--- # === IDENTITY === id: computing/peripherals/wireless-printers/2026 canonical_question: "What are the best wireless printers in 2026?" aliases: - "best wireless printer 2026" - "best all-in-one printer 2026" - "best inkjet printer for home 2026" - "best laser printer for home office 2026" - "best tank printer 2026" - "best color laser all-in-one printer" - "best printer with low ink cost 2026" - "compare Epson EcoTank vs Brother laser vs HP Smart Tank" - "best supertank printer 2026" - "best mono laser printer 2026" - "best printer for students 2026" - "best cheap printer 2026" entity_type: product_comparison domain: computing > peripherals > wireless_printers region: global jurisdiction: global temporal_scope: 2025-2026 # === VERIFICATION === last_verified: 2026-07-28 confidence: 0.93 version: 3.4 first_published: 2026-02-16 # === TEMPORAL VALIDITY === temporal_validity: status: volatile last_breaking_change: "July 2026 refresh: Brother MFC-L8905CDW is DISCONTINUED (Brother's own 2025-26 replacement-model list names the MFC-L8930CDW as its successor) — swapped in the MFC-L8930CDW (~$700), now RTINGS's top overall wireless printer pick. Brother MFC-L8395CDW removed: its Amazon listing is unavailable and remaining dealer pricing has climbed past $1,300, so it no longer belongs in a consumer comparison. HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e relisted under a live consumer ASIN at ~$190 (was an unavailable listing at ~$260). Brother MFC-J1360DW moved off a cable/eBook bundle SKU to the printer-only listing (~$90, was $170). Retail price drift since June: Epson ET-2980 ($230→$315), ET-4950 ($432→$440), ET-2850 ($348→$339), ET-3950 ($400→$398), HP Smart Tank 7602 ($370→$348), Canon GX4020 ($390→$429), Epson Photo ET-8550 ($665→$600), HP DeskJet 2855e ($69→$90)" next_review: 2026-08-27 change_sensitivity: high # === CONSTRAINTS === constraints: - "Ink/toner cost per page varies dramatically between printer types: tank printers average <1 cent/page mono, cartridge inkjets 5-10 cents, and laser 3-5 cents — this ongoing cost often exceeds the purchase price within a year of regular use [src1, src3]" - "Tank printers require higher upfront investment ($200-600) but break even within 6-12 months vs cartridge printers at moderate print volumes (100+ pages/month) [src1, src6]" - "Wi-Fi connectivity is standard but performance varies: dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) and Wi-Fi 6 models offer more reliable connections; USB and Ethernet remain important for high-volume or security-sensitive environments [src1, src4]" - "Auto duplex printing and ADF are not available on all budget models — verify these features if two-sided printing or multi-page scanning is required [src2, src7]" - "HP cartridge-based printers (DeskJet, OfficeJet) may use HP+ firmware to block third-party ink and require an HP account; tank printers from Epson, Canon, and Brother use open refill bottles without DRM restrictions [src5, src7]" # === SKIP CONDITIONS === skip_this_unit_if: - condition: "User needs a portable/travel printer" use_instead: "Search for portable printers or compact photo printers" - condition: "User needs a large-format printer for posters/blueprints (larger than A3+)" use_instead: "Search for wide-format printers or plotters" - condition: "User needs a label or receipt printer" use_instead: "Search for thermal label printers or receipt printers" - condition: "User needs a 3D printer or specialty production printer" use_instead: "Search for 3D printers or production print equipment" # === AGENT HINTS === inputs_needed: - key: budget question: "What is your budget?" type: choice options: ["Under $200", "$200-$400", "$400-$600", "Over $600"] - key: print_volume question: "How much do you print per month?" type: choice options: ["Under 50 pages", "50-200 pages", "200-500 pages", "Over 500 pages"] - key: color_vs_mono question: "Do you need color printing or is black-and-white sufficient?" type: choice options: ["Color required", "Black-and-white only", "Mostly mono with occasional color"] - key: primary_use question: "What is your primary use case?" type: choice options: ["Home documents", "Home office (mixed)", "Photo printing", "High-volume office", "Student / occasional use"] # === DISTRIBUTION === canonical_source: "https://knowledgelib.io/computing/peripherals/wireless-printers/2026" suggested_citation: "Source: knowledgelib.io — AI Knowledge Library (verified 2026-07-28)" # === BUY LINKS === buy_links: - slug: "epson-ecotank-et-4950" product_name: "Epson EcoTank ET-4950 Wireless All-in-One Color Supertank Printer with up to 3 Years of Ink Refillable Tanks, Perfect for Office, 18 PPM, Colorful Touchscreen, Auto Document Feeder - White" asin: "B0FC5Q235H" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FC5Q235H?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "epson-ecotank-et-2980" product_name: "Epson EcoTank ET-2980 Wireless All-in-One Color Supertank Printer with Refillable Ink Tanks, 3 Years of Ink, Mobile Printing, 15 ISO PPM, Color Touchscreen, Auto 2-Sided, Black" asin: "B0F1FBQRVB" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1FBQRVB?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "hp-laserjet-pro-mfp-4101fdw" product_name: "HP Laserjet Pro MFP 4101fdw Wireless Black & White All-in-One Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax, Best-for-Office (2Z619F)" asin: "B09ZVMYHGF" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZVMYHGF?