Buying Guide
The Best Printers with Cheap Ink: Our Picks
We looked at 8 printers with cheap ink side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
10 min read8 products evaluated
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Manufacturer cost-per-page figures are based on an ISO standard of roughly 5 percent page coverage, plain text with wide margins, while real home printing, forms, graphs, colorful worksheets, often runs 10 to 20 percent coverage. That means actual cost per page can run 2 to 4 times higher than the number printed on the box, which is exactly why ink-tank printers pull so far ahead of cartridge models once real usage is factored in.
00 model built for sustained office volume.
Quick Picks
Our 8 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Overall Value
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (Black)
Households wanting the best balance of upfront cost and ongoing ink savings
Our take Check price for Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (Black) (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Alternative Color
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (White)
Buyers who want EcoTank ink economics with a lighter-colored finish
Our take Check price for Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (White) (opens in a new tab)
Cheapest Ink-Tank Entry Point
Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer
Budget buyers who still want ink-tank cost-per-page savings
Our take Check price for Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best for Office Documents
Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer
Home offices wanting document feeding and Ethernet without paying more for ink
Our take Check price for Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (opens in a new tab)
Cheapest Upfront Ink-Tank Price
HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All-in-One Refillable Printer
Buyers who want the cheapest possible entry into ink-tank printing
Our take Check price for HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All-in-One Refillable Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best for Photo and Document Mix
Canon PIXMA G620 Wireless MegaTank Photo All-in-One Printer
Buyers who want cheap ink alongside stronger photo output
Our take Check price for Canon PIXMA G620 Wireless MegaTank Photo All-in-One Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best for High-Coverage Printing
Epson EcoTank ET-4950 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer
Households or offices with heavy, high-coverage printing needs
Our take Check price for Epson EcoTank ET-4950 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best for Small Office Cost Control
Epson EcoTank ET-4850 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer
Small offices prioritizing predictable low ink cost over years of use
Our take Check price for Epson EcoTank ET-4850 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Overall Value1 of 8
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (Black) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ET-2800 pairs a reasonable upfront price with EcoTank's refillable ink system, which is where the real cost-per-page savings come from over time.
Best for
- Households wanting the best balance of upfront cost and ongoing ink savings
Why we like it
Scan and copy are included, covering the essentials without added bulk.
At real-world coverage levels rather than the ISO 5 percent test standard, bottled ink here still comes out well ahead of cartridge printers on a per-page basis, especially for anyone printing forms or graphics with heavier ink coverage than plain text.
Key dimensions & specs
- Cartridge-free EcoTank refillable ink system
- Color print, scan, and copy
- Wireless printing
- Includes ink bottles for setup
- Compact all-in-one design
Pros
- Strong balance of upfront price and ongoing ink cost
- Bottled ink holds its cost advantage even at heavy coverage
- Simple setup
- Scan and copy included
Cons
- No automatic document feeder
- Higher upfront cost than a basic cartridge inkjet
- Integrated printhead limits long-term repairability
Best Budget Alternative Color2 of 8
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (White) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This is the same ET-2800 hardware and ink economics as the black model above, just in a white finish for a lighter desk setup.
Best for
- Buyers who want EcoTank ink economics with a lighter-colored finish
Why we like it
Cost per page, tank capacity, and print quality are identical between the two colors.
Pick this one purely on aesthetic preference rather than expecting a different cost-per-page outcome, both share the same refill bottle pricing and coverage.
White finish suits a lighter desk aesthetic.
Key dimensions & specs
- Cartridge-free EcoTank refillable ink system
- Color print, scan, and copy
- Wireless printing
- White finish
- Compact all-in-one design
Pros
- Same cheap ink economics as the black ET-2800
- White finish suits a lighter desk aesthetic
- Simple setup
- Scan and copy included
Cons
- No automatic document feeder
- Higher upfront cost than a basic cartridge inkjet
- No functional difference from the cheaper-looking black version
Cheapest Ink-Tank Entry Point3 of 8
Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ET-2400 is the lowest-priced ink-tank printer in this list, built for everyday home printing.
