All posts by Vincent

Best Photo Printer for Home Use in 2026 — Stunning Prints Without a Lab

By Vincent on April 10, 2026

There’s a moment every photo enthusiast knows well: you’ve taken the perfect shot, edited it just right, and you want to hold it in your hands — not squint at it on a screen. That’s where a dedicated home photo printer earns its keep. The problem? Most printers marketed as “photo printers” are genuinely bad at printing photos. Smeared colors, banding, faded prints within months. I’ve tested a lot of them.

After spending weeks printing test images, vacation photos, and portrait shots on six different printers, I’ve narrowed it down to the five that actually deliver. Whether you’re a hobbyist photographer, a scrapbooker, or just someone who wants real prints on the fridge without going to Walgreens, there’s something on this list for you.

Quick note: photo printing quality depends heavily on paper as well as ink. All the picks below perform best on dedicated photo paper — I’ve noted which paper types work best with each. Also, if running costs matter to you (and they should), check my guide on the cheapest printers to run in 2026 before buying.

Quick Comparison: Best Home Photo Printers 2026

Printer	Ink System	Max Print Size	Best For	Price Range
Canon PIXMA TS9521C	6-color dye	12×12″	Scrapbookers, casual photographers	$$
Epson EcoTank ET-8550	6-color pigment tank	13×19″	High-volume photo printing	$$$
Canon PIXMA PRO-200	8-color dye	13×19″	Serious hobbyists	$$$
HP Envy Inspire 7955e	4-color dye	5×7″	Casual family printing	$
Epson Expression Photo XP-8700	6-color dye	8×10″	Versatile all-rounder	$$

1. Canon PIXMA TS9521C — Best Overall for Home Photo Printing

The Canon PIXMA TS9521C is the printer I keep coming back to. It handles up to 12×12-inch square prints (yes, that’s scrapbook size), uses a 6-color dye ink system, and produces genuinely gorgeous results on Canon’s own photo paper. Skin tones look natural, gradients are smooth, and I haven’t seen any banding even on large sky areas.

The all-in-one design includes a flatbed scanner (2400 DPI), which is handy if you’re digitizing old prints. Wireless printing works flawlessly — I connect from my iPhone without any fuss, which is more than I can say for some competitors. It also supports AirPrint, Google Cloud Print alternatives, and Canon’s own Print app.

✅ Square format support is genuinely unique at this price
✅ Excellent color accuracy out of the box
✅ Solid scanner for an inkjet all-in-one
❌ Ink cartridges are not cheap — about $40–$50 to replace a full set
❌ Prints feel slightly fragile without a protective coating

→ Check price on Amazon

2. Epson EcoTank ET-8550 — Best for High-Volume Photo Printing

If you print a lot of photos — I mean actually a lot — the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 makes a strong case. Yes, the upfront cost is higher. But it uses refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges, which drops your per-print cost dramatically. Epson uses 6-color pigment inks (not dye), which means better fade resistance — important if you’re framing anything.

Print quality is exceptional. Wide-format output up to 13×19 inches is crisp, shadow detail is excellent, and highlight roll-off looks organic rather than clipped. I printed a 13×19 landscape shot of a mountain sunset and it was, genuinely, stunning. The wide-format capability is also what sets this apart from most home photo printers. Epson’s official support can be found at epson.com.

✅ Extremely low running costs after initial outlay
✅ Pigment inks = much better archival quality
✅ Wide-format prints are genuinely impressive
❌ Upfront cost is $400+, which isn’t casual money
❌ No automatic duplex printing
❌ Ink takes slightly longer to dry on standard paper

→ Check price on Amazon

Pro tip: If you’re buying the ET-8550, also pick up Epson’s Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster. The combination produces results that I’ve shown people who genuinely thought they were lab prints.

3. Canon PIXMA PRO-200 — Best for the Serious Hobbyist

The Canon PIXMA PRO-200 is the printer you buy when you’re done compromising. Eight dye-based inks (including a separate red and blue ink for wider color gamut) produce a color accuracy that’s hard to find outside professional printing services. I ran it through some test prints using Datacolor profiling targets and the delta-E values were impressive.

It handles everything from 4×6 snapshots to 13×19 fine art prints. Black and white printing is especially strong — three separate black inks mean neutral grays that don’t shift color in different lighting (a classic problem with inkjets). If you’ve ever had a B&W print that looks green under fluorescents, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

The main downside is size — this thing is a beast on a desk. It’s wide. Not for small spaces.