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "brother-hl-l2460dw" product_name: "Brother HL-L2460DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Duplex, Mobile Printing, Black & White Output, Includes Refresh Subscription Trial, Works with Alexa" asin: "B0CPL2N5H6" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPL2N5H6?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "canon-pixma-g3270" product_name: "Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer, Home Use, Print, Scan and Copy" asin: "B0BSMSYM9N" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSMSYM9N?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "epson-ecotank-et-2850" product_name: "Epson EcoTank ET-2850 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan, Copy and Auto 2-Sided Printing - White, Medium" asin: "B096N85ZHW" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096N85ZHW?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "epson-ecotank-photo-et-8550" product_name: "Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with High Resolution Scanner, Ethernet, USB, and Color Touchscreen" asin: "B08R5M2HDH" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R5M2HDH?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "hp-officejet-pro-9125e" product_name: "HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Print, scan, copy, fax, ADF, Duplex printing best-for-office, 3 month Instant Ink trial included, AI-enabled (403X0A)" asin: "B0CFM82NS2" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFM82NS2?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "canon-maxify-gx4020" product_name: "Canon Megatank GX4020 All-in-One Wireless Supertank Printer with Print, Copy, Scan and Fax, Auto Document Feeder, Mobile Printing, LCD Touch Screen" asin: "B0BN6XFFFP" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN6XFFFP?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "canon-imageclass-mf665cdw" product_name: "Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw - Wireless, All-in-One Duplex Laser Printer" asin: "B0FMBLMP2Y" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMBLMP2Y?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "brother-mfc-l3780cdw" product_name: "Brother MFC-L3780CDW Wireless Digital Color All-in-One Printer with Laser Quality Output, Single Pass Duplex Copy & Scan, Includes 2 Month Refresh Subscription Trial, Works with Alexa" asin: "B0CFCW8PGV" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFCW8PGV?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "epson-ecotank-et-3950" product_name: "Epson EcoTank ET-3950 Wireless All-in-One Color Supertank Printer with up to 3 Years of Ink Refillable Tanks, Perfect for Home Office, 18 PPM, Colorful Touchscreen, Auto Document Feeder - White" asin: "B0FC5XFVH7" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FC5XFVH7?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "brother-mfc-l8930cdw" product_name: "Brother MFC-L8930CDW Business Color Laser All-in-One Printer with Duplex Print, Scan, Copy, Low-Cost Printing, and Advanced Security Features" asin: "B0FR8Y4VDW" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FR8Y4VDW?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "hp-smart-tank-7602" product_name: "HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Ink Tank Printer, Scanner, Copier with 2 Years of Ink Included, Best-for-Home Office, Cartridge-Free Refillable, AI-Enabled (28B98A)" asin: "B09CJCNJBL" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CJCNJBL?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "brother-mfc-j1360dw" product_name: "Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex Printing and Color Display, Includes Refresh Subscription Trial (MFC-J1360DW), Uses LC501 Series Inks" asin: "B0FGC43YCL" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FGC43YCL?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "brother-mfc-l2820dw" product_name: "Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer with Copy, Scan and Fax, Duplex, Black & White, Includes Refresh Subscription Trial, Works with Alexa" asin: "B0CPL9C83B" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPL9C83B?tag=knowledgelib-20" - slug: "hp-deskjet-2855e" product_name: "HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-home, 3 month Instant Ink trial included (588S5A)" asin: "B0CT2R7199" retailer: amazon_us destination_url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CT2R7199?tag=knowledgelib-20" # === RELATED UNITS === related_kos: related_to: - id: "computing/peripherals/usb-c-hubs-docking-stations/2026" label: "Best USB-C Hubs & Docking Stations (2026)" - id: "computing/peripherals/ups-battery-backups/2026" label: "Best UPS Battery Backup Systems (2026)" - id: "computing/peripherals/webcams-for-remote-work/2026" label: "Best Webcams for Remote Work (2026)" alternative_to: [] often_confused_with: [] depends_on: [] solves: [] # === SOURCES === sources: - id: src1 title: "The 5 Best Wireless Printers of 2026" author: RTINGS.com url: https://www.rtings.com/printer/reviews/best/by-features/wireless type: product_testing published: 2026-04-18 reliability: high - id: src2 title: "The Best Printers in 2026 — Tested and Rated" author: Tom's Guide url: https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-printers type: product_testing published: 2026-04-15 reliability: high - id: src3 title: "Best Home Printer of 2026" author: TechRadar url: https://www.techradar.com/news/best-home-printer