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Picking an affordable scanner printer means walking a tightrope — you want low upfront cost without getting soaked by expensive ink later. This guide cuts through the confusion, comparing seven all-in-one inkjet and laser printers so you can see exactly which one saves you money in the long run and which one will quietly cost you a fortune in cartridges.
I’m Min — the founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
You want a printer that scans and prints while staying affordable, and the best affordable scanner printer for you depends on if you need speed for a home office or just occasional school printouts. This roundup covers both, with picks for every budget and feature set.
Quick Picks
- Brother MFC‑L2820DW — Top Performer
- Brother Work Smart 1410 — Best Value
- HP Envy Photo 7975 — Photo Pick
- Canon PIXMA TR7120 — Compact All-rounder
- Canon PIXMA TS7720 — Budget Champion
- HP Envy 6155 — Entry-Level Color
- Epson Workforce WF-2930 — Budget Pick
How To Choose The Best Affordable Scanner Printer
The biggest trap with budget printers is the low purchase price masking expensive ink. Before you click buy, consider these three factors that will define your real costs and day-to-day happiness.
Total Cost of Ownership vs. Sticker Price
A printer that costs under might use small starter cartridges that run out in days, forcing you to buy expensive replacements. Look for models with high-yield XL cartridges or a subscription service that genuinely cuts the cost per page. The Brother Work Smart 1410, for example, uses LC501 ink, which buyers report is inexpensive, keeping your ongoing costs low.
Print Speed for Your Volume
Print speed is measured in pages per minute (ppm). If you only print a few pages a week, a 5 ppm color printer like the Epson WF-2930 will be fine. For a small office or home where you print documents daily, 16 ppm black on the Brother 1410 is a significant time saver that you will appreciate every single day.
Ink System and Cartridge Restrictions
Some manufacturers use firmware updates to block third-party ink cartridges, locking you into their own expensive brand. The Epson WF-2930 has a well-documented firmware issue that does exactly this. If you want freedom to use cheaper alternatives, check reviews for “ink lockout” or “firmware update blocks” before you buy.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Black Speed | Color Speed | Display | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-L2820DW | High-Volume B&W | 34 ppm | — | 2.7″ Touch | $279.99Amazon |
| Brother Work Smart 1410 | Fast Color Inkjet | 16 ppm | 9 ppm | 2.7″ Touch | $139.99Amazon |
| HP Envy Photo 7975 | Photo & Home | 15 ppm | 10 ppm | Color Touch | $159.89$239.99Amazon |
| Canon PIXMA TR7120 | Hybrid Worker | 14 ppm | 9 ppm | 1.42″ OLED | $172.99Amazon |
| Canon PIXMA TS7720 | Low-Volume Home | 15 ppm | 10 ppm | 2.7″ Touch | $84.00$161.99Amazon |
| HP Envy 6155 | Entry-Level Color | 10 ppm | 7 ppm | 2.4″ Touch | $99.99$159.99Amazon |
| Epson WF-2930 | Budget Fax & Duplex | 10 ppm | 5 ppm | 1.4″ Color | $69.99$119.99Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Brother MFC‑L2820DW
The laser workhorse that makes color inkjet printers look like a luxury you do not need
If you only print in black and white but need it fast and cheap, this Brother laser printer is your machine. It prints at 34 pages per minute (ppm), while the inkjets in this guide range from 10 to 16 ppm black, and the toner lasts much longer than an ink cartridge. The 50-page auto document feeder (ADF) lets you scan or copy a whole stack of papers hands-free.
Owners mention it is a “solid machine” that saves “tons of money on black and white printing compared to non laser printers.” One reviewer called it a “work horse” with little paper jams. The only downside is the setup: a few owners found the instructions confusing and had to manually connect to their WiFi network. Once running, though, it works flawlessly, and brother genuine TN830 toner keeps costs predictable.
Speed champion: At 34 ppm black, this is faster than every color inkjet on this list; the next fastest black speed here is 16 ppm on the Brother 1410.
Reach for it if: You print a lot of black-and-white documents and want the lowest cost per page possible. It saves real money over inkjets.
The catch: It is monochrome only — you cannot print a single color page, so keep a cheap inkjet handy for the occasional photo or colored chart.
