10 Best Budget Printers 2025 in the United States

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly all-in-one printer, particularly in a home setting. One of its standout features is the innovative cartridge-free printing system. Its high-capacity ink tanks provide a significant cost-saving advantage, allowing you to print up to 4,500 black and 7,500 color pages with just the ink included in the box. This equates to an estimated 90 traditional ink cartridges, making it a great option for users who print frequently without the hassle of constant cartridge changes. The print quality is impressive, thanks to Epson's Micro Piezo technology, delivering sharp text and vibrant images on various paper types, which is essential for those who value quality prints, such as students or home office workers.

The ET-2800 also features a built-in scanner and copier, making it a multifunctional device that can meet various needs, from document handling to photo printing. With a maximum print speed of 10 pages per minute for monochrome and 5 for color, it may not be the fastest option available, but it’s adequate for personal and family use. Its connectivity options include both wired and wireless capabilities, allowing for flexible printing from laptops or mobile devices.

There are a few drawbacks to consider. While the initial ink savings are substantial, the manual duplex feature means you'll need to flip pages yourself for double-sided printing, which can be inconvenient. The print speed might feel slow if you're used to high-volume printing, and the 100-sheet input capacity may not suffice for more extensive needs without frequent reloading. In light of these aspects, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is particularly well-suited for budget-conscious users seeking reliability and lower long-term costs in ink and maintenance. It seamlessly combines essential printing, scanning, and copying functionality, standing out as a practical choice for home use.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2803 is a budget-friendly all-in-one printer designed for users who want decent print quality with low ongoing ink costs. It uses refillable ink tanks rather than cartridges, which can save money over time and reduce waste. The print resolution is high at 5760 x 1440 DPI, so it delivers sharp color and black-and-white prints suitable for everyday documents and photos. However, its print speed is on the slower side, with about 10 pages per minute (ppm) in black and 5 ppm in color, so it may not be ideal if you need fast output frequently.

Connectivity options include USB and Wi-Fi, allowing easy wireless printing from phones or computers, including AirPrint support for Apple devices. The printer handles standard paper sizes like Letter and A4 well, with a 100-sheet input tray, but it does not support automatic double-sided printing, which could be a drawback for users looking to save paper.

As a multifunction device, it offers scanning and copying with decent scan resolution and a flatbed scanner design, making it versatile for home or small office tasks. While the initial cost for ink bottles is low compared to cartridge-based printers, the upfront price of EcoTank models tends to be higher, but the savings become clear over time if you print regularly. This printer is well suited for budget-conscious users who prioritize print quality and ink cost efficiency over speed and duplex printing, making it a solid choice for home use or light office work where wireless convenience and multifunction features are important.

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw is a solid choice for small teams or offices needing a reliable all-in-one color laser printer. It produces sharp color prints at a fast speed of up to 33 pages per minute, which is excellent for busy environments. The print resolution is modest at around 600 dpi, providing clear text and decent color quality suitable for professional documents, though it may not rival higher-end photo printers.

Connectivity is versatile, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, and Bluetooth, making it easy to print from various devices like smartphones, tablets, and computers. Automatic two-sided printing and a 300-sheet input tray help manage larger print jobs efficiently and reduce paper use. The scanner is sheetfed, which suits quick scanning tasks but might be less convenient for bulky documents. A notable point is that it only accepts original HP cartridges, which helps maintain print quality and security but could mean higher ink costs over time compared to third-party alternatives. Security features like HP Wolf Pro add protection for sensitive data, a plus in office settings.

Though it is heavier and larger than some budget models, its multifunction features—print, scan, copy, and fax—cover most office needs without extra devices. This printer effectively balances speed, connectivity, and multifunction capabilities for small office users, but consider the ongoing cost of genuine toner cartridges and its moderate print resolution when making your choice.