Printers play a crucial role in offices and workplaces because they transform digital information into tangible documents. Despite the growing trend toward digital communication and paperless operations, there remains a significant need for physical documents in various business processes. Therefore, choosing the right printer is paramount to ensure that the office’s printing needs are met efficiently and cost-effectively. One of the leading causes of excessive expense in the printing process is caused by expensive ink. Therefore, you should pay attention to the printer you choose and what type of ink you will have to use.
- Printing Speed: Printing speed is very important in a printer as it directly impacts the efficiency and productivity of office and workplace operations. Faster printing ensures that essential documents, such as reports, contracts, and presentations, are produced fast enough to meet deadlines. However, you also need to ensure that the print quality is not affected by the printing speed.
- Ink Quality: The importance of ink quality in a printer lies in its direct impact on the output’s visual appeal, readability, and longevity. High-quality ink ensures that text is sharp, images are vibrant, and colors are accurate, which is especially crucial for producing professional documents, marketing materials, and presentations. Superior ink quality prevents smudging, fading, and bleeding, resulting in documents that maintain their integrity over time.
- Sheet Capacity: A higher sheet capacity means the printer can hold and process a larger quantity of paper simultaneously, reducing interruptions and downtime caused by reloading paper trays. This is particularly valuable in busy office environments where large print jobs or multiple users require a consistent and uninterrupted printing experience. But, higher sheet capacity also causes the printer to be bulkier which does not always fit in compact spaces.
If you are looking for a home-based printer to minimize the running cost while delivering decent-quality prints, you have come to the right place. This guide will find a fine collection of the best printers available for home use that use affordable inks. We have carefully shortlisted these options based on the features mentioned above and the device’s overall reliability and longevity. You can know more about our selection criteria for these printers in our “Buying Guide” for the best printer for home use with cheap ink.
Best Printer For Home Use With Cheap Ink Table
| Product Name | Printing Speed | Sheet Capacity | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC- J1010 DW Printer | 17 PPM | 150 | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| HP ENVY 7255e Printer | 15 PPM | 125 | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| Canon Pixma MG3620 Printer | 16 PPM | 100 | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| Brother MFC-J1205W Printer | 16 PPM | 150 | 2 Year | Check On Amazon |
| HP DeskJet 3755 Printer | 40 PPM | 60 | 90 Days | Check On Amazon |
Best Printer For Home Use With Cheap Ink Reviews
1. Brother MFC- J1010 DW Printer
Brother has always been the most trusted brand on the market for printers, especially regarding office printers and commercial options. Therefore, we have chosen a highly chosen Brother for the first position.
Coming in the 1st position, we have a compact inkjet all-in-one that brings complete functionality to even the smallest spaces. This is the most popular option on this list today and one of the most affordable choices you can find right now. With this printer, you will get highly versatile paper handling using the 20-page automatic document feeder, making quick copying and scanning a breeze. The adjustable 150-sheet paper tray minimizes the need for constant refilling.
The Optimal and consistent performance are ensured when using Brother Genuine ink cartridges. Select between Standard (LC401 Series) or High-Yield (LC401XL Series) cartridges, including multi-pack choices, for top-notch prints and dependable page yields. It also offers the simplicity of cloud connectivity, allowing direct printing and scanning from popular Cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, and OneDrive directly via your smartphone.
Best Features
- It has an approximate printing speed of 17 PPM
- It has a sheet capacity of 150 pages
- It comes with a year of warranty
- Offers up to 50% savings on running costs
Pros
- Most popular budget choice for a home use printer
- Sheet capacity is very high
- Initial investment is very low
Cons
- Printing speed could have been faster
2. HP ENVY 7255e Printer
It would be difficult to find an individual not familiar with the brand HP when it comes to computer accessories. If you are also looking for a budget printer from a reliable brand, the following option is for you.
In 2nd place, we are putting one of the most trusted brands available out there for printers. The HP ENVY Inspire 7255e is an ideal home printer, offering versatile functionality for various tasks, including document printing, high-quality borderless photo printing in multiple sizes, and creative projects. It boasts print speeds of up to 10 pages per minute in color and 15 pages per minute b/w. When you activate HP+, you receive 3 months of free ink through the Instant Ink delivery service, ensuring a continuous supply without interruptions.
The printer comes with key features such as printing, copying, scanning, and automatic 2-sided printing. It includes advanced photo capabilities and a separate photo tray for convenience. The HP Smart app enhances the printing experience by allowing you to remotely print, scan, and copy from your phone. The printer is equipped with a customizable touchscreen interface for easy setup and shortcuts, along with self-healing Wi-Fi for seamless connectivity.
Best Features
- It has an approximate printing speed of 15 PPM
- It has a sheet capacity of 125 pages
- It comes with a year of warranty
- Suitable for printing photos
Pros
- One of the most trusted brands for printers
- HP Smart App support
- Made with about 45% recycled plastic content
Cons
- Sheet capacity is slightly lower than a few other options
3. Canon Pixma MG3620 Printer
Apart from a highly reliable and premium-range of cameras, Canon also dwells in printing media and printers specifically designed to print high-quality images. Since you are buying a printer for home use, the following printer from Canon might be an ideal choice for you.