type: product_testing published: 2026-04-12 reliability: high - id: src4 title: "The 6 Best All-In-One Printers of 2026" author: RTINGS.com url: https://www.rtings.com/printer/reviews/best/by-type/all-in-one type: product_testing published: 2026-04-18 reliability: high - id: src5 title: "5 Best Printers of 2026, Tested and Reviewed" author: Consumer Reports url: https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/printers/best-printers-of-the-year-a9151182809/ type: product_testing published: 2026-04-08 reliability: high - id: src6 title: "Best Ink Tank Printer of 2026" author: TechRadar url: https://www.techradar.com/best/ink-tank-printer type: product_testing published: 2026-04-10 reliability: high - id: src7 title: "The Best Printers of 2026, Tested by Editors" author: CNN Underscored url: https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/best-printer type: product_testing published: 2026-04-05 reliability: moderate_high - id: src8 title: "Best Printer 2026: Our Top-Reviewed Printers Ranked" author: Trusted Reviews url: https://www.trustedreviews.com/best/best-printer-3434011 type: product_testing published: 2026-04-02 reliability: high - id: src9 title: "The 6 Best Home Printers of 2026" author: RTINGS.com url: https://www.rtings.com/printer/reviews/best/by-usage/home type: product_testing published: 2026-04-18 reliability: high --- # Best Wireless Printers (2026) ## What are the best wireless printers in 2026? ## TL;DR **Top pick: Epson EcoTank ET-4950 (~$440)** — fast 18 ppm tank AIO with ADF, duplex, fax, and ~3 years of bundled ink for <1 cent/page running costs. **Best value: Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (~$315)** — seventh-gen 15 ppm tank AIO with auto duplex and 3 years of ink. **Best budget: Brother MFC-J1360DW (~$90)** — cheapest wireless AIO that still has auto duplex and a 20-page ADF. [src1, src2, src3] ## Summary The wireless printer market in 2026 is dominated by ink tank (supertank) models that have fundamentally changed the economics of home and small-office printing. Epson's EcoTank, Canon's MegaTank, Brother's INKvestment, and HP's Smart Tank lines all deliver per-page costs under 1 cent for black-and-white text and around 2-4 cents for color, compared to 5-10+ cents per page with traditional cartridge printers [src1, src3, src6]. For most home and small-office users, a tank-based all-in-one inkjet is now the best overall value, while laser printers remain the top choice for high-volume monochrome document printing and environments where print speed and text sharpness are paramount [src4, src5]. The **Epson EcoTank ET-4950** (~$440) stands out as the best overall wireless printer for home offices, combining fast 18 ppm black print speeds, auto duplex, ADF, fax, and enough bundled ink for approximately 6,600 black or 5,500 color pages -- roughly three years of printing for most households [src1, src3, src5]. Epson's seventh-generation **EcoTank ET-3950** (~$398) is the premium mid-range pick, featuring an upgraded duty cycle twice that of its predecessor, PrecisionCore Heat-Free permanent printhead, and 18 ppm printing with a 2.4-inch color touchscreen and ADF -- RTINGS now ranks it among its top home printers [src3, src5, src9]. The **EcoTank ET-2980** (~$315) remains the best value mid-range tank, printing 50% faster than its ET-2850 predecessor at 15 ppm, though its June promotional pricing has expired and it now sits only ~$25 below the ET-2850 [src6, src8]. The **Brother MFC-J1360DW** is RTINGS's budget all-in-one inkjet pick (16/9 ppm, auto duplex, 20-page ADF) and has fallen to ~$90 on the printer-only listing, making it the cheapest capable wireless AIO in this comparison; the **HP Smart Tank 7602** (~$348) is Tom's Guide's top student/home choice with 2-3 years of bundled ink [src1, src2, src4]. For users who prioritize speed, crisp text, and low total cost of ownership on high-volume mono printing, the **Brother HL-L2460DW** laser printer delivers 36 ppm at about 3.1 cents per page and costs around $180 [src4, src5]. Budget buyers have excellent options in the **Canon PIXMA G3270 MegaTank** (~$159) and the **Epson EcoTank ET-2850** (~$339), both delivering thousands of pages from bundled ink bottles and solid all-in-one functionality [src2, src6, src7]. The **HP DeskJet 2855e** (~$90) is RTINGS's pick for cheapest reliable wireless printer with AI-enabled setup and HP+ Instant Ink integration, but it has lost its price advantage -- at the same ~$90 the Brother MFC-J1360DW adds duplex, an ADF and fax [src1, src7]. Color laser users should look at the **Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw** (~$400) for outstanding document quality, 26 ppm speed, and a comprehensive 4-in-1 feature set [src1, src4]. For high-volume color laser offices, the **Brother MFC-L8930CDW** (~$700) is RTINGS's new top overall wireless printer -- it replaces the discontinued MFC-L8905CDW in Brother's own lineup and delivers 33 ppm color with a large touchscreen, 50-page duplex-scanning ADF, and super-high-yield toner options [src1, src4, src5]. For mono laser users who want the same Brother reliability in a smaller all-in-one form factor, the RTINGS pick **Brother MFC-L2820DW** (~$280) prints at 34 ppm with print/scan/copy/fax in a compact 2.7-inch touchscreen package [src4, src9]. For photo printing, the **Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550** (~$600) offers 6-color output on paper up to A3+ size at roughly 4 