7 Best Printers Under $150: Affordable, Everyday Home Printing

Finding the right printer on a tight budget matters because a low upfront cost can still mean high ongoing expenses or poor output. Whether you need crisp text for work, decent photos for family albums, or reliable scanning for occasional documents, the best printers under $150 can deliver usable results without breaking the bank. This guide highlights our shortlisted picks across common user needs and explains the practical tradeoffs you should expect. We evaluate speed, operating cost, print quality, connectivity, and ease of upkeep to help you choose the best fit for typical home and small-office tasks. Read on to see which models made the list and why they stand out for value and everyday performance.

Top Picks at a Glance

HP OfficeJet Pro 8135e

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8135e is a compact all-in-one inkjet aimed at home offices that need color documents and multifunction convenience. It handles print, scan, copy and fax tasks, and the 225-sheet tray plus automatic document feeder make it useful for moderate-volume jobs. Print speeds are reasonable for the class at about 10 ppm in color and 20 ppm black, and automatic two-sided printing saves paper for multipage documents. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen and HP app simplify setup and mobile printing, while dual-band Wi-Fi and basic security features help keep the device connected and protected. Photo resolution and fine text are supported by high optimized dpi numbers, though color photo output on standard paper will still reflect typical inkjet limits. The printer uses original HP cartridges with chips and is tied to HP Instant Ink subscription options if you want automatic supplies. For buyers prioritizing a balance of features, the 8135e offers practical speed, decent paper handling and easy mobile workflows, but it is not designed for heavy-duty office workloads or the lowest-cost-per-page without subscribing to HP ink plans.

Best for: Buyers who want a balanced, feature-rich home office printer that handles everyday color documents, moderate batch jobs, and easy mobile workflows without specialist printing needs.

Less Ideal for: People who need very high monthly page counts, the cheapest long-term ink costs, or a printer optimized for professional photo production.

Verdict: A well-rounded all-in-one that packs useful paper handling, duplexing and mobile features for balanced home office use under $150.

Brother HL-L2405W Laser Printer

The Brother HL-L2405W is a compact monochrome laser printer built for straightforward, high-volume black-and-white printing in homes and small offices. It prints up to 30 pages per minute with a 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution, so single-sided documents, reports, and labels come out sharp and quickly. Dual-band Wi-Fi and a USB 2.0 port let you print from phones, tablets, and computers, and the Brother Mobile Connect app adds basic remote management and supply ordering. A 250-sheet tray reduces how often you reload paper and a manual feed handles envelopes and specialty stock. Important limitations are that the unit only prints single-sided by default (manual duplex), it does not scan or copy, and the in-box toner is a standard yield cartridge so frequent heavy printing will raise running costs unless you upgrade to high-yield toner.

Best for: Buyers who prioritize fast, reliable black-and-white output for documents and want a compact, connected printer for a home office or small workgroup.

Less Ideal for: Users who need scanning, copying, automatic duplexing, or a color printer should consider multifunction or color alternatives instead.

Verdict: Choose the HL-L2405W if you need a compact, fast monochrome laser printer that delivers sharp, high-speed B&W prints for home or small-office use.

Canon PIXMA TS4320

The Canon PIXMA TS4320 is a budget-friendly all-in-one inkjet that targets light home use: printing documents, schoolwork, and casual photo prints. It connects over USB or dual-band Wi‑Fi for mobile and computer printing via the Canon PRINT app, AirPrint, or Mopria, and its compact footprint makes it easy to tuck onto a desk or shelf. Notable features include automatic duplex printing to save paper, a flatbed scanner for scans and copies, and a two-cartridge hybrid ink system that balances sharp black text with reasonably vibrant color photos. Print speeds are modest — about 14 ppm black and 9 ppm color — and the initial page prints in roughly 9.5 seconds, so it handles intermittent tasks quickly but is not built for heavy duty daily volume. The unit lacks an ADF and an integrated display, so multi-page scanning and advanced on-device controls are limited. Overall it delivers straightforward, economical printing and scanning for households that need reliable basic performance without advanced office features.

Best for: Buyers who want an inexpensive, space-saving all-in-one for occasional home printing, photos, and school or household documents and who prioritize simple setup and low upfront cost.

Less Ideal for: People who need heavy daily printing, fast throughput, or frequent multi-page scans should choose a higher-volume office machine with an ADF and stronger paper handling.

Verdict: A compact, budget-minded all-in-one that delivers reliable basic printing, scanning, and auto two-sided printing for cost-conscious home users.