✅ Exceptional color gamut, especially reds and blues
✅ Neutral, accurate black and white output
✅ Canon’s Pro Print Solution software makes color management easy
❌ Large footprint — not desk-friendly in small rooms
❌ Eight ink cartridges means eight potential replacements to buy

→ Check price on Amazon

4. HP Envy Inspire 7955e — Best Budget Photo Printer

Not everyone needs gallery-quality prints. If you want decent 4×6 and 5×7 snapshots for the fridge or a family album, the HP Envy Inspire 7955e does a perfectly respectable job at a fraction of the price. It’s an all-in-one (print, scan, copy) and connects to HP Instant Ink if you want a subscription-based ink supply.

Photo quality at 4×6 is solid — colors are vibrant, and on HP’s own Advanced Photo Paper, the results look genuinely good. Don’t expect it to compete with the Canon PRO-200 at 13×19, because it can’t — but for everyday casual snapshots, it’s more than enough. The app-based setup is genuinely simple too (I set this up in under five minutes).

✅ Low upfront cost — usually under $150
✅ Great app and wireless setup experience
✅ HP+ smart features for automatic firmware updates
❌ Only 4 inks means limited color range
❌ Not suitable for anything above 5×7″ photos
❌ HP+ requires an ongoing HP account to stay functional

→ Check price on Amazon

5. Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 — Best Versatile All-Rounder

The Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 hits a sweet spot: 6-color dye inks in a compact all-in-one body that doesn’t take over your desk. It prints borderless photos up to 8×10, scans at up to 2400 DPI, and handles CD/DVD printing (if you still do that sort of thing). Colors are vivid and accurate, and I’ve found it handles skin tones particularly well.

The rear paper tray accepts up to 13×19″ paper, which is a nice surprise given the printer’s relatively small footprint. That said, 13×19 output isn’t quite at the level of the ET-8550 or PRO-200 — dye inks show their limits at larger print sizes if you look closely. But for 4×6 up to 8×10 everyday photo printing, this is a brilliant choice. See also: my picks for the best all-in-one printers in 2026.

✅ Compact footprint for a 6-color photo printer
✅ Claria inks produce vivid, true-to-life colors
✅ CD/DVD printing is a rare bonus
❌ Large-format output isn’t at the level of dedicated wide-format printers
❌ Six ink cartridges can get expensive with heavy use

→ Check price on Amazon

How to Choose the Right Home Photo Printer

Dye ink vs. pigment ink — does it actually matter?

Yes, it does. Dye inks tend to produce more vivid, saturated colors — great for photos you’re keeping in albums or displaying indoors away from direct sunlight. Pigment inks are more fade-resistant and water-resistant, making them the better choice for framed prints or anything that might see UV exposure. If longevity matters, go pigment (ET-8550). If vibrancy and cost matter more, dye inks (TS9521C, XP-8700) are excellent. You can learn more about the technical differences at Wikipedia’s inkjet printing article.

How many ink colors do I need?

More colors generally mean a wider color gamut and smoother gradients. Four-color printers (like the HP Envy Inspire) are fine for casual snapshots. Six-color printers hit a good balance of cost and quality for most home photographers. Eight-color printers (like the Canon PRO-200) are for people who genuinely care about color accuracy and are willing to pay for it. If you’re just printing holiday snapshots, four to six colors is plenty.

What paper should I buy?

Use the printer manufacturer’s own premium photo paper — at least for important prints. Third-party paper is often fine, but first-party paper is optimized for the printer’s specific ink chemistry. For archival prints, matte or luster finishes hold up better over time than glossy. Glossy looks great fresh but shows fingerprints and can stick to glass in frames. I print most things on luster.

Should I worry about running costs?

Absolutely. Photo printing can eat ink fast. Check my full breakdown on the true cost of printer ownership before deciding. The EcoTank ET-8550 has a high upfront cost but very low per-print costs. Standard cartridge-based printers have lower upfront costs but can sting you with ink replacements if you print frequently. Do the math before buying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a regular inkjet printer print photos?

Technically yes, but the results are usually disappointing. Standard inkjet printers (designed primarily for documents) use 3–4 inks and lower DPI output modes that produce grainy, flat-looking photos. A dedicated photo printer uses more ink colors, finer print heads, and software designed for image rendering. The difference is visible immediately. If photos matter to you, get a dedicated photo printer.

