What Is the Best Printer for Home Use in the US (2026)?
In the US, the best home printer depends on what you print: an ink tank like Epson EcoTank for steady color, an HP printer on Instant Ink for light printing, or a Brother laser for lots of text. Go through ShopBack before you buy at Best Buy, Staples or HP.
The best home printer depends on what and how much you print, so match the type to your pages, then buy through ShopBack before you pay, where ShopBack Cashback works like a discount, only easier than a promo code. For steady color printing, an ink tank printer such as Epson EcoTank is a strong pick: Epson says its latest models include enough ink for up to 3 years at average home volumes. For light printing, an HP printer on HP Instant Ink suits many homes, and for lots of black-and-white text, a Brother laser printer usually costs less per page.
The printer's price tag is only part of the cost. Ink or toner over a few years can cost more than the printer itself, so pick the type first, then the model, then the store.
New to ShopBack? ShopBack US is a free app and website that gives you Cashback when you shop at partner stores such as Best Buy, Staples and HP. Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store. Join ShopBack US for free.
The best printer for home in 2026: pick by what you print
The best printer for home in 2026 is the type that matches your printing, because running costs differ far more between types than between brands. Brother's buying guide sums it up: choose an inkjet for vibrant color, and a laser printer for fast, sharp text and high-efficiency document printing. Then look at the cost of replacement ink or toner.
| How you print | Type that usually fits | Examples from the makers |
|---|---|---|
| A few pages a week, some color | Inkjet on an ink subscription | HP printers on HP Instant Ink |
| Regular color: homework, crafts, photos | Ink tank (supertank) printer | Epson EcoTank, Brother INKvestment Tank |
| Lots of black-and-white text | Mono laser printer | Brother laser printers |
| Photos as the main use | Photo-focused ink tank or inkjet | Epson EcoTank Photo range |
Ink tank printers: the low running cost pick
Ink tank printers are often the best printer for a busy home, because you refill large tanks from bottles instead of buying cartridges. Epson calls EcoTank the world's number one selling supertank printer, based on its own sales data.
According to Epson, at the time of writing:
- Its latest generation of EcoTank printers includes enough ink to last up to 3 years, based on average monthly print volumes of about 125 to 150 pages, depending on the model.
- If you run low, you can save up to $1,000 with replacement ink bottles compared with ink cartridges, based on Epson's 3-year cost comparison. Epson notes actual savings vary.
Brother's INKvestment Tank printers use the same idea, with what Brother describes as an easy-to-replenish ink solution and a large refillable tank. The trade-off with any ink tank model is a higher purchase price than a basic cartridge printer, so it pays off most when you print regularly.
HP Instant Ink: the subscription pick
An HP printer on HP Instant Ink suits homes that print a steady number of pages each month. HP says that with Instant Ink, an eligible HP printer tracks its own ink levels and new cartridges ship automatically before you run out.
How the plans work, according to HP at the time of writing:
- You choose a plan by pages per month, not by cartridges.
- Unused pages roll over on a monthly plan, up to 3 times your monthly allowance. On a yearly plan, unused pages do not roll over to the next year.
- You can change or cancel a monthly plan anytime, and HP says there is no cancellation fee.
Instant Ink works best when your printing is steady. If you print a handful of pages a few times a year, compare the plan cost with buying ink only when you need it. HP plan prices change, so check them on HP's site.
Laser printers: the pick for lots of text
If your home prints mostly documents, forms and homework in black and white, a laser printer is usually the best value. Brother says its laser printers are best for high-volume printing, with sharp text and a low cost per page.
Brother also sells color laser printers for homes that want laser speed with some color. For mostly-text homes, a mono laser is the simpler choice.
Features to look for in a home printer
Most families are best served by an all-in-one printer with wireless printing and automatic two-sided printing. Brother's buying guide lists features worth weighing:
- Wireless printing so phones and laptops print over your home network.
- Duplex printing, which is automatic double-sided printing and saves paper.
- Scanning and copying, which most all-in-one models include.
- Print value, meaning the cost of replacement ink or toner, which matters more over time than the purchase price.
HP vs Staples vs Best Buy: where to buy a home printer
For an HP vs Staples printer price comparison in 2026, compare the exact same model on the final total at HP, Staples and Best Buy, then go through ShopBack at the store with the lowest total. Each store has its own strengths:
- HP sells its own printers direct, and HP Instant Ink is set up around HP printers.
- Staples sells printers from several brands alongside paper and office supplies.
