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There is no single cheapest printer for every household. The best choice depends on whether you care most about the purchase price, low color-ink costs, or reliable black-and-white printing after the machine has been idle.
For U.S. shoppers, the three strongest choices are:
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- Best overall color value: Canon MegaTank PIXMA G3290—best when you print color documents and photos regularly enough to justify a refillable tank.
- Best low-upfront-price all-in-one: Brother MFC-J1360DW—best when you need scanning, copying, an automatic document feeder, and a price near $100.
- Best for occasional black-and-white printing: Brother HL-L2460DW—best for text, forms, homework, labels, and shipping documents, especially if the printer may sit unused for weeks.
Prices and availability in this article were checked in the U.S. on August 9, 2026. Printer prices, promotions, stock, cartridge yields, and warranty terms can change quickly. Recheck the linked product page before buying.
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| Printer | Best for | Checked price | Type | Print / scan / copy | Color | Automatic duplex | ADF | Paper capacity | Advertised speed | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon PIXMA G3290 | Regular color printing and casual photos | $199.99 promotional price; $269.99 regular price listed in Canon’s catalog | Refillable inkjet tank | Yes / yes / yes | Yes | Yes | No | 100-sheet rear tray | Up to about 11 black or 6 color images per minute | No ADF; slower and more maintenance-sensitive than a laser |
| Brother MFC-J1360DW | Affordable color all-in-one with document feeding | $109.99 | Cartridge inkjet | Yes / yes / yes | Yes | Yes | 20-sheet, single-sided ADF | 150-sheet tray | Up to 16 black or 9 color pages per minute | Modest cartridge yields and slow color output |
| Brother HL-L2460DW | Black-and-white documents and infrequent use | $179.99 | Monochrome laser | Yes / no / no | No | Yes | No | 250-sheet tray plus one-sheet manual feed | Up to 36 pages per minute | Print-only; no color, scanner, or copier |
These are not three interchangeable budget printers. The Canon is the long-term color-value pick, the Brother MFC-J1360DW minimizes the initial cost while retaining all-in-one features, and the Brother HL-L2460DW is the practical choice for people who primarily print black text and may use the printer only occasionally.
What “cheap” really means for a printer
A printer’s cost has three parts:
- Purchase price: what you pay at checkout.
- Consumables: replacement ink, toner, bottles, cartridges, and—on some laser printers—drums.
- Maintenance and replacement: ink used in cleaning cycles, printhead maintenance, setup ink, replacement drums, maintenance boxes, and any subscription or overage fees.
A $60 to $100 cartridge printer may be the cheapest purchase but an expensive machine to own if its cartridges produce only a few hundred pages. A $180 laser or $200 tank printer can cost less over several years if you print frequently enough.
#1 Best Overall
- UPC: 198828789662
- Weight: 10.450 lbs
Consumer Reports makes the same broad distinction: inexpensive inkjets can carry high replacement-ink costs, while ink-tank printers require more upfront spending but can substantially reduce ink costs over time.
Our recommendations
1. Canon MegaTank PIXMA G3290: best overall budget color printer
Buy this if: you print color documents, graphics, or casual photos every few weeks and can spend roughly $200 upfront.
The Canon PIXMA G3290 is the best choice here when “budget” means low total cost for color printing rather than the lowest initial price. Instead of small disposable cartridges, it uses four refillable tanks: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. That makes it much more suitable than a conventional cartridge inkjet for families, students, and home offices that print color regularly.
Tom’s Guide named the G3290 its best budget printer and estimated color printing at about 0.9 cents per page, versus a stated category average of about 1.9 cents. That is an independent publication’s test-based estimate, not a guaranteed household cost. Dark graphics, photos, paper type, cleaning cycles, and printing habits can produce a different result.
