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There is no single cheapest printer for every household. The right budget pick depends on whether you print mostly text, need color and scanning, produce photos, or print enough pages to justify a refillable tank. For paperwork, the Brother HL-L2460DW is the strongest documented low-cost laser option; the Brother MFC-J1360DW covers basic color, scanning and copying; the Epson EcoTank ET-2410 targets frequent color printing; and the Canon PIXMA TR7120 adds photo-friendly features. A fifth, simpler route is a basic single-function monochrome printer when you do not need color or an all-in-one. Compare total supply cost, page yield, duplexing and maintenance—not just the shelf price.
How do you choose the best cheap printer?
Start with the job and your expected page volume, then calculate supplies over a year. A printer that costs little at checkout can become expensive if its cartridges yield few pages. Consumer Reports illustrates the gap with two 2026 examples: a basic inkjet priced at $45 with an estimated $97 annual ink cost, and a tank printer priced at $230 with an estimated $4 annual ink cost. Those figures are examples from its article, not universal quotes for every model or country.
Estimate your real print volume
- Occasional text: A single-function monochrome laser avoids inkjet printhead-drying concerns and suits documents printed intermittently.
- Regular color documents: An all-in-one inkjet adds scanning and copying, but replacement cartridges become a recurring expense.
- Frequent color printing: A refillable tank generally moves more of the cost to the initial purchase and reduces refill cost, provided you use it often enough to avoid maintenance problems.
- Photos: Photo-capable inkjets can justify lower yields and higher consumable cost when image quality and borderless output matter more than cost per page.
Ask which functions you actually need
Print-only models are usually simpler. If you scan forms, copy identification or send multi-page documents, an all-in-one and an automatic document feeder (ADF) may be worth the extra hardware. Automatic duplex printing saves paper for two-sided documents; it is a feature to verify rather than assume.
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Think in two buckets. The purchase cost covers the printer, while ownership cost includes toner or ink, paper, and replaceable maintenance parts. A low entry price can make sense for very light use, but a higher-priced tank can become more economical when you print color regularly. Conversely, paying for a tank, scanner or photo hardware is wasteful if you only print a few black text pages. Write down your likely workload before comparing deals.
#1 Best Overall
Which five cheap printers are worth considering?
The shortlist below assigns each option to a different job. Current transaction prices, stock and regional availability were not established in the cited coverage, so treat this as a feature-and-use-case guide rather than a live price ranking.
| Pick | Best fit | System | Distinctive trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2460DW | Black-and-white paperwork | Single-function monochrome laser | No scanner; separate drum |
| Brother MFC-J1360DW | Basic color plus scanning and copying | Color inkjet all-in-one | Ongoing cartridge expense; detailed yield data not stated |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2410 | Frequent color printing | Refillable ink tank all-in-one | Slower output, no automatic duplex; can clog when left unused |
| Canon PIXMA TR7120 | Budget photo printing | Color inkjet all-in-one | Low page yields; tri-color cartridge replacement issue |
| Basic single-function monochrome printer | Lowest-complexity document printing | Category pick; specific model not established in the cited coverage | Usually sacrifices color, scanning and copying |
Which cheap printer is best for black-and-white paperwork?
The Brother HL-L2460DW is the clearest documented choice when you mainly print text and do not need a scanner. RTINGS’ 2026 cheap-printer guide names it as its best budget laser printer.
What you get
- Wireless, USB and Ethernet connectivity.
- Automatic two-sided printing.
- A 250-sheet paper tray.
- Up to 34 pages per minute, as reported by RTINGS for this model.
- Detailed output in RTINGS’ assessment.
It is print-only, so scanning and copying require a separate device. That limitation is the main reason not to buy it for a home office that regularly digitizes paperwork.
What will toner cost?
