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10 Best Inexpensive Printers 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer - White, Medium

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a solid choice for anyone looking for an inexpensive home printer with a focus on long-term savings and convenience. One of its standout features is the innovative cartridge-free printing system. Instead of traditional ink cartridges, it uses high-capacity ink tanks that can save you up to 90% on replacement ink costs. This efficiency means you can print a substantial number of pages—up to 4,500 in black and 7,500 in color—before needing a refill, which can be a major benefit for families or small offices that print frequently.

Print quality is impressive thanks to Epson's Micro Piezo technology, delivering sharp text and vibrant color images on a variety of paper types. The built-in scanner and copier add to its versatility, making it suitable for basic document management tasks around the home. Additionally, with up to two years of ink included, you won’t have to worry about running out of ink unexpectedly.

There are some drawbacks to consider. The print speed is on the slower side, with a maximum of 10 pages per minute for black and only 5 for color. This could be a concern if you often need to print large documents quickly. Also, while the printer offers various connectivity options, including wired and wireless, some users might find the initial setup a bit cumbersome, particularly if they're not tech-savvy. The ET-2800 is also relatively lightweight, which makes it easy to place anywhere in your home, but its design might not suit everyone's aesthetic preferences. Lastly, while the two-year warranty is a plus, it's always good to check the terms to understand what is covered.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 stands out for its cost-saving features and print quality, making it ideal for budget-conscious users who want reliability and efficiency in their home printing needs.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Print Quality
Print quality, especially for photos, is excellent with vivid colors and no smudging.
Cost of Consumables
The ink lasts significantly longer than traditional cartridges, making it a cost-effective choice.
#2

HP OfficeJet 8015e Wireless Color All-in-One Printer, 6 months of Instant Ink included

The HP OfficeJet 8015e Wireless Color All-in-One Printer is a solid choice for those seeking an inexpensive printer, particularly for small businesses or home offices. One of its standout features is the inclusion of 6 months of Instant Ink, allowing users to print up to 700 pages monthly without worrying about running out of ink. This can significantly reduce costs, as it offers savings on ink refills after the initial period. The printer supports fast printing speeds, achieving up to 18 pages per minute in black and 10 in color, which is efficient for everyday tasks.

With mobile and wireless printing capabilities through the HP Smart App, users can print, scan, and copy directly from their smartphones, adding convenience to the printing experience. The auto document feeder and two-sided printing are practical features that enhance productivity, especially when handling multiple pages.

The printer is designed to work exclusively with original HP cartridges, meaning it won't accept third-party ink. This could lead to higher ongoing costs if you don't opt for the Instant Ink subscription after the initial six months. Additionally, while the security features are a plus for sensitive documents, they may pose challenges if you want to use third-party products or modifications. Another point to note is the printer's weight at 18.04 pounds, which might make it less portable than lighter models, though it’s manageable for a stationary setup.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Print Speed
Low noise level and fast printing make it efficient for home office tasks.
Print Quality
The print quality is very good, with sharp text and true colors.
Connectivity Options
Setup was simple and quick, with no issues connecting to Wi-Fi or devices.
Paper Handling
The paper tray is closed, protecting papers from dust and keeping them neat.
Cost of Consumables
Instant Ink subscription is a convenient and cost-effective option for regular printing.
Additional Features
HP Smart app is great, easy to use, with a nice set of functions.
#3

Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – Easy, Everyday Home Printing, Black

The Epson EcoTank ET-2400 is a solid choice for home and small office use, especially for those looking to reduce long-term printing costs. Its standout feature is the cartridge-free printing system, which uses high-capacity ink tanks instead of traditional cartridges. This allows for significant savings on replacement inks and reduces waste, as each set of ink bottles is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges. The included ink can last up to two years, reducing the frequency of refills and out-of-ink frustrations.

The printer delivers sharp text and vibrant color prints, thanks to its Micro Piezo Heat Free technology. It can handle various paper sizes, including legal and letter, with a maximum resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, ensuring good quality prints for documents and photos alike. However, the print speeds are relatively slow, with 10 pages per minute for black and white and 5 pages per minute for color prints. This might not be ideal for high-volume printing needs. Connectivity options are modern, featuring Wi-Fi and USB, and the printer supports wireless printing from smart devices through the Epson Smart Panel app. Voice-activated printing with Alexa adds convenience.

