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For most U.S. buyers, the Brother MFC-J1360DW is the strongest all-around printer under $100—if its price is still below the limit when you buy. Brother lists it at $89.99, and it combines color printing, scanning and copying with automatic two-sided printing and a document feeder. But it uses cartridges, not refillable ink tanks. If you print only black text every few weeks, a monochrome laser may suit you better; if you print frequently, spending more on a tank printer may cost less over time.
This guide treats “under $100” as the new-printer price before tax, shipping, paper and replacement supplies. Prices and stock change, so confirm the live listing before checkout.
Quick picks
| Pick | Model | Why consider it | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Brother MFC-J1360DW | Color all-in-one with automatic duplex printing, a 20-sheet ADF, a 150-sheet tray and dual-band Wi-Fi. Brother’s listed price is $89.99. | Cartridge-based; its ADF scans one side at a time. The price can change. |
| Simple, low-cost color printing | Current Canon PIXMA or Epson Expression Home model | Entry-level inkjets can handle basic home printing, scanning and copying for less upfront. | Verify the exact model, live price, cartridge costs and stock. The research does not establish a second current model as securely as the Brother. |
| Infrequent black-and-white documents | Monochrome laser, if a suitable model is actually under $100 | Toner does not dry out like liquid ink, making laser a sensible option for a printer that sits idle. | Do not assume a recommended laser qualifies: current under-$100 pricing was not verified for the cited models, and many are print-only. |
| Frequent printing | Epson EcoTank ET-2803 (stretch pick) | A refillable-tank design can make more sense when you print regularly. | It is listed around $189.99, so it is not an under-$100 pick. |
The Brother price is a manufacturer listing, while some other prices in cheap-printer roundups are secondary snapshots rather than confirmed live offers. Treat them as leads to check, not guaranteed deals.
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The MFC-J1360DW is a color inkjet all-in-one: it prints, scans and copies, and its paper-handling features make it more capable than many bare-bones budget models. Brother lists it for $89.99 on its product page. Independent testing by RTINGS also names it a best budget inkjet and reports strong document quality, a capable scanner and good casual-photo output.
#1 Best Overall
- Automatic two-sided printing: Useful for reports and schoolwork; it prints both sides without requiring you to turn pages yourself.
- 20-sheet ADF: Feed a small stack of pages for scanning or copying. The feeder is single-sided, so it does not automatically scan both sides of double-sided originals.
- 150-sheet input tray: Less frequent reloading than with a very small paper tray.
- Connectivity: Brother lists 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, USB, Wi-Fi Direct, AirPrint, Mopria and Brother Mobile Connect support.
Its main compromise is ongoing ink cost. It uses Brother LC501 cartridges rather than refillable tanks. Brother rates the included starter black and color cartridges at 200 pages each. RTINGS reports approximately 400 black-and-white and 300 color pages per cartridge in its testing. Those figures are not directly interchangeable: one is the manufacturer’s starter-cartridge rating, the other an independent test estimate. Check cartridge prices and yields for the exact replacement supplies you intend to buy.
The printer is a good fit if you want color, scanning and copying, an ADF and automatic duplex printing without going over $100 upfront. It is less compelling for very high monthly volume or anyone whose top priority is the lowest possible cost per page.
Cheaper all-in-ones: verify the model before buying
Basic cartridge inkjets are the usual route to the lowest purchase price. They can be reasonable for occasional forms, homework and a few color pages, but a low sticker price does not guarantee a cheap printer to own. Check the cost and yield of replacement cartridges before buying.
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- 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
For example, the HP DeskJet 2855e still appears in budget-printer coverage and older retailer listings. HP’s own page says it is discontinued, so do not treat it as a current default recommendation. Remaining-stock offers may exist, but confirm the seller, condition, return policy and cartridge availability. It has no ADF, offers manual rather than automatic duplex printing and supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only. Its listing also explains HP+ and cartridge-security conditions, which are worth reviewing before committing.
Other models sometimes listed below $100 include the Canon PIXMA TR4720, Canon PIXMA TS6420a and Epson Expression Home XP-4200. The available price signals for these are not enough to promise that a specific model is currently in stock at that price. Check the manufacturer or an authorized retailer for the exact model, current availability and full specifications. In particular, verify whether duplexing is automatic, whether an ADF is included and which cartridges it uses.
