Is your old printer making funny noises, or maybe you just need a new one without breaking the bank? Finding a good computer printer for under $100 can feel like a treasure hunt! There are so many choices out there, and it’s tough to know which one will actually do a good job without costing a fortune. You want something reliable for school papers, printing photos, or maybe even just a quick document, but the prices and features can be confusing.
Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! In this post, we’re going to make choosing a printer super easy. We’ll look at the best printers you can get for less than $100 that are still great for everyday use. You’ll learn what to look for, what features are important, and which models offer the most bang for your buck. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly which printer is the perfect fit for your needs and your wallet!
Our Top 5 Computer Printer Under $100 Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Computer Printer Under $100 Detailed Reviews
1. HP DeskJet 2827e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 9.4/10
Meet the HP DeskJet 2827e, your new home printing sidekick. This all-in-one printer handles everything from school papers to grocery lists. It’s designed for easy use and fits right into your home.
What We Like:
- It’s great for printing to-do lists, letters, and recipes.
- HP AI helps print web pages and emails without wasted space.
- You can print, copy, and scan all with one device.
- It has reliable Wi-Fi that fixes connection problems on its own.
- The HP app lets you print from your phone, computer, or tablet.
- You get a 3-month trial of HP Instant Ink, so ink comes to you.
- Its compact size fits anywhere in your home.
- The simple control panel makes printing easy.
- It’s made with over 60% recycled plastic and is energy efficient.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print speeds are a bit slow for large jobs (up to 5.5 ppm color, 7.5 ppm black).
- The printer only works with HP ink cartridges.
The HP DeskJet 2827e is a smart choice for home users who need a simple, all-in-one printer. Its smart features and eco-friendly design make it a practical addition to any household.
2. Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer for Duplex Printing
Rating: 8.6/10
The Canon PIXMA TS4320 is a smart choice for anyone needing a reliable printer for home or a home office. This white, wireless color inkjet printer does more than just print; it scans and copies too. It’s designed to be easy to use and won’t take up too much space, making it ideal for smaller areas. Plus, it helps you save money and paper with its automatic two-sided printing feature.
What We Like:
- This printer is budget-friendly, offering great value for home users and those working from home.
- It produces crisp, colorful prints for both documents and photos with its smart ink system.
- Setting it up is a breeze, and you can start printing, scanning, and copying right away from your phone or computer.
- Dual-band Wi-Fi provides a strong and steady connection, letting you print from anywhere in your home.
- Automatic duplex printing saves you time and paper by printing on both sides of the page automatically.
- It supports printing a variety of paper sizes, including borderless prints.
- Its compact and stylish design fits nicely into any workspace without being bulky.
- You can easily print from your smartphone or tablet using popular apps like the Canon PRINT App.
- It’s an eco-friendly choice, holding EPEAT Silver and ENERGY STAR certifications.
What Could Be Improved:
- The ink cartridges are hybrid, meaning if one color runs out, you might need to replace the whole cartridge.
- The scanner lid does not have a hinge, which can be a bit awkward when scanning thicker documents.
Overall, the Canon PIXMA TS4320 is a versatile and cost-effective printer that handles everyday tasks with ease. It’s a solid option for those looking for an all-in-one solution.
3. HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.7/10
The HP DeskJet 2855e is a fantastic choice for your home. It handles all your printing needs, from shopping lists to important letters. This printer also scans and copies, making it a true all-in-one device. Plus, it comes with three months of HP Instant Ink, so you won’t run out of ink right away.
What We Like:
- It’s perfect for printing everyday things like to-do lists, letters, and recipes.
- HP AI helps you print web pages and emails perfectly, so no ink or paper is wasted.
- You get color printing, copying, and scanning all in one machine.
- The reliable Wi-Fi automatically fixes connection problems.
- The HP app lets you print, scan, and copy from your phone or tablet easily.
