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Best inexpensive 3d printer 2015


The Top Cheap 3D Printers on the Market

Published on February 3, 2022 by Alexandrea P.

The democratization of 3D printing has led to a meteoric rise in the number of machines available on the market, but above all to a strong competitiveness when it comes to price. It is currently possible to buy a 3D printer for about $100, where even a few years ago it cost $2,000. Now more than ever, it is easier to get a desktop 3D printer and get started without spending a fortune. But with so many cheap 3D printers on the market, which one should you choose? We made a selection of machines, mainly FDM and SLA, at low prices (less than $500), ranked in order of increasing price. Do take note that there are many models: our list is not exhaustive!

The da Vinci Nano 3D Printer from XYZprinting

One of the brands that we could not fail to include in our list of cheap 3D printers is undoubtedly XYZprinting. With a range of more than 20 3D printers, we have chosen the da Vinci Nano, a desktop FDM solution that was launched in 2017. Based in Taiwan, XYZprinting has developed this 3D printer compatible with the company’s proprietary PLA and PETG filaments. It features a limited print volume of 120 x 120 x 120mm, a weight of 4.7kg and an enclosed enclosure that offers enhanced security while preventing part deformation. The da Vinci Nano has a print speed of 70mm/s, is compatible with XYZmaker Suite software and accepts stl, 3w, obj, 3mf and many more formats. You can purchase this machine from $199.95 from the manufacturer’s website.

Photo Credits: XYZprinting

Voxelab Aquila

Marketed by Chinese 3D printer manufacturer Voxelab, the Aquila 3D printer is based on FDM technology. Delivered partially assembled, it should be easy to install. Compatible with standard thermoplastics, such as PLA, ABS or PETG, the machine offers a printing volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm. Easy to use, the machine would be according to the manufacturer very quiet during the printing process, with a sound estimated at 50 decibels. The Aquila is particularly aimed at beginners in 3D printing and is intended to introduce them to the technology. The machine works with Cura, Simplify 3D and VoxelMaker software and like many 3D printers, supports STL and OBJ formats. For those who wish to go further, improved versions of the Aquila exist. On the manufacturer’s website, the machine is sold at a price of 160 euros, not including shipping.

Photo Credits: Voxelab

A Cheap 3D Printer Kit

Anet Technology is a Chinese company founded in 2015 that offers cheap 3D printers, both resin and FDM machines. Among its range, you’ve probably already heard of the Anet A8, a 3D printer in kit form that is easy to assemble and use. With a volume of 220 x 220 x 240 mm, it allows all beginners to quickly learn about 3D printing. We can also mention the Anet ET range, especially the Anet ET4 model that was launched in August 2019. It features an end-of-filament detection system, a touch screen and a more generous print volume (440 x 340 x 480 mm). The Anet ET4 machine starts at $189 on the manufacturer’s website, or about €167.

Photo Credits: Anet Technology

The Mini Delta V2 3D Printer from Monoprice

A common favorite among many low-cost 3D printer connoisseurs, the Monoprice Mini Delta V2 3D Printer is available from $199.99. As you might have guessed, the V2 is an update to the already popular Mini Delta from the company, taking customer suggestions in mind. Some of the exciting features include an adaptive touchscreen and an updated and simplified user interface. The company also notes that it has updated the auto leveling system to make start-up faster. Of course, users can still expect the features that were so loved in the previous version, including USB Connections, slicing that is compatible with Cura or open-source software and a small and compact size. The build volume is 110 x 120mm, it is compatible with PLA, ABS, Wood Fill, Copper Fill, Steel Fill and Bronze Fill and can print at a sped of up to 170mm/sec.

Photo Credits: Monoprice

Photon Mono, A Cheap Resin 3D Printer

Anycubic is one of the most popular cheap 3D printer manufacturers on the market. It has developed a wide range of products, from FDM models to small machines from the SLA office. The manufacturer recently introduced the Mega X, an FDM solution that can create 300 x 300 x 305 mm parts with a suggested print speed of 60 mm/s. The focus, however, will be on its Photon line, which relies on a light-curing process. One of the most affordable machines is the Photon Mono, which incorporates a monochrome LCD screen to design parts measuring 130 x 80 x 165 mm.  Exposure time is reduced to one second and the manufacturer claims its screen is 4 times more durable than a conventional LCD.  The Photon Mono is available from $199 on Anycubic’s website or 175 euros.

