Is your desk cluttered with a separate printer, scanner, and copier? Do you dream of one machine that handles everything without emptying your wallet? Many people face this challenge. Finding a budget-friendly, all-in-one printer seems tough. You want good quality, but the prices can scare you away. You worry about hidden ink costs or slow performance.
It feels overwhelming to compare features and read endless reviews. We understand that frustration! That is why we created this guide. We cut through the noise to show you the best budget all-in-one printers available right now. You will learn which models offer the best value for printing, scanning, and copying.
Keep reading to discover our top picks and essential buying tips. We will help you find the perfect machine that fits your needs and your budget perfectly. Let’s dive into how to get maximum function for minimum cost!
Top Budget All In One Printer Recommendations
- Print at home like a Pro.
- Reliable technology uniquely built to work at home.
- Print from your couch with the best print app.
- Always be ready to print. Never run out of ink.
- BEST FOR HOME AND HOME OFFICE: Get all your work done with an all-in-one multifunction printer. Print, copy, and scan on one compact printer for home use and home offices. Brother inkjet printers produce beautiful prints for results that stand out.
- EASY TO USE WITH CLOUD APP CONNECTIONS: Print from and scan to popular Cloud apps(2), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the simple-to-use 1.8” color display on your printer.
- PRODUCTIVITY-FOCUSED PRINTING FEATURES: This printer includes automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a 20-sheet single-sided Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)(3), and a 150-sheet paper tray(3). Engineered to print at fast speeds of up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 9 ppm in color(4).
- MULTIPLE CONNECTION OPTIONS: Connect your way. Interface with your printer on your wireless network or via USB.
- THE BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP: Go mobile with the Brother Mobile Connect app(5) that delivers easy onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from your mobile device. Monitor your ink usage with Page Gauge to help ensure you don’t run out(6) .
- The DeskJet 2827e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm color, 7.5 ppm black
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- KEY FEATURES – Color printing, copy, scan, and a 60-sheet input tray
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- HP APP – Print, scan, copy, or fax right from your smartphone, PC, or tablet with the easiest-to-use print app
- The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm color, 7.5 ppm black
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- KEY FEATURES – Color printing, copy, scan, and a 60-sheet input tray
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- HP APP – Print, scan, copy, or fax right from your smartphone, PC, or tablet with the easiest-to-use print app
- EASIEST-TO-USE TANK PRINTERS – Quick setup, easy print and scan, reliable Wi-Fi and an app that makes it all easy
- BEST EVERYDAY PRINT QUALITY – HP tank printers deliver crisp text and frame-worthy photos with vivid, true-to-life colors for consistently impressive prints
- MESS-FREE REFILL – Replenish ink with HP's easy-access, mess-free refill system. Simply plug the ink bottles into this cartridge-free ink tank and let them drain—no squeezing, no spilling
- FULLY LOADED WITH SAVINGS – Best for low-cost, high-volume printing—2 years of Original HP Ink included; get up to 6,000 black or color pages right out of the box
- KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan, plus borderless prints, mobile and wireless printing
- ALL-IN-ONE: Print, Copy, Scan features for full control at your fingertips. Single-sided printing only.
- FAST PRINT SPEEDS: Print approximately 7.7 (black) / 4 (color) images per minute.
- EASY SETUP: Get running in just a few minutes thanks to a streamlined and easy setup process out of the box.
- EASY TO INSTALL INK: Print full color with only 2 (no mess) easy-to-replace ink cartridges.
- 1.5” LCD SCREEN: Get the job done with an intuitive and easy to use 1.5” segment LCD screen.
- EVERYTHING SMALL TEAMS NEED – Print, scan and copy professional-quality black & white documents and reports plus fax. Auto 2-sided printing and auto document feeder for fast scan/copy. Perfect for up to 7 people.
- SUPER-FAST PRINT SPEEDS – Up to 35 black-and-white pages per minute single-sided
- STAYS CONNECTED – Intelligent Wi-Fi looks for the best connection to stay online and ready to print
- PROTECTS YOUR DATA – Includes HP Wolf Pro Security with customizable settings so your printer and information are always secure
- PRINT FROM ANY DEVICE – Wireless printing from any mobile device, PC or tablet. Ethernet and Bluetooth included. Works with Microsoft, Mac, AirPrint, Android, Chromebook and more.