cents per 4x6 print -- a fraction of cartridge-based photo printer costs [src1, src6]. ## Top 17 Models Compared | Model | Price | Type | Print Speed | Ink/Toner Cost | Connectivity | Best For | Buy | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Epson EcoTank ET-4950 | ~$440 | Ink tank inkjet | 18/9 ppm | <1 cent mono | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Best overall home office | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/epson-ecotank-et-4950) | | Epson EcoTank ET-3950 | ~$398 | Ink tank inkjet | 18/8 ppm | <0.5 cents mono | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Best premium mid-range tank | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/epson-ecotank-et-3950) | | Epson EcoTank ET-2980 | ~$315 | Ink tank inkjet | 15/8 ppm | <1 cent mono | Wi-Fi, USB | Best value mid-range tank | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/epson-ecotank-et-2980) | | HP Smart Tank 7602 | ~$348 | Ink tank inkjet | 15/9 ppm | <1 cent mono | Dual-band Wi-Fi, USB | Best for students/home | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/hp-smart-tank-7602) | | Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw | ~$400 | Color laser | 26 ppm | ~4 cents mono | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Best value color laser AIO | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/canon-imageclass-mf665cdw) | | Brother MFC-L8930CDW | ~$700 | Color laser | 33 ppm | ~3.2 cents mono | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, NFC | Best high-volume color laser (NEW) | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/brother-mfc-l8930cdw) | | HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw | ~$659 | Mono laser | 42 ppm | ~3.7 cents mono | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Best mono laser AIO | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/hp-laserjet-pro-mfp-4101fdw) | | Brother MFC-L2820DW | ~$280 | Mono laser | 34 ppm | ~3.0 cents mono | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Best compact mono laser AIO | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/brother-mfc-l2820dw) | | Brother HL-L2460DW | ~$180 | Mono laser | 36 ppm | ~3.1 cents mono | Dual-band Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Best budget mono laser | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/brother-hl-l2460dw) | | Canon PIXMA G3270 MegaTank | ~$159 | Ink tank inkjet | 11/6 ppm | <1 cent mono | Wi-Fi, USB | Best budget tank printer | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/canon-pixma-g3270) | | Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | ~$339 | Ink tank inkjet | 10.5/5 ppm | <1 cent mono | Wi-Fi, USB | Best basic home AIO | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/epson-ecotank-et-2850) | | Brother MFC-J1360DW | ~$90 | Cartridge inkjet | 16/9 ppm | ~10.7 cents mono | Wi-Fi, USB | Best budget AIO overall | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/brother-mfc-j1360dw) | | HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e | ~$190 | Cartridge inkjet | 22/18 ppm | ~3.4 cents mono | Dual-band Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Best cartridge inkjet AIO | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/hp-officejet-pro-9125e) | | HP DeskJet 2855e | ~$90 | Cartridge inkjet | 7.5/5.5 ppm | ~7-9 cents mono | Wi-Fi, USB | Cheapest HP wireless AIO | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/hp-deskjet-2855e) | | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 | ~$600 | 6-color ink tank | 16 ppm | ~4 cents per 4x6 | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Best for photos (up to A3+) | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/epson-ecotank-photo-et-8550) | | Canon MAXIFY GX4020 | ~$429 | Ink tank inkjet | 18/13 ppm | ~0.5 cents mono | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Best small office tank AIO | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/canon-maxify-gx4020) | | Brother MFC-L3780CDW | ~$570 | Color LED | 31 ppm | ~4 cents mono | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Best mid-range color laser AIO | [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/brother-mfc-l3780cdw) | ## Best for Each Use Case ### Best Overall: Epson EcoTank ET-4950 (~$440) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/epson-ecotank-et-4950) The ET-4950 is the most well-rounded wireless printer for home offices in 2026. It combines fast 18 ppm black printing, auto duplex, a 30-sheet ADF, fax capability, and a 2.4-inch color touchscreen in a single unit. Its PrecisionCore Heat-Free printhead is designed to last the life of the printer, and the bundled ink covers approximately 6,600 black and 5,500 color pages -- Epson claims this is equivalent to about 65 traditional ink cartridges. Running costs are up to 95% lower than cartridge-based alternatives. [src1, src3, src5] ### Best Premium Mid-Range Tank: Epson EcoTank ET-3950 (~$398) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/epson-ecotank-et-3950) The ET-3950 is Epson's seventh-generation EcoTank flagship below the ET-4950, featuring a duty cycle twice that of its predecessor and a PrecisionCore Heat-Free permanent printhead engineered for the life of the printer. It prints at 18 ppm black with a 2.4-inch color touchscreen, ADF, auto duplex, and bundled ink for approximately 6,600 black and 5,500 color pages. At roughly 0.3 cents per mono page and 2.7 cents per color page, its running costs are under 