Does your printer seem to eat ink cartridges faster than you can print? You’re not alone! Many of us face the frustrating reality of expensive ink bills. It feels like every time you need to print an important document or a fun picture, you have to run out and buy a new, costly cartridge. This can make owning a printer feel more like a burden than a helpful tool.
Choosing a printer with cheap ink can be tricky. You want a printer that works well and doesn’t cost a fortune to keep running. But how do you know which ones are truly affordable in the long run? It’s easy to get confused by all the different brands and confusing ink systems. This guide is here to help you cut through the noise and find a printer that saves you money without sacrificing quality.
By reading on, you’ll learn the secrets to finding printers that offer a great deal on ink. We’ll explain what to look for, what to avoid, and share some top picks that are easy on your wallet. Get ready to say goodbye to those expensive ink worries and hello to affordable printing!
Our Top 5 Printer With Cheap Ink Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Printer With Cheap Ink Detailed Reviews
1. HP DeskJet 2827e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.8/10
The HP DeskJet 2827e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer is a fantastic choice for any home that needs to print, scan, and copy everyday documents. It’s designed to handle everything from school assignments and recipes to important letters and bills with ease.
What We Like:
- HP AI Printing: This printer uses AI to perfectly format web pages and emails, so you won’t waste paper on awkward layouts.
- Easy Wireless Setup: The reliable Wi-Fi automatically finds and fixes connection problems, making it simple to print from your phone, tablet, or PC using the HP app.
- Instant Ink Trial: You get a 3-month trial of HP Instant Ink, which means ink gets delivered right to your door before you run out.
- Compact and Eco-Friendly: Its small size fits anywhere, and it’s made with at least 60% recycled plastic, plus it’s Energy Star and EPEAT certified.
- Intuitive Controls: The ICON LCD makes printing basic documents simple and straightforward.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print Speed: Color printing is a bit slow at 5.5 pages per minute, and black and white is 7.5 pages per minute.
- Ink Cartridge Restrictions: The printer only works with HP cartridges that have an HP chip.
- Subscription Model: While the Instant Ink trial is great, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee after 3 months unless you cancel.
The HP DeskJet 2827e is a smart and convenient printer for home use, offering helpful AI features and easy connectivity. It’s a great way to keep up with your printing needs while being mindful of the environment.
2. Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer for Duplex Printing
Rating: 8.9/10
The Canon PIXMA TS4320 is a white wireless color inkjet printer that offers a lot of bang for your buck. It’s a fantastic all-in-one device, perfect for printing, scanning, and copying. This printer is designed for both home use and for people who work from home, making it super versatile.
What We Like:
- It’s very affordable, making it a great choice for your wallet.
- It prints in crisp, vibrant colors, making your documents and photos look amazing.
- Setting it up is a breeze, and it’s easy to use right away.
- The wireless connection is reliable, letting you print from anywhere in your home.
- It automatically prints on both sides of the paper, saving you time and saving trees.
- You can print on different kinds of paper, up to 8.5” x 11”, with or without borders.
- Its compact size means it won’t take up much space in your room.
- You can easily print from your phone or tablet using popular apps.
- It’s good for the environment, with EPEAT Silver and ENERGY STAR certifications.
What Could Be Improved:
- The ink cartridges are hybrid, meaning you might need to replace both for certain colors.
- While versatile, it’s not designed for heavy-duty professional printing needs.
This Canon PIXMA TS4320 is a smart and cost-effective printer that handles everyday tasks with ease.
3. HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 9.4/10
The HP DeskJet 2855e is a great choice for your home. It’s an all-in-one printer, scanner, and copier. This makes it super handy for all sorts of tasks. You can print to-do lists, letters, and even recipes. Plus, it comes with 3 months of HP Instant Ink, so you don’t have to worry about running out of ink right away.
What We Like:
- It’s perfect for home use, handling everyday printing needs like lists and letters.
