Finding a color printer that doesn’t drain your wallet on ink or force you through a painful setup every time you need a document is a real challenge. The market is flooded with cheap units that produce washed-out images, jam constantly, or stop connecting to your Wi-Fi after a week.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve spent years analyzing printer specifications, studying ink economics, and comparing thousands of owner reviews to separate the genuinely reliable hardware from the frustrating noise.
The goal is to cut through marketing hype and help you find a model that delivers crisp color, reliable connectivity, and low running costs. After deep analysis, I’ve narrowed the field to the top options so I can confidently recommend the absolute best cheap color printer for your home or small office.
How To Choose The Best Cheap Color Printer
Buying a budget-friendly color printer means balancing upfront cost against long-term ink expenses and feature set. Here are the three criteria that matter most.
Total Ink Cost Per Page
The sticker price is a trap if the cartridges run dry after 100 pages. Look for models that accept high-yield or standard-yield cartridges with a clear page yield number. Printers that support a subscription service (like HP Instant Ink) can drop per-page costs significantly for moderate users, but the subscription itself becomes a recurring fee you must remember to cancel.
Connectivity & Setup Simplicity
The most common complaints in this category revolve around wireless setup. Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) gives you more stable connections than 2.4GHz-only hardware. A printer that requires a smartphone app for setup is fine, but you must also be able to connect via USB if the network gives trouble. Models that force account registration before any print job are a known pain point.
Essential Workflow Features
For a home or small office, automatic duplex printing saves paper and time. An Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) transforms a flatbed scanner into a multi-page copier and scanner — invaluable for any paperwork. A 150-sheet paper tray reduces reload frequency versus the common 60-sheet trays found on the cheapest models.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-J1410DW | Premium Pick | Small office & heavy home use | 16/9 ppm, 150-sheet tray, ADF | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-J1360DW | Mid-Range | Home office with scanning needs | 16/9 ppm, ADF, 150-sheet tray | Amazon |
| Canon PIXMA TR7120 | Mid-Range | Multi-page document handling | 14/9 ppm, ADF, duplex, OLED | Amazon |
| HP Envy 6155 | Mid-Range | Home printing & borderless photos | 10/7 ppm, 100-sheet tray, touchscreen | Amazon |
| Canon PIXMA TS7720 | Value Pick | General home printing | 15/10 ppm, 2.7″ touchscreen, duplex | Amazon |
| Canon PIXMA TS6520 | Budget Entry | Light home use & mobile printing | 14/9 ppm, duplex, 1.42″ OLED | Amazon |
| HP DeskJet 2855e | Budget Entry | Basic print-copy-scan at lowest cost | 7.5/5.5 ppm, 60-sheet tray, 2.4GHz | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Brother MFC-J1410DW
This Brother Work Smart series printer is designed for the home office or small office that needs fast output and flexible paper handling. With a 20-sheet ADF, 150-sheet paper tray, and 16 pages per minute in black, it handles daily document workflows without stalling. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen makes cloud app navigation and settings adjustments straightforward.
Print quality is crisp in both black and color, and the automatic duplex printing saves paper on multi-page drafts. Owners consistently report cartridge life lasting six months or more under moderate use, which is a major advantage over models that drain ink quickly. The Brother Mobile Connect app adds convenient printing and scanning from any device.
The only notable downsides are a slightly finicky firmware update process and the fact that some new units have arrived with setup difficulties that required contacting support. A few users also reported paper jams after several weeks, though this appears to be an outlier issue rather than a widespread defect.
What works
- Fast print speed with solid color output
- ADF and duplex scanning for multi-page jobs
- Large 150-sheet paper tray reduces refills
What doesn’t
- Firmware updates can be tricky
- Setup may require a call to support for some units
- Limited to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi for initial connection
2. Brother MFC-J1360DW
Brother’s MFC-J1360DW hits a sweet spot between price and productivity. Like its higher-end sibling, it offers a 20-sheet ADF, 150-sheet paper capacity, and automatic duplex printing. The print speeds (16 ppm black, 9 ppm color) are identical, making it a strong candidate for anyone who needs fast document output without stepping into a higher price tier.