5% of a traditional cartridge inkjet. RTINGS ranks it among the best home printers of 2026. [src3, src5, src9] ### Best Value Mid-Range Tank: Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (~$315) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/epson-ecotank-et-2980) The ET-2980 is another seventh-generation EcoTank and a significant upgrade over the ET-2850. It prints 50% faster at 15 ppm black/8 ppm color, includes a 1.44-inch color display, auto duplex, and enough ink for approximately 6,600 black and 5,500 color pages (roughly 3 years). The permanent printhead is engineered for the printer's lifetime, and uniquely keyed EcoFit bottles prevent ink from drying out. Its June promotional pricing has expired and it now sits at ~$315 -- still the cheapest mid-range supertank here, but only ~$25 below the older ET-2850 and ~$33 below the HP Smart Tank 7602, so the value gap has narrowed considerably. Best for users who want the speed and duplex but do not need the ADF. [src6, src8] ### Best for Students / Hybrid Home: HP Smart Tank 7602 (~$348) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/hp-smart-tank-7602) Tom's Guide's top student and home pick. Refillable tanks include up to 8,000 color or 6,000 black pages of HP Original ink in the box (HP claims 2-3 years of typical use). Prints at 15 ppm black/9 ppm color with dual-band Wi-Fi for fast wireless transfers, ADF, auto duplex, and fax. Color document and photo quality are good with consistent tones. Setup runs through the HP Smart app and HP+ activation enables 3-month Instant Ink trial. Notably, this is HP's main answer to Epson EcoTank in the home/student segment. [src2, src5, src7] ### Best Budget Tank Printer: Canon PIXMA G3270 MegaTank (~$159) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/canon-pixma-g3270) The G3270 is one of the best home printer values available. It prints up to 6,000 black and 7,700 color pages from the bundled ink bottles, offering an extremely low per-page cost. Print resolution reaches 4800 x 1200 dpi, and setup is straightforward via Wi-Fi. The main trade-off is the lack of auto duplex printing and ADF, which means manual page flipping for two-sided prints and feeding multi-page scans one at a time. For basic home printing with minimal ongoing cost, it is hard to beat. [src2, src6, src7] ### Cheapest HP Wireless AIO: HP DeskJet 2855e (~$90) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/hp-deskjet-2855e) RTINGS's pick for entry-level wireless printing. The DeskJet 2855e is HP's cheapest current AIO with print/scan/copy, AI-enabled setup via HP Smart, and a 3-month HP+ Instant Ink trial included. Print speeds are slow at 7.5/5.5 ppm, it is 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only, and ink cost is high without a subscription. Note that it has climbed from ~$69 to ~$90 since June, which erases its price advantage: at the same ~$90 the Brother MFC-J1360DW adds auto duplex, a 20-page ADF, fax and dual-cartridge ink. Buy the DeskJet only if you specifically want HP Instant Ink. [src1, src7] ### Best Budget AIO Overall: Brother MFC-J1360DW (~$90) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/brother-mfc-j1360dw) RTINGS's top budget all-in-one inkjet pick, and now the best value of any printer in this comparison. The MFC-J1360DW (sold as the Brother Work Smart 1360) is a compact wireless AIO with auto duplex printing, a 20-sheet ADF, 1.8-inch color display, cloud-app scanning, and Brother's Refresh ink subscription option. Prints at 16 ppm black and 9 ppm color on LC501-series cartridges, with ink costs of about 10.7 cents per page on standard yields. At ~$90 on the printer-only listing (down from ~$170 on the cable-bundle SKU in June), it is the cheapest way to get duplex + ADF wirelessly. Best fit for users who print 50-100 pages per month; above that, tank running costs win. [src1, src5] ### Best Budget Mono Laser: Brother HL-L2460DW (~$180) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/brother-hl-l2460dw) For users who primarily print black-and-white documents and want maximum speed and reliability, the HL-L2460DW is an outstanding choice. It prints at 36 ppm with automatic duplex, dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), and Ethernet. Text quality is excellent -- crisp and sharp even at small font sizes. The cost per page averages around 3.1 cents, and the 250-sheet tray reduces reloading frequency. At under $180, it offers laser speed and reliability at an inkjet-level price. [src4, src5] ### Best Compact Mono Laser AIO: Brother MFC-L2820DW (~$280) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/brother-mfc-l2820dw) RTINGS's new mono laser all-in-one pick. The MFC-L2820DW prints at 34 ppm with auto duplex, 250-sheet paper tray, 50-sheet ADF, 2.7-inch color touchscreen, and full 4-in-1 functionality (print/scan/copy/fax). Cloud integration covers Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and others -- meaningful for hybrid work. Runs cleanly with TN-830XL high-yield toner for ~3.0 cents/page mono. Compact form factor makes it the best fit for home offices that need laser reliability with scan/copy/fax in a smaller footprint than the HP 4101fdw. [src4, src9] ### Best Value Color Laser All-in-One: Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw (~$400) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/canon-imageclass-mf665cdw) The Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw is the cheapest color laser AIO