RTINGS obtained around 1,300 pages from the standard replacement toner in its testing. Brother rates the higher-yield TN830XL cartridge at 3,000 pages and TN830V at 3,300 pages. The tested result and Brother’s ratings are different kinds of figures: one is a reported test outcome under stated conditions, while the others are manufacturer yield ratings. The printer also uses a separate drum; Brother estimates about 15,000 prints for that component. Include both toner and eventual drum replacement when estimating long-term cost.
Who should skip it?
Skip this laser if color pages, photographs or routine scanning are part of the job. Buying it and then adding a separate scanner can erase the simplicity and savings that made a print-only model attractive. It is also less suitable when your household expects borderless photo output.
Which budget color all-in-one should you consider?
The Brother MFC-J1360DW is the documented candidate for readers who need color printing together with scanning and copying. RTINGS lists it as its current budget inkjet pick.
Who should choose it?
Choose this type of all-in-one when a print-only laser would force you to buy a second scanner, and when your color workload is modest enough that cartridge replacement remains acceptable. It is a more practical fit for mixed household documents, school forms and occasional color pages than a monochrome-only machine.
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The available coverage does not provide a current purchase price, cartridge-yield series or a complete lifetime-cost comparison for the MFC-J1360DW. Check the cartridge part numbers, quoted yields and local refill prices before treating it as the lowest-cost option. Its “budget” designation identifies the category position, not a guaranteed annual saving.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
Questions to ask at checkout
Confirm whether the regional version includes the connectivity and duplex features you expect, then price a full replacement set of cartridges rather than only the printer. Look for both standard and high-yield options where offered. If a retailer lists a multipack, check that all colors are included and that the part numbers match the exact model suffix.
Is a refillable tank printer cheaper for frequent color printing?
A tank printer can be the better value when you print color regularly, because inexpensive refills and high yields can outweigh a higher initial price. The Epson EcoTank ET-2410 is the cited example, but the economics depend on your usage and local supply prices.
Why the ET-2410 fits high-volume color
- Very high yields compared with conventional cartridge inkjets.
- Inexpensive refills.
- Color printing and a flatbed scanner.
What you give up
- Slower output than many cartridge-based alternatives.
- No automatic duplex printing.
- Potential clogging if the printer sits unused for long periods.
The ET-2410 therefore suits a household, student or small office that prints color on a recurring schedule. If you print only a few pages every couple of months, the low refill price may not compensate for the higher entry cost or inactivity risk. The cited search does not establish a current price or stock position, so verify both locally.
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Plan for handling and maintenance
Tank ownership is not simply “buy once, print forever.” Keep the printer in a place where ink bottles can be handled without spills, follow the model’s refill procedure, and avoid leaving it dormant for long periods. The key comparison is predictable recurring use versus the convenience of a laser that can sit between print jobs without inkjet printhead-drying concerns.
Which cheap printer is best for photos?
The Canon PIXMA TR7120 is the photo-oriented choice in the shortlist. RTINGS highlights detailed photos, borderless printing up to letter size, automatic duplexing, a flatbed scanner and an automatic document feeder.
Why its feature set matters
Borderless output is useful when you want prints without a white frame, while the flatbed and ADF make it more versatile than a photo-only device. Automatic duplexing also helps when the same printer handles everyday documents.
What makes it expensive to run
RTINGS notes low page yields and a tri-color cartridge design: when one color runs out, you replace the combined cartridge even if the other colors still contain ink. Higher-yield cartridges are available, but this remains a photo-feature choice rather than the cheapest cost-per-page option. Select it because you value photo output and flexibility, not because its sticker price promises the lowest operating cost.
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Match the paper to the purpose
Photo output is one reason to budget for the right paper as well as ink. Everyday documents and photos do not consume supplies in the same way, so include photo-paper purchases in your own estimate. If most pages are plain text, the TR7120’s photo capabilities may be unused hardware; if family photos and borderless prints are central, its scanner, ADF and duplexing make the compromise more useful.
When is a simpler single-function printer the smarter fifth pick?
If you only print occasional documents and already own a scanner or never scan, a basic single-function monochrome printer can avoid paying for unused features. The cited material does not establish a specific fifth model with comparable testing, so this is a category recommendation rather than a named product ranking.
