Quick Picks: Best Printers for College 2026
Best Budget All-in-One
HP DeskJet 4155e - $84
6 months free ink included
Best Long-Term Value
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 - $199
$5/year ink costs
Best for Essays & Papers
Brother HL-L2460DW - $159
36 ppm, toner never dries
Cheapest Option
Canon PIXMA TS3522 - $59
Ultra-compact, basic needs
Why College Students Need Their Own Printer
Library Printing Problems:
- Long lines during finals week
- $0.10+ per page adds up fast
- Limited hours & availability
- Can't print at 2am before deadline
Your Own Printer Benefits:
- Print anytime, day or night
- Cost: $0.01-0.05 per page
- No leaving your dorm
- Print from phone or laptop
HP DeskJet 4155e
Why Students Love It
- OK 6 months FREE HP+ ink
- OK Print/Scan/Copy
- OK WiFi & Bluetooth
- OK Print from phone easily
- OK Super compact design
- OK HP Smart App
Key Specs
- 8.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color
- 60-sheet paper tray
- AirPrint compatible
- Dimensions: 16.9" x 14.0" x 5.5"
- Automatic duplex printing
6 Months Free Ink!
With HP+ enrollment, you get 6 months of Instant Ink free - that's 700+ pages of printing without buying ink. Perfect for your first semester!
The HP DeskJet 4155e is the most popular printer for college students because of its unbeatable combination of low price and free ink. At just $84 with 6 months of free HP+ ink, you can print hundreds of pages for your first semester without spending another penny.
The HP Smart App makes printing from your phone or laptop effortless - no drivers to install, just connect to WiFi and print. The compact size fits easily on a dorm desk, and the scanner handles everything from scanning textbook pages to copying notes.
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
Why Students Love It
- OK $5/year ink cost
- OK 4,500 black pages included
- OK 7,500 color pages included
- OK No cartridges to buy
- OK Print/Scan/Copy
- OK WiFi printing
Key Specs
- 10.5 ppm black, 5 ppm color
- 100-sheet paper tray
- 5760 x 1440 dpi
- Refillable ink tanks
- Compact design
If you're planning to use your printer all 4 years of college, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the smartest investment. The included ink prints up to 4,500 black pages and 7,500 color pages - easily enough for 2+ years of normal student use.
While the $199 price is higher upfront, you'll save hundreds compared to cartridge printers. A cheap $50 printer with $30 cartridges that last 200 pages will cost you far more by graduation.
Brother HL-L2460DW
Why Students Love It
- OK 36 pages per minute
- OK Toner NEVER dries out
- OK 3,000 pages included
- OK Auto duplex printing
- OK WiFi & Ethernet
- OK Sharp text quality
Considerations
- X Black & white only
- X Print only (no scanner)
- X Slightly larger size
For students who primarily print essays, research papers, and lecture notes, the Brother HL-L2460DW is the perfect choice. At 36 pages per minute, it prints a 10-page paper in seconds. The razor-sharp text makes your papers look professional.
The key advantage for students: toner never dries out. If you don't print for weeks during summer break, it'll work perfectly when you return. Inkjet printers often clog after sitting unused.
Canon PIXMA TS3522
Why Students Love It
- OK Under $60 price
- OK Ultra-compact size
- OK Print/Scan/Copy
- OK WiFi printing
- OK Works with cheap ink
Considerations
- X High ink costs over time
- X Slow printing (7.7 ppm)
- X No auto duplex
The Canon PIXMA TS3522 is the cheapest all-in-one printer that actually works well. At under $60, it's perfect for students on a tight budget who need basic printing, scanning, and copying capabilities.
Just know that ink costs add up over time. If you print heavily, consider the EcoTank or HP with Instant Ink instead. But for light printing needs, this gets the job done affordably.
College Printer Comparison 2026
| Printer | Price | Type | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP DeskJet 4155e | $84 | Inkjet | 8.5 ppm | Free ink starter |
| Epson ET-2800 | $199 | Ink Tank | 10.5 ppm | 4-year value |
| Brother HL-L2460DW | $159 | Laser | 36 ppm | Essays & papers |
| Canon TS3522 | $59 | Inkjet | 7.7 ppm | Tight budget |
FAQ for College Students
Should I buy a printer or use the library? v
Buy your own printer. Library printing costs $0.10+ per page and lines are brutal during finals. An ink tank printer costs about $0.01 per page. If you print 500 pages a year, you'll save $45+ annually AND avoid stress.
Can I print from my phone? v
Yes! All printers in this guide support wireless printing from iPhone (AirPrint) and Android. Just connect the printer to your dorm WiFi, install the free app, and print directly from your phone or tablet.
Will the printer work with dorm WiFi? v
Most dorm WiFi networks work, but some have authentication requirements. All these printers support WiFi Direct, which creates a direct connection between your device and printer without using the dorm network.
Our Recommendation for Students
For most college students, start with the HP DeskJet 4155e. At $84 with 6 months free ink, it's the lowest-risk way to have your own printer. If you know you'll print a lot, invest in the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 - it'll save you money over all 4 years.
View HP DeskJet 4155e on Amazon