is an illustrative estimate, not a model-specific quote; cheap cartridges or low yields can dominate ownership cost |
Prices and availability change by country, retailer and date. Treat the named models as candidates for the job they fit rather than as a claim that one has the lowest transaction price everywhere.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Why can the cheapest printer cost more over time?
The purchase price is only the first payment. Your real cost is the printer plus the ink or toner you consume, replacement drums where applicable, paper and any features you would otherwise need to buy separately.
Consumer Reports illustrated the difference with two 2026 examples: a basic inkjet priced at $45 with an estimated $97 annual ink cost, and a tank printer priced at $230 with an estimated $4 annual ink cost. Those figures describe examples in its article, not universal prices or guaranteed household savings. A person who prints only a few pages may never recover a tank printer’s higher upfront cost; someone printing color every week may quickly outgrow disposable cartridges.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Compare supplies on a page basis whenever the manufacturer provides a yield. For the HL-L2460DW, RTINGS reported roughly 1,300 pages from the standard toner in its testing. Brother rates the TN830XL replacement at 3,000 pages and the TN830V at 3,300 pages. The tested result and Brother’s ratings are different measurements under different conditions, so do not treat either number as a promise for every document mix. The printer also uses a separate drum, which Brother estimates at about 15,000 prints.
A useful comparison worksheet includes:
- Expected pages per month, separated into black text, color documents and photos.
- Whether the quoted yield is a laboratory test, a manufacturer rating or an illustrative estimate.
- The price and availability of the exact compatible cartridge, toner or refill bottle.
- Whether a drum or other maintenance item is purchased separately.
- Paper costs, especially if you need photo media or frequent duplex jobs.
- The cost of features you would otherwise replace with another device, such as scanning or copying.
Which cheap printer is best for black-and-white paperwork?
The Brother HL-L2460DW is the clearest fit for text-heavy, black-only work. It is a print-only monochrome laser with wireless, USB and Ethernet connectivity, automatic two-sided printing and a 250-sheet paper tray. RTINGS’ 2026 cheap-printer guide names it its best budget laser printer and describes detailed output.
What makes the HL-L2460DW practical?
Laser printing avoids the inkjet printhead-clogging concern that can matter when a printer sits unused between paperwork jobs. Automatic duplexing reduces paper use without requiring manual page flipping, and the 250-sheet tray means fewer interruptions for a home office or small workgroup. Ethernet is useful when the printer will stay connected to a router or office network, while wireless and USB cover more typical home setups.
RTINGS describes a speed of up to 34 pages per minute. That is the guide’s stated maximum, not a guarantee that every document will print at that rate; first-page time, graphics, duplexing and network conditions can reduce actual throughput.
What will toner and drum replacement cost?
RTINGS’ testing produced around 1,300 pages from the standard toner. Brother’s rated high-yield options are 3,000 pages for TN830XL and 3,300 pages for TN830V. Check which cartridge is included with a particular listing and calculate cost per page from the replacement you expect to buy, rather than from the printer’s box price.
The drum is separate from the toner. Brother estimates roughly 15,000 prints for it, so include a future drum purchase in a long-term budget even though it will not be replaced as frequently as toner.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Who should not choose it?
It has no scanner or copier. If you need to scan an identity document, copy a form or digitize receipts, an all-in-one is likely more useful even if its cartridges cost more. It also cannot produce color pages or photos, so buying it for mixed media work would mean using another device.
Which budget color all-in-one should you consider?
The Brother MFC-J1360DW is the relevant candidate when color, scanning and copying are all required. RTINGS lists it as its current budget inkjet pick and identifies it as a color inkjet all-in-one.
An all-in-one can replace a separate scanner for forms, receipts and occasional copies. That convenience has a value which a print-only price comparison misses. It also means ink is used for color documents and maintenance, so a household that prints almost exclusively black text should compare its supply costs with a monochrome laser before deciding.
The available guide entry does not establish a current purchase price, cartridge yields or a full lifetime-cost comparison for this model. Verify the exact cartridge family, stated page yields and local replacement prices before treating it as the lowest-cost color option. Also confirm the connectivity and paper-handling features in the listing for your region, since the cited summary does not provide a complete specification sheet.
Is the Canon PIXMA TR7120 the best cheap printer for photos?