Photo Credits: Anycubic

Cheap 3D Printers From Creality

Creality is one of the most popular companies when it comes to offering cheap 3D printers. It has several lines of machines that work with different manufacturing technologies, and this time we wanted to highlight three of them. The first and most economical is the Halot ONE, a resin 3D printer based on LCD technology. With a print volume of 127 x 80 x 160 mm, the machine can be purchased for a price of $229. One of Creality’s most popular solutions is the Ender 3 v2, capable of printing with a wide variety of materials, such as ABS, PLA and wood, with a print volume of 300 x 300 x 400 mm, a replaceable 0.4 mm nozzle, and a final price of$262. Also worth mentioning is the CR-10 Smart, one of the newest machines in the CR series launched by Creality, which has a higher price of $479.

On the left, the Halot One 3D printer. On the right, the Ender-3 V2 (photo credits: Creality)

The X-ONE2 from QIDI Tech

You may have already heard of QIDI Tech, a Chinese manufacturer of both FDM and LCD resin 3D printers, as its X-Pro 3D printer is often listed is one of the most popular cheap machines on the market. It is known for its Turbofan which blows on all four sides, removable plate, dual extruder and breakpoint printing. However, we also wanted to draw your attention to another FDM printer from the company that is gaining popularity on sites like Amazon, the X-ONE2 single extruder 3D printer, available from $249. In this machine, QIDI points to features like the full aluminum frame which provides more stability than plastic and the beautiful colorful appearance. Additionally, it shares features with its sibling the X-PRO, including a built-in turbofan that circulates air around the nozzle, a stable, heated print bed and user-friendly slicing software. The machine is compatible with PLA, TPU and ABS though QIDI notes that more filaments will be coming soon and the build volume is 11.8”x9.8”x11.8”(300x250x300mm)

Photo Credits: QIDI Tech

The Tornado 3D Printer from Tevo

TEVO is also a Chinese manufacturer that develops affordable 3D printers for all makers and 3D printing enthusiasts. One of its most popular models is the TEVO Tornado, a desktop machine that offers a generous 300 x 300 x 400 mm print volume for its price (about 290€). It comes almost fully assembled and is compatible with most plastic filaments on the market, including ABS thanks to the presence of a heating plate. The TEVO Tornado has an aluminum frame that guarantees its stability and an E3D extruder that can reach 260°C.

Photo Credits: Tevo

The Mars 3 From Elegoo

The Mars 3 is the latest 4K LCD printer in the Mars series from Chinese manufacturer Elegoo. Compared to its predecessor, the Mars 2, the Mars 3 is said to have a 30% higher printing accuracy. With an installation space of 143 x 89.6 x 175 mm, the Elegoo Mars 3 has a larger print volume compared to other resin printers with 4K resolution. The device also scores with a chip-on-board (COB) light source and an improved cooling system. The sandblasted build plate ensures models stick and don’t fall off prematurely. The Mars 3 is available on the market from $349. Plus point: The CHITUBOX Pro Slicer software is included in the purchase price.

Photo Credits: Elegoo

The Sonic Mini 4k from Phrozen

Founded by a group of Taiwanese 3D printing enthusiasts in 2016, Phrozen offers professional and desktop 3D printers. After the success of their first LCD 3D printers, known as the “Phrozen Shuffle”, they created a new generation of LCD 3D printers, the Sonic series. Within this line, the Sonic Mini 4k stands out. With a precision level of 35 microns, the 3D printer takes between one and two seconds to solidify a layer. Featuring a 6.1-inch monochrome LCD screen, the Sonic Mini 4k has a print volume of 134 x 75 x 130 mm. If you are interested in the machine, its price is about $349.99.

Photo Credits: Phrozen

The Polaroid PlaySmart 

Polaroid, the American camera company, has also developed a 3D printer called Polaroid PlaySmart. Launching in 2019, it offers a print volume of 120 x 120 x 120 mm and is based on extrusion technology. The PlaySmart can print with three different materials: PLA, P-Wood and PETG. Equipped with a Wi-Fi camera, the 3D printer allows its users to view the printing process live. The machine is very small, measuring 30 x 27 x 32 cm and weighing only 1 kg. Designed for beginners and 3D printing enthusiasts, the Polaroid PlaySmart costs € 375.