- HP AI helps format web pages and emails perfectly, so you don’t waste paper.
- It’s a wireless printer, and the Wi-Fi is reliable, automatically fixing connection problems.
- You can print, scan, and copy from your phone, computer, or tablet using the easy HP app.
- It includes 3 months of HP Instant Ink, which saves you money and hassle.
What Could Be Improved:
- The print speed is a bit slow at 5.5 ppm for color and 7.5 ppm for black.
- It only has single-band Wi-Fi connectivity.
The HP DeskJet 2855e is a simple and helpful printer for your home. It makes printing and scanning easy from all your devices.
4. Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex Printing and 1.8” Color Display
Rating: 8.9/10
The Brother Work Smart 1360 is a versatile all-in-one printer designed for your home or home office. It handles printing, copying, and scanning with ease, all from one compact machine. This printer helps you create great-looking documents and photos.
What We Like:
- It’s great for both home and home office tasks, letting you print, copy, and scan all in one place.
- You can easily print from and scan to popular cloud apps like Google Drive and Dropbox using its simple 1.8-inch color display.
- It has helpful features like automatic two-sided printing, a 20-sheet document feeder for quick scanning, and a 150-sheet paper tray.
- Printing is speedy, up to 16 pages per minute in black and 9 pages per minute in color.
- You can connect it wirelessly or with a USB cable.
- The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you manage printing, copying, and scanning from your phone and even track your ink levels.
What Could Be Improved:
- The refresh subscription trial is a nice bonus, but it’s only a trial.
- It uses specific LC501 Series inks, so you need to make sure you buy the right ones.
This printer offers a good balance of features for everyday printing needs. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking for an efficient and user-friendly home office solution.
5. HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.5/10
The HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer is a fantastic choice for home users who need to print homework, scan documents, or make copies. Its Portobello color adds a stylish touch to any room. This printer makes printing easy with its smart features and included Instant Ink trial.
What We Like:
- HP AI makes printing web pages and emails neat and tidy, so you don’t waste paper.
- It can print, scan, and copy in color.
- Auto 2-sided printing saves paper and time.
- The 2.4″ touchscreen is simple to use.
- Reliable dual-band Wi-Fi keeps you connected.
- True-to-screen tech means your photos look vibrant.
- The HP app lets you print from your phone or tablet.
- You get 3 months of Instant Ink delivered to your door.
- It’s made with recycled plastic and helps forests.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print speeds of up to 7 ppm for color might be slow for large jobs.
- The printer only works with HP ink cartridges.
- Firmware updates are needed to keep it working right.
This HP Envy 6155e printer is a smart and eco-friendly option for all your home printing needs. Its user-friendly design and helpful features make it a great addition to any household.
Finding Your Perfect Printer: The Secret to Saving on Ink
Are you tired of your printer eating your wallet with expensive ink cartridges? You’re not alone! Many people want a printer that prints great photos and documents without breaking the bank on ink. This guide will help you find that printer. We’ll look at what makes a printer good for saving money on ink and what to avoid.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a printer with cheap ink, keep these things in mind:
- Ink Tank Systems: Some printers use big tanks that you fill with ink bottles. This is way cheaper than buying small cartridges. Think of it like buying juice in a big jug instead of tiny juice boxes.
- High Page Yield: This means how many pages the ink can print. Printers with high page yields use their ink wisely. More pages per ink bottle means less money spent over time.
- Affordable Replacement Ink: Even if the printer itself is cheap, check the price of the ink. Some printers seem like a good deal but have super expensive ink. Always compare ink prices before you buy.
- Print Quality Settings: Good printers let you choose how much ink to use. You can use less ink for everyday printing and more for important photos. This helps you save ink when you don’t need the best quality.
- Wireless Printing: Being able to print from your phone or tablet is handy. It also means you might print less often from your computer, saving ink.