In the 3rd position, we have the Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer as this option also maintains the perfect balance between affordability and the printer’s output quality. The PIXMA MG3620 Wireless Inkjet All-In-One Printer also offers wirelessly convenient mobile device printing from iPhone, iPad, Android, or tablets. The package includes the printer, manuals, setup CD-ROM, FINE Cartridges in both black and color, and a power cord. A quick and straightforward wireless setup provides powerful printing options through AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, NFC, Mopria, and Canon Print.
As for the ink, it offers a new level of color range with the ChromaLife 100 ink formulation, surpassing previous generations. Genuine Canon Ink Cartridges provide access to exclusive content via Creative Park Premium. The printer utilizes FINE Technology to ensure precision in output. And since you are also getting a year of warranty on this printer, it is definitely a worthy choice as a long-term investment.
Best Features
- It has an approximate printing speed of 16 PPM
- It has a sheet capacity of 100 pages
- It comes with a year of warranty
- Full-Photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering technology
Pros
- Best option in terms of quality
- Ink quality is very good
- Powered by Canon FINE technology
Cons
- Sheet capacity is very low
4. Brother MFC-J1205W Printer
Since Brother has so many options available on the market, it has managed to secure yet another position on our list today with a finance choice for a home-use printer. This is also a high-capacity printer that can be perfect for domestic use.
This Brother printer is designed to enhance productivity, offering wireless and web-based printing options alongside a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface for versatile connectivity. It incorporates a 150-sheet input tray to accommodate sizable print jobs, minimizing the need for frequent refills and streamlining team printing tasks. The printer also boasts an impressive no-ink-replacement period of up to 1 year, ensuring uninterrupted printing, exceptional savings, and enhanced convenience by including four cartridges in the box.
Pioneering the Brother Revolutionary Inkvestment Tank System, this printer employs reengineered ink cartridges that hold more ink than traditional ones, providing a continuous ink supply for hassle-free and continuous printing. The Brother Page Gauge eliminates guesswork by visually and numerically indicating the ink used and remaining, facilitating confident printing decisions and eliminating the uncertainty of when to replace ink.
Best Features
- It has an approximate printing speed of 16 PPM
- It has a sheet capacity of 150 pages
- It comes with 2 years of warranty
- Visual indication when ink refill is necessary
Pros
- Most reliable choice for a home printer
- Up to 1-year of ink supply
- Decent sheet capacity
Cons
- Color printing speed is only 9 PPM
5. HP DeskJet 3755 Printer
HP has one more option available from their affordable range of printers which is perfect for our picks today. The following printer from HP will be the most affordable option for you in terms of initial investment and running costs.
For the last position, we have reserved the most budget-friendly option available on the market for a home-use printer. The HP DeskJet 3755 All-in-One Wireless Printer offers a range of functions, including printing, scanning, and copying, along with wireless printing capabilities and compatibility with AirPrint. Enhance your printing experience on the move with the HP All-in-One Printer Remote app, allowing convenient mobile printing and scanning. Additionally, iPhone users can easily print through AirPrint for seamless and efficient printing directly from their devices.
You also get to enroll in the HP Instant Ink Free Printing plan and enjoy a complimentary allowance of 15 pages per month. Afterward, choose between a pay-as-you-go option or upgrade to another plan based on your printing needs. To access the Free 15-page plan, purchase this printer and sign up for HP Instant Ink during the printer setup.
Best Features
- It has an approximate printing speed of 40 PPM
- It has a sheet capacity of 60 pages
- It comes with 90 days of warranty
- All-in-one printer choice
Pros
- Most affordable choice for a home use printer right now
- Printing and running costs are very low
- Fastest printing speed compared to other options
Cons
- Warranty period is very short
Buying Guide For The Best Printer For Home Use With Cheap Ink
Whether you are picking up a printer for commercial printing jobs, office use, or for your home to print personal documents, you should always consider the most important characteristics of the printer before you make a choice. These parameters increase the overall efficiency of the process by offering you the performance you need as well as the efficiency and affordability for regular usage.
Since we have explained each of our choices with a brief review and a list of best features, it will be much easier for you to compare multiple options and choose which one suits your needs the most. You can also refer to our buying guide for the best printer for home use and see which features you would want the most as per your needs.
1. Printer Speed
The first thing you will find mentioned along with the features of any printer is its approximate printing speed. First and foremost, rapid printing speed is instrumental in meeting deadlines and responding to time-sensitive tasks. In a commercial environment where printing needs to be finished quickly, the ability to produce documents faster can be very important. However, the same may not be necessary for home use, especially if you are not even going to use the printer daily. In such a case, you will need to ensure that even if the printer you are getting is relatively slower, it maintains the quality and performance of the output and meets your requirements.
