P8720 is a remarkable printer and a great pick, especially for those who need to print flyers and other slightly larger materials. If you’re a professional photographer or earnest amateur, however, you may want a printer with higher image quality.
This printer also supports both USB connections and Wi-Fi, with added support for Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print.
Canon Pixma iP8720
Best affordable printer for budding photographers
Canon TS302
Best affordable compact printer
Pros
- Incredibly affordable
- Alexa compatibility
- Super compact design
Cons
- Not made more heavy-duty printing projects
Why you should buy this: Those looking to save as much money and space as possible.
Who it’s for: Budget hunters, college kids, anyone who rarely uses a printer but still needs one.
Why we picked the Canon TS302:
If you really want to put the “budget” in budget printer, this Canon model is for you. It’s the most affordable printer we can currently find on the market and sports an incredibly compact design that can fit nearly anywhere with the paper tray down. That makes it ideal for those short on space who won’t be using a printer much but might still need one from time to time — like those living in dorms or working from home.
But although it’s super small and super cheap, this printer still includes a scanning function, as well as a measuring grid on top for more physical projects. It’s also compatible with Alexa for quick voice commands, and generally designed to work via app (although a few onboard controls are included). It’s the best choice for maximum savings if your needs are simple.
Canon TS302
Best affordable compact printer
Epson WorkForce WF-3820
Best affordable home office printer
Pros
- Multi-function capabilities for scanning, copying, and printing
- Fast print speeds for price point
- Wireless printing support
- Vibrant color printing
Why you should buy this: Epson’s affordable WorkForce Pro WF-3820 can print at a zippy 21 pages per minute with fast-drying ink.
Who it’s for: Offices that need fast prints based on reliable pigment-based ink.
Why we picked the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820:
Like the WorkForce Pro WF-3720 before it, Epson’s new WF-3820 is an all-in-one multifunction printer that can make scans, copies, and prints. Upgrades include faster 21 pages-per-minute black-and-white prints and 11 pages-per-minute color. Epson uses its new vibrant DURABrite Ultra instant-dry pigment-based ink for this printer, so you’re going to get smudge-free results. This makes the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820 ideal for offices that need a reliable, speedy inkjet to handle their document needs.
The printer comes with a 2.7-inch color touchscreen to navigate the settings and controls, like its predecessors, and it relies on Wi-Fi for wireless printing. There is an automatic document feeder for double-sided scans, and the printer can also handle duplex printing. All that’s missing here is the fax, which most homes and businesses may not require anymore.
Epson WorkForce WF-3820
Best affordable home office printer
Brother MFC-J4535DW
Best affordable workgroup printer
Pros
- Affordable cost per page printing
- Multifunction capabilities for an all-in-one solution
- Large cartridges will last long
Cons
- Text printing could be a little crisper at smaller fonts
Why you should buy this: Brother’s MFC-J4535DW relies on large cartridges to make volume printing more cost-effective.
Who it’s for: Home users who don’t want to spend a fortune for each color print.
Why we picked the Brother MFC-J4535DW Tank Printer:
At $220, Brother’s MFC-J4535DW Tank All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer may not sound like an inexpensive purchase, but keep in mind that this printer comes with up to a year of free ink included in the box. Despite the “tank” in its name, however, the Brother MFC-J4535DW uses cartridges and not ink tanks, so replacements, rather than refills, are necessary to keep running. That said, printing is kept affordable if you opt for the high-yield XL-branded INKvestment cartridges, which give you higher outputs at lower costs. Two trays that store up to 400 sheets ensure you won’t run out of paper in the middle of a job. And to make your paper supply last even longer, automatic duplex printing is also supported.
The printer comes with a 2.7-inch touchscreen for control, and it also supports cloud printing as well as smartphone printing with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC wireless standards. Faxing, scanning, and copying are also supported on this multifunction printer. A front-facing USB port makes it convenient to print from a flash drive.
Brother MFC-J4535DW
Best affordable workgroup printer
HP M209dwe LaserJet
Best affordable monochrome laser printer
Pros
- Crisp laser quality
- Fast print speeds suited for documents
- Speedy duplex printing
- Easy to use companion smartphone app for scanning
Cons
- No color printing support
Why you should buy this: HP’s LaserJet M209dwe sacrifices color for fast, economical monochrome laser prints.
Who it’s for: Budget-oriented homes and businesses primarily interested in printing black-and-white documents.
Why we picked the HP LaserJet M209dwe:
HP’s monochrome LaserJet M209dwe comes in a very compact size, making it ideal for home and home office settings. Just don’t let its compact design fool you — this printer is advertised with the fastest two-sided printing for its class at 30 pages per minute for black-and-white jobs. The first page is ready in as little as 6.9 seconds, ensuring you won’t have to wait long for your document to start printing. Duplex printing is also supported to save on paper, and you can print on a variety of media types, including envelopes, labels, yardsticks, postcards, and even velum paper.
The printer comes with an Instant Ink subscription, giving you the first six months of free ink toner. After that, you can cancel the subscription and buy replacements a la carte, or rely on the company’s worry-free subscription to ensure you’ll have enough toner for your print jobs. This printer works with HP’s robust HP Smart smartphone app, giving you added flexibility to securely send a fax, print documents from cloud services like Dropbox, or even scan directly to Google Drive or your email.
HP M209dwe LaserJet
Best affordable monochrome laser printer
Brother INKvestment Tank MFC-J1205W
Best affordable tank printer
Pros
- Affordable price
- Low running cost with year-long tank cartridges
- Reliable print quality
- Wireless printing support
Cons
- No ADF
- No touchscreen display
Why you should buy this: You need an economical printer to handle basic color printing needs
Who it’s for: Home users who may need occasional printing
Why we picked the Brother INKvestment Tank MFC-J1205W:
Brother’s affordable INKvestment Tank MFC-J1205W is a simple, modern printer that produces reliable quality color prints in a sleek design. Free of many of the bells and whistles of more advanced offerings, the MFC-J1205W doesn’t come with features like a touchscreen control or automatic document feeder, but this helps to keep the design charming and elegant. There’s still a flatbed scanner up top for color copies and scans, and built-in wireless printing support makes this a flexible printer for the smart home office.
The highlight of this printer is its large-capacity ink cartridges. While not a true tank printer, like the Epson model on our list, Brother’s high yield ink can last for up to a year of moderate printing needs, so you’re saving time and money on replacement ink. This printer is a solid choice for those who may need to occasionally print a page or two every so often, but it can scale to moderate volumes for busy homes juggling office documents, homework, and other printing needs.
Brother INKvestment Tank MFC-J1205W
Best affordable tank printer
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose an inkjet or a laser printer?
That really depends on your personal printing needs, preferences, and budget. Traditionally, inkjet printers come with a lower upfront cost for the printer compared to a comparable laser printer, but replacement ink cartridges on the inkjet can be more expensive over time than toner for laser printing systems. That said, inkjets generally perform better with color printing processes, photographs, and artwork, while laser printers excel at handling documents, spreadsheets, and black-and-white print jobs. These days, however, the price and performance gaps are narrowing — inkjets that use tank cartridges deliver a more affordable cost per page, and laser printers are getting better at printing documents with color graphics.
What if I need a scanner?
If you need scanning and copying functionality, you’ll want to choose a printer with a scanner. Some printers come with a flatbed scanner, so you can scan papers of varying sizes. Others will come with an automatic document feeder, or AD