May 09, 2023

budget printers

I researched budget printers by examining various sources, including TechRadar's list of best cheap printers, Reddit discussions on cheap all-in-one printers, and a post on long-lasting printer recommendations. There was a general consensus on some printer models, such as Canon PIXMA and HP OfficeJet Pro, but opinions varied on other options. Overall, I found several relevant recommendations and am fairly confident in presenting these options.

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Canon PIXMA

Canon PIXMA

Canon PIXMA printers are frequently mentioned as budget-friendly options with decent print quality. The Canon PIXMA TS302, for example, is praised for its practical design and inkjet quality. The Canon G7020 and G6020 were recommended by Reddit users for their cost-effectiveness and duplex printing capabilities. Another user suggested the Canon PIXMA G620 as a low-cost option with good print quality. The Canon Pixma MP280 was also recommended as an all-in-one printer.
HP Printers

HP Printers

HP printers, such as the LaserJet Pro M15w and Deskjet 2755, are featured on TechRadar's list of best cheap printers. The HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 was endorsed by a Reddit user as a good all-around inkjet printer for under $500. However, some users in other discussions mentioned high ink costs for HP printers as a drawback.
Epson EcoTank Printers

Epson EcoTank Printers

Epson EcoTank printers were recommended for their cost-effective ink system and long-lasting ink supply. The ET-3760 and ET-2760 were specifically mentioned, with the main difference being the number of paper trays. Another user suggested the Epson RX595 all-in-one printer. The Epson EcoTank ET-3760 was also recommended for its refillable ink tanks and long-term cost savings.
Brother Printers

Brother Printers

Brother printers were frequently recommended for their durability and low price. Specific models mentioned include the DCP7065DN Monochrome Laser Multi-Function Copier, MFC-L2740DW, MFC-9330CDW, and HL-1100. The Brother MFC-J497DW was also praised for its budget-friendliness, low cost per page, and print quality. However, some users discussed issues with the deep sleep mode on Brother printers and recommended disabling it.
Pantum Printers

Pantum Printers

The Pantum P2200W mono laser printer was featured on TechRadar's list of best cheap printers for its fast print speed and affordability. However, it lacks an auto duplex feature and display.

Comparisons and Considerations

When considering a budget printer, it's important to take into account factors such as ink/toner costs, total cost of ownership, and desired features. Users often suggested considering third-party inks to save money. Some users emphasized the need to balance cheap-to-buy, cheap-to-own, and versatile printers, as all three aspects may not be achievable simultaneously. Overall, Canon PIXMA, HP, Epson EcoTank, and Brother printers were the most frequently recommended options for budget printers with varying features and costs.

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Research

"Best cheap all-in-one printer?"

  • A Reddit user asked for the best cheap all-in-one printer.
  • They also asked for a printer with cheap ink costs.
  • Commenters recommended specific printers, such as the Brother Printer DCP7065DN Monochrome Laser Multi-Function Copier, which offers high-yield toner cartridges that can print up to 1500+ pages in eco mode and duplex printing.
  • Other commenters preferred inkjet printers from companies such as Canon and Epson for printing photos and had success with third-party ink cartridges.
  • It is worth noting that cheap-to-buy, cheap-to-own, and versatile printers cannot all be achieved at the same time.
  • One commenter mentioned that laser printers are recommended for those who only print basic documents and prefer lasting toner instead of ink.
  • Epson was recommended by one commenter for making the best inkjet photo printers.
  • That commenter suggests an Epson RX595 all in one printer and suggests looking for a continuous ink supply.
  • Another commenter recommends the Canon Pixma MP280 for someone who is looking for an all-in-one printer.
  • One commenter mentioned purchasing cheap ink cartridges from abcink.com and has been happy with their Canon printer.
  • Some commenters suggested printer brands to avoid like HP, for their high ink costs.
  • One commenter noted that you can use the copy function on some printers without having to turn on the computer.
  • Another commenter mentioned that they print mostly emails and driving directions, and was happy switching to a networked color laser printer. Although it doesn’t print photo quality, it prints sharp text and basic photos with consistent quality, and the toner lasts forever.
  • One commenter mentions that the ink in their printer dried out / clogged up with at least 50% ink the last time they printed, so for them it was worth switching to a color laser printer.
  • Another commenter mentioned that inkjets are best for printing on glossy paper, while laser printers are not good for that.
  • The Reddit post is from 10 years ago, so some of the recommendations may be out of date.
  • The post only has six comments, so it may not be representative of a wide range of opinions about budget printers.