- It includes 3 months of HP Instant Ink, which saves you money and hassle.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print speeds are a bit slower for color (5.5 ppm) and black (7.5 ppm) compared to some other printers.
- It only has single-band Wi-Fi connectivity.
- The input tray holds 60 sheets, which might be small for very large print jobs.
This HP DeskJet 2855e is a simple and effective printer for any home. It makes printing and scanning easy and convenient.
4. Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer
Rating: 9.1/10
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer is a fantastic choice for any home needing a reliable and versatile printer. It handles printing, copying, scanning, and even faxing, making it a true workhorse for your daily tasks. Plus, its sleek black design looks great on any desk.
What We Like:
- It’s a 4-in-1 printer: print, copy, scan, and fax all in one device.
- The Auto Document Feeder makes copying and scanning multiple pages super easy.
- You can print wirelessly from your phone or tablet, which is very convenient.
- Automatic two-sided printing saves paper and is good for the environment.
- It prints good-quality documents, photos, and even borderless prints.
- The printer is designed for easy ink cartridge changes.
- Smart reordering with Alexa means you’ll never run out of ink.
- It’s ENERGY STAR certified, so it’s energy efficient.
What Could Be Improved:
- The print speed is a bit slow at 8.8 / 4.4 images per minute.
- The paper capacity is only 100 sheets, which might be small for heavy printing jobs.
This printer offers a lot of features for home users. It’s a solid, all-around performer that makes managing your home office tasks much simpler.
5. Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex Printing and 1.8” Color Display
Rating: 9.1/10
The Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer is a fantastic tool for anyone needing to print, copy, and scan at home or in a small office. Its compact design fits well in most spaces, and it helps you get your tasks done efficiently.
What We Like:
- It’s great for both home and home office use, handling all your printing, copying, and scanning needs.
- You can easily print from and scan to popular cloud apps like Google Drive and Dropbox using the simple color display.
- Automatic duplex (2-sided) printing saves paper.
- The 20-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) makes copying and scanning multi-page documents quick.
- It prints at good speeds, up to 16 pages per minute in black and 9 pages per minute in color.
- You can connect it wirelessly or with a USB cable.
- The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you manage your printer from your phone and even track your ink levels with Page Gauge.
What Could Be Improved:
- The ink cartridges (LC501 Series) can be a bit pricey if you print a lot.
- While the color display is helpful, it’s quite small at 1.8 inches.
This Brother printer offers a solid set of features for everyday tasks. It’s a reliable choice that makes printing and managing documents straightforward.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Your Budget-Friendly Printer Pal
Finding a good computer printer without breaking the bank is totally possible! You can get a reliable printer for under $100 that does a great job for your everyday printing needs. This guide will help you pick the best one.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for a printer under $100, focus on these important features:
Print Quality
This is how clear and sharp your printed pages look. For most home use, you want good text clarity and decent color if you print photos. Look for printers that mention high resolution (measured in dots per inch or DPI). Higher DPI means sharper prints.
Print Speed
How fast does the printer print? If you print a lot of pages, a faster printer saves you time. For casual printing, speed might not be as important.
Connectivity Options
How do you connect your computer to the printer? Most printers offer USB, which is a simple cable connection. Some newer ones also have Wi-Fi, letting you print wirelessly from your computer or even your phone. Wi-Fi is super convenient!
Ink or Toner Type
Printers use either ink cartridges or toner cartridges. Inkjet printers use liquid ink, and they are usually cheaper to buy upfront. Laser printers use toner, which is a powder. Laser printers are often better for printing lots of text quickly and their toner can last longer, but they can cost more initially.
All-in-One Features (Optional)
Some printers under $100 are “all-in-one,” meaning they can also scan and copy documents. This is a great bonus if you need those functions and want to save space and money by having one device do it all.
2. Important Materials and Build
While you won’t find super fancy materials in printers under $100, a well-built printer will last longer.
- Plastic Casing: Most printers use durable plastic. Check for a solid feel, not flimsy.