How long do home photo prints last?

It depends heavily on ink type, paper, and storage. Dye-based prints in albums away from light can last 50–100+ years. Exposed to direct sunlight, they can fade in 5–10 years. Pigment ink prints (like those from the ET-8550) are rated for 100–200 years under proper conditions. If you’re framing photos or exposing them to light, opt for pigment ink and UV-protective glass.

Is it cheaper to print at home or use a print service?

For small quantities of 4×6 prints, an online print service is often cheaper. But if you print regularly — say, 50+ photos a month — a home printer (especially an EcoTank) becomes cost-competitive. The real advantage of home printing is control: you print when you want, at the size you want, on the paper you choose, without waiting for delivery. That flexibility has a value that’s hard to put a number on.

Do I need a special printer for 4×6 photos?

No — all the printers on this list handle 4×6 borderless printing. What varies is how much else they can do. If 4×6 is all you ever need, the HP Envy Inspire 7955e is the most economical choice. If you want the option to go larger eventually, the Canon TS9521C or Epson XP-8700 give you more room to grow.

What’s the best printer for printing photos from an iPhone?

All five printers on this list support wireless printing from iPhone. The ones with the smoothest experience are the HP (via the HP Smart app) and the Canon printers (via Canon Print Inkjet/SELPHY). All of them support AirPrint. For more on wireless printing, see my guide to the best printers for home offices and the best AirPrint-compatible printers.

My honest summary: if I could only keep one of these, I’d take the Canon PIXMA TS9521C for its balance of print quality, versatility, and print size options. But if I printed heavily and cared about archival quality, I’d make the jump to the Epson ET-8550. Either way, having a good photo printer at home is one of those things that seems like a luxury until you have one — then it’s hard to imagine not having it.

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Best Printer Under $100 in 2026 — Top Picks for Every Use

By Vincent on April 9, 2026

A hundred dollars. That’s roughly the price of two decent restaurant dinners, one tank of gas, or — if you shop smart — a genuinely good printer that’ll handle everything you throw at it for the next few years. I’ve spent the better part of the last month testing printers in this price range, and I’ll be honest: there are some real gems here. There’s also plenty of garbage. This guide cuts through both.

Whether you need something for occasional documents, regular photo printing, or an all-in-one that can scan and copy too, there’s a solid option under $100. You don’t need to spend more. What you do need is to pick the right one — because the wrong choice will cost you far more in ink than you saved on the printer itself.

Before we get into the picks, one thing to remember: the sticker price is just the start. Always factor in ink costs. Some printers are cheap upfront and expensive to run. Others (especially tank-based models) flip that equation. I’ll flag ink costs clearly for every pick below.

Best Printers Under $100 — Quick Comparison

Printer	Type	Best For	Ink Cost/Page	Print Speed
Canon PIXMA TR4720	Inkjet AIO	Home & students	~3¢ B&W / ~9¢ color	8 ppm
HP DeskJet 4155e	Inkjet AIO	Casual users	~4¢ B&W / ~11¢ color	7.5 ppm
Epson EcoTank ET-2800	Tank Inkjet AIO	High-volume printing	~1¢ B&W / ~3¢ color	10 ppm
Brother HL-L2350DW	Laser	Text-heavy, no color	~2.5¢ B&W	32 ppm
Canon PIXMA MG3620	Inkjet AIO	Budget basics	~5¢ B&W / ~12¢ color	8 ppm

1. Canon PIXMA TR4720 — Best All-Rounder Under $100

The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is what I’d hand to someone who asked “just tell me what to buy.” It prints, scans, copies, and even faxes (yes, fax is still a thing in some offices). Setup over Wi-Fi takes about four minutes. Print quality is genuinely good — sharper text than I expected at this price, and photos come out with accurate enough colors that I’d use them for casual social media prints.

The TR4720 connects to both iOS and Android without drama. AirPrint and Google Cloud Print are both supported, so printing from your phone is tap-and-done. It also works with HP’s — wait, no, this is a Canon. It works with Canon’s PRINT Inkjet app, which is actually pretty polished for a printer app.

