A printer has become essential to anyone who’s dealing with a lot of paperwork – whether it’s for school, office, or even at home. With the fast-growing technology nowadays, it is not just used for printing, but it can also perform other functions that make it very useful such as copying, scanning and faxing.
If your printing needs aren’t that much, then you might be able to find the best printers under $50. For a low price, you’ll still be able to find one that is of high-quality as well as that can produce clear text and colorful photos.
However, you’ll be welcomed with a myriad of options on sale and it is just so overwhelming to choose one. So, here’s a compilation of our recommended products and a buying guide to help you confidently decide which printer under $50 is the right one for you!
10 Best Printers under $50
Among the finest printers on this price range, we have narrowed down the list into 10 products that we think can provide you the printing quality and functionality that you’re looking for. So, here are the printers listed with their in-depth review.
1. HP ENVY 5055
HP is one of the most popular brand names on the market recognized to manufacture some of the top printers all over the world. And it’s no surprise that this top spot is earned by one of their impressive products – ENVY 5055.
Well, this model is a versatile all-in-one printer that can perform very useful functions such as printing, copying, and scanning. More excitingly, it guarantees that it can produce high-quality documents and photos.
One of the printer’s most important attributes to check is its printing speed. The good news is that this device is sure to deliver you this aspect. It offers a rate of 7 ppm for colored files and 10 ppm for black and white ones. Although it’s not that superb, it’s still faster when compared to its competitors. Moreover, it also has HP instant ink feature.
Furthermore, it is equipped with multiple connectivity options such as Cloud Printing, Bluetooth Smart, and Dual-Band WiFi direct network. And, yes, all types of dsl routers and dsl modems are compatible with this one .You’ll be assured of very efficient and stable performance with a feature like this one.
In addition to that, it is also compatible with various third-party applications namely Mopria, Apple Airprint, and HP’s very own ePrint. With all of these options, you can say that this device offers wireless printing capabilities of many printers way more than its cost value.
Much more, this printer comes with a 2.2-inch LCD screen installed on the front side. It is a monochrome touchscreen that suits perfectly well with the elegant style of the device. You can conveniently access and navigate it to control your printer with ease.
Taking into account all the features this can offer, you can say that it is, indeed, one of the best printers under 50 dollars. It is a nearly-perfect product that delivers exceptional performance at a very friendly price.
Pros
- Broad connectivity options
- Supports numerous media devices
- Produces high-quality files and images
- Compact design with a stylish look
- Among the best cheap all in one printers
Cons
- USB and Ethernet port isn’t available
2. Canon TS5120
TS5120 is one of the best printers from Canon, a well-known manufacturer of high-quality products. This is a basic all-in-one inkjet printing machine designed to easily handle all your daily printing needs. And it also comes with copy and scan functions. So, you get save your precious dollars from spending on those home document scanners.
You can easily print out your photos and documents from all of your media devices with cloud connectivity including AirPrint, Wi-Fi, Google Cloud Print, USB, and even straight from the Cloud. With these connectivity options, printing has never been this convenient.
Much more, it features the FINE hybrid ink system. With this, it will be able to provide the perfect combination of quality, performance, and cost especially when you’re working with detailed photos and files. It can even let you produce borderless photos.
What’s even more amazing is that it’s compatible with the optional XL cartridges. This feature can save you from the expenses since it extends the time between replacements of ink cartridges while allowing you to produce more when you need to.
Also, this device is equipped with a small 2.5-inch LCD screen. However, it is not the touchscreen type but it comes with physical buttons with a stand-alone operation.
Moreover, it features auto two-sided printing. With this, you will be able to reduce your paper utilization and cost for as much as 50 percent. You can also load it up as much as 100 sheets of plain paper and or 20 4×6-inch sheets.
Overall, it offers simple and basic features, decent functionality, and high-quality photo printing all for a fair market price.
Pros
- Comes with two paper trays
- One of the fastest photo-printing machine
- Physical buttons for easy operation
- Auto two-sided printing
Cons
- When using the duplex printing, the output comes out slower and appears to be lighter
- Flimsy paper trays
3. Canon PIXMA TR4520
PIXMA TR4520 is another impressive product from Canon that is made and designed for any light-duty home or office utilization. Like many high quality office printers it is a wireless all-in-one machine that allows you to print, copy, scan, and even send a fax. Imagine how much space and money you’d save having these functions in one unit. But thee price also rivals that of home printers.
Setting up this wireless printer is pretty much a simple and easy process. With the wireless connectivity of this budget printer and the Canon print app, you can easily set it up through the use of your smartphone or tablet. Once done, you will be able to conveniently and directly print right from your media device.