- Best Buy sells printers from several brands and runs its own sale events through the year.
Bundles and sale prices change daily, so compare on the day you buy. Include shipping and any ink that comes in the box, since a printer that ships with more ink can be the better deal at the same price. Other electronics stores on ShopBack US include Newegg.
Best printer for home deals in the US for 2026
The best printer deals in the US for 2026 come from following the same four steps every time. Step 1: compare prices. Step 2: look for a promo code. Step 3: go through ShopBack. Step 4: pay with your best rewards card.
- Compare prices for the same model at Best Buy, Staples and HP.
- Look for a promo code on the store's own site or emails.
- Go through ShopBack. Open the store's page on ShopBack US, tap through and check out.
- Pay with your best rewards card for that store.
How ShopBack lowers the price of a printer
Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.
Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash that comes back. The live rate is on each store's ShopBack page, and it varies by store and over time.
Paying with a rewards card
Your credit card's own rewards usually still apply on a printer order, because the card issuer pays them separately from the store and from ShopBack. You can usually earn both, but card terms vary, so check yours. Some cards also offer extended warranty or purchase protection on electronics, which can be worth more than a small price gap between stores.
For more on how the two work together, see Cashback vs card rewards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best printer for home use?
It depends on what you print. For steady color printing, an ink tank printer such as Epson EcoTank is a strong pick; Epson says its latest models include enough ink for up to 3 years at average home volumes. For light printing, an HP printer on HP Instant Ink suits many homes, and for lots of black-and-white text, a laser printer such as a Brother laser usually costs less per page.
Is an inkjet or laser printer better for home use?
Brother's buying guide says to choose an inkjet for vibrant color and a laser printer for fast, sharp text and high-volume document printing. If you mostly print homework, forms and documents, a laser often suits you; if you print photos and color pages, an inkjet or ink tank printer usually does.
What is an ink tank printer?
An ink tank printer, sometimes called a supertank printer, uses large refillable ink tanks filled from bottles instead of small cartridges. Epson's EcoTank and Brother's INKvestment Tank ranges work this way. They usually cost more to buy than a basic cartridge printer but much less to run, according to the makers.
Is HP Instant Ink worth it?
HP Instant Ink can be worth it if you print a steady number of pages each month on an eligible HP printer. HP says the printer tracks ink levels and new cartridges ship automatically, plans are priced by pages per month, and unused pages on a monthly plan roll over up to 3 times your monthly allowance. If your printing is rare or irregular, compare it with buying ink as you need it.
Is it cheaper to buy a printer from HP or Staples?
Neither is always cheaper. Compare the exact same model on final total at HP, Staples and Best Buy on the day you buy, including shipping and any bundled ink. Then go through ShopBack before you pay at the store with the lowest total.
How do I get the best deal on a home printer?
Step 1: compare prices. Step 2: look for a promo code. Step 3: go through ShopBack. Step 4: pay with your best rewards card.
Does ShopBack Cashback apply to printer ink?
Ink is an online order like any other: go through ShopBack before you pay and the Cashback tracks to your ShopBack account. The live rate is on each store's ShopBack page.
What features should a home printer have?
Brother's buying guide points to three things: printer type (inkjet or laser), print value (the cost of replacement ink or toner) and features such as wireless printing, automatic two-sided printing and scanning or copying. An all-in-one printer that scans and copies is the usual pick for a family.
How does ShopBack lower the price of a printer?
Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. The live rate is on each store's ShopBack page.
Key takeaways
- Pick the printer type first: ink tank for steady color, HP Instant Ink for light regular printing, laser for lots of text.
- Epson says its latest EcoTank models include up to 3 years of ink at average home volumes.
- HP says unused Instant Ink pages roll over up to 3 times your monthly allowance on a monthly plan.
- Compare the same model at Best Buy, Staples and HP on final total, including bundled ink.
- Compare prices, look for a promo code, go through ShopBack US, then pay with your best rewards card.
Related reads
Go through ShopBack US before you buy a printer at: Best Buy · Staples · HP · Newegg
About this guide
Printer guidance comes from Brother's printer buying guide, Epson's EcoTank page and HP's Instant Ink page, read at the time of writing. Printer and ink prices change daily, so this guide does not quote them and points to the live rate on each store's ShopBack page instead of stating one.
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Printer specifications, ink yields, subscription terms and prices are set by each manufacturer and retailer and change over time; savings claims are the makers' own and actual results vary. Cashback rates on ShopBack vary by store and over time and are shown on each store's ShopBack US page. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
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