Printer Price: Retail, Deals & Price History

The price on a printer's box is only part of what you will spend, because ink or toner is a recurring cost. A cheap inkjet is inexpensive to buy but can cost more to run. An ink tank printer costs more up front and uses bottled ink. A laser printer costs more than an entry inkjet and suits a lot of text printing.

The prices below come from Tom's Guide and TechRadar buying guides published in 2026. They are list or typical prices, so sale prices may be lower.

Tom's Guide puts inkjet all-in-ones at as little as $60 and laser all-in-ones at $150. TechRadar finds the HP DeskJet 2855e at around $60. Moving to ink tank printers, the Epson EcoTank ET-2400 is around $160, and TechRadar says HP's entry-level Smart Tank sells for around $300.

The HP Envy 6555e is $179.99. The Brother INKvestment MFC-J995DW is $189, and the Canon Pixma TR8620 is $215. The laser Brother MFC-L2750DW XL is $799, which Tom's Guide calls a pricey machine.

• Inkjet: The lowest purchase price and good for photos and occasional use, but cartridges can be costly to replace.
• Ink tank: A higher purchase price, with bottled ink that TechRadar says costs far less per page than cartridge ink. Some include a large starter supply of ink.
• Laser: Better for large amounts of text. TechRadar says laser toner costs less per page, even though the printers cost more.

Plan for ink or toner, paper and the time you spend on maintenance. A printer that costs little can have starter cartridges that run out quickly, which TechRadar points out for entry models. Check the cost of replacement ink for the exact model before you buy, and ask whether the printer allows third-party cartridges or locks you into the maker's ink.

A student or a household that prints a few pages now and then can usually start at the lowest price tier. Families that print homework and forms every week should compare the cost of replacement ink, not only the printer. A home office that prints documents all day, such as invoices and reports, should look at laser or ink tank models, since both are described as cheaper per page. A craft printer or a portable printer is a separate category and is priced for its special use rather than for volume.

• Functions: Print only, or print, scan, copy and fax.
• Speed and capacity: Larger paper trays and faster output cost more.
• Duplex printing: Printing on both sides automatically adds cost.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, a touchscreen and mobile apps appear on mid-range machines.
• Print quality: Photo printers and wide format printers cost more.

Start with how much you print. For a few pages a month, an entry inkjet may be enough. For regular household use, an ink tank printer can cost less to run. For an office that prints documents all day, a laser fits better. Then check the printer's size, the paper handling and the warranty.

Printers are sold by the maker, by electronics retailers and by online stores. Prices for the same model can differ between them, and bundles that include extra ink are common. Compare the total with ink included, and look at the return window in case the printer does not fit your space or your paper needs.