HP DeskJet 2955 All-in-One

The HP DeskJet 2955 is a compact all-in-one designed for basic home printing tasks like letters, school worksheets, and occasional photos. It prints in color, scans on a flatbed, and copies up to nine pages per run, using HP 68 cartridges and a 60-sheet input tray. Setup and mobile printing are straightforward thanks to AirPrint, Mopria, USB and HP's app, and the printer includes a three-month Instant Ink trial to simplify ink replacement. Print speeds are modest—around 7.5 ppm black and 5.5 ppm color—and duplexing is manual, so it is best for light, intermittent use rather than heavy office workloads. The unit emphasizes convenience features like an icon LCD and dual-band Wi-Fi with connection troubleshooting, and its small footprint and low power draw make it easy to tuck into a home workspace. If you need simple, affordable printing with easy mobile support and low upfront cost, this does the job, but buyers should expect slower output and manual two-sided printing compared with higher-end models.

Best for: Buyers looking for an inexpensive, space-saving home printer for occasional color documents, schoolwork, and mobile-first printing who prioritize low upfront cost and ease of use.

Less Ideal for: Users who print large volumes, need fast output or automatic duplexing, or require heavy-duty duty-cycle reliability should pick a more robust model.

Verdict: A budget-friendly, compact all-in-one that delivers simple wireless home printing and scanning with low upfront cost.

Epson Expression Premium XP-7100

The Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 is a compact all-in-one inkjet that handles everyday documents and photo projects with a mix of convenience and decent image quality. It prints, scans and copies, offers a 30-page auto document feeder for batch jobs, automatic two-sided printing to save paper, and a 4.3-inch touchscreen plus SD and USB card slots for printing without a computer. Photo output supports borderless printing up to 8 x 10 inches and a high maximum resolution for detailed images, while wireless and Ethernet connectivity let you print from phones or tablets and use Wi-Fi Direct when needed. Practical benefits include fast black-and-white document speeds and multiple media feeds for specialty paper or CDs, making it useful for family projects and light home-office use. Limitations to weigh are modest color page throughput and dependence on Epson Genuine cartridges for proper operation, which can increase ongoing ink costs compared with generic options.

Best for: Buyers who want a reliable, compact all-in-one for home documents and occasional high-quality photos and who value straightforward features like an ADF, duplexing, and easy mobile printing.

Less Ideal for: Users who print large volumes of color documents regularly or who prioritize the lowest possible ink costs should consider higher-capacity or business-oriented models instead.

Verdict: A compact, feature-rich home all-in-one that balances photo-capable output with useful productivity features like ADF and automatic duplexing.

Canon PIXMA TR4720

The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is a space-conscious 4-in-1 inkjet aimed at home and small-office users who need basic multifunction capability without a large footprint. It prints both color and black-and-white pages, scans on a flatbed, copies, and sends faxes, and the built-in 100-sheet front tray plus auto document feeder make batch jobs easier. Wireless and USB connectivity work with smartphones via the Canon Print app for simple mobile printing, and automatic duplexing saves paper for two-sided letter documents. Photo quality is decent for casual borderless prints up to 8.5 x 11 and the hybrid ink system keeps text sharp. Expect modest speeds—about 8.8 ppm black and 4.4 ppm color—so it is best for light to moderate daily use rather than heavy volume. The interface is basic with a two-line LCD, and true photo or office-grade speed and robustness are limited compared with higher-end models. For buyers who want a reliable, affordable all-in-one under a tight budget, this covers the essentials well.

Best for: Buyers seeking an inexpensive, space-saving multifunction printer for home or small-office tasks who value straightforward wireless mobile printing and proven brand reliability.

Less Ideal for: Users who need fast, high-volume printing or advanced on-device controls and features should consider a higher-end office model instead.

Verdict: A compact, reliable all-in-one that delivers essential home and small-office printing features at a budget-friendly level.

Brother DCP-L2640DW

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact black-and-white laser multifunction printer built for steady home or small office use. It prints up to 36 ppm, supports automatic duplex printing, and includes a 50-page automatic document feeder and a 250-sheet tray to reduce interruptions during larger jobs. Connectivity covers dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB so you can print from phones, tablets, or PCs and manage the device with the Brother Mobile Connect app. Practical features include Toner Save Mode to stretch cartridges and automatic duplexing to cut paper waste. As a renewed unit, it can be a cost-effective choice but buyers should confirm condition and included consumables since supplies and any subscription trials for toner are handled separately. Print quality and speed are strong for text-heavy work, while color output is not supported because it is monochrome only.

Best for: Buyers who want a reliable, risk-averse replacement for home or small office printing that prioritizes fast, economical black-and-white output and straightforward network connectivity.