Best for
- Budget buyers who still want ink-tank cost-per-page savings
Why we like it
Even with a modest upfront cost, it carries the same bottled-refill ink system as pricier EcoTank models, keeping cost per page low.
At light-to-moderate real-world volume, this typically pays back its price difference over a basic cartridge inkjet within roughly a year, faster if your printing skews toward graphics or forms with heavier coverage.
Cheap ink cost per page even at this entry price.
Key dimensions & specs
- Cartridge-free EcoTank refillable ink system
- Color print, scan, and copy
- Wireless printing
- Built for everyday home printing
- Compact design
Pros
- Lowest price of any ink-tank pick in this list
- Cheap ink cost per page even at this entry price
- Simple setup and controls
- Scan and copy included
Cons
- No automatic document feeder
- Not built for sustained high-volume office printing
- Integrated printhead limits repairability
Best for Office Documents4 of 8
Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ET-4800 adds an automatic document feeder, fax, and Ethernet on top of EcoTank's cheap-ink system, at essentially the same price as the entry-level ET-2400.
Best for
- Home offices wanting document feeding and Ethernet without paying more for ink
Why we like it
That makes it the strongest value pick here if you need those extra features.
Ethernet gives a more stable connection in offices with wifi interference, and the document feeder speeds up scanning multi-page paperwork without extra cost per page over the simpler models.
Key dimensions & specs
- Cartridge-free EcoTank refillable ink system
- Automatic document feeder
- Fax and Ethernet
- Scanner and copier
- Wireless and wired connectivity
Pros
- More features than the ET-2400 at nearly the same price
- Automatic document feeder included
- Ethernet option for stable networking
- Same cheap ink cost per page as smaller EcoTank models
Cons
- Larger footprint than the entry EcoTank models
- Fax is unnecessary for most households
- Not the cheapest upfront option in this list
Cheapest Upfront Ink-Tank Price5 of 8
HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All-in-One Refillable Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Smart Tank 5101 undercuts every EcoTank model here on upfront price while including 2 years of ink, a real head start on the cost-per-page math for a new household.
Best for
- Buyers who want the cheapest possible entry into ink-tank printing
Why we like it
Print, scan, and copy cover the essentials.
HP has previously blocked non-HP ink through firmware updates on some models, worth knowing if you were planning to save further with third-party refill bottles rather than sticking with HP's own ink.
2 years of included ink offsets early cost-per-page math. 4GHz-only wireless can complicate setup on some routers.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refillable ink tank system with 2 years of ink included
- Print, scan, and copy
- Wireless printing (2.4GHz only)
- Compact footprint versus larger ink-tank models
- No automatic document feeder
Pros
- Lowest upfront price of any pick in this list
- 2 years of included ink offsets early cost-per-page math
- Compact footprint
- Ink-tank economics for high-volume printing
Cons
- 2.4GHz-only wireless can complicate setup on some routers
- No automatic document feeder
- HP has a history of restricting non-HP ink via firmware
Best for Photo and Document Mix6 of 8
Canon PIXMA G620 Wireless MegaTank Photo All-in-One Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Canon's MegaTank system competes directly with Epson EcoTank on cost per page, with the added strength of better photo output than most ink-tank printers in this list.
Best for
- Buyers who want cheap ink alongside stronger photo output
Why we like it
Print, copy, and scan are included with Alexa voice support.
Canon and Epson ink bottles aren't interchangeable, so factor local retail availability into your decision if you're prioritizing quick access to refills over online-only ordering.
Key dimensions & specs
- Cartridge-free MegaTank refillable ink system
- Photo-focused color output
- Print, copy, scan
- Works with Alexa
- Wireless connectivity
Pros
- Cheap ink cost comparable to Epson EcoTank
- Stronger photo quality than most ink-tank AIOs
- Alexa voice command support
- Mid-range price for the feature set
Cons
- No automatic document feeder
- Canon-specific ink bottles, not interchangeable with Epson
- Pricier upfront than the HP Smart Tank 5101
Best for High-Coverage Printing7 of 8
Epson EcoTank ET-4950 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ET-4950 is built for higher volume and higher-coverage printing, forms, graphics, colorful documents, where the gap between advertised and real-world cost per page matters most.
