A reliable printer is a must-have for any home office or small business. Even if you‘re on a tight budget, there are high-quality printers available for under $200. But with so many models on the market, how do you know which one is right for you?
In this comprehensive buyer‘s guide, we cover everything you should know before purchasing an affordable printer, including:
- Key factors to consider like print speed, resolution, connectivity, and costs
- Pros and cons of inkjet vs. laser printing technologies
- Our top 5 picks for the best printers under $200
- Responses to common questions about setup, use, and maintenance
- Tips for scoring the best deals on budget printers
Plus, we share our first-hand experiences and insights after testing all kinds of affordable home printers over the years. Read on to find your perfect match!
How to Choose the Best Budget Printer: A Step-By-Step Guide
With new printers constantly entering the market, the options can quickly become overwhelming. These steps help simplify the selection process so you get the most value from your printer purchase:
Step 1: Determine Your Printing Needs
Consider what types of documents and images you‘ll print most. Are you printing mostly text-based black and white documents? Color photos and marketing materials? At what volume? Defining your exact needs is key to determining whether you require a basic inkjet, color photo printer, all-in-one model, etc. Understanding the features that matter most to your use case will help narrow your options.
Step 2: Set Your Budget
Typically under $100 printers have the basics, $100-150 have more advanced functionality, and $150-200 premium features. Knowing your budget upfront keeps options realistic and affordable.
Step 3: Compare Print Technologies
The two main types are inkjet and laser:
- Inkjet: Better for occasional home use printing photos or color graphics in addition to documents. Cartridges are affordable but must be replaced often.
- Laser: Great for high volume, mostly text printing. Toner is more expensive upfront but efficient over long term. No smearing issues.
Step 4: Consider Connectivity
Most affordable printers today have wireless connectivity standard, allowing printing from anywhere in your home WiFi network. Many also offer WiFi Direct, Apple Airprint, Bluetooth, and more for mobile device printing flexibility.
Step 5: Research Running Costs
The printer‘s purchase price isn‘t the only expense—ink and toner refills are ongoing costs. Calculate cost per page estimates based on model specs to anticipate long term budgets.
Step 6: Check Reviews
Hands-on reviews reveal actual owner experiences for print quality, speed, setup issues, and more. They also highlight strengths and weaknesses helping match models to your needs.
Overall, identifying exactly how you expect to use an affordable printer day to day makes selecting the right one much easier!
Inkjet vs Laser Printers: Key Differences
Understanding the technology inside your printer brings realistic expectations for performance and results. Here’s an overview of how inkjet and laser printers compare:
Inkjet Printers
Best for: Photos, color graphics, occasional home office use
- How they work: Nozzle jets spray microscopic ink droplets onto paper to build an image
- Benefits: Affordable purchase price, excellent graphics/photo quality
- Downsides: Slower print speeds, frequent cartridge replacements
Laser Printers
Best for: High volume, text-based black and white document printing
- How they work: Toner powder is statically charged then heat-fused to print pages
- Benefits: Fast print speeds, lower long term supply costs, crisp text
- Downsides: Pricier upfront, not ideal for glossy photo paper
For most home users looking for an affordable printer, inkjet models provide the best balance of price, performance and feature set. But for printing mainly documents, laser can be a smarter long term investment.
The 5 Best Printers Under $200 in 2023
After extensive research comparing over 50 affordable printer options across major brands, these 5 models rise above the competition to earn our top recommendations:
1. Canon PIXMA MG3620 – Best All-Around
Key Specs
- Print Technology: Inkjet
- Print Speed: 9.9 ipm black, 5.7 ipm color
- Print Resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi
- Paper Support: Letter, legal, 4”x6” photo
- Connectivity: WiFi, WiFi Direct, USB
Canon’s PIXMA MG3620 impresses on all fronts from print quality, speed, and functionality down to a very wallet-friendly price around $100. It produces vibrant color graphics and photos while also tackling daily document printing.
Convenient wireless mobile and computer connectivity allow easy printing from anywhere in your home. Intuitive set up walks you through installing ink cartridges and connecting devices via Canon’s excellent PRINT app. An integrated 20-sheet auto feeder speeds up document print jobs. Plus, print costs stay low thanks to individually replaceable ink tanks.
For versatile daily printing needs at home without breaking the bank, the Canon PIXMA MG3620 excels across the board.
Pros
- Excellent print quality
- Built-in scanner/copier
- Auto document feeder
- Low ink costs
- Reliable brand reputation
Cons
- Slightly slower than laser printers
- Lacks Ethernet port
Ideal For: Home office printing documents, photos, web pages & more
2. HP DeskJet 2723e – Most Affordable
Key Specs
- Print Technology: Inkjet
- Print Speed: 7.5 ipm black, 5.5 ipm color
- Print Resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi optimized
- Paper Support: Letter, legal, 4”x6” photo, envelopes
- Connectivity: WiFi, WiFi Direct, USB, Ethernet
It’s hard to beat the value offered by HP’s DeskJet 2723e wireless all-in-one printer. For well under $100, you get fast duplex printing, scanning and copying abilities, plus crisp image and graphics quality. One of the most affordable printers out there, the 2723e saves you money without skimping on features.
Convenient mobile printing options allow sending print jobs from your smartphone or tablet from anywhere. Quick setup helps you start printing in minutes with easy cartridge installation and wireless connectivity. An intuitive touch interface panel makes walk-up tasks like copying a breeze too.
For budget home office versatility, the HP DeskJet 2723e packs impressive performance into a very wallet-friendly package.
