10 Best Low Budget Printer 2025 in the United States

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.

The Brother MFC-L3780CDW is a laser printer designed for small business and home office use, offering color printing along with copying, scanning, and faxing. It delivers sharp, clear print quality at up to 31 pages per minute for both color and black-and-white documents, which is quite fast for a printer in this price range. It supports automatic double-sided printing and single-pass duplex scanning, saving time and paper.

Connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, and Wi-Fi Direct, making it easy to connect from various devices like smartphones and laptops. The printer handles up to 250 sheets, suitable for moderate workloads, and supports multiple paper types including envelopes and labels. One downside is its relatively large size and weight, which might require a dedicated space. Also, the upfront cost of genuine Brother toner cartridges can be significant, although their Refresh subscription service helps manage and reduce toner expenses with automatic deliveries and discounts.

The print resolution maxes out at 2400 x 600 dpi, which is sufficient for most office documents but not ideal for professional photo printing. The included 4-month toner subscription trial adds value by easing initial running costs. This printer represents a solid choice if you need reliable, fast color printing and scanning with flexible connectivity, though it might be a bit bulky and toner costs could add up if you print heavily.

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.