The cheapest office printer is not always the one with the lowest sticker price. For mostly black-and-white documents, the Brother HL-L2460DW is a strong budget laser choice if you do not need color or scanning. For regular color printing with scan and copy functions, the refillable Canon MegaTank Pixma G3290 offers low estimated ink costs, but lacks an automatic document feeder (ADF). Choose by workload and the full cost of ownership: printer, supplies, features and how often you print.
Which cheap printer fits your office?
| Office need | Candidate | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mostly black-and-white documents; no scanner needed | Brother HL-L2460DW | Monochrome laser. RTINGS reports more than 33 pages per minute, Wi-Fi and USB, and estimates about 1,300 pages from standard TN830 toner or about 3,000 from a high-yield cartridge. Budget separately for drum replacement over the printer’s life. RTINGS office-printer coverage and its HL-L2460DW review. |
| Regular color, occasional photos, scanning and copying | Canon MegaTank Pixma G3290 | Refillable ink-tank all-in-one with duplex printing. Tom’s Guide estimates color printing at about 0.9 cents per page under its testing methodology; it reports 7.2 pages per minute for duplex text. It has no ADF, one paper tray and average print and copy speeds. Tom’s Guide review. |
| Color office work that needs duplex scanning | HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e | IT Pro describes a four-in-one with duplex printing and a 35-sheet duplex ADF. Its review measured 22.1 pages per minute for black text. The review-time price was £161 excluding VAT in the UK; that is not a current or global price. IT Pro review. |
| Higher-volume color work where a larger initial outlay is acceptable | Canon MAXIFY GX7150 | IT Pro reports low ongoing ink costs and substantial included bottle yield, but says the printer costs more than £400 in its market context. These are review-era GBP figures, not current universal prices. IT Pro review. |
These are workload-based options, not a universal ranking. Prices, stock, replacement-supply costs and regional model variants can change, and the cited review figures do not establish a comparable live-price snapshot.
Why purchase price is only part of the cost
A low-cost printer can become expensive if its replacement cartridges have low yields or high prices. RTINGS says its printer evaluations consider regular price alongside page yield and cost per print, because a cheap machine may carry costly replacement cartridges. Before buying, estimate your monthly pages and check the price and yield of the supplies you will actually use.
- Print volume: Estimate pages per month, including busy periods. A printer used heavily has different supply economics from one that prints a few documents now and then.
- Black versus color: If office work is almost entirely text, paying for color and its consumables may not make sense.
- Supplies beyond ink or toner: Check whether the model uses a separate drum or other replaceable parts. The Brother HL-L2460DW, for example, has a drum to budget for over its life.
- Convenience features: Duplex printing, an ADF, extra trays, speed and connectivity can justify a higher price when they fit the actual workflow.
Laser or ink tank for a small office?
Choose a monochrome laser for occasional black-text jobs
RTINGS says laser printers are a better fit for occasional document printing, while inkjets can clog when left unused for long periods. That is a general technology caveat, not a guarantee that any particular inkjet will clog. A monochrome laser also avoids color consumables. For a compact office that mainly prints text and does not need scanning, the Brother HL-L2460DW is a budget pick: RTINGS reports more than 33 pages per minute and estimates roughly 1,300 pages per standard TN830 cartridge or 3,000 per high-yield cartridge. Verify toner and drum replacement costs before deciding.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Choose an ink tank for recurring color printing
Cartridge inkjets are often cheaper to buy than laser printers, but a refillable tank can be a better fit when an office prints color regularly and wants to limit ongoing ink expense. Tom’s Guide estimates the Canon G3290’s color cost at about 0.9 cents per page, compared with a 1.9-cent category average under its methodology. Treat those as that outlet’s test-based estimates, not a guaranteed cost for every office: actual spending depends on local bottle prices, print coverage and usage.
The G3290’s trade-off is workflow rather than just print cost. It duplex-prints and can scan and copy, but has no ADF and only one paper tray; Tom’s Guide characterizes its print and copy pace as average. If staff routinely scan multi-page documents or switch between paper types, a more capable model may save time.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Features worth checking before you buy
- Scanning and copying: An all-in-one is useful if staff need to digitize or duplicate documents. If scanning is frequent, check for an ADF rather than assuming every all-in-one has one.
- Automatic duplex: Confirm whether the printer can print both sides automatically. For scanning, verify whether duplex scanning is supported if two-sided originals are part of the workflow.
- Paper handling: Consider tray count and capacity if the office uses multiple paper types or prints longer jobs.
- Speed: Compare the kind of speed that matters to you. The cited figures differ by model and test conditions, so they are not a direct head-to-head benchmark.
- Connectivity and workspace: Check the connections your office needs, such as Wi-Fi or USB, and make sure the printer fits its intended location.
- Regional compatibility: Confirm the exact model variant and replacement supplies sold in your country before ordering.
How to choose without overpaying
- List the jobs: Separate monthly black-only pages, color pages, photos, scans and copies. Note whether the office prints regularly or leaves the machine idle for long stretches.
- Set a minimum feature list: Decide whether you need color, scanning, an ADF, duplex printing, multiple trays, a particular connection or a specific speed.
- Compare ownership costs: Check current printer prices alongside replacement-supply prices and stated yields. Include a separate drum or other service parts where applicable.
- Compare like with like: Do not treat a cost-per-page estimate from one outlet as directly equivalent to another. Tom’s Guide’s cents-per-page estimate and IT Pro’s UK pound figures reflect different sources, currencies and contexts.
- Check availability at purchase: Confirm stock, model-region details and supply compatibility with the seller or manufacturer. Review-era prices are not a reliable substitute for a current quote.
Which option is the best value?
For a small office printing mostly text, start with the Brother HL-L2460DW and compare the price of TN830 toner and the separate drum in your market. For regular color plus basic scan-and-copy needs, consider the Canon G3290 if its lack of an ADF and single tray suit your workflow. If duplex scanning or more involved color handling is essential, compare a higher-feature office model such as the HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e; for higher-volume color use, the Canon MAXIFY GX7150 is another option when its higher initial cost is acceptable. In every case, decide using current local prices and the supplies you will need, not a single advertised printer price.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
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.
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