Whether your printer is just starting to run low or your device has run out of ink, you might encounter a nasty surprise when it’s time to replace your bottles. But the best all in one printer for home use with cheap ink can help you beat the hurdles.
Table Of Contents
- 1 Overview of All in One Printers
- 2 Pros of All in One Printers
- 3 Cons of All-in-One Printers
- 4 Factors to Consider When Choosing an All in One Printer
- 5 5 Best All-in-One Printers for Home Use With Cheap Ink – Summary
- 6 1. Best Overall All In One Printer With The Cheapest Ink Cartridges
- 7 2. Best All In One Laser Printer for Home Use With Cheap Ink
- 8 3. Best Compact All In One Printer
- 9 4. Best All In One Printer for Small Businesses
- 10 5. Best All In One Printer for Photos
- 11 Comparison of the Top All in One Printers
- 12 Tips for Finding the Best All in One Printer With Cheap Ink
- 13 Best All In One Printer for Home Use With Cheap Ink – FAQs
- 14 Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- All in one printers can save lots of space, and power, and have low maintenance costs
- Multipurpose printers are costlier than their standard counterparts, but they’re cheaper in the long run
- The most economical models are those that use laser technology
Printing costs can easily spiral out of control, so you need a printer with excellent economy without compromising on features and performance. Buying a multipurpose printer with cheap ink isn’t about the initial cost of new ink bottles, but the device’s cost efficiency over time.
This detailed guide will take you through the benefits of all in one printers, important considerations when shopping, and some of the best options in the market. You’ll also find tips that can inspire your buying decision.
Overview of All in One Printers
All-in-one printers are made to do various tasks, such as printing, scanning, copying, and frequently faxing. These features are also available on some multifunction printers, though not all of them do. Many multifunction printers only support printing and scanning.
All-in-one printers are gaining popularity as a perfect replacement for other office machines, cutting your space usage and maintenance costs. The primary features of multifunction printers include the following:
Cloud Printing
This feature enables printing from any device, regardless of your location. You won’t be limited to a single machine.
Advanced Security
These printers have advanced security features like online safety, permissions, and encryption for a more seamless and safer experience.
Enhanced Scanning
This feature offers immediate distribution, allowing you to send copies to friends and colleagues via email, scanning to a desktop, or other means.
Automatic Document Feeding
Multifunction printers leverage an Automatic Document Feeder to automatically pick and feed paper sheets page by page. This is especially vital if you scan documents in high volumes.
Related: Why Does My Printer Say Offline? Detailed Solutions
Pros of All in One Printers
- Save space – By replacing four distinct machines that clatter your office, these machines save lots of space.
- Enhance document management – The printer enables you to manage documents in a single interface and device, making you more productive.
- Document control – They simplify access control and enable efficient document tracking to boost security and privacy compliance.
- Affordable – Despite the higher initial costs, the multipurpose printer is well worth it because it cuts down on utility, maintenance, and cartridge replacement costs.
- Convenience – An all-in-one design is all about convenience. Replacing four separate machines with one saves money, time, and space.
- Energy saving – Using a single unit is more energy efficient than leveraging four distinct appliances.
Related: What Does Spooling Mean on a Printer?
Cons of All-in-One Printers
- Added waiting time – The device can only handle a task at a time, putting the rest of the operations in a queue. Separate devices would’ve served you concurrently.
- Expensive downtime – When one function fails, it might limit you from performing many other functions.
- Relatively fewer features – A multifunction printer may only offer basic features and capabilities compared to its specialized counterparts.
Fortunately, most of these setbacks aren’t deal-breakers for a home-use machine. Moreover, you can have the best experience when you know the key features to prioritize.
Related: 5 Best Printers for College Students
Factors to Consider When Choosing an All in One Printer
With many options currently available in the market, it can be challenging to decide which product suits your needs. But you can narrow your search by paying attention to these vital considerations:
Print Quality
First, check out the device’s Print DPI (dots per inch). A higher DPI delivers sharper imagery. Ideally, go for products with a minimum print resolution of 600 x 600 DPI.
Print Speed
The higher the volume of paper you intend to handle, the higher the printing speed you’ll need.
Scanning and Copying Capabilities
Your printer should easily copy into or from various paper sizes and types or other media. It should also capture quality images and text from scanned documents, eliminating the need for a fax machine. Consider bulk scanning support if you need to scan numerous documents regularly.
Connectivity Options
Consider all-in-one printers that allow you to print from server-connected desktops, via a USB connection, or through a wireless connection. It should also allow you to print from tablets, laptops, desktops, or even smartphones.
