Best Printers with USB Port 2026 – Wired & USB-Drive Picks
A “USB printer” can mean two different things—and buying the wrong one is a common mistake.
- USB-to-PC (USB‑B / “device” port): lets you plug the printer directly into a laptop/desktop for rock‑solid printing (great for offices, shared PCs, or when Wi‑Fi is flaky).
- USB flash‑drive port (USB‑A / “host” port): lets you walk up with a USB stick and print (or sometimes scan) without using a computer.
This guide covers both types and highlights the printers that make USB printing simple and reliable—whether you want a cheap monochrome laser for documents, an ink‑tank for low running costs, or an all‑in‑one with a front USB port for walk‑up jobs.
Quick Picks (TL;DR)
- Best Value USB Laser (documents): Brother HL‑L2460DW
- Best USB Walk‑Up (USB stick printing + scan): Brother MFC‑L3780CDW
- Best Office All‑in‑One with USB Host: HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e
- Best Low‑Cost Color Printing (ink tank): Canon MegaTank PIXMA G3290
- Best “Print a lot” Ink Tank All‑in‑One: Epson EcoTank ET‑3850
- Best Color Laser All‑in‑One with USB: Xerox C235
What to check before buying (so you don’t get the wrong USB)
1) Do you need USB to a computer, or printing from a USB drive?
- If you only need a wired connection to a PC, most printers with a USB‑B port will work.
- If you want walk‑up printing from a flash drive, look for USB host / front USB.
2) OS drivers vs “driverless” printing
For modern laptops, look for support for common standards (AirPrint/Mopria/IPP) so you’re not stuck hunting drivers.
3) Running cost matters more than purchase price
- Laser (mono): usually cheapest per page for text.
- Ink tank: best value if you print lots of color pages.
- Cartridge inkjets: fine for low volume, but can get expensive fast.
Brother HL‑L2460DW — Best Value USB Laser for Documents
Why it’s great: If your goal is simple, reliable printing over USB (or Wi‑Fi/Ethernet later), this compact mono laser is a strong pick. It’s fast for everyday paperwork and ideal for home offices that want predictable results.
Best for: High‑volume text printing, invoices, homework, office docs.
Highlights: Monochrome laser · automatic duplex · compact footprint · USB for wired reliability.
Brother MFC‑L3780CDW — Best USB Walk‑Up (Print/Scan to USB Stick)
Why it’s great: This is the kind of printer people actually mean when they say “I want a printer with a USB port.” It includes a front USB host port, so you can print from (and often scan to) a USB memory stick—no PC required. It also adds color laser convenience for a small office.
Best for: Small offices, shared spaces, or anyone who wants walk‑up USB printing.
Highlights: Color laser all‑in‑one · front USB host · ADF for scanning/copying · strong everyday office workflow.
HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e — Best Office All‑in‑One with USB Host
Why it’s great: A modern office inkjet all‑in‑one that supports both USB device (wired to a computer) and a USB hostport for walk‑up use, depending on configuration. It’s designed for mixed office jobs—documents, color charts, scanning, copying.
Best for: Busy home offices and small teams that want flexible connectivity.
Highlights: Office‑class inkjet AIO · USB device + USB host · fast document printing · strong networking options.
Canon MegaTank PIXMA G3290 — Best Low‑Cost Color Printing (Ink Tank)
Why it’s great: Ink tanks are about running cost, and this is a practical all‑in‑one for families and home offices that print a lot. You get USB connectivity plus wireless options, and the cost per page stays low compared to cartridge ink.
Best for: Families, students, and home offices printing lots of color pages on a budget.
Highlights: Refillable ink tanks · all‑in‑one (print/scan/copy) · USB + wireless · low running cost.
Epson EcoTank ET‑3850 — Best Ink Tank All‑in‑One for High Volume
Why it’s great: The ET‑3850 is a popular “print a ton and stop thinking about ink” choice. It’s especially good when you want long‑term running cost savings with an ADF for scanning and a more office‑friendly design than basic home models.
Best for: High‑volume printing with scanning/copying in the mix.
Highlights: EcoTank refill system · ADF · office‑friendly paper handling · USB + wireless.
Xerox C235 — Best Color Laser All‑in‑One with USB
Why it’s great: If you want the durability and crisp output of color laser in a compact all‑in‑one, the C235 is a solid option. It’s built for small offices that print a lot of mixed documents and want consistent, smear‑free output.
Best for: Small offices needing dependable color laser prints plus scan/copy.
Highlights: Color laser AIO · duplex printing · USB + network options · strong text/graphics output.
Comparison Table (at a glance)
| Model | Type | USB to PC | USB Flash Drive (Host) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL‑L2460DW | Mono laser | Yes | No | Fast, cheap text printing |
| Brother MFC‑L3780CDW | Color laser AIO | Yes | Yes (front) | Walk‑up USB + office scanning |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e | Office inkjet AIO | Yes | Yes (host) | Office documents + flexibility |
| Canon MegaTank G3290 | Ink tank AIO | Yes | No (varies by region/trim) | Lowest running cost color printing |
| Epson EcoTank ET‑3850 | Ink tank AIO | Yes | No | High-volume home/office printing |
| Xerox C235 | Color laser AIO | Yes | (varies) | Office color laser output |
Note: Some brands release close model variants with small port differences. Always check the exact rear/front port photos before ordering.
You might also want to check this out: Top Printers for Stickers to Buy
Buying Tips
- If Wi‑Fi is unreliable, USB is your best friend. Wired printing avoids dropouts and reconnect headaches.
- Want walk‑up printing? Look specifically for “USB host” or “print from USB memory stick.”
- Printing a lot of color? Ink tanks usually beat cartridges long-term.
- Mostly text documents? A mono laser is typically the cheapest, simplest option.
- Don’t ignore paper handling. ADF and duplex printing save real time.
Final Thoughts
For most people who just want reliable wired printing, the Brother HL‑L2460DW is a simple win. If you specifically want a printer with a front USB port for walk‑up jobs, the Brother MFC‑L3780CDW is the most practical pick in this list. For heavy color printing at low cost, ink‑tank models like the Canon MegaTank and Epson EcoTank are hard to beat.