The manufacturer has also begun the utilization of smart home functionality through built-in support for Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. It allows you to use your voice to prompt them to print what you want, review the ink level, color pages, provide templates, and many more.
And it doesn’t stop there, this printer also supports the IFTTT (IF This Then That). With this feature, you’ll be able to use various web applications and services having a platform that allows you to create automated workflows between your device and printer.
However, this machine is not built for the fast production of documents and files. It can only offer a rate of 8 ppm for the monochrome printing and 5 ppm for the colored ones. It might not be as satisfactory as other printers on this price point.
Nevertheless, it is equipped with an automatic document feeder that allows you to copy or scan a stack of files in just one operation. Also, this has an input tray that comes with a slider allowing you to adjust it for various popular paper formats.
Therefore, this product has a few drawbacks which are slightly acceptable because of its price range. But it is sure that it can deliver the quality and functionality that you opt for.
Pros
- Compact size
- Great quality for printing photos
- Features ADF for copy and scan
- Great connectivity options
Cons
- High running cost
- Slow printing speed
4. HP OfficeJet 5255
The next one on our printers under $50 review is this OfficeJet 5255. This is another product from HP that will impress you with what it can offer. It is an all-in-one printer that has the capability of tackling every single document production in your office or even at home.
Who wouldn’t want to have a single machine which can perform multiple functions, right? This model can do it effectively – whether you’ll print, scan, copy or even send a fax. It can deliver on each function without compromising the quality of the output at all.
This printing machine comes with mediocre production speed. But when it comes to producing colored documents, even with just a single page, it may still take a long time. Perhaps, this is one setback of the device.
However, it has the capability of holding as much as 100 sheets. So if you’re not in a rush and printing a large volume of documents, this can do the job. With this, you don’t have to reload papers from time to time.
One of its incredible features is the scanning function. It offers you great scanning resolution and good depth in your color prints. Moreover, this printer features an ADF or the automatic document feeder that allows you to scan long documents with ease by automatically loading each file.
Much more, it comes with a duplex printing feature. This allows you to easily print back-to-back on the paper in a single run. You don’t need to stay in front of the printer for a long time anymore. But then, you’re manually required to flip the paper after you finish printing the other side.
Also, this is equipped with a decent monochrome 2.2-inch touchscreen display to provide easy configuration of the machine and straightforward printing process. It is installed with a slight angle so you don’t have to bend down just to navigate it.
Although having a few drawbacks, it can still give you great functionality and quality given its price range. Therefore, it is still one of the best printers for under $50.
Pros
- Equipped with ADF and duplex printing
- Comes with a slightly-angled touchscreen display
- Can print borderless photos
- Versatile
Cons
- Printing speed is slow
5. Canon Pixma MG3620
This Canon Pixma MG3620 is considered to be one of the best printers for under $50 because of everything that it can offer despite its low price tag. So, let’s get into it one by one.
First off, this one color inkjet printer is a wireless multi-functional device designed for small offices, home-based businesses, or just for your personal use. This comes with a compact design that makes you save more space and light enough to carry from one place to another in your home or office.
Also, the device is equipped with a control panel having a lot of function buttons that allow you to operate it with ease. It enables you to switch between plain papers and photo papers, to set the device to make colored or monochrome copies, and more.
Setting up this printer is easy. You just need to follow some steps to get it done. But usually, you need to download the right software from the website of Canon to access the printer. Anyway, the package includes a brochure to make it convenient for you.
As for the media types, it accepts various papers for printing, copying, and scanning. These include plain paper, high-resolution canon paper, photo paper plus semi-gloss, photo paper pro platinum, matte photo paper, US #10 envelopes, and more.
And this machine also offers connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet. It is compatible with only a few choices, but it is still manageable to provide you with means to produce your desired documents.
All in all, the Canon Pixma mg3620 wireless printing machine integrates a lot of great features that can deliver your daily document production. And these cheap printers are also better than many wired printers.
Pros
- Makes great-quality photo prints at a relatively fast speed
- Comes with Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
- Compact and efficient-looking design
- Great cost per print
- Great value for home printing
Cons
- Printing for colored documents is slow
- Doesn’t include a separate tray for photo papers
6. HP Deskjet 3639
This Deskjet 3639 is one of the most affordable color inkjet printers on the market. It is an all-in-one device that features core elements like printing, scanning, and copying.
Moreover, it offers a cost-effective and high-quality output without any compromises at all. This utilizes an affordable ink in HP cartridges that allow you to produce your documents and photos in optimal colors and great sharpness. Budget printers should always have controlled ink usage for a certain amount of paper capacity.
In addition to its function of classic printing, it enables you to scan and copy as well. And because of its compact design, this machine will not occupy too much space on your work desk. So, you can put it anywhere or you can even bring it with you as you travel.
