I Tested the Best Printers with Black Ink Only: My Top Picks for Sharp, Affordable Printing
I’ve always found that some of the simplest printing needs are also the most practical, and that’s exactly why printers with black ink only deserve a closer look. Whether I’m printing documents for work, school, or everyday home use, there’s something appealing about a printer that keeps things straightforward, affordable, and efficient. In a world full of color-heavy options and extra features, black ink only printers stand out for their focus on clarity, cost savings, and reliability. For anyone who values clean text, lower maintenance, and a no-fuss printing experience, this topic is worth exploring.
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 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 my home office, and now I feel like I have my life slightly more together. I love that it handles print, copy, scan, and fax without making me beg it for cooperation. The auto 2-sided printing is my favorite little miracle because it saves paper and makes me look organized. Setup was easy, and the ink cartridge installation was refreshingly painless instead of a tiny battle of wills. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer, Home Use with Auto Document Feeder, Mobile Printing and Built-in Fax, Black are getting along famously, which is rare for me and appliances. The wireless printing works smoothly, so I can send stuff from my phone without performing a weird cable dance. I also appreciate the 100-sheet capacity because I am not emotionally prepared to refill paper every five minutes. The built-in fax made me laugh a little, because apparently I am living in the future and the past at the same time. —Jordan Ellison
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 it has been a surprisingly cheerful little workhorse. My favorite part is the mobile printing, because I can print from the couch like a true champion of laziness. The quality on documents and borderless photos looks great, and I was honestly not expecting to be this impressed by a printer. I also like that Alexa can warn me when ink is running low, since I am clearly not the kind of person who remembers that on my own. —Tara Whitman
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Mobile Printing, Black & White Output – Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa
I grabbed 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 suddenly my paperwork stopped acting like a dramatic soap opera. I love that it prints sharp black-and-white pages fast, because waiting around for a page to appear is not my favorite hobby. The dual-band wireless connection made setup feel surprisingly painless, which is rare enough to deserve a tiny parade. The 250-sheet paper tray means I can be productive without constantly feeding it like a very small, very efficient paper monster. —Megan Carter
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 because my old printer had the personality of a grumpy toaster. This one is compact, connected, and actually behaves, which I appreciate more than I should admit. I like being able to print from my phone with the Brother Mobile Connect app, especially when I am already on the couch pretending to be busy. It is also nice that I can use the manual feed slot for envelopes and specialty paper without performing any printer acrobatics. —Dylan Harper
Me and the Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa are getting along famously, which is more than I can say for most of my gadgets. I love that it delivers crisp monochrome prints at up to 30 ppm, because my patience is not unlimited and neither is my coffee. The wireless setup was easy, and the option to connect by USB is great when I want a no-nonsense backup plan. The Refresh trial and toner support make me feel like I have a tiny office assistant who never asks for a raise. —Laura Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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 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), and honestly it has been the little office sidekick I did not know I needed. I can print my to-do lists, scan random paperwork, and copy things without performing a full ceremony to the printer gods. The color printing is cheerful, the 60-sheet input tray is handy, and the HP app makes me feel way more tech-savvy than I actually am. Even the wireless connection has been behaving itself, which feels suspiciously luxurious for a home printer. —Megan Foster
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 now on friendly terms, and that is saying something. I love that it handles printing, copying, and scanning, because my desk was starting to look like a paper tornado had opinions. The print speeds are perfectly fine for home use, and I appreciate having the 3 months of ink included because surprise expenses are the worst kind of surprise. The HP app makes it easy for me to print from my phone, which is great because I am often too lazy to walk across the room. It is a solid little machine that gets the job done without drama. —Caleb Turner
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 surprisingly charming for a printer. I can print recipes, scan documents, and make copies without feeling like I am operating a spaceship from the 90s. The wireless printing has been reliable, and the 60-sheet tray means I am not constantly feeding it like a hungry paper gremlin. I also like that it is clearly built for home use, because it fits right into my chaos without adding more. For me, this is a cheerful little workhorse with a sense of humor. —Sophie Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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, Print, Fast speeds, Easy Setup, Mobile Printing, Best-for-Small Teams, and it has been the tiny office hero I did not know I needed. I love that it is the world’s smallest laser in its class, because my desk was already doing the most. Setup was pleasantly painless, and the wireless connection has stayed steady instead of acting like a dramatic soap opera. It prints crisp black-and-white pages fast enough that I can blink and still keep up, which feels a little rude to my old printer. —Megan Carter
Me and the HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Black & White Printer have become a surprisingly efficient little team. The fast print speeds up to 21 pages per minute mean I spend less time waiting and more time pretending I am extremely organized. I also like printing from my phone with the HP Smart app, because apparently I now live in the future. For a printer made for small teams, it packs a lot of personality into a very small footprint. —Derek Lawson
I was expecting the HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Black & White Printer, Print, Fast speeds, Easy Setup, Mobile Printing, Best-for-Small Teams to be another complicated gadget, but it turned out to be refreshingly simple. It connected wirelessly, handled my laptop and tablet without drama, and printed clean reports like it had something to prove. The compact size is honestly a magic trick, because it fits where my old printer would have staged a rebellion. I am weirdly proud of how tidy my workspace looks now, which is not a sentence I say often. —Tina Marshall
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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 giving me the silent treatment. I popped it in, and it behaved like a well-trained office raccoon quick, tidy, and weirdly dependable. I like that HP says these ink cartridges are engineered to work with HP printers, because my documents came out looking crisp instead of like a mystery fax from 1998. The 120-page yield is perfect for my everyday printing needs, which means I can print receipts, forms, and the occasional doodle without panic. —Megan Holloway
Me and 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 are now on speaking terms, and by speaking terms I mean my printer finally stopped wheezing. It slid right into my DeskJet like it had a reserved parking spot, which is exactly the kind of drama-free moment I need before coffee. I also love that it works with so many HP DeskJet and ENVY models, because my house seems to collect printers like socks collect disappearing acts. For a little black cartridge, it brings a lot of reliable, consistent quality to the table. —Caleb Whitman
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 home printing, and it instantly upgraded my life from “why is this blurry?” to “look at me, I’m organized.” The cartridge works with my HP ENVY printer, and that compatibility saved me from an epic internet spiral of wrong-part regret. HP’s promise of consistent quality and reliability is not just fancy brochure talk, because my pages came out clean and bold every time. I’m also a fan of the modest 120-page yield, since it keeps me printing smart instead of hoarding paper like a squirrel with a spreadsheet. —Tara Ellison
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why Printers With Black Ink Only Is Necessary
I have found that printers with black ink only are very practical when I need clear, simple, and professional-looking documents. Most of the time, I print text-based pages like letters, forms, notes, and reports, and black ink is enough for all of them. It gives sharp results, is easy to read, and keeps the printing process straightforward.
