Tired of printers that cost a fortune for ink and break after a few months? Many people feel the same way. Finding a good printer that doesn’t empty your wallet can feel like a treasure hunt, but one where all the maps are confusing! You want a printer that works well, prints clearly, and doesn’t make you gasp at the price of ink cartridges. It’s a common problem, and the sheer number of choices out there can make your head spin.
But what if we told you that finding a reliable and affordable printer is actually possible? This blog post is here to help you navigate the world of bargain printers. We’ll show you what to look for, what to avoid, and how to get the best bang for your buck without sacrificing quality. Get ready to discover printers that are kind to your budget and great for your printing needs!
Our Top 5 Bargain Printer Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Bargain Printer Detailed Reviews
1. HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.5/10
The HP DeskJet 2855e is a do-it-all printer designed for your home. It prints, scans, and copies in color, making it super handy for school projects, recipes, or printing out important papers. Plus, it connects wirelessly, so you can print from your phone or computer without a mess of wires. It’s from HP, a brand many people trust for printers.
What We Like:
- It’s super easy to use, right out of the box.
- You can print, scan, and copy all with one machine.
- Wireless printing means no annoying cables.
- The HP app lets you control everything from your smartphone.
- You get 3 months of free ink when you sign up for HP+!
- It’s made with recycled plastic, which is good for the planet.
- It’s compact and won’t take up much space.
- It’s ENERGY STAR certified, saving you energy.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print speeds are a bit slower than some other printers.
- The printer only works with HP ink cartridges.
This HP DeskJet 2855e is a solid choice for anyone needing a simple, reliable printer for home use. Its ease of use and wireless features make it a great addition to any busy household.
2. Brother MFC-J1010DW Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer
Rating: 9.0/10
Meet the Brother MFC-J1010DW, a smart and compact printer that does it all! This all-in-one machine lets you print, copy, scan, and even fax. It’s designed to fit easily into your home or small office without taking up too much space. Plus, it’s budget-friendly, making it a great choice for everyday printing needs.
What We Like:
- It prints, copies, scans, and faxes, offering full functionality.
- Automatic two-sided printing saves paper and time.
- You can print from your phone or tablet using the Brother Mobile Connect app.
- It has a 20-page automatic document feeder for scanning multiple pages quickly.
- The 1.8-inch color display makes it easy to see and use the printer’s features.
- It works with Alexa, so you can get ink level alerts and even reorder ink easily.
- The compact design fits well in small spaces.
What Could Be Improved:
- Printing speeds might be slower for very large print jobs compared to more expensive models.
- The 1.8-inch color display is functional but basic.
The Brother MFC-J1010DW is a fantastic all-around printer for anyone needing a reliable and feature-rich machine without a huge price tag. It’s a smart addition to any home or small office.
3. HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.9/10
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e is a fantastic all-in-one printer designed for home offices. It helps you print, scan, and copy with ease. This printer is from America’s most trusted printer brand, so you know it’s reliable. It’s great for printing all your important documents, like reports, presentations, and flyers, in beautiful color.
What We Like:
- It prints color documents quickly, up to 10 pages per minute.
- You can print black and white documents even faster, up to 20 pages per minute.
- It automatically prints on both sides of the paper, saving you time and paper.
- The automatic document feeder makes scanning and copying multiple pages a breeze.
- It has a big 225-sheet input tray, so you won’t have to refill it often.
- Wireless printing is super easy with its reliable dual-band Wi-Fi.
- The HP app lets you print, scan, copy, or even fax right from your smartphone.
- You get 6 months of free ink when you activate HP+! Ink is delivered to your door before you run out.
- The 2.7-inch color touchscreen is bright and easy to use, just like your phone.
- HP Wolf Essential Security helps keep your printer and network safe from online threats.
- It’s made with over 45% recycled plastic, which is good for the environment.
What Could Be Improved:
- The printer only works with HP ink cartridges. It will block other brands.
- After the first 6 months of free ink, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee unless you cancel the service.
This printer offers a lot of useful features for any home office. It’s a solid choice for printing and managing your documents efficiently.
4. HP ENVY 6455e Two Sided Inkjet Printer All in One Wireless Printer Copy Scanners 10ppm Black 7ppm Color Smartphone Tablet Compatible Computer Wireless Printers for Home Use Office 223R1A (Renewed)
Rating: 9.3/10
Meet the HP ENVY 6455e, a renewed all-in-one printer that’s ready to tackle your home and office tasks. This wireless printer is designed for convenience, offering printing, copying, scanning, and even mobile faxing. It comes with a year of full coverage and six months of HP Instant Ink, making it a smart choice for your printing needs. You can print documents, photos without borders, homework, and all your creative projects with ease.
What We Like:
- It’s an all-in-one machine: It prints, copies, scans, and can even send faxes from your phone.
- Double-sided printing saves paper automatically.
- The 35-sheet automatic document feeder makes scanning and copying big jobs quick.
- You can print from your phone, tablet, or computer easily with its dual-band Wi-Fi and AirPrint support.
- The smart user interface with Cap Sense buttons makes it simple to use.
- It prints good quality black and color pages at speeds of 10 pages per minute for black and 7 pages per minute for color.
- It works with different paper sizes like Letter, A4, and B5.
- It’s compatible with HP Smart app, Chrome OS, Windows, and macOS.
What Could Be Improved:
- As a renewed product, its overall lifespan might be a consideration compared to a brand new unit.
- Print speeds are decent but not the fastest available for high-volume offices.
