Best Printer under $100 in 2021

Working from home has become a growing trend within the last year, and more and more of us have had to adapt a room in our homes into a home office. While we may be prepared for some needs, buying a new printer may not be one of them. A printer shouldn’t have to break the bank, and there are plenty of capable options available for under $100.

Thankfully, you won’t have to spend days looking for one yourself. We did the work for you so that you can choose from ten of the best printers for less than $100. Before you make a decision, though, take a look at what to consider when looking at these top printers.

What to Look For in a Printer

Each printer has several different specs it should excel in. Here is a basic breakdown of what to look for:

• Print speed reflects how many pages per minute a printer can put out, and is measured by the number of black ink pages printed per minute (PPM).
• Paper yield is how many pages you can expect to print in a single set of cartridges.
• Paper capacity indicates how many pages a printer can hold at one time.
• A printer’s weight can help you decide if you should put it on a high or low shelf.
• Resolution refers to the amount of dots per square inch (DPI) the printer can put into a single square inch. 300 DPI is the modern standard for resolution.
• Paper sizes relate to the sizes of paper the printer can use to print.
• The printer type refers to the primary function of the printer. Laser printers burn toner onto the page instead of using wet ink, while photo printers are dedicated to printing photographs and all-in-one printers handle the bulk of office tasks like scanning, faxing, and printing.
• Connectivity refers to the methods you can connect to the printer, like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or ethernet.

Not all features of a printer will relate to your needs. Document feeders may not be a concern if you don’t do a lot of document scanning. If you’re just looking for a simple printer, you may not want to pay more for features you’re unlikely to use. Now that you have an idea of what to look for, take a look at our picks for the 10 best printers under $100.

TL;DR - Best Printers under $100:

• HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Wireless Printer
• Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer
• HP DeskJet 2755 Wireless All-in-One Printer
• HP DeskJet 3755 Compact All-in-One
• Canon PIXMA TR4520 Wireless All in One Photo Printer
• Brother HL-L2350DW Compact Laser Printer
• HP DeskJet Plus 4155 Wireless All-in-One Printer
• Canon Selphy CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer
• HP LaserJet Pro M15w Wireless Laser Printer
• HP ENVY 6055 Wireless All-in-One Printer

1. HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Wireless Printer

A reliable printer that handles it all

The HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Wireless Printer is an inkjet printer that comes with a lot to offer in a compact size. One of this printer's best features is its optional quiet mode, which allows for home printing with nearly zero disturbance. A practically silent printer that can fit almost anywhere in an office is a service that many may underappreciate for small office use.

Not every printer is easy to use, and some can be downright confusing. This inkjet printer was designed to be simple, and the manufacturers certainly met their goal. This printer also offers wireless capabilities to make things even easier, which means you simply have to plug it in and connect to the internet to get going.

2. Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer

A printer and scanner with high-quality photo printing capabilities

Our next printer under $100 is the Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer. Complete with wireless printing, copying, and scanning capabilities, this printer can meet your needs while staying within budget. The document feeder is not automatic, so this printer is not ideal if you regularly scan multiple documents.

This printer comes with the ability to print several hundred pages on a single set of cartridges, which can help extend your savings for years to come. Printers don't have to be a constant money pit, and this printer makes sure of it. High print speeds at a cost-effective performance is not a quality all printers can offer, but you can rest easy knowing this one certainly does.

3. HP DeskJet 2755 Wireless All-in-One Printer

Mobile printing that isn't dependant on color ink

The HP DeskJet 2755 Wireless printer is an all-in-one printer, scanner, and copier. It can print on paper sizes of up to 8.5x14 inches and works with both Windows and macOS. It can connect via the internet or USB, and also benefits from mobile printing via the HP Smart app. Printing through an app on your phone makes this printer a steal for under $100.

Advancements in technology should make sure that the devices we use become simpler, not more complicated. This printer maintains the idea that your experience with it should always be easy and straightforward. High printing yields paired with mobile printing options help ensure that you will have a swift and efficient printing experience.

4. HP DeskJet 3755 Compact All-in-One

A compact printer with big performance

As one of our most compact picks, the HP DeskJet 3755 offers good printing quality in a small package. This printer's small size makes it easy to fit into a desk drawer or a dorm room. The smaller size does admittedly make this printer more vulnerable to damage, but it is still sturdy enough to get the job done, even for photo printing.

This printer is built with storage capabilities in mind, without sacrificing performance. A small printer doesn't have to mean small performance. While this is not a high-end device, it can certainly meet your needs in a pinch.

5. Canon PIXMA TR4520 Wireless All in One Photo Printer

A printer dedicated to crisp, clean photos

This printer seems too good to be true at a price point of under $100. This Canon PIXMA printer offers high-quality photograph printing, so you can be sure you aren't wasting your money on photo paper here. It also comes with an automatic document feeder, which grants users a paper tray for faster scanning speeds.

