Hey everyone! So, we’ve covered AI study tools and productivity hacks, but let’s talk about something every student eventually needs: a printer. You know the drill—it’s 11:59 PM, an assignment is due at midnight, and the campus library is closed. Suddenly, having your own printer feels less like a luxury and more like a survival essential.
But here’s the catch: you’re a student. You’re on a budget. You can’t drop $300 on a fancy office behemoth. The good news? In 2026, you can absolutely get a solid, reliable printer for under $100. You just have to know what you’re looking for.
I dug through the latest reviews and specs to find the top 5 printers that won’t break the bank—but also won’t give up on you mid-essay.
Wait, Before You Click “Buy”…
Real quick: When you’re shopping in this price range, the upfront cost isn’t the whole story. Printer companies are sneaky—they often sell the machine cheap but nail you on the ink later . So for each of these, I’ve looked at the long-term ink costs too. You’re welcome.
Top 5 Printers Under $100 in 2026
1. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 – The Long-Term Money Saver
Okay, this one is technically around the $100 mark (often $99 on sale), and it is hands-down the best value if you print a lot . Instead of cartridges, it uses ink you pour from bottles. The starter ink in the box lasts for years—like, thousands of pages.
- Best for: Students who print a ton of handouts, study guides, or even photos.
- The catch: The upfront cost is slightly higher than others, but you’ll save a fortune on ink over time. It’s an investment in not crying at the checkout counter of the campus store.
- Ink cost: ~0.3 cents per black page (insanely cheap) .
2. Brother HL-L2350DW – The Speed Demon (for Text)
If your life is mostly black-and-white text (essays, reading packets, last-minute bibliographies), this is your printer. It’s a laser printer, which means it uses toner, not ink. It’s fast, the text comes out looking super crisp, and it won’t smudge if you spill coffee on it (we’ve all been there) .
- Best for: Anyone who needs sharp, fast black-and-white printing and doesn’t care about color.
- The catch: It doesn’t print in color. Also, finding it for exactly $99 requires catching a sale, but it pops up often .
- Ink/Toner cost: Very low cost-per-page, and toner cartridges last much longer than ink .
3. Canon PIXMA TR4720 – The Dorm Room All-Star
This little machine is a workhorse. It’s an all-in-one (print, scan, copy), and it even has an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)—fancy speak for “you can stack a bunch of pages and it’ll scan them all without you standing there” . It’s compact, wireless, and actually does a decent job with photos if you need to print something for a project or your vision board .
- Best for: Students in tight quarters who need a little bit of everything.
- The catch: It’s an inkjet, so if you don’t use it for a few weeks, the nozzles might clog. Print a test page every Sunday to keep it happy.
- Ink cost: Moderate. Use “draft mode” for internal docs to save ink .
4. HP DeskJet 2775 – The “Set It and Forget It” Pick
HP’s DeskJet series is the old reliable of the budget world. The 2775 is usually priced under $85, making it one of the cheapest upfront costs on this list . It connects wirelessly, works with the HP Smart App (super easy to use from your phone), and handles basic printing and scanning without any drama.
- Best for: Light, occasional printing. If you only need a printer once or twice a week.
- The catch: The ink is where they get you. The standard cartridges run out fast. If you go this route, always buy the high-yield “XL” cartridges—they cost more upfront but are cheaper per page .
- Ink cost: Higher than others if you’re not careful. Spring for the XL cartridges!
5. Brother MFC-J1205W – The Compact Organizer
This one is specifically a hit with students because it’s small enough to fit on a cramped desk, but it doesn’t skimp on features . It’s wireless, does automatic two-sided printing (hello, saving paper and trees), and is just generally reliable. A case study of a student using this printer found it saved her over $60 in campus printing fees in just one year .
- Best for: Students who want a balance of size, features, and reliability.
- The catch: It’s an inkjet, so again, regular use is key to avoiding clogs.
- Ink cost: Manageable, especially if you opt for Brother’s high-yield cartridges .
Quick Reference: Which One Should You Pick?
| Printer | Best For… | Key Feature | Be Aware Of… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-2800 | High-volume, long-term use | Super low ink costs | Slightly higher upfront price |
| Brother HL-L2350DW | Fast, crisp B&W text | Laser printer speed | No color printing |
| Canon PIXMA TR4720 | A bit of everything (dorm life) | Auto document feeder | Can clog if idle too long |
| HP DeskJet 2775 | Occasional, budget-first users | Lowest upfront cost | Buy XL cartridges to save $$ |
| Brother MFC-J1205W | Small spaces, saving paper | Auto two-sided printing | Regular use prevents clogs |
Final Tip from a Former Broke Student
Before you buy, check the “yield” of the ink cartridges . If a printer is $70 but the replacement ink is $40 and only lasts 200 pages, that’s a trap. Spend a little more upfront on something like the EcoTank or a laser printer if you print a lot. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.
Happy printing, and may your essays always be free of smudges and your ink never run out at 2 AM 📄✨
