10 Best Inexpensive Printers

The HP Envy 6020e is a compact all-in-one printer designed for basic home or small office use, especially if you're looking for an affordable option with decent features. It prints in color with a resolution of up to 4800 x 1200 dpi, ensuring documents and photos look sharp and clear for everyday tasks. The printing speed is moderate, offering about 7 pages per minute for black and white and up to 10 pages per minute for color, making it suitable for light to moderate use.

Connectivity is a strong point, with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth included, allowing you to print easily from your smartphone, tablet, or computer without needing cables. The printer supports automatic double-sided printing, which helps save paper. It comes with 3 months of HP Instant Ink, which can help reduce ink costs by delivering ink before you run out; however, after that period, ongoing ink expenses might need consideration.

Paper handling is straightforward with a 100-sheet input tray and support for standard A4 size and glossy photo paper, making it versatile for documents and photos. The printer is relatively lightweight and compact, fitting easily on a desk without taking up much space. While its print speed and capacity are suited for light tasks, it may not be ideal for fast or high-volume printing. Additionally, it uses thermal inkjet technology, which generally results in higher ink costs compared to laser printers.

The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is a standout option for anyone seeking an economical printer with substantial long-term savings. One of its major strengths is the ultra-high capacity ink tanks, which are designed to reduce printing costs substantially by up to 90%. This is especially beneficial for users who print frequently, as the printer includes enough ink for up to three years, eliminating the hassle of frequent cartridge replacements. With print speeds of 33 pages per minute for monochrome prints and 20 pages per minute for color, it allows quick processing of documents. Its print quality is decent, with a maximum color resolution of 4800 x 1200 DPI, suitable for most home or small office needs.

The printer's multifunction features are robust, including automatic duplex printing and a 30-page document feeder, which are not commonly found in printers of this price range. It also supports Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct connectivity, making it easy to print from various devices, including smartphones and tablets. The compact design and inclusion of an LCD screen add to its convenience.

Despite these advantages, there are a few drawbacks. The printer's relatively low print resolution for black and white documents at 600 DPI might not satisfy users who require high-detail prints. Also, its 6.7 kg weight makes it less portable if you need to move it around frequently. Additionally, while the initial purchase price may be higher than traditional cartridge-based printers, the cost savings on ink can justify this expenditure over time.

In conclusion, the Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is ideal for budget-conscious users who need efficient, high-volume printing with minimal operating costs. Its features are well-suited for family or small office use, especially where mobile and wireless printing are needed.

The Brother MFC-J6940DW is a versatile all-in-one inkjet printer that prints, copies, scans, and faxes up to A3 size, which is larger than the common A4. It’s a good choice if you need bigger printouts without occupying much more space than a standard A4 printer. It offers fast print speeds—up to 28 pages per minute in both black and color—helpful if you print large volumes regularly. The print quality is decent for everyday business or home use, with a maximum color resolution of 600 dpi, which is fine for text and basic graphics but not ideal for high-detail photo printing. Connectivity is flexible, supporting Wi-Fi, USB, and NFC, plus you can print directly from your smartphone using the Brother Mobile Connect app, adding convenience.

The printer handles up to 500 sheets, which reduces how often you need to refill paper, and includes automatic duplex (double-sided) printing to save paper. It also features an easy-to-use 8.8 cm color touchscreen for navigation. One drawback is the relatively large size and weight (over 23 kg), so it needs a sturdy spot. While the starter ink cartridges can print about 550 pages, ink replacement costs can add up over time, especially if you print frequently, though Brother does offer high-yield cartridges and value packs to help reduce this.

This printer suits small offices or home users who want multifunction features and the ability to print larger documents without a high upfront cost, but it might be more than necessary for casual or low-volume printing.