- Paper Tray Design: A well-designed paper tray holds paper securely and feeds it smoothly.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things affect how well your printer works.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Ink/Toner Quality: Using genuine or high-quality compatible ink/toner makes a big difference in print color and sharpness.
- Paper Type: Using the right kind of paper for your printer (plain paper for text, photo paper for pictures) helps a lot.
- Driver Software: Your printer’s software (drivers) tells your computer how to talk to it. Keeping these updated can improve performance.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Clogged Ink Nozzles (Inkjets): If an inkjet printer sits unused for too long, the ink can dry up and clog the tiny holes (nozzles) where the ink comes out. This causes faded or streaky prints.
- Low Ink/Toner: Running out of ink or toner obviously stops printing and can sometimes lead to poor quality prints before it runs out completely.
- Using Incorrect Paper: Using very thin or very thick paper can cause jams or poor print results.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Who is a printer under $100 for, and what can they do with it?
For Students:
Students can print homework, essays, and research papers. An all-in-one is great for scanning notes or assignments. Wireless printing is helpful for printing from laptops or tablets without messy cables.
For Home Offices:
Print occasional documents, forms, or invoices. If you need to print many pages of text, a laser printer might be a better choice, but many affordable inkjets handle this well too. Wireless printing is a big plus for a home office setup.
For Casual Home Use:
Print recipes, school projects, or the occasional photo. Inkjet printers are usually good for color printing at this price point. If you just need to print black and white text documents, many basic printers will do the job perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main difference between an inkjet and a laser printer under $100?
A: Inkjet printers spray liquid ink onto paper, making them good for color photos and generally cheaper to buy. Laser printers use powder (toner) and are usually faster for printing lots of text and can be more economical for high-volume printing over time, but the initial cost might be slightly higher or the models are more basic.
Q: Can I print photos with a printer under $100?
A: Yes, many inkjet printers in this price range can print decent photos. For professional-quality photos, you might need a more expensive printer, but for casual prints, they work well.
Q: Is Wi-Fi printing important for a budget printer?
A: Wi-Fi printing is very convenient. It lets you print from multiple devices without plugging in cables. It’s a great feature to have if you can find it on a printer under $100.
Q: How much does ink or toner cost for these printers?
A: Ink and toner can be a recurring cost. Inkjet cartridges for cheaper printers might need replacing more often. Always check the cost of replacement cartridges before buying the printer. Some printers use two cartridges (black and color), while others have individual cartridges for each color.
Q: What does “all-in-one” mean for a printer?
A: An all-in-one printer can print, scan, and copy documents. This saves you money and space compared to buying separate devices.
Q: Will a printer under $100 be slow?
A: Print speed varies. Basic printers might be slower, but they are fine for printing just a few pages at a time. If you need to print hundreds of pages, look for models that advertise faster print speeds.
Q: What is DPI?
A: DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It measures how many tiny dots of ink or toner the printer can place in one inch. A higher DPI means your printed images and text will look sharper and more detailed.
Q: What happens if I don’t use my inkjet printer for a long time?
A: If you don’t use an inkjet printer often, the ink can dry up in the print head. This can cause faded or streaky prints. You might need to run a “cleaning cycle” through the printer’s software to fix this.
Q: Are there printers that use less ink?
A: Some printers are designed to be more ink-efficient. Look for models that offer “high-yield” cartridges, which print more pages than standard ones. Laser printers are also generally more efficient for text printing.
Q: Where can I find reviews for printers under $100?
A: You can find reviews on tech websites, online retailer sites (like Amazon or Best Buy), and in product review blogs like this one! Reading reviews from other buyers helps you understand real-world performance.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Florence Disha, the creator behind HomesMend.com. With a passion for making every house a home, I share my personal experiences, tips, and expertise to help you transform your living spaces. Whether it’s practical advice, creative ideas, or tried-and-true solutions, my goal is to inspire and guide you in creating a home that feels just right. Let’s make every corner of your space truly yours!