The cheapest color laser printer per page in 2026 that we could verify with measured test data is the Brother HL-L3295CDW: 12.9 cents per color page and 2.5 cents per black-and-white page in PCMag's testing. The deciding factor is toner price divided by page yield, not the printer's sticker price.
Last verified: 2026-08-25. Methodology: cost-per-page figures are calculated as cartridge price ÷ manufacturer-stated page yield at ISO/IEC 19798 yield, using MSRP toner pricing unless a review specifies otherwise. Where a review's toner assumption is unclear, we label it as such rather than guess.
The Cheapest Color Laser Per Page in 2026: Brother HL-L3295CDW
Across every named-model cost-per-page measurement we could verify for 2026, the Brother HL-L3295CDW is the cheapest color laser printer per page: 12.9 cents per color page and 2.5 cents per black-and-white page in PCMag's testing.
How We Ranked: Toner Price ÷ Page Yield
Cost per page is one division: cartridge price ÷ rated page yield. That's the same price-per-unit math behind how our rankings work — the price of something divided by the unit you actually consume, whether that's gigabytes, inches, or printed pages. For this ranking, the inputs come from measured reviews, supplemented by manufacturer-stated yields and MSRP toner pricing for the additional models in the comparison table below.
One figure we found did not make the ranking: a low-authority roundup measured an unnamed HP color laser at 17 cents per color page and 3.1 cents black (26 ppm claimed, 22 ppm measured). An unidentified model doesn't meet the bar for a ranked price claim, so it's context, not a competitor. It is, for what it's worth, the highest documented 2026 figure we saw.
Color Laser Cost-Per-Page Comparison
| Printer | Color (¢/page) | Black (¢/page) | Toner assumption | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L3295CDW | 12.9 | 2.5 | MSRP toner at manufacturer-stated ISO yield | PCMag (cost-per-page testing) |
Why High-Yield Toner Changes the Math
When a review quotes a cents-per-page figure, find out which cartridge yield the test used before you compare it against anything else. Swap in a lower-yield cartridge and the same printer produces a different number, because the cartridge price is being spread across fewer pages. The HL-L3295CDW's 12.9 cents is the reference point to beat in 2026.
The Consumables Data: Fractions of a Cent
Our printer-ink price tracking, ranked by price per unit from live in-stock listings, shows how far the same division pushes consumable costs. The following third-party toner and ink prices are example listings, not verified — they will be replaced with live BuyPerUnit.com tracker data (with timestamps and retailer links) before publication:
- SuppliesMAX's compatible replacement for the Brother DCP-8070 at $25.99 at Newegg for 12,000 pages — $25.99 ÷ 12,000 = $0.0022 per page, about 0.22 cents.
- Faslvink's compatible ink refill bottles at $16.99 at Amazon for 30,000 pages — $16.99 ÷ 30,000 = $0.00057 per page, about 0.06 cents.
- OKGO!INK's Epson 522-compatible bottles at $15.76 at Amazon for 18,000 pages — $15.76 ÷ 18,000 = $0.00088 per page.
These are consumable prices, not printer verdicts. Measured color laser pages run 12.9–17 cents, while third-party toner can cost fractions of a cent per page — a spread worth understanding before you commit to a printer and its cartridge ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which color laser printer has the lowest cost per page in 2026?
The Brother HL-L3295CDW, at 12.9 cents per color page and 2.5 cents per black-and-white page in PCMag's testing.
How do you calculate cost per page for a color laser printer?
Divide the toner cartridge price by its rated page yield. A $90 cartridge rated for 3,000 pages costs 3 cents per page. For color pages, combine the yields of all four cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) as the test specifies.
Does a cheaper printer mean a lower cost per page?
No. Sticker price and per-page cost are separate numbers. A discounted printer with low-yield toner can cost more over 10,000 pages than a pricier printer with high-yield cartridges.
Why does toner yield change the cents-per-page figure?
Higher-yield cartridges spread the same cartridge price across more pages, lowering the per-page cost. Standard-yield cartridges in the same printer would produce a higher number.
How much can I save per year by picking the cheapest per-page printer?
At 500 color pages per month, choosing a 12.9¢-per-page printer over a 17-cent-per-page competitor saves about 4.1¢ × 500 = $20.50 monthly, or about $246 per year.