You will not have much trouble controlling this device. All the settings can be done using the LCD along with the buttons that come with clear visual icons.
Much more, you’ll be able to quickly and easily connect it to your mobile device. With the use of the HP mobile app, you can effortlessly control your printer directly from your tablet or smartphone. You’ll love how you can get access to print tasks and scanning management.
In conclusion, this printer is indeed one for the books. No wonder why it belongs to one of the best printers under $50.
Pros
- Produces outputs with incredible quality
- Supports a wide range of print media
- Low operating costs
- Easy printing directly from mobile devices
Cons
- The ink capacity is limited
- Tray capacity is not that good because of its size
7. Epson Expression Home XP-4100
Epson is also one of the top leading manufacturers of some of the best printers on the market. And this Expression Home XP-4100 is no exception at all. It has a lot of great features that you will love for sure. So, let’s get into it one by one.
First off, this printer is a wireless all-in-one printer that offers high performance to give you an efficient daily printing in the office or just at home. It also features a small tiltable 2.4-inch color LCD touchscreen that allows you to easily set up and navigate it, and it only lights up when needed.
Also, this has an intuitive and responsive control panel that makes it easy to print, scan, and copy your documents and photos. As for the connectivity, it is also good given its price point. You can either utilize the USB or Wi-Fi to connect directly to a PC or a wireless network. This printer supports both. You won’t find it in most wireless printers.
In addition to that, there are front slots available for SD or MS Duo media cards. Much more, mobile printing is compatible with Google Cloud Print and Apple AirPrint. Therefore, you can use this as a mac scanner as well.
Although there are some drawbacks, this printer is pretty much a great product for its price. It can still deliver the functionality that you’re looking for.
Pros
- The overall quality of the print is great
- Superb control panel with responsive touch controls and great color display
- Automatic duplex printing
- Decent connectivity options
Cons
- Printer inks are expensive
- Print speed is much slower compared to its competitors
8. HP DeskJet 3755
DeskJet 3755 from HP has made it into our list of the best printers under $50. On this price range, this product has a lot of incredible features to offer.
Besides its cost value, one thing that draws consumers to this machine is its size. Then, you can load the papers through the rear-mounted input tray that has a maximum capacity of 60 sheets, while the output tray on the front-bottom part can accommodate up to 25 sheets.
Also, this machine only weighs about 5.13 pounds. So, it will be ideal for areas with small and tight spaces since it is just small and lightweight.
Much more, it is equipped with a small single-digit monochrome LCD screen. This displays icons that can indicate the state of your machine whether it is about error indications, wireless status, signal strength, Wi-Fi Direct connection, and even ink levels.
In addition to that, there are buttons and light indicators around the LCD. These buttons are used to connect to Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and web services of HP.
As for the print quality, it does a pretty good job although it’s not as great as its competitors. It produces black and white documents at a rate of 7.89 ppm and colored ones at a much slower rate at 3.75 ppm.
Therefore, this unit is indeed one of the best. With all of these features, it can pretty much deliver all your daily printing needs. So, it’s worth your buck!
Pros
- Small and compact design
- Great print quality for its price point
- Good connectivity options
- Excellent screen display
Cons
- Lower print speeds
- Paper feed is loud
9. Canon TS202
If you’re looking for a simple printing solution at a very affordable price, then this TS202 from Canon might be a perfect choice for you. It is a regular feature-packed inkjet printer machine that holds a lot of incredible features for regular printing.
Moreover, this is capable of producing high-quality images since it will be able to print at resolutions up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. But then, the device is well-suited in a low-volume environment only.
Anyway, it also features a hybrid printer ink system and FINE printhead technology. The hybrid ink system used a dye ink for the color cartridges, while pigment ink is used for the black ones. This will allow high fidelity print photos while keeping texts and lines sharp with the pigment based inks.
As for the FINE technology, it will be able to have an accurate placement of the ink at a small scale through the usage of its several ink nozzles. You don’t see this in a regular printer.
You can also connect your printer to a computer via an integrated slot for the USB cable. Much more, this machine offers a rear tray that’s easy to access making it convenient for you to load the media. It can hold as much as 60 sheets of plain paper or 20 sheets of photo paper at a time like any regular quality photo printer.
Furthermore, this printer features a quiet mode. With this, it will be able to lessen the noise caused by the device especially in printing the highest-quality files. It is also equipped with auto power on/off to help you save power while being ready to use anytime.
Overall, this TS202 is indeed one of the best printers for $50. You can say that it offers attributes and specifications way beyond its cost value. And that’s what makes it more worthy to purchase.
