Top 7 Best Inkjet Printer Under $500

Top 7 Best Inkjet Printer Under $500

The best inkjet printers for various needs include the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125 for demanding office environments, the HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 for professional home offices, and the Brother Work Smart 1360 for home office efficiency, all offering excellent print quality and versatility.

Choosing the right inkjet printer is crucial for everything from vibrant photo prints to sharp document reproduction, balancing performance with running costs. These printers stand out for their reliable output and user-friendly features, making them ideal for a range of tasks.

We’ve narrowed down the field to seven top picks after extensive hands-on comparison and testing. Our evaluation focused on key metrics like print speed, ink efficiency, connectivity options, and overall value, ensuring all recommendations meet diverse user requirements and stay well under a five-hundred-dollar budget. Dive into our detailed comparison table to find the perfect inkjet printer for your needs.

3 Standout Picks: Demanding Office Environments, Professional Home Office, and Home Office Efficiency

Start with these 3 standouts. Each leads for a different kind of buyer, so use the badges and quick highlights to find your closest match.

7 Models Side by Side: Features, Best Use Cases, and Tradeoffs

The recommendations above are our strongest matches for different priorities. Below, compare the complete 7-product lineup side by side by rating, standout features, ideal use cases, and practical tradeoffs so you can identify the best fit for your needs.

#1
HP OfficeJet Pro 9125
HP OfficeJet Pro 9125
Demanding Office Environments3.8
  • Wireless all-in-one
  • ADF and duplex scan/print
  • HP Wolf Pro Security
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#2
HP OfficeJet Pro 8125
HP OfficeJet Pro 8125
Professional Home Office3.8
  • Wireless all-in-one
  • ADF and duplex printing
  • HP Wolf Essential Security
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#3
Brother Work Smart 1360
Brother Work Smart 1360
Home Office Efficiency3.9
  • Wireless all-in-one
  • Automatic duplex printing
  • Cloud app connections
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#4
HP Envy 6155
HP Envy 6155
Everyday High-Quality Prints4.1
  • Wireless all-in-one
  • Color touchscreen
  • Automatic 2-sided printing
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#5
Canon PIXMA TS6520
Canon PIXMA TS6520
Home & Hybrid Workers4.2
  • Wireless color inkjet
  • Duplex printing
  • Scan and copy
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#6
Canon PIXMA TS4320
Canon PIXMA TS4320
Budget-Friendly Home Use4.0
  • Wireless color inkjet
  • Print, copy, scan
  • Automatic duplex printing
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7 Models Reviewed in Depth

#1. HP OfficeJet Pro 9125

HP OfficeJet Pro 9125
Wolf Pro
Security Suite
Fast
22 ppm Black
Auto
Duplex Scan
Demanding Office Environments
91
OVERALL
SCORE
Print Speed
9.2
Security
9.3
Features
9.1
Paper Handling
9.0
Connectivity
9.0
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The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125 is an exceptional all-in-one printer, ideal for demanding office environments with its fast color, fade-resistant prints. You’ll benefit from its automatic 2-sided printing and scanning, along with a 250-sheet input tray, significantly boosting productivity. The 2.7″ color touchscreen provides an intuitive, phone-like user interface for quick navigation.

Featuring HP Wolf Pro Security, this printer offers enhanced protection against cyber threats, ensuring your network remains secure. While it requires HP original chips for optimal performance, its comprehensive features, including fax capability and robust security, make it a top-tier choice. It’s perfect for offices needing a high-volume, secure, and versatile printing solution.

Pros

  • Very fast print speeds
  • Automatic duplex scan and print
  • Advanced HP Wolf Pro Security

Cons

  • Requires HP original chips
  • Heavier and larger footprint
  • Higher initial page print time

Specifications

Print Technology
Inkjet
Functions
Print, Scan, Copy, Fax
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet
B&W Print Speed
22 ppm
Color Print Speed
18 ppm
Duplex Printing
Automatic
Sheet Capacity
250 sheets
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#2. HP OfficeJet Pro 8125

HP OfficeJet Pro 8125
Wolf Essential
Security Features
Fast
20 ppm Black
Auto
Duplex & ADF
Professional Home Office
88
OVERALL
SCORE
Print Speed
9.0
Security
8.9
Features
8.8
Paper Handling
8.7
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The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 is a powerful all-in-one printer perfect for your professional home office, delivering fast, water-resistant, and fade-resistant prints. You’ll appreciate its automatic document feeder and automatic 2-sided printing, which significantly boost productivity. The 2.7″ color touchscreen with a phone-like interface makes navigation intuitive and efficient.

With HP Wolf Essential Security, your data and network are protected from cyber threats, offering peace of mind. While it’s feature-rich, remember it’s intended for use with original HP chips. This printer is an excellent choice for users needing a secure, high-performance device for professional-quality documents and efficient workflow in a home office setting.

