As modern technology evolves and breakthroughs are made, technology becomes cheaper and more affordable. But is cheaper always better?
Whether you’re a student printing assignments, a professional needing hard copies and duplicates, or a photographer entering the world of physical prints. A good printer is invaluable. However, finding the best cheap printer isn’t always as clear as hoped. In this blog, we’ll explore the best cheap printers of 2026 and help you make an informed decision.
Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Cheap Printer
Before heading into our top picks, it’s important to know how we’ve evaluated these printers and the factors to ensure
All printers on this list are budget-friendly, costing at the lower end of their respective category.
Even the best cheap printers need a high print quality. Rest assured knowing every printer in this list is tested to have crisp and clear results for documents and photos.
All of our best cheap printers include an array of features suited to their needs.
It’s easy enough to take an informed decision from us (The professionals), but the best printers are defined by the users. We’ve taken real user feedback into account, ensuring that our best cheap printers have a track record of satisfying customers.
Best Cheap Printers 2026
Best Cheap Printer For Home Use: Epson WorkForce WF-2930DWF
Specifications:
- Print, Scan, Copy & Fax
- USB, Network & Wireless Connectivity
- 30ppm Print Speed
- 2400 x 600dpi Print Quality
- Duplex Printing
- 250 Sheet Paper Tray
- Automatic 2-Sided Printing
Reasons To Buy:
- Under £80 Incl. VAT
- Simple To Use
- 30 Sheet ADF
Reasons To Avoid:
- No Double Sided Scanning
Best Cheap Colour Laser Printer: Canon i-SENSYS MF644CDW
Specifications:
- Print, Scan & Copy
- USB, Network & Wireless connectivity
- Up To 25 ppm Print Speed
- Good print quality of 1200 x 1200dpi
- Auto 2-Sided Print, Scan & Copy
- 250 Sheet Paper Tray
Reasons To Buy:
- Under £290 inc. VAT
- Good print quality
- Multiple connectivity options
- Duplex print, copy & scan capability
- Long-lasting toner cartridges
- Reasonable Running Costs
Reasons To Avoid
- Large size
Best Cheap Inkjet Printer: HP DeskJet 2810e
Specifications:
- Print, Scan & Copy
- USB & Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Up To 20ppm Print Speed
- Good Print Quality of 4,800 x 1,200 dpi
- 60 Sheet Paper Tray
- HP+ Enabled
Reasons To Buy:
- £60 Incl. VAT
- Wireless connectivity options
- Small size
- HP+ Enabled
Reasons To Avoid
- Small paper tray
Best Cheap Photo Printer: Canon PIXMA iX6850
Specifications:
- Print Only
- USB, Network & WiFi Connectivity
- Printing Speed Of 14.5ppm
- 9600 x 2400 DPI Print Quality
- 150 Sheet Paper Tray
- Print Up To 300gsm
Reasons To Buy:
- Under £210 incl. VAT
- Print On Card Up To 300gsm
- Brilliant Print Quality
- 4 Dye-Based Inks & Pigment Black
- Reasonable Photo Print Costs
Reasons To Avoid
- No 2-Sided Printing
Best Cheap HP Printer: HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e
Specifications:
- Print, Scan & Copy
- USB, Network & Wifi Connectivity
- 29ppm Print Speed
- 1200 x 1200 DPI Print Quality
- Automatic 2-Sided Printing
- Includes HP+
Reasons To Buy:
- Under £130 incl. VAT
- Small Size
- High-Quality Security
- 3 Months HP Instant Ink Included
Reasons To Avoid
- Expensive To Run Without Instant Ink
Best Cheap Canon Printer: Canon PIXMA TS3750i
Specifications:
- Print, Scan & Copy
- USB & Wireless Connectivity
- 7 PPM Print Speed
- Excellent print quality of 4800 x 1200 dpi
- 60 Sheet Paper Tray
Reasons To Buy:
- Under £60 incl. VAT
- Cheap Home Printer
- Basic & Simple To Use
Reasons To Avoid:
- Tri-Colour Ink Cartridges Can Be Expensive To Run
Best Cheap Label Printer: Brother QL-700
Specifications:
- Print Up To 62mm Wide
- USB Connectivity
- Automatic Cutter
- 300 x 600 DPI Print Quality
Reasons To Buy:
- Under £80 incl. VAT
- Cheap To Run
- Easy To Use & Setup
- Wide Variety Of Label Rolls
Reasons to Avoid:
- Doesn’t Print 6×4″ Shipping Labels
- USB Connectivity Only
Verdict
These are the best cheap printers from Printerbase for 2026. Our top recommendations for all users, including home and shared offices.
There isn’t a top recommendation overall, due to the different needs of all users but for more advice, or help choosing the best printer for your needs, our sales team will be happy to assist!
Want to see our top printer picks for 2026? Read our “Best Printers” blog post.
FAQ’s
What Should I Look For When Choosing A Cheap Printer?
When choosing a budget-friendly printer, consider print quality (DPI), print speed (PPM), connectivity (USB/Network/WiFi), running costs and whether you need a multifunction printer for scanning and copying.
Are Cheap Printers Worth Buying?
Yes, if they meet your print volume and quality needs. For occasional home use, or student assignments, a cheap printer with basic functions can be a cost-effective choice. However, cheap models often have higher ink costs and fewer features compared to more expensive printers.
Should I Buy an Inkjet or Laser Printer on a Budget?
Inkjet printers typically cost less upfront and are better for photo printing and occasional colour printing. Budget laser printers can cost more initially but usually have a lower cost-per-page and are more reliable for frequent text printing
What's the Cheapest Way To Print Regularly at Home?
If you print a lot, consider a laser printer, or an inkjet ink tank (Such as the Epson EcoTank, or Canon G Series), these are more expensive to purchase upfront, but have a much lower cost-per-page which saves money in the long run.
Do Budget Printers Support Wireless Printing?
Most cheap printers include WiFi or mobile printing support, letting you print directly from smartphones or tablets. Always remember to check connectivity specs if this is important to you
Can Cheap Printers Print Photos?
Yes, there are affordable photo-capable printers with good DPI and colour quality. However, a dedicated photo printer will still offer better results than a basic, cheaper printer.
Are Cheap Printers Reliable?
Yes, even budget printers are reliable for casual and moderate use. As long as the printer is properly looked after and cleaned, the printer could last for years.
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