10 Best Cheap Laser Printers 2025 in the United States

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a great option for those looking for an affordable home printer that offers more than just basic printing. Its standout feature is the innovative cartridge-free printing system, which uses high-capacity ink tanks instead of traditional cartridges. This not only saves users up to 90% on replacement ink costs but also minimizes waste, making it environmentally friendly. With a capability to print up to 4,500 black and 7,500 color pages on a single set of ink bottles, it’s perfect for families or anyone with moderate printing needs.

In terms of print quality, the ET-2800 delivers impressive output thanks to its Micro Piezo technology, producing sharp text and vibrant color graphics. The built-in scanner and copier add to its functionality, making it a versatile all-in-one solution for home use.

However, there are some drawbacks. The print speed is on the slower side, with a maximum of 10 pages per minute for monochrome and 5 pages for color, which may not meet the demands of a busy office environment. Additionally, while it has both wired and wireless connectivity options, its manual duplex printing can be less convenient for users who regularly print double-sided documents. The printer's design is compact and user-friendly, featuring a clear display for easy navigation. Yet, it might be heavier compared to really portable options, weighing in at 8.8 pounds. Another consideration is that it does not support dual-sided printing automatically, which can be a drawback for those looking for efficiency in paper use.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is well-suited for home users seeking a cost-effective printer with excellent print quality and functionality. However, if speed and automatic duplex printing are your top priorities, you might want to explore other options.

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact monochrome laser printer that shines for small businesses and home offices. With its print speed of up to 36 pages per minute, it delivers efficiency, making it perfect for users who need to produce documents quickly. The print quality is also commendable, with a maximum resolution of 1200 x 1200 DPI, providing sharp and clear text. Additionally, the built-in automatic duplex printing feature helps save paper, which is a significant advantage for eco-conscious users.

This printer is versatile with multi-function capabilities, allowing users to print, scan, and copy all from one device. The convenience of a 50-page automatic document feeder enhances productivity by facilitating quick multi-page scans and copies.

Connectivity options are robust, including dual-band wireless, Ethernet, and USB, catering to various network environments. The Brother Mobile Connect App is a great added feature, allowing remote management of printing tasks directly from smartphones, which is handy for on-the-go printing and monitoring toner levels. While the Brother DCP-L2640DW excels in black-and-white printing, it lacks color printing capabilities, which may not suit users needing vibrant color documents. Additionally, the initial cost of toner replacements can be high if users opt not to use the recommended Brother Genuine Toner. Although the Refresh subscription service is a great way to save on toner costs, some may prefer a printer with more economical toner options.

The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 stands out in the category of cheap laser printers mainly due to its innovative cartridge-free printing system. This model utilizes high-capacity ink tanks, which significantly reduce the cost of ink replacements—up to 90% savings compared to traditional ink cartridges. This feature makes it a very economical choice for home offices or small businesses that require frequent printing. The print quality is commendable, with Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology ensuring sharp text and vivid color prints on various paper types. However, the print speeds are relatively slow, with a maximum of 10 pages per minute (ppm) for monochrome and only 5 ppm for color, which might be a drawback for users needing high-volume, quick print jobs.

The ET-4800 also offers robust connectivity options, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and hands-free voice-activated printing. It supports mobile printing through the Epson Smart Panel App, which is convenient for users who frequently print from smartphones or tablets. Paper handling is decent with a 100-sheet input capacity, although this might be limiting for larger tasks. The built-in scanner and copier add to its versatility, and the automatic document feeder (ADF) is a plus for multi-page scanning and copying. On the downside, it only provides an output of 100 sheets, which might require frequent unloading during extensive printing tasks.

While it's marketed as eco-friendly with zero cartridge waste, the initial investment might be higher than typical budget laser printers. The 2-year limited warranty offers some reassurance regarding its reliability. In summary, the Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is an excellent choice for users looking for a cost-effective, eco-friendly printer with good print quality and strong connectivity features, though it may fall short for those needing faster print speeds and higher paper capacity.