10 Best Printers For Students in 2026: Affordable All-In-One Picks for Homework, Essays, and Scanning

Choosing the right printer for school can save money, time, and last-minute stress. For students, the best options balance low ink costs, simple wireless printing, and compact designs that fit dorms, apartments, and shared rooms.

This roundup focuses on practical printers for students that handle everyday assignments, scan documents clearly, and keep maintenance simple all year long.

Best 10 Printers for Students Picks for 2026

Budget-Friendly All-Rounder – Canon PIXMA TS6520 for students

For printers for students, the Canon PIXMA TS6520 is a practical all-in-one option that covers homework, scanning, copying, and occasional photo printing without taking up much desk space. It’s a strong pick if you want a compact printer that can handle everyday school assignments and still deliver crisp color output.

Best For: Students who need a compact, affordable printer for classwork, scanning, copying, and occasional color or photo prints.

Pros:

• Automatic duplex printing helps save paper on multi-page assignments.
• Dual-band Wi-Fi and mobile printing support make it easy to print from phones, tablets, and laptops.
• Compact footprint fits well in dorm rooms, shared apartments, or small study areas.
• Includes scanner and copier functions for school paperwork and handouts.

Cons:

• Uses a 2-cartridge hybrid ink system rather than a refill tank.
• Paper handling is basic with a single tray and modest capacity.
• Speed is best suited to light or moderate student printing, not high-volume workloads.

The TS6520 makes sense if you want a student-friendly printer that balances value, versatility, and a small footprint. It is especially appealing for general school use where easy setup and dependable wireless printing matter more than raw speed.

Ink-Saving High-Volume Pick – HP Smart Tank 5101 for students

Among printers for students, the HP Smart Tank 5101 stands out when you want to print a lot without constantly replacing cartridges. With refillable tanks and up to 2 years of ink included, it is built for long stretches of schoolwork, notes, and handouts with fewer interruptions.

Best For: Students who print frequently and want very low-cost, high-volume printing with refillable ink tanks.

Pros:

• Up to 2 years of ink included, with thousands of pages right out of the box.
• Cartridge-free refill system is designed to be mess-free and simple.
• Print, scan, and copy support makes it useful for homework and paperwork.
• HP AI features help format web pages and emails more cleanly for printing.

Cons:

• Wireless support is limited to 2.4GHz.
• Manual duplexing means double-sided printing is not automatic.
• Larger ink tank design may be less minimal than a basic compact printer.

If your school workload is heavy, the Smart Tank 5101 is a smart long-term buy because it prioritizes low running costs over convenience extras. It is best for students who care more about volume and ink savings than speed features.

Ultra-Simple Basic Pick – Canon PIXMA TS3720 for students

If you want one of the simplest printers for students, the Canon PIXMA TS3720 keeps the focus on basic homework tasks. It prints, scans, and copies, offers easy wireless setup, and supports mobile printing, making it a straightforward choice for occasional school use.

Best For: Students who need a basic, easy-to-use printer for light homework and occasional color prints.

Pros:

• Easy setup and easy wireless connect are helpful for quick dorm or apartment setup.
• Prints, scans, and copies in one compact device.
• Supports mobile printing through Canon PRINT, AirPrint, and Mopria.
• Works with Chromebook, which is useful for schoolwork.

Cons:

• Single-sided printing only, so it lacks automatic duplexing.
• Print speeds are modest compared with faster all-in-one models.
• Best suited to light-duty use rather than regular high-volume printing.

The TS3720 is a no-frills option that covers the essentials without adding complexity. It is a sensible fit for students who just need dependable basic printing and easy wireless access.

Fast Feature-Packed Pick – Brother MFC-J1360DW for students

For printers for students who need more speed and workflow tools, the Brother Work Smart 1360 is the most feature-rich option here. It combines automatic duplex printing, an automatic document feeder, and cloud app support, which can save time when you are juggling assignments, scans, and multi-page documents.

Best For: Students who handle frequent assignments, multi-page scans, and want faster printing with better workflow features.

