The best inexpensive printer depends on what you print and how often. For mostly black-and-white documents, a monochrome laser can avoid inkjet-clogging concerns; for occasional color or photos, a cartridge inkjet keeps the initial purchase simpler; and for regular color printing, a refillable tank may lower ongoing ink costs. This U.S.-focused shortlist matches five printers to those use cases rather than presenting a single test ranking. Prices and availability change, and the cited guides did not verify live retailer listings.
Five inexpensive printers, matched to the job
| Printer | Best fit | Key strengths | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2460DW | Black-and-white documents and occasional labels | Monochrome laser; automatic duplexing; sharp text; no inkjet ink to dry out while idle | Print-only: it does not scan |
| Brother MFC-J1360DW | Light color printing with scanning and copying | All-in-one with an automatic document feeder; sharp text and detailed output | Standard cartridge yields are modest, making it a weak fit for heavy use |
| Epson Expression Home XP-4200 | Occasional home printing at a low entry price | Wi-Fi, USB, flatbed scanning and automatic duplexing | Limited ink yield; an inkjet can clog if left unused for long periods |
| Canon PIXMA MG3620 | Very occasional, low-cost photo printing | Good color rendition and scan detail for its price category | Its tri-color cartridge can waste remaining ink when one color runs out |
| Canon MegaTank PIXMA G3290 | Regular color printing with lower estimated ink cost | Four refillable tanks; print, copy and scan; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; duplex printing | One paper tray, no automatic document feeder, and average print and copy speed |
These are use-case recommendations synthesized from current guides, not a claim that one publisher tested and ranked these exact five in this order. RTINGS’ 2026 printer guide supports the first four picks; Tom’s Guide’s 2026 printer recommendations supports the G3290 pick. Neither source establishes live retail prices or stock.
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Which printer fits your printing habits?
Brother HL-L2460DW: mostly text, with long idle periods
This monochrome laser is the clearest match if your jobs are mainly documents and you do not need color or scanning. RTINGS reports sharp text, automatic duplex printing, and a rated maximum speed of up to 34 pages per minute. Its guide reports about 1,300 pages from standard toner and up to 5,000 pages from an XL option. These are source-reported figures, not guaranteed yields; actual output depends on print settings and page coverage. The drum is separate from the toner and may eventually need replacement, so include both types of supplies in a long-term cost calculation. Its lack of a scanner is decisive if you need to digitize or copy documents.
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Brother MFC-J1360DW: affordable color and all-in-one features for light use
Choose this cartridge inkjet if you want color plus scanning and copying, and your print volume is modest. RTINGS describes sharp text, detailed output, photos suitable for casual use, and a scanner with an automatic document feeder. Its standard cartridges have modest yields, so frequent printing may mean repeated replacements. RTINGS also identifies the INKvestment MFC-J1365DW variant as a possible alternative for more frequent printing, but availability and price should be checked before treating it as a better-value option.
#1 Best Overall
- PERFECT FOR BASIC PRINTING NEEDS – Print everyday color documents like to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes
- KEY FEATURES – Color print, copy, scan, and a 60-sheet input tray, plus mobile and wireless printing
- OPTIMIZE PRINT FORMATTING WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- ICON LCD – Print your basic documents with ease from the intuitive control panel
- PRINT SPEED – Up to 7.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color
Epson Expression Home XP-4200: a low entry price for occasional jobs
RTINGS’ 2026 guide gives an approximate U.S. price context of around $60; that is a guide observation, not a current offer. The all-in-one includes Wi-Fi, USB, a flatbed scanner, and automatic duplex printing. RTINGS reports speeds of around 15 black or seven color pages per minute, and roughly 250 black and 190 color pages per ink set. Those yields are limited, so consider how often you will replace ink rather than comparing only the purchase price. As with other cartridge inkjets, long idle periods bring a risk of clogged nozzles.
