Best Cheap Laser Printers 2024 – Buyer’s Guide

Printers are one of the cornerstones of many offices and businesses. Even some of us who work from home, having a printer might cut down your expenses and allow you to save some extra money.

There are two types of printers out there, inkjets and laser printers. One of the major differences between these two is the cost. Laser printers are faster, and they offer a lower cost per page.

The only issue is they are more expensive than inkjets, which is the one thing that makes a lot of people resort to getting an inkjet despite their inevitable weaknesses in many circumstances.

The best solution out of this is to look for a budget laser printer. In this article, we will tell you how to find a good budget printer besides reviewing the best cheap laser printers you can currently find.

List of the Best Cheap Laser Printers:

• Brother Compact HL-2350DW Monochrome – Best Budget Laser Printer
• Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA – Best Monochrome Laser Printer
• Canon Color ImageClass MF644 CDw – Best All-in-One Laser Printer
• Brother HL 2300D Monochrome Laser Printer – Best for Fast Printing
• HP LaserJet Pro M29 W – Best Laser Printer for Home office

Budget Laser Printer Comparison Table:

The 5 Best Cheap Laser Printers in 2024

1. Brother Compact HL-2350DW Monochrome – Best Overall

Brother produces trusted printers that people can rely on, and this printer is no different. We think it is the right cheap printer for any office based on the many great features this printer has.

For starters, the printer is so convenient to use. It’s not one of these printers that you need to set up somewhere and then use a USB to print your files. Instead, you can connect to the printer using the standard Wi-Fi Connection or even Wi-Fi Direct, and you will have it printing your files in a blink of an eye.

Moreover, you can use Google Chrome Print, Google Cloud Chrome, Apple AirPrint, Brother iPrint&Scan, and other platforms.

Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer can print A3, A4, A5, B5, B6 paper sizes.

It has a capacity of 250-sheets with a printing speed of 32 pages per minute. Another feature that a lot of people appreciate is that this printer supports automatic duplex printing. This type of printing allows you to print on both sides of the paper without manually turning it over.

Pros:

• Supports wireless printing
• Can connect to your smartphone
• Can print different paper sizes, envelopes, and labels
• Can be used with Windows and Mac PCs
• Supports Automatic duplexing

Cons:

• Average graphics quality

Bottom Line

Brother compact HL-2350DW is one of the best cheap laser printers you can currently find. Although the graphics quality isn’t the best, when it comes to office work and document printing, it does such a decent job. You will be getting much more than you think you would get for this price range.

Read also: Best Laser Printers for Home Use

2. Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA – Best Monochrome Laser Printer

Next, we have one of Samsung’s top sold printers, the M2020W/XAA.

This is another printer that you don’t have to keep tethered to your computer all the time.

Actually, it has a small size, and that makes it easy for anyone to place it wherever they want.

In so many ways, this printer has the same features the previous printer has. However, this printer isn’t designed for heavy office work, and unfortunately, it doesn’t support automatic duplex printing.

The tray of Samsung SL-M20202W can handle 150 sheets with a printing speed of 21 ppm for black color.

Another thing that we should mention is that the printer features Samsung’s Easy Eco Driver. It is one of the main selling points of this printer. Basically, it allows you to save up to 20% of the toner you’re using. The technology focuses on achieving the same quality of printing that you usually get, but while saving some money.

Pros:

• Lightweight and small size
• Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
• High-resolution printing
• Fast processor
• Supports ReCP hence, producing high-quality prints
• Samsung’s Easy Eco-Driver saves up to 20% toner

Cons:

• More suitable for light work purposes
• Doesn’t support automatic duplex printing

Bottom Line

Samsung SL-M2020W is a great printer for anyone who is looking for a budget printer with acceptable printing quality. If you use this printer for heavy office work, the running cost will outweigh the ownership cost, but for moderate work, this printer is definitely capable of getting the job done.

3. Canon Color ImageClass MF644 CDw – Best All-in-One Laser Printer

The name “Canon” stands for itself, especially in the printers market.

Now, you might not call this a cheap printer because, well, it is not in terms of money, but it definitely is in terms of functionality.

To elaborate, Canon MF644 CDw is the cheapest multi-function COLOR AIO laser printer that you can currently find on the market.

The printer is bigger than the previous models we talked about earlier but, it supports Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct connectivity in addition to USB, Ethernet, and USB flash drive.

It has a paper tray that can handle 250 sheets; besides, there is an automatic document feeder with the capacity for another 50 sheets bringing the total sheet capacity to 300. Not to mention, it can print up to 22 pages per minute.

Already convinced that the printer is worth the price you will pay? There is more!

You get a scanner and fax machine when you buy this model. And the surprise is, the scanner supports ADF as well.

 Pros:

• Supports automatic duplex printing
• Has a flatbed scanner, ADF scanner, and a fax machine
• Can hold up to 300 sheets

Cons:

• A little more expensive than the rest of the printers on the list

Bottom Line

Canon Color ImageClass MF644 CDw is one of the best cheap laser printers when you consider buying an all-in-one printer. When you buy this printer, you are actually buying a package that has four machines, and buying every machine separately would cost you much more.

