Buying a printer has become unbelievably affordable in recent times.
I remember in the early 2000s I spent hundreds of dollars on home printers.
In return, I often ended up with a bulky product with some serious tech glitches.
The printing business has come a long way since then. As our printing needs have diminished, printers have drastically gone down in price.
You can buy a solid, all-purpose printer now for $100 without a problem. Most come with features like wireless, so new printers are easier to use and store than ever before.
You may need a printer for home or business purposes.
If you are one of those people who needs to print something only when the holiday season arrives, having a printer at home can save a trip to a convenience store.
The best printer under $100 that I recommend, HP Envy 4520, is well suited for home users with limited printing needs but needs a printer that can last years.
Even if you have heavy-duty printing needs, like for a home business for example, you can easily find a reliable and resilient printer for cheap.
Refer to the list below for excellent options if you are a budget printer shopper:
The Best Printers under $100 – 2023
HP Envy 4520 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer with Mobile Printing,HP Instant Ink or Amazon Dash replenishment ready (F0V69A)
The best printer under $100 that I recommend with glowing colors is HP Envy 4520.
I purchased this printer recently and it has worked without a glitch so far.
It’s an inkjet printer that can copy, scan and print wirelessly using a feature called AirPrint.
This feature is capable of syncing with my iPhone, so I can send print commands over the phone.
This printer supports duplex printing.
I mainly use this for photo printing, and I have to say, if you use the right kind of photo paper, you can get industry-grade prints.
The printer supports borderless photo printing.
This printer was very easy to set up and didn’t take more than 15 minutes.
It’s not very big, so it fits nicely on my home office shelf. It will handle moderate levels of printing jobs without an issue.
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Epson Expression Home Xp-330 Wireless Color Photo Printer with Scanner and Copier, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
Setting up this printer was easy.
The manual came with easy to follow instructions for installing ink cartridges and setting up the Wi-Fi network for wireless printing.
This printer comes with a color LCD screen for ease of use. Mobile, network-free printing is supported.
I have worked with many Epson printers and I have to say that this model does not disappoint.
It’s perfectly well suited for home needs.
The only downside is that it’s easy to go through the ink cartridges, especially if you frequently print photos.
The manual came with easy to follow instructions for installing ink cartridges and setting up the Wi-Fi network for wireless printing.
This printer comes with a color LCD screen for ease of use. Mobile, network-free printing is supported.
I have worked with many Epson printers and I have to say that this model does not disappoint.
It’s perfectly well suited for home needs.
The only downside is that it’s easy to go through the ink cartridges, especially if you frequently print photos.
HP OfficeJet 4650 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer with Mobile Printing, Instant Ink ready (F1J03A)
One of the best printer under $100 for home use has always been the HP OfficeJet brand.
It can print wirelessly, copy, scan and fax. The touchscreen on this one is easy to view and use.
It comes with a feature called Instant Ink Ready, which gives notifications of low ink levels so you can replace on time.
Also, this printer is very efficient when it comes to ink use.
There are a number of paper sizes supported, including No.10 envelopes and legal papers.
The document feeder is automatic and pain free.
I was happy with the color print quality, but I have to say black and white copies, especially of photos, were not nearly as crisp.
It can print wirelessly, copy, scan and fax. The touchscreen on this one is easy to view and use.
It comes with a feature called Instant Ink Ready, which gives notifications of low ink levels so you can replace on time.
Also, this printer is very efficient when it comes to ink use.
There are a number of paper sizes supported, including No.10 envelopes and legal papers.
The document feeder is automatic and pain free.
I was happy with the color print quality, but I have to say black and white copies, especially of photos, were not nearly as crisp.
HP DeskJet 2130 All-in-One Compact Printer (F5S40A)
If you don’t like wireless printers, especially setting them up, then this is a solid old-school solution for home printing needs.
It can copy and scan as well.
This printer connects to the computer with a USB cable, which needs to be purchased separately. Don’t forget that.
I recommend getting an extra cable in case the first one wears out.
Once the cable is connected, use the CD to install the printer software, just like it was in the good old days.
This printer is Energy Star certified and will consume less electricity than peers.
The design is very minimalist and compact, so you won’t need to dedicate a lot of space to store this printer.
It can copy and scan as well.
This printer connects to the computer with a USB cable, which needs to be purchased separately. Don’t forget that.
I recommend getting an extra cable in case the first one wears out.
Once the cable is connected, use the CD to install the printer software, just like it was in the good old days.
This printer is Energy Star certified and will consume less electricity than peers.
The design is very minimalist and compact, so you won’t need to dedicate a lot of space to store this printer.
Canon IP2820 Inkjet Printer,White,16.8" x 9.3" x 5.3"
This inkjet printer is super cheap costing.
Still, it will generate excellent quality prints.
Maximum print resolution possible is 4800 x 600 dpi, which is a good number for getting excellent color photo prints.
As with many inkjet printers, it’s easy to deplete the cartridges with frequent use.
However, I did manage to get about 50 black and white prints using a single cartridge.
The downside is that this printer is not quiet. It can wake someone up at night.
Still, it will generate excellent quality prints.
Maximum print resolution possible is 4800 x 600 dpi, which is a good number for getting excellent color photo prints.
As with many inkjet printers, it’s easy to deplete the cartridges with frequent use.
However, I did manage to get about 50 black and white prints using a single cartridge.
The downside is that this printer is not quiet. It can wake someone up at night.
Tips for Buying a Printer on a $100 Budget
It’s easy to end up with a cheap product that is not suitable for your needs when shopping for a printer under $100. To avoid that scenario, follow the advice below:
- Understand what you want the printer to do. Do you want a minimal use home printer to have around the house in case a sudden printing need arises? Or do you want a heavy duty or moderate printer for frequent printing, as for a home business? The brand and model you purchase will depend on your needs, so you have to decide and choose accordingly.
- Buying a printer that supports wireless printing is extremely convenient. There will be no cables involved, and modern wireless printers can be synced with your smartphone or tablet. That means you can send print instructions even when you are away from home. However, if you really do need a USB cable printer, make sure the printer you buy supports that. Also, most printers don’t come with USB cables, so don’t forget to purchase them separately.
- Price does not necessarily translate into good quality. If you can buy a $50 printer perfectly matched with your needs, don’t spend more money and buy a $100 printer. You often don’t get more features for the extra price.
- Don’t forget to check the dimensions of the printer before you purchase if your storage space at home or business is limited. Related Guides: Buying a Computer: 101 Tips Before you Checkout