Top 10 Best Printers for Students of 2026

Student printers need to balance low upfront cost with affordable long-term ink or toner expenses, fit on a cramped dorm desk, and survive deadline-night stress without jamming. The printers below were selected based on cost per page, reliability, size, and features that matter for academic work – scanning, wireless printing, and durability during periods of non-use.

1. Epson EcoTank ET-2800

The ET-2800 uses refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges, with included ink covering approximately 4,500 black pages and 7,500 color pages. It prints, copies, and scans with Wi-Fi connectivity and mobile printing support. Priced at $179, the higher upfront cost pays off quickly – ink refill bottles cost under $15 each, and a four-year degree might require only $200 total in printing expenses.

Best for students who print regularly – 20 to 50 pages weekly – and plan to use the same printer throughout their degree. The main drawback is the larger footprint compared to budget inkjets, requiring more desk space.

2. Brother HL-L2350DW

This monochrome laser printer delivers 32 pages per minute with automatic duplex printing and Wi-Fi connectivity. At $119, the cost per page runs approximately $0.018 using standard Brother TN-760 toner cartridges. The laser technology means no clogged print heads after summer breaks or extended periods without use.

Ideal for humanities, law, business, and social science students whose assignments are primarily text documents. No color capability and no scanner – students needing occasional color prints can use campus library services. The compact design fits easily on a bookshelf.

3. Canon PIXMA TR4720

The TR4720 is a budget all-in-one at $89 that prints, copies, scans, and faxes. Features include Wi-Fi, AirPrint compatibility, and the Canon PRINT app for smartphone printing. The flatbed scanner handles handwritten notes, signed documents, and textbook pages for digitizing coursework materials.

A solid choice for students who need scanning functionality without spending more than $100. The weakness is ink cost – Canon XL cartridges at $35 for black cover roughly 400 pages. Students printing 20 to 30 pages monthly should budget $30 to $50 annually for ink.

4. HP Smart Tank 5101

HP’s tank-based alternative to the EcoTank costs $199 and includes ink for up to 6,000 black pages and 8,000 color pages. Print speed reaches 12 pages per minute for black and 5 pages per minute for color. The Smart Tank 5101 offers wireless printing, a flatbed scanner, and HP Smart app integration.

Recommended for students who prefer HP’s ecosystem and customer support network. Replacement ink bottles cost approximately $13 to $20 each. The printer is slightly slower than competitors but delivers consistent quality for essays, presentations, and study materials.

5. Brother DCP-L2550DW

Priced at $179, this monochrome laser all-in-one adds copying and scanning to the HL-L2350DW’s capabilities. Print speeds hit 36 pages per minute with automatic duplex. The 250-sheet paper tray reduces refill frequency during busy exam periods. Toner costs remain low at roughly $0.02 per page.

Best for students who want laser reliability plus scanning without paying for color they rarely need. The larger size requires dedicated desk space, but the 50-sheet automatic document feeder speeds up multi-page scanning for research projects.

6. Epson EcoTank ET-2850

The ET-2850 upgrades the ET-2800 with automatic duplex printing and a slightly faster print speed of 10.5 pages per minute. Priced at $249, it includes the same high-capacity ink supply – 4,500 black and 7,500 color pages. Voice-activated printing through Alexa and Google Assistant adds convenience.

Worth the $70 premium for students who print double-sided documents frequently, saving paper costs over four years. The auto-duplex feature is particularly valuable for lengthy research papers and thesis drafts. Same tank system means identical long-term ink savings.

7. Canon PIXMA MG3620

At $69, the MG3620 is the entry point for wireless all-in-one printing. It handles printing, copying, and scanning with AirPrint and Google Cloud Print support. Print resolution reaches 4800 x 1200 dpi for color output. The compact dimensions fit tight dorm spaces easily.

Suitable for students with minimal printing needs – under 15 pages monthly – who still want home printing convenience. Ink cartridge costs are the primary concern; XL replacements run $25 to $40 and cover 300 to 400 pages. Low-volume users may find this economical enough.

8. HP LaserJet M140we

This compact monochrome laser printer costs $149 and produces 21 pages per minute. HP Plus enrollment provides six months of Instant Ink and an extended warranty. Wi-Fi connectivity and the HP Smart app enable mobile printing from anywhere on campus.

A good middle ground between budget inkjets and premium lasers for students wanting laser reliability at a moderate price. Requires HP Plus enrollment and internet connectivity for full functionality. Toner replacement cartridges cost approximately $60 for 1,000 pages.

9. Epson WorkForce WF-2950

The WF-2950 costs $99 and targets students who need faxing capability alongside printing, scanning, and copying. Features include a 30-sheet automatic document feeder, 150-sheet paper tray, and 2.4-inch color display. Print speeds reach 10 pages per minute for black documents.

Designed for graduate students, business majors, or anyone sending documents to offices that still use fax. Ink costs fall between EcoTank and budget inkjet levels – the 502 cartridge set costs around $50 and covers 400 black pages. The ADF simplifies multi-page scanning.

10. Brother HL-L2460DW

The newest model in Brother’s compact laser line costs $139 and prints 36 pages per minute with automatic duplex. Security features include a refresh mode that disables previously connected devices. Toner cartridges deliver approximately 3,000 pages at standard capacity for around $55.

An upgrade pick for tech-savvy students who share housing and want to control printer access. The refresh feature prevents former roommates from using the printer after moving out. Compact enough for a desk while offering faster speeds than most student printers.

Bottom Line: The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 remains the smartest investment for students planning to print regularly over multiple years, with total ownership costs far below cartridge-based alternatives. Students with minimal printing needs or text-only requirements should consider the Canon PIXMA TR4720 or Brother HL-L2350DW respectively for lower upfront costs without sacrificing essential functionality.