What is the best cheap printer for people who rarely print?

Best cheap printer for people who rarely print: a basic Brother monochrome laser printer, especially the Brother HL-L2405W if you only need black-and-white printing. Laser toner does not dry out like inkjet ink, so it is usually the better low-hassle choice for occasional printing.

If you need scanning/copying too, pick the Brother DCP-L2640DW instead. If you truly need color photos or color documents, an inkjet like the Canon PIXMA MG3620 can be cheaper up front, but it is more likely to frustrate rare users because ink can dry or clog between uses.