Photo Credits: Polaroid

The Original Prusa Mini +

The Original Prusa Mini + 3D printer is the latest desktop machine from Czech manufacturer Prusa, known for the Prusa i3 mk2 and mk3s. With the Mini +, Prusa wants to provide users with a solution that offers the same features as the previous models, while being available at a lower price. Based on the FFF process, the Original Prusa Mini + has a printing volume of 180 × 180 × 180 mm and prints with a layer thickness between 0.05 and 0.25 mm. The machine, which incorporates interchangeable nozzles and a color LCD screen, can be purchased either as a plug & play (available from €419) or as a kit (from €379).

Photo Credits: Prusa

The Finder 2.0 from Flashforge

The Finder 2.0 from Chinese manufacturer FlashForge is designed for 3D printing novices and educators. The 3D printer was also designed for children, and includes a removable print tray for easy cleaning. This FDM printer creates objects with biodegradable PLA, and has a build volume of 140 x 140 x 140 mm. It also features WiFi connectivity and automatically detects when a roll is finished. The printer has 50 micron accuracy and automatic calibration. It is available on the manufacturer’s website for a price of $349

Photo Credits: Flashforge

The Sidewinder x2 from Artillery

An improved version of the Sidewinder x1, the Sidewinder x2 is a 3D printer from Chinese manufacturer Artillery based on the FFF process. The 3D printer, which comes pre-assembled, offers a print volume of 300 x 300 x 400 mm. With a speed of up to 150 mm/sec, the machine offers a layer thickness of between 0.1 and 0.35 mm. The temperature of the nozzle can go up to 240 degrees Celsius. Compatible with filaments from other manufacturers, the Sidewinder x2 is sold at a price of $469. The manufacturer also offers other budget-friendly 3D printers in its lineup, such as the Artillery Genius and Genius Pro.

Photo Credits: Artillery

Magis by Dagoma, a Cheap French 3D printer

The Magis is the latest version of the French manufacturer’s delta 3D printer. It would be even easier to use than its big sister, still with this single button system that allows to start, stop and resume printing. It offers a printing volume of 180 x 200 x 200 mm and a precision of 100 microns. It still integrates its end of filament detection system as well as an automatic calibration of the printing plate. More than 50% of the parts of the small desktop machine are 3D printed. You will find it on the market from 499€.

Photo Credits: Dagoma

The Bresser REX

Developed by Bresser, a German manufacturer of technological tools, the Bresser REX 3D printer is aimed at people already initiated to 3D printing but especially at beginners. With a printing volume of 150 x 150 x 150 mm, the machine is based on the FFF process. Equipped with a heated and flexible printing plate, the Bresser REX would be, according to the manufacturer, easy to use, especially thanks to its intuitive touch screen. Compatible with PLA and ABS, the 3D printer offers a printing accuracy of 0.1 mm. Moreover, Bresser specifies that thanks to its compact size, the dimensions of the machine are 400 x 380 x 405, and its relatively light weight, it weighs 9 kg precisely, it is possible to install it in various places. Finally, thanks to the HEPA filter integrated into the 3D printer, the ambient air is guaranteed to remain clean during the entire printing process. For those who would like to buy the Bresser REX, it is sold new for €489 by the manufacturer.

What is your favorite out of our chosen cheap 3D printers? Is there another one you would recommend? Let us know in a comment below or on our Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.

The 18 Best 3D Printers For 2015 - 3D Printers - Talk Manufacturing

3D Printing 3D Printers

beeverycreative, seemecnc, bq, makergear, up3dp, reprap, lulzbot, zortrax, flashforge, ultimaker

gabriela3d

#1

As you might have already heard, we have just released the 2015 3D Printer Guide highlighting the best 18 printers as voted by the community. The guide is based on 2279 reviews on 235 different 3D printer models, which really shows the full power of our global community. 1623 years of combined 3D Printing experience - wow, how impressive is that!

(Drumroll) And the winners in the 5 main categories and the scores they received based on your votes are:

Enthusiast: Makergear M2 (9.0), FlashForge Creator Pro (8.7), Ultimaker 2 (8.6), Witbox (8.6), Lulzbot Taz 4 (8.5)

Plug-n-Play: Zortrax M200 (8.9), BEETHEFIRST (8.9), UP Plus 2 (8.8)

Kit/ DIY: Rostock MAX (9.0), Mendel90 (8.9), Kossel (8.8), Ultimaker Original+ (8.8)

Budget: Printrbot Simple Metal (8.6), Sharebot KIWI (8.6), FlashForge Creator (8.4), UP! mini (8.3)

Resin: Form 1+ (8.4), B9Creator (8.1)

So what do you guys think about the finalists? Any surprises? Any particular model left out of the race? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

5 Likes

gabriela3d

#2

@Cinter @obelix @rioprintocom @Matterthings @Los_Hacedores @Philipbee @Jan-Willem_1 what do you guys think?

danilius

#3

Look at how many people own Ultimakers, either the kit or version 2. That’s a figure that is more important than any other. It tells you how credible the reviews are, simply becuase the sample is statisticially more significant. This figure should have been displayed on the fron page next to the rating.

