Most of us, unless we are printing out resumes, or special letters, really buy the cheapest printer paper. Occasionally that bites us with poor finishes and jams. Mostly I have asked store staff, what is the best buy, just expensive enough for reasonable quality but cheap enough to be economical. Mind you, if I had important documents, I might go out and buy a ream unique to that usage.Well here is the last economical ream I bought: Recommended to me by Office Depot staff (they are 2 miles away). Most likely because this had 125 pages free and it was comparable to the one I had in hand both price and quality, minus the extra sheets.Office Depot 24946178**** SKU 35854 98965**** Multipurpose paper**** Bright white**** Preferred**** 625 sheets (125 free sheets) special sale**** 20 pound**** 96 Brightness**** 8.5 x 11”**** Made in USA**** 99.99% no jam**** ColorLok Technology**** Faster drying time**** Bolder Blacks**** Vivid ColorsLooking at their website today,the cost for this ream is: $8.29 (for only 500 sheets, no current special).10 reams are $57.99. I’m assuming the website and store costs are the same.However they do have a 30% recycled paper version as well, but it carries an FSC certificationBlurb from the website:Meets the global standards of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Forest Stewardship Council US-0081. FSC Certification ensures responsible use of forest resources and provides assurance that the fiber in this paper comes from forests that are well-managed to protect biodiversity and the livelihoods of the people that depend on those forests.**** Green Seal®-certified to ensure lower impact on the environment and human health.This paper too is 92 Brightness and is also $8.29 a ream.This reviewed paper is:Amazon basicsSKU 41710 1902330% Recycled Multipurpose Copy PaperNo name equivalent to Bright WhiteNo name equivalent to Preferred500 sheets20 pound92 Brightness8.5 x 11”Made in USA30% PCWI don’t see any mention of FSC certified.Cost for this ream is: $8.49: 10 reams are $49.99Since I have Prime there is no real shipping cost.Clearly the Amazon one has a significant discount if you use a lot of paper and the brightness difference is not an issue. These are not apples to apples.Above, I looked up a 30% recycled material paper on Office Depot and it was essentially the same cost as the regular paper, but with also the reduced brightness.On first look. Office Depot non-30% recycled paper is clearly whiter. Would have noticed even if I did not see the difference in Brightness. Assuming this may be due to the recycled material.PrintingI see no appreciable difference in printing, either in adherence, or quality. As I said, there is a subtle difference in Brightness. If that does not bother you and you buy 10 reams at a time, thisAmazon basics 30% Recycled Multipurpose Copy Paper is a better buy at $8 cheaper for 10 reams. Basically 1 free ream. For me who buys a ream at a time, less of a deal, they appear equal.UPDATE: Posting a photo to show the difference in Brightness between the Amazon paper at 92 and OfficeMax at 96. It's subtle but visible.