2. Brother Work Smart 1410
The fastest color inkjet here that does not punish your wallet with expensive ink
This Brother printer earns its spot because it prints color documents at 9 pages per minute (ppm), versus 5 ppm on the Epson WF-2930, so you wait less for reports or flyers. Black pages come out at 16 ppm. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen lets you tap directly into cloud apps like Google Drive and Dropbox to scan without a computer. It is best for a home office that prints color documents regularly; skip it if you only need black-and-white text, where a monochrome laser would be cheaper per page.
Buyers call it “the fastest color printer owned” and say it is “quiet, reliable after 6 months.” The Brother LC501 ink is inexpensive, keeping your running costs well below the competition. Some owners note minor network setup issues and say firmware updates can be tricky, but once it is up, it is a trustworthy daily driver. The automatic duplex (2-sided) printing and 20-sheet ADF are features you would normally find on pricier models.
What stands out
- Fastest color speed in this list at 9 ppm
- Inexpensive Brother Genuine ink keeps costs low
- Auto document feeder saves time on multi-page jobs
What to watch
- A bit loud when printing according to a recent buyer
- Firmware updates can be difficult
Who it fits: Small offices and home offices that want fast color without getting gouged on cartridge costs.
pass on it if: You need a tiny footprint — it is a mid-size machine. Or if you only print black text, the laser above will save you more.
3. HP Envy Photo 7975
For families who want homework prints and photo-quality memories from one machine
The HP Envy Photo 7975 is built for homes where printing a school report and a borderless 8×10 photo are equally important. It prints up to 15 ppm black and 10 ppm color, and the separate photo tray means you can keep plain paper in one slot and glossy photo paper in the other — no swapping. The auto document feeder adds convenience for scanning multi-page homework or contracts.
Customers note setup takes under 10 minutes via the HP app and that the print quality is crisp. One owner who was skeptical after reading negative reviews found “the setup was a breeze” with solid WiFi connections. However, a significant minority report mechanical issues: one reviewer noted the printer “died in about four weeks” with frequent paper jams. The Instant Ink trial is included, but make sure your household fits the delivery model.
Photo edge: The separate photo tray and HP’s P3 color technology aim to deliver true-to-screen colors that standard all-in-ones often miss.
Ideal for: A family that prints a mix of homework and photos and wants a single machine to handle both.
One caveat: A handful of reports about early mechanical failure suggest you should buy with a return policy handy, just in case.
4. Canon PIXMA TR7120
A budget-friendly color printer that squeezes duplex and an ADF into a tiny footprint
The Canon TR7120 is built for hybrid workers who need versatility without taking over their desk. Its 1.42-inch monochrome OLED display gives you a clear read on ink levels and printer status without the bulk of a full touchscreen. It prints at 14 ppm black and 9 ppm color, with dual-band WiFi (2.4GHz or 5GHz) for stable wireless connections in busy homes.
Buyers appreciate the compact design and easy setup — one owner printed 500 pages without any jams. The automatic duplex printing helps you save paper, and the Auto Document Feeder handles multi-page scanning. The main sacrifice is ink cost: reviewers point out that cartridges are expensive and off-brand options are limited. One buyer who has owned it 4 months says the starter ink is still going, so light users get decent value.
Space saver: This printer fits on a short desk where a bigger Brother or HP would not. The OLED screen is intuitive and keeps the footprint small.
Best for: A hybrid worker with limited desk space who needs reliable duplex and ADF without paying for a touchscreen they will rarely use.
The trade-off: Expensive standard cartridges. If you print more than 100 pages a month, the Brother 1410 laser or Work Smart 1410 will cost less in the long run.
5. Canon PIXMA TS7720
A sub- printer that gives you a modern touchscreen and fast print speeds for light use
The Canon TS7720 is one of the few budget-friendly printers with a 2.7-inch LCD touchscreen — most rivals at this tier still use physical buttons. It prints at 15 ppm black and 10 ppm color, matching the performance of more expensive models. The two-cartridge ink system (one black, one tri-color) keeps replacement simple, though you swap the whole tri-color cartridge when any one color runs out.
This is a good match if you only print a few pages a week. Shoppers say it is “solid, easy-to-use” with “fast, clean prints for low volume.” One reviewer notes that the default 4-hour auto power-off is aggravating but can be changed in the settings. The main complaints are occasional WiFi connection drops and that photo colors can look muted with the starter ink. For light home use, it delivers impressive value.
