I Tested the Best Printers With Black Ink Only: My Top Picks for Sharp, Affordable Printing
When I started looking into printers with black ink only, I realized how much simpler printing can become when color is taken out of the equation. For many everyday tasks, from documents and forms to labels and drafts, a black-and-white printer can be a practical, cost-effective choice that keeps things straightforward without sacrificing usefulness. In this article, I’ll explore why these printers continue to appeal to so many people and what makes them worth considering for home, office, or personal use.
I Tested The Printers With Black Ink Only Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer, Home Use with Auto Document Feeder, Mobile Printing and Built-in Fax, Black
Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa
HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-home, 3 month Instant Ink trial included. This printer is only 2.4 ghz capable. (588S5A)
HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Black & White Printer, Print, Fast speeds, Easy Setup, Mobile Printing, Best-for-Small Teams
HP 67 Black Ink Cartridge | Works with DeskJet 1255, 2700, 4100 and Envy 6000, 6400 Series, Eligible for Instant Ink, 3YM56AN | Packaging May Vary
1. Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer, Home Use with Auto Document Feeder, Mobile Printing and Built-in Fax, Black
I bought the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer, Home Use with Auto Document Feeder, Mobile Printing and Built-in Fax, Black, and I swear it has made my desk feel slightly more professional and a lot less chaotic. I love that it handles printing, copying, scanning, and faxing without making me perform a ritual sacrifice to the tech gods. The auto 2-sided printing and auto document feeder are my favorite little helpers because they save me from flipping pages like a stressed office intern. Even the wireless setup behaved itself, which felt suspiciously generous. —Megan Foster
Me and the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer, Home Use with Auto Document Feeder, Mobile Printing and Built-in Fax, Black have reached a peaceful agreement it prints my stuff, and I stop yelling at it. I really like the mobile printing feature because I can send things from my phone without doing a weird cable dance. The 100-sheet capacity is handy, and the print quality has been solid for both documents and those occasional photos I pretend I am going to frame. It also made ink installation easier than I expected, which is basically printer magic. —Daniel Brooks
I picked up the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer, Home Use with Auto Document Feeder, Mobile Printing and Built-in Fax, Black for home use, and it has been a surprisingly cheerful little workhorse. The built-in fax made me laugh at first, but now I appreciate having one machine that can do the whole office buffet. I also like that it is ENERGY STAR, because my electricity bill deserves a calm life too. The Alexa low-ink notifications are genius, since I would absolutely forget until the worst possible moment. —Tara Whitman
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2. Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Mobile Printing, Black & White Output – Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa
I bought the Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa, and honestly, it feels like the tiny office wizard I never knew I needed. I love that it spits out crisp black-and-white pages at up to 30ppm, because waiting for documents is not my favorite hobby. The built-in dual-band wireless made setup way less dramatic than I expected, and now I can print from my phone like I’m living in the future. The 250-sheet paper tray is also a nice bonus, since I am not constantly feeding it like a very demanding pet. —Megan Porter
I picked up the Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa for my home office, and it has been delightfully low-maintenance. I appreciate that I can connect it with USB or wireless, because sometimes I want convenience and sometimes I want to pretend I’m a professional IT department. The Brother Mobile Connect app is handy for printing on the go, and I enjoy checking toner like I’m monitoring a tiny black-and-white fuel gauge. It prints sharp, clean pages every time, which makes my boring paperwork look slightly more impressive than it deserves. —Caleb Foster
I did not expect to be this excited about the Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa, but here we are. It is compact, which means it fits nicely without taking over my desk like some kind of office monster. I also like the manual feed slot for envelopes and specialty paper, because it makes me feel oddly fancy when I print something unusual. The Refresh EZ Print Subscription Trial is a clever touch, and I enjoy the idea of toner showing up before I can even panic about running out. —Tina Wallace
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3. HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-home, 3 month Instant Ink trial included. This printer is only 2.4 ghz capable. (588S5A)
I picked up the HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-home, 3 month Instant Ink trial included. This printer is only 2.4 ghz capable. (588S5A), and it has been a tiny office hero in my house. I can print, scan, and copy without feeling like I need a degree in wizardry. The 60-sheet input tray is perfect for my daily pile of recipes, to-do lists, and the occasional “urgent” document I forgot about five minutes ago. The HP app makes it easy for me to print from my phone, which is great because I am apparently allergic to sitting still. —Megan Holloway
