Reader support keeps this site open, opinionated, and happily independent. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.9 Best Affordable All In One Printer | 18 PPM Without the Hype

Choosing the right all-in-one printer for your home or small office often feels like a trade-off between upfront cost and long-term ink expenses. Many budget models lure you in with a low price, only to drain your wallet with expensive cartridge replacements down the line. The real challenge is finding a unit that delivers solid print, scan, and copy quality without turning ink into a second mortgage.

I’m Rikta — the co-founder and writer behind FitlyFast. I’ve analyzed hundreds of hours of print performance data, ink yield specifications, and real-world user feedback to sort the genuinely valuable models from the consumable traps.

This guide breaks down the nine most compelling options available today, from cartridge-free supertanks to laser workhorses, to help you identify the true affordable all in one printer that fits your workflow without costing you more in the long run.

How To Choose The Best Affordable All In One Printer

The printer market is divided by its consumables strategy. A low purchase price often signals a high-cost cartridge system, while a higher upfront investment in a tank or laser model can slash your per-page costs dramatically. Your decision should weigh total cost of ownership, not just the price on the box.

Ink System: Tank vs. Cartridge vs. Laser

Cartridge-based printers dominate the budget aisle, but their replacement costs can exceed the printer’s value within a year. Supertank models store ink in refillable reservoirs, slashing per-page costs to pennies. Laser printers use toner cartridges that yield thousands of pages without smudging, ideal for high-volume black-and-white output. Choosing the right system for your volume is the single most important decision.

Duplex and Document Feeder

Automatic two-sided printing saves paper and time, but many budget models only offer manual duplex, requiring you to flip pages yourself. An automatic document feeder (ADF) lets you scan or copy multi-page stacks without standing by each sheet. For home offices processing invoices or contracts, these features quickly pay for themselves.

Connectivity and Mobile Support

Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) provides stable connections in crowded networks. Native support for Apple AirPrint, Mopria, and dedicated brand apps ensures smooth printing from phones and tablets. Models reliant on a 2.4 GHz-only radio may struggle in modern mesh networks.

Quick Comparison

On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.

Model Category Best For Key Spec Amazon
Epson EcoTank ET-4950 Supertank High-volume home offices 18 ppm B&W / 9 ppm Color Amazon
Brother INKvestment MFC-J1365DW Inkjet Low-cost per page inkjet 1,200-page black yield cartridge Amazon
Brother Work Smart MFC-J1410DW Inkjet Balanced home office use 16 ppm B&W / 9 ppm Color Amazon
HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 Inkjet Professional color documents 20 ppm B&W / 10 ppm Color Amazon
Xerox B225DNI Laser B&W High-speed black text 36 ppm B&W Amazon
Canon PIXMA TR7120 Inkjet Entry-level office with ADF 14 ppm B&W / 9 ppm Color Amazon
Canon PIXMA TS7720 Inkjet Compact home photo printing 15 ppm B&W / 10 ppm Color Amazon
Epson EcoTank ET-2803 Supertank Long-term low-cost printing Up to 4,500 B&W pages ink included Amazon
HP DeskJet 4255e Inkjet Frugal home printing 8.5 ppm B&W / 5.5 ppm Color Amazon

In‑Depth Reviews

Best Overall

9. Epson EcoTank ET-4950 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer

18 ppm B&WAuto Duplex

The Epson EcoTank ET-4950 removes the cartridge game entirely with supersized refillable ink tanks that come in the box with enough volume for up to 6,600 black pages. This seventh-generation supertank design includes an auto document feeder, auto duplex, a 250-sheet tray, and a 2.4-inch color touchscreen. At 18 ppm black and 9 ppm color, it can handle a busy home office without breaking stride, and the lack of a warmup cycle means your first page comes out nearly instantly.

Users consistently report negligible ink depletion even after hundreds of color pages, and the wireless connectivity remains stable through power cycles. The EcoFit ink bottles are keyed to prevent color mix-ups, making refills clean and fast. Setup takes about 45 minutes including the initial ink charging process, but once online, the printer delivers sharp text and excellent photo output with minimal ongoing attention.

Some owners note the plastic chassis feels a bit flimsy when handled, and default page ordering may require a settings adjustment. But for the sheer volume of printing this unit enables at a fraction of the per-page cost of cartridge models, the trade-offs are minor. The ET-4950 is the long-term value champion for anyone printing regularly.