If a printer with 21 respondents can rank higher than one with 142, you need to ask just how accurate are your results going to be.

This makes this whole printer guide less than even remotely accurate, and in fact more likely to distort reality than provide a useful guide.

5 Likes

HerrRausB

#4

Great - spent 30 minutes on a review of the I3 Berlin and the thing even doesn’t show up in the list, eventho it’s a very reliable and price worth piece of engineering… Are we somewhat biased to the U. S. american market? Slightly sucks, but yeah - USA is great, hm? This increasing americanzation starts to piss me off…

1 Like

Pot8oSh4D

#5

Makes really interesting reading! Glad to see my little Up! Mini made it into the Budget category although I’m not sure I’d agree with the classification and I’m pretty sure it can be bought for around $500 nowadays. I’m sure that this printer guide will be very influential in the future but I hope it doesn’t influence manufacturers’ design decisions too much. Would be good to see a subdivision for Delta-type designs as that was the main influence on my most recent purchase. I just wanted a Delta!

Another useful addition to the Buyers’ guide would be a section for up-and-coming products that simply don’t have the profile to make the cut. I bought a Deltatrix, which is an awesome printer for the money but at this stage I wouldn’t expect it to make one of the main categories. Now you’re in the area of Market Analysis, you have to be careful not to create self-fulfilling prophesies.

2 Likes

Brian

#6

Hey Pot8oSh4D,

Fair points, I especially like the upcoming printers idea. Indeed we have to be careful with self-fulfilling prophesies, but I’m confident the community will keep us balanced.

Bali

#7

Hi HerrRauB,

You actually submitted your review the day before it was released, so we didn’t have time to add it. Now I’ve added it, it’s listed under Prusa i3.

There are quite a few European made printers among the Best printers.

Bali

#8

Hi Danilius,

This is why we had a limit of at least 10 reviews to be included in the guide. Actually all printers in the Enthusiast category had at least 15 reviews. If the limit was lower, we’d exclude many of the new printers and we’d be disproportionately favoring big companies and printers that are the most frequent on 3D Hubs.

We did some tests for standard deviation and even though both Ultimakers have more than a 100 reviews, their SD is not necessarily lower than that of printers with let’s say 20 reviews.

Pot8oSh4D

#9

In that case, they may as well just order printers by number of reviews and leave it at that. I don’t think JD Power make any allowance for the number of responses in their car owner satisfaction survey. Must say, I was expecting Ultimaker 2 to be the top Enthusiast grade printer but hey. Maybe Ultimaker are pricing it out of the market.

Pot8oSh4D

#10

In that case, they may as well just order printers by number of reviews and leave it at that. I don’t think JD Power make any allowance for the number of responses in their car owner satisfaction survey. Must say, I was expecting Ultimaker 2 to be the top Enthusiast grade printer but hey. Maybe Ultimaker are pricing it out of the market.

danilius

#11

Well, there are several issues (some of them which are of course beyond your control), and basic statistics do not really cover these issues. However, I re-read my post and it came across as a very grumpy one. I really do not like grumpy posts, so allow me to apologise for that right now. The printer guide is immensely useful as a central repository of reviews, and I should have been more congratulatory over the publishing this significant piece of research. Kudos and thanks for that. So, please do not take the rest of my post as a criticism, it merely explains my thinking to add a couple more refinements to this significant and important survey.

Now, of course you created a minimal sample size, and that’s important.

But a sample of 20 is not as significant as a sample of 140. You can bandy around the maths every which way you want, but basically you are looking at footfall here: if more people buy printer X, does it mean it’s good? Well, that depends on the situation surrounding it. If, for example, Makerbot came to the show before Ultimaker, and the latter overtook Makerbot on 3dhubs, then that is a very, very significant fact that outweighs the numbers themselves, even if they only have an edge of 10 printers (I’m not trying to sell Ultimakers, I’m trying to get the best printers to the forefront, and hopefully have the truly awful ones slated. )

Then you have something like the Lulzbot Taz 4 which has not been around for very long. It has come below the Witbox, which really makes you wonder, since the Wibox does not have a heated platform whereas the Taz 4 does, it’s noise level is higher than the Taz 4, it is not open-source and in fact it has a host of issues with it.