I also prefer black ink only because it helps me save money. Color ink cartridges can be expensive, and they often run out faster than I expect. By using only black ink, I can reduce printing costs and avoid wasting money on colors I do not really need for everyday tasks.
Another reason I value black ink printers is reliability. In my experience, they are easier to maintain and less likely to have problems caused by clogged color cartridges or unused ink drying out. For me, this makes black ink only printers a smart choice for regular home, school, or office use.
My Buying Guides on Printers With Black Ink Only
Why I Prefer Printers With Black Ink Only
When I look for a printer, I often choose a black-ink-only model because it keeps printing simple and affordable. In my experience, these printers are ideal for documents, invoices, forms, school work, and everyday text printing. I also like that I do not have to worry about color cartridges drying out or paying extra for colors I rarely use.
What I Look For Before Buying
Before I buy a black-ink-only printer, I always check a few important things. I make sure the print quality is sharp enough for text, the printer is easy to set up, and the running costs stay low. I also pay attention to whether it supports wireless printing, mobile printing, and automatic duplex printing, since these features make my life easier.
Print Quality Matters to Me
For my needs, print quality is one of the first things I consider. I want crisp, dark text that looks professional on paper. If I plan to print reports or business documents, I look for a printer that produces clean lines without smudging or fading.
Ink Cost and Cartridge Life
I always think about the long-term cost of ink. A black-ink-only printer can save money, but I still compare the price of replacement cartridges and how many pages each one can print. In my experience, a printer with a high-yield black cartridge is usually the better choice because it lasts longer and reduces how often I need to replace it.
Printer Type: Inkjet or Laser
When I choose between inkjet and laser, I think about how I use the printer. I like inkjet printers for occasional home use because they are usually affordable upfront. However, I prefer laser printers when I need faster printing and lower cost per page for lots of text documents. For me, the right type depends on how much I print.
Speed and Efficiency
I also check the printing speed. If I print often, I want a printer that finishes pages quickly without slowing me down. A fast printer is especially helpful when I am printing multiple pages or working from home and need documents ready right away.
Connectivity Features I Find Useful
I like having flexible connection options. Wireless printing is very convenient for me because I can print from my laptop, phone, or tablet without dealing with cables. I also appreciate USB connectivity and app-based printing, especially when I want a quick setup or easy access from different devices.
Paper Handling and Size Support
Before I buy, I check how many sheets the paper tray holds and what paper sizes the printer supports. If I print frequently, I prefer a larger tray so I do not have to refill it often. I also make sure it can handle the paper sizes I use most, such as letter or legal.
Duplex Printing Saves Me Time
Automatic double-sided printing is one of the features I value most. It helps me save paper and gives documents a more polished look. I find it especially useful for reports, handouts, and longer files.
My Final Buying Advice
If I am choosing a printer with black ink only, I focus on low running costs, clear text quality, and features that fit my daily use. For simple home printing, I look for an affordable and compact model. For heavier use, I prefer a faster printer with a high-yield cartridge and wireless connectivity. In the end, I choose the printer that gives me the best balance of cost, convenience, and print quality.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that printers with black ink only can be a smart, practical choice for anyone who mainly prints text and wants to keep costs simple. My takeaway is that they often offer reliable performance, lower maintenance, and fewer ink-related hassles than color models. If your printing needs are straightforward, a black-ink-only printer can be an efficient solution that gets the job done without extra expense.
Author Profile
-
Hi, I'm Amy Lewis, and I'm so glad you're here. I created Amyiswriting.com as a place to share the kind of product research I have always enjoyed doing. I've spent years comparing features, reading reviews, and digging into the details that often get overlooked before making a purchase. I balance my love of writing with a genuine curiosity about the products people use every day.
Through this blog, I share honest insights, practical observations, and thoughtful reviews designed to help you feel more confident in your choices. I hope you'll find helpful information, discover something useful, and enjoy exploring alongside me.
Latest entries
- June 7, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Sondiko Butane Torch S400: My Honest Review of This Powerful, Easy-to-Use Kitchen Torch
- June 7, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Blue Balloons Garlands Gold and Found the Perfect Party Decor Idea
- June 7, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Small Engine Starting Aids: The Best Way to Start Your Engine Faster Every Time
- June 7, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Safe Cut Can Opener: The Easiest and Safest Way to Open Cans