An inexpensive inkjet printer costs $35–$90 upfront, but that low price is achieved by stripping away components like duplex printing and fast processors, often masking high long-term ink costs.
The “cheap” inkjet you see on the shelf is a masterclass in engineered trade-offs. Manufacturers hit that low price point by using less expensive thermal inkjet technology, limiting connectivity to basic USB or older Wi-Fi standards, and fitting small paper trays that hold as few as 150 sheets. The real cost, however, starts after you buy it—and it catches most people off guard.
The “Razor and Blade” Economics Behind Cheap Inkjets
The low upfront price works exactly like a cheap razor: the handle costs next to nothing, but the blades cost a fortune. Standard ink cartridges yield as little as 100–120 pages, forcing frequent replacements that can push your per-page cost to $0.13–$0.17. A typical user spends around $100 per year on ink alone, potentially doubling the printer’s ownership cost in just two years. Cheap inkjets also waste ink through automatic nozzle-cleaning cycles just to stay functional, further inflating your real spending.
On the bright side, for print volumes under 2,000 pages, conventional inkjets are more economical than laser printers. But if you’re printing more than that, a laser machine becomes the cheaper option overall.
What You Actually Give Up for That Low Price
To hit the $35–$90 price point, manufacturers strip out features that matter for anything beyond occasional light use. Here’s what gets cut:
- No automatic duplex printing — you flip pages manually for double-sided documents.
- No automatic document feeder (ADF) — scanning or copying multi-page stacks requires feeding each page by hand.
- Slower processors and lower print speeds — basic models take noticeably longer per page, especially for photos.
- Small paper trays — capacities as low as 150 sheets mean more frequent refills.
- Older wireless standards — Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac is common, with no support for newer Wi-Fi 6.
Some budget models also require brand-specific ink cartridges to function, locking you out of cheaper third-party alternatives. If you want a quick comparison of the most reliable budget models, our tested guide to the best cheap inkjet printers covers which units actually deliver decent value.
Worthwhile Alternative: Supertank Printers (Higher Cost, Real Savings)
If you print regularly, the cheapest printer isn’t the one with the lowest sticker price—it’s the one with the lowest cost per page. Supertank inkjets, which use refillable bottles instead of cartridges, cost $180–$300 upfront but include enough ink for 7,500 black and 6,000 color pages before the first refill. The refill bottles themselves cost a fraction of cartridges, dropping your cost per page to about 3 cents for black and 10 cents for color—compared to 13–17 cents on cartridge-based models.
| Feature | Budget Cartridge Inkjet | Supertank Inkjet |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront price | $35–$90 | $180–$300 |
| Ink cost per page (black) | $0.13–$0.17 | ~$0.03 |
| Pages before first refill | 100–120 per cartridge | 7,500 black / 6,000 color |
| Duplex printing included? | Rarely | Often included |
| Automatic document feeder? | No | Often included |
| Ink waste from cleaning cycles? | High | Low |
| Best for | Very light, occasional printing | Regular home or home-office use |
Common Mistakes That Cost More Than the Printer
The most expensive mistake is ignoring cost per page (CPP). That $35 printer is only cheap if you print fewer than a hundred pages a year—otherwise, you’ll bleed money on cartridges. People also mistakenly buy a color inkjet for mostly black-and-white documents like homework or invoices. A dedicated black-and-white printer, whether inkjet or laser, will cost far less to run. And if you’re printing more than 2,000 pages a month, a laser printer is a better investment than any inkjet.
FAQs
Why are cheap inkjet cartridges so expensive relative to the printer?
Manufacturers use the “razor and blade” model, selling the hardware at a loss and making profit on consumables. Cartridges yield only 100–120 pages on average, and the ink inside is priced at a premium that can exceed the cost of high-quality champagne per milliliter.
Can I use third-party ink in a cheap inkjet printer?
Sometimes, but many budget printers now include firmware that blocks non-brand ink cartridges or shows persistent warning messages. Check reviews before buying if you plan to use cheaper refills—some models are more locked down than others and may refuse to print with third-party cartridges.
Is a supertank printer always better than a cartridge-based model?
Not for everyone. If you print less than 20 pages per month, the higher upfront cost of a supertank printer ($180–$300) isn’t justified by ink savings. For very light use, a basic cartridge model is fine—just be aware that the ink inside will dry out over time, requiring expensive replacements that get wasted.
References & Sources
- Consumer Reports. “Best Cheap Printers of 2026.” Ranks budget-friendly models and outlines features typically stripped away at lower price points.
- Consumer Reports. “Best Printers of the Year.” Evaluates overall performance and cost efficiency across printer types.
- Choice (Australia). “The Best Cheap Printers from Our Tests.” Consumer testing data on budget inkjet models and their real-world running costs.
Mo Maruf
I created WellFizz to bridge the gap between vague wellness advice and actionable solutions. My mission is simple: to decode the research and give you practical tools you can actually use.
Beyond the data, I am a passionate traveler. I believe that stepping away from the screen to explore new environments is essential for mental clarity and physical vitality.