Now, of course judging between these two printers is subjective, since what I need from a printer is going to be different than someone else, which will explain this apparent anomaly. Also, somone with a Form 1 will be far more appreciative of fine quality printing than someone owning a Makerbot.

The point is, though, that most of the results made me scratch my head.

So, what I’m advocating is for two things:

1) Show the response numbers on the front page of the listing. This way people can look at them and say: “well, printer X has only 21 responses, but it ticks all the boxes for me and is very new, therefore it makes sense few people own one. I will take the risk.”

Or they could say: “Why would I buy a printer that has only been tried by 21 people when I can get one that has over 100 people using it? Surely that technology will be more mature.” (Of course, this is simply not true either, since there is a very famous brand shipping printers that are essentially very expensive land-fill.)

2) Publish the raw figures. What’s important about open-source is that the information is made available. Never mind how poorly someone might interpret it. That’s their problem.

I hope this has not come across as too grumpy. If it has, re-read the start of this post and imagine me in a hot-tub with a cool beer, smiling and waving. You will only be able to imagine that, since I do not own a hot tub, don’t like beer and and if I’m waving it’s because I need help to find my glasses.

2 Likes

Bali

#12

Right, in a sense all reviews are subjective. Not all printer owners have experience with multiple machines and one might have different expectations of let’s say print quality, whether it’s a $4000 or a $500 printer. Also, there are many printers that can only prints with 1 material but they still ended up among the best… they must be pretty good at that:)

1) That’s a great idea, we were thinking about it as well. We’ll add it soon!

2) When we did the survey, we didn’t ask explicitly for permission to post individual results with Hub names. It’s debatable, but we thought that people would be more willing to share their honest opinion if they can remain anonymous. So posting individual reviews on printers, with the average of the ratings beside it is the most detailed view we can give for now.

It didn’t come across as grumpy, we’re open to any suggestions! It is a community based guide, this is what makes it so special. And all the beer and tortilla chips that was consumed while working on it:)

Pot8oSh4D

#13

Oh! One thing that just occurred to me. Can’t think why as it’s really rather important.

The 18 top printers from the 5 categories can in no way be described as the 18 best printers of 2015. For a start, it’s only just 2015 so, more correctly, these are the top printers of 2014. But they’re actually NOT. Is the best micro mini city car one of the best cars in the World? Don’t think so, whatever way you spin it. The best are the BEST. The highest quality, the most precise, the most reliable. When one sees the top printer in one category rated lower than the lowest in another, you really have to change the headline. Might I suggest “The 3DHubs printer ranking”?

OK. That’s two things. So sue me.

2 Likes

resinman

#14

“This makes this whole printer guide less than even remotely accurate, and in fact more likely to distort reality than provide a useful guide. ”

I disagree. Define “remotely accurate”. To what context are we referring? The guide provides value in that we can discover a trend among printer users, in addition to other categorical evidence. For example: of the Makergear M2 printer’s 21 users that reported, the ratings were higher, overall than those of the 142 Ultimaker 2 users. This tells me that the 21 Makergear users really like their printer, and that some of the Ultimaker users found it less likeable. Granted we would ideally like to see the same number of surveys completed for each printer, that would not necessarily make the results more meaningful. Surveys, like people, are inaccurate and highly subjective. This guide is not meant to be anything more than a guide, IMO. With that in mind it does a fine job.

I also disagree that the 142 Ultimaker user’s ratings are more important. Statistically more significant? Maybe.

I can agree that the sample size matters, but to brand the “whole” guide as “less than even remotely accurate” is disingenuous at best, and in-accurate nonetheless. There are so many variables and lack of controls in surveys like this, and agree that is a single reason for considering higher counts more “accurate”. Yes, we have to keep that in mind when using the results, but it certainly reflects some value for those looking to purchase their first printer.

In addition the guide shows photographs of prints for the same model across printers. This is highly informative and empirical evidence of print quality, which is one of the rated criteria. It is a good report and I, for one, have already made a decision on my next printer using the results.

resinman

#15

Much better comment. I hope my reply to your first comment isn’t off-putting as well. I can agree with your position here.

Threed_Printers

#16

Interesting top. I also found a very useful top of 2015 printers here: http://printon3d.com/best-printers-2015/

Pot8oSh4D

#17

Yeah, but where does the filament go?! :-/

Fardin_A_Rezaee

#18

We are a 3D manufacturing company building some very high printers…

care to visit us at http://www.borna3d.com

1 Like

imakeco

#19

We are the manufacturer of 3D printers.