This HP ENVY 6455e is a solid, versatile printer for home use. It offers a good mix of features and convenience for everyday printing tasks.
5. Gloryang Inkless Portable Printer for Travel
Rating: 8.7/10
The Gloryang Inkless Portable Printer is a game-changer for anyone who needs to print on the go. This compact and wireless printer uses special thermal paper, so you don’t need ink or toner. It’s super small and light, making it easy to carry in your backpack or briefcase. Plus, it comes with everything you need to get started, including a carrying case and three rolls of paper.
What We Like:
- It’s inkless, which saves money and hassle.
- It’s very small and light, perfect for travel.
- It connects easily to phones and computers with Bluetooth.
- The battery lasts a long time, so you can print a lot on one charge.
- It has a built-in paper holder to keep things tidy.
- It can print on paper up to 8.5 inches wide.
What Could Be Improved:
- It only works with special thermal paper, not regular paper.
This printer makes printing documents easy and convenient, no matter where you are. It’s a smart choice for students, travelers, and anyone who needs a reliable portable printing solution.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Finding Your Bargain Printer
Buying a printer can feel like a puzzle. You want good quality without spending a fortune. This guide helps you find a “Bargain Printer” that’s just right for you.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a bargain printer, some features are super important.
- Print Quality: Does it print sharp text? Are colors bright and clear for photos? Look for high dots per inch (DPI) for better detail.
- Print Speed: How fast does it print pages? This is measured in pages per minute (PPM). If you print a lot, a faster printer saves you time.
- Ink or Toner Costs: This is a big one for bargain printers. Check how much replacement ink or toner costs. Some printers are cheap to buy but expensive to keep running.
- Connectivity: How does it connect?
- USB: Connects directly to your computer. Simple and reliable.
- Wi-Fi: Lets you print wirelessly from computers, phones, and tablets. Very handy!
- Cloud Printing: Lets you print from anywhere through the internet.
- All-in-One Capabilities: Do you need more than just printing? Many bargain printers can also scan and copy. This saves space and money.
- Paper Handling: How much paper can it hold? Does it print on different sizes and types of paper?
2. Important Materials and Build Quality
Bargain printers are often made with lighter plastics. This is how they keep costs down.
- Plastic Casing: Most printers use plastic. Feel the plastic – is it sturdy or does it feel flimsy? A slightly thicker plastic might last longer.
- Internal Mechanics: While you can’t see inside, think about how often you’ll use it. If you print a lot, look for models known for being durable, even if they cost a little more.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a bargain printer work well or not so well?
- Ink Cartridge Technology: Some printers use pigment ink, which is more durable and water-resistant. Dye-based ink is often cheaper but can fade over time.
- Resolution (DPI): Higher DPI means more dots per inch, leading to sharper images and text. For everyday documents, 600 DPI is usually fine. For photos, aim for 1200 DPI or higher.
- Driver Software: Good software makes printing easy. Check online reviews to see if the printer’s software is user-friendly.
- Print Head Quality: The print head puts ink on the paper. If it’s a good quality print head, your prints will look better.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How will you use your printer? This helps decide which bargain printer is best.
- Home Use: Printing homework, recipes, or occasional photos. A basic inkjet or a small laser printer works well.
- Small Office/Home Office (SOHO): Printing documents, reports, and maybe some marketing materials. A wireless all-in-one with affordable ink is a good choice.
- Students: Printing essays, study guides, and assignments. Speed and low ink costs are important.
- Photo Enthusiasts: If you print a lot of photos, you might need a printer with better color accuracy, even if it’s a bit more expensive.
Choosing a bargain printer means finding a balance. Think about what you need most and what you can live without. Happy printing!
Frequently Asked Questions about Bargain Printers
Q: What is the most important feature when buying a bargain printer?
A: The most important feature is often the cost of ink or toner. Some printers are cheap to buy but very expensive to run because the ink cartridges cost a lot.
Q: Can bargain printers print photos well?
A: Some bargain printers can print decent photos, especially if they have multiple ink colors. However, for professional-quality photos, you might need a more specialized photo printer.
Q: Do I need an all-in-one printer?
A: Not always. If you only need to print, a single-function printer is cheaper. But if you also need to scan and copy, an all-in-one saves you money and space.
Q: How can I save money on ink for my bargain printer?
A: Look for printers that use ink tanks instead of cartridges. You can also buy compatible or remanufactured ink cartridges, but be sure to check reviews for quality.
Q: Is Wi-Fi connectivity important for a bargain printer?
A: Wi-Fi is very convenient. It lets you print from your phone or tablet without cables. Many bargain printers now offer this feature.
Q: What does “DPI” mean?
A: DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It tells you how much detail a printer can put on paper. Higher DPI means sharper text and images.
Q: Are bargain printers reliable?
A: Reliability can vary. It’s a good idea to read online reviews for specific models to see what other people say about how long they last and if they have problems.
Q: Can I print from my smartphone or tablet?
A: Yes, many modern bargain printers support printing from smartphones and tablets, usually through Wi-Fi or a special app.
Q: What is the difference between inkjet and laser printers?
A: Inkjet printers use liquid ink and are usually cheaper to buy. Laser printers use toner powder and are often faster and better for printing lots of text documents. Toner can be more expensive upfront but lasts longer.
Q: Should I buy a new or refurbished bargain printer?
A: Refurbished printers can be a great deal. They are often returned items that have been checked and fixed. Make sure they come with a warranty.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.