4. Brother HL 2300D Monochrome Laser Printer – Best for Fast Printing

Here’s another model from Brother’s printers that won’t fail to impress you. What makes this model of the printer stand out is its printing speed. It can print up to 27 pages per minute without any compromises when it comes to the quality of the prints. In fact, the resolution and the quality of the prints are exceptional, considering its price range.

This printer has the capacity to hold 250 sheets, and just like the previous Brother Printer model, it supports automatic duplex printing. Furthermore, it is compatible with both Windows and Mac PCs, but unfortunately, it doesn’t support Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity.

Pros:

• Fast printing speed
• High-resolution prints
• Supports automatic duplex printing
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Doesn’t support Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity
• Can be a little loud while printing

Bottom Line

Brother HL-3200D is a great cheap printer for your office with impressive capabilities. Perhaps the one thing that might make you question buying this printer is that it doesn’t support Wi-Fi connectivity.

However, if you have no issues with using a USB flash memory to connect to the printer, this shouldn’t be a bummer. It will still save so much time being such a fast printer.

5. HP LaserJet Pro M29 W – Best Laser Printer for Home office

HP is another well-known brand in the printer market. This model is one of their best and most affordable.

The printer can print up to 19 pages per minute, which isn’t the fastest a printer can go, but it is still good considering its price range.

When it comes to connectivity, this printer has it all. Wireless connectivity, Wi-Fi direct, you can connect it to your smartphone, and it is compatible with both Windows and Mac Pcs.

The paper tray can hold up to 150 sheets with an automatic document feeder (ADF) that can hold 35 more sheets.

It is an all-in-one printer, which means it supports copying and scanning as well all in one machine. One thing that we’d like to point out, though, is that unlike the Canon all-in-one printer we talked about earlier, this printer doesn’t support automatic duplex printing for scanning.

One of the features that make this printer special is the Auto on/off option that automatically turns the printer on when needed and turns it off once the printing process ends.

Pros:

• Supports ADF
• All-in-one printer
• Automatic on/off technology

Cons:

• Relatively a slow printer
• Doesn’t support automatic duplexing

Bottom Line

HP Jet Pro M29 W is one of the best cheap printers for your home office. It is compact and does a pretty decent job for the price range. It is not the best option for heavy paperwork offices that need high-speed printers that have large paper trays.

What to Look for When Buying a Cheap Laser Printer

There are many benefits to get the best budget laser printers. So let’s see:

1. Monochrome or Color Laser Printers

Monochromes can only print in black, whereas color laser printers can print in any color.

It all comes down to the kind of task you need your printer for. Most offices don’t really need a color printer because they print documents and reports.

On the other hand, if you will need to print colored images or documents too frequently, then a color printer is a better option for you.

2. Resolution

The resolution of the prints is one of the most important aspects to determine their quality. Most of the printers have a resolution of 600 DPI. This resolution is the most basic when it comes to printing jobs. However, if you want your prints to look fancier, a higher resolution can help you achieve this goal.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that some printers like HP are capable of correcting jagged lines from low-resolution laser printers thanks to an integrated Resolution Enhancement Technology.

3. Printing Speed

The printing speed of the printer is another crucial factor to consider before buying a printer. The speed of the printer is measured by PPM, which refers to Paper per Minute. A cheap laser printer is capable of printing at least 20 papers per minute. However, you can find faster printers on our list.

4. Connectivity

Most of the cheap laser printers support the basic connectivity options like USB and Ethernet connectivity. This is enough for the basic office settings. However, it all comes down to your convenience. Having a wireless connectivity option makes it easier for multiple devices to print through the same printer without the need to copy the files on a USB modem.

Also, having Wi-Fi connectivity or a Wi-Fi Direct option allows you to print from your smartphone, which saves time in many circumstances.

5. Multi-Functionality

If you are looking for a printer for your office, then this is one thing that might save you so much time. Multi-functional printers are capable of doing much more than just printing.

Some printers can be used for copying, scanning, faxing, and much more. Of course, this will add to the price of the printer, but if you think about it, you will pay much less than what you are to pay if you decide to get a printer, a copying machine, a scanner, and fax each on its own. 

6. Paper Handling

The standard paper size is A4, which almost every office printer out there can handle. However, some offices need a printer that can handle other sizes as well. This gives them the chance to print cards, envelopes, and other types of prints that come in handy and saves some money.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When to Change a Laser Toner?

Usually, a toner will last from a year to two years before it needs to be replaced.

Are Laser Toners Expensive? 

There is a wide variety of prices of toners depending on the manufacturer. However, the cheapest toner cartridge will cost you around $20.

Which has a Cheaper Running Cost Inkjet or Laser Printers?

Although laser printers will have a higher upfront, they will cost you less money to operate. The running costs of laser printers makes one of their best selling points.

Final Thoughts

Laser printers will help you get your office work done without wasting your money. The list we made for you has the best cheap laser printers that are currently available on the market.

You will certainly find the printer you need on our list. Whichever printer you pick will get the job done. However, each of these printers is designed for a different setting.

Our top pick for the best cheap laser printer is the Brother Compact HL-2350DW Monochrome. If you are looking for the best all-in-one laser printer, then Canon Color MF644 is a perfect choice. Yet, we have another all-in-one option for you that is more suitable for home offices; the HP Pro M29W laserjet.