Buying a printer in 2026 shouldn't be hard — but it still is. Between misleading specs, hidden ink costs, and the sheer number of options, most people end up overpaying for a printer that frustrates them within six months. We tested 23 models across six categories to make this simple: here's what to buy, and why.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
After more than 300 hours of testing across home offices, small businesses, and photography studios, three models rose to the top. The Brother HL-L2350DW is our overall winner — fast, reliable, and cheaper to run than almost anything else at this price. For ink-heavy households, the Epson EcoTank ET-4850 pays for itself in about eight months. And for anyone who just needs something that works under $100, the HP DeskJet 4155e gets it done without fuss.
#1 Best Overall: Brother HL-L2350DW
Why we love it: The Brother HL-L2350DW has been our top recommendation for document printing for three years running — and it keeps earning that spot. It prints 32 pages per minute without any warm-up time, handles auto-duplex printing with zero fuss, and uses toner that costs pennies per page. This is the printer you set up on a Tuesday and don't think about again until the toner runs low — which, at 1,200 pages per standard cartridge (up to 3,000 with the high-yield option), won't be for a while.
Pros
- Fast 32ppm output with no warm-up delay
- Automatic two-sided printing saves paper
- Toner cost is among the lowest per page
- Compact — fits on a desk corner easily
Cons
- Black & white only — no color
- No scan or copy function (printer only)
Specs
| Print speed | Up to 32ppm (black & white) |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 2400 × 600 dpi |
| Monthly duty cycle | Up to 15,000 pages |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, mobile printing |
| Paper capacity | 250-sheet input tray |
| Dimensions | 14.0 × 14.2 × 7.2 in |
| Weight | 15.2 lbs |
Our top pick for documents & everyday use
Prices update frequently — check Amazon for the latest deal on the HL-L2350DW.
Check current price → Need print + scan? Compare all-in-ones →#2 Best Ink Savings: Epson EcoTank ET-4850
Why we love it: The EcoTank ET-4850 breaks the traditional cartridge model entirely. Instead of expensive disposable ink cartridges, it uses large refillable tanks that hold enough ink for thousands of pages. Epson includes ink in the box that's equivalent to roughly 90 standard cartridges — covering most households for nearly two years before a refill is needed. When you do refill, a $15 bottle of Epson ink replaces what you'd otherwise spend $45 on in cartridges.
Pros
- Enormous ink tanks — up to 2 years included
- Full AIO: print, scan, copy, fax, ADF
- Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity
- Excellent value over a 3–4 year period
Cons
- Higher upfront cost (~$249)
- Slower than laser for high-volume jobs
Specs
| Print speed | 15ppm black / 8ppm color |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 4800 × 1200 dpi |
| Monthly duty cycle | Up to 14,000 pages |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, mobile printing |
| ADF capacity | 35-sheet automatic document feeder |
| Dimensions | 14.8 × 20.9 × 14.6 in |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs |
#3 Best Budget: HP DeskJet 4155e
Why we love it: The HP DeskJet 4155e is exactly what most light home users actually need. It prints, scans, and copies — wirelessly, from any device on your network. Setup takes less than five minutes. The included six months of HP Instant Ink means you won't spend anything on ink for the first half-year. It's not the fastest, and the ink costs more per page than our other picks, but for someone printing fewer than 50 pages a month, none of that matters much.
Pros
- Under $100 upfront — lowest barrier to entry
- Print, scan, copy + wireless from phone/tablet
- 6 months free Instant Ink included
- Easy setup — even for non-tech users
Cons
- Higher ink cost per page after trial ends
- Slow print speed (8ppm) frustrates heavy users
Specs
| Print speed | 8.5ppm black / 5.5ppm color |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 4800 × 1200 dpi (color) |
| Monthly duty cycle | Up to 1,000 pages |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB, HP+ cloud, Bluetooth |
| Functions | Print, scan, copy |
| Dimensions | 17.1 × 14.6 × 7.5 in |
| Weight | 10.3 lbs |
How We Test Printers
Every printer we review goes through the same process. We don't rely on manufacturer spec sheets — we measure it ourselves.
Real-World Printing
500+ pages across document types, photos, and mixed media.
Cost Measurement
We calculate actual cost-per-page using OEM and third-party inks.
Speed Testing
Timed from cold start to first page and sustained print speeds.
Long-Term Tracking
We track reliability issues over 6–12 months of use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest printer to buy ink for?
The Epson EcoTank series offers the cheapest ink cost per page of any consumer printer. The ET-4850 costs around $0.003 per page for black and $0.01 per page for color — compared to $0.05–$0.15 for many standard inkjet printers. For black-and-white-only printing, laser printers like the Brother HL-L2350DW are also extremely competitive at $0.02–$0.03 per page. See our full cheapest ink per page comparison →
Is laser or inkjet better for home use?
It depends on what you print. For documents and text, laser wins — it's faster, cheaper per page, and toner never dries out between uses. For photos and color graphics, inkjet is better, especially with a 6-color ink system. Most households that print primarily documents and occasionally photos will be happiest with a quality all-in-one inkjet like the Epson EcoTank ET-4850, which balances both well.
Which printer brand is most reliable?
Brother consistently ranks highest for reliability in consumer surveys and long-term testing. Their laser printers in particular have excellent track records for running 5+ years without major issues. Epson's EcoTank line is also highly reliable when properly maintained. HP and Canon make good printers but have more variable reliability depending on the specific model — research any specific model before buying.
What does "all-in-one" mean for a printer?
An "all-in-one" (AIO) printer includes at least printing and scanning in one unit, and usually copying too. Higher-end AIOs also include faxing and an automatic document feeder (ADF) that lets you scan multi-page documents without manually flipping pages. If you ever need to scan anything — contracts, forms, school documents — an AIO is worth the extra $30–$50 over a single-function printer.
How many pages does a printer cartridge last?
Standard inkjet cartridges typically yield 150–300 pages. High-yield XL cartridges yield 400–800 pages. Laser toner cartridges typically yield 1,000–3,000 pages for standard cartridges, and up to 8,000+ for high-yield options. EcoTank ink bottle refills yield 7,500 pages (black) and 6,000 pages (color). Always check the ISO-rated page yield on the manufacturer's website — marketing page counts can be inflated.
About this review: PrinterStores.com is reader-supported. Affiliate links on this page may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Our rankings are never influenced by manufacturers or advertisers. All prices were verified at time of publication — check Amazon for current pricing.