Why it’s great

  • Years of ink included in box, drastically reducing per-page cost
  • Fast print speeds with zero warmup time
  • Auto duplex and ADF handle multi-page jobs hands-free

Good to know

  • Initial setup takes roughly 45 minutes for ink charging
  • Plastic build feels less robust than some competitors
Value Pick

8. Brother INKvestment MFC-J1365DW Wireless Inkjet All-in-One

1,200-pg Black CartridgeAuto Duplex

The Brother INKvestment MFC-J1365DW bridges the gap between entry-level inkjet pricing and the long-term economy of a tank system. It ships with a 1,200-page black cartridge and 500-page color cartridges, a bold upfront move that immediately lowers your effective cost per page compared to standard starter cartridges. Print speeds reach 16 ppm black and 9 ppm color, which is competitive for this class, and the 20-page ADF lets you batch scan or copy stacks without manual feeding.

Owners praise the compact footprint, quiet operation, and surprisingly fast monochrome output that borders on laser quality. The 1.8-inch color display is small but readable, and the Brother Mobile Connect app provides full control over printing, scanning, and ink monitoring. Wireless setup can be slightly involved if you reject the subscription prompts, but once configured the connection remains reliable.

A handful of users report higher-than-expected ink consumption after the initial cartridges run dry, so heavy printers should calculate replacement costs against their volume. Still, for a mid-range inkjet that skips the subscription trap, the MFC-J1365DW offers excellent print quality and a strong value proposition.

Why it’s great

  • Generous starter cartridges stretch your ink budget from day one
  • Fast print speeds with near-laser quality for text documents
  • Quiet operation and compact footprint for small desks

Good to know

  • Replacement cartridge costs may be high for very frequent printing
  • Setup includes aggressive prompts to sign up for ink subscription
Best All-Rounder

7. Brother Work Smart MFC-J1410DW Wireless Inkjet All-in-One

16 ppm B&W2.7″ Touchscreen

Brother’s Work Smart MFC-J1410DW packs a 2.7-inch color touchscreen, automatic duplex printing, and a 20-sheet ADF into a chassis that costs notably less than most office-class inkjets. At 16 ppm black and 9 ppm color, it keeps pace with daily home office needs, and the 150-sheet paper tray reduces the need for constant refills. Cloud app connectivity via the touchscreen lets you print directly from Google Drive or Dropbox without a computer intermediary.

User reviews consistently call out the quiet operation and solid build quality, along with easily manageable setup and intuitive on-screen menus. The Brother Mobile Connect app provides a clean interface for scanning and monitoring ink levels remotely. Cartridge life has been reported at over six months for moderate home office use, which is a strong indicator of reasonable per-page costs.

A small subset of reports mention paper jams or early failures, but the broader feedback is overwhelmingly positive. For buyers who want a modern touchscreen interface paired with a productive feature set at a mid-range price, the MFC-J1410DW is a well-rounded choice that avoids the most common inkjet pitfalls.

Why it’s great

  • Large 2.7-inch color touchscreen simplifies navigation and cloud printing
  • Auto duplex and ADF improve productivity with multi-page documents
  • Cartridges can last over six months with regular home office usage

Good to know

  • A small number of users experienced paper jams or early unit failures
  • Initial setup can be time-consuming if you have a complex network
Professional Pick

6. HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer

20 ppm B&W2.7″ Touchscreen

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 targets home offices that need professional-grade color documents without the hefty enterprise price tag. It churns out 20 pages per minute in black and 10 in color, with a 225-sheet input tray and an auto document feeder that supports multi-page scanning and copying. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen uses a phone-like interface that feels intuitive, and HP’s AI-based web printing tool strips out unwanted formatting and ads for clean prints.

Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-healing connectivity ensures stable connections, and the inclusion of Ethernet gives you a wired fallback for demanding networks. HP Wolf Essential Security adds a layer of protection for sensitive document workflows. Users report easy guided setup, excellent print quality for presentations and flyers, and reliable wireless performance once connected.

On the downside, the 923-series ink cartridges are expensive to replace, and the printer is designed to block third-party cartridges via firmware updates. The Instant Ink trial lowers the initial sting but shifts you toward a subscription model. For those who prefer to buy ink outright, this is a factor worth considering. Overall, it’s a fast, feature-rich unit best suited for document-centric home offices.

Why it’s great

  • Fast 20 ppm black with auto duplex for efficient two-sided printing
  • AI-assisted formatting removes clutter from web print jobs
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet provide flexible, stable connectivity

Good to know

  • OEM ink cartridges are expensive and printer blocks third-party alternatives
  • Instant Ink subscription nudges you toward recurring ink payments
Speed Demon

5. Xerox B225DNI All-in-One Laser Printer

36 ppm B&WAuto Duplex

When speed and crisp black text are your primary demands, the Xerox B225DNI laser printer is hard to beat at this price. It delivers 36 pages per minute in black-and-white with automatic duplex printing, making it ideal for high-volume document processing. The 50-sheet automatic document feeder supports duplex scanning for two-sided originals, and the compact design fits neatly on a desk without dominating the workspace.