Less Ideal for: Anyone who needs color printing, photo-quality output, or a new-in-box warranty and full manufacturer packaging should look at other options.

Verdict: A dependable, fast monochrome multifunction laser printer that delivers efficient two-sided printing and flexible connectivity for cautious buyers focused on value and reliability.

Choosing the Right Printer: Key Factors to Consider

Which Print Technologies Are Best Under $150

Budget printers most often use inkjet or basic monochrome laser technologies. Inkjets tend to offer lower entry prices and better color photo handling, while compact monochrome lasers provide faster text output, lower maintenance, and typically lower cost per black-and-white page.

• Inkjet: Good for mixed use and occasional photos, but watch cartridge yields.
• Monochrome laser: Fast, reliable text with generally lower running costs for documents.
• All-in-one models: Add scanning and copying but may trade off speed and increase footprint.

Tips To Lower Long-Term Printing Costs

Several habits reduce operating expenses regardless of which budget printer you choose. Use draft or economy print modes for internal documents, and reserve high-quality settings for final copies or photos. Print in black-and-white when color is unnecessary and preview before printing to avoid wasting pages.

Buy higher-yield cartridges when available and consider setting up automatic low-ink alerts so you can replace supplies proactively. If you print photos occasionally, use specialized photo paper only for the best results and avoid continuous borderless printing, which consumes more ink.

• Enable duplex printing to save paper when supported.
• Use local or cloud-based scan workflows to reduce unnecessary prints.
• Store cartridges properly and avoid letting ink sit unused for long periods.

Setting Up A Shared Home Printer

When multiple household members need access, choose a printer with reliable Wi-Fi setup and a straightforward user account or guest printing feature. Position the printer where the wireless signal is strong and within reach of power and table space, and consider a small shelf if desk space is limited.

If privacy is a concern, create a separate guest network for shared printing or use password-protected features where available. Regularly update printer firmware to keep network interfaces secure and maintain compatibility with mobile printing apps.

• Label consumables and store extras nearby for quick swaps.
• Use a surge protector to protect the unit from power spikes.

When To Choose A Compact Laser Over An Inkjet

Choose a compact monochrome laser if your primary need is frequent black-and-white document printing. Lasers warm up quickly and generally sustain higher volume without the nozzle clogging or ink drying issues that affect idle inkjets. Toner cartridges also tend to last longer, which reduces visits to the supply store.

If you occasionally need color, but mostly print text, weigh the importance of color against ongoing ink costs. For pure document-heavy use, the reliability and speed of a laser often justify selecting a monochrome-only model within a tight budget.

• Lasers excel at sharp text and crisp line art.
• Inkjets remain the better choice for casual color and photo tasks.

Paper And Media Handling For Home Projects

Budget printers vary in how they handle different paper types. If you plan to print labels, envelopes, or thicker photo paper, confirm the manual feed path and any maximum weight limits. Cheap models sometimes misfeed heavier stock or cannot produce borderless prints reliably.

Also check the input tray capacity. A larger tray reduces how often you need to refill paper when printing multipage documents. For occasional photo printing, a rear tray or manual feed path designed for thicker media is preferable.

• Verify supported paper sizes and maximum media weight.
• Use manufacturer-recommended paper types for best results.

How We Chose the Best Printer

We focused on real-world value for buyers seeking dependable printers under $150. Our selection process prioritized measurable, buyer-relevant attributes: print speed for everyday productivity, cost per page for long-term affordability, and output quality for both text and casual photo needs. We also evaluated connectivity options that matter at home, such as Wi-Fi and mobile printing support, plus ease of setup and routine maintenance tasks like replacing cartridges or clearing paper jams. Products were excluded if they required unusual consumables, had consistently poor user feedback on reliability, or lacked essential connectivity for modern devices. The final shortlist balances initial affordability with predictable operating costs and straightforward upkeep. Each candidate on the list met minimum standards for acceptable text sharpness, reliable feeding, and clear menu or app controls so buyers are less likely to run into frustrating surprises after purchase.

Our full evaluation process is outlined in our review methodology.

FAQ

Final Verdict

When choosing a printer under $150, prioritize the features that match how you actually print. If most of your work is text, favor faster monochrome options and low cost per page. If you want occasional photos and color graphics, pick an inkjet with better color handling and reasonable cartridge yields. Balance upfront cost against likely operating expenses and pay attention to connectivity and maintenance ease. After assessing speed, running cost, and media handling, you can confidently select a budget printer that meets your daily needs without surprising long-term costs.