Products at a Glance
How We Selected the Best Cheap Printer for Small Office
The price was our top consideration since we are discussing the best cheap printers. However, we understand that it’s not only about the buying price. Several other factors influence the overall cost of a printer. For instance, the maintenance costs, per print cost, etc., can influence the total investment required for a printer. These can be a lot more than for, say, a home printer.
Likewise, the features offered by a printer also hold significant value. If you consider only the price, but the printer becomes useless because of lack of features, there’s no point in buying it. Will you be using it for photo printing, or wireless printing from a laptop or mobile device? Do you need a printer which can fax? Check out all of the capabilities before making your decision.
Other factors we considered before selecting the best cheap printers for small offices included print quality, printing speed and color accuracy.
Inkjet or Laser printer?
One key consideration when picking a printer, no matter the purpose, is whether to choose an inkjet printer or a laser printer. Although laser printers are generally cheaper to run, an inkjet printer will produce deep colors at a higher quality, which is better for printing in color. They also tend to have a lower initial cost.
For a small office, an inkjet printer may be better. Inkjet printers are typically more compact and occupy less space, making them suitable for small office environments where space is limited. Laser printers, especially those with additional paper trays or finishing options, tend to be larger and bulkier. Furthermore, Inkjet printers are generally more suitable for small offices with low to moderate printing volumes. They are typically designed for individual or small workgroup use and are capable of handling occasional or light printing tasks.
6 Best Cheap Printers for Small Office
Finding the best printer for a small office or home office is much simpler with a defined budget. It saves time and effort wasted in looking through many expensive ones.
You shouldn’t just focus on the printer’s pricing while looking for a low-cost office printer. To get a whole picture, you must also consider the cost of the cartridges, maintenance, the price per print, etc.
Here, we’ve thoroughly explained the product’s benefits and drawbacks. So let’s start looking for the solution that best suits your demands.
Product Reviews
- Produces good quality prints
- Low cost-per-print and high yield
- Comes with an automatic document feeder with duplex scanning functionality
- The scanning quality is not that great
- Needs frequent maintenance to avoid clogging
The first one on the list of the best cheap printers for small offices is the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e inkjet printer. It is an all-in-one printer that can handle medium print volume well. There are a few key features that mark it out as a great budget option for small businesses. The printer includes a 35-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) for efficient scanning and copying of multiple-page documents. It also features automatic duplex printing, which saves paper by printing on both sides and reduces overall printing costs. We love the sharp quality produced by the high-yield ink cartridges which will save you money in the long run too. The printing speeds are super fast.
Its features resemble its predecessor, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015, except it comes with ink for up to 6 months and an ink delivery subscription. This printer can be easily connected to USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi and can print directly when connected to a USB flash drive.
- Produces good-quality text and graphics
- Good mobile connectivity
- Comes with high-yield cartridges
- High maintenance cost
- Doesn’t support Bluetooth and SD Cards
We’re big fans of the Brother MFC-L3750CDW. This printer is a versatile all-in-one device that combines printing, copying, scanning, and faxing capabilities in a single unit. It eliminates the need for multiple devices, saving both money and space in a small office setting. With a printing speed of up to 25 pages per minute for both color and black-and-white documents, the device is great for heavy workloads, and is compact enough for even the smallest of offices.
One cannot go wrong with this feature-loaded LED printer when looking for the best cheap printer for small offices. It has an automatic document feeder that enables it to duplex print and scan 50 pages in one go. Furthermore, it connects seamlessly to Wi-Fi Direct and AirPrint, making it easier to work with this device. This printer has a touchscreen interface that adds user-friendliness and a USB host port. It has high print speed makes it an ideal choice for busy offices.
- Offers seamless mobile connectivity
- Compact and convenient
- Comes with a 40-page automatic document feeder
- No front USB port
- No auto-duplex mode
If you have space issues in your office, then the HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw is the best printer to go for. It is a compact 4-in-one laser printer that covers your printing, scanning, copying, and faxing needs. It has built-in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct functionality which you can access using HP’s app on your smartphone. This printer is ideal for small offices with low print and copy volumes, and comes with a 40-sheet ADF, enabling efficient scanning and copying of multi-page documents.
Some of the bonuses of this printer include its rapid printing speed, which reduces waiting times and and increases office productivity, and the laser-defined print. Laser printers are known for their fast printing speeds, consistent and sharp print quality, and durability. The Color Laser MFP 179fnw utilizes laser technology, allowing it to produce professional-looking prints with crisp text and vibrant colors, making it suitable for a variety of business documents.
- Allows borderless printing
- Low running cost
- High page yield
- Lacks automatic document feeder
- No ethernet connectivity
If you are looking for a budget all-in-one inkjet printer, your search ends here. This printer produces high-quality documents and crystal-clear pictures. It has an ink cartridge and an additional internal ink tank that present a good yield compared to traditional ink cartridges. It can be easily connected with Wi-Fi or USB and supports AirPrint and Mopria Print Service. Also, it can be paired with your smartphone via Brother’s Mobile Connect app.
- Has XL and XXL ink cartridge option
- Produces high-quality documents and detailed photos
- Good scan quality
- Limited connectivity
- No automatic document feeder feature
Our last printer on the list is the Canon PIXMA MG3620. We’ve mentioned this device before, in our guide to the best cheap printer for art prints.
This printer is one of the most budget-friendly inkjet printers available today. It combines the use of dye inks and pigment-based inks in various modes to produce a wide range of results with fantastic color accuracy.
It has all the features an all-in-one inkjet printer should have. It comes with a flatbed scanner, can create high-quality documents and images of high quality, and can be connected to a computer through USB or Wi-Fi. It also has an automated duplex printing functionality to print both sides – a great function for small businesses which have to print a lot of documents. It can be paired with the Canon mobile app to make connecting to your smartphone easier.
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Cheap Printer for Small Office
As mentioned earlier, the price of a printer alone does not qualify it as affordable. Its running cost also plays a vital role. Apart from this, a printer’s type, size, and features also affect the overall price.
For instance, if you go for a multifunctional printer, they are highly priced compared to single-function printers. Furthermore, the initial price of an inkjet printer is low, but its running cost is high, whereas a laser printer is highly-priced but has low running expenses.
To grab the best deal, you need to consider all aspects of printers and the upfront and maintenance cost to know if it is affordable in the long run. So what else should you have a look at? Here’s our suggestions.
Printing needs
Assess your office’s printing requirements, such as the volume of printing, types of documents (text, graphics, photos), and whether color printing is necessary. Understanding your specific needs will help you choose a printer that can handle the workload effectively.
Print quality
Evaluate the print quality of the printer, especially if your office requires professional-looking documents or high-resolution prints. Look for printers with high dpi (dots per inch) for better image and text clarity.
Printing Speed
Consider the printing speed of the printer, especially if you have a high-volume printing environment or need quick turnaround times. Faster printing speeds can improve productivity and efficiency.
Paper Handling
Assess the printer’s paper handling capabilities, including paper sizes supported, input and output tray capacity, and whether it can handle specialty media like envelopes or cardstock. Make sure the printer can accommodate the types and sizes of paper you commonly use in your office.
Our Verdict
Printers by Brother are the best if you are looking for a budget-friendly one. These printers offer a feature-loaded product with competitive pricing for high or low volumes prints. In this blog, we have mentioned Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W for busy offices and Brother MFC-J4335DW for offices with comparatively low print volume.
However our top pick goes to the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e inkjet printer. It’s a great all-rounder that’s bound to suit any office.
Looking for something more niche? Check out our guide to the best printers for stickers and labels.