Canon PIXMA MG3620: infrequent photo printing
RTINGS names this its budget photo pick, citing color rendition and scan detail for the price point. It uses two cartridges, including one tri-color cartridge. If one color runs out, the remaining colors in that cartridge may go to waste, which can make replacement costs unattractive as volume rises. It is a better fit for occasional photos than for a steady stream of color pages; regular printing can also help reduce the chance of inkjet clogging.
Rank #2
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
Canon MegaTank PIXMA G3290: recurring color jobs
Tom’s Guide’s 2026 estimates put color printing at about 0.9 cents per page for this model, compared with that publication’s stated 1.9-cent category average. These are Tom’s Guide estimates, not a promise of your cost: ink prices, page coverage, and print settings affect the result. The G3290 combines four refillable ink tanks with print, copy, scan, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and duplex functions. The compromises are a single paper tray, no automatic document feeder, and average print and copy speed. Compare the higher upfront cost with your expected color volume and the price of replacement ink.
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How to compare the real cost of an inexpensive printer
A low sticker price can hide higher ongoing costs. Before buying, compare the printer price with the supplies you are likely to use and how often you will need to replace them. Cartridge inkjets can be inexpensive to buy but costly for sustained printing; refillable tanks may make more sense when color pages are a regular need. For occasional, mostly monochrome text, compare a laser’s toner and separate drum costs with the convenience of a cartridge inkjet.
Rank #3
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
- Estimate your volume: Think about the number and type of pages you print in a typical month, including color pages and photos.
- Check supply yield and replacement costs: Look up compatible toner or ink and, for a laser with a separate drum, the drum too. Published yields are estimates and real results vary with coverage and settings.
- Account for idle time: If the printer may sit unused for long stretches, an inkjet’s clogging risk matters. A monochrome laser avoids that inkjet-specific concern, but it cannot meet color or photo needs.
- Count the features you will actually use: Check for color, scanning and copying, automatic duplexing, wireless connectivity, and an automatic document feeder. An all-in-one without an ADF may require placing pages individually for multi-page scans or copies.
- Confirm the exact regional model: Names and availability can differ by market. TechRadar’s guide identifies the DeskJet 2855e as the U.S. name and 2820e as the U.K. name; verify the model number and compatible supplies for the listing in your region.
For broader buying context, see the comparison criteria in Which?’s printer guide and TechRadar’s printer recommendations. Which? notes that laser printers cannot print on glossy photo paper, so a monochrome laser is not a substitute for a photo inkjet.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- AFFORDABLE ALL-IN-ONE FOR HOME AND HOME OFFICE: Print, copy, and scan on one compact wireless printer designed for everyday home office printing, schoolwork, documents, and reports. Produce beautiful prints for results that stand out.
- EASY TO USE WITH CLOUD APP CONNECTIONS: Print from and scan to popular Cloud apps(2), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the simple-to-use 1.8” color display on your printer.
- FULL-SIZE FEATURES IN A COMPACT DESIGN: This printer includes automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a 20-sheet single-sided Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)(3), and a 150-sheet paper tray(3). Engineered to print at fast speeds of up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 9 ppm in color(4).
- MULTIPLE CONNECTION OPTIONS: Connect your way. Interface with your printer on your wireless network or via USB.
- MOBILE PRINTING MADE EASY: Go mobile with the Brother Mobile Connect app(5) that delivers easy onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from your mobile device. Monitor your ink usage with Page Gauge to help ensure you don’t run out(6).
Quick decision guide
- Mostly text, occasional printing, no scanner needed: Start with the Brother HL-L2460DW.
- Light color printing and document scanning: Consider the Brother MFC-J1360DW.
- Lowest entry-cost all-in-one for occasional jobs: Check the Epson XP-4200, but weigh its limited ink yield against the purchase price.
- Only occasional photos: The Canon PIXMA MG3620 is the photo-oriented option, with a cartridge design that can waste unused color ink.
- Regular color printing: Compare the Canon G3290’s tank-based running-cost estimates with its higher purchase cost and simpler paper handling.
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.