here that still does everything well, and RTINGS rates its document quality as outstanding. It prints at 26 ppm with a 5-inch color touchscreen, 250-sheet paper tray, 50-sheet duplex-scanning ADF, and 4-in-1 functionality (print, scan, copy, fax). The MF665Cdw uses Canon 075/075H toner cartridges, with high-capacity black cartridges yielding up to 3,500 pages. For offices needing reliable color laser output with fax under $500, it strikes the right balance of price and performance. [src1, src4] ### Best High-Volume Color Laser (NEW): Brother MFC-L8930CDW (~$700) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/brother-mfc-l8930cdw) RTINGS's new top overall wireless printer, and Brother's own designated replacement for the discontinued MFC-L8905CDW. The MFC-L8930CDW delivers 33 ppm in both color and mono with a large color touchscreen, a 50-page single-pass duplex-scanning ADF, and 4-in-1 functionality. It supports super-high-yield toner, bringing per-page costs down to approximately 3.2 cents mono, and adds Brother's Triple Layer Security stack for network-managed offices. With expandable paper trays, Ethernet, and NFC tap-to-print, it is built for workgroup environments handling 500+ pages per month. Buyers who do not need that duty cycle should take the Canon MF665Cdw (~$400) or Brother MFC-L3780CDW (~$570) instead. [src1, src4, src5] ### Best Mono Laser All-in-One (Speed): HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw (~$659) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/hp-laserjet-pro-mfp-4101fdw) The 4101fdw is the fastest printer on this list at 42 ppm, with a dual-scan ADF that copies or scans both sides of pages automatically. It handles print, scan, copy, and fax, and supports up to 350 sheets across two input trays. Text printing costs approximately 3.7 cents per page. Its current Amazon price has climbed to roughly $659, so budget-conscious mono-laser buyers who do not need 42 ppm speed should weigh the cheaper Brother MFC-L2820DW (~$280) or Brother HL-L2460DW (~$180). This remains a strong choice for home offices or small teams that print high volumes of mono documents and need fax capability. [src4, src5, src7] ### Best for Photos: Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 (~$600) -- [Check price](https://knowledgelib.io/go/epson-ecotank-photo-et-8550) The ET-8550 uses a 6-color Claria ink system (including photo black and gray) in a refillable tank format, printing on paper up to A3+ (13 x 19 inches) and even 2-meter banners. Photo quality approaches professional-grade output with vibrant colors and smooth tonal transitions at up to 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution. At roughly 4 cents per 4x6 photo compared to 40 cents with cartridge printers, it is dramatically cheaper to operate. The bundled ink is enough for approximately 2,300 4x6 prints. [src1, src6] ## Head-to-Head Comparisons ### Epson EcoTank ET-4950 vs HP Smart Tank 7602 Both are mainstream tank AIOs targeting home offices with ~2-3 years of bundled ink. The ET-4950 is faster (18/9 ppm vs 15/9 ppm), has Ethernet, and uses Epson's permanent PrecisionCore Heat-Free printhead. The Smart Tank 7602 is now ~$348 at retail (vs ~$440 for the ET-4950), has dual-band Wi-Fi, AI-enabled setup, and is Tom's Guide's top home/student pick. The ~$92 gap is the widest it has been all year. [src1, src2, src3] **Pick Epson ET-4950 if:** you need maximum print speed, Ethernet, or want to avoid HP+ account requirements and Instant Ink upsells. **Pick HP Smart Tank 7602 if:** you want the lower price tag, faster Wi-Fi setup via HP Smart app, and don't mind the optional HP+ subscription model. ### Epson EcoTank ET-2980 vs Canon PIXMA G3270 MegaTank Both are tank AIOs aimed at home users who don't need ADF or fax, but the price gap has doubled since June. The ET-2980 (~$315) is significantly faster (15/8 ppm vs 11/6 ppm), has auto duplex, and is Epson's seventh-generation EcoTank with PrecisionCore Heat-Free printhead. The G3270 is the cheapest tank-printer entry point at ~$159 and includes enough ink for 6,000 black / 7,700 color pages out of the box -- roughly half the ET-2980's price for the same cartridge-free economics. [src1, src6, src7] **Pick Epson ET-2980 if:** you need auto duplex, faster printing, and the longest-running EcoTank ecosystem, and the extra ~$155 is worth it. **Pick Canon G3270 if:** you want the cheapest possible upfront cost and don't need two-sided printing or ADF -- at current pricing this is the better-value tank of the two. ### Brother HL-L2460DW vs HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw Both are mono laser printers but at very different price/feature tiers. The HL-L2460DW is a single-function printer (~$180) at 36 ppm with dual-band Wi-Fi -- ideal as a cheap, fast text printer. The 4101fdw (~$659) is a full 4-in-1 AIO at 42 ppm with dual-scan ADF and fax. [src4, src5, src7] **Pick Brother HL-L2460DW if:** you only need printing (no scanning/copying/fax), want laser speed at inkjet pricing, and have <250 pages/month. **Pick HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw if:** you need the fastest mono speed (42 ppm), dual-scan ADF, fax, and have heavy office volumes. ### Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw vs Brother MFC-L8930CDW Both are color laser AIOs but the MF665Cdw is the value pick (~$400) at 26 ppm color, while the MFC-L8930CDW is the workgroup pick (~$700) at 33 ppm color with a large touchscreen, NFC, Triple