10 Best Budget Printers

The HP Envy 6020e is a budget-friendly all-in-one color printer designed for home or small office use. It uses thermal printing technology and offers decent print quality with a maximum resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, which is good enough for everyday documents and photos. The print speed is moderate—about 7 pages per minute for black and white and 10 pages per minute in color—so it’s not the fastest but should be fine for casual printing needs. Connectivity is a plus, as it supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing easy wireless printing from smartphones, tablets, or computers, and it also works across various operating systems including Windows and macOS.

The printer supports double-sided printing, helping save paper. It comes with three months of HP Instant Ink, which can lower ink costs through a subscription, though ink expenses might still add up over time if you print heavily. The device is fairly compact and lightweight for an all-in-one. However, the paper tray holds only 100 sheets, which means frequent refills if you print a lot.

This printer suits users looking for an affordable, easy-to-use printer with wireless features and reasonable print quality, but it may not keep up with high-volume or very high-quality printing demands.

The BROTHER MFC-J6940DW is a versatile budget-friendly printer that stands out with its ability to handle A3 size prints, which is a great feature for small businesses or home offices that occasionally need larger printouts. Its inkjet technology ensures decent print quality, both in color and monochrome, with a competitive print speed of up to 28 pages per minute. This speed is particularly impressive for a printer in its price range.

One of its key strengths is the variety of connectivity options available. It supports Wi-Fi, USB, and NFC, giving users the flexibility to print from different devices, including smartphones via the Brother Mobile Connect app. This makes it convenient for users who are often on the go or need to print from multiple devices.

The printer also boasts a substantial paper capacity with a 500-sheet input tray, which reduces the frequency of paper refills, enhancing productivity in environments with moderate printing needs. Additionally, the 8.8 cm color LCD touchscreen simplifies navigation and operation. However, potential buyers should be aware of certain drawbacks. Despite being marketed as a budget option, operating costs could add up due to the need for genuine Brother ink supplies, which may be pricier than third-party options. This could be a consideration for users with high-volume printing demands. Another point to consider is its size and weight. At 23.4 kilograms, it may not be suited for those with limited space or who need a more portable solution.

In summary, the BROTHER MFC-J6940DW is a solid choice for those needing versatility in print size and robust connectivity features, though users should be mindful of ongoing ink costs and physical space requirements.

The Epson WorkForce WF-7840 is a versatile all-in-one printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine, making it a strong contender for home or small office use. Its standout feature is the ability to handle A3+ paper sizes with duplex printing, which is quite rare in budget printers. With a print speed of up to 25 pages per minute for black and 12 for color, it's relatively fast, though not the quickest on the market. The PrecisionCore printhead ensures high-quality, sharp prints, rivaling laser printers, which is a definite strength.

Connectivity is a major plus, offering both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options, allowing for ease of printing from various devices, including smartphones, without needing a network. Additionally, features like Scan-to-Cloud and Wi-Fi Direct expand its versatility, catering well to mobile and cloud-based workflows.

The running costs are managed well with individual ink cartridges, which are more efficient than tri-color options and offer various sizes, maximizing cost-effectiveness. However, it's worth noting that while the operating costs are reduced, the initial investment might be slightly higher than other budget printers due to its extensive feature set. On the downside, its large size and weight (20.6 kg) could be a consideration if space is limited. Additionally, although it has a touchscreen interface, it's relatively small at 6.8 cm, which might not be as comfortable for users who prefer larger displays.

The Epson WorkForce WF-7840 provides a robust set of features for those needing multifunction capabilities at an affordable price, especially if A3+ printing is a necessity. Its operational efficiency and wide connectivity options make it a practical choice, although users should ensure they have the space to accommodate its size.