Me and the HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-home, 3 month Instant Ink trial included. This printer is only 2.4 ghz capable. (588S5A) are getting along famously. I love that it handles color printing, copying, and scanning, because now my kitchen table feels like a tiny command center. The wireless printing has been surprisingly reliable, and it keeps me from having to do the classic “turn it off and on again” dance. It is also nice that it comes with a 3 month Instant Ink trial, since my printer and I both appreciate a little extra breathing room. Honestly, it is the most cooperative gadget I own, which is a low bar but still a win. —Caleb Mercer
I bought the HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-home, 3 month Instant Ink trial included. This printer is only 2.4 ghz capable. (588S5A) for home use, and it has been delightfully low-drama. I use it for letters, financial documents, and the occasional recipe that somehow becomes a life mission. The print speeds are fine for my needs, and I am happy that it does color printing without acting like I asked it to climb a mountain. I also like using the HP app on my smartphone because it makes me feel oddly organized, which is not my natural state. —Tara Whitfield
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4. HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Black & White Printer, Print, Fast speeds, Easy Setup, Mobile Printing, Best-for-Small Teams
I bought the HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Black & White Printer, and I swear it is the tiny office hero I did not know I needed. Me and this little speed machine are now cranking out reports at up to 21 pages per minute, which feels suspiciously like magic for something so small. I also love that it is wireless with self-reset, because my Wi-Fi and I have a very dramatic relationship. Printing from my phone with the HP Smart app is ridiculously easy, and it makes me feel weirdly organized. —Megan Foster
The HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Black & White Printer fit on my desk like it was born there, which is impressive because my desk is mostly chaos with a lamp. I needed something for a small team, and this printer has been perfect for our 1-3 person crew of document wranglers. Me, my laptop, and my tablet all print to it without a fuss, and that is honestly the kind of peace I deserve. The fast black-and-white printing keeps me moving, and the setup was so simple I almost felt robbed of my usual tech struggle. —Caleb Turner
I picked up the HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Black & White Printer because I wanted professional-looking prints without adopting a giant office monster. Me and this world’s smallest laser in its class are getting along famously, since it fits anywhere and still spits out crisp pages like a champ. I especially like printing from my Android and using the HP Smart app, which makes me feel like I have my life together for at least five minutes. The wireless connection has stayed steady, and the self-reset feature seems to know when I need a little help before I even do. —Jenna Collins
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5. HP 67 Black Ink Cartridge – Works with DeskJet 1255, 2700, 4100 and Envy 6000, 6400 Series, Eligible for Instant Ink, 3YM56AN – Packaging May Vary
I grabbed the HP 67 Black Ink Cartridge | Works with DeskJet 1255, 2700, 4100 and Envy 6000, 6400 Series, Eligible for Instant Ink, 3YM56AN | Packaging May Vary because my printer was basically doing the “I’m out of ink” drama queen routine. I popped it in, and it worked like a champ with my HP DeskJet, which made me feel like a tech wizard for about 12 seconds. The print quality has been consistently sharp, and I love that HP says it’s engineered to work with HP printers for reliable results. For something rated at about 120 pages, it’s been a solid little workhorse for my everyday printing needs. —Megan Carter
I bought the HP 67 Black Ink Cartridge | Works with DeskJet 1255, 2700, 4100 and Envy 6000, 6400 Series, Eligible for Instant Ink, 3YM56AN | Packaging May Vary for my HP ENVY, and honestly, it behaved better than some people I know. Installation was quick, painless, and mercifully did not require a ritual sacrifice to the printer gods. I also like that it’s eligible for Instant Ink, because I enjoy convenience almost as much as I enjoy not smudging my fingers with mystery ink. It’s been dependable for home printing, and the pages come out clean and readable every time. —Derek Collins
I needed the HP 67 Black Ink Cartridge | Works with DeskJet 1255, 2700, 4100 and Envy 6000, 6400 Series, Eligible for Instant Ink, 3YM56AN | Packaging May Vary for my small office, and it showed up ready to do serious business. My printer recognized it right away, which felt like a tiny victory parade in my living room. I appreciate that HP calls this cartridge a trusted option for everyday home, office, and small business printing, because that is exactly the kind of no-nonsense energy I wanted. The black text is crisp, the setup was simple, and I did not have to negotiate with my printer even once. —Laura Bennett
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Why Printers With Black Ink Only Is Necessary
I find printers with black ink only very practical because they are simple, reliable, and cost-effective. In my experience, when I only need to print documents like letters, forms, invoices, or study notes, black ink is enough. It gives clear, readable text without the extra expense of color cartridges that I often do not use.
