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10 Best Low Budget Printer 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer - White, Medium

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,145
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Cost of Consumables

Most important from
14015 reviews

Print Quality
Print quality, especially for photos, is impressive with vibrant colors and no ink smudges.
Connectivity Options
Entering the WiFi password is tedious due to the small display and cumbersome input method.
Cost of Consumables
Ink longevity is a standout feature; even after printing hundreds of photos, the ink levels remain high.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a low-budget, all-in-one color printer designed for home use. One of its standout features is the innovative cartridge-free printing system using high-capacity ink tanks, which can drastically reduce the cost of consumables. The printer comes with enough ink to last up to two years, making it a cost-effective option for those who print frequently. Additionally, replacing ink bottles is straightforward and less wasteful compared to traditional cartridges, promoting environmental sustainability.

This model also includes a built-in scanner and copier, adding to its versatility for home projects. The print quality is commendable, thanks to Epson’s Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology, which ensures sharp text and vibrant photos and graphics on various paper types.

However, the printer's speed is relatively slow, with a maximum of 10 pages per minute (ppm) for monochrome and 5 ppm for color prints, which might not be suitable for high-volume printing needs. Another drawback is the manual duplex printing, requiring users to flip the pages themselves for double-sided printing. Connectivity options are decent, with both wired and wireless capabilities, although it does not support Ethernet connections. The paper handling capacity is moderate, holding up to 100 sheets, which is adequate for home use but may be limited for more intensive printing tasks. The printer's LCD display and control method via the app are user-friendly, although the screen might be small for some users. The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is well-suited for users seeking a cost-efficient, eco-friendly, and reliable home printer, but it may not be the best choice for those needing fast print speeds or extensive paper handling.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,145
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Cost of Consumables

Most important from
14015 reviews

Print Quality
Print quality, especially for photos, is impressive with vibrant colors and no ink smudges.
Connectivity Options
Entering the WiFi password is tedious due to the small display and cumbersome input method.
Cost of Consumables
Ink longevity is a standout feature; even after printing hundreds of photos, the ink levels remain high.
#2

Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer. for Home Use, Print, Scan and Copy

Rating
9.8
Cost of Consumables
Print Quality
Connectivity Options

Most important from
4148 reviews

Cost of Consumables
The refillable MegaTank system offers exceptional ink yield, making long-term printing extremely cost-effective compared to traditional cartridges.
Print Quality
Print quality is very good for everyday documents and photos, with the option to improve quality further by adjusting settings.
Connectivity Options
The printer handles both desktop and mobile device printing well, providing versatile connectivity options.
Print Speed
Printing speed is moderate but sufficient for typical home or small office use, though it slows down with higher-quality color settings.
Additional Features
The printer lacks automatic double-sided printing, which may be inconvenient for users needing duplex functionality.

The Canon MegaTank G3270 is a solid choice for home users needing an affordable all-in-one printer that handles printing, scanning, and copying. It uses inkjet technology and stands out with its refillable MegaTank system, offering an impressive yield of up to 6,000 black and white or 7,700 color pages per ink set. This feature significantly lowers running costs compared to traditional cartridges, making it great for budget-conscious users. The print quality is good for everyday documents and photos, with a resolution up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. However, it only supports single-sided printing, which might be a drawback if you want to save paper or print double-sided documents automatically.

The printing speed is moderate—up to 11 pages per minute in black and 6 in color—which is adequate for home use but may feel slow for heavier workloads. Connectivity is versatile with Wi-Fi and USB options, allowing easy printing from smartphones and PCs without cables. Paper handling is straightforward with a 100-sheet input tray supporting various sizes, though it lacks multiple trays or advanced paper management. The included small LCD screen helps with basic navigation, and the printer is Energy Star certified, reflecting decent energy efficiency.

A consideration is its somewhat bulky size and weight, which might be an issue if desk space is tight. While it doesn’t have duplex printing or advanced features found in higher-end models, the MegaTank G3270 provides a very cost-effective and reliable solution for users primarily focused on low ink costs and basic home printing needs.

Rating
9.8
Cost of Consumables
Print Quality
Connectivity Options

Most important from
4148 reviews

Cost of Consumables
The refillable MegaTank system offers exceptional ink yield, making long-term printing extremely cost-effective compared to traditional cartridges.
Print Quality
Print quality is very good for everyday documents and photos, with the option to improve quality further by adjusting settings.
Connectivity Options
The printer handles both desktop and mobile device printing well, providing versatile connectivity options.
Print Speed
Printing speed is moderate but sufficient for typical home or small office use, though it slows down with higher-quality color settings.
Additional Features
The printer lacks automatic double-sided printing, which may be inconvenient for users needing duplex functionality.
#3

Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan, Duplex, Mobile, Black & White | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa

Rating
9.7
Print Technology
Print Speed
Print Quality

Most important from
2066 reviews

Print Technology
Output is beautiful for a black-and-white printer, and it operates quietly.
Print Speed
The setup is incredibly easy, and it works fast and flawlessly.
Print Quality
The print quality is really nice, with pure and vivid blacks.
Connectivity Options
Extremely easy to set up, with a large paper tray and good connectivity.
Paper Handling
Extremely easy to set up, with a large paper tray and good connectivity.
Cost of Consumables
It promises much more printing before needing a toner replacement compared to other brands.

