A cheap printer is usually the expensive one. An $80 inkjet can need $40 to $60 in cartridges, and the ink runs dry long before the paper does.
The nine printers below avoid that trap with either dry toner or refillable ink tanks. Print speeds run from 10 pages per minute (ppm) to 30 ppm, and paper trays hold 100 to 500 sheets. Each pick wins one trade-off: running cost, speed, photo detail or footprint.
If you print a few pages a month, start with the laser picks. Toner doesn’t dry out. If you only need the odd boarding pass or signed form and want no ink at all, read our guide to the best inkless home printers. If you ship orders and need labels, the best Bluetooth thermal label printers for shipping is the better fit.
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Our Top Picks at a Glance
| Award | Product | Print Technology | Price Range | The Deciding Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Epson EcoTank ET-2980 | Color Supertank Inkjet | $230 – $280 | About 1 cent per color page, automatic duplex |
| Best Budget Mono Laser | Brother HL-L2460DW | Monochrome Laser | $130 – $160 | 26 ppm mono with automatic duplex |
| Best Mid-Range All-in-One | Brother MFC-J4335DW | INKvestment Inkjet | $150 – $180 | Print, scan, copy and fax with a document feeder |
| Best Mid-Range Office Laser | HP LaserJet M209d | Monochrome Laser | $120 – $150 | 30 ppm duplex in a 14.0 x 11.0 in footprint |
| Best Office Tank Printer | Epson EcoTank ET-3950 | Color Supertank Inkjet | $350 – $400 | 250-sheet cassette, auto-duplex scanning, 15.5 ppm mono |
| Best for Photo Quality | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 | 6-Color Supertank Inkjet | $550 – $600 | 6-color ink at 5760 x 1440 dpi |
| Best Budget Color Laser | Brother HL-L3270CDW | Compact Color Laser | $270 – $310 | 25 ppm color with a 250-sheet tray |
| Best Heavy-Duty Office | Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 | Business Supertank Inkjet | $800 – $850 | 500-sheet dual cassettes, 25 ppm color |
| Best Basic Home Inkjet | Epson EcoTank ET-1910 | Wireless Supertank Inkjet | $160 – $200 | Print-only tank system at 6.4 lbs |
The 9 Best Printers in 2026
1. Epson EcoTank ET-2980 – Best Overall
| Feature | Specification Details |
| Physical Dimensions | 14.8 x 13.7 x 7.0 in, 11.9 lbs |
| Warranty Length | 2 years (with registration) |
| Box Contents | Printer, setup ink bottles, power cord, quick guide |
| Print Speed and Specs | Up to 10 ppm mono / 5 ppm color, automatic 2-sided printing |
The Epson EcoTank ET-2980 is the printer to buy if you want to stop overpaying for ink. Instead of plastic cartridges, it uses key-lock bottles that empty into large internal tanks.
The box comes with thousands of pages of ink. That cuts running costs to roughly a penny per color page. It handles daily printing, scanning and copying without fuss.
The trade-off is paper capacity and speed. It has a 100-sheet rear feed, so big documents mean reloading the tray. Color speed tops out at 5 ppm.
Buy This If: you print regularly and want to stop buying cartridges.
Skip This If: you need high-volume batch printing or an automatic document feeder for multi-page scanning.
2. Brother HL-L2460DW – Best Budget Mono Laser
| Feature | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Physical Dimensions | 14.0 x 14.2 x 7.2 in, 15.4 lbs |
| Warranty Length | 1 year limited warranty |
| Box Contents | Printer, starter toner cartridge, drum unit, power cord |
| Print Speed and Specs | Up to 26 ppm mono, automatic duplexing |
The Brother HL-L2460DW is the pick for text documents, shipping labels and essays with no color. It uses toner powder instead of liquid ink, so it never clogs or dries out, even if it sits turned off for three months.
It prints text at up to 26 pages per minute. The enclosed 250-sheet tray keeps dust off the paper.
The trade-off is that it only does one job. It prints in black and white, with no scanner or copy glass.
Buy This If: you only need black-and-white text and want reliable, fast printing under $160. Skip This If: you need to scan receipts or print color charts and photos.
3. Brother MFC-J4335DW – Best Mid-Range All-in-One
| Feature | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Physical Dimensions | 17.1 x 13.4 x 7.1 in, 17.6 lbs |
| Warranty Length | 2 years limited warranty |
| Box Contents | Printer, INKvestment starter cartridges, phone cord, manual |
| Print Speed and Specs | Up to 20 ppm mono / 19 ppm color, 150-sheet tray |
The Brother MFC-J4335DW sits between cheap cartridge printers and expensive supertanks. It uses Brother’s INKvestment cartridges, which hold more ink per unit while keeping the hardware price down.
It prints, copies, scans and faxes, and the automatic document feeder (ADF) handles stacks of pages for scanning.
The trade-off is size and setup. The body is wider than a basic home inkjet at 17.1 inches, and setting up Wi-Fi on the small screen takes a few extra steps.