Cost of Ownership
This consideration includes the printer’s initial cost, maintenance, supplies, and more. Generally, go for a product offering the most significant value for money.
Related: How to Bypass HP Printer Cartridge Error
5 Best All-in-One Printers for Home Use With Cheap Ink – Summary
- Best Overall Printer with The Cheapest Ink Cartridges – HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e
- Best Laser Printer for Home Use with Cheap Ink – Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw
- Best Compact All-In-One Printer – Canon PIXMA TR4520
- Best All-In-One Printer for Small Business – Epson EcoTank ET-2760
- Best All-In-One Printer for Photos – HP Envy Pro 6458
1. Best Overall All In One Printer With The Cheapest Ink Cartridges
HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e printer is arguably the best overall printer with the cheapest ink cartridges. While it’s similar to its HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 sibling in performance and features, you’ll like its six months ink supply via the company’s delivery HP+ subscription service.
The device’s color and black page yields are impressive, so don’t expect any “low ink” warning interruptions. In addition, it can print black text documents decently fast and uses ADF technology to scan double-faced documents in one pass.
Specifications
- Print speed: Up to 32 pages per minute
- Scanning: Contact Image Sensor (CIS)
- Copy: Up to 32 copies per minute
- Connectivity options: USB 2.0; 1 Host USB (print from TIFF, JPEG, DPOF 1.1, PNG, Exif 2.3); Ethernet; and two RJ-11 modem ports
Wireless capability: Yes, wireless 802.11b/g/n
Pros
- Low cost per print
- Impressively high page yield
- Delivers high-quality color and black documents
- Great printing speed
Cons
- Requires sporadic maintenance that prevents clogging
- The scanner can miss fine details
Check the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e Printer’s latest price on Best Buy.
2. Best All In One Laser Printer for Home Use With Cheap Ink
Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw
Ranking as the best laser printer for home use with cheap ink, the sturdily-built Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw offers many impressive features. For example, the device delivers quality scans and double-sided sheets in one pass and can quickly scan documents into text to simplify keyword searches.
The toner cartridges can yield 2000 color prints and 3000 black prints. While they’re slightly expensive, the cost of preprint remains pretty low since you won’t replace them frequently. Moreover, the drum will save you the trouble of constant replacement, and the printer can work with cheaper third-party toners.
Specifications
- Print speed: Up to 35 pages per minute
- Scanning: Flatbed Scanner with ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)
- Copy: Up to 28 copies per minute
- Connectivity options: NFC (near-field communication), USB Direct
Wireless capability: Yes, Wi-Fi Direct
Pros
- A massive five-inch color touchscreen
- Fast copy and scan speeds
- Prints PDF color graphics fast
- ADF enables multipage copying
- Low cost per page, thanks to the high-capacity toner cartridges
Cons
- Somewhat slow duplex printing
- The printer is unnecessarily large
Check the Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw Printer’s latest price on Amazon.
3. Best Compact All In One Printer
Arguably the best compact all-in-one printer, Canon PIXMA TR4520 takes up quite minimal space. While it’s relatively slower, the printer is fast enough for working from home or casual printing. It also comes with built-in Alexa compatibility and Wi-Fi features.
The device’s Dash Replenishment adds to its economic convenience. It monitors ink levels constantly to order replacements once they go beyond 10%. You’ll also like the impressive printing quality and automatic duplex printing options, making it a great all-in-one printer for photos.
Specifications
- Print speed: Up to 8.8 images per minute
- Scanning: Flatbed Scanner with ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)
- Copy: Multiple Copy – Up to 99 Pages
- Connectivity options: Hi-Speed USB
- Wireless capability: Yes, 802.11b/g/n wireless networking
Pros
- A robust set of features and software bundle
- Auto-duplexing
- Remarkable print quality, especially pictures
- 20-sheet ADF.
- Auto-duplexing.
Cons
- Slower document printing
Check the Canon PIXMA TR4520 Printer’s latest price on Amazon.
4. Best All In One Printer for Small Businesses
Consider this the best all-in-one printer for small businesses. This eco-friendly option is cartridge-free with lots of ink; therefore, refills won’t trouble you. In addition, its high-capacity integrated tanks are convenient and cost-effective. The Epson EcoTank ET-2760 printer also has an outstanding high-resolution flatbed scanner that makes it easy to upload things to a digital format.
You’ll like this device’s auto duplex printing and convenient color display that lets you set up your print jobs in a simple system. Moreover, this printer has a user-friendly interface that’s pretty straightforward, even for a first-timer.