It is better understood as a budget photo-feature choice than as the cheapest cost-per-page printer. RTINGS highlights detailed photo output, borderless printing up to letter size, automatic duplexing, a flatbed scanner and an automatic document feeder.
Why choose it for photos?
Borderless printing lets an image reach the edge of letter-size paper without a white frame, which is useful for snapshots, school projects and small creative prints. The flatbed scanner handles originals that cannot pass through a feeder, while the automatic document feeder is convenient for multi-page scans or copies. Automatic duplexing gives it broader document usefulness than a photo-only device.
What is the cartridge catch?
RTINGS notes low page yields and a tri-color cartridge design. When one color runs out, you may need to replace the entire color cartridge even if the other two colors still have usable ink. Higher-yield cartridges are available, but their price and actual yield should be checked for your market. This is why the TR7120 can be sensible for occasional photos while being a poor match for large monthly print volumes.
Before buying, estimate how many full-color pages and photos you will print. If photos are rare and most work is black text, the printer’s photo features may not justify its ongoing cartridge cost. If photo appearance and borderless output matter more than the lowest running cost, those trade-offs may be acceptable.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Are refillable tank printers worth the higher upfront cost?
A tank printer can be economical when you print color regularly, but it rewards consistent use and patience more than occasional printing. RTINGS lists the Epson EcoTank ET-2410 as a notable alternative with very high yields, inexpensive refills, a flatbed scanner and color printing.
Where the savings come from
Instead of replacing small disposable cartridges frequently, a tank system uses larger reservoirs that are refilled with bottles. The cited guide describes the ET-2410’s yields as very high and its refills as inexpensive. That design shifts more of the spending toward the initial purchase and away from each subsequent color page.
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Consumer Reports’ illustrative comparison—$230 to buy and about $4 per year for ink for an example tank printer—shows why frequent users may accept a higher entry price. It is not a quote for the ET-2410, nor a promise that every owner will spend only that amount. Your refill frequency depends on page coverage, photo use, cleaning cycles and local bottle prices.
What limitations matter?
The ET-2410 is slower than many cartridge or laser alternatives, has no automatic duplex printing and may clog if it is left unused for long periods. Those limitations matter if you print only once every few months, need fast two-sided reports or expect a hands-off appliance. A tank is a stronger match for steady color work than for an emergency printer that sits idle.
Its flatbed scanner adds useful functionality, but the evidence cited here does not establish an automatic document feeder, network features or a current retail price. Confirm those details in the local specification before purchase.
What is the simplest cheap alternative when features are unnecessary?
Choose a basic print-only inkjet only when a low purchase price and minimal features matter more than long-term ink cost. This is a category recommendation rather than a named model because the available evidence does not identify a fifth model with comparable, current specifications.
A simple inkjet can be reasonable for a student who prints a handful of pages each month, a temporary home setup or a user who already owns a separate scanner. It may be cheaper to buy than a tank printer or an all-in-one, but the Consumer Reports example shows the risk: a $45 purchase can be paired with an estimated $97 in annual ink. That estimate is illustrative, not a universal operating cost.
For this category, check three things before ordering:
Rank #4
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- Whether replacement cartridges cost nearly as much as the printer.
- Whether the printer accepts higher-yield cartridges and what their stated page yields are.
- Whether the device can still print black when a color cartridge is empty, if that is important to you.
If the cartridge math looks poor, a monochrome laser may be the simpler low-maintenance choice for black text, even if its initial price is higher.
How should you match a printer to your monthly page volume?
Your expected usage is the fastest way to narrow the list. Count pages for a normal month rather than relying on an occasional busy week, and separate documents from photos because a photo uses far more ink coverage than a text page.
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For occasional black documents
Start with the HL-L2460DW if you do not need scanning or color. Its laser process suits intermittent text printing, and automatic duplexing helps with multi-page paperwork. Include the separate drum in your long-term calculation.
For occasional color documents plus scans and copies
Look at the MFC-J1360DW or the TR7120. Choose based on whether general color all-in-one use or photo features are more important. The TR7120’s borderless letter-size output, scanner and feeder are specifically documented; the MFC-J1360DW is documented here only as a budget color inkjet all-in-one, so verify the detailed specification.