Layer Security, and super-high-yield toner. The Brother is RTINGS's current top overall wireless printer; the Canon costs ~$300 less. [src1, src4, src5] **Pick Canon MF665Cdw if:** your office prints 100-500 pages/month, you want fax support, and you don't need the absolute fastest color speeds. **Pick Brother MFC-L8930CDW if:** you handle 500+ pages/month, need NFC tap-to-print, single-pass duplex scanning, managed-network security, and the lowest per-page color cost. ### Brother MFC-L2820DW vs Brother MFC-J1360DW Both are wireless AIOs with ADF and duplex, targeting home offices that need print/scan/copy/fax -- but they are now three times apart on price. The L2820DW (~$280) is a 34 ppm mono laser: faster, sharper text, lower per-page cost (~3 cents), mono only. The J1360DW (~$90) is a cartridge inkjet at 16/9 ppm with color support but ~10.7 cents/page ink cost. The break-even is roughly 2,000 pages, so anyone printing under ~100 pages a month will not recoup the laser's extra $190. [src1, src4, src5, src9] **Pick Brother MFC-L2820DW if:** you print mostly mono documents, want laser reliability, and print 100+ pages/month so toner economics work out. **Pick Brother MFC-J1360DW if:** you need color, print <100 pages/month, and want the lowest upfront cost with auto-duplex + ADF. ## Decision Logic ### If budget < $100 and print volume is low (<30 pages/month) --> The **Brother MFC-J1360DW** (~$90) is now the best sub-$100 wireless AIO: auto duplex, 20-sheet ADF, fax, colour, 16/9 ppm. The **HP DeskJet 2855e** (~$90) costs the same but is slower (7.5/5.5 ppm), 2.4 GHz-only, and has no duplex or ADF -- pick it only if you want HP Instant Ink. Either way, cartridge ink costs add up fast above ~50 pages/month. [src1, src5, src7] ### If budget is $150-$200 and color is needed --> The **HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e** (~$190) is the strongest option in this band after a big price drop: 22/18 ppm, dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, duplex ADF, and ~3.4 cents/page mono. The **Canon PIXMA G3270 MegaTank** (~$159) trades speed and ADF for cartridge-free <1 cent/page running costs. For mono-only, the **Brother HL-L2460DW** (~$180) at 36 ppm and 3.1 cents/page is the better value. [src1, src4, src5] ### If primary use is home office documents with occasional color --> The **Epson EcoTank ET-4950** (~$440) is the default recommendation: fast, full-featured (ADF, duplex, fax), and <1 cent/page mono running costs. It handles both mono documents and color graphics well. [src1, src3] ### If user is a student or hybrid worker who prints regularly --> The **HP Smart Tank 7602** (~$348) is now the cheapest full-featured tank AIO and Tom's Guide's top student pick -- 2-3 years of bundled ink, dual-band Wi-Fi, ADF, duplex, fax. The **Epson EcoTank ET-2980** (~$315) is slightly cheaper with 15 ppm, auto duplex, 3 years of ink and no HP+ account requirement, but has no ADF. [src2, src6] ### If budget is $300-$450 and user wants the best tank AIO --> The **Epson EcoTank ET-3950** (~$398) is the premium pick with 18 ppm, ADF, 2.4-inch touchscreen, and 0.3 cents/page mono running costs. The **Epson EcoTank ET-2980** (~$315) saves ~$83 with 15 ppm and no ADF; the **Canon MAXIFY GX4020** (~$429) is the small-office alternative at 18/13 ppm with ~0.5 cents/page. All include years of bundled ink. [src3, src6] ### If print volume > 500 pages/month --> Prioritize laser over inkjet for duty cycle and speed. The **HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw** (~$659, 42 ppm, dual-scan ADF) handles high-volume mono; the **Brother MFC-L2820DW** (~$280, 34 ppm) is a smaller, cheaper compact mono laser AIO; the **Brother MFC-L8930CDW** (~$700, 33 ppm, super-high-yield toner, 50-page duplex ADF) is best for high-volume color. [src4, src5, src9] ### If user needs photo printing --> The **Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550** (~$600) is the clear winner with 6-color ink, A3+ format, and ~4 cents per 4x6 print. No other printer in this comparison matches its photo output quality. [src1, src6] ### If user wants minimal ink/toner hassle --> Tank printers (EcoTank, MegaTank, Smart Tank) include 2-3 years of ink and use open refill bottles -- no cartridge DRM, no subscriptions. The **Canon PIXMA G3270 MegaTank** (~$159) is the cheapest entry point; the **Epson EcoTank ET-2980** (~$315) offers the best speed-to-value ratio once duplex matters. [src5, src6, src8] ### Default recommendation --> For unknown requirements, the **Epson EcoTank ET-4950** (~$440) is the safest pick: it covers printing, scanning, copying, and faxing with ultra-low running costs and enough bundled ink for years of typical home use. [src1, src3] ## Key Market Trends (Q3 2026) - **Tank printers are now mainstream**: Refillable ink tank systems from Epson (EcoTank), Canon (MegaTank), Brother (INKvestment), and HP (Smart Tank) have moved from niche to dominant for home and small-office use. Running costs are 80-95% lower than traditional cartridge printers, with bundled ink often lasting 2-3 years. Epson's seventh-generation EcoTank lineup (ET-4950, ET-3950, ET-2980) features PrecisionCore Heat-Free permanent printheads engineered for the life of the printer, underscoring how mature this technology has become. [src1, src3, src6, src8] - **HP Smart Tank reaches mainstream traction**: Tom's Guide now lists the HP Smart Tank 7602 as its top home/student pick, marking the first time HP's