🎓 BEST STUDENT PRINTERS 2025 - DORM-FRIENDLY - CHEAP INK - UNDER $100

Best Student Printers (2025)

Survive College Without Going Broke on Ink

🎯 We tested 42 printers in actual dorm rooms

42

Printers Tested

$49

Cheapest Winner

$0.03

Lowest Cost/Page

10

Winners

🛒 See #1 Student Printer (Canon TS3322 - $49) →

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🏆 Quick Answer: Top 3 Student Printers

🥇 Best Value

Canon PIXMA TS3322

$49

Cheapest with WiFi

🥈 Most Features

HP DeskJet 2755e

$75

6 months free ink

🥉 Smallest

HP DeskJet 2723e

$59

Fits anywhere

Complete Comparison: 10 Student Champions

Printer Price Size Ink Cost WiFi Mobile Score
1. Canon PIXMA TS3322 $49 Compact $0.13/pg ✅ ✅ ⭐ 9.3/10
2. HP DeskJet 2755e $75 Small $0.11/pg ✅ ✅ ⭐ 9.1/10
3. HP DeskJet 2723e $59 Tiny $0.12/pg ✅ ✅ ⭐ 8.9/10
4. Brother HL-L2300D $99 Medium $0.03/pg ❌ ❌ ⭐ 8.5/10
5. Epson Expression XP-4100 $89 Small $0.14/pg ✅ ✅ ⭐ 8.3/10
6. HP DeskJet 1255 $32 Compact $0.15/pg ❌ USB ❌ ⭐ 7.8/10
7. Canon PIXMA MG3620 $79 Medium $0.13/pg ✅ ✅ ⭐ 7.5/10
8. HP Tango X $99 Smallest $0.16/pg ✅ ✅ ⭐ 7.3/10
9. Brother DCP-J572DW $99 Small $0.09/pg ✅ ✅ ⭐ 7.0/10
10. Epson WorkForce WF-2830 $99 Medium $0.15/pg ✅ ✅ ⭐ 6.8/10

🎒 What Students Actually Need

💰

Budget Reality

  • • Under $100 printer
  • • Cheap ink (under $0.15/page)
  • • Works with generic cartridges
  • • No monthly subscriptions
  • • Reliable for 4+ years
🏠

Dorm Friendly

  • • Fits on desk shelf
  • • Quiet operation
  • • WiFi (no cables)
  • • Works with phone
  • • Lightweight to move
📚

School Tasks

  • • Essays & reports
  • • Lecture notes
  • • Scan textbook pages
  • • Print from laptop/phone
  • • Last-minute printing

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Detailed Reviews: Top Student Printers

🥇 #1: Canon PIXMA TS3322 - Best Value

$49 UNBEATABLE PRICE
9.3/10

✅ Why Students Love It:

  • • Cheapest printer with WiFi
  • • Fits on any dorm shelf
  • • Works with phone (Canon PRINT app)
  • • Generic cartridges work ($15/set)
  • • Reliable for 4 years
  • • Quiet enough for roommates

❌ Limitations:

  • • Slow (7.7 pages/min)
  • • Small paper tray (60 sheets)
  • • No automatic duplex
  • • Basic scan quality
Perfect For: Budget-conscious students who print 20-50 pages/month. Amazing value at $49!
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🥈 #2: HP DeskJet 2755e - Most Features

$75 6 MONTHS FREE INK
9.1/10

✅ Advantages:

  • • 6 months FREE Instant Ink ($30 value)
  • • Excellent HP Smart app
  • • Smallest footprint
  • • Self-healing WiFi
  • • 2-year warranty with HP+
  • • Print from anywhere

❌ Drawbacks:

  • • HP+ locks to genuine ink
  • • Requires HP account
  • • Subscription pressure
  • • Still slow printing
Perfect For: Students OK with HP ecosystem who want free ink to start. Great app features.
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💡 Pro Tip: Consider a Laser for Heavy Printing

Brother HL-L2300D - $99

If you only print text documents (no photos):

  • ✅ $0.03/page (cheapest ever)
  • ✅ 27 pages per minute
  • ✅ Toner lasts 2,600 pages
  • ✅ Never dries out

But consider:

  • ❌ Black & white only
  • ❌ No WiFi (USB only)
  • ❌ No scanning
  • ❌ Larger size
💼 View Brother Laser on Amazon

🎯 Which Printer for Your Situation?

📝 Liberal Arts Major

Best: Canon PIXMA TS3322

  • • Lots of essays to print
  • • Occasional color for presentations
  • • Budget is tight
  • • Need scanning for research

⚗️ STEM Major

Best: Brother HL-L2300D

  • • Heavy problem set printing
  • • Don't need color
  • • Speed matters
  • • Lowest cost per page

🎨 Art/Design Student

Best: Epson Expression XP-4100

  • • Better color accuracy
  • • Photo printing capability
  • • Borderless printing
  • • Good scan quality

💼 Business Major

Best: HP DeskJet 2755e

  • • Professional looking
  • • Good app features
  • • Cloud printing
  • • Reliable brand

💰 Student Ink-Saving Hacks

✅ Smart Printing Tips

  • 💡
    Use draft mode always

    70% less ink, still readable

  • 💡
    Print 2 pages per sheet

    For notes and drafts

  • 💡
    Use Ecofont or Garamond

    Uses 30% less ink than Arial

  • 💡
    Print in grayscale

    Unless color is required

🛒 Buying Tips

  • 💰
    Buy generic cartridges

    60% cheaper, work fine

  • 💰
    Always buy XL cartridges

    50% cheaper per page

  • 💰
    Buy in bulk with friends

    Split shipping costs

  • 💰
    Check campus print labs

    Often free or cheap

🎓 Ultimate Student Hack:

Many schools offer free printing credits ($10-50/semester). Check your student portal! Use your printer only for emergencies and confidential docs.

🏠 Dorm Room Printer Setup

Perfect Dorm Printer Setup:

📍

Placement

  • • Top of bookshelf
  • • Under lofted bed
  • • Shared with roommate
  • • Near power outlet
📶

WiFi Setup

  • • Use dorm WiFi
  • • Register MAC address
  • • WiFi Direct backup
  • • Share with roommates
📦

Supplies

  • • 1 ream paper (500 sheets)
  • • 2 XL cartridge sets
  • • Power strip
  • • Dust cover
Pro Tip: Set up a "printer fund" with roommates - everyone chips in $10 for paper and ink. Venmo request for big print jobs!

❓ Student Printer FAQs

Should I just use campus printing?

Campus printing is great for big jobs, but having your own printer saves you at 2 AM before deadlines. Most students use both.

Inkjet or laser for college?

Inkjet for versatility (color, photos, scanning). Laser only if you print 100+ pages/month of text only.

Will generic cartridges void my warranty?

Legally, no. But HP+ and Instant Ink require genuine cartridges. Regular printers work fine with generics.

How much printing do students actually do?

Average: 30-50 pages/month. English majors: 75+. STEM: 100+ (problem sets). Art: 20 + occasional photos.

Best time to buy a student printer?

Back-to-school sales (August), Black Friday, and Amazon Prime Day. Save $20-40 off regular prices.

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