What you get
- Print, scan, and copy functions
- Four refillable ink tanks
- Automatic two-sided printing
- Flatbed scanner
- 100-sheet rear paper tray
- Wi-Fi and USB connectivity
- Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria support
- 2.7-inch LCD
- Borderless printing from small square media through Letter size
- Canon-rated speeds of up to approximately 11 black-and-white or 6 color images per minute
- Up to 4,800 × 1,200 dpi
Canon claims that a full replacement-bottle set can produce up to 6,000 black-and-white pages or 7,700 color pages in its default testing mode. Those are manufacturer estimates, not a promise of what every household will receive. Canon says the included bottles can yield less than replacement bottles because some ink is consumed during initial setup. Its MegaTank explanation also describes the test conditions behind its yield claims.
Important limitations
- No automatic document feeder: scanning or copying a stack requires placing pages on the flatbed one at a time.
- One paper tray: switching between plain paper and photo paper is less convenient.
- Not a fast office printer: a monochrome laser is substantially better for long text-heavy jobs.
- It is still an inkjet: liquid ink and printheads can require maintenance after long periods of inactivity.
- Higher initial price: it is not the right choice for a strict $100 budget.
A price and availability warning
Canon’s U.S. MegaTank catalog listed the G3290 at a $269.99 regular price and a $199.99 promotional price when checked. However, the individual Canon product page simultaneously displayed language saying the model was no longer available. Because those pages conflict, treat $199.99 as a checked promotional price—not the normal price—and verify stock immediately before purchasing. The catalog was the source of the price check, but availability can differ by page and change without notice.
Choose the G3290 if: you want low color running costs, print photos or graphics occasionally, and do not need an ADF.
Skip it if: you print almost exclusively black text, leave the printer unused for months, need rapid multi-page scanning, or cannot spend more than about $100.
2. Brother MFC-J1360DW: best low-upfront-price color all-in-one
Buy this if: you need print, scan, copy, automatic duplex printing, and an ADF while keeping the purchase price near $100 to $120.
The Brother MFC-J1360DW is the most practical low-cost all-in-one in this group. Unlike the Canon G3290, it has a 20-sheet automatic document feeder, so it can pull a small stack of pages for single-sided scanning or copying. Unlike many very cheap inkjets, it uses separate black, cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges rather than one combined tri-color cartridge.
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What you get
- Print, scan, and copy
- Automatic duplex printing
- 20-sheet single-sided ADF
- 150-sheet paper tray
- Wi-Fi and USB
- AirPrint, Mopria, Wi-Fi Direct, and Brother Mobile Connect
- 1.8-inch color display
- Advertised speeds up to 16 pages per minute in black and 9 pages per minute in color
- Separate black, cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges
The included starter cartridges are listed at 200 pages each. RTINGS estimates about 400 black pages and 300 color pages from the relevant standard cartridges, with high-yield cartridges roughly doubling those figures. These yields make the printer appropriate for light to moderate home use, not hundreds of pages every month.
Why it is a good value—and where it stops being one
The MFC-J1360DW’s low price buys useful features rather than merely a basic print engine. Automatic duplex printing reduces paper use, and the ADF is valuable for students, renters, and home-office users who occasionally need to copy forms or scan several pages.
However, low upfront cost does not mean low long-term cost. Cartridge yields are modest, color printing is relatively slow, and inkjet printheads can clog if the machine sits unused. RTINGS found sharp text, detailed output, and acceptable casual photos, but also noted middling black-and-white speed, slow color output, average page yields, and blockage risk during inactivity.
The MFC-J1360DW’s official specifications list wireless and USB connectivity rather than Ethernet. If wired networking matters, do not assume this model has it; compare it with the HL-L2460DW, which does support Ethernet.
Choose the MFC-J1360DW if: you need an affordable color all-in-one, scan or copy multi-page documents occasionally, and print moderate volumes.
Rank #2
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Seamless Multi-Page Handling - Tackle multi-page documents with ease using the Auto Document Feeder (ADF) for quick scanning and copying
Skip it if: you print hundreds of pages monthly, want the lowest possible color cost, need especially fast output, or may leave the printer unused for long periods.