Buy This If: you want a full all-in-one with long-lasting ink under $200. Skip This If: you want the lowest per-page running cost, which only the tank printers offer.
4. HP LaserJet M209d – Best Mid-Range Office Laser
| Feature | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Physical Dimensions | 14.0 x 11.0 x 8.1 in, 12.3 lbs |
| Warranty Length | 1 year limited hardware warranty |
| Box Contents | Printer, HP Black LaserJet Toner Cartridge, power cord, setup guide |
| Print Speed and Specs | Up to 30 ppm mono, 150-sheet input tray |
The HP LaserJet M209d is a compact monochrome laser built for small desks and fast two-sided text. At 14.0 x 11.0 inches, it fits on a shelf or a cramped home-office desk.
It prints up to 30 pages per minute and duplexes automatically, which makes it faster than the Brother HL-L2460DW (26 ppm).
The trade-off is connectivity. It connects by USB only, prints in black and white, and has no scanner or copier. If you need Wi-Fi, look at the M209dw, the wireless version of the same printer.
Buy This If: you need a fast, space-saving black-and-white document printer. Skip This If: you need color, wireless, or copy and scan.
5. Epson EcoTank ET-3950 – Best Office Tank Printer
| Feature | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Physical Dimensions | 14.8 x 13.7 x 9.1 in, 14.8 lbs |
| Warranty Length | 2 years (with registration) |
| Box Contents | Printer, 1 set of 502 ink bottles, power cable |
| Print Speed and Specs | Up to 15.5 ppm mono / 8.5 ppm color, auto 2-sided scanning |
The Epson EcoTank ET-3950 is built for home businesses and remote workers who print and scan a lot every day. Unlike the lower-tier tank models, it scans both sides of a page automatically and has a 250-sheet front cassette.
It prints at up to 15.5 ppm in black and white, and the ink in the box lasts for roughly 6,000 to 7,500 pages depending on color mix.
The trade-off is the price. At close to $400, it’s the priciest pick under $500, and it only pays off if you print and scan every week.
Buy This If: you routinely scan multi-page double-sided documents and want low running costs. Skip This If: your printing is light and you rarely scan stacks of paperwork.
6. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 – Best for Photo Quality
| Feature | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Physical Dimensions | 15.9 x 14.5 x 6.3 in, 18.5 lbs |
| Warranty Length | 2 years (with registration) |
| Box Contents | Printer, 6 Claria ET Premium ink bottles, power cord, CD drive tray |
| Print Speed and Specs | 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi, 6-color Claria ink system |
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 is made for photographers, crafters and artists. It uses a 6-color Claria ET Premium ink system, including Photo Black and Gray, for deeper tones and more accurate color.
Because it’s a supertank, a borderless 4×6 or 8.5×11 photo costs a fraction of what the same print costs on a cartridge inkjet.
The trade-off is text speed and size. It prints documents fine, but it’s tuned for color accuracy, not page-a-second spreadsheets.
Buy This If: you want photo prints at home without paying cartridge prices. Skip This If: you mostly print black-and-white spreadsheets and plain text.
7. Brother HL-L3270CDW – Best Budget Color Laser
| Feature | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Physical Dimensions | 17.3 x 18.1 x 9.9 in, 40.3 lbs |
| Warranty Length | 1 year limited warranty |
| Box Contents | Printer, set of starter toner cartridges, drum unit |
| Print Speed and Specs | Up to 25 ppm mono/color, 250-sheet tray, NFC connectivity |
The Brother HL-L3270CDW gives small businesses color document printing without liquid ink. It prints brochures, presentations and flyers at 25 pages per minute.
Toner prints resist smudging, so they hold up on client mailers and handouts printed on standard paper.
The trade-off is weight and photos. At 40.3 lbs, it needs a sturdy desk. A color laser also can’t match a photo inkjet on glossy prints.
Buy This If: you need fast color prints for business charts and presentations. Skip This If: you want glossy family photos or have limited desk space.
8. Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 – Best Heavy-Duty Office
| Feature | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Physical Dimensions | 16.7 x 19.7 x 13.8 in, 38.8 lbs |
| Warranty Length | 2 years (with registration) |
| Box Contents | Printer, 2 sets of 542 high-yield pigment ink bottles, power cord |
| Print Speed and Specs | Up to 25 ppm mono/color, 500-sheet dual paper cassette |
The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 is a workhorse meant to replace laser copiers in small and mid-size offices. It uses DURABrite pigment inks that dry instantly and resist highlighter smudges.
Two 250-sheet trays give it 500 sheets of capacity, so a team can print through the day without refilling paper.
The trade-off is the price. At over $800, it’s a big hardware purchase for a personal desk.
Buy This If: you run a busy team or business that prints thousands of pages a month. Skip This If: you’re setting up a light-duty home office.
