The quest for an affordable printer often feels like navigating a maze. With countless models flooding the market, all promising convenience and value, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. If you’re here, chances are you’re looking for a reliable printing solution without breaking the bank, ideally under the $100 mark. But the true cost of a printer extends far beyond its initial purchase price, especially in the budget category. Over the past year, extensive testing of more than 20 printers in this price range has revealed crucial insights into what truly makes a printer a worthwhile investment.
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This guide aims to distill that knowledge, helping you cut through the marketing noise and make an informed decision. We’ll explore the different types of printers, the hidden costs associated with them, common traps to avoid, and finally, recommend the best options for various needs.
Understanding Your Printing Needs: Laser vs. Inkjet
Before diving into specific models, the most fundamental question to ask yourself is: what will you primarily use the printer for? Your answer dictates whether a laser or inkjet printer is the right fit, significantly impacting both short-term convenience and long-term costs.
When to Choose a Laser Printer
If your printing habits predominantly involve black and white text documents, a laser printer is almost always the superior choice. Laser printers excel in:
- Speed
- Crisp text quality
- Long-term cost-effectiveness per page
While new laser printers rarely retail for under $100, sales events (like Boxing Day or Prime Day) can sometimes bring them into this budget. Even if you have to stretch your budget slightly, the initial investment often pays off quickly through significantly cheaper toner costs compared to inkjet cartridges.
A top recommendation in this category, often found near the $100-120 mark, is the Brother HL-L2450DW. This model is renowned for its reliability and low cost of ownership. It can sometimes be found for as low as $99.
Another excellent strategy for acquiring an affordable laser printer is to explore the used market. Platforms like:
- Craigslist
- Facebook Marketplace
These often feature older Brother laser printers for under $50. Unlike many used budget inkjet printers, these older Brother models are workhorses, known to last a decade or more with minimal maintenance, making them an exception to the “avoid used budget printers” rule.
The HP LaserJet M110w is another strong contender, frequently on sale for $100. While a solid printer, the Brother models generally offer a more robust overall experience and potentially cheaper toner depending on your region.
When to Choose an Inkjet Printer
For those who need to print in color – be it graphics, photos, or occasional vibrant documents – an inkjet printer is your only option in this price range. Inkjet printers are versatile, capable of producing good quality text and impressive color output.
However, they come with a significant caveat: print head clogging.
- Most budget inkjet printers integrate the print head directly into the ink cartridge.
- This means if you go extended periods without printing and the ink dries, you’re forced to replace the entire cartridge, which can be a costly waste if there’s still unused ink.
This design, while convenient in some ways, contributes to higher long-term operating costs.
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The True Cost of Budget Printing: Beyond the Initial Price Tag
Manufacturers often sell printers at or even below cost, especially in the budget segment. Their true business model revolves around selling consumables – the ink cartridges. Understanding this dynamic is key to making a genuinely cost-effective choice.
The Ink Cartridge Business Model
Printer companies like Canon, HP, Epson, and Brother operate on a “razor and blades” model:
- The printer = the razor, sold cheaply to get you invested.
- The cartridges = the blades, where they generate substantial profit margins.
A cartridge that costs pennies to produce can sell for $20-$30, leading to a highly profitable revenue stream. This means that a printer with a low initial price tag might end up being far more expensive to operate over its lifetime.
Long-Term Ink Costs: Case Studies
Let’s illustrate this with real-world examples, comparing initial printer costs with the expense of printing just 400 pages.
Inkjet Example 1: Brother MFC-J1010DW
- Initial Printer Cost: $80
- Ink Cartridges for 200 pages (CMY LC401 pack: $25; Black LC401: $14)
- To print 400 pages: $80 (printer) + $25 (CMY) + $25 (CMY) + $14 (Black) + $14 (Black) = $158 total
This printer offers individual color cartridges, which is a significant advantage as you only replace the specific color that runs out, minimizing waste.
Inkjet Example 2: HP DeskJet 2755e
- Initial Printer Cost: $50 (very cheap)
- Ink Cartridges (HP 67 pack – Black & Tri-color: $35 for ~115 pages)
- To print 400 pages: $50 (printer) + $35 (ink) + $35 (ink) + $35 (ink) + $16 (partial ink) = $171 total
Despite being half the price of the Brother upfront, the HP DeskJet 2755e costs more to print the same 400 pages due to its more expensive and less efficient combined color cartridge system, which results in more ink waste.
Laser Printer Cost Analysis: Brother HL-L2450DW
- Initial Printer Cost: $120 (slightly over budget, but worth considering)
- Genuine Toner (TN830): $50 for 1,200 pages
- To print 400 pages: $120 (printer) + $17 (one-third of toner cost) = $137 total
This comparison clearly demonstrates that even with a higher initial purchase price, a laser printer like the Brother HL-L2450DW can be significantly cheaper to operate in the long run than many budget inkjet options.
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Pitfalls to Avoid When Buying a Budget Printer
Beyond the raw cost analysis, there are certain practices and purchasing decisions that can lead to frustration and unnecessary expenses.