3. Brother HL-L2460DW: best for black-and-white documents and infrequent use
Buy this if: you mostly print text, forms, homework, return labels, or shipping documents and the printer may sit idle for weeks.
The Brother HL-L2460DW is a compact monochrome laser printer. It avoids the liquid-ink printhead clogging problem that makes many inexpensive inkjets frustrating for occasional users. Toner does not dry out in the same way liquid ink does, so it is usually the better fit for a home that prints only when a form or label is needed.
RTINGS highlighted the HL-L2460DW’s sharp text, high yield, automatic duplex printing, and fast output in its budget-laser coverage.
What you get
- Monochrome laser printing only
- Up to 36 pages per minute on Letter-size paper
- Automatic two-sided printing
- 250-sheet standard paper tray
- Single-sheet manual feed
- Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, and USB
- Apple AirPrint, Mopria, and Brother Mobile Connect
- 1,200 × 1,200 dpi maximum resolution
- 14.0 × 14.2 × 7.2 inches and 15.6 pounds
- One-year limited warranty listed by Brother
Brother’s U.S. price was $179.99 when checked. A $229.99 XL bundle that included up to 4,200 pages of toner was listed but out of stock on the product page checked, so do not treat that bundle as the normal price or assume it is available.
Toner and drum costs
Brother lists the following approximate yields:
- TN830 standard toner: 1,200 pages
- TN830XL high-yield toner: 3,000 pages
- TN830V value high-yield toner: 3,300 pages
- Starter toner: approximately 700 pages
- DR830 drum: approximately 15,000 pages
Using Brother’s listed standard TN830 price of $60.99 and its stated 1,200-page yield:
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$60.99 ÷ 1,200 pages = approximately $0.0508 per pageThat is about 5.1 cents per page before accounting for the drum. It assumes the cartridge reaches its rated yield and uses the price checked on the cited product page; toner prices change.
Brother listed the DR830 drum at $157.99 with an approximate 15,000-page yield. That is a significant eventual ownership cost relative to the printer, but a light user may not replace the drum frequently. The separate drum is one reason not to compare toner cost alone with bottled ink.
Labels, envelopes, and connectivity
The HL-L2460DW supports labels and envelopes through its manual feed slot, but that slot accepts one sheet at a time. It is suitable for occasional shipping labels or envelopes, not high-throughput label production. Follow Brother’s media-size and media-weight guidance.
Choose the HL-L2460DW if: you need crisp black text, speed, duplex printing, a large paper tray, Ethernet, and reliable operation after idle periods.
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Skip it if: you need color, photos, scanning, copying, or an all-in-one device.
Model warning: Brother sells several related models, including the HL-L2405W, HL-L2400D, HL-L2420DW, and regional HL-L2400DW variants. They do not necessarily have the same connectivity, speed, or duplex features. Buy the exact U.S. model name HL-L2460DW and match its toner and drum numbers.
Which printer fits your workload?
The following monthly bands are practical editorial guidance, not manufacturer duty-cycle ratings.
| Your printing pattern | Best direction | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 50 pages per month, mostly black text | Brother HL-L2460DW | Laser printing handles idle periods and avoids liquid-ink maintenance. |
| Under 50 pages per month, color is essential | Brother MFC-J1360DW if the upfront price dominates; Canon G3290 if you can spend more and want lower color costs | A cartridge inkjet costs less initially, while a tank reduces long-term color supply costs. |
| 50–200 pages per month | Compare cartridge prices carefully; the MFC-J1360DW suits modest color use | At this volume, supplies begin to matter more than the printer’s sticker price. |
| More than 200 pages per month or frequent color | Canon G3290 or another refillable tank | High-yield bottles generally make more sense than small cartridges for regular color printing. |
| Weeks or months between print jobs | HL-L2460DW for black-and-white work | Toner does not dry out like liquid ink. |
| Photos and crafts | Canon G3290 | It is better suited to color and borderless casual photos than a monochrome laser. |
Inkjet versus laser: the practical trade-off
Choose an inkjet when you need color
Inkjet printers are usually cheaper to buy, more common as compact all-in-ones, and better suited to color graphics and photos. They can also offer borderless photo printing. The trade-off is that liquid ink may dry or clog after inactivity, cleaning cycles consume ink, cartridge yields can be low, and some models require all cartridges to remain installed even when you are trying to print black-only pages.