Best for
- Households or offices with heavy, high-coverage printing needs
Why we like it
4-inch touchscreen and automatic document feeder round out the package.
At up to 3 years of rated ink refills, this is the pick in this list best suited to someone who wants to think about ink cost as little as possible over a multi-year stretch.
Touchscreen simplifies status and troubleshooting.
Key dimensions & specs
- Cartridge-free EcoTank refillable ink system
- Automatic document feeder
- 2.4-inch color touchscreen
- Up to 3 years of ink refills rated
- 18 ppm print speed
Pros
- Best cost-per-page performance at high, heavy-coverage volume
- Touchscreen simplifies status and troubleshooting
- Automatic document feeder included
- Long-rated ink refill window
Cons
- Highest upfront price among the Epson picks besides the ET-4850
- Larger footprint
- More printer than a light user needs
Best for Small Office Cost Control8 of 8
Epson EcoTank ET-4850 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ET-4850 rounds out the EcoTank lineup here with fax and Ethernet added to the automatic document feeder and cheap-ink base.
Best for
- Small offices prioritizing predictable low ink cost over years of use
Why we like it
It's aimed at a small office replacing an aging printer that still needs those legacy connections.
At the highest price in this list, it makes sense mainly for offices where predictable, low cost-per-page printing across hundreds of pages a month justifies the upfront spend.
Fax and Ethernet cover legacy small-office needs.
Key dimensions & specs
- Cartridge-free EcoTank refillable ink system
- Fax and Ethernet included
- Automatic document feeder
- Scanner and copier
- White finish, office-oriented design
Pros
- Predictable low cost per page at sustained office volume
- Fax and Ethernet cover legacy small-office needs
- Automatic document feeder for multi-page scans
- Stable wired networking option
Cons
- Highest price in this list
- Fax is unnecessary for most households
- Large footprint needs real desk or cabinet space
How We Chose These Printers with Cheap Ink
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Real-world cost per page over ISO test figures
- Weighed how each model's ink cost holds up at realistic 10 to 20 percent page coverage rather than relying on the ISO 5 percent test standard printed on the box.
- Bottle pricing and refill frequency
- Compared ink bottle cost and rated page yield to estimate how often, and how much, a typical household would spend on refills.
- Upfront price versus long-term payback
- Weighed purchase price against projected ink savings over a 1 to 2 year window to identify which models pay for themselves fastest.
- Third-party ink and warranty risk
- Noted each brand's documented stance on non-OEM ink compatibility, since firmware restrictions can eliminate expected savings from generic refills.
- Feature fit relative to price
- Checked whether added features like automatic document feeders, fax, and Ethernet were priced fairly relative to the base cheap-ink models in the same lineup.
What to Look for in a Printer with Cheap Ink
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match actual size and capacity to your real need, not the category label alone
Listings for a printer with cheap ink often use a size or capacity label ("compact," "large," "heavy-duty") that isn't standardized across brands, so the same label can mean meaningfully different actual dimensions or capacity from one product to the next.
This matters because buying based on the category label rather than the specific listed dimensions or capacity is a common way to end up with something that doesn't actually fit your space or handle your real load.
Check the listing for exact measurements or a stated capacity figure, and compare that directly against your actual space or need, not just the marketing size category.
Verify build material and construction quality from reviews, not just spec-sheet claims
A product description can describe material or construction in flattering terms that don't always hold up under real, sustained use, and the gap between a listing's claimed quality and its actual durability only shows up in how the product performs after weeks or months of real use, not in day-one photos.
This matters more for anything you'll use daily or under real load, less for occasional light use where durability matters less.
