10 Best Budget Printers 2026 in the United States

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly all-in-one printer, particularly in a home setting. One of its standout features is the innovative cartridge-free printing system. Its high-capacity ink tanks provide a significant cost-saving advantage, allowing you to print up to 4,500 black and 7,500 color pages with just the ink included in the box. This equates to an estimated 90 traditional ink cartridges, making it a great option for users who print frequently without the hassle of constant cartridge changes. The print quality is impressive, thanks to Epson's Micro Piezo technology, delivering sharp text and vibrant images on various paper types, which is essential for those who value quality prints, such as students or home office workers.

The ET-2800 also features a built-in scanner and copier, making it a multifunctional device that can meet various needs, from document handling to photo printing. With a maximum print speed of 10 pages per minute for monochrome and 5 for color, it may not be the fastest option available, but it’s adequate for personal and family use. Its connectivity options include both wired and wireless capabilities, allowing for flexible printing from laptops or mobile devices.

There are a few drawbacks to consider. While the initial ink savings are substantial, the manual duplex feature means you'll need to flip pages yourself for double-sided printing, which can be inconvenient. The print speed might feel slow if you're used to high-volume printing, and the 100-sheet input capacity may not suffice for more extensive needs without frequent reloading. In light of these aspects, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is particularly well-suited for budget-conscious users seeking reliability and lower long-term costs in ink and maintenance. It seamlessly combines essential printing, scanning, and copying functionality, standing out as a practical choice for home use.

The Brother MFC-J1010DW is a budget-friendly, all-in-one inkjet printer that fits well in small spaces, making it ideal for home offices or small businesses. With a maximum print resolution of up to 6000 x 1200 dpi for Windows users, it provides good print quality for both documents and color prints. However, the print speed is moderate, with a maximum of 17 pages per minute (ppm) for monochrome and 9.5 ppm for color, which might be on the slower side for high-volume printing needs.

The automatic duplex printing feature saves on paper costs by printing on both sides of the page, and the 150-sheet capacity paper tray means fewer refills during use. Connectivity options are versatile, including Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet, making it easy to print from various devices, including smartphones and laptops, through the Brother Mobile Connect app. The 20-page automatic document feeder (ADF) adds convenience for scanning and copying multi-page documents.

One notable advantage is the cost-effectiveness of the ink, especially with the option for a refresh subscription and Amazon Dash Replenishment, which can help manage and reduce running costs over time. On the downside, the MFC-J1010DW may have limited scanning capabilities due to its sheetfed scanner, and the initial page print time of 6.9 seconds is relatively slow. Additionally, some users might find the build quality to be less robust compared to higher-end models. This printer offers a solid mix of features and connectivity options suitable for budget-conscious users who need a reliable, multifunctional device for light to moderate use.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2803 is a budget-friendly all-in-one printer designed for users who want decent print quality with low ongoing ink costs. It uses refillable ink tanks rather than cartridges, which can save money over time and reduce waste. The print resolution is high at 5760 x 1440 DPI, so it delivers sharp color and black-and-white prints suitable for everyday documents and photos. However, its print speed is on the slower side, with about 10 pages per minute (ppm) in black and 5 ppm in color, so it may not be ideal if you need fast output frequently.

Connectivity options include USB and Wi-Fi, allowing easy wireless printing from phones or computers, including AirPrint support for Apple devices. The printer handles standard paper sizes like Letter and A4 well, with a 100-sheet input tray, but it does not support automatic double-sided printing, which could be a drawback for users looking to save paper.

As a multifunction device, it offers scanning and copying with decent scan resolution and a flatbed scanner design, making it versatile for home or small office tasks. While the initial cost for ink bottles is low compared to cartridge-based printers, the upfront price of EcoTank models tends to be higher, but the savings become clear over time if you print regularly. This printer is well suited for budget-conscious users who prioritize print quality and ink cost efficiency over speed and duplex printing, making it a solid choice for home use or light office work where wireless convenience and multifunction features are important.