Setup is app-driven and owners report an easy experience connecting to both Apple and Windows devices, though the printer requires a 2.4GHz network for the initial wireless handshake. Color quality is vibrant and well-aligned straight out of the box. The scanner and copier functions are reliable, and the cloud app integration works smoothly for scanning directly to Google Drive or Dropbox.
Ink costs are a recurring concern across the entire category, and this model is no exception — replacement cartridges are not cheap, though some owners have successfully used third-party alternatives. The output tray feels slightly flimsy and could break if handled roughly. For a home office requiring a dependable workhorse, this is a top pick that avoids the frustrating software bloat of some competitors.
What works
- Flawless wireless connectivity after initial setup
- Clear, vibrant color prints and sharp text
- ADF makes multi-page scanning effortless
What doesn’t
- Original ink cartridges are expensive
- Requires 2.4GHz Wi-Fi for setup
- Output tray build feels fragile
3. Canon PIXMA TR7120
The PIXMA TR7120 is Canon’s answer to the home office user who needs an ADF without paying for a full business-class machine. This compact unit includes a 20-sheet ADF, automatic duplex printing, and dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) for stable wireless connections. The 1.42-inch monochrome OLED display gives you quick access to ink levels and printer status.
Print quality is consistent with Canon’s reputation for sharp text and vivid color output. The 2-cartridge hybrid ink system uses a pigment-based black for crisp documents and a dye-based color cartridge for photos. Wireless setup via the Canon PRINT app is straightforward, and the printer supports Apple AirPrint and Mopria for direct mobile printing without extra software.
The primary drawback is the cost of replacement ink — the starter cartridges run out relatively quickly, and the single color cartridge means you replace cyan, magenta, and yellow together even if only one is empty. The paper tray holds only about 50 to 100 sheets, which is limiting for heavy users. For light to moderate home printing with occasional scanning, this is a very solid package.
What works
- ADF and duplex scanning in a compact frame
- Dual-band Wi-Fi for stable connectivity
- Excellent print quality for documents and photos
What doesn’t
- Single color cartridge wastes unused ink
- Small paper tray capacity
- Starter ink runs out fast
4. HP Envy 6155
The HP Envy 6155 targets the home user who values photo quality and a modern design. The 2.4-inch color touchscreen provides an intuitive interface for navigating settings and reviewing images before printing. HP’s P3 color technology produces borderless photos that look very close to what you see on a screen, and the AI-powered web page cropping feature removes clutter from online printouts.
Dual-band Wi-Fi with automatic connection troubleshooting reduces the headache of dropped connections that plague older HP models. The 100-sheet input tray is a step up from the entry-level 60-sheet trays. The included 3-month trial of HP Instant Ink gives you time to evaluate subscription-based ink delivery, which can lower per-page costs significantly for moderate users.
Setup inconsistency is the biggest weakness here — while many owners report a 15-minute painless experience, a significant minority describe multi-hour struggles, especially connecting to HP laptops. The printer blocks non-HP cartridges via firmware updates, locking you into HP’s ink ecosystem. If you need a photo-centric printer for occasional home use and are willing to accept HP’s ink restrictions, this delivers excellent print quality.
What works
- Vibrant borderless photo output with P3 color
- AI page cropping for clean web printouts
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with automatic diagnostics
What doesn’t
- Firmware blocks third-party cartridges
- Setup issues reported by some users
- Slower print speeds than many competitors
5. Canon PIXMA TS7720
The TS7720 is the fastest printer in the budget section, with claimed speeds of 15 pages per minute in black and 10 in color. The 2.7-inch LCD touchscreen is a genuine upgrade over smaller displays, making it easy to navigate settings without squinting. Setup is relatively straightforward via the Canon app, and the printer works with both iOS and Android devices.
Print quality is good for a two-cartridge system — text is crisp, and standard color documents look sharp. The automatic duplex printing works reliably, and the printer supports a decent range of media sizes. Owners who have bought this printer multiple times cite its dependability and the reasonable cost of replacement cartridges as reasons to stay with Canon’s TS line.