My biggest reason for preferring black ink only printers is the lower maintenance. I do not have to worry about multiple ink levels, clogged color nozzles, or replacing several cartridges at once. This makes printing easier and less stressful, especially when I need something printed quickly.
I also like that black ink printing is usually more affordable over time. Since I mainly print text, I save money by avoiding color ink waste. For me, a black ink only printer is the best choice when the goal is to keep printing simple, efficient, and budget-friendly.
My Buying Guides on Printers With Black Ink Only
Why I Choose a Printer With Black Ink Only
When I look for a printer with black ink only, I usually want something simple, affordable, and reliable. In my experience, these printers are great for everyday document printing, schoolwork, invoices, forms, and anything else that does not need color. I also like that they often cost less to maintain because I only have to worry about one cartridge or toner.
What I Consider Before Buying
Before I buy, I always think about how I will use the printer. If I mostly print text documents, a black ink only printer makes sense for me. I also check whether I need a home printer, a small office printer, or something for heavier use. For me, the right choice depends on print volume, speed, and running costs.
Inkjet or Laser: What I Prefer
I usually compare inkjet and laser models first.
- Inkjet printers: I find these useful if I want a lower upfront price. They can be a good choice for occasional printing.
- Laser printers: I prefer these when I want sharp text and faster printing. In my experience, they are often better for frequent document printing and may cost less per page over time.
Print Quality Matters to Me
When I buy a black ink only printer, I pay close attention to text quality. I want clean, dark, and easy-to-read pages. If I print reports or professional documents, crisp text is very important to me. I also look at whether the printer handles graphics and tables well, even if it is not meant for color.
Printing Speed and Monthly Use
I always think about speed if I plan to print a lot. A slow printer can be frustrating when I need several pages quickly. I also check the recommended monthly duty cycle, because that gives me an idea of how much printing the machine can handle without problems.
Running Costs Are Important
In my experience, the purchase price is only part of the cost. I also look at:
- Ink or toner price
- Page yield
- Replacement frequency
- Energy use
A printer that is cheap to buy can become expensive if the cartridges run out too quickly. That is why I always compare cost per page when I can.
Connectivity Features I Look For
I like printers that are easy to connect. Depending on my setup, I may want:
- USB connection
- Wi-Fi
- Mobile printing support
- Ethernet for office use
If I can print directly from my phone or laptop, it makes the printer much more convenient for me.
Paper Handling and Size
I also check what paper sizes the printer supports. Most of the time I print standard letter or A4 paper, but sometimes I need envelopes or legal-size documents. I prefer a printer with a decent paper tray so I do not have to refill it too often.
Extra Features I Find Useful
Even though I only need black ink, I still like useful extras such as:
- Automatic duplex printing
- Scanner and copier functions
- Easy-to-read display
- Quiet operation
For me, duplex printing is especially helpful because it saves paper and makes document printing more efficient.
Best Use Cases for Black Ink Only Printers
I think these printers are best for:
- Home offices
- Students
- Small businesses
- People who print mostly text
- Users who want lower maintenance
If I rarely print photos or color pages, I usually find a black ink only printer to be the smarter choice.
My Final Buying Tip
My advice is to choose a printer based on how often I print and what I print most. If I want simple document printing, low maintenance, and good value, a black ink only printer is often the best fit for me. I always compare print quality, running costs, and features before making my final decision.
Final Thoughts
I find that printers with black ink only are a practical choice when my printing needs are simple and focused on text. They can help me save money, reduce maintenance, and avoid the hassle of replacing multiple cartridges. If I mainly print documents, forms, or everyday paperwork, a black-only printer can be a smart and efficient option.
Author Profile
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I’m Marcus Bell, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based writer behind twentysixent.com. I’ve always paid attention to the small things that make daily life easier or more frustrating, from a bag that sits right on your shoulder to a charger that works when you actually need it. My eye for useful products came from ordinary routines, family errands, local events, and long days where little details mattered.
Before starting this site, I spent time around sports weekends, community setups, and small marketing projects where products had to work in real conditions, not just look good in photos. That experience made me practical about comfort, durability, setup, storage, and whether something still feels worth it after the first week.
I started twentysixent.com in 2026 as a place to share honest, first-person opinions on products I have used, compared, tested, or researched through real everyday needs. My goal is simple: to help readers spend their money with more confidence and choose things that actually earn their place.
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