One of our products is ‘Giant NX500’ multifunction machine.it can print all the material that is available for the FDM technology and it can do the CNC milling and the engraving laser. it’s not done! Also the ‘Giant NX500’ can do the vacuum forming in 20*20 cm with home vacuum cleaner.

Pls visit us at http://i-make.ir

dsfgrtgr

#20

We are just as like as you… we sell 3D printers in Capital of Iran,Tehran

our company name is Xprinter3D… maby you heard about that!

also you can caontact us if you want in http://xprinter3d.com

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2022 Best All-Purpose Printers | Digital World Magazine

Whether you work from home or the office, a printer is still a must-have gadget. While the best 3D printers offer more creative options, all-in-one printers are a great combination of form and function, being a printer, scanner, copier, and sometimes fax all in one device.

If you would like to buy a printer or upgrade your old one, but do not know which models are relevant in 2022, then pay attention to our list of the best.

Universal printers usually use either inkjet or laser technology, with a copier/scanner added on top. Some have fax capabilities, although they have mostly disappeared; instead, some new printers will include Wi-Fi capabilities and apps that allow you to send scanned documents wirelessly.

Many offices have them, but all-in-one printers are essential for working from home, especially if the bedroom in your small apartment doubles as your office. All-in-one printers can handle most office tasks, be it printing, scanning or copying. This makes them ideal for small offices and for students who print and scan frequently. They come in different sizes, prices, and features, so it can be difficult to know what you really need.

When choosing the best all-round printers, we wanted to make sure we chose models that fit today's high-tech lifestyles, as well as those that provide reliable features in a single device.

Type: There are different types of printers to consider. We studied laser, inkjet, and photo printers, rating each on how well they perform their basic functions. We have focused on typing speed and ease of use.

Eco-Friendly: Printers can be a source of waste, especially when it comes to ink cartridges that can be difficult to recycle. We've included cartridge-free and easy-to-refill options to help you reduce waste and provide a more practical way to refill printer ink.

Smart technology: We looked for options with features such as Wi-Fi integration, the ability to scan documents and send them to the cloud, and voice control.

  • Best: Brother MFCL2750DW
  • Best Wireless: HP LaserJet Pro M203dw
  • Most durable: Epson EcoTank ET-4760
  • Best for photography: Canon PIXMA TS6320
  • Best for faxing: Canon PIXMA TR8620
  • Most portable: HP OfficeJet 250
  • Lowest cost: HP Envy Pro 6055

This Brother printer is extremely cheap for a general purpose laser printer. It doesn't skimp on features, providing Wi-Fi cloud printing in addition to standard copy, scan and print. This model is black and white, but do you really need to print a color picture often?

Features:

  • Print speed: 36ppm
  • Paper capacity: 250 sheets
  • Print: Monochrome

Pros:

  • Duplex copy, scan
  • Mobile printing capability
  • Cloud direct connection

Cons:

  • Expensive

This compact, all-in-one Brother laser printer is ideal for small spaces and users on the go. No cords required - you can print wirelessly from your phone, laptop or tablet. You can also directly scan documents to multiple cloud services including Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. Plus, you can save even more time with two-sided copying and scanning. Laser printers have several advantages over inkjet printers. The ink comes in drums that are more expensive than ink cartridges but are unlikely to ever need to be replaced. Ink cartridges, if left unused for some time, can dry out and need to be replaced even if they are not empty, and this is not a problem with laser models. Also, considering how long laser drums last, your cost per printed page is often lower than with inkjet printers.

The HP LaserJet Pro M203dw is designed with the needs of the small office in mind, is environmentally friendly and affordable.

Features:

  • Print speed: Up to 30 ppm (black)
  • Paper capacity: 250 sheets
  • Print: Monochrome

Pros:

  • Fast
  • Energy Star Certified
  • Economy

Cons:

  • Image quality
  • Need to buy Echo Dot separately for voice commands

If you're looking for a printer that does it all, yet delivers speed for a small office, consider the HP Laser JetPro M203dw. The wireless monochrome model can output up to 30 pages per minute and print duplex. It comes with a 250-sheet tray and is 15 percent faster than its predecessor. This printer also uses Original HP toner cartridges with JetIntelligence, which are designed to print faster. It is Energy Star certified to meet performance standards set by the EPA.