Touchscreen bonus: You get a responsive 2.7-inch screen for navigation — a feature you normally only see on printers priced well above this.
Reach for it if: You print occasionally at home and want a modern, easy-to-navigate interface without spending more than necessary.
Look elsewhere if: You print photos often or need a high-volume machine — the tri-color cartridge replacement gets expensive fast for heavy users.
6. HP Envy 6155
The cheapest color AIO that hooks you into HP’s subscription ink delivery service
The HP Envy 6155 is a low-cost entry point for color printing, copy, and scan. It runs at 10 ppm black and 7 ppm color — the slowest on this list — but includes automatic duplex printing and a 2.4-inch color touchscreen. HP’s AI-powered print formatting helps you remove unwanted content from web pages before printing, saving paper.
Buyers report that WiFi setup with a laptop and iPhone works well, and that print and copy quality is good for the price. However, they also flag that the initial ink may not last long and that the cost per page is high with standard cartridges. One reviewer specifically noted that “HP Instant Ink not suitable for two addresses” — a problem if you split your time between locations or want to change addresses without hassle.
Subscription hook: The 3-month Instant Ink trial sounds great, but once it ends, the monthly fee locks you in. If you print irregularly, it may cost more than buying standard cartridges.
Who it is for: Someone who prints regularly and is willing to pay a monthly subscription for automatic ink delivery. The low price lets you test the service.
it’s not for you if: You want to keep ink costs low with third-party cartridges — HP’s firmware blocks non-HP chips. Also skip if you have a second home or travel between addresses.
7. Epson Workforce WF-2930
The cheapest printer with fax and auto-duplex, but firmware traps you into expensive ink
The Epson WF-2930 packs a lot of features into a low price — you get print, scan, copy, fax, an auto document feeder, and automatic 2-sided printing. Its heat-free printing technology uses a permanent printhead designed to last the life of the printer. Print speeds are modest at 10 ppm black and 5 ppm color, versus 10 ppm color on the Canon TS7720.
The real issue here is ink. One buyer directly warns: “Epson firmware update blocks third-party cartridges, forcing purchase of expensive Epson brand. Requires complex rollback via special USB cable and older firmware download.” This is not a one-off complaint — it is a widely documented pattern that makes the low purchase price misleading. If you stick with Epson genuine ink, the printer works well and owners mention it is “dependable” and “just runs.”
Highlights
- Built-in fax machine for those who still need one
- Compact footprint fits on a short desk
- Auto duplex and ADF at a budget price
Downsides
- Firmware update blocks third-party ink — you must use expensive Epson cartridges
- Color speed of 5 ppm is the slowest on this list
Grab it if: You need a fax machine today and are willing to use only Epson genuine ink — just never update the firmware.
Stay away if: You want freedom to choose any ink brand or print color pages often. The Brother 1410 is faster and cheaper to run.
Understanding the Specs
Pages Per Minute (ppm)
This is the number of pages the printer can produce in one minute. Black speed and color speed are usually different — the Canon TS7720 prints 15 ppm black but only 10 ppm color. If you mostly print text documents, focus on the black speed. For photo-heavy work, look at the color speed.
Auto Document Feeder (ADF)
The ADF is a slot on top of the printer that feeds multiple pages automatically for scanning or copying. A 20-sheet ADF lets you stack a whole document and walk away. Without an ADF, you have to place each page on the glass scanner manually — a real pain for multi-page reports or receipts.
FAQ
How much does it cost to run an affordable scanner printer per year?
Will an affordable printer work with third-party ink cartridges?
What is the difference between an inkjet and a laser printer for home use?
Does the Canon PIXMA TS7720 work with an iPhone or iPad?
What does “automatic duplex” mean?
How long does the starter ink in an affordable printer last?
Is the Brother MFC-L2820DW good for a home office?
Which printer has the lowest long-term cost between Epson and Brother?
Can I print photos on a monochrome laser printer?
What does the HP Instant Ink subscription cost?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For the majority of shoppers, the best affordable scanner printer winner is the Brother Work Smart 1410 because it combines fast color speeds (16/9 ppm), a 2.7-inch touchscreen, an ADF, and inexpensive Brother Genuine ink — all in one machine. If you only need black text and want rock-bottom running costs, grab the Brother MFC-L2820DW. And for a photo-focused family home that wants a separate photo tray, the HP Envy Photo 7975 is your best bet.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Gadgets Feed earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.
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