Built-in Wi-Fi supports Apple AirPrint and Mopria for effortless mobile printing, and the Xerox Print & Scan Experience software simplifies tasks like receipt scanning, auto straightening, and image cropping. Users report simple setup, professional-quality output with sharp text, and excellent scanning functionality with batch processing capabilities. The starter toner cartridge yields roughly 1,200 pages, giving you a solid baseline run before needing replacements.

Some owners experienced Wi-Fi connectivity issues, with one requiring a USB cable after repeated setup failures. Toner life after the starter cartridge has been noted as shorter than expected for light users. The lack of color output means this printer is strictly for monochrome workflows, but for text-heavy environments it delivers unrivaled speed and clarity.

Why it’s great

  • Blazing 36 ppm black speed for large print jobs in minutes
  • Duplex scanning and auto document feeder simplify two-sided originals
  • Compact design with professional-grade text output

Good to know

  • Wi-Fi setup can be unreliable; some users resort to USB
  • No color printing — strictly for black-and-white documents
Office Starter

4. Canon PIXMA TR7120 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One

14 ppm B&WADF Included

The Canon PIXMA TR7120 is a budget-conscious all-in-one that brings an auto document feeder and automatic duplex printing to the entry-level segment. Using a two-cartridge hybrid ink system (pigment black for sharp text, dye-based color for vivid graphics), it prints up to 14 ppm black and 9 ppm color. The 1.42-inch monochrome OLED display gives you quick access to ink levels and status without navigating a complex menu tree.

Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz) gives you flexibility in crowded network environments, and support for Alexa voice control adds a modern convenience layer. Users report an easy setup process, compact footprint, and excellent print quality for the price point. The ADF handles multi-page scanning with no fuss, and the duplex function saves paper without manual intervention.

The main drawback is ink cost — replacement cartridges are not cheap, and the combined color cartridge means you must replace cyan, magenta, and yellow together even if only one runs out. Starter cartridges also run out relatively quickly, so factor that into your total budget. For light document and photo printing, it offers a balanced feature set at a friendly entry price.

Why it’s great

  • Auto document feeder and duplex printing at a budget-friendly price
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi ensures stable connectivity in most network setups
  • Compact footprint fits well in small home offices

Good to know

  • Replacement ink cartridges are expensive and combined color can waste ink
  • Starter ink cartridges run out quickly, raising initial operating costs
Compact Photo

3. Canon PIXMA TS7720 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One

15 ppm B&W2.7″ Touchscreen

The Canon PIXMA TS7720 is a compact, photo-friendly all-in-one that prioritizes ease of use and print quality over raw office features. With a 2.7-inch LCD touchscreen and streamlined setup, you can be printing in minutes. It reaches 15 ppm in black and 10 ppm in color, and the two-cartridge system (pigment black plus tri-color) keeps replacement simple. Automatic duplex printing is standard, though there is no ADF for multi-page scanning.

Wireless connectivity works well once established, and the Canon PRINT app gives you solid control from your smartphone. Users consistently highlight crisp text output, good color photo reproduction for casual work, and a small footprint that fits on almost any desk. The ink system is reasonably priced compared to some competitors, and the touchscreen interface is responsive and intuitive.

Some users experienced connectivity quirks with iPhones and occasional “printer not available” errors. The lack of an ADF limits batch scanning to the single-sheet flatbed, and the default four-hour auto power-off setting can be annoying if you don’t adjust it. Overall, the TS7720 is a solid pick for homes that want a straightforward, photo-capable printer without the bulk of an office machine.

Why it’s great

  • 2.7-inch touchscreen offers intuitive control without a computer
  • Compact design with good photo and document print quality
  • Auto duplex printing saves paper for basic dual-sided jobs

Good to know

  • No automatic document feeder limits batch scanning efficiency
  • Some users report intermittent wireless connectivity issues
Ink Saver

2. Epson EcoTank ET-2803 Wireless Color Supertank Printer

4,500 B&W Pages IncludedCartridge-Free

The Epson EcoTank ET-2803 is the entry point into Epson’s cartridge-free supertank family, and it comes with enough ink in the box to print up to 4,500 black pages or 7,500 color pages before you need a refill. That’s roughly equivalent to 80 individual cartridges, completely eliminating the recurring cartridge purchasing cycle. Print speeds cap at 10 ppm black and 5 ppm color, which is slower than some competitors, making this unit best suited for users who prioritize ink economy over speed.

Owners are uniformly impressed by the ink longevity, high photo quality with vivid colors, and the remarkably low per-page cost. The Micro Piezo Heat-Free technology produces crisp text and smudge-free prints on a variety of media. Setup involves carefully pouring the ink bottles into the tanks, a satisfying process that takes about 15 minutes and clearly signals that this printer is built differently from conventional cartridge models.

