Which Inkjet Printer Has The Cheapest Ink?

The Canon Pixma G6020 and Epson EcoTank ET-4760 have the cheapest ink costs, averaging just 0.3 cents per black page and 0.9 cents per color page.

These supertank printers use refillable ink reservoirs instead of cartridges, cutting your printing costs by up to 90% compared to traditional inkjet printers.

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Why Ink Costs Matter More Than Printer Price

You might pay $50 for a printer, then spend $200 on ink cartridges within six months. Sound familiar? Printer companies often sell devices cheaply, then make profits on expensive ink refills.

Smart shoppers look at total cost of ownership. That means printer price plus ink costs over two years. A $300 supertank printer beats a $100 cartridge printer every time if you print regularly.

The Real Cost of Traditional Ink Cartridges

Standard ink cartridges cost between 15-25 cents per black page. Color pages run 35-50 cents each. Print 100 pages monthly and you’ll spend $300-400 yearly just on ink.

I researched dozens of printers and found that cartridge-based models have hidden costs. Replacement cartridges often cost 50-70% of the original printer price.

Top 5 Printers With Cheapest Ink Costs

Canon Pixma G6020 MegaTank

This wireless all-in-one printer delivers the lowest ink costs I found online. Black pages cost 0.3 cents, color pages just 0.9 cents.

The G6020 comes with enough ink to print 6,000 black pages or 7,700 color pages right out of the box. Replacement ink bottles cost $15-20 each and last months for typical users.

Best Features

Borderless photo printing up to 13×19 inches
Fast printing speeds: 15.5 pages per minute black, 9.9 color
Easy wireless setup with smartphones and tablets
Compact design fits most home offices

Epson EcoTank ET-4760

The ET-4760 matches Canon’s low ink costs at 0.3 cents for black and 0.9 cents for color. This all-in-one printer includes scanning, copying, and automatic document feeding.

Epson’s EcoTank technology uses external ink tanks you can see through clear windows. When ink runs low, you simply squeeze a bottle to refill. No messy cartridges to replace.

Standout Benefits

Automatic two-sided printing saves paper
35-page automatic document feeder
Voice-activated printing with Alexa
Mobile printing from anywhere

Epson EcoTank ET-2720

Need basic printing without extra features? The ET-2720 offers the same ultra-low ink costs in a simpler package. Perfect for students or light home use.

This model focuses on essential printing tasks. No fax, no automatic document feeder, but rock-bottom operating costs that beat any cartridge printer.

Canon Pixma G3260 MegaTank

The G3260 brings MegaTank savings to budget-conscious buyers. You get the same cheap ink costs as premium models, just fewer bells and whistles.

This printer handles everyday tasks beautifully: homework, photos, work documents. The trade-off? Slower print speeds and no advanced features like automatic duplexing.

Brother INKvestment Tank MFC-J995DW

Brother’s INKvestment series bridges the gap between cartridges and tanks. Ink costs run about 1 cent per black page, 5 cents per color page.

While not as cheap as true supertank models, Brother printers excel in reliability and business features. Many experts recommend them for small offices.

Supertank vs Cartridge Printers: The Math

Let me break down the real numbers. Say you print 200 pages monthly (2,400 yearly). Here’s what you’d spend:

Printer Type	Printer Cost	Annual Ink Cost	Two-Year Total
Traditional Cartridge	$100	$480	$1,060
Supertank Model	$300	$24	$348

The supertank saves you over $700 in two years. That’s real money back in your pocket.

How Supertank Technology Works

External Ink Reservoirs

Supertank printers store ink in large external tanks instead of tiny cartridges. Think of it like having a gas tank instead of a coffee cup. More capacity means fewer refills.

These tanks hold 50-100 times more ink than standard cartridges. When they run low, you pour in new ink from bottles rather than swapping expensive cartridges.

Continuous Ink Supply System

Tubes connect the external tanks to the print head. This continuous system feeds ink as needed without interruption. No more “cartridge empty” messages in the middle of important print jobs.

Maintenance Considerations

Supertank printers need occasional cleaning to prevent clogs. Most models run automatic maintenance cycles weekly. You might need to run manual cleaning if you don’t print regularly.

Choosing Between Top Cheap Ink Printers

For Heavy Home Use: Canon G6020

Print lots of photos? Need large format printing? The G6020 handles it all. Its photo quality rivals dedicated photo printers, but with much cheaper ink costs.

For Small Offices: Epson ET-4760

The automatic document feeder and duplex printing make office tasks easier. Scan multi-page documents quickly or copy two-sided contracts without manual flipping.

For Basic Needs: Epson ET-2720

Sometimes simple wins. If you just need affordable printing for school papers and occasional photos, the ET-2720 delivers without unnecessary complexity.

For Reliability: Brother MFC-J995DW

Brother builds tanks that last. While ink costs slightly more than Canon or Epson supertanks, many users report fewer technical issues over time.

Money-Saving Tips for Any Printer

Buy Compatible Ink When Possible

Third-party ink bottles often cost 30-50% less than brand name options. I found that most work fine for everyday printing, though photo quality might suffer slightly.

Print in Draft Mode

Draft mode uses 30-50% less ink per page. Perfect for homework, rough drafts, or internal documents. Save high-quality settings for final copies and photos.

Keep Your Printer Active

Printers that sit unused develop clogged print heads. Print a test page weekly to keep ink flowing smoothly. This prevents expensive cleaning cycles and wasted ink.

Smart Font Choices

Some fonts use more ink than others. Times New Roman and Calibri use less ink than Arial or Trebuchet MS. Small changes add up over thousands of pages.

Common Myths About Cheap Ink Printers

Myth: Supertank Printers Break More Often

Research from consumer testing organizations shows supertank printers match traditional models for reliability. The technology has matured since early problematic models.

Myth: Print Quality Suffers With Cheap Ink

Modern supertank printers produce excellent quality. I compared printouts side-by-side and couldn’t tell the difference between supertank and cartridge prints for most documents.

Photo Printing Reality Check

High-end photo printing still favors dedicated photo printers or professional services. But for family snapshots and school projects, supertank photo quality satisfies most users.

When Cartridge Printers Still Make Sense

Very Light