Our Top Homeschool Printer Picks for 2026
Epson EcoTank ET-3850
ADF, auto duplex, 7,500 color pages included
~$400
HP Smart Tank 7301
Vibrant colors, reliable, 2+ years ink
~$350
Brother HL-L2460DW
Fast laser, 36 ppm, 2¢ per page
~$150
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
Entry-level tank, 4,500 pages included
~$230
Homeschool Printing Reality Check
A typical homeschool family prints 2,000-5,000+ pages per year. With traditional cartridge printers, that's $200-500+ in ink. With ink tank printers, it's $20-50. The upfront cost difference pays for itself within the first year.
Epson EcoTank ET-3850
The Complete Homeschool Solution
The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is specifically designed for high-volume users like homeschool families. It comes with enough ink to print 7,500 black pages and 6,000 color pages - essentially a full school year's worth of curriculum without buying additional ink.
The 30-sheet automatic document feeder makes scanning workbooks and answer sheets fast, while automatic duplex printing cuts paper usage in half. The 250-sheet paper tray means fewer refills during curriculum printing sessions.
Homeschool Parent Favorite
Homeschool families consistently report the included ink lasting an entire school year even with heavy printing. One parent noted: "I printed an entire 7-subject curriculum, worksheets, and miscellaneous projects, and the ink lasted over a year."
Pros
- 7,500+ pages of ink included
- 30-sheet ADF for scanning
- Auto duplex printing
- 250-sheet paper tray
- ~1¢ per page cost
Cons
- Higher upfront cost
- Slower than laser
- Bulkier than basic models
- Can clog if unused for months
Best For:
Homeschool families who print full curriculum, colorful worksheets, and activity pages. The ADF and duplex make it practical for daily use.
HP Smart Tank 7301
Vibrant Colors for Activity Sheets
HP's Smart Tank line uses the same ink tank concept as Epson's EcoTank. The 7301 excels at color-heavy printing, making it ideal for colorful worksheets, educational games, and activity pages that keep younger learners engaged.
The 35-sheet ADF handles scanning stacks of completed work, and the 2.7" touchscreen makes operation intuitive for kids who want to print or scan independently. HP's Smart App provides easy mobile printing from tablets.
Note: No HP+ Required
Unlike HP's cartridge printers, the Smart Tank line does NOT require HP+ or any subscription. It uses refillable tanks just like EcoTank, with no DRM restrictions on ink.
Pros
- Excellent color quality
- 8,000 color pages included
- 35-sheet ADF
- Easy touchscreen
- Good mobile printing
Cons
- HP brand concerns
- Slower than Epson
- Larger footprint
- Initial setup can be fussy
Best For:
Families with younger children who benefit from colorful, engaging worksheets and activity pages. Great for art projects and educational games.
Brother HL-L2460DW
Speed Demon for Text Documents
If your curriculum is primarily text-based (literature, history readings, math worksheets), a laser printer like the Brother HL-L2460DW is incredibly practical. At 36 pages per minute, you can print 500 pages in about 15 minutes instead of spending an hour babysitting an inkjet.
Laser toner never dries out or clogs, so summer breaks won't mean maintenance headaches when school resumes. Third-party toner brings costs to about 2 cents per page, making this the most economical option for black and white printing.
The Two-Printer Strategy
Many homeschool families use both: a laser for text-heavy curriculum and reading materials, and an ink tank printer for colorful activities. This combo provides the best of both worlds at approximately $380 total.
Pros
- Incredibly fast (36 ppm)
- Lowest cost per page (~2¢)
- Toner never dries out
- Minimal maintenance
- Auto duplex included
Cons
- Black and white only
- No scanner
- Not for colorful activities
- Basic paper tray (250 sheets)
Best For:
Classical education, literature-heavy curriculum, older students with primarily text-based materials. Perfect companion to an inkjet for color needs.
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
Entry Point for Ink Tank Printing
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the budget-friendly entry into ink tank printing for homeschool families. At $230, it's $170 less than the ET-3850 while still providing the same incredibly low per-page costs.