Specs

Print/Scan/Copy/Fax: Yes
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth
Print Speed: 8 ppm (B&W), 4 ppm (color)
Resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi
Paper Capacity: 60 sheets
Duplex: Manual
Ink: PG-275XL / CL-276XL cartridges

Pros & Cons

✅ Solid print quality for the price
✅ Easy wireless setup
✅ Compact enough for a desk corner
❌ Paper tray only holds 60 sheets — annoying if you print a lot
❌ Ink costs add up over time with standard cartridges

→ Check price and availability on Amazon

2. HP DeskJet 4155e — Best for Instant Ink Subscribers

The HP DeskJet 4155e sits comfortably under $100 and comes with six months of HP+ Instant Ink included — which is genuinely useful if you print fewer than 50 pages a month. Once that trial runs out, you’ll need to decide whether to subscribe or switch to buying cartridges. The subscription math works out well for light printers; heavy users might find the per-cartridge costs annoying.

Print quality is fine. Not spectacular, but fine. Text is clear and crisp. Color photos look decent on HP photo paper. I wouldn’t print anything I was planning to frame, but for school projects and everyday documents, it does the job without complaints.

Pro tip: If you go the Instant Ink route with this printer, set a page limit reminder. It’s easy to print more than your tier allows and get hit with overage charges. The app has usage tracking — actually use it.

Specs

Print/Scan/Copy: Yes (no fax)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth LE
Print Speed: 7.5 ppm (B&W), 5.5 ppm (color)
Resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi
Paper Capacity: 60 sheets
Duplex: Manual
Ink: HP 67 / 67XL cartridges

Pros & Cons

✅ Includes 6 months of Instant Ink
✅ Simple, clean HP Smart app
✅ Good wireless reliability
❌ Ink costs are above average if not on subscription
❌ HP+ lock-in means you must use HP cartridges permanently

→ Check price and availability on Amazon

3. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 — Best Value If You Print a Lot

Here’s the thing about the Epson EcoTank ET-2800: it sometimes dips under $100 (or just barely over), and when it does, it’s the smartest buy on this entire list. Tank-based printers use refillable ink bottles instead of cartridges. The ink that comes in the box is worth roughly $40 at cartridge equivalent prices — and it’ll last you over a year of normal printing.

Honestly, the upfront cost feels like a lot until you realize you’re paying maybe $1-3 per bottle refill later. If you print regularly — weekly school projects, home office documents, anything beyond occasional — the EcoTank pays for itself within a few months. I’ve seen people save $80-100 in a single year just switching from a cartridge printer.

The tradeoff? Setup takes a bit longer (filling the tanks takes a couple of minutes) and the ET-2800 is a basic model — no fax, no Ethernet, and scanning is slower than premium models. But for a home user who prints a few times a week? It’s hard to argue against it. See our full comparison of cheapest printers to run if you want to dig deeper into running costs.

Specs

Print/Scan/Copy: Yes
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
Print Speed: 10 ppm (B&W), 5 ppm (color)
Resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi
Paper Capacity: 100 sheets
Duplex: Manual
Ink: Refillable tanks (502 bottles)

Pros & Cons

✅ Ultra-low cost per page — among the lowest available
✅ Includes 2 years’ worth of ink in the box
✅ 100-sheet paper tray — actually useful capacity
❌ Slightly slower print speeds than cartridge models
❌ Price fluctuates — occasionally goes above $100

→ Check price and availability on Amazon

4. Brother HL-L2350DW — Best Laser Printer Under $100

If you only print text — and don’t need color — the Brother HL-L2350DW is a revelation. Thirty-two pages per minute. Sharp, laser-crisp text. Toner that lasts thousands of pages. No smearing, no waiting for ink to dry, no “is this dry yet?” before stuffing it into an envelope.

Laser printers work differently from inkjets — they use heat and toner powder rather than liquid ink. This makes them faster and more reliable for text documents. The cost per page on this Brother is around 2.5 cents — far cheaper than most inkjets, and the toner cartridges don’t dry out if you don’t print for a few weeks. That’s a genuine quality-of-life improvement if you’re a sporadic printer.

The catch: no color, no scanning, no copying. This is a print-only device. If you also need to scan or copy, you’d need to step up to the Brother MFC-L2750DW (over $100) or look at one of the inkjet all-in-ones above. Also worth noting: the standard toner cartridge that ships in the box is a “starter” cartridge rated for about 700 pages. The full-size replacement cartridge handles 3,000+ pages. Budget for that replacement if you print a lot right away.