Color vibrancy, however, is less punchy than what you get from Canon’s five-ink models, and the default ink cartridges are starter versions that run out quickly. Some users report that the printer defaults to 4×6 photo paper settings after each reboot, which becomes annoying. The wireless connection can be temperamental with certain routers, occasionally showing a “printer not available” error that requires a restart.
What works
- Fast print speeds for a budget inkjet
- Large, responsive touchscreen display
- Compact footprint with good build quality
What doesn’t
- Color less vivid than higher-end Canon models
- Starter ink drains quickly
- Occasional Wi-Fi connectivity glitches
6. Canon PIXMA TS6520
The PIXMA TS6520 is Canon’s entry-level all-in-one that still manages to include automatic duplex printing and a 1.42-inch monochrome OLED display — features typically reserved for pricier models. The dual-band Wi-Fi support (2.4GHz and 5GHz) helps avoid the connectivity headaches that plague 2.4GHz-only printers. Setup via the Canon PRINT app is quick, and the printer supports AirPrint and Mopria for straightforward mobile printing.
Text output is sharp for a budget inkjet, and color prints look vibrant for everyday documents. It uses the same 2-cartridge system as the TS7720, so per-page costs are comparable. The compact white design fits neatly into a small workspace without dominating the desk, and the printer runs quietly during operation.
The printer does not include a USB cable in the box, so you’ll need one if you don’t want to rely on wireless. A few owners also mentioned that setting up the Canon account is a slow process. For very light home use — school forms, recipes, the occasional photo — this is a perfectly capable and affordable choice.
What works
- Duplex printing at a low entry price
- Dual-band Wi-Fi for stable connections
- Compact and quiet for small spaces
What doesn’t
- Small paper tray requires frequent reloading
- No USB cable included
- Canon account setup is slow
7. HP DeskJet 2855e
The DeskJet 2855e is the cheapest printer in this lineup, and it’s aimed squarely at households that need occasional printing for school papers, receipts, and letters. The HP Smart App makes setup relatively simple: remove the protective tape, install the two included cartridges, and let the app guide you through the Wi-Fi connection. The 60-sheet input tray is sufficient for light use, and the HP AI web page cropping feature is genuinely useful for printing without wasted margins.
Print quality is adequate for a printer in this price tier — black text is crisp enough for homework, and color documents are acceptable for non-photo use. The scanner works reliably for occasional document digitization. HP’s 3-month Instant Ink trial gives new users a chance to evaluate the subscription service without immediate commitment.
The 2855e is limited to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, which can cause connection drops in dual-band environments. The HP software stack is widely criticized for being bloated and slow, with forced account registration and slow job processing times. The manual duplex printing is a chore — you have to flip pages yourself. If your budget is extremely tight and you only print a few pages a month, this printer works, but be prepared for a less polished software experience.
What works
- Lowest upfront cost in the category
- HP Smart App simplifies initial setup
- AI page cropping cuts wasted paper
What doesn’t
- Slow print speeds (5.5 ppm color)
- Forced HP account registration
- Software stack is sluggish and unreliable
Hardware & Specs Guide
Print Speed (PPM)
Pages per minute in black and color indicates how fast the printer processes documents. Faster speeds (15+ ppm black) matter if you print multi-page reports frequently. Budget printers like the HP DeskJet 2855e run at 7.5 ppm black, while the Canon TS7720 reaches 15 ppm black — a meaningful difference for daily use.
Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)
An ADF allows you to load a stack of pages and have the printer automatically feed each one through the scanner. Models like the Brother MFC-J1410DW and Canon TR7120 include a 20-sheet ADF, which transforms scanning multi-page contracts or receipts from a manual task into a hands-free operation.
FAQ
What does starter ink mean and how many pages does it print?
Do I need automatic duplex printing for home use?
Why does my printer require a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection?
Can I use third-party ink cartridges to save money?
Is a scanner with ADF worth the extra cost on a budget printer?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners needing reliable color output without overspending, the winner is the Brother MFC-J1410DW because it combines fast print speeds, an ADF, duplex printing, and a large paper tray at a price that stays well within budget. If you want a compact unit with an ADF and don’t need the fastest speed, grab the Canon PIXMA TR7120. And for the absolute lowest entry cost with basic functionality, nothing beats the HP DeskJet 2855e.