10 Best Cheapest Printer To Run 2026 in the United States

The Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer is a solid choice for small businesses looking for a cost-effective printing solution. This printer uses laser toner, which generally has a lower cost per page compared to inkjet printers, making it cheaper to run in the long term. The high print yield of Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL toner means fewer replacements and savings on supply costs. The duplex printing feature helps reduce paper usage, contributing to lower operational costs and environmental benefits. Additionally, the printer is Energy Star and EPEAT qualified, indicating good energy efficiency which can help keep electricity costs down.

However, it's worth noting that while the upfront cost of genuine Brother toner can be high, subscribing to the Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service can provide savings and convenience with automatic toner replenishment. Maintenance costs are generally low for laser printers, and the Brother DCP-L2640DW is no exception, with reliable performance reducing the need for frequent repairs. Connectivity is versatile with options including Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet, which makes it adaptable to various office setups and easy to integrate. The Brother Mobile Connect app adds convenience for managing printing tasks remotely.

On the downside, being a monochrome printer, it only prints in black and white, which might not be suitable for businesses needing color prints. Additionally, the printer's weight (25 pounds) and size may be a consideration if space is limited. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Brother DCP-L2640DW is a cost-effective and efficient printer for small businesses.

The HP Smart Tank Plus 651 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a printer that’s inexpensive to run over time. It uses refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges, which means you get up to two years of ink right out of the box—enough for about 6,000 black and 8,000 color pages. This makes the cost per page very low compared to traditional printers, saving you money especially if you print a lot. It’s an all-in-one device, so you can print, scan, copy, and fax, plus it has an automatic document feeder which makes handling multiple pages easier.

The printer supports wireless and mobile printing, and you can even control it with Alexa, which adds convenience. Print quality is good for everyday documents and photos, with sharp text and vibrant colors. However, the print speed is moderate—around 11 pages per minute for black and 5 for color—so it’s not the fastest if you have heavy or urgent printing needs. Duplex printing is manual, meaning you have to flip the pages yourself to print on both sides, which might be inconvenient if you want frequent double-sided printing.

While the printer is energy-efficient and easy to maintain thanks to the refillable tanks, it weighs about 10 pounds and takes up a fair bit of desk space. It is best suited for home users or small offices that want to keep running costs low without needing ultra-fast speeds or automatic duplexing. For those seeking reliable, cost-effective printing with good quality and wireless features, the HP Smart Tank Plus 651 is worth considering.

The Canon PIXMA TS6420a is a compact and user-friendly all-in-one inkjet printer designed mainly for home office use. It supports wireless Wi-Fi and USB connections, making it easy to print from laptops and mobile devices. One of its notable features is automatic duplex printing, which helps save paper by printing on both sides without manual flipping. The print speeds are moderate—up to 13 pages per minute in black and around 7 ppm in color—suitable for everyday documents but not for heavy or fast-paced printing needs.

It uses standard Canon ink cartridges with a print resolution up to 4800 x 1200 dpi, delivering good color quality for photos and documents. Its running costs can be somewhat higher compared to laser printers or refillable ink systems because inkjet cartridges tend to use more ink over time. The printer includes a 64 MB memory and an OLED display for easy control, with scanning and copying functions adding versatility. It weighs about 14 pounds and can handle various paper types, including glossy photo paper and envelopes.

While energy efficiency details aren’t specified, Canon printers typically have moderate power consumption. Given its features and price point, this printer is well suited for light to moderate home use where convenience and print quality matter more than ultra-low running costs.