9. Epson EcoTank ET-1910 – Best Basic Home Inkjet
| Feature | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Physical Dimensions | 14.8 x 13.7 x 6.7 in, 6.4 lbs |
| Warranty Length | 2 years (with registration) |
| Box Contents | Printer, setup ink bottles, power cable |
| Print Speed and Specs | Up to 11 ppm mono / 6 ppm color, wireless print-only |
The Epson EcoTank ET-1910 drops the flatbed scanner and copier to make the cheapest tank printer in this list. It prints over Wi-Fi only.
That lowers the entry price for tank printing while keeping ink costs around a penny per page.
The trade-off is features. There’s no scanner or copy bed.
Buy This If: you want tank-style ink savings for basic document printing and don’t need a scanner. Skip This If: you often copy tax forms, scan receipts or digitize photos.
How Much Should You Spend on a Printer in 2026?
Spend on ink technology and duty cycles, not on a fancy screen. The cheapest printers ($60 to $100) often use low-yield cartridges that cost more than the hardware after two replacements.
Here’s how the market splits:
- Budget hardware ($120 to $180): fast mono lasers or hybrid cartridge inkjets. Fine for light text printing or occasional documents.
- Mid-range workhorses ($200 to $400): entry-level supertanks and all-in-one lasers. Right for home offices, where low cost per page pays off over time.
- High-volume and specialized ($500+): 6-color photo printers and workgroup tanks. Built for high monthly page counts or photo work.
Do Cheap Inkjets Still Clog?
Yes. Liquid ink can dry inside the printhead nozzles when a printer sits unused. If you print only once every three weeks, dried ink can hurt print quality and force a cleaning cycle.
Three habits help:
- Pick the right technology. If you print rarely, buy a mono or color laser. Dry toner can’t dry out in a printhead.
- Keep it powered. If the maker recommends leaving the printer plugged in, do it. Some models run automatic maintenance cycles that prevent nozzle blockages.
- Use clean, low-dust paper. Dust builds up inside the printer and causes feed and quality problems.
What Type of Printer Do You Need?
- Text-only documents and shipping labels: a mono laser like the Brother HL-L2460DW or HP LaserJet M209d. Sharp text, fast output, no ink to dry out.
- Families and moderate color printing: a color supertank like the Epson EcoTank ET-2980. Refillable tanks keep school assignments and occasional color prints cheap.
- High-volume small offices: an office supertank or color laser like the Epson EcoTank ET-3950 or Brother HL-L3270CDW.
- Studio and gallery photos: a dedicated photo printer like the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500.
What Do Printer Buyers Regret Most?
Most regrets come from running costs, tray size and missing conveniences, not from print quality.
- Buying a cheap printer for heavy printing. A printer priced at $80 can need $40 to $60 for a cartridge set. Compare total cost of ownership before you buy.
- Skipping paper tray capacity. A 100-sheet tray means constant refills when you print reports. If you print in volume, get a 250-sheet cassette.
- Skipping automatic duplex. Manual double-sided printing means reinserting the paper yourself, which is where jams and flipped pages come from.
Printer FAQs
Are laser or inkjet printers cheaper to run?
Tank inkjets like the Epson EcoTank ET-2980 cost the least per color page, because you refill from bottles instead of buying cartridge sets. For black-and-white text, a mono laser like the Brother HL-L2460DW costs less to run and never dries out.
Do inkjet printers clog if I don’t use them?
Yes. Liquid ink can dry in the printhead nozzles if the printer sits for weeks, and a print every three weeks or so may need a cleaning cycle. If you print rarely, buy a laser.
Is automatic duplex worth paying for?
Yes, for any printing beyond a few pages. Manual duplex means pulling the stack out and feeding it back in yourself, which is where jams and flipped pages come from.
Can a printer refuse third-party ink or toner?
Some can. Makers have pushed firmware updates that block non-brand cartridges, and HP settled a lawsuit over it in March 2025 with a promise to make firmware updates optional. Turn off automatic firmware updates before you fit a third-party cartridge.
How big a paper tray do I need?
A 100-sheet tray means frequent refills when you print reports. If you print in volume, look for a 250-sheet cassette.
Products We Considered But Didn’t Include (And Why)
HP LaserJet M209dw. This is the M209d with Wi-Fi added, so listing both would put the same printer in the roundup twice. If you need wireless on a compact mono laser, it’s the version to look for.
Cartridge inkjets under $100. We left this whole category out. A printer near $80 can need $40 to $60 for a replacement cartridge set, so two refills cost more than the hardware. The tank and laser picks above cost less to feed over a year.
Conclusion
The right printer matches how much you print to a machine that feeds it cheaply. If you print color weekly, get a supertank like the Epson EcoTank ET-2980. If you print text and leave the printer idle for weeks, get a mono laser like the Brother HL-L2460DW. Both avoid the overpriced-cartridge trap.
Check the paper tray and automatic duplex before you check the sticker price. Those two details decide whether you’re still happy with the printer a year from now.