What to prioritize
- Low replacement toner cost and a clearly stated yield.
- Automatic duplexing if you regularly print multi-page documents.
- Wireless or USB connectivity that matches your devices.
- A paper tray large enough that you are not constantly reloading it.
- Availability of replacement supplies in your region.
Do not choose this route if you need color, copying, scanning or photo features. In those cases, one of the four named models better matches the task.
How should you compare toner, ink and total cost?
Use a simple annual estimate instead of comparing printer prices alone:
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- Separate black-only pages from color or photo pages.
- Divide the cartridge or tank refill price by its rated yield to estimate supply cost per page.
- Add periodic parts, such as the HL-L2460DW’s separate drum, when the manufacturer lists them.
- Include paper and any replacement cartridge that is discarded early because of a multi-color design.
- Repeat the calculation with both standard and high-yield supplies when both are available.
For the HL-L2460DW, keep the standard toner test result (around 1,300 pages) separate from Brother’s TN830XL and TN830V ratings (3,000 and 3,300 pages). For the Canon model, account for the possibility that a single depleted color forces replacement of the tri-color cartridge. For the tank model, compare the higher initial purchase with refill prices over the number of pages you realistically print.
Why yield numbers are only estimates
Coverage percentages, page layouts, photo coverage and cleaning cycles affect real consumption. A manufacturer rating helps compare supplies, while an independent test shows what happened under that test’s conditions. Neither number guarantees the exact result in your home. Keep the assumptions beside your calculation so you can revise it when local cartridge prices or your print mix changes.
Which features change the buying decision?
Automatic duplex printing
Duplexing prints both sides without manually turning pages. It is documented on the HL-L2460DW and PIXMA TR7120, while the ET-2410 is specifically noted as lacking automatic duplexing. The MFC-J1360DW’s duplex specification is not stated in the cited coverage, so verify it in the regional product sheet.
Scanner and automatic document feeder
A flatbed scanner handles individual pages, books and small items. An ADF feeds multiple sheets for scanning or copying. The TR7120 includes both a flatbed and ADF; the ET-2410 includes a flatbed scanner. The HL-L2460DW has no scanner because it is print-only.
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The HL-L2460DW provides wireless, USB and Ethernet, giving you options for a home network, direct computer connection or wired office setup. For the other candidates, confirm the exact ports and wireless features on the edition sold in your country.
Rank #4
Speed and paper handling
RTINGS reports up to 34 pages per minute for the HL-L2460DW and a 250-sheet tray. The cited coverage does not provide directly comparable speed or tray measurements for the other four options, so do not infer that they match its throughput.
Supply access matters as much as specifications
A printer is only a bargain if compatible supplies are easy to find when you need them. Before ordering, search the exact standard and high-yield cartridge or refill part numbers, and check whether a separate drum is sold locally. Regional model suffixes can change cartridge compatibility, wireless features and included accessories.
Which printer fits your monthly volume?
Use this decision path before looking at discounts:
- Mostly black text, intermittent use: choose a monochrome laser, especially if you do not need scanning.
- Color documents plus occasional scans: choose a conventional color all-in-one and compare cartridge yields before buying.
- Regular color batches: consider the ET-2410-style tank system and accept slower output and the need for regular use.
- Photos and borderless prints: choose the TR7120-style photo-capable inkjet, accepting lower yields.
- Only basic printing and no extra functions: compare simple single-function monochrome models available locally rather than paying for an all-in-one.
What should you verify before purchasing?
- Exact model suffix: cartridge names, wireless standards and included features can vary by region.
- Supply availability: search for the printer’s standard and high-yield cartridge part numbers before purchasing the hardware.
- Yield basis: determine whether a number is a manufacturer rating or an independent test result.
- Drum or maintenance parts: check whether the printer uses a separate drum and how often it is expected to be replaced.
- Duplex and ADF: confirm both features in the specification sheet instead of relying on a retailer title.
