Is your old printer slow and constantly demanding expensive ink cartridges? Many people need a reliable wireless printer but hate the high price tag that often comes with new technology. Finding a truly affordable printer that still offers great features can feel like a treasure hunt. You want the convenience of printing from your phone or laptop without breaking your budget, but the market is flooded with confusing models.
This guide cuts through the noise. We understand the pain of buying a cheap printer only to find it jams constantly or costs a fortune in ink refills. We have researched the best budget-friendly wireless printers available right now. By the end of this post, you will know exactly which models give you the best performance for the lowest cost.
Get ready to discover printers that connect easily and print clearly without draining your wallet. Let’s dive into the top picks for inexpensive wireless printing.
Top Inexpensive Wireless Printer Recommendations
- 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
- Wireless 4-in-1 (print | copy | scan | fax)..Power Consumption: 7W (0.8W Standby / 0.3W Off)
- 8.8 / 4.4 ipm print speed.
- Designed for easy ink cartridge installation and replacement.
- Auto 2-sided printing and auto document feeder.
- Produce quality documents, photos and boarderless prints up to 8.5" x 11".
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
- 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 Envy 6155e is perfect for homes printing everyday quality color documents like homework and borderless photos. Print speeds up to 7 ppm color, 10 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 print, copy and scan, plus auto 2-sided printing and a 100-sheet input tray
- HP'S MOST INTUITIVE COLOR TOUCHSCREEN – Smoothly navigate your printer with the easy-to-use 2.4" touchscreen
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- Wireless 3-in-1 (print | copy | scan)
- Easily print and scan photos and documents directly from your mobile devices.
- 9.9 / 5.7 ipm print speed
- 100 sheet capacity
- Auto 2-sided printing
The Smart Shopper’s Guide to Inexpensive Wireless Printers
Buying a new printer does not have to empty your wallet. Inexpensive wireless printers offer great features for everyday tasks. This guide helps you find the best budget-friendly option for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
Even budget printers come with important features. Focus on these top items when you shop:
- Wireless Connectivity (Wi-Fi): This is a must-have. It lets you print from your phone, tablet, or laptop without messy cables.
- All-in-One (AIO) Capability: Most cheap printers can print, scan, and copy. This saves space and money.
- Print Speed (PPM): Pages Per Minute (PPM) tells you how fast it prints. Look for at least 8 PPM for black and white if you print often.
- Mobile Printing Apps: Check if the printer works well with apps like HP Smart or Canon PRINT. These make mobile printing super easy.
- Paper Capacity: How many sheets can the input tray hold? A bigger tray means you reload paper less often.
Important Materials and Build Quality
Inexpensive printers use mostly durable plastic bodies. This keeps the cost down. While they are not built like heavy-duty office machines, look for these material clues:
- Sturdy Paper Tray: Ensure the paper tray slides in and out smoothly. A flimsy tray breaks easily.
- Easy-to-Use Buttons: The control panel buttons should feel responsive, not mushy.
- Ink System Type: Most budget models use cartridge-based systems. Some newer models offer ink tanks (which are cheaper to run long-term).
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality isn’t just about the price tag. A few specifications greatly affect your results.
Improving Quality:
Resolution (DPI):
Dots Per Inch (DPI) measures print sharpness. For sharp text, look for at least 1200 x 1200 DPI. Higher DPI means better photos, but standard documents look great with lower numbers.
Ink Quality:
Printers using pigment-based black ink produce text that resists smudging better than dye-based inks. This detail improves document longevity.
Reducing Quality (Watch Outs):
High Ink Running Costs:
This is the biggest trap with cheap printers! The initial price is low, but replacement ink cartridges can be very expensive. Always check the estimated cost per page before you buy.
Slow Warm-up Times:
Some budget models take a long time to “wake up” and start printing, which can frustrate users who need quick copies.
User Experience and Use Cases
Consider how you plan to use the printer. This defines the best choice for you.
Best for Home Offices/Students:
You need reliable scanning and good text quality. An All-in-One model that handles Wi-Fi setup quickly is ideal. Wireless printing is crucial here.
Best for Casual Home Use (Occasional Printing):
If you only print a few pages a month, focus on the lowest upfront cost and easy setup. Speed matters less here.
The Setup Experience:
Modern printers should set up wirelessly in minutes. If the setup process seems complicated in reviews, it often means more frustration later. Good user experience starts with simple installation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Budget Wireless Printers
Q: Are inexpensive wireless printers hard to set up?
A: Most modern budget printers use simple apps to guide you through connecting to your home Wi-Fi network. Setup usually takes less than 15 minutes.
Q: Will these printers handle color photos well?
A: They can print color photos, but the quality will not match a dedicated photo printer. Text and simple graphics look fine, but complex images might look dull or grainy.
Q: What is the biggest hidden cost of a cheap printer?
A: The biggest hidden cost is the ink. Check the price of replacement cartridges. Some printers are cheap to buy but cost a fortune to keep running over a year.
Q: Do I need a computer to use a wireless printer?
A: No. If the printer has a scanner/copier, you can usually use it directly. You can also print directly from your smartphone or tablet using the manufacturer’s app.
Q: What does “All-in-One” mean?
A: It means the machine can Print, Copy, and Scan documents. This feature offers the best value for most families.
Q: How fast should a budget printer print?
A: Aim for at least 6 to 8 pages per minute (PPM) for black and white documents. Faster speeds mean less waiting time.
Q: Do these printers need special paper?
A: For normal documents, standard 20 lb copy paper works perfectly. For photos, you should use glossy photo paper for the best results.
Q: What if my Wi-Fi goes down? Can I still print?
A: Many budget printers still include a USB port. If your wireless connection fails, you can plug the printer directly into your computer with a USB cable (cable usually sold separately).
Q: How long do the ink cartridges last?
A: This depends entirely on how much you print. If you print daily, cartridges might last a month or two. If you print rarely, the ink might dry out before you use it all up.
Q: Should I buy a model with an automatic document feeder (ADF)?
A: An ADF lets you stack multiple pages to scan or copy at once. While convenient, many budget models skip this feature to keep the price low. Decide if you scan stacks of papers often.