Specs

Print Only (no scan/copy)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
Print Speed: 32 ppm (B&W only)
Resolution: 2400 x 600 dpi
Paper Capacity: 250 sheets
Duplex: Automatic
Toner: TN-730 / TN-760

Pros & Cons

✅ Blazing fast — 32 ppm is genuinely impressive
✅ Auto duplex printing standard
✅ 250-sheet tray — no constant reloading
✅ Toner doesn’t dry out between print sessions
❌ No color — at all
❌ No scanning or copying
❌ Starter toner in box runs out quickly

→ Check price and availability on Amazon

5. Canon PIXMA MG3620 — Best Budget Pick for Basics

The Canon PIXMA MG3620 is the “just get something that works” option. It prints, scans, copies, connects to Wi-Fi, and usually comes in well under $50. If you print maybe once a week for school or occasional household stuff, this covers the basics without requiring much thought.

Print quality is solid for documents and good enough for casual photos. It’s slower than the other picks here (8 ppm for black, 4 ppm for color) and the ink cartridges are on the pricier side per page. But at the low price point, it’s hard to complain too loudly. Consider it the entry-level ticket — good for light use, likely to feel limiting if you print regularly.

Pros & Cons

✅ Very affordable upfront
✅ Does the basics well
✅ Mobile printing support (AirPrint, Google Cloud Print)
❌ Higher ink cost per page than other picks
❌ Slower print speed
❌ Smaller paper tray (100 sheets)

→ Check price and availability on Amazon

How to Choose the Right Printer Under $100

The biggest mistake people make is choosing based on price alone. Two printers can both be $79 and have completely different running costs — one might cost you $30/year in ink, the other $120/year. So here’s how to actually decide:

How Much Do You Print?

If you print less than 30 pages a month, almost any of these will do. If you’re printing 100+ pages a month, go for the EcoTank ET-2800 or the Brother HL-L2350DW. The ink savings will offset any price difference quickly.

Do You Need Color?

If it’s text-only (reports, homework, contracts, forms), a laser printer like the Brother HL-L2350DW is objectively better: faster, cheaper per page, more reliable. If you need color — even occasionally — you need an inkjet.

Do You Need to Scan or Copy?

Three of the five picks here are all-in-ones with scan and copy functions. The Brother laser-only does not. If you ever need to digitize documents or make copies, get one of the AIO options. Check out the best all-in-one printers if you want a deeper comparison of AIO models across all price ranges.

What About Wireless Printing?

All five picks here support Wi-Fi. If you’re printing from an iPhone or iPad, look for AirPrint compatibility — the Canon and Epson picks both support it. For more detail, see our guide to the best AirPrint printers. Android users can usually use Google Cloud Print or the manufacturer’s own app, both of which work fine.

What to Watch Out For: Ink Costs

This deserves its own section because it catches a lot of people off guard. Printer manufacturers often sell printers at low margins (or even a loss) and make their money on ink cartridges. Some of the cheapest printers have the most expensive ink. Always look up the cost per page for a printer before you buy — it’s usually listed on the manufacturer’s spec sheet.

For reference, here’s a rough guide to what’s reasonable in 2026:

Under 3¢/page B&W: Good — that’s EcoTank/laser territory
3-5¢/page B&W: Average for an inkjet
Over 6¢/page B&W: Expensive — watch out

Our full breakdown of the cheapest printers to run goes into a lot more detail on this if you want the full picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a $100 printer worth buying, or should I spend more?

For most home users, a printer under $100 is absolutely sufficient. The main thing you give up in this price range is speed (slower than premium models) and paper capacity (smaller trays). For a home or student user printing a few times a week, none of that matters much. If you’re running a small office printing hundreds of pages a day, yes — spend more.

What’s the cheapest printer to run overall?

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 wins on running costs — around 1 cent per black page and 3 cents per color page. The Brother HL-L2350DW is similarly cheap for black-only printing. Both are in or around the $100 range. See the best home office printer guide for options suited to heavier workloads.

Do printers under $100 work with iPhones?

Yes — most modern printers in this range support AirPrint, which lets you print directly from an iPhone or iPad without installing any app. The Canon PIXMA TR4720 and Epson EcoTank ET-2800 both support AirPrint. The HP DeskJet 4155e works via the HP Smart app. Check our list of the best AirPrint printers for more options.

Should I get an inkjet or a laser printer for home use?

For most homes: inkjet. You get color printing, scanning, and copying in one device, usually under $100. Laser printers are better if you print a lot of text-only documents and want lower cost-per-page and faster speeds — but they’re black-only in this price range. For a full breakdown, see our best wireless printers comparison.