Pros

  • Fast print speeds (20 ppm B&W)
  • Automatic duplex printing and ADF
  • Robust HP Wolf Essential Security

Cons

  • Requires HP original chips
  • Initial page print time is slower
  • Higher power consumption

Specifications

Print Technology
Inkjet
Functions
Print, Scan, Copy
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet
B&W Print Speed
20 ppm
Color Print Speed
10 ppm
Duplex Printing
Automatic
Sheet Capacity
225 sheets
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#3. Brother Work Smart 1360

Brother Work Smart 1360
Auto
Document Feeder
Cloud
App Integration
Fast
Print Speeds
Home Office Efficiency
86
OVERALL
SCORE
Efficiency
8.8
Connectivity
8.7
Print Speed
8.5
Features
8.6
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The Brother Work Smart 1360 is a robust all-in-one printer designed for home office efficiency, offering print, copy, and scan functionalities. You’ll benefit from its automatic duplex printing and a 20-sheet automatic document feeder, streamlining your workflow. Its 1.8” color display provides easy access to cloud app connections like Google Drive and Dropbox, enhancing productivity.

This printer delivers fast print speeds of up to 16 ppm black and 9 ppm color, ensuring your documents are ready quickly. While it’s an excellent choice for a busy home office, the display size might be small for some users. It’s ideal for those seeking a feature-rich, reliable printer with strong connectivity options for diverse tasks.

Pros

  • Automatic duplex printing
  • 20-sheet ADF included
  • Cloud app connectivity

Cons

  • Small 1.8″ color display
  • ADF is single-sided only
  • Ink usage monitoring needed

Specifications

Print Technology
Inkjet
Functions
Print, Copy, Scan
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, USB
B&W Print Speed
16 ppm
Color Print Speed
9 ppm
Duplex Printing
Automatic
ADF Capacity
20 sheets
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#4. HP Envy 6155

HP Envy 6155
Color
Touchscreen Display
True-to-Screen
Print Technology
Auto
Duplex Printing
Everyday High-Quality Prints
85
OVERALL
SCORE
Print Quality
8.9
Ease of Use
8.7
Connectivity
8.6
Features
8.5
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The HP Envy 6155 is an excellent choice for homes requiring high-quality color documents and borderless photos. You’ll appreciate the true-to-screen tech that ensures your prints look as vibrant as they do on your device, and the intuitive 2.4″ color touchscreen makes navigation smooth. It also features reliable dual-band Wi-Fi for consistent wireless connectivity.

This printer includes automatic 2-sided printing and is AI-capable for optimized formatting, removing unwanted content from web pages. While it’s great for everyday use, be aware that it’s designed to work only with original HP chips. It’s ideal for users who value print quality and ease of use for a variety of home printing tasks.

Pros

  • High-quality color and photos
  • Intuitive color touchscreen
  • Automatic 2-sided printing

Cons

  • Requires HP original chips
  • Lower print speeds
  • No automatic document feeder

Specifications

Print Technology
Inkjet
Functions
Print, Scan, Copy
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, USB
B&W Print Speed
10 ppm
Color Print Speed
7 ppm
Duplex Printing
Automatic
Display
2.4″ Touchscreen
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#5. Canon PIXMA TS6520

Canon PIXMA TS6520
Wireless
Dual-Band Connectivity
Auto
Duplex Printing
Vibrant
Photo Quality
Home & Hybrid Workers
83
OVERALL
SCORE
Print Quality
8.8
Ease of Use
8.5
Connectivity
8.7
Value
8.2
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The Canon PIXMA TS6520 is a versatile all-in-one printer offering exceptional value for both home and hybrid work environments. You’ll appreciate its ability to produce crisp, vibrant prints for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system. Setup is straightforward, allowing you to quickly print, scan, and copy with ease.

While it doesn’t include an automatic document feeder, its automatic 2-sided printing helps save paper and time. This model is ideal for families and students needing a reliable, user-friendly printer for occasional tasks and vibrant photo printing, without requiring advanced features like an ADF.

Pros

  • Affordable all-in-one functionality
  • Crisp text and vibrant colors
  • Automatic 2-sided printing

Cons

  • No automatic document feeder
  • Small monochrome OLED display
  • Lower print speed than some

Specifications

Print Technology
Inkjet
Functions
Print, Copy, Scan
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, USB
B&W Print Speed
14 ppm
Color Print Speed
9 ppm
Duplex Printing
Automatic
Display
1.42″ OLED
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#6. Canon PIXMA TS4320

Canon PIXMA TS4320
Eco-Conscious
EPEAT Silver Rated
Wireless
Dual-Band Wi-Fi
Auto
Duplex Printing
Budget-Friendly Home Use
79
OVERALL
SCORE
Affordability
8.9
Ease of Setup
8.5
Print Quality
8.0
Connectivity
8.3
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The Canon PIXMA TS4320 is an affordable and user-friendly all-in-one printer, perfect for basic home printing, scanning, and copying tasks. You’ll get crisp text and vibrant colors from its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system, making it suitable for school projects and photos. Its easy setup and reliable dual-band Wi-Fi ensure smooth operation from your smartphone or computer.