"[deleted by user]"

  • The webpage is a post on Reddit’s “printers” subreddit that was removed by a moderator
  • One Reddit user recommends the Canon G7020 printer for its cost-effectiveness and duplex printing capability
    • The printer has printed over 10,000 pages in a year and is still holding up well
    • The G6020 is slightly cheaper but doesn’t have an Auto Document Feeder for the scanner/copier
    • Ink refills are cost-effective and third-party inks can be purchased from Amazon
  • Another Reddit user suggests the Epson ecotank printers, specifically mentioning the ET-3760 and ET-2760 printers
    • The ET-2760 is cheaper than the ET-3760 and lacks an Auto Document Feeder
    • Both printers can handle printing, scanning, copying, and faxing
    • The ink included in these printers can last up to 2 years
  • In response to a comment, the second Reddit user clarifies that the difference between the ET-2760 and ET-3760 is the number of paper trays (two vs three)
  • A third Reddit user recommends the Brother HL-L2350DW laser printer for its compact size, fast print speed, and large paper tray capacity
  • Several other commenters recommend HP printers, including the HP OfficeJet Pro and HP LasrJet series
  • Someone notes that many printers are not in stock due to COVID-19-related supply chain disruptions
  • A couple of commenters recommend using third-party inks with various printers to save money
  • The original poster (OP) clarifies that they are looking for a printer with a scanner/copier, duplex printing, and low operating costs
  • Some commenters suggest considering the total cost of ownership (including ink/toner replacement costs) when purchasing a printer
  • One commenter suggests checking your local library to see if they offer free printing or scanning services
  • Several commenters recommend against purchasing an inkjet printer if you don’t print frequently, as ink can dry up and clog the printer
  • Another commenter suggests checking if your employer or school offers discounted printer programs
  • Someone recommends using Costco’s printer services, as they offer free technical support and discounted prices on replacement ink/toner
  • A commenter shares that they’ve had good experiences with Canon printers and recommends checking the manufacturer’s website for refurbished products
  • A couple of commenters recommend checking consumer reports or similar websites for unbiased printer reviews
  • Another commenter notes that some manufacturers offer “

"Best all-in-one printer for home use?"

  • User (OP) posted in subreddit /r/printers asking for advice on the best all-in-one printer for home use that can print decent quality stickers for under $500 around 1 year and 3 months ago (as of now).
  • User specifically asks for inkjet printers that can print on cardstock
  • User prioritizes print quality for stickers and requires basic home use functionality
  • One user recommends the HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 as a good all-around inkjet printer for under $500.
  • Another user recommends Canon PIXMA G620 as it is a low-cost option that still provides good printing quality.
  • A user highlights that a major factor to consider for budget printers is the cost of ink cartridges, with some inkjet printers having their ink cartridges cost more than the printer itself.
  • Someone points out that pigment-based inkjet printers generally have better longevity for prints than dye-based ones.
  • A user suggests a workaround where they buy a cheaper inkjet printer for general home use and then separately invest in a photo printer or a wide-format printer for printing stickers and other high-quality prints.
  • A user also recommends the Brother MFC-J497DW as a good all-in-one printer that is budget-friendly with a low cost per page and good print quality as well.
  • A user recommends the Epson EcoTank ET-3760 which is slightly above the budget but has a low cost of printing in the long run as it uses refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges.
  • Someone advises considering buying refurbished printers from reputable sellers to save on cost, but to ensure that they have a warranty.
  • A user suggests considering the Brother INKvestment Tank as they have a very low cost of printing and minimal cartridge replacement as well.
  • Some users mention checking for additional features such as fax machines and document feeders.
  • A user mentions that they own an HP Envy that can print on cardstock and comes with photo printing software included.
  • Someone suggests considering standalone photo printers such as the Canon Selphy if sticker printing quality is a major priority.
  • One user points out that it’s important to check the size of the printer if space is a concern.
  • A user notes that customer service and warranty are important factors to consider when purchasing a printer in the long run.