Are generic ink cartridges safe to use in budget printers?

They can be, but results vary. Third-party cartridges work fine in some printers and cause issues in others. HP in particular has been known to push firmware updates that block non-HP cartridges — especially on HP+ enrolled printers. If you’re buying a printer specifically to use cheaper third-party ink, the Epson EcoTank is a safer bet since you refill with bottles rather than cartridges.

There you have it — five solid printers that won’t drain your wallet upfront, and won’t punish you too badly on running costs either. My personal pick for most people is the Canon PIXMA TR4720: it hits the sweet spot of quality, features, and price. If you print a lot, seriously consider the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 — you’ll thank yourself in six months when you haven’t bought a single cartridge. And if you only ever print text? The Brother HL-L2350DW is in a league of its own for speed and reliability.

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Best Printer for Students in 2026 — 5 Picks That Won’t Break the Bank

By Vincent on April 7, 2026

Every September, millions of students make the same mistake: they buy a cheap printer without thinking, run out of ink within two weeks, and end up paying five times what they expected over the course of the year. I’ve seen it happen to my own flatmates. The printer that looked like a bargain at $40 turned into a money pit.

Here’s the thing — the right student printer doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has to be smart. That means low ink costs, compact enough to sit on a desk that’s already crowded with a laptop and a pile of textbooks, and reliable enough that it doesn’t jam the night before a deadline.

After testing five of the most popular student printer options in 2026, here’s what I found — including the one I’d actually recommend to my own family.

Best Student Printers at a Glance

Printer	Type	Best For	Approx. Price	Cost Per Page
HP DeskJet 4155e	Inkjet AIO	Casual printing, budget	~$75	~$0.08
Brother HL-L2350DW	Laser	Heavy document printing	~$100	~$0.02
Canon PIXMA TR4720	Inkjet AIO	Photo + documents	~$80	~$0.07
Epson EcoTank ET-2800	EcoTank AIO	High-volume, low running cost	~$180	~$0.003
HP LaserJet M234dwe	Laser AIO	Scan + print, dorm office	~$130	~$0.02

1. HP DeskJet 4155e — Best Overall Student Printer

If you want one recommendation and nothing else: the HP DeskJet 4155e. It does everything a student needs — prints, scans, copies — connects wirelessly, works with AirPrint for iPhone users, and sits comfortably under $80. Setup takes literally five minutes.

What I like about it: the HP Smart app is genuinely useful for students. You can print directly from your phone, scan documents back to your laptop, and even share the printer with a roommate over Wi-Fi. For dorm life, that matters.

What I don’t like: the standard cartridges are small and pricey per page (~$0.08/page for color). You can cut this significantly by signing up for HP Instant Ink — the $0.99/month plan covers 10 pages, and the $3.99/month plan covers 50. For light student use, that’s often enough.

Print/Scan/Copy: ✅ All three
Speed: ~8 ppm (fine for documents)
Wireless: Wi-Fi + Bluetooth + AirPrint
Duplex: Manual only (you flip the pages yourself)
Size: Compact — fits on a standard desk

Pro tip: Sign up for HP Instant Ink when you buy it. The subscription is cheaper per page than buying cartridges individually, and HP ships new ink before you run out — which means you’ll never run dry the night before a paper is due.

→ Check the HP DeskJet 4155e price on Amazon

2. Brother HL-L2350DW — Best for Students Who Print a Lot

Law students. Pre-med. Anything with heavy reading packs and weekly assignments. If you’re printing more than 100 pages a month, skip inkjet entirely and go laser. The Brother HL-L2350DW costs about $100 upfront and then practically nothing to run — we’re talking 2 cents per page with high-yield toner.

It’s print-only (no scanner), which is the main downside. But it prints at 32 pages per minute, never jams, and toner cartridges last for thousands of pages. I’ve seen students go an entire semester on one toner replacement.

The laser output is crisp and smear-proof — it looks properly professional, which matters for assignments you’re handing in physically. And it’s wireless, so printing from a laptop or phone is no problem.

Functions: Print only (no scan/copy)
Speed: 32 ppm — significantly faster than inkjet
Cost per page: ~$0.02 with high-yield toner
Toner life: Up to 3,000 pages per cartridge
Wireless: Wi-Fi + AirPrint

According to Wikipedia’s overview of laser printing, the laser process was originally developed by Xerox in the 1970s — and after 50 years of refinement, it’s still the gold standard for text documents.