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Choose a laser when you primarily print documents
Laser printers produce excellent black text, print documents quickly, and are well suited to forms, labels, homework, and shipping documents. Toner does not dry out like liquid ink, which is why a monochrome laser is often the better choice for an infrequent black-and-white printer.
Rank #3
- AFFORDABLE COLOR PRINTING – Print everyday color documents like to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes
- KEY FEATURES – Color print, copy, scan, a 35-sheet auto document feeder and a 60-sheet input tray, plus mobile and wireless printing
- OPTIMIZE PRINT FORMATTING 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
- ICON LCD – Print your basic documents with ease from the intuitive control panel
- PRINT SPEED – Up to 8.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color
The trade-offs are equally important: monochrome models cannot print color, color lasers cost substantially more, toner and drum costs still matter, and a print-only laser cannot scan or copy. The HL-L2460DW is a good document printer, but it is not a substitute for an all-in-one if you need to digitize paperwork.
Do you need an all-in-one?
- Print-only: the Brother HL-L2460DW. It is the fastest and simplest of the three for black text, but has no scanner or copier.
- Print, scan, and copy with an ADF: the Brother MFC-J1360DW. Its 20-sheet ADF is single-sided, so it does not automatically scan both sides.
- Print, scan, and copy without an ADF: the Canon G3290. Its flatbed scanner is suitable for books, photos, and individual pages, but not convenient for a stack.
- Automatic duplex printing: all three primary recommendations can automatically print on both sides.
- Automatic duplex scanning: none of the three should be presented as having a duplex-scanning ADF.
If you need to scan both sides of a stack automatically, move up to a more expensive model with a duplex ADF. If you need black-and-white laser printing plus scanning and copying, consider a step-up model such as the Brother MFC-L2820DW; it costs more and occupies more space but adds all-in-one laser functionality.
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A simple starting formula is:
Estimated consumables cost per page = consumable price ÷ manufacturer-stated page yieldThat calculation is useful but incomplete. ISO test pages do not represent every household’s printing. Photos and dark graphics use more ink or toner, inkjet cleaning cycles consume ink, setup ink reduces the first yield, and a laser may require a separate drum. Paper costs are also excluded.
Subscription plans can make the comparison even less straightforward. Brother’s MFC-J1360DWF bundle was listed at $99.99 and included a Refresh subscription offer, but it should not be treated as the same purchase as the MFC-J1360DW. Subscription cartridges may have page limits, overage charges, and cancellation conditions. Brother’s subscription information states that subscription cartridges can be deactivated after cancellation, requiring replacement cartridges.
For that reason, compare a standard printer and a subscription bundle only after modeling the expected number of pages, subscription charges, included pages, and post-cancellation cartridge requirements.
Cheapest acceptable alternative: Epson Expression Home XP-4200
The Epson Expression Home XP-4200 is worth considering only when the purchase price is the overriding concern.
Epson listed a $99.99 regular price and a $79.99 promotional price when checked. It includes print, scan, copy, Wi-Fi, USB, automatic duplex printing, separate black/cyan/magenta/yellow cartridges, borderless photo printing, and a 2.4-inch color display. However, Epson’s page showed the model out of stock when checked.
