The 9 Best Printers With The Cheapest Ink

Editor's Notes

September 16, 2020:

While most printer categories see a pretty significant turnover from year to year, the need to maintain a list with models whose ink is nice and inexpensive allows us to reach back just a little further to models like the HP Tango, the novelty of which combines with its low cost of ink to allow it a spot. The Epson Workforce WF-110 is a similar model designed to be portable, but is ranked more highly due to its superior print quality and built-in rechargeable battery.

We included both laser and inkjet printers here, with the Xerox B215DNI offering nice features for business, but it was the more recent development in printer technology that made easy inroads to the top of our list: reservoirs. Epson's first Ecotank model started the trend, and now you see the Epson EcoTank ET-4760, Canon Pixma G6020 All-In-One Supertank, and HP Smart Tank Plus 551 all using onboard ink storage that does away with disposable cartridges entirely, instead having you purchase relatively inexpensive bottles of ink. Each of those models has its own advantage, and the HP model might have ranked even higher if it weren't for its relative dearth of physical features like the automatic document feeder and tilting control panel you see on the Epson.

January 10, 2019:

Given the fact that most of these companies design their printers to be relatively inexpensive with the hopes of hooking you on their ink, it's tough to guarantee that the prices of replacement cartridges will hold where they are. Still, the choices here are among the most affordable when it comes time to re-up. HP and Epson have a number of entries, with Epson's EcoTank inkwell system a pretty smart way to keep costs down.