"https://www.techradar.com/best/best-cheap-printers"

List of Top cheap printer deals of 2023:

  1. Canon PIXMA TS302 (TS305 in the UK)
  • Category: Portable inkjet printer
  • Print speed: 7ppm
  • Paper capacity: 60 sheets
  • Paper size: up to A4
  • Reasons to buy: Decent inkjet quality, Practical design
  • Reasons to avoid: Few features, Combined color ink cartridge
  1. HP LaserJet Pro M15w
  • Category: Color laser printer
  • Print speed: 19ppm
  • Paper capacity: 100 sheets
  • Paper size: up to A4
  • Reasons to buy: Very small!, Tempting price
  • Reasons to avoid: No duplex printing, No display
  1. HP Deskjet 2755 (2710 in UK)
  • Category: 3-in-1 color inkjet printer
  • Print speed: 7ppm (mono)
  • Paper capacity: 60 sheets
  • Paper sizes: A4
  • Reasons to buy: Self-healing Wi-Fi, Appealing design
  • Reasons to avoid: No auto duplex, Slow to print
  1. Pantum P2200W
  • Category: Mono laser printer
  • Print speed: 22ppm
  • Paper capacity: 250 sheets
  • Paper sizes: A4
  • Reasons to buy: Fast print speed, Cheap for a laser
  • Reasons to avoid: No auto duplex, No display
  1. HP Envy Photo 7855 printer (7830 in the UK)
  • Category: All-in-one photo printer
  • Print speed: 15ppm
  • Paper capacity: 125 sheets
  • Paper size: up to A4
  • Reasons to buy: Low price, Many features
  • Reasons to avoid: Impractical design, Combined ink cartridge
  1. HP Deskjet 2130 All-in-One printer
  • Category: All-in-one printer
  • Print speed: 20ppm
  • Paper capacity: 60 sheets
  • Paper size: A4
  • Reasons to buy: Lots of features including smartphone support, Easy to install, configure, and use
  • Reasons to avoid: Can feel a little cheap at times
  1. Canon PIXMA TS702 (TS705 in the UK)
  • Category

"Printer recommendations"

  • Reddit post on r/BuyItForLife discussing budget-friendly all-in-one printers with cheap ink
  • Original post asking for printer recommendations that will last
  • Several comments recommending Brother brand laser printers
  • Users recommend specific models such as MFC-L2740DW, MFC-9330CDW, and HL-1100
  • Brother printers are suggested as a reliable option for their durability and low price
  • Several users mention that Brother sells parts for their printers and has good customer service
  • A few users talk about Epson ecotank printers as being good for color printing but report issues with ink clogging print heads
  • Users discuss problems with deep sleep mode on Brother printers and recommend disabling it
  • Some users express frustration with printer companies and the high cost of ink cartridges
  • HP printers receive negative comments in comparison to Brother brand printers
  • Users discuss methods for connecting Brother printers to WiFi and how to troubleshoot connection issues
  • A link to an Amazon list is provided with printers recommended by Reddit users
  • Several users express overall satisfaction with their Brother all-in-one laser printers
  • Some users suggest buying a used printer with a good track record over a brand new one
  • Users caution on the high cost of replacement parts for some older model printers
  • Discussions on the size and noise level of some Brother printers, with some users saying that they are on the large side
  • Users talk about the benefits of using laser printers and toner instead of inkjet printers and ink cartridges, for their affordability and longevity
  • Discussions on the need for printers for work, school, or personal use and how much to spend on a printer that will last
  • A few users offer alternative recommendations such as Canon, but Brother brand printers remain the most recommended by far with several users giving specific model numbers

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