tank line has reached parity with Epson EcoTank in mainstream review rankings. HP's 2-3 years of bundled ink and dual-band Wi-Fi finally close the gap with Epson on home segment recommendations. [src2] - **RTINGS now heads its wireless list with a color laser**: the Brother MFC-L8930CDW (~$700) has taken the top overall wireless-printer slot, displacing the ink-tank AIOs that led the category through H1 2026. Its supporting picks remain the Brother MFC-J1360DW (budget AIO inkjet, ~$90), Brother MFC-L2820DW (compact mono laser AIO, ~$280), and HP DeskJet 2855e (~$90). [src1, src4, src9] - **Model churn is accelerating at the workgroup end**: Brother's own 2025-26 replacement-model list retires the MFC-L8900CDW/MFC-L8905CDW in favour of the MFC-L8930CDW, and the Workhorse MFC-L8395CDW has effectively left consumer retail (Amazon listing unavailable; remaining dealer pricing above $1,300). Buyers of business-class color lasers should confirm the exact suffix is still a current SKU before ordering. [src4, src5] - **Laser remains king for mono volume**: Despite tank printer advances, monochrome laser printers still offer the fastest print speeds (34-42 ppm), sharpest text quality, and most reliable high-duty-cycle performance for offices prioritizing black-and-white documents. [src4, src5] - **Dual-band Wi-Fi and mobile printing standardized**: dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) radios now reach down to ~$190 models like the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e and the ~$180 Brother HL-L2460DW, and Wi-Fi 6 is arriving on Brother's business color lasers. Mobile printing via AirPrint, Mopria, and manufacturer apps is universal across all price tiers -- the notable exception is the cheapest HP DeskJets, which remain 2.4 GHz only. [src1, src3] - **AI-enabled setup spreads downmarket**: HP's DeskJet 2855e and Smart Tank 7602 both market "AI-enabled" setup and workflow assistance via HP Smart app -- features that previously appeared only in business-class equipment. Brother and Epson have countered with simplified app-based setup but no comparable AI branding. [src1, src2] - **Subscription and DRM concerns persist**: HP continues to push its Instant Ink subscription model and uses HP+ firmware to block third-party cartridges on select models (the DeskJet 2855e ships HP+ on by default). Tank printers from Epson, Canon, and Brother avoid these restrictions, using open refill bottles. Buyers increasingly favor cartridge-free systems to avoid these lock-in practices. [src5, src7] - **Color laser prices falling**: Models like the Brother MFC-L3780CDW (~$570) and Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw (~$400) bring color laser all-in-one functionality below $600, making color laser accessible to home offices for the first time. [src1, src4, src8] - **Ink-tank promotional pricing is unwinding**: the aggressive June discounting on Epson's seventh-generation EcoTanks has largely expired -- the ET-2980 rebounded from ~$230 to ~$315 in five weeks, while the entry-level HP DeskJet 2855e rose from ~$69 to ~$90. Cartridge AIOs moved the other way (Brother MFC-J1360DW ~$170 to ~$90, HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e ~$260 to ~$190), so the tank-vs-cartridge break-even has shifted upward: at current prices a tank printer needs roughly 1,500-2,500 pages to repay its premium. Printer pricing is loss-leader promotional and moves weekly -- re-check before buying. [src1, src2, src6] ## Important Caveats - Prices shown are approximate US retail prices as of July 2026 and may vary by retailer, region, and current promotions. Printer pricing is heavily promotional and can move 20-40% in a month. - Printer model suffixes matter: HP 9125e vs 9135e, Brother MFC-J1360DW vs MFC-J1010DW, Epson ET-2800 vs ET-2850 vs ET-2980 and Canon G3270 vs GX4020 are different machines at different prices with different features. Confirm the full model string before ordering. - Several printers are also sold as ink-bundle or accessory-bundle SKUs ("with 2 years of ink", "+ USB cable"). Those are separate listings at higher prices; the links here point at the standard printer-only listings unless stated otherwise. - Print speeds are manufacturer-rated ISO ppm figures; real-world speeds depend on document complexity, connection type, and settings. - Tank/supertank printers have higher upfront costs than entry-level cartridge printers but dramatically lower per-page costs -- break-even typically occurs within 6-12 months of regular printing. - Photo quality comparisons are based on 4x6 and 8x10 prints on manufacturer-recommended photo paper; results may vary with third-party media. - Laser printers generally produce sharper text but inkjet tank printers offer better color reproduction and photo output at lower per-page cost. - Ink/toner cost-per-page figures are based on manufacturer yield ratings using ISO standards; actual costs may vary with document coverage and settings. - HP+ activation on DeskJet and Smart Tank models requires an HP account and may permanently lock the printer to HP Original ink — review terms before activation if you intend to use third-party cartridges. ## Related Units - [Best USB-C Hubs & Docking Stations (2026)](/computing/peripherals/usb-c-hubs-docking-stations/2026) - [Best UPS Battery Backup Systems (2026)](/computing/peripherals/ups-battery-backups/2026) - [Best Webcams for Remote Work (2026)](/computing/peripherals/webcams-for-remote-work/2026)