The major complaint across reviews is the finicky wireless connectivity. The Epson Smart Panel app frequently fails to detect the printer on the network, requiring manual TCP/IP configuration for reliable operation. The small monochrome display is also a weak point, making on-printer navigation cumbersome. If you can work around the software quirks, the ET-2803 delivers unmatched long-term savings for moderate-volume households.

Why it’s great

  • Massive ink supply included eliminates cartridge purchases for years
  • Excellent photo and document print quality with vivid colors
  • Dramatically low per-page cost compared to any cartridge-based model

Good to know

  • Wireless connectivity issues are common; manual network setup often required
  • Small monochrome display is difficult to read and navigate
Entry Level

1. HP DeskJet 4255e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer

8.5 ppm B&W60-sheet Input

The HP DeskJet 4255e is the lowest-cost entry in our lineup, designed for homes that need occasional printing of to-do lists, recipes, and letters. It prints up to 8.5 ppm black and 5.5 ppm color, includes a 60-sheet input tray, and features an automatic document feeder that lets you scan or copy multi-page stacks without manual feeding. HP’s AI-powered print tool automatically removes unwanted content from web pages, saving ink and paper on internet prints.

Setup via the HP Smart app is straightforward, and the included three-month Instant Ink trial helps keep initial costs low. The compact white design blends into any home environment, and the use of recycled materials in its construction is a nice sustainability touch. Users who have successfully set it up on a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network report decent print and scan quality for basic tasks.

There are significant caveats at this price point. There is no automatic duplex printing — every two-sided job requires manually flipping pages. The printer relies on HP’s dynamic security firmware that blocks third-party cartridges, locking you into HP-brand ink. Many reviews report reliability issues after cartridge replacement, and the single tri-color cartridge wastes ink by forcing replacement when one color runs out. This printer is only viable for the lightest home use where ink cost is secondary to minimal upfront investment.

Why it’s great

  • Lowest purchase price makes it accessible for basic home printing needs
  • AI web print tool saves paper by cleaning up online content
  • Automatic document feeder included at this price point

Good to know

  • No automatic duplex printing; manual page turning required for two-sided jobs
  • Dynamic security blocks third-party ink, forcing expensive OEM cartridges
  • Reliability and connection issues reported after initial cartridge replacement

FAQ

What is the difference between a supertank printer and a regular inkjet?
A supertank printer uses refillable ink reservoirs instead of disposable cartridges. You pour ink bottles into the tanks, which hold far more volume than any cartridge. This design reduces the cost per page to fractions of a cent and eliminates the waste of replacing entire cartridges when one color runs out. Regular inkjets rely on cartridges that have limited ink and a higher per-page cost.
How much ink does a supertank printer come with in the box?
That depends on the model. Entry-level supertank units like the Epson EcoTank ET-2803 include enough ink for up to 4,500 black pages and 7,500 color pages. Higher-end models like the Epson EcoTank ET-4950 push that volume to 6,600 black pages and 5,500 color pages. In either case, the included ink lasts most households one to three years, depending on print volume.
Why do some printers block third-party ink cartridges?
Many brands, particularly HP and Canon, use dynamic security features that detect non-OEM cartridges via firmware checks. If the printer identifies a cartridge that does not contain the brand’s proprietary chip technology, it may refuse to print. This policy is designed to protect print quality and device safety, but it effectively locks you into buying more expensive brand-name cartridges for the life of the printer.
Is a laser printer cheaper to run than an inkjet printer?
For monochrome document printing, laser printers typically have a lower cost per page because toner cartridges yield thousands of pages. Toner does not dry out like ink, making lasers ideal for infrequent users. However, color laser printers are significantly more expensive upfront and do not match the photo quality of a good inkjet. For mixed document and photo needs, a supertank inkjet often offers the best overall value.
What kind of print speed should I expect from a budget all-in-one?
Budget inkjets generally print between 8 and 16 pages per minute in black, with color speeds roughly half that. Entry-level models like the HP DeskJet 4255e sit at the slow end (8.5 ppm black), while mid-range options like the Brother Work Smart MFC-J1410DW reach 16 ppm. If you frequently print large documents, aim for a model with at least 15 ppm black to maintain a reasonable workflow.

Final Thoughts: The Verdict

For most users, the affordable all in one printer winner is the Epson EcoTank ET-4950 because it combines fast print speeds, a comprehensive feature set, and years of ink in the box into one seamless package. If you want the absolute lowest per-page cost without sacrificing print quality, grab the Epson EcoTank ET-2803. And for fast, razor-sharp black-and-white output in a home office, nothing beats the Xerox B225DNI.