Best Cheap Laser Printer Guide: Affordable Models in 2024
| May 20, 2024
When choosing the right printer for your needs, the best cheap laser printer offers significant advantages for home use, students, or small offices. Known for their reliability and cost-effectiveness, the best cheap laser printers provide faster printing speeds and superior print quality with minimal maintenance, making them ideal for anyone looking for an affordable laser printer.
In this blog, we will discuss:
- Choosing an Inexpensive Laser Printer
- Affordable Laser Printer Models by Type
- Laser Printer Recommendations for Specific Uses
- Cost-Reduction Strategies for Laser Printing
Why Choose a Laser Printer?
Laser printers offer speed, efficiency, and precision, making them ideal for high-volume tasks. With lower operational costs and minimal maintenance, they are perfect for anyone needing quick, professional-quality prints without frequent upkeep.
- Faster Printing Speeds: The best cheap laser printers deliver quick printouts, making them perfect for environments where time is a constraint. This speed advantage ensures that large documents are processed in a fraction of the time an inkjet printer takes.
- Higher-Quality Prints: Laser technology produces sharp, clear text and consistent, high-quality graphics. This makes laser printers ideal for professional documents, presentations, and materials that require a clean, refined appearance.
- Suitable for High-Volume Printing: The best laser printer with cheap toner can handle large print jobs without the frequent cartridge changes required by inkjet printers. This capability not only reduces downtime but also increases efficiency in high-demand settings.
Best Cheap Laser Printers (Printer Type)
When looking for cost-effective printing solutions, the type of printer you choose can significantly impact your overall expenses and productivity. It is also vital to calculate printing cost per page accurately. Cheap wireless laser printers and cheap all-in-one laser printers offer a blend of convenience and functionality at a budget-friendly price, making them the go-to choice for those who need both quality and affordability.
1) Cheap Wireless Laser Printer: Brother HL-L2350DW
- Printer Price: $149.99
- OEM Toner Price: Black $54
- CompAndSave Ink Price: Black $28.95
Pros:
- Compact design suitable for small spaces.
- High print speed up to 32 pages per minute.
Cons:
- Lacks color printing capabilities.
- No scan or copy functions.
Why it’s the Best: The Brother HL-L2350DW is the best budget color laser printer for students and home offices, blending cost-effectiveness with robust functionality.
2) Cheap All-in-One Laser Printer: Canon imageCLASS MF267dw
- Printer Price: $289
- OEM Toner Price: Black $76
- CompAndSave Ink Price: Black $29.95
Pros:
- Includes functions like print, scan, copy, and fax.
- It supports duplex printing and has a 35-sheet ADF.
Cons:
- Only monochrome printing.
- Bulkier than print-only models.
Why it’s the Best: The Canon imageCLASS MF267dw is perfect for small businesses needing versatile functionality. The laser printer best value with multiple features and easy setup, catering to both efficiency and practicality in busy environments.
3) Best Budget Color Laser Printer: Brother HL-L3210CW
- Printer Price: $249
- OEM Toner Price: Black $75 | Color $78 each
- CompAndSave Ink Price: Black $23.95 | Color $24.95
Pros:
- Vibrant color prints at a competitive price.
- Wireless printing and high-yield toner options.
Cons:
- Slower print speed compared to higher-end models.
- Higher initial cost than monochrome printers.
Why it’s the Best: The Brother HL-L3210CW is an excellent choice for those requiring color printing without a hefty price tag. It balances cost with performance, providing high-quality prints suitable for marketing materials and reports.
4) Cheap Black and White Laser Printer (Monochrome): Samsung Xpress M2020W
- Printer Price: $89
- OEM Toner Price: Black $63
- CompAndSave Ink Price: Black $23.99
Pros:
- Ultra-compact and easy to set up.
- Supports mobile printing through NFC.
Cons:
- Limited to USB and Wi-Fi connectivity.
- No duplex printing.
Why it’s the Best: This cheap black and white laser printer offers excellent print quality at a meager cost for those who prioritize space and simplicity. Its straightforward functionality and compact design make it ideal for personal or low-volume printing.
Best Cheap Laser Printers (Usage)
Selecting the best cheap laser printer depends on its intended use. Each scenario demands specific features for home use, a student’s assignment, or a bustling small office. Below, we detail models tailored to these environments, focusing on their cost-effectiveness and functional advantages.
1) Home Use Printing: HP LaserJet Pro M15w
- Printer Price: $108
- OEM Toner Price: Black $50
- CompAndSave Ink Price: Black $23.95
Pros:
- Ultra-compact size fits easily in any space.
- Energy-efficient, reducing household costs.
Cons:
- Limited to monochrome printing.
- No scanning or copying capabilities.
Why it’s the Best: The HP LaserJet Pro M15w is ideal for home use due to its small footprint and ease of use. It offers fast printing speeds that are adequate for managing personal documents and minimal operating costs, making it an inexpensive laser printer for families.