The HP Instant Ink Subscription Trap
Many printer manufacturers now offer subscription-based ink programs, where you pay a monthly fee for a certain number of pages, and ink is shipped to you. While the basic concept seems convenient, HP’s Instant Ink program carries a particularly concerning detail:
- If you cancel your subscription, your printer may no longer accept aftermarket (non-HP brand) ink cartridges.
- Worse, it often restricts the use of even official HP cartridges that you might purchase separately.
This essentially forces you to remain subscribed or be limited to expensive original cartridges. It’s crucial to read the fine print before opting into such programs.
Buying a Printer You Don’t Need
Sometimes, the most cost-effective solution is not to buy a printer at all. If you only print a handful of pages (e.g., 5-10 sheets) per month, purchasing, maintaining, and supplying a home printer can be an unnecessary burden.
Consider these alternatives:
- Public Libraries: Many libraries offer printing services for a nominal fee, often as low as 25 cents per page.
- University Campuses: If you live near a university, their printing facilities are usually accessible and affordable.
- Work/Office: If permitted, printing essential documents at your workplace can be a viable option.
These alternatives eliminate the initial printer cost, the worry of ink drying out, and the ongoing expense of cartridges, making financial sense for very low-volume users.
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Top Picks: Best Printers Under $100 (and a Little Over)
Based on comprehensive testing and the cost considerations discussed, here are the top recommendations across different categories.
Best Laser Printer (If You Can Stretch Your Budget Slightly)
As noted, new laser printers under $100 are rare but pop up on sale. If you can extend your budget to $120, the longevity and low running costs make it a smart move.
- Winner: Brother HL-L2450DW / HL-L2400D
- The ‘W’ model includes Wi-Fi but lacks automatic duplex (double-sided) printing.
- The ‘D’ model has duplex but no Wi-Fi.
- Both are exceptionally reliable and become cheaper to run after just a few months compared to many inkjets.
- Runner-up: HP LaserJet M110w
- Compact and capable, often found for $100.
- Great option if desk space is limited.
- Toner costs can sometimes be higher than Brother’s, depending on your location.
- Best Budget Option:
- Check Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for used Brother laser printers.
- Often found for around $50, these are incredible deals for a printer that can last many more years.
Best Compact Inkjet Printer
For those with limited desk space, these models offer a small footprint without sacrificing too much quality.
- Winner: HP DeskJet 3755
- Arguably the smallest all-in-one printer available.
- Includes a scanner, though with an awkward feed-through design best for occasional use.
- Compact size comes with higher per-page ink costs due to expensive, low-yield cartridges.
- Runner-up: Canon Pixma TS2525
- Slightly larger, but offers a traditional flatbed scanner.
- Better for frequent scanning.
- Matches HP in print quality.
Best All-Around Inkjet Printer Under $100
If you need color printing, scanning, and copying, and want the best balance of features and reasonable running costs within the budget, this is the top pick.
- Winner: Brother MFC-J1010DW
- Around $80.
- Features: Wi-Fi, user-friendly control panel with screen, automatic document feeder (ADF), flatbed scanner, and even fax.
- Key advantage: uses four individual ink cartridges, so you only replace the specific color that runs out.
- Runner-up: Epson Expression Home XP-5200
- Excellent usability with a clear screen and intuitive interface.
- Solid all-around performance for a budget inkjet.
- Lacks the ADF found on the Brother MFC-J1010DW.
A Note on Print Quality
You might notice that print quality hasn’t been a primary differentiating factor in these recommendations. This is largely because most printers under $100, particularly inkjets, offer comparable resolution and quality for everyday tasks.
Laser printers, while excellent for text, print at a slightly lower resolution and are not ideal for photographic prints, though black and white photos can look decent. For budget inkjets, minor differences in color fidelity or sharpness often require side-by-side comparisons to discern, and all recommended options provide more than adequate quality for standard documents, graphics, and casual photos.
“Read Also: Best Laser Printers“
Conclusion: Best Printers Under $100
Choosing the best printer under $100 is less about finding a single perfect model and more about aligning the printer’s capabilities with your specific needs and understanding the true cost of ownership.
- For consistent black and white text, stretching your budget slightly for a laser printer like the Brother HL-L2450DW will save you money and headaches in the long run.
- If color printing is a must, the Brother MFC-J1010DW offers the best value and features, thanks to its individual ink cartridges.
- For extreme space constraints, the HP DeskJet 3755 is an option, albeit with higher running costs.
- Always consider alternatives for very low-volume printing.
- Be wary of restrictive ink subscription programs.
By applying these insights, you can confidently select a budget-friendly printer that serves you well for years to come.
Sophia Oliver is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in technology reviews, delivering in-depth and unbiased insights into the latest gadgets, devices, and software. Her content helps readers stay up-to-date with the rapidly evolving tech world.
Sophia’s reviews are known for their clarity and balance, offering both pros and cons to give readers a full picture before making a purchase. She covers smartphones, laptops, smart home devices, wearables, and emerging tech products.
Her mission is to simplify technology for everyday users, while also offering valuable insights for tech enthusiasts who seek detailed performance analysis. Sophia’s work inspires confidence in readers to make informed choices in a fast-paced digital marketplace.