Best Budget Printers for Australian Home Offices 2026
Setting up a home office in Australia? One of the most important (and most frustrating) purchases you'll make is choosing a printer. Get it right, and you'll enjoy years of reliable, affordable printing. Get it wrong, and you'll be haemorrhaging money on expensive ink cartridges.
In this guide, we've tested and compared the best budget printers for Australian home offices in 2026. We're not just looking at the purchase price — we're factoring in ongoing running costs, because that's where the real money goes.
How We Chose Our Picks
We evaluated each printer on:
- Purchase price — Under $400 AUD
- Running cost per page — Using both genuine and compatible cartridges
- Features — Wi-Fi, scanning, duplex, mobile printing
- Reliability — Based on user reviews and our testing
- Availability — Readily available from Australian retailers
Let's get into the picks.
Best Overall: Brother HL-L2350DW
Price: ~$149 AUD | Type: Mono Laser | Running Cost: 0.83c/page (compatible toner)
The Brother HL-L2350DW continues to be Australia's best-value printer for home offices. If you mainly print documents — and let's be honest, most home offices do — this is the printer to buy.
Why We Love It
- Incredibly cheap to run — Compatible TN-2450 toner costs ~$25 and prints 3,000 pages (0.83c/page)
- Fast — 30 pages per minute
- Automatic duplex — Saves paper with double-sided printing
- Wi-Fi built in — Print from any device on your network
- Reliable — Brother's laser printers are workhorses that rarely break down
- Compact — Fits comfortably on a desk or shelf
Limitations
- Mono only — no colour printing
- No scanner or copier (it's a print-only machine)
- No touchscreen
Who It's For
Anyone who primarily prints documents, letters, invoices, and forms. If you need colour occasionally, you can always use a local print shop or office supply store.
Buy compatible TN-2450 toner from FetchInk — just $25 for 3,000 pages.
Best All-in-One: Brother MFC-L2713DW
Price: ~$249 AUD | Type: Mono Laser All-in-One | Running Cost: 0.83c/page (compatible toner)
Need scanning, copying, and faxing as well as printing? The Brother MFC-L2713DW adds those features to the same excellent engine as the HL-L2350DW.
Why We Love It
- Same cheap running costs — Uses TN-2450 toner (0.83c/page compatible)
- Scan, copy, and fax — True all-in-one functionality
- Automatic document feeder (ADF) — Scan multi-page documents without babysitting
- 34 pages per minute — Even faster than the HL-L2350DW
- Wi-Fi and mobile printing — AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Brother iPrint&Scan
Limitations
- Still mono only
- Bulkier than the HL-L2350DW
- Fax functionality is increasingly irrelevant
Who It's For
Home office workers who need to scan documents regularly — contracts, receipts, tax paperwork. The ADF is a genuine time-saver.
Compatible TN-2450 toner available at FetchInk from $25.
Best Budget Colour Laser: Brother HL-L3230CDW
Price: ~$349 AUD | Type: Colour Laser | Running Cost: 3.5c/page colour (compatible toner)
If you need colour printing without the outrageous running costs of inkjet, the Brother HL-L3230CDW is the sweet spot.
Why We Love It
- Affordable colour laser — Under $350 for a colour laser is excellent value
- Cheap with compatible toner — TN-253/TN-257 compatible set from ~$89 at FetchInk
- 24 pages per minute (colour and mono)
- Automatic duplex — Double-sided colour printing
- Wi-Fi and mobile printing
- Toner doesn't dry out — Unlike inkjet, you can leave it unused for months
Limitations
- Not ideal for photo printing (laser isn't great for photos)
- Print-only — no scanner or copier
- Separate drum units add to maintenance costs (but drums last 18,000+ pages)
Who It's For
Home offices that need colour for presentations, charts, marketing materials, and colour-coded documents, but don't want to pay inkjet running costs.
Browse compatible TN-253/TN-257 toner at FetchInk.
Best Budget Inkjet All-in-One: Epson WorkForce WF-2950
Price: ~$129 AUD | Type: Colour Inkjet All-in-One | Running Cost: 3–5c/page (compatible ink)
If you need colour printing, scanning, and the lowest possible purchase price, the Epson WF-2950 is a solid choice.
Why We Love It
- Cheap to buy — Under $130 for a full-featured all-in-one
- Scan, copy, and fax — Everything you need
- Compatible ink available — 604XL compatible cartridges from FetchInk cut costs significantly
- Wi-Fi and mobile printing — Epson iPrint, AirPrint, Google Cloud Print
- Automatic duplex — Saves paper
- ADF — Scan multi-page documents automatically
Limitations
- Inkjet running costs are higher than laser (even with compatibles)
- Ink can dry out if left unused for weeks
- Slower than laser printers
- Print head issues can occur over time
Who It's For
Budget-conscious home offices that need colour printing and scanning. Best for light to moderate printing volumes (under 200 pages/month).
604XL compatible ink from FetchInk — full set from ~$35.
Best for High-Volume Colour: Epson EcoTank ET-2800
Price: ~$349 AUD | Type: Colour Ink Tank | Running Cost: Under 1c/page
If you print a lot of colour — photos, school projects, marketing materials — ink tank printers are a game-changer. The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 comes with enough ink to print 4,500 pages out of the box.