Inkjet or laser: choose by what you print
| Your typical use | Better starting point | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Color school projects, forms, graphics or occasional snapshots | Color inkjet all-in-one | Cartridges may have low yields, and long idle periods can lead to dried ink or clogged nozzles. |
| Multi-page scanning or copying | All-in-one with an ADF | An ADF does not automatically mean the scanner can handle both sides of an original. |
| Black text every few weeks, with no color need | Monochrome laser, if a qualifying model fits the budget | Many low-cost lasers are print-only; scanning and copying may require separate equipment. |
| Dozens or hundreds of pages each month | Consider a tank inkjet or higher-capacity laser | Typically higher upfront cost; a suitable option may exceed $100. |
Inkjet is the more flexible choice when you need color or an affordable all-in-one. Laser is worth considering when you mostly print black text and the machine may sit unused for weeks. RTINGS warns that idle inkjets can clog; cleaning cycles and test prints can consume ink and paper. If you choose an inkjet for occasional color work, printing a small page periodically can help keep it ready, though it does not eliminate maintenance risk.
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
RTINGS names the Brother HL-2460DW as its main cheap-printer pick and the Canon imageCLASS LBP6030w as a cheaper alternative in its budget-printer guide. The research does not verify either at a current price under $100. The Canon is slower, lacks automatic duplexing and has no scanner, according to RTINGS, so check both the live price and whether a print-only machine meets your needs.
What to check before checkout
- Replacement supplies: Find the exact cartridge or toner model, its price and its page yield. Compare like with like: starter cartridges are not necessarily equivalent to standard replacements, and manufacturer estimates differ from independent tests.
- Your actual print volume: A low-cost inkjet can make sense for a few pages now and then. If you print regularly, estimate annual supply costs rather than focusing only on the printer price.
- Automatic duplex printing: This prints both sides of a sheet. “Manual duplex” usually means you must turn the pages yourself.
- ADF and duplex scanning: An ADF feeds multiple pages, but may scan only one side at a time. Confirm duplex scanning separately if you digitize double-sided paperwork.
- Wi-Fi compatibility: Check whether the printer is 2.4GHz-only or supports 5GHz too, especially if your home network setup makes that relevant. Confirm mobile printing support for your devices.
- Subscriptions and accounts: Enrollment, an account, internet access, page limits and cancellation rules vary. Read the specific plan’s terms before accepting a trial or subscription offer.
- Model status and seller: Check the manufacturer’s product page. A model remaining on a retailer site or in a roundup may be discontinued or available only as remaining stock.
Ink subscriptions: check the conditions, not just the advertised monthly price
Plans can suit predictable printing habits, but they change how supplies are billed and may have requirements beyond buying cartridges as needed. HP’s 2855e listing says Instant Ink requires an account, internet connection, valid payment method and a plan with page limits; the page lists plans starting at $1.79 per month. HP+ has separate conditions, including Original HP ink for the life of the printer. Brother promotes Refresh EZ Print for the MFC-J1360DW and notes that prices, offers and terms can change; certain subscription cartridges may be deactivated after cancellation.
Before joining any plan, check whether enrollment is optional, what happens to supplied cartridges after cancellation, whether unused pages roll over, and whether the monthly allotment matches your real usage. A promotional rate is not automatically the cheapest choice for your pattern of printing.
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).
When it is worth spending more
If you print enough that cartridge replacement is a recurring expense, compare the full cost of ownership with a refillable ink-tank printer. The Epson EcoTank ET-2803 is a relevant stretch option, listed around $189.99 in secondary coverage, not under $100. Its higher upfront cost may be reasonable for regular color printing; for occasional users, it may take too long to justify the extra purchase price.
For photos, inexpensive inkjets can be adequate for snapshots, family documents and school projects, but they are not a substitute for a dedicated photo printer or professional output. Photo paper and ink affect results and cost. If photo quality is the main reason you are buying, compare dedicated photo output and supply costs rather than relying on the word “photo” in a budget printer’s feature list.
Quick Recap
Bottom line by buyer
- Want the most complete color all-in-one below $100? Start with the Brother MFC-J1360DW, provided its live price remains under the limit.
- Want the smallest upfront cost? Consider a current basic cartridge inkjet for light use, but confirm its status and replacement-cartridge costs.
- Print only black text and leave the printer idle? Look for a monochrome laser, but verify it is actually under $100 and includes any scanning features you need.
- Print a lot? Compare a tank printer or higher-capacity laser even if it means exceeding the budget.
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.
