How Much Does a Printer Cost in 2026? Prices by Type, Plus the Real Cost of Ink

Published October 14, 2026. Written by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.

Quick answer

In October 2026, most people pay $60 to $150 for a basic home inkjet, $160 to $750 for an ink-tank printer (Epson EcoTank, Canon MegaTank, HP Smart Tank), $100 to $250 for a black-and-white laser, and $250 to $800 for a color laser. Photo printers run $150 to $750, and small-business all-in-ones $300 to $1,000+. Prices are a little higher than two years ago because of 2025 tariff increases. The bigger number, though, is what you spend on ink or toner over the printer's life, which can easily be two to five times the sticker price.

How much does a printer cost by type?

These are typical US street prices as of October 2026, with real examples checked on the manufacturers' own stores. Sale prices around Black Friday will dip below these ranges.

Example prices come from Brother USA, Brother USA, Epson and Canon USA, checked October 14, 2026; Epson's three new EcoTank models and prices were announced in July 2026. Several of these models were marked out of stock or discontinued on the maker's site, which is normal heading into new-model season.

Why are printers more expensive in 2026?

Three things pushed prices up over the last 18 months:

• Tariffs. In May 2025, HP told investors it had raised prices on printing hardware to offset tariff costs and was moving production of North America-bound printers out of China. HP's then-CEO Enrique Lores described "additional tariff costs that could not be fully mitigated in the quarter."
• Follow-on increases. According to The Cannata Report, Canon raised US prices 6–8% in June 2025 and another 3–5% starting October 2025, and Brother planned US price increases to offset its tariff impact.
• A higher average sale price. Market-research firm OpenBrand found the average US printer net price (all printer types, including business models) rose about 4% from 2024 to 2025, with HP's average up about 10%.

The practical takeaway: a $79 doorbuster printer in 2026 is usually a loss leader. The manufacturer expects to make its money on cartridges.

What does a printer really cost to own?

The purchase price is the smallest part of the bill for most households. Here is how the lifetime math works:

• In a September 2026 analysis, UK consumer group Which? calculated that running a Canon PIXMA TS9551Ca for 10 years at 30 pages a month costs about £762 with original ink versus about £321 with recommended third-party ink. Across the printers it tested, its recommended third-party suppliers averaged roughly 60% less than original cartridges.
• Consumer Reports' testing has long shown the same pattern in the US: a cheap cartridge inkjet can cost far more per year in ink than an ink-tank or laser model that cost more up front.
• Ink-tank printers flip the equation: you pay $160 to $300+ more at the register but bottles cost very little per page.
• Lasers sit in between: toner is pricey per cartridge, but it lasts thousands of pages and doesn't dry out.

Plug your own numbers into our Printer Ink Cost Calculator, or see what cartridges actually cost today in the Printer Ink Price Index.

From the founder: When someone asks me what a printer costs, I ask them two questions back: how many pages a month, and how much of it is color? A $90 inkjet that prints 20 pages a month is a fine buy. The same printer at 300 pages a month will quietly cost you more in cartridges every year than the printer itself. Decide on cost per page first, then pick the cheapest printer that delivers it. – William Elward

How much should I spend on a printer for home use?

• Under 50 pages a month, mostly documents: a $60–$150 inkjet is fine. Buy XL cartridges (see is XL ink worth it?) or low-cost remanufactured ones.
• Mostly black text, any volume: a $100–$250 mono laser. It won't dry out between uses. See best laser printers for home.
• Lots of color (kids' projects, crafts, photos): an ink-tank printer, $200–$400. Compare in ink tank vs. cartridge printers.
• Small office: a $300–$800 laser or business inkjet MFP with duplex scanning.

Not sure which bucket you're in? Take the 60-second PrinterIQ Finder quiz, or check this month's CastleScore rankings, which include running costs.

Are cheap printers a trap?

Not always, but read the fine print. Watch for:

• Subscription-locked models. HP printers whose names end in a small "e" can be enrolled in HP+, which HP says requires an HP account, an internet connection and Original HP ink for the life of the printer. Details: Your HP printer might require a subscription to work.
• Monthly plans instead of a price. HP's All-In Plan bundles a printer, ink and support for a monthly fee on a two-year commitment; at its 2024 launch, plans ranged from about $6.99 to $60.99 a month depending on model and page allowance, with early-cancellation fees (Digital Trends). Check current terms before signing.
• Half-full "setup" cartridges in the box. Many new printers ship with starter cartridges that print far fewer pages than a standard cartridge. See setup cartridges explained.
• Firmware that blocks third-party ink. Some brands use updates to reject non-OEM chips. Our list of printers that don't lock you into OEM ink helps you avoid that.

How much does ink cost per page?

It ranges from under a cent per page for ink-tank bottles and high-yield toner to 10–20 cents or more per page for standard-size brand-name inkjet cartridges. Remanufactured and compatible cartridges usually cut the cartridge cost substantially; the exact saving depends on the model. For example, Castle Ink's remanufactured HP 67XL black and tri-color 2-pack fits the DeskJet 2700 and ENVY 6000 families, and our HP 950XL/951XL 4-pack covers OfficeJet Pro 8600-series printers. Find yours with Find Ink by Printer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average price of a home printer?

Most home buyers spend roughly $100 to $300. Basic inkjets start around $60; ink-tank models and lasers cluster between $150 and $350.

Is it cheaper to buy a new printer than new ink?

Sometimes, on paper, because the new printer comes with setup cartridges. But those cartridges are often partly filled, and throwing away a working printer adds to e-waste. Lower-cost replacement cartridges are almost always the better deal. See why printer ink is so expensive.

Do laser printers cost more than inkjets?

A basic mono laser ($100–$250) costs about the same as a mid-range inkjet and usually less per page. Color lasers cost more up front.

Will printer prices drop at Black Friday 2026?

Some will. See our guide to the best time to buy a printer and ink.

Which printer has the cheapest ink?

Ink-tank models and lasers have the lowest cost per page. Our cheapest-ink printers guide ranks them.

Related guides

• Inkjet vs. laser printer in 2026
• Best home printers under $100
• Worst printers of 2026: models to avoid
• HP Instant Ink vs. compatible cartridges: the real cost math
• Printer reviews by brand and use

Shop printers: browse current home printer prices on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Castle Ink earns from qualifying purchases.

About the author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has more than 20 years of experience in the printer and imaging supplies industry.