Important Materials and How They Matter
- Ink Type: Most printers use either dye-based or pigment-based ink. Pigment ink is usually more durable and lasts longer, especially on plain paper. Dye ink is often better for vibrant colors on photo paper. For everyday printing, either works, but consider how long you need your prints to last.
- Printer Build Quality: While not directly related to ink cost, a well-built printer will last longer. This means you won’t need to buy a new one as often, saving you money in the long run. Look for printers with sturdy parts.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
- Improving Quality:
- High Resolution (DPI): Dots Per Inch (DPI) tells you how detailed your prints are. A higher DPI means sharper images and text.
- Color Accuracy: If you print photos, you want colors to look just like the real thing. Some printers have better color management than others.
- Paper Type: Using the right paper makes a big difference. Photo paper makes photos pop. Plain paper is great for documents.
- Reducing Quality (and sometimes saving ink):
- Draft Mode: This setting uses less ink and prints faster. It’s perfect for printing drafts of documents or things you don’t need to look perfect.
- Grayscale Printing: If you only need black and white, choose this option. It saves your color ink.
User Experience and Use Cases
- Home Use: For printing homework, recipes, or occasional photos, a simple inkjet printer with an ink tank system is a great choice. You won’t worry about ink running out too quickly.
- Small Office Use: If you print many documents for work, a printer with a high page yield is essential. Look for one that can handle printing large stacks of paper without issues.
- Photo Enthusiasts: If you love printing your own photos, you’ll want a printer that offers excellent color and detail. While these might use a bit more ink, the results are worth it. Look for printers that use multiple ink colors for vibrant prints.
- Ease of Setup and Use: A printer that is easy to set up and connect to your Wi-Fi makes life simpler. Intuitive menus and easy ink refilling are also big pluses.
Your Printer Ink Questions Answered!
Here are some common questions people ask about printers and cheap ink:
Q: What is the biggest way to save money on printer ink?
A: The biggest way to save money is by choosing a printer with an ink tank system instead of one that uses traditional ink cartridges.
Q: Are printers with ink tanks more expensive to buy?
A: Sometimes, the initial cost of an ink tank printer might be a little higher. However, you save so much money on ink over time that it’s usually worth it.
Q: How do I know if a printer’s ink is cheap?
A: Look at the price of replacement ink bottles or cartridges. Compare the cost per page. Many websites will tell you the estimated cost per page for different printers.
Q: Can I use third-party ink in any printer?
A: Some printers allow you to use ink from other companies. However, using non-original ink can sometimes affect print quality or even damage your printer. Always check the printer’s warranty and reviews.
Q: What does “high page yield” mean for ink?
A: High page yield means that one set of ink (like a bottle or cartridge) can print a lot of pages. It’s a good indicator of how long your ink will last.
Q: Is draft mode bad for print quality?
A: Draft mode uses less ink and prints faster. The quality is lower than regular print mode, but it’s perfectly fine for everyday documents or when you need to print many pages quickly.
Q: Do all printers use ink?
A: No. Laser printers use toner, which is a powder. For home use and general printing, inkjet printers are more common and usually have cheaper ink options, especially with ink tank systems.
Q: How often should I replace ink tanks?
A: Ink tanks are refilled, not replaced. You only need to buy new ink bottles when the tanks are empty. This can be months or even years, depending on how much you print.
Q: Can I print photos with a cheap ink printer?
A: Yes! Many printers with ink tank systems can print excellent photos. Just make sure to use good quality photo paper for the best results.
Q: What happens if I don’t print for a long time?
A: If you don’t print for a while, ink can dry out in the print heads. Most printers have a cleaning function that uses a little ink to keep things working. Printing regularly, even just one page a week, helps prevent this.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
My name is Gary Flores, the creator of deepskyblue-owl-132507.hostingersite.com.. With a passion for creating cozy, functional, and beautiful spaces, I share my personal experiences and expertise about everything related to home improvement. From practical tips to design inspiration, my goal is to help you make your home the best it can be.