WorkSetup Guide

Printers and Scanners From $175 to $300: Fast Laser, Color Laser, Photo Inkjet, or 3D Printer?

Four machines in the $175-to-$300 range: a fast HP LaserJet, a wireless color LaserJet, a photo-focused HP all-in-one, and an ELEGOO resin 3D printer. Here's how to match each one to the work you actually do.

Last updated Aug 15, 2026

Choosing a printer or scanner starts with a mismatch problem: the cheapest-looking unit may need more work, and the most expensive option may not print paper at all. This group of four machines shows exactly that. Two are HP LaserJet multifunction printers, one is an HP PhotoSmart all-in-one, and one is an ELEGOO resin 3D printer. The real choice is not between four similar boxes; it's between document printing, photo printing, and model making.

Quick take

This is not a normal four-way printer comparison. The two HP LaserJet units are aimed at office paper tasks, the HP PhotoSmart 7520 is a photo-capable all-in-one with a scanner, and the ELEGOO Mars 2 Pro is a resin MSLA 3D printer. The right pick depends on whether you're printing words, photos, or physical objects.

Listed Price Comparison

ProductListed pricePrice bar
Eelgoo Mars 2 pro resin MSLA 3d printer, wash and cure, accessories and suppliesUSD 300.00
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301FDW Wireless PrinterUSD 229.99
HP PhotoSmart 7520 e-ALL-IN-ONE Photo Printer and Scanner with AccessoriesUSD 175.00
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw All-in-One Printer Copier Scanner and FaxUSD 280.00

Decision Matrix

  • Need fast document output? The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw is the speed pick.
  • Need color output? The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301FDW is the color pick.
  • Need photo printing and scanning? The HP PhotoSmart 7520 is the photo-focused pick.
  • Need physical models? The ELEGOO Mars 2 Pro is the resin pick.

Product Notes

ELEGOO Mars 2 Pro Resin MSLA 3D Printer, Wash and Cure, Accessories and Supplies

The ELEGOO is the only machine here that doesn't put ink or toner on paper. It's a resin MSLA 3D printer, and the bundle includes a wash-and-cure station plus accessories and supplies, which is a useful starting point for anyone new to resin printing. You get on-printer controls and adjustable print speed and layer thickness, so you can tune a print without relying on a computer for every detail. The trade-off is the resin workflow itself: used resin needs to be handled, cleaned, and cured, and this unit is sold as used. If your goal is physical models, this is the one; if your goal is documents, it's a detour.

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301FDW Wireless Printer

This open-box unit is the color laser of the group. It's described as fully tested and in clean working order, and it combines printing, scanning, copying, faxing, and duplexing in one machine. The wireless connectivity is the practical advantage here, since it means you can place it away from your router and still send jobs from a laptop or phone. The catch is supplies: toner cartridges and a power cable are not included, so the total startup cost will be higher than the base price. For a home office that wants color output without a wired connection, this is a solid fit.

HP PhotoSmart 7520 e-ALL-IN-ONE Photo Printer and Scanner with Accessories

The PhotoSmart is the most affordable listing here, with a photo-capable inkjet engine, a scanner, and a copier. The bundle includes a new black ink cartridge, a setup guide, a data cable, and a power cord, so you're not starting from scratch. It also comes as a used unit, and the likely issue is that the print head and cartridge may need to be replaced before it prints well. Connectivity is listed as cable, which keeps the setup wired and fixed. If you're comfortable doing a little maintenance, it's the cheapest way into photo printing and scanning in this group.

HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw All-in-One Printer Copier Scanner and Fax

This is the speed pick among the document printers, with a listed black print speed of 42 ppm. It also covers copying, scanning, faxing, duplexing, and network printing, so it's built for a busy wired desk. The unit is used, and it ships in the original box with the printer and a power cable. That means toner is not included, so you'll need to add that before the first job. The connectivity options are Ethernet and USB 2.0, which suits a fixed home-office setup. If you want fast black printing and a wired connection is fine, this is the one to start with.

Final Recommendation by Use Case

  • Fast document printing: HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw at $280.
  • Color laser output: HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301FDW at $229.99.
  • Photo printing and scanning: HP PhotoSmart 7520 at $175.
  • Resin 3D printing: ELEGOO Mars 2 Pro at $300.
Products in this article
Eelgoo Mars 2 pro resin MSLA 3d printerUSD 300.00View on eBayHP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301FDW Wireless PrinterUSD 229.99View on eBayHP PhotoSmart 7520 e-ALL-IN-ONE Photo Printer and ScannerUSD 175.00View on eBayHP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw All-in-One Printer Copier Scanner and FaxUSD 280.00View on eBay
Eelgoo Mars 2 pro resin MSLA 3d printerUSD 300.00View on eBayHP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301FDW Wireless PrinterUSD 229.99View on eBayHP PhotoSmart 7520 e-ALL-IN-ONE Photo Printer and ScannerUSD 175.00View on eBayHP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw All-in-One Printer Copier Scanner and FaxUSD 280.00View on eBay

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