The 4 Best Cheap And Budget Printers - Summer 2024 Reviews

The best budget printer we've tested is the Brother MFC-J1205W, also sold as the Brother MFC-J1215W at Walmart. This color all-in-one inkjet model produces sharp documents and detailed photos, and it doesn't cost much to own, as it uses inexpensive ink cartridges with a high page yield. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and USB, and thanks to its Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service support, you can easily print from your smartphone or tablet. The scanner's lid hinges extend slightly to accommodate thicker items like textbooks; however, the lack of an ADF means you'll have to scan each page manually, which can be time-consuming. Another tradeoff for its budget-friendly price is its slow printing of nine black or six color pages per minute.

If you have a larger print load and can afford to spend a little more upfront, we have two recommendations: the Epson EcoTank ET-2400 and the Canon PIXMA G3270. Both are supertank models, meaning they use a refillable ink tank instead of cartridges, resulting in significantly higher page yields. The Epson is a better option for photo printing because it has a wider color range and accuracy; however, the Canon produces nicer documents. Features are near-identical except for connectivity; the Canon has Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service support, which the Epson lacks. If you only care about page yield and running costs, the Canon is the one to get, as it yields considerably more prints (black and color) and will cost less in the long run.

If you want to spend as little as possible, check out the Canon PIXMA MG3620, the best cheap printer we've tested. It's a simple all-in-one inkjet printer designed for people who only print occasionally. We say 'occasionally' because this model has a black and tri-color cartridge, which runs out of ink quickly, so you'll have to replace them often. Also, you'll have to replace the tri-color cartridge even if only a single color runs out, wasting ink. Cost isn't the problem because the cartridges are fairly cheap; it's just a lot of maintenance, and you might end up with many faded or incomplete prints. On the upside, it still produces high-quality black and color prints.

The scanner produces detailed scans; just don't expect features like an ADF or duplex scanning, as it's a cheap model. But you get many connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, USB, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service support. Overall, if you only print once in a blue moon, this model can get it done. However, if you print more than that, you'll be better off with a printer with a higher page yield, like our top pick, the Brother MFC-J1205W.

If you only need to print in black and white, we recommend the Brother HL-L2460DW. The build quality is impressive for its price class, and the power cord is removable, making it easy to replace if damaged. Another positive feature is its small footprint, which makes it a great option for anyone with space constraints. You also get the usual Wi-Fi and USB connectivity and support for Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service. As for its page yield, you can expect to get around 1,300 prints from a regular toner cartridge. Like all laser printers, maintenance requirements for this printer are low.

Running costs are affordable overall, as replacement cartridges are cheap. However, you'll have to replace the drum on this model separately; while this is an infrequent maintenance task, it's still an added expense. There are two downsides to this model. First, its out-of-the-box print quality is mediocre. However, the print quality issue can be fixed by deep diving into the printer's settings (see our review for more). Second, this is a print-only model with no scanner, so you must be sure you won't need to scan anything before purchasing it. Finally, cheaper variants like the Brother HL-L2400D are available, which is a good choice if you don't need wireless connectivity. It has the same print quality and prints almost as fast as the L2460DW.

If you want something more affordable than the Brother HL-L2460DW, get the Pantum P2502W. Like the Brother, this is a laser print-only unit. It produces high-quality documents and has a very high page yield of a little over 2,000 pages. The drum is built into the toner cartridge, so you don't need to replace it separately, making maintenance easier. It prints quickly at 23 pages per minute; however, it takes a while to warm up and doesn't support automatic double-sided printing.

Unfortunately, this printer tends to push printed sheets off the output tray, which can be inconvenient as you'll have to rearrange your prints into the right order. This issue can also cause misaligned prints, wasting more time, toner, and paper. It doesn't always happen, but it's an inconvenience nonetheless. It's still a great option for the price; just be aware that you might occasionally encounter problems. Finally, while this printer is discontinued, you can still find it available at the time of writing.