The HP Laser JetPro M203dw is equipped with an Ethernet port, and you can also use the HP Smart app to scan from your smartphone, print from the cloud, and order toner. It works with Amazon Dash Replenishment, which tracks toner usage and orders it when it runs out. You can also use the HP Smart app to scan from your smartphone, print from the cloud, and order toner. The printer is also Alexa compatible via Echo Dot and comes at an affordable price.

This Epson inkjet printer offers voice commands, Wi-Fi integration and a large 2.4-inch screen to navigate through all its features.

Features:

  • Print speed: 15ppm
  • Paper capacity: 250 sheets
  • Printing: Color

Pluses:

  • Voice activated printing
  • Touch display
  • Without cartridges

Cons:

  • No slot for memory cards

Inkjet printers work by spraying black and color ink onto the page, which is a slower process than a laser printer's heated drum but provides a bit more flexibility. Epson's EcoTank range has an eco-friendly design that replaces a standard ink cartridge with an easy-to-refill bottle-based solution. Epson provides you with a number of different ink bottles to use as needed, you simply squeeze the ink directly into the reservoirs. This reduces wasted ink, packaging and trips to the store.

This model is also technologically advanced - the 2.4-inch color screen makes it easy to navigate and can be synced with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice typing. It is compatible with Mac and Windows and you can print directly from your smartphone or tablet.

Image quality is excellent and there are even cloud options so you can print photos directly from your phone (both Android and iOS).

Features:

  • Print speed: 15 ppm
  • Paper capacity: 100 sheets of plain paper; 20 sheets of 4" x 6" photo paper 10 sheets of 5" x 7" photo paper.
  • Printing: Color

Pros:

  • Compatible with Alexa
  • Printing from smartphones and tablets
  • 5 individual ink systems

Cons:

  • No memory card support

The Canon PIXMA series is designed primarily for photo printing, and this model is no different. It uses inkjet printing technology, which is ideal not only for its color palette, but also for the sharpest and highest resolution photos. This printer's system uses five separate ink reservoirs (as opposed to the standard tri-color cartridge). This allows you to get the most out of your ink—you only need to replace one specific reservoir when it runs out, instead of the entire cartridge.

You can print from your Android or iOS device using the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria Print Service for Android, or the Message In Print app. The OLED display and LED status bar make it easy to navigate the printer, while the dual paper feed allows you to use both plain and photo paper.

It features a huge 4.3-inch touchscreen for easy navigation, has both wired and wireless Internet connectivity, and even has an automatic document print feature so you can easily print two-sided documents - great for saving paper.

Features:

  • Print speed: 15 ipm black and 10 ipm color
  • Paper hopper: Rear paper tray holds 100 sheets of plain paper, 20 sheets of 4" x 6" photo paper, or 10 sheets of 5" x 7" photo paper; The front paper cassette holds 100 sheets of plain paper.
  • Printing: Color

Pros:

  • Smartphone or tablet printing
  • Free layout editor
  • Connect via Bluetooth, USB, Wi-Fi or Ethernet

Cons:

  • Slower color print speed

Its compact design makes it ideal for home offices. It is also easy to set up for smartphone and computer. You can use several applications, including the Canon PRINT app and Apple AirPrint, to print from your mobile device, as well as print photos directly from an SD memory card. It also features a five separate ink system. All types of businesses, especially those dealing with governments, continue to use fax regularly. Even though it's kind of old technology, it still makes it fast, secure, and easy to send documents back and forth. And if you need to print, scan, copy and fax, then a Canon printer is perfect for you.

The HP OfficeJet 250 offers all the features you need—print, copy, scan—and you can take it with you wherever you go.

Features:

  • Print speed: 20 ppm black, 19 ppm color
  • Paper capacity: 50 sheets
  • Printing: Color

Pros:

  • Portable
  • Long Life Battery
  • Energy Star Certified

Cons:

  • Expensive

How about a versatile printer that you can put in your backpack? Despite its name, the HP OfficeJet 250 has it all - for just £6.50 you can easily print anywhere outside of the office: from the car, the train, the coffee shop. This portable wireless option connects via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi directly and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands. It is also equipped with a touch screen.

In terms of the performance of this inkjet printer, the HP OfficeJet 250 prints a variety of paper sizes at up to 20 ppm black and 19 ppm color. Take photos of documents and scan them using the HP Smart app. The printer scans at an incredibly high resolution of 600 dpi. It also features a lithium-ion battery that fully charges in 90 minutes. After all, the HP OfficeJet 250 is ENERGY Star certified for energy efficiency and EPEAT Silver certified for reduced environmental impact. However, the printer is too big to be portable and it costs more than other options.