RTINGS found low page yields, slow output, poor color accuracy, no ADF, and relatively frequent blockage issues. RTINGS recommends printing approximately once per week to reduce clogging risk. Epson also says the XP-4200 is designed for Epson cartridges and warns that non-genuine ink can cause damage not covered by its limited warranty.
Bottom line on the XP-4200: choose it only for light printing when the price is more important than long-term supply cost or convenience. It is not the better value for frequent printing.
Other alternatives to know about
Canon PIXMA MG3620
RTINGS gives the Canon PIXMA MG3620 a photo-oriented budget recommendation. It can make sense for an inexpensive occasional photo printer, but its black cartridge and tri-color cartridge run out quickly. Because the colors share one cartridge, the whole color cartridge must be replaced when one color is depleted. That makes it a weaker general-purpose budget choice.
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Epson EcoTank ET-2980
The Epson EcoTank ET-2980 is a possible lower-cost tank alternative if the Canon G3290 is unavailable and an ADF is not needed. It offers high yields and good print quality, but it remains an inkjet and can clog when unused. Check its current U.S. price, stock, and supply costs before treating it as a replacement.
Brother MFC-J1365DW
The Brother MFC-J1365DW is a related alternative for heavier color printing because it uses Brother’s higher-yield LC504 cartridge system. Do not merge its specifications with the MFC-J1360DW: they use different cartridge systems and should be compared as separate models.
Color laser printers
A color laser can be attractive for fast, durable office documents, but it is generally outside this article’s budget range. For example, TechRadar’s current color-laser coverage includes the Xerox C320, which has a 250-sheet tray and strong document performance but belongs to a more expensive home-office category. It is not one of the three budget picks here.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Practical questions before you buy
I only print once every few months. Which should I get?
Get the Brother HL-L2460DW if black-and-white output is sufficient. If you need color, understand that both cartridge and tank inkjets can require maintenance after long idle periods. Do not choose a tank solely because its bottles have a low rated cost per page; infrequent printing changes the ownership equation.
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Which is best for photos?
The Canon G3290 is the best of these three for casual photos and color graphics, including borderless printing. It is not a dedicated professional photo printer, and buyers who need highly accurate color or gallery-quality output should consider a different class of printer.
Which is best for scanning a stack of papers?
Choose the Brother MFC-J1360DW because it has a 20-sheet single-sided ADF. The Canon G3290 has only a flatbed scanner, and the HL-L2460DW has no scanner.
Rank #4
- AFFORDABLE ALL-IN-ONE FOR HOME AND HOME OFFICE: Print, copy, and scan on one compact wireless printer designed for everyday home office printing, schoolwork, documents, and reports. 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.
- FULL-SIZE FEATURES IN A COMPACT DESIGN: 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.
- MOBILE PRINTING MADE EASY: 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).
Can any of these scan both sides automatically?
No. None of the three primary recommendations should be treated as a duplex-scanning solution. Look for a more expensive all-in-one with a duplex ADF if that feature is essential.
Which is best for shipping labels?
The HL-L2460DW is a good choice for occasional black-and-white shipping labels because it supports labels and envelopes through its manual feed. The manual feed accepts one sheet at a time, so it is not a high-throughput label printer. Check label compatibility and media specifications before loading a particular stock.
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There is no universal schedule that guarantees trouble-free operation, but regular use reduces the chance of ink drying and clogging. RTINGS recommends approximately weekly printing for the Epson XP-4200. If your actual pattern is once every month or two, a monochrome laser is generally the safer black-and-white choice.
Are third-party cartridges or ink safe?
Do not generalize across brands and models. Epson says the XP-4200 is designed for Epson cartridges and that non-genuine ink can cause damage not covered by its limited warranty. Brother recommends genuine LC501 ink for the MFC-J1360DW. Manufacturer warranty language is separate from the broader legal and practical questions surrounding third-party supplies, so review the exact printer’s warranty and supply documentation before switching.
Can an inkjet print if one color is empty?