Check reviews specifically for mentions of how the printer with cheap ink holds up over time, not just unboxing-day impressions, and treat a listing's own quality claims as a starting point to verify, not a guarantee.
Confirm any headline feature actually works as advertised, not just that it's listed
A feature appearing in a product's bullet points doesn't guarantee it performs well in practice, some features are functional but limited, and a few are closer to a marketing checkbox than a useful capability.
This matters directly if a specific feature is the main reason you're choosing this printer with cheap ink over a simpler, cheaper alternative, since a feature that underperforms in practice undermines the whole reason for paying more.
Check reviews specifically for real-world experiences with the exact feature that matters most to you, not just whether the feature is listed at all.
Weigh review count alongside rating, not rating alone
This matters more for a purchase you're relying on to perform consistently over time, less for a low-stakes, easily replaceable item.
Check both the star rating and the review count together for any printer with cheap ink you're considering, and treat a high rating on a very small review count as a promising but less-proven signal.
Check compatibility and fit with your existing setup before ordering
A printer with cheap ink that looks like a straightforward fit in photos can still have a compatibility detail, a connector type, a mounting requirement, a size threshold, that doesn't match your existing setup, and this kind of mismatch is one of the most common and avoidable reasons for a return.
This matters directly if the product needs to physically connect to, mount on, or otherwise integrate with something you already own.
Check the listing's specific compatibility details against your exact existing setup, not just the general product category, before ordering.
How to Choose a Printer with Cheap Ink
By Rating Confidence: Highest Rated vs Most Reviewed
| HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All | |
HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All vs Epson EcoTank ET
- HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All
- The lower-priced option in this comparison, worth checking its actual specs and review history against your specific need before assuming it's enough.
- The higher-priced option, worth it if it offers real, checkable headroom in build quality, capacity, or features over the cheaper pick.
Default to HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All unless your specific need calls for the pricier pick's extra headroom.
For a First-Time Buyer Specifically
- Clear, specific dimensions or capacity and a real, established review history, not just marketing language.
- You need real durability and feature depth for regular use, where Epson EcoTank ET's build gives real headroom over the cheaper picks.
- You only need this for light or occasional use, where HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All covers the same job at a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my printer's real ink cost feel higher than advertised?
Manufacturer cost-per-page figures use an ISO test standard of roughly 5 percent page coverage, essentially plain text with wide margins. Real home printing, forms, graphs, and colorful worksheets often runs 10 to 20 percent coverage, so actual cost per page can run 2 to 4 times higher than the number on the box.
Is HP Instant Ink worth it for cheap ink?
It depends on how predictable your volume is. Instant Ink can lower cost per page for steady, matched usage, but canceling the subscription can remotely disable your cartridges, and printing beyond your plan's allowance triggers overage fees. For variable or unpredictable printing habits, an outright ink-tank printer avoids these risks.
Can I safely use third-party ink to save even more?
It depends on the brand. HP has a documented history of blocking non-HP ink through firmware updates, while Brother and Canon tend to be more tolerant. For the ink-tank printers in this list, most of the savings already come from the tank system itself, so third-party ink matters less here than for a standard cartridge printer.
Should I buy standard or high-yield XL cartridges?
High-yield XL cartridges cost more upfront but meaningfully less per page than standard cartridges, so they typically pay back the price difference within a few refill cycles for anyone printing regularly. For the printers in this guide specifically, ink-tank refills already undercut both options.
How fast do ink-tank printers pay back their higher upfront price?
It depends on volume and coverage. At light use (under 100 pages a month), payback against a comparable cartridge printer typically takes 6 to 12 months. At 400 or more pages a month with heavier ink coverage, payback often happens in under 3 months.
Are Epson EcoTank and Canon MegaTank ink bottles interchangeable?
Each brand uses its own bottle design and tank layout, so you can't substitute one brand's ink bottles for the other's printer. Factor local retail availability of your specific brand's ink into your decision if convenient restocking matters to you.
Bottom Line
Best overall: Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer (Black) — best overall value pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all printers with cheap ink on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.