This model features a compact design and excellent image quality.

Features:

  • Print speed: 10 black and 7 color pages per minute
  • Paper capacity: 100 sheets
  • Printing: Color

Pros:

  • Compatible with Alexa
  • Made from recycled plastic
  • Borderless printing available

Cons:

  • Requires HP Smart app
  • Slower print speed

Despite its price, the HP Envy 6055 has superb image quality, optional Instant Ink software that keeps ink running out of ink, and support for apps like Dropbox and Google Drive. Each family member can connect through the HP Smart app, which has dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Although you need to download the HP Smart app to print wirelessly and set up your device, it makes the process more convenient. This allows you to monitor printer ink levels, remotely scan and print photos from your phone's photo library, social media platforms, and Google Photos. Save more money with the best cheap printers.

Laser or inkjet

Different types of printers are made to suit different needs. Laser printers can have a reputation for being extremely expensive, bulky industrial printers that are better suited to a farm than a home or small office. The downside is that laser printers cost more than inkjet printers, even if the gap isn't as big as it used to be. But over the past few years, laser printers have gotten smaller, cheaper, and easier to use, and there are now plenty of laser printer options for everyone.

Inkjet printers can deliver truly superior image quality on a wide variety of paper types, whether you're printing labels, documents or photos. Color inkjet printers are much cheaper than color laser printers, and ink is also cheaper when you buy it.

Photo Printer Price

Do you need a printer that can handle basic photo printing needs? Lucky for you, there are many versatile photo printers out there. These can be really handy devices to have at home or in the home office because they can print stylish glossy photos as well as handle your scanning and copying needs. If you do a lot of visual effects work - photographers, designers, architects, artists - a versatile photo printer is a great addition.

Cheaper All-In-One Printers

You don't have to sacrifice thousands to get a great all-in-one printer. Today, for a price below $ 150, you can get a great option. Typically, people choose an inkjet printer that still has all the standard print/copy/scan features, and even previously advanced features such as Wi-Fi, app support, and automatic ink refilling. All of these features are available on models priced above.

What you are likely to lose are features such as automatic document feeding, faster print speeds, and an on-device screen. But if you're looking for basic features, then our favorite budget option is the HP Envy Pro 6055.

Question: What does a versatile printer mean?

All-in-one printers may not be able to make you coffee or bring you a newspaper, but the term refers to their three main functions: printing, copying, and scanning. Some also have a fax machine.

Question: What is the difference between inkjet and laser printers?

The difference between an inkjet printer and a laser printer is that inkjet printers are more commonly used in the home, use ink, and typically print smaller volumes. Laser printers are more commonly used in offices, use toner cartridges, and can print high volumes.

Question: Which printer is better for home use: inkjet or laser?

For home use, both an inkjet printer and a laser printer have their pros and cons. If you print a lot in color, choose inkjet for its clarity and brightness. But laser models are cheaper to use for a long time, and they tend to have a longer lifespan.

Question: Which printer has the longest lasting ink cartridges?

Ideally, the longest lasting ink cartridge is... not a cartridge at all! Use a laser printer that uses a drum system that is unlikely to ever need replacing, or an EcoTank system that lets you refill a bottle whenever you run out.

Q: Will my all-in-one printer work with PCs and Macs?

Yes, the printers described in this guide can be used with a PC, Mac, Chromebook, iOS device, or Android device.

Q: What can I do with my used ink cartridges?

Office Depot will recycle up to 10 ink cartridges per month per person. You can either return your ink cartridges to one of the stores or request a free shipping label from UPS.

Q: Can I use third party ink cartridges with my printer?

In our experience, manufacturer specified ink cartridges work best. Some third party cartridges can damage your printer or result in lower quality prints.

Question: How can I store the ink?

If the page you want to print contains both text and an image, but you only want words, copy and paste them into a blank document. If you're running low on color ink, consider using your printer's black and white setting.

Q: How can I use less paper?

The new multifunction printers support the ability to print on both sides of a sheet of paper, instantly cutting your printing workload in half. Another often overlooked printer setting is the ability to print only selected pages from a specific document. If you need a hard copy of just a couple of pages, this is another free and easy paper saving solution.

Universal printers are a great addition to any office equipment, whether you work from home or not. Despite our commitment to a paperless world, there are inevitably still many occasions when you will need to print, scan or copy something.

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