Pros
- Extremely affordable purchase price
- Automatic 2-sided printing
- Touchscreen interface
- Mobile printing options
Cons
- Slightly slower speeds
- Higher ink costs over time
Ideal For: Cost-focused shoppers needing home office printer
3. Brother HL-L2395DW – Best Monochrome Laser
Key Specs
- Print Technology: Laser monochrome
- Print Speed: 32ppm
- Print Resolution: 2400 x 600 dpi
- Paper Support: Letter, legal, ledger, envelopes
- Connectivity: WiFi, WiFi Direct, Ethernet, USB
Brother’s HL-L2395DW monochrome laser printer puts impressive speed and efficiency into a reasonably priced package. Utilizing laser technology, it zips through document printing up to 32 pages per minute. The 250-sheet capacity tray means less reloading too.
Crisp, professional black text makes this printer well suited for heavy office use. It can handle everything from contracts and handouts to invoices and mailing labels. Integrated duplex printing allows easy creation of double-sided documents as well.
For medium to high volume document printing, the HL-L2395DW brings workhorse printer capability without the typical high laser price.
Pros
- Blazing 32ppm print speeds
- Lower supply costs
- Reliable high duty cycle
- Auto 2-sided printing
Cons
- Only prints in black and white
- Lacks scanner/copier functions
Ideal For: Business or home office users printing high volumes of text-based documents
4. Epson Expression Home XP-4100 – Best for Photos
Key Specs
- Print Technology: Inkjet
- Print Speed: 10 ipm black, 4.5 ipm color
- Print Resolution: 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi
- Paper Support: Letter, legal, 4”x6”, 5”x7”, 8”x10” photo
- Connectivity: WiFi, WiFi Direct, Ethernet, USB
Serious photo buffs need look no further than Epson’s Expression Home XP-4100 printer. With 6 individual ink cartridges including light cyan and light magenta, this printer provides amazing photo print quality. Vibrant, true-to-life colors and sharp detail make images practically jump off the page.
The auto-opening front tray neatly controls speciality paper like glossy photo sheets or envelopes. Convenient wireless connectivity makes printing from smartphones, laptops and more a breeze. Duplex printing also helps save paper when creating albums, scrapbooks or frames.
For photography enthusiasts without a professional-grade budget, the XP-4100 delivers stunning photo output at under $200.
Pros
- Spectacular photo print quality
- Individual ink cartridges
- Accommodates various paper types
- Affordable photo printing solution
Cons
- Slower document text printing
- Ink costs add up for high volume non-photo use
Ideal For: Photographers wanting affordable home photo printing
5. Canon PIXMA TR4520 – Best for Crafting
Key Specs
- Print Technology: Inkjet
- Print Speed: 8.8 ipm black, 4.4 ipm color
- Print Resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi
- Paper Support: Letter, legal, 8.5”x11”, envelopes, cardstock
- Connectivity: WiFi, WiFi Direct, USB
Crafters rejoice! Canon’s PIXMA TR4520 wireless printer handles everything from scrapbook paper to poster boards with ease. Its 150-sheet tray has no trouble managing heavier cardstock up to 110 lb. Plus the 20-sheet rear specialty tray neatly controls envelopes or small photos without mixing media.
Vivid dyes deliver eye-catching color projects and borderless photos. Convenient wireless options let you print directly from iOS/Android smart devices too using Canon’s intuitive PRINT app. For avid scrapbookers or craft business owners, the TR4520 brings excellent print quality without breaking delicate budgets.
Pros
- Handles wide variety of paper types
- Crisp color photo printing
- Rear tray prevents media mismatches
- Easy wireless mobile printing
Cons
- Slower print speeds
- Lacks auto document feeder
Ideal For: Crafters, scrapbookers, card makers and more
Still Have Questions? See Our FAQs:
Q: Are cheaper printers more likely to break down?
Like most electronics, affordable printers may not have the longevity of commercial-grade models, but regular maintenance goes a long way. Following tips to clean and store properly when not in use can significantly extend a printer‘s useful life. Reputable brands also back their cheaper models with at least 1 year warranties protecting your purchase.
Q: How much do replacement ink cartridges typically cost?
Ink and toner costs vary widely between brands, individual cartridge capacities, and print quality settings used. However, as a general rule for affordable home printers, replacement ink cartridge sets range from $30-$60. High-yield options offer better value but can still top $100+. Daily printing habits significantly impact ongoing supply budgets.
Q: What if I need to print from my phone?
Most modern printers include wireless connectivity allowing printing directly from mobile Apple or Android devices. This flexibility really maximizes the options for completing print jobs anywhere in your home office network. Be sure to verify mobile OS compatibility before purchasing as some printer brands are more universally supported.
Q: Do affordable printers have scanning/copying too?
Multifunction capabilities like copying and scanning depend on the printer model selected rather than price point. There are definitely choices offering all-in-one functionality at under $200 price points. This versatility makes a strong case for spending a few extra dollars to incorporate additional ways your printer simplifies daily tasks.
Q: Can I get by with a black and white only printer?
If you‘ll be printing primarily text-based documents, black and white output may suit your needs just fine. Opting for an affordable monochrome laser printer concentrates spending on speed and efficiency specifically for document handling. But if color graphics, photos or other media are part of anticipated print jobs, the limitations become problematic very quickly. Carefully consider whether grayscale satisfies before ruling out color printing.
Get the Best Affordable Printer Deals
Don‘t pay full retail if you don‘t have to! Using these printer deal-hunting tips can save you big:
- Check sales holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day
- Set email alerts for price drops on specific models
- Look for printer + ink bundle deals vs standalone units
- Consider manufacturer refurbs with partial warranties
- Verify vendor return policies provide a safety net
Finding an excellent printer without blowing your budget takes research. But identifying the features and performance truly needed for your uses makes sorting options much simpler. We hope this guide and top recommendations help you seek out the perfect affordable model! Let us know if you have any other questions.