Specifications
- Print speed: Up to 10.5 pages per minute
- Scanning: Flatbed scanner
- Copy: Up to 7.7 ISO copies per minute
- Connectivity options: USB and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Wireless capability: Yes, includes Wi-Fi Direct
Pros
- Arguably the best mini printer for photos
- The color display adds convenience
- High-capacity tanks cut refiling costs
- Auto-duplex printing
Cons
- The build quality isn’t impressive
Check the Epson EcoTank ET-2760 Printer’s latest price on Amazon.
5. Best All In One Printer for Photos
HP Envy Pro 6458
If you need a secure connection, you’ll appreciate the HP Envy Pro 6458 printer with its self-healing Wi-Fi (dual band) that prevents the printer from constantly dropping an ongoing operation. It also leverages a 36-page automatic document feeder, and its dedicated app makes it one of the most straightforward devices to set up.
The unit also comes with secure mobile faxing and comes with contextual smart UI buttons that only light up when you need them. Finally, you’ll like its 80-sheet input tray.
Specifications
- Print speed: Up to 10 pages per minute
- Scanning: Contact Image Sensor (CIS) technology
- Copy: Up to 9 color and mono copies
- Connectivity options: Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11ac
- Wireless capability: Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
Pros
- Easy setup
- Auto document feeder
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
Cons
- Bluetooth connection can get finicky
Check the HP Envy Pro 6458 Printer’s latest price on Amazon.
Comparison of the Top All in One Printers
Here’s how the above products compare:
Printer | Print Quality | Print Speed | Scanning and Copying Capabilities | Connectivity Options |
HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e | 4800 x 1200 dpi | Up to 32 ppm | Contact Image Sensor (CIS) | USB 2.0; 1 Host USB (print from TIFF, JPEG, DPOF 1.1, PNG, Exif 2.3); Ethernet; and two RJ-11 modem ports |
Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw | 600 x 600 dpi | Up to 35 ppm | Flatbed Scanner with ADF | NFC (near-field communication), USB Direct |
Canon PIXMA TR4520 | 4800 x 1200 dpi | Up to 8.8 images per minute | Flatbed Scanner with ADF | Hi-Speed USB |
Epson EcoTank ET-2760 | 5760 x 1440 dpi | Up to 10.5 pages per minute | Flatbed scanner | USB |
HP Envy Pro 6458 | 1200 X 200 dpi | Up to 10 pages per minute | Contact Image Sensor (CIS) | Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11ac |
Related: Best Inkjet Printer for Heat Transfers – 4 Top Models
Tips for Finding the Best All in One Printer With Cheap Ink
Besides paying attention to the lead consideration factors, you can also get a product that suits your needs by following these tips:
Buy From Reputable Retailers
An all-in-one printer might have all the features you need, but it could still be a disappointment if you don’t choose the right retailer. A reputable retailer will issue a legitimate product and provide a warranty.
Compare Prices of Ink Cartridges Before Buying
The primary goals of getting a multipurpose printer with cheap ink are convenience and affordability. So before you buy, be sure to confirm the prices of ink bottles.
Related: How to Scan a Document on HP Printer
Choose a Printer With High-Yield Cartridges
High-yield cartridges have larger ink compartments than their standard peers. While both options come with a print head and microchip, a larger chamber can store more ink and print more pages than its traditional counterparts, which are relatively smaller.
Consider a Printer With Refillable Ink Tanks
These devices are also called continuous ink tank printers, and they provide the right combination of ease of use, economy, and environmental sustainability. Despite being cheap, fast, and environmentally friendly, these devices can give you peace of mind.
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Best All In One Printer for Home Use With Cheap Ink – FAQs
What Kind of Printer Uses the Least Ink?
A color laser printer like Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw meets this requirement. It prints colored and black documents using toner powder instead of ink, so there is no drying up between uses and no need for a printhead.
What Is the Best Home Printer With Refillable Ink?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2760 printer perfectly fits this description. It comes with high-capacity tanks that ensure the most extended service without refill interruptions. In addition, a full tank can yield thousands of prints.
Which Is the Best All-In-One Printer for Home Use?
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e is arguably the best multipurpose printer for home use thanks to its low cost per print, impressively high page yield, excellent printing speed, and quality black and color documents.
Related: Best Photo Printer for iPhone – 5 Model To Consider in 2023
Conclusion
The right all-in-one printer with cheap ink can serve all your needs cost-effectively. Fortunately, you have numerous options to explore. So be sure to heed the above consideration factors and follow my tips for the best experience.