The 5 Best Cheap Printers - Fall 2021 Reviews

The best cheap printer that we've tested is the Brother MFC-J1205W. It uses Brother's INKvestment Tank, a hybrid tank–cartridge system, for good page yields at an outstandingly low cost-per-print. This means you'll have to replace the tanks less often, and you also won't have to spend too much on ink in the long run.

It feels very well built, with easy access to potential paper jams and the ink cartridges. You can also push the output tray all the way in to make the printer more compact if you're low on space. Photos look decent and have passable color accuracy, which should be fine for everyday use. The connectivity options are decent, including Wi-Fi, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service, and you can use the Brother Mobile Connect app to perform print, scan, and maintenance tasks from your phone.

Unfortunately, documents are slow to print, and it doesn't support automatic duplex printing, so you'll have to wait for long print jobs. There's no automatic document feeder, so scanning documents might get tedious. That said, its cheap cost-per-print makes it a good choice if you're on a budget, and it's also one of the best printers for college students we've tested.

The best affordable printer with laser technology we've tested is the Brother HL-L2370DW. This simple printer-only unit warms up decently quickly to print out the first page and prints black text documents exceptionally quickly, so you won't have to wait. Its black page yield is superb, at a fantastic cost-per-print, meaning you won't have to replace the toner too often.

It feels very well-built and easy to use, with easy access to the toner cartridge and potential paper jams. The connectivity options are great, including an Ethernet port and Wi-Fi, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service. The companion app is incredible, and you can use it to print the most common file types, check the toner level, and order new toner online.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have any scanner, which could be a dealbreaker for some. Also, because it's a monochrome laser printer, it produces black-and-white-only photos with terrible quality. You'll also need to replace the drum unit separately from the toner, which will cost you extra. That said, it's an excellent choice if you need something for black-and-white printing, and it's among the best laser printers we've tested.

The best inexpensive printer for photos that we've tested is the Canon PIXMA TR4520. It's an all-in-one inkjet that produces impressive-looking photos with clear details and decently accurate, vibrant colors. While its color document page yields are poor, the cost-per-print for photos is decent, so you shouldn't spend too much over time.

It has very good scanning features, with a flatbed scanner with hinges that can lift slightly for scanning thicker items like magazines, an automatic document feeder, and built-in fax. The connectivity options are decent, including Ethernet and a direct connection to your computer, and wireless options like Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service.

Unfortunately, it has a terrible black page yield at a poor cost-per-print, and it prints at a disappointingly slow speed overall. Since there's only one color cartridge, you'll need to replace it if you run out of only one color. Also, its automatic document feeder can't duplex scan, so processing double-sided, multi-page documents could be cumbersome. That said, this printer is a good choice if you're looking for a cheap unit that prints great-looking photos.

The best budget printer we've tested is the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820. This very well-built printer feels sturdy and solid, with easy access to paper jams in the back, and the ink cartridges under the flatbed scanner. The touch-sensitive display screen is easy to navigate, and you can access how-to diagrams by pressing the Help button.

There's a high-resolution flatbed scanner so you can digitize delicate photos, an automatic document feeder for multi-page documents, and even built-in fax. It prints very quickly overall, so you won't have to wait even for long essays or reports to finish up. Photos have decent quality, with very accurate-looking colors that appear distinct from each other. Also, you can print from an outstanding variety of options, including Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, and directly via USB flash drives.

Unfortunately, its automatic document feeder can't duplex scan. Also, it has a poor black page yield, so you might have to replace the cartridge often if you print frequently. On the bright side, it has good color page yields and a great overall cost-per-print, so you won't have to spend a fortune just to print. Overall, this is one of the best value printers that we've tested and a great choice if you're on a budget.