Do not assume so. Inkjet behavior varies by model, driver, and cartridge state. Check the exact manual rather than assuming that a black-only setting will bypass an empty color cartridge.
What if the recommended model is out of stock?
For the Canon G3290, first verify Canon’s individual product page and MegaTank catalog because those pages showed conflicting availability signals when checked. For a color tank alternative, check the Epson ET-2980. For black-and-white laser printing plus scanning and copying, consider moving up to the Brother MFC-L2820DW. For a strict low-price color all-in-one, the MFC-J1360DW is the more direct alternative to the Canon.
How these recommendations were selected
The recommendations combine RTINGS testing and budget-printer comparisons, Tom’s Guide testing and printer rankings, manufacturer specifications, supply pages, and U.S. price and availability checks.
The editorial criteria are:
- Total two- to three-year cost—30%: printer price, genuine supply prices, stated yields, drum or maintenance costs, and subscription requirements.
- Workload fit—25%: occasional versus frequent use, black-only versus color, documents versus photos, and monthly volume.
- Output quality—15%: text, graphics, casual photos, color accuracy, and resistance to smudging or water.
- Features—15%: scanning, copying, ADF, duplex printing, paper capacity, mobile printing, and Ethernet.
- Reliability and maintenance—10%: clogging risk, replacement frequency, drum or maintenance requirements, and setup.
- Availability and exact-model identity—5%: current U.S. stock, manufacturer support, model-specific supplies, and regional variants.
These are editorial criteria, not the result of a new independent laboratory test by The Finance Base. Advertised speeds and yields are manufacturer claims unless a cited testing publication is identified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a laser printer better for occasional use?
Usually, if you print mostly black-and-white documents. A monochrome laser such as the Brother HL-L2460DW avoids liquid-ink printhead clogging after idle periods. It cannot print color and does not include a scanner or copier.
Are ink-tank printers worth the higher upfront price?
They can be, especially when you print color documents or photos regularly. The Canon PIXMA G3290 costs more initially than a cartridge inkjet but uses refillable bottles and has much higher stated yields. It remains an inkjet, however, so maintenance and idle-time clogging still matter.
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Which recommended printer has an automatic document feeder?
The Brother MFC-J1360DW has a 20-sheet, single-sided ADF. The Canon G3290 has a flatbed scanner but no ADF, and the Brother HL-L2460DW has no scanner.
Do all three printers print double-sided automatically?
Yes. The Canon G3290, Brother MFC-J1360DW, and Brother HL-L2460DW all support automatic duplex printing. None should be described as automatically scanning both sides.
Which printer is best for black-and-white shipping labels?
The Brother HL-L2460DW is the best fit among these picks. It supports labels and envelopes through a one-sheet manual feed, so it is appropriate for occasional labels rather than high-volume label production.
Do cheap printers come with ink or toner?
Yes, the recommended models include starter supplies, but starter yields may be lower than replacement yields. Brother lists approximately 700 pages for the HL-L2460DW’s starter toner, and Canon says some included ink is consumed during initial setup.
Are printer subscriptions cheaper?
Not automatically. A subscription may help a predictable, regular-volume user, but page limits, overage fees, and cancellation conditions affect the real cost. The Brother MFC-J1360DWF bundle should not be compared directly with the standard MFC-J1360DW without modeling those terms.
The Bottom Line
Choose the Canon PIXMA G3290 when your priority is affordable color printing over time and you can accept its higher purchase price and lack of an ADF. Choose the Brother MFC-J1360DW when you need a low-cost color all-in-one with an ADF and automatic duplex printing. Choose the Brother HL-L2460DW when you mostly print black text, want speed, or may leave the printer unused for weeks.
The cheapest printer at checkout is not necessarily the cheapest printer to own. Before buying, match the machine to your color needs, scanning needs, monthly volume, and likely idle time—and recheck the exact U.S. model’s price, stock, warranty, and supply costs.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