The built-in scanner and copier are useful for everyday document management. One drawback is the lack of automatic duplex printing, meaning you’ll need to manually flip pages for double-sided printing. Additionally, while the initial cost of the printer is higher compared to some cartridge-based models, the long-term savings on ink can justify the investment. The printer is lightweight and compact, weighing 8.6 pounds and measuring 22.8 x 14.8 x 10 inches, making it easy to fit into small spaces. It's also Energy Star certified, ensuring it operates efficiently. This printer is best suited for users who prioritize low running costs and are willing to trade off some speed and automatic features for affordable, high-quality printing.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Print Speed
Switching from an HP printer, this Epson model has proven much faster and more reliable in maintaining connections.
Print Quality
Print quality is very nice, and scanning functions well.
Connectivity Options
The printer was relatively easy to install and wirelessly connect to both computer and cell phone.
Cost of Consumables
The ink tank system is appreciated for allowing users to see exactly how much ink is left.

Buying Guide for the Best Inexpensive Printers

Choosing the right printer can be a daunting task, especially when you're looking for an inexpensive option. The key is to understand your needs and match them with the printer's specifications. Here are some important specs to consider when selecting an inexpensive printer, along with explanations to help you make an informed decision.
Print TechnologyPrint technology refers to the method a printer uses to produce text and images on paper. The two main types are inkjet and laser. Inkjet printers are generally cheaper upfront and are good for printing high-quality color images and photos. Laser printers, on the other hand, are more cost-effective for high-volume black-and-white printing and have lower long-term costs. If you need to print a lot of documents, a laser printer might be the better choice. For occasional printing and photo printing, an inkjet printer is suitable.
Print SpeedPrint speed is measured in pages per minute (PPM) and indicates how fast a printer can produce printed pages. This is important if you need to print large documents quickly. Low-end printers typically have a print speed of around 5-10 PPM for color and 10-20 PPM for black-and-white. If you print frequently or in large volumes, look for a printer with a higher PPM. For occasional use, a lower PPM will suffice.
Print QualityPrint quality is measured in dots per inch (DPI) and determines how sharp and detailed the printed output will be. Higher DPI values mean better print quality. For general document printing, a DPI of 600x600 is usually adequate. For high-quality photo printing, look for a printer with a DPI of 1200x1200 or higher. Consider what you will be printing most often to decide the level of print quality you need.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity options refer to how you can connect your printer to your computer or other devices. Common options include USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. Wi-Fi connectivity allows for wireless printing from multiple devices, which is convenient for home use. USB connections are straightforward and reliable but limit you to printing from one device at a time. Ethernet is useful for office settings where multiple users need to access the printer. Choose the connectivity option that best fits your usage scenario.
Paper HandlingPaper handling refers to the types and sizes of paper a printer can accommodate, as well as the capacity of its paper tray. If you need to print on different paper sizes or types, such as envelopes or cardstock, make sure the printer supports them. The paper tray capacity is also important; a larger capacity means less frequent refilling. For home use, a standard tray capacity of 100-150 sheets is usually sufficient. For office use, look for a higher capacity.
Cost of ConsumablesThe cost of consumables includes ink or toner cartridges and paper. This is an important factor to consider because it affects the long-term cost of owning the printer. Inkjet printers often have lower initial costs but higher ongoing costs for ink. Laser printers have higher initial costs but lower costs per page for toner. Check the price and yield of the cartridges to estimate your ongoing expenses. If you print a lot, a printer with lower-cost consumables will save you money in the long run.
Additional FeaturesAdditional features can enhance the functionality of your printer. Common features include scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities, which are useful for home offices. Duplex printing (automatic double-sided printing) can save paper and is convenient for printing long documents. Mobile printing support allows you to print directly from your smartphone or tablet. Consider which additional features are important to you and choose a printer that offers them.

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