- Current stock and warranty: availability and support differ by country and change over time.
- Idle-use pattern: if the printer may sit for months, factor in the clogging risk associated with some ink-tank designs.
- Paper sizes and loading: verify that the tray and driver support the paper sizes you actually use, especially if you plan borderless photo printing.
What mistakes make a cheap printer expensive?
Buying on sticker price alone
The Consumer Reports examples show why a low purchase price can be overwhelmed by annual ink spending. Calculate at least one year of supplies before deciding.
Choosing a photo model for office volume
Photo-oriented features can be valuable, but low yields and tri-color replacement make a photo inkjet a poor default for heavy text printing.
Buying a tank for very rare use
High-yield tanks are designed around recurring printing. If pages are rare, slower output and possible clogging may outweigh refill savings.
Forgetting the drum in a laser budget
A separate drum is not included in the toner yield. Add its replacement interval to your ownership estimate for the HL-L2460DW or any similar laser design.
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Assuming every “all-in-one” has the same workflow
Some models have a flatbed only, while others add an ADF; some duplex automatically and others do not. Match those details to the documents you handle rather than paying for a label.
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Ignoring the cost of a second device
A print-only bargain may stop being cheap if you later buy a scanner for forms and receipts. Conversely, an all-in-one can be unnecessary duplication when you already own a reliable scanner. Include equipment you would otherwise need in the comparison, but do not pay for functions you will never use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the cheapest printer to buy also the cheapest to own?
Not necessarily. Consumer Reports’ 2026 examples pair a $45 basic inkjet with an estimated $97 annual ink cost and a $230 tank printer with an estimated $4 annual ink cost; both are illustrative examples, not guarantees for a particular model or household.
How often should I print with an ink-tank model?
The cited coverage warns that an Epson EcoTank ET-2410 can clog if left unused for long periods. If your printing is highly sporadic, compare that maintenance risk with a laser or cartridge model before choosing a tank.
Do I need an automatic document feeder?
An ADF matters when you routinely scan or copy several loose pages in one session. The Canon PIXMA TR7120 includes one, while the Epson EcoTank ET-2410 is documented with a flatbed scanner; check the exact workflow you need.
What is the difference between rated and tested page yield?
A tested yield is an observed result under a reviewer’s conditions, such as RTINGS’ approximately 1,300 pages from the Brother HL-L2460DW’s standard toner. A rated yield, such as Brother’s 3,000-page TN830XL figure, is the manufacturer’s specification, so the two numbers should not be treated as identical guarantees.
Is a monochrome laser suitable if I print only occasionally?
It can be. The Brother HL-L2460DW is a print-only laser and avoids inkjet printhead-drying concerns, making that type practical for intermittent text printing. It still requires budgeting for toner and its separate drum, and it cannot scan or print color.
Which is better for a home office: an ADF or duplex printing?
They solve different problems. An ADF speeds multi-page scanning and copying, while duplex printing automates two-sided output and reduces paper use. Choose based on whether your recurring task is digitizing stacks of pages or producing two-sided documents; the TR7120 has both, while the HL-L2460DW has duplex printing but no scanner.
Should I buy standard or high-yield toner?
Compare the cartridge price divided by its stated yield, not the package price alone. For the HL-L2460DW, Brother rates TN830XL at 3,000 pages and TN830V at 3,300 pages, while RTINGS reported around 1,300 pages from the standard replacement toner in testing. Your result will vary with page coverage and usage.
The Bottom Line
Choose the Brother HL-L2460DW for mostly black text and dependable intermittent printing, the Brother MFC-J1360DW for modest color plus scanning and copying, the Epson EcoTank ET-2410 for recurring color work, and the Canon PIXMA TR7120 when photos, borderless output and an ADF matter. A basic single-function monochrome printer remains sensible when simplicity is the priority. Before buying, compare local supply prices, page-yield assumptions, duplexing, scanner needs, maintenance and any separate drum—not just the printer’s advertised price.
Quick Recap
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.