The trade-offs are no ADF (you'll scan pages one at a time), no auto duplex, and a smaller paper tray. For families just starting out or with lighter printing needs, these compromises are worth the savings.
Pros
- Lowest entry cost for ink tank
- Same ~1¢ per page cost
- 7,500 color pages included
- Compact size
- Scan and copy included
Cons
- No auto document feeder
- No auto duplex
- 100-sheet paper tray
- Slower printing
Best For:
Budget-conscious families, single-child homeschools, or those new to homeschooling who want to test ink tank technology before committing to a larger model.
Homeschool Printer Comparison
| Model | Type | Color | ADF | Cost/Page | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson ET-3850 | Ink Tank | Yes | 30 sheets | ~1¢ | $400 |
| HP Smart Tank 7301 | Ink Tank | Yes | 35 sheets | ~1¢ | $350 |
| Brother HL-L2460DW | Laser | No | No | ~2¢ | $150 |
| Epson ET-2800 | Ink Tank | Yes | No | ~1¢ | $230 |
Homeschool Printing Cost Analysis
Annual Cost Comparison (2,500 Pages/Year)
| Printer Type | Upfront | Year 1 Ink | Year 1 Total | Year 2 Total | Year 3 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap Inkjet (cartridges) | $60 | $250 | $310 | $560 | $810 |
| Epson ET-2800 (ink tank) | $230 | $0* | $230 | $255 | $280 |
| Epson ET-3850 (ink tank) | $400 | $0* | $400 | $425 | $450 |
| Brother Laser | $150 | $50 | $200 | $250 | $300 |
*Ink tank printers include 1-2 years of ink in the box. Figures assume 2,500 pages/year mixed color/B&W. Cheap inkjet assumes 5 cartridge sets/year at $50 each.
The Bottom Line
After 3 years of homeschooling, a cheap inkjet costs $810+ while an Epson ET-2800 costs $280. That's $530 in savings - enough to buy curriculum, supplies, or field trips. The higher upfront cost of ink tank printers pays for itself within the first year.
Homeschool Printer Buying Guide
Choose Based on Your Curriculum Style
Colorful Activities (K-5)
Ink tank printers like ET-3850 or HP Smart Tank 7301. Color worksheets, activity pages, and educational games keep young learners engaged.
Text-Heavy (Middle/High)
Brother laser for literature, history readings, and essay-heavy curriculum. Fast, cheap, and never clogs during summer break.
Multiple Children
ET-3850 with its 30-sheet ADF and auto duplex handles the volume. Consider adding a laser for text-only materials.
Tight Budget
ET-2800 for color needs, or Brother laser if you can live with black and white. Either beats cartridge printers within months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best printer for homeschooling? ▼
The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is our top pick for homeschool families. It prints thousands of pages at about 1 cent each, includes 2 years of ink, and has an ADF for easy scanning. For black and white only, a Brother laser is even more economical at 2 cents per page.
Should I get inkjet or laser for homeschool? ▼
Ink tank printers (like EcoTank) are best for color worksheets and activity sheets. Laser printers are faster and cheaper per page for black and white text. Many homeschool families use both: laser for text-heavy curriculum and ink tank for colorful activities.
How much does it cost to print homeschool curriculum? ▼
With an ink tank printer like EcoTank, expect about 1-2 cents per page. A typical full-year curriculum of 2,000 pages would cost around $20-40 in ink. Traditional cartridge printers would cost $200-400 for the same amount.
Will ink dry out during summer break? ▼
Ink tank printers can have issues if unused for months. Print a test page monthly during breaks, or run a nozzle check. Laser printers have no such issues - toner never dries out or clogs, making them ideal for seasonal printing patterns.
Our Recommendation
For most homeschool families, the Epson EcoTank ET-3850 offers the best combination of features, capacity, and low operating costs. On a budget? The ET-2800 delivers the same per-page savings for $170 less.