Going to the store and paying a few dozen dollars to print the pictures from your summer vacation seems like a scam when you can get a better product here for only pennies on the dollar. When a single device can print off your boarding information and hotel reservations before your vacation and then print your vacation photos after the fact, the Canon PIXMA makes for an easy choice of the best printer for your home.

6. Brother HL-L2350DW Compact Laser Printer

High printing speeds and yields make this printer a steal

Laser printers are a form of printer that melts toner power onto pages instead of using ink to print. These laser printers commonly have faster printing speeds, and the Brother HL-L2350DW Compact Laser Printer is no exception. If you regularly print pages by the dozen, this laser printer is for you. This laser printer also has a yield in the thousands, meaning a single set of toner could last you years.

These printers are the kind where it can be easy to forget how to refill the toner or paper, simply because of how long you may go between necessary refills. While this kind of printer may require a bit more effort to set up in a home, you can definitely count on it saving you time when you hardly need to wait for your pages to print.

7. HP DeskJet Plus 4155 Wireless All-in-One Printer

A great printer for large scanning needs

Mobile printing, an auto document feeder, internet connectivity, the HP DeskJet Plus 4155 Wireless All-in-One Printer has it all. When you are looking for the best printer for your home, this printer may be the best choice for you. This is one of our printers under $100 that won't keep you running to the shop for ink cartridges.

After spending countless hours completing a final draft or finishing a presentation handout, it can be absolutely maddening to have your printer fail its only job. Fortunately, paper jams, running out of ink, and connection issues will be a thing of the past with this printer.

8. Canon Selphy CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer

A lightweight printer that prints exceptional photos

Sometimes, printing on paper is not a primary concern for some, who may simply be looking for something to help them print photographs. For those with a different goal in mind for printers under $100, the Canon Selphy CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer may be just what they are looking for. This printer makes the most out of photo paper by printing pictures that are instantly dry, water-resistant, and that can last for decades.

Paper printers that also print photos rarely meet the standard of quality that photo printers can produce. Photo printers can reliably create sharp and crystal-clear prints while saving you money that you would normally spend at the store for the same photos. The added bonus of a photo printer is that you pay only a fraction of the price you would pay at the store for your own pictures.

9. HP LaserJet Pro M15w Wireless Laser Printer

A black and white printer for high volume printing needs

If you don't need a printer to do everything imaginable, why would you want to pay for the privilege? The HP LaserJet Pro M15w Wireless Laser Printer is one of our best printers for under $100, even though it only prints in black and white. This wireless printer is excellent for a frugal shopper, as its low price point also pairs well with the savings you earn from not needing any color ink refills.

It's hard to imagine a printer that can produce hundreds of pages from a single toner supply that also can print an entire page nearly every three seconds. It's even harder to imagine that you could find a laser printer of this caliber for under $100, but seeing truly is believing in this case.

10. HP ENVY 6055 Wireless All-in-One Printer

Avoid frequent ink purchases with this high yield printer

The last of our best printers under $100 is far from the worst. The HP Envy is a multifunctional printer that can print with black or color ink. This wireless printer is in the higher end of printing speeds for our printers on this list, though it can take a bit longer to start up. Setting up the HP ENVY is easy though, with its wireless internet capabilities assisting in the process. This printer offers a lot of functions for a little price tag, from a fast setup to printing on the go.

While the startup period may take a few seconds longer, that doesn't mean you should overlook this device. This printer's PPM is one of the highest among our non-laser printers, and the yield is also incredibly high. The HP ENVY printers are one you can count on to get the job done.

Other Purchasing Tips

While choosing the overall best printer is important, it is not the only decision you will need to make. There are some additional purchases you will likely need to make alongside one of our best printers. While ordering your printer, make sure you are getting the ink and paper you need either with your purchase or by adding it to your cart. Keep in mind that not all types of ink work in each printer, so be sure that the ink you choose is suitable for your device.

Ink also often comes in high-yield and standard yield types, meaning some inks are made to last longer than others. It may seem like an obvious choice to simply buy high-yield ink, but keep in mind that a high yield may come at the cost of the print quality. The same goes for paper. Cheaper paper may do the job, but if you’re looking for something that offers a higher sense of quality, you may want to spend a few extra dollars on the more expensive ream of paper.

Conclusion

Modern printers have a lot of features to them, and it can be hard to know what to focus on and what is not as important for you and your needs. While it may be easy just to choose any printer and still get the results you want, you may not be getting the very best from just any printer. Getting the most from a printer is not the same as getting what you need from a printer. Focusing on your needs in these reviews may help you pick exactly what you are looking for.

When looking for the best printer for you, think about what you need from your printer. If you are not someone who prints on multiple different paper sizes, then paper size compatibility may not be something you need to look for. Are you just looking for a printer to print photographs, or are you looking for one that can handle regular large projects? There is no single best printer to meet everyone’s needs, so don’t assume the first printer you find is the right one for you.