For frequent color printing
Compare a refillable tank such as the ET-2410 against cartridge models using your actual monthly pages. Its high yields and inexpensive refills are attractive when the printer is used regularly, but slower output, no automatic duplex and inactivity-related clogging can outweigh the savings for a light user.
For the lowest possible entry price
Investigate a basic print-only inkjet, but calculate at least one year of replacement ink before buying. A low price is not a bargain if the first replacement set costs more than the device or if low yields force frequent purchases.
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Feature value depends on the job, but several specifications have a direct effect on ownership and convenience.
Automatic duplex printing
Duplexing prints both sides without manually turning pages. It is included on the HL-L2460DW and TR7120, but the ET-2410 is specifically noted as lacking it. If you print long reports, forms or school assignments, this can reduce paper use and handling time.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Scanner and automatic document feeder
A flatbed scanner handles books, photographs and fragile originals. An automatic document feeder is faster for stacks of pages. The TR7120 has both a flatbed scanner and an ADF; the ET-2410 is described with a flatbed scanner; the HL-L2460DW is print-only.
Connectivity
The HL-L2460DW supports wireless, USB and Ethernet. For the other candidates, confirm the exact connection options in the listing for your region rather than assuming that every model has the same network features.
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The HL-L2460DW’s 250-sheet tray is explicitly documented, as is its guide-listed maximum of up to 34 pages per minute. The supplied summaries do not provide comparable tray capacities or speeds for the other models, so do not rank them on those measures without checking their specifications.
What common buying mistakes should you avoid?
The most expensive mistakes happen when a printer is selected by headline price alone.
- Buying a laser without noticing it is print-only: the HL-L2460DW cannot scan or copy.
- Comparing cartridge prices without yields: a cheaper cartridge can produce fewer pages and cost more per page.
- Ignoring the color-cartridge design: the TR7120’s tri-color cartridge may need replacement when one color is depleted.
- Choosing a tank for a rarely used room: the ET-2410 can clog after long inactivity and is slower without automatic duplexing.
- Treating an illustrative annual estimate as a promise: Consumer Reports’ $97 and $4 ink figures describe examples, not every model or household.
- Assuming availability or price: the cited guides do not establish live stock, country-specific pricing or retailer terms.
- Forgetting maintenance supplies: the HL-L2460DW uses a separate drum with a Brother estimate of about 15,000 prints.
How can you make the final choice?
Use this short decision sequence before placing an order:
- Write down your typical monthly black, color and photo pages.
- Decide whether scanning, copying or an ADF is essential.
- Decide whether automatic duplexing is required or merely convenient.
- For each candidate, record the exact replacement supply, stated yield and local price.
- Add any separate drum or maintenance item to the expected ownership cost.
- Check whether the printer’s speed, tray size and connections fit your workspace.
- For a tank model, commit to regular use and confirm that refill bottles are available locally.
- Recheck model number, cartridge compatibility, warranty region and current stock immediately before purchase.
On the evidence available for 2026, the HL-L2460DW is the most clearly specified choice for black paperwork, the MFC-J1360DW is the color all-in-one candidate, the TR7120 is the photo-oriented option, and the ET-2410 is the high-yield color alternative. A basic print-only inkjet remains a potential low-entry-cost path, but its economics must be verified from the actual cartridge prices in your market.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do laser printers need to be used regularly to prevent ink from drying?
No. A monochrome laser uses toner rather than liquid ink, so it does not have the same ink-drying issue associated with unused inkjet printheads. Dust, paper storage and mechanical maintenance still matter, but occasional text printing is a natural use case for a laser device.
Can I use a tank printer for photos as well as documents?
A color tank printer can produce color pages, but the ET-2410 evidence cited here does not establish photo quality or borderless-photo support. If photo presentation is a priority, compare those specific features with a photo-oriented model rather than assuming high ink yield means better photos.
What should I check when a replacement cartridge is unavailable?
Confirm the complete model suffix and cartridge family, because similarly named printers can use different supplies. Check whether the manufacturer offers a higher-yield option and whether local retailers regularly stock it before committing to the printer.
Is a separate scanner cheaper than buying an all-in-one printer?
It depends on how often you scan and whether you already own one. An all-in-one has a higher printer feature count, while a print-only model can be cheaper if scanning is rare; compare the combined cost and desk space of separate devices with the cartridge costs of the all-in-one you are considering.
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Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