2) Home Office Printing: Brother MFC-L2710DW
- Printer Price: $199
- OEM Toner Price: Black $79
- CompAndSave Ink Price: Black $28.95
Pros:
- Multifunctional capabilities include print, copy, scan, and fax.
- Wireless connectivity supports remote printing.
Cons:
- It only supports monochrome printing.
- Requires more space than basic models.
Why it’s the Best: The affordable laser printer stands out for its all-in-one capabilities and excellent print speed for the home office. It’s designed to boost productivity with its robust feature set and reliable performance, efficiently catering to diverse office needs.
3) Student Printing: Brother MFC-J995DW
- Printer Price: $199
- OEM Ink Price: Black $32.99 | Color $23.49
- CompAndSave Ink Price: Black $14.95 | Color $10.95
Pros:
- Outstanding cartridge system with high yield.
- Low cost-per-print.
- Superb mobile app for easy connectivity.
- Great photo printing quality.
Cons:
- Slow printing speed for black-only documents.
Why it’s the Best: The Brother MFC-J995DW is perfect for students due to its low cost-per-print and excellent cartridge system. Its high-yield ink and great photo printing make it ideal for projects and assignments, while the mobile app ensures seamless printing from any device.
4) Photo Printing: Canon Color imageCLASS LBP622Cdw
- Printer Price: $274
- OEM Toner Price: Black $70 | Color $85 each
- CompAndSave Ink Price: Black $29.95 | Color $29.95 each
Pros:
- Produces high-quality color prints suitable for photos.
- Supports various paper types and sizes.
Cons:
- Higher cost per page for color prints.
- Larger and heavier than typical home printers.
Why it’s the Best: The Canon Color imageCLASS LBP622Cdw is recommended for photo printing within the laser printer category due to its superior color accuracy and print resolution. This best budget color laser printer handles different media types well, making it versatile for creative projects.
5) Small Business Printing: Brother HL-L5100DN
- Printer Price: $229
- OEM Toner Price: Black $84
- CompAndSave Ink Price: Black $18.95
Pros:
- High print speed up to 42 ppm.
- Robust paper handling capabilities.
Cons:
- No color printing.
- Bulkier design, requiring more office space.
Why it’s the Best: The Brother HL-L5100DN is an excellent cheap wireless inexpensive laser printer for small businesses, providing dependable performance and low maintenance costs.
Budget-Friendly Tips for Affordable Laser Printer
Maximizing value while minimizing costs is crucial when using an affordable laser printer. Here are some practical tips to keep printing expenses low without sacrificing quality:
- Opt for Compatible Toner Cartridges: Third-party manufacturers offer compatible toner cartridges that are much cheaper than OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and often deliver comparable quality.
- Consider Refurbished Models: Purchasing refurbished laser printers can significantly reduce upfront costs. These models are typically tested to meet original factory specifications.
- Look for Discounts and Promotions: Regularly check for sales, coupons, and promotions from reputable retailers. Buying during sales events can lead to substantial savings.
- Print Efficiently: Adjust printer settings to default to duplex (double-sided) printing and use economy mode to save toner when high-quality prints are unnecessary.
Implementing these strategies can help maintain a low cost-per-page, extending your budget and increasing overall efficiency.
Final Words
Choosing the best cheap laser printer involves balancing cost, functionality, and performance. With options like cheap wireless laser printers and multifunctional models, you can find a solution that fits your specific printing needs. These printers provide substantial benefits in speed, efficiency, and print quality, making them a smart choice for budget-conscious users seeking reliable performance.
Investing in a suitable model and utilizing cost-saving strategies can significantly reduce long-term expenses, making laser printers an intelligent choice for budget-conscious users seeking reliability and high performance.
Key Takeaways
When selecting a laser printer, consider these essential points:
- Affordable laser printers generally offer a lower cost per page compared to inkjets, especially for monochrome printing. Learn more about Inkjet Vs Laser Printer, Which Is Better.
- They produce crisper text faster, making them ideal for business environments and academic settings.
- Laser printers require less frequent cartridge changes and are less prone to clogging, reducing upkeep hassles.
- From basic monochrome models for simple document printing to advanced color printers for professional-quality graphics, there’s a laser printer for every need.
Are you interested in minimizing your printing cost? Read this article: How to Reduce Printing Costs? Top 10 Low-cost Printing Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between toner and ink?
Toner is a powder used in laser printers, while ink, used in inkjet printers, is liquid. The best laser printer with cheap toner generally yields more pages, making them more suitable for high-volume printing.
How do I maintain a laser printer?
Regular maintenance includes cleaning the printer interior, checking for firmware updates, and replacing the toner cartridge right after it runs out to avoid damage to the printer’s drum unit.
Can laser printers print in color?
Yes, color laser printers are available and are excellent for producing vibrant, high-quality prints, though they are generally more expensive than monochrome models.
Are laser printers suitable for photo printing?
While capable of printing photos, laser printers are generally less suited for this task than inkjets, which can provide finer detail and a more comprehensive range of color on photo paper.
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