Pros:

• Automatic duplex printing helps cut paper use on longer reports.
• 20-sheet ADF is useful for scanning or copying multi-page documents.
• Fast print speeds of up to 16 ppm black and 9 ppm color.
• Cloud app connections and Brother Mobile Connect add convenient mobile control.

Cons:

• Inkjet design still means ongoing cartridge ink replacement.
• It is larger and heavier than the most basic student printers.
• Feature set may be more than needed for very occasional printing.

This Brother model is a strong fit if your school workflow is busy and you value speed plus time-saving extras. It is especially practical for students who scan often or print a lot of multi-page coursework.

Budget-Friendly All-in-One – Canon PIXMA TS4320

If you’re shopping for printers for students, the Canon PIXMA TS4320 is a practical budget pick for homework, scanning, copying, and occasional photo printing. Its compact design, easy setup, and auto duplex printing make it a simple fit for dorm rooms, small desks, or shared spaces.

Best For: Students who want an affordable all-in-one printer for everyday schoolwork and photos.

Pros:

• Automatic 2-sided printing helps save paper on assignments.
• Wireless setup works with smartphones, computers, AirPrint, and Mopria.
• Compact footprint suits tight study spaces.
• Supports scanning, copying, and borderless photo printing.

Cons:

• Print speed is modest compared with faster office-style models.
• Paper capacity is limited to 100 sheets.

Overall, the TS4320 is a sensible value option if you need a basic student printer that handles classwork without taking over your desk. It balances low-cost versatility with features that matter most for school use.

Smart Home Student Pick – HP Envy 6155

The HP Envy 6155 is a strong choice for printers for students who want a feature-rich home setup. It handles printing, scanning, and copying, and adds auto 2-sided printing, a touchscreen, and dual-band Wi-Fi for easier everyday use.

Best For: Students who want a modern all-in-one printer with helpful smart features and mobile control.

Pros:

• Prints, scans, and copies with auto duplex support.
• Dual-band Wi-Fi and the HP app make wireless use convenient.
• 2.4-inch touchscreen improves day-to-day navigation.
• HP AI features help avoid awkward web page and email layouts.

Cons:

• Speed is moderate at up to 10 ppm black and 7 ppm color.
• Uses HP cartridges with original HP chips or circuitry only.

This is a polished option if you want a student printer that feels easier to live with than a bare-bones basic model. The included Instant Ink trial also adds convenience for households that prefer automatic ink delivery.

Homework Workhorse – Canon PIXMA TR4720

For students who need more than basic printing, the Canon PIXMA TR4720 is a well-rounded option among printers for students. It adds an auto document feeder and built-in fax, while still covering everyday print, scan, and copy tasks with wireless support and automatic two-sided printing.

Best For: Students who need a versatile all-in-one printer for frequent paperwork and scanning.

Pros:

• Auto document feeder makes multi-page scanning and copying easier.
• Automatic 2-sided printing helps reduce paper use.
• Wireless printing and mobile compatibility add convenience.
• Produces borderless prints up to 8.5″ x 11″.

Cons:

• Black document print speed is relatively slow at about 8.8 ipm.
• Built-in fax is useful, but may be unnecessary for many students.

The TR4720 makes the most sense for students who regularly scan packets, print forms, or manage lots of school documents. It offers a bit more office-style flexibility without moving into a larger, more expensive class of printer.

Budget-Friendly Everyday Printer – HP DeskJet 2827e Wireless All-in-One

If you need one of the more affordable printers for students, the HP DeskJet 2827e covers the basics without taking up much desk space. It handles color printing, scanning, and copying, and the HP app makes it easy to print from a laptop, phone, or tablet for homework, labels, and quick handouts.

Best For: Students who want a compact, simple all-in-one for everyday assignments and light home use.

Pros:

• Prints, scans, and copies in one compact unit
• Wireless printing with HP app support for mobile devices
• Includes a 3-month Instant Ink trial with HP+ activation
• Uses HP AI to help avoid awkward page layouts when printing web pages and emails

Cons:

• Print speeds are modest at up to 7.5 ppm black and 5.5 ppm color
• Designed for basic documents rather than heavy-volume printing
• Requires HP-chip cartridges, which limits third-party ink options

Overall, this is a practical pick if you want a straightforward student printer for occasional papers, recipes, and study materials. It is best when low cost, compact size, and simple everyday use matter more than speed.