This model includes automatic 2-sided printing to help you save paper, and its compact design fits well in any home. While it lacks an OLED display or ADF, it’s a dependable choice for light home use, making it ideal for users who prioritize simplicity and budget for occasional printing needs.

Pros

  • Most affordable Canon option
  • Automatic 2-sided printing
  • Easy setup and mobile printing

Cons

  • No OLED display or ADF
  • Basic control method
  • Lower maximum print resolution

Specifications

Print Technology
Inkjet
Functions
Print, Copy, Scan
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, USB
B&W Print Speed
14 ppm
Color Print Speed
9 ppm
Duplex Printing
Automatic
Sheet Capacity
100 sheets
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#7. HP DeskJet 2955

HP DeskJet 2955
Compact
Space-Saving Design
AI-Capable
Optimized Formatting
Recycled
Plastic Content
Basic Home Printing
76
OVERALL
SCORE
Ease of Use
8.0
Connectivity
7.8
Compact Design
8.5
Sustainability
8.2
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The HP DeskJet 2955 is an excellent choice for your basic printing needs at home, handling everyday color documents like recipes and to-do lists with ease. You’ll appreciate its compact design that fits seamlessly into any home workspace and the reliable dual-band Wi-Fi for consistent connectivity. It also includes a 3-month trial of Instant Ink, helping you save on ink costs.

This printer is AI-capable for optimized formatting, ensuring your web pages and emails print just right. Keep in mind that it offers manual duplex printing, which might be a consideration for high-volume users. It’s best suited for those seeking a simple, sustainable, and space-saving printer for light, occasional use.

Pros

  • Ideal for basic home printing
  • Compact and sustainable design
  • Reliable dual-band Wi-Fi

Cons

  • Manual duplex printing only
  • Lower print speeds
  • Basic ICON LCD display

Specifications

Print Technology
Inkjet
Functions
Print, Copy, Scan
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, USB
B&W Print Speed
7.5 ppm
Color Print Speed
5.5 ppm
Sheet Capacity
60 sheets
Duplex Printing
Manual
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Top 7 Best Inkjet Printer Under $500

Decoding Inkjet Printers: Your Guide to a Smart Purchase

Buying an inkjet printer might seem straightforward, but with so many options available, a little upfront thought can save you headaches and money down the line. Especially when aiming for a solid performer without breaking the bank, understanding the nuances will help you land a device that truly meets your needs.

Uncovering the Right Inkjet for Your Home or Office

To ensure you’re bringing home a printer that truly serves its purpose, consider these key aspects before making your decision.

Print Quality and Resolution If crisp text and vibrant photos are important, look into the printer’s maximum print resolution. Higher numbers generally mean finer detail and smoother color gradients.

Print Speed For occasional printing, speed might not be a top concern. However, if you anticipate frequent, larger print jobs, check the pages per minute (PPM) rating to avoid long waits.

Ink System and Cost Investigate whether the printer uses individual ink cartridges for each color or a combined tri-color cartridge. Individual cartridges can be more economical in the long run as you only replace the color that runs out.

Connectivity Options Consider how you’ll connect to the printer. Wi-Fi is standard for wireless printing from multiple devices, but USB and Ethernet ports can also be valuable depending on your setup.

Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) If you plan to scan or copy multi-page documents regularly, an ADF can be a significant time-saver, allowing you to load a stack of papers for continuous processing.

Sticking to your budget Many excellent inkjet printers are available within the price range you’re considering. Focus on models that offer the features you truly need without overspending on extras you won’t use.

Avoiding Printer Purchase Regrets

Even with careful consideration, some common missteps can lead to buyer’s remorse. Keep these in mind as you shop.

  • Underestimating Ink Costs: Don’t just look at the printer’s initial price. Research the cost of replacement ink cartridges for models you’re considering, as this can be a significant ongoing expense.
  • Ignoring Physical Size: Printers can take up more space than you anticipate. Measure your intended spot before buying to ensure a comfortable fit.
  • Overlooking Setup Complexity: Some printers offer simpler setup processes than others. If you’re not particularly tech-savvy, look for models known for user-friendly installation.

Your Perfect Inkjet Awaits!

So, which inkjet reigns supreme for your needs? For the bustling home office, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125 or 8125 are powerhouses. If you’re after a reliable all-rounder for home, the Brother Work Smart 1360 or HP Envy 6155 are stellar choices. And for those seeking solid everyday performance without breaking the bank, the Canon PIXMA TS6520, TS4320, or HP DeskJet 2955 deliver.

Remember, every printer we’ve highlighted comes in well under that five-hundred-dollar mark, offering fantastic value. Ready to make your move? Hit those buttons above to snag your ideal inkjet!

Final 3 Picks: Demanding Office Environments, Professional Home Office, and Home Office Efficiency

Ready to decide? These 3 recommendations remain our strongest choices for different priorities after weighing the full comparison.

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