Why We Love It
- Absurdly cheap running costs — Under 1 cent per page for colour
- Included ink bottles print thousands of pages — no immediate cartridge purchase needed
- No cartridges to replace — Just pour in ink bottles when needed (~$20 per bottle, 7,500+ pages)
- Wi-Fi and mobile printing
- Scan and copy
Limitations
- Higher upfront cost than cartridge-based inkjets
- Slower printing (10.5 ppm colour)
- Ink can dry in the print head if unused for extended periods
- Print quality is good but not exceptional for photos
Who It's For
Families and home offices that print heavily, especially colour documents and photos. The upfront cost pays for itself within the first year compared to cartridge-based inkjets.
Best for Mac Users: HP LaserJet Pro M404dn
Price: ~$399 AUD | Type: Mono Laser | Running Cost: 0.9c/page (compatible toner)
The HP M404dn is a solid mono laser that integrates beautifully with macOS and iOS via AirPrint. It's at the top of our budget range but delivers excellent quality and reliability.
Why We Love It
- Excellent Mac integration — Seamless AirPrint support
- High-yield toner available — CF258X compatible from FetchInk prints 10,000 pages (~$55)
- Fast — 38 pages per minute
- Automatic duplex
- Professional print quality — 1200x1200 dpi
Limitations
- Ethernet only (no Wi-Fi) — you'll need to connect via cable or use a print server
- Mono only
- HP Dynamic Security can block some compatible cartridges (buy from trusted suppliers)
- At the top of the budget range
Who It's For
Mac-based home offices that need a fast, reliable mono laser. The high-yield toner option makes it very economical for moderate to heavy printing.
CF258X compatible toner from FetchInk — 10,000 pages for ~$55.
Running Cost Comparison Table
Here's how the running costs stack up across all our picks (using compatible cartridges from FetchInk):
| Printer | Purchase Price | Cartridge | Compatible Price | Pages | Cost/Page | |---------|---------------|-----------|-----------------|-------|-----------| | Brother HL-L2350DW | $149 | TN-2450 | $25 | 3,000 | 0.83c | | Brother MFC-L2713DW | $249 | TN-2450 | $25 | 3,000 | 0.83c | | Brother HL-L3230CDW | $349 | TN-253/257 set | $89 | 2,500+ | ~3.5c | | Epson WF-2950 | $129 | 604XL set | $35 | 500+ | ~5c | | Epson EcoTank ET-2800 | $349 | 003 bottles | $20 | 7,500 | <0.3c | | HP M404dn | $399 | CF258X | $55 | 10,000 | 0.55c |
What About Canon?
Canon makes excellent printers, but their 2026 budget range in Australia is slightly less competitive than Brother and Epson at the sub-$400 price point. The Canon imageCLASS LBP223dw ($299) is a solid mono laser using CART-057 toner, but the Brother HL-L2350DW offers better value.
For Canon cartridges and printers, check our Canon brand page.
Tips for Getting the Most from Your Budget Printer
1. Always Buy Compatible Cartridges
The biggest ongoing expense is cartridges. Switching from genuine to compatible saves 50–80% with no noticeable quality difference for document printing. FetchInk stocks compatible cartridges for all the printers in this guide.
2. Buy High-Yield Cartridges
Always choose the XL or high-yield option. The cost per page is significantly lower.
3. Use Draft Mode for Internal Documents
Draft mode uses less ink/toner and prints faster. Save the high-quality setting for documents you're sending externally.
4. Print Double-Sided
All our picks support automatic duplex printing. Use it to halve your paper costs.
5. Don't Let Inkjets Sit Idle
If you have an inkjet printer, print at least a test page every week or two to prevent the ink from drying in the print head. This doesn't apply to laser printers.
6. Stock Up on Cartridges
Buy cartridges in advance so you're never caught short. FetchInk ships Australia-wide for $18 flat rate, or free on orders over $150 AUD.
Where to Buy Printer Cartridges in Australia
Once you've chosen your printer, you'll need a reliable source for cartridges. FetchInk is a Perth-based Australian business offering:
- Genuine and compatible cartridges for all major brands
- $18 flat-rate shipping Australia-wide (free over $150)
- Quality guarantee on all compatible cartridges
- Printer Finder tool to find the right cartridge for your model
- Fast dispatch — most orders shipped within 24 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest printer to run in Australia in 2026?
For mono printing, the Brother HL-L2350DW with compatible TN-2450 toner costs just 0.83 cents per page. For colour, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 costs under 0.3 cents per page with refillable ink bottles.
Should I buy a laser or inkjet printer for my home office?
If you mainly print documents, buy a laser printer — it's cheaper to run, faster, and the toner won't dry out. If you need colour printing (photos, marketing materials), consider an ink tank printer for the lowest running costs, or an inkjet all-in-one for the lowest upfront cost.
Are Brother printers good for home offices?
Yes, Brother is one of the best brands for home office printing in Australia. Their mono laser printers are affordable, reliable, and very cheap to run with compatible toner. The HL-L2350DW is our top recommendation.
How much should I budget for a home office printer?
$149–$349 will get you an excellent home office printer. The more important consideration is running costs — a $149 laser printer with $25 compatible toner is far cheaper over time than a $49 inkjet with $80 genuine ink cartridges.
Can I use compatible cartridges in a new printer without voiding the warranty?
Yes. Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. The ACCC has confirmed that manufacturers cannot require you to use their own consumables as a warranty condition.