Low-Running-Cost Pick – Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Supertank Printer

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 stands out among printers for students who print often and want to avoid constant cartridge changes. Its refillable ink bottles are designed to last far longer than standard cartridges, making it a smart choice for papers, worksheets, and everyday color printing at home.

Best For: Students and families who want lower ink maintenance and frequent printing without cartridge hassle.

Pros:

• Cartridge-free system with refillable ink bottles
• High page yields of up to 4,500 black pages and 7,500 color pages
• Up to 2 years of ink included in the box
• Prints, scans, and copies with wireless convenience

Cons:

• Initial printer cost may be higher than basic cartridge models
• Not the fastest option for large rush jobs compared with office-class printers
• Requires genuine ink for best performance and warranty support

If ink costs are your biggest concern, this EcoTank model is one of the most practical student-friendly choices. It makes sense for regular coursework because it reduces the interruptions and waste that come with frequent cartridge replacements.

Best for Busy Coursework – HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e All-in-One

For students who need a faster, more capable machine, the HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e is a strong step up in printers for students. It adds automatic duplex printing, an auto document feeder, and faster print speeds, which makes it better suited for longer reports, presentations, and mixed school paperwork.

Best For: Students who print frequently and want faster output plus more productivity features.

Pros:

• Fast speeds up to 20 ppm black and 10 ppm color
• Automatic two-sided printing and auto document feeder
• Large 225-sheet input tray for fewer refills
• Wireless printing plus HP app support for phones and laptops

Cons:

• Bulkier and heavier than basic home printers
• Uses HP 923 cartridges, so ongoing ink cost still applies
• More features than a casual student printer may actually need

This model makes sense if your school workload is heavier and you want speed, convenience, and better handling of multipage documents. It is the most productivity-focused option here, especially for students balancing essays, group projects, and frequent printing.

How We Picked the Best Printers for Students

We prioritized models that make everyday student tasks easier: printing essays and worksheets, scanning signed forms, copying handouts, and connecting quickly from laptops and phones. We also looked at total ownership cost, since cheap printers can become expensive if ink runs out fast.

Quick Comparison: What Matters Most

Some printers are best for the lowest upfront price, while others are better if you print often and want lower ink costs over time. Inkjet all-in-ones are usually the most flexible choice for most students, while refillable tank models are better for heavier printing. Duplex printing, mobile app support, and a simple control panel can also make a big difference in daily use.

Key Buying Factors for Printers for Students

Ink Cost Vs. Upfront Price

If you only print occasionally, a budget inkjet may be enough. If you print class packets, study guides, or lab reports regularly, a supertank model can cost less over the long run. Look beyond the sticker price and consider cartridge replacement frequency and page yield.

Wireless and Mobile Printing

Reliable Wi-Fi matters more than many buyers expect. A good student printer should work smoothly with laptops, tablets, and phones so you can print from the library, dorm, or classroom without complicated setup.

Scanning, Copying, and Duplex Features

Most students benefit from an all-in-one design. Scanning is useful for uploading assignments and notes, while copying helps with forms and handouts. Automatic duplex printing can cut paper use in half, which is helpful for both cost and convenience.

Size, Noise, and Ease of Use

Compact printers are easier to place in small spaces, and a simple display can reduce setup frustration. If you share a room, look for models with straightforward maintenance and quieter operation.

Who Should Buy Which Printers for Students?

If you need the lowest entry price, choose a basic wireless all-in-one. If you print frequently, a refillable tank printer is usually the smarter value. Students who handle lots of class forms, notes, and double-sided documents should prioritize duplex printing and an automatic document feeder. For dorms or small apartments, compact models with dependable phone printing are often the best fit.

In short, the best Printers for Students are the ones that match your workload, room size, and budget—not just the cheapest model on the shelf.