- The OfficeJet Pro 9125e is perfect for offices printing professional-quality color documents like presentations, brochures and flyers. Print speeds up to 18 ppm color, 22 ppm black
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- UPGRADED FEATURES – Fast color printing, copy, fax, auto 2-sided printing and scanning, auto document feeder, and a 250-sheet input tray
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- HP APP – Print, scan, copy, or fax right from your smartphone, PC, or tablet with the easiest-to-use print app
The Budget All-in-One Printer Buying Guide: Smart Shopping for Smart Printing
Finding the right printer that does everything without emptying your wallet can be tricky. An all-in-one printer handles printing, scanning, and copying. This guide helps you choose the best budget option for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a budget AIO (All-in-One), focus on these important functions:
- Print Technology: Most budget printers use inkjet technology. Inkjet printers spray tiny droplets of ink onto the paper. They are great for colorful photos and documents.
- Connectivity: Ensure it connects easily. Wi-Fi is essential for printing from phones and laptops without cables. USB connection is the basic backup.
- Speed (PPM): PPM stands for Pages Per Minute. For home use, 5-10 PPM for black and white is usually fine. Don’t expect super-fast speeds in the budget range.
- Scanner/Copier Resolution: Look for at least 600 x 600 dpi (dots per inch) for scanning. Higher numbers mean clearer scans.
Important Materials and Build Quality
Budget printers are mostly made of durable plastic. You should check a few things about the construction:
- Paper Tray Capacity: A larger tray means you refill paper less often. Look for trays that hold at least 50-100 sheets.
- Ink System: Check if the printer uses two cartridges (one black, one tri-color) or individual ink tanks. Individual tanks are often cheaper to run over time, even if the initial cost is slightly higher.
- Display Screen: A small LCD screen helps navigate settings. Touchscreens are rare in the lowest budget range, but simple buttons work well too.
Factors That Affect Print Quality (and Cost)
Quality often involves a trade-off with price. Here is what changes the final look of your printouts:
- DPI (Dots Per Inch): Higher DPI means sharper images and smoother text. For simple homework, 1200 x 1200 DPI is good. For high-quality photos, you need more, but budget models usually cap lower.
- Ink Cartridge Yield: This tells you how many pages a cartridge can print. Low-yield cartridges cost less upfront but require frequent replacement, increasing the long-term cost. Always check the cost per page.
- Paper Type Support: Good budget printers handle standard copy paper well. If you plan to print glossy photos, make sure the printer specifically supports glossy photo paper for the best results.
User Experience and Common Use Cases
How you plan to use the printer heavily influences your best choice.
- Home Office/Student Use: You need reliable text printing and good scanning features for homework or receipts. Look for easy setup.
- Light Photo Printing: If you print a few small photos monthly, most budget inkjets manage this. Expect vibrant colors, but maybe not professional-grade depth.
- Setup Simplicity: Modern budget printers should connect to your Wi-Fi network easily. Read reviews to see if users found the initial driver installation frustrating.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Budget All-in-One Printers
Q: Are budget all-in-one printers good for printing photos?
A: They handle simple photos fine. However, professional-looking, vibrant photos usually require more expensive printers with specialized photo ink systems.
Q: What is the biggest drawback of a cheap AIO?
A: The running cost, especially ink replacement, is often the biggest drawback. Ink cartridges can sometimes cost almost as much as a new printer.
Q: Should I choose Inkjet or Laser for a budget AIO?
A: Almost all budget AIOs use Inkjet technology because it handles color printing better and keeps the initial machine price low.
Q: How important is Wi-Fi printing?
A: It is very important today. Wi-Fi lets you print directly from your smartphone or tablet without plugging in cables.
Q: Can these printers print double-sided automatically?
A: Automatic double-sided printing (duplexing) is rare in the cheapest models. You will likely need to flip the pages manually.
Q: How long do the ink cartridges last if I don’t print often?
A: Ink can dry out in the nozzles if the printer sits unused for many months. Try to print at least one page every two weeks to keep the ink flowing.
Q: What does “duty cycle” mean?
A: Duty cycle is the maximum number of pages the manufacturer says the printer can handle per month without breaking down. Budget printers have low duty cycles.
Q: How do I scan documents to my computer?
A: You use the printer’s software, which installs when you set up the machine. You place the document on the glass, click ‘Scan’ on your computer, and the file appears.
Q: Are budget printers slow?
A: Yes, they are generally slower than high-end office machines. Expect slower speeds, especially when printing color documents.
Q: Where should I look for the best long-term value?
A: Look beyond the purchase price. Calculate the ‘cost per page’ by dividing the cartridge price by the page yield listed on the box.