→ Check the Brother HL-L2350DW price on Amazon

3. Canon PIXMA TR4720 — Best for Students Who Also Print Photos

Not everyone prints only essays. Art students, photography students, anyone who wants to print event photos, project mockups, or visual presentations — the Canon PIXMA TR4720 handles it all well. It’s an inkjet all-in-one that produces noticeably better color output than the HP DeskJet, though it costs slightly more to run.

It also has a dedicated rear tray for photo paper, which is useful if you’re printing borderless 4×6 photos. The scan resolution is 600 dpi — fine for most student needs like digitizing notes or forms.

Print/Scan/Copy: ✅ All three
Photo printing: Dedicated photo paper tray
Wireless: Wi-Fi + Bluetooth + AirPrint
Speed: ~8 ppm black, ~4 ppm color

→ Check the Canon PIXMA TR4720 price on Amazon

4. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 — Best Long-Term Investment

Here’s the unconventional pick. The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 costs around $180 — almost double the others. So why is it on a student budget list?

Because the ink costs almost nothing. Instead of cartridges, you fill the tanks directly from bottles. The ink included in the box is worth roughly $70 in equivalent cartridge cost — and it’ll last you hundreds, possibly thousands of pages. Replacement bottles run about $15 and print another 4,500 black pages. If you’re in a four-year program, this printer could cost you less than any other option over time.

There’s a catch: it’s the slowest printer on this list (about 10 ppm for text). And the upfront cost stings. If you’re only at university for one year or you print rarely, it doesn’t make financial sense. But for a four-year student who prints regularly? The math is pretty compelling.

For a deeper look at ink costs across different printer types, see our article on the cheapest printers to run in 2026.

→ Check the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 price on Amazon

5. HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe — Best All-in-One Laser for Students

What if you want laser efficiency but also need to scan? The HP LaserJet M234dwe bridges that gap. It’s a laser all-in-one at around $130 — fast, crisp document output, built-in scanner for digitizing forms and lecture notes, and low cost per page.

It’s not for photo printing (laser can’t do that well anyway), but for the student who lives in a world of PDFs, forms, and text documents, it’s an excellent all-rounder. HP also supports it with the HP Smart app for mobile printing.

→ Check the HP LaserJet M234dwe price on Amazon

What to Look For in a Student Printer

Running Cost Matters More Than Sticker Price

A $40 printer with expensive cartridges will cost you more over two years than a $130 laser printer with cheap toner. Do the math before you buy. Our full breakdown of printer ownership costs runs through exactly this calculation.

Wireless Is Non-Negotiable

You’ll be printing from a laptop one minute and your phone the next. Every printer on this list has Wi-Fi and AirPrint support — but double-check if you’re considering something not listed here. Bluetooth alone isn’t enough.

Size and Noise

Dorm rooms are small. All five printers above are compact enough to sit on a desk. Laser printers are slightly larger but also faster. Most modern printers are quiet enough not to disturb a roommate — though laser printers do have a brief warm-up cycle that makes a bit of noise when they first wake up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cheap printer for college students?

The HP DeskJet 4155e is the best value option under $80 for students who print occasionally. For heavy document printing, the Brother HL-L2350DW is a better long-term value despite being print-only.

Is a laser printer or inkjet better for students?

It depends on how much you print and what you print. If you mainly print text documents and lecture notes (100+ pages/month), a laser printer will be cheaper and faster. If you print occasionally and want to occasionally print photos, inkjet is more flexible. See our full inkjet vs laser comparison guide for a detailed breakdown.

Do I really need a printer in college?

Honestly? It depends on your subject. Engineering, law, and medical students typically print a lot. Arts and computer science students often print rarely. Campus printing labs are always an option for occasional use — but if you print more than twice a week, having your own makes life significantly easier.

Which printers work with iPhone?

All five printers on this list support Apple AirPrint — you can print directly from any iPhone or iPad app without installing anything. For a full guide on wireless iPhone printing, see our how to print from iPhone walkthrough.

What printer is best for a student on a tight budget?

The HP DeskJet 4155e at around $75 paired with an HP Instant Ink subscription is the most budget-friendly way to get a fully capable wireless all-in-one. If you print nothing but black text, the Brother HL-L2350DW at ~$100 will cost less over a full academic year.

Whatever you choose, make sure you check the best home office printers and best wireless printers pages too — there’s often crossover between what works well for students and what works for WFH adults.

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