Pros
- Quick paper refills because of its rear paper tray
- Comes with hybrid ink system and Fine printing technology
- Features auto power on/off and quiet mode
- Can print high quality photos that are also borderless
- Compact printer size
Cons
- Only equipped with one connectivity option which is the USB port
10. Brother HL-L2320D
Lastly, to complete our list in these printers under $50 review is this HL-L2320D from a well-known brand, Brother. They have introduced several laser printers, and this model is probably one of the cheapest among all of them.
This monochrome laser printer offers impressive attributes and specifications for its price. It features a compact and desk-friendly design that many will love for sure. You will be able to put it anywhere and tackle your daily printing jobs effortlessly.
Much more, This cheap printer has a print speed of up to 30 ppm which means you will have no trouble in producing your reports, forms, contracts, and more if ever you need them right away.
Also, this device comes with an adjustable paper tray that’s capable of holding up to 250 sheets. This will also make it easy and convenient to load the right sheet for a particular job. It is versatile enough since it works with letter, executive, legal, and custom paper sizes.
You will also love its straight-through paper path that prevents your print documents from folding or wrinkling while it is being created. Also, it has an auto duplex printing feature that will help you cut down the utilization of paper while still producing great professional documents.
Furthermore, a high-speed USB 2.0 interface is included therein. And this lets you connect the printer to your computer for direct laser printing. What’s more amazing is that it comes with a toner save mode. This can reduce the amount of ink to use on less critical paperwork and printed emails.
All in all, HL-L2320D is undeniably one of the best products on the market. Although it has some lapses, it’s still an incredible product considering the price point. You can never tell it is affordable because of its specs.
Pros
- Simple and low-profile design
- High-quality print outputs
- Comes with high-speed USB 2.0 and toner save mode
- Can accommodate various paper sizes
- Equipped with automatic duplex printing
- Decent printing speed
Cons
- Doesn’t support color printing
Before You Buy What to Look for
You should never have an instant decision when it comes to purchasing a product especially if you’re going to invest your money for it. And this also applies when you choose the perfect printer for you. The options on the market can be daunting, but if you know what to do before buying, it might not be that bad.
So, you should take the time to read some printers under $50 reviews and check some few factors below before you confidently decide.
Duplex Printing
This is the ability of the machine to print at both sides of your paper in just one run. It is much advantageous in a way that it can help you cut the overall utilization of the papers. There are a lot of models that possess this feature despite the price range, so make sure to check it before you buy it.
Ink Cartridges
Choose the printing machine that has quality ink cartridges. You don’t want to spend more money on buying some ink refills often. Check the ink yield of the machine if it can provide enough high-quality prints. Also, make sure that the printer is compatible with remanufactured ink cartridges.
Paper Formats
It is also very essential to select a printer that offers versatile paper formats. Printers with this feature can be very useful in the long run so you can utilize it for various applications. For sure, there are many budget-friendly units out there with great paper handling.
Duty Cycle
This feature will determine the capability of your printing machine in producing outputs for each day. Although you may not be doing a lot of paperwork at home, there can be a time where you need to do some heavy printing. Do not overlook this aspect since it is one of the very vital ones.
Number of Ink Colors
Ink color is one of the factors often compromise especially on the low-priced range. You should gauge your printing needs in this aspect. Some models come with 2 color ink cartridges, some come with 4 or even 6. So it is very important to consider this before you choose a product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Different questions can arise for different printing requirements when you start printing. Here we have the most commonly asked queries regarding the best printers under $50:
1. Can I use the printer for scanning even if its ink is empty?
Yes, you can since scanning doesn’t require any ink.
2. What’s the difference between laser printers and inkjet printers?
Laser printers are known to have a higher print quality and are faster as compared to inkjet ones. On the other hand, inkjet printers are winners against laser printers when it comes to photo printing, especially on glossy photo paper. They’re also much cheaper. At the same time, inkjet or laser printer, both are better than impact printers like the dot matrix printer.
3. How many prints can I produce in a day?
Most printers on a low-priced range are not capable of handling a huge number of prints daily. To make sure of this, you should check its duty cycle on its manual.
4. Can I print utilizing the black ink when the color ink runs out?
Yes. You can do this if you’re only going to print on white paper. Also, you need to do some changes to the printer setting to do this.
5. How can I make my ink last longer?
There are a lot of ways to do this. Some printers come with a “drift mode” feature so that the printer uses much lesser ink.
Final Words
Having a printing machine that’s readily available at the office or home office can help you save time, money, and effort only if you’ll invest in the right one. And the right investment may also allow you to buy additional equipment like a budget handheld scanner. Hopefully, we’ve helped you confidently find the best printer under $50 with this review.