2. Quality and Performance
Quality and performance are two fundamental aspects that greatly influence a printer’s overall value and effectiveness, whether it is an office printer or a domestic one. Print quality encompasses the printed output’s sharpness, clarity, and accuracy.
It’s particularly crucial for documents where maintaining quality is important such as family photos, resumes, brochures, etc. Verifying the quality of the printer is even more important if you are going to use a printer that pirates on affordable ink.
While it keeps your average running costs lower, it should maintain the quality of the prints and a suitable printing capacity. Coming to the performance, it directly impacts productivity by ensuring that printing tasks are completed efficiently and without interruption. A high-performing printer can handle large print jobs, multiple users, and complex documents without compromising speed or accuracy.
3. Sheet Capacity
Sheet capacity refers to the number of sheets of paper a printer’s paper tray can hold at once, determining how frequently paper needs to be replenished. This seemingly simple feature severely affects the workflow management and overall productivity of the printer. A higher sheet capacity is immensely valuable in busy office environments where printing needs are constant and varied. However, the same cannot be said for domestic applications.
But still, having a larger sheet capacity would certainly result in reduced manual labor as you won’t have to refill the paper tray frequently. And since you are installing the printer in your home, you can easily find a place for a rather bulkier option that offers a higher sheet capacity. Plus, it also helps minimize disruptions if you carry out a larger printing volume. A printer with a sufficient sheet capacity reduces the chances of such incidents, ensuring that essential documents are printed without interruptions.
4. Ink Cost and Yield
Coming to the most important parameter for domestic applications, the approximate yield of the printing ink as well as its affordability. Ink cost refers to the price of ink cartridges or toner, while yield refers to the number of pages a cartridge can produce before it needs replacement. Ink cost has a significant impact on operational expense, even if an individual is using the printer. While the upfront cost of a printer may seem affordable, ongoing expenses related to ink can quickly accumulate over time. While the additional running cost may be justifiable for a large commercial setup, it can be slightly harsh for personal use. Therefore, choosing a printer with high-quality output at a reasonable ink cost is essential to maintaining a cost-effective printing environment.
Best Printers For Home Use – FAQs
Ans: Printers that use less ink are generally designed to focus on efficiency, economy, and sustainable printing practices. Several types of printers and technologies, such as laser printers or ink tank printers, tend to consume less ink. However you also need to factor in the initial investment on the printer. For home use, buying an excessively expensive opinion may not be the right choice for everyone, especially if the printing volume is not that high.
Ans: Inkjet printers are generally more affordable upfront compared to laser printers. The initial investment is lower, making them a popular choice for home users and small offices. Inkjet printers also excel at producing high-quality images, making them suitable for tasks such as photo printing and color-rich documents. But, remember that inkjet printers can use more ink, especially for color printing, which can lead to higher ongoing costs, especially for high-volume printing.
Ans: Right now, the inkjet printer is the most common type for home use. Inkjet printers are widely popular among home users due to their versatility, relatively affordable upfront costs, and ability to produce high-quality color prints, often used for photos, school assignments, documents, and other personal projects.
Conclusion
If you have recently purchased a printer or an ink cartridge for your existing one, you may have noticed the fact that some ink cartridges turn out to be significantly more expensive than other options. While you may get better quality and performance with these options, it simply does not stand out to be the ideal choice for the long run as the added running cost for each ink refill keeps on piling up. To avoid that, we have prepared this list of the best printers you can buy now that operate on a rather affordable ink. Most of these options also come with semi-annual or sometimes annual ink supply subscriptions, making them an even better choice for domestic use. But if you are unsure, here are a few of our top picks from this list that might be perfect for you.
- If affordability and faster printing output are your top priority, we recommend using the HP DeskJet 3755 Printer. Apart from being the most affordable option for you on this list, this unit also offers the fastest printing speed which goes as high as 40 pages per minute. You can also enroll in the HP Instant Ink program and get up to 15 pages worth of printing ink for free monthly. With this compact device, you can easily print, scan, and even copy your documents. It also supports the AirPrint feature to enable direct connectivity with your smartphone.
- However, since you are looking for a printer to be used at home, you would probably want to go with a reliable option that won’t cause any problems for years to come. If yes, we will recommend going with the Brother MFC-J1205W printer. While this is a rather premium option compared to other choices, you can rest assured about its reliability as it comes with a 2 years warranty period. And, it also has a free ink replacement service for 1 year, making this an affordable choice for the long run. You can print up to 16 pages per minute with this printer, and it also has a 150-sheet capacity, reducing the time and effort needed for bulk prints.
- Lastly, we will recommend the Brother MFC-J1010DW printer as it is the preferred choice for thousands of buyers. This is also a highly affordable choice for an all-in-one printer that you can use even with your mobile device apart from your computer and laptop. It offers a printing speed of up to 17 pages per minute and a total sheet capacity of up to 150 pages, which is pretty decent for such an affordable choice. It also has a 20-page automatic document feeder that lets you quickly print a bulk of documents without any manual effort.