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact monochrome laser printer designed for small businesses and home offices. With its 3-in-1 functionality—printing, scanning, and copying—it offers good versatility. Its standout feature is the fast printing speed of up to 36 pages per minute, which is beneficial for those needing to print documents quickly. Additionally, it has a 50-page auto document feeder, making multi-page scanning and copying easier and more efficient.

Print quality is decent with a maximum resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi, ensuring sharp and clear text documents. Connectivity is flexible with built-in Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet options, allowing for multiple device connections and easy integration into different setups. The Brother Mobile Connect app further enhances convenience, enabling users to print and scan from their mobile devices. The printer supports duplex printing, which helps save paper, and has a decent input capacity of 250 sheets, suitable for moderate printing needs.

The cost of consumables, specifically the toner, can be a concern. Although the printer is compatible with Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL toner cartridges, which are reliable, they can be costly over time, though the Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service offers some savings. Additional features like Energy Star qualification and network readiness add value, but the absence of color printing might be a limitation for those needing color documents or images. At 25 pounds, the printer is relatively lightweight for its class and compact enough to fit into tight spaces. The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a solid choice for users looking for a reliable, fast, and efficient monochrome printer with good connectivity options and additional features suitable for small business or home office use.

Rating
9.7
Print Technology
Print Speed
Print Quality

Most important from
2066 reviews

Print Technology
Output is beautiful for a black-and-white printer, and it operates quietly.
Print Speed
The setup is incredibly easy, and it works fast and flawlessly.
Print Quality
The print quality is really nice, with pure and vivid blacks.
Connectivity Options
Extremely easy to set up, with a large paper tray and good connectivity.
Paper Handling
Extremely easy to set up, with a large paper tray and good connectivity.
Cost of Consumables
It promises much more printing before needing a toner replacement compared to other brands.

Buying Guide for the Best Low Budget Printer

Choosing the right low-budget printer involves understanding your specific needs and matching them with the printer's features. Whether you need a printer for occasional home use, school projects, or a small office, knowing what to look for can help you make an informed decision. Here are some key specifications to consider when selecting a low-budget printer.
Print TechnologyPrint technology refers to the method a printer uses to produce text and images on paper. The two main types are inkjet and laser printers. Inkjet printers are generally more affordable and better for printing high-quality color images and photos. Laser printers, on the other hand, are faster and more cost-effective for high-volume black-and-white printing. If you need to print a lot of documents quickly, a laser printer might be the better choice. For occasional color printing, an inkjet printer would be suitable.
Print SpeedPrint speed is measured in pages per minute (PPM) and indicates how quickly a printer can produce printed pages. This is important if you need to print large documents frequently. Low-budget printers typically have a print speed ranging from 5 to 20 PPM. If you only print occasionally, a lower PPM is acceptable. However, if you print frequently or in large volumes, look for a printer with a higher PPM to save time.
Print QualityPrint quality is measured in dots per inch (DPI) and determines the clarity and detail of the printed output. Higher DPI values mean better print quality. For general document printing, a DPI of 600x600 is usually sufficient. If you need to print high-quality images or photos, look for a printer with a higher DPI, such as 1200x1200 or more. Consider your primary use: for text documents, standard DPI is fine; for images, higher DPI is better.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity options refer to how you can connect your printer to your computer or other devices. Common options include USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. USB is straightforward and reliable for direct connections. Wi-Fi allows for wireless printing from multiple devices, which is convenient for home or small office use. Ethernet is useful for wired network connections in an office setting. Choose based on your setup: for single-device use, USB is fine; for multiple devices, Wi-Fi is more flexible.
Paper HandlingPaper handling refers to the types and sizes of paper a printer can accommodate, as well as the capacity of its paper tray. Low-budget printers typically handle standard letter and legal sizes, but some can also print on envelopes, labels, and photo paper. The paper tray capacity can range from 50 to 250 sheets. If you print frequently, a larger capacity tray will reduce the need for constant refilling. Consider what types of paper you will use and how often you print to determine the right paper handling features.
Cost of ConsumablesThe cost of consumables includes ink or toner cartridges and paper. This is an important factor because it affects the long-term cost of owning the printer. Inkjet printers generally have lower initial costs but higher ongoing costs for ink. Laser printers have higher initial costs but lower costs per page for toner. Check the price and yield of replacement cartridges to estimate your ongoing expenses. If you print a lot, a printer with lower-cost consumables will be more economical in the long run.
Additional FeaturesAdditional features can enhance the functionality of your printer. Common features include scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities, which are useful for home offices or small businesses. Duplex printing (automatic double-sided printing) saves paper and is convenient for large documents. Mobile printing support allows you to print directly from smartphones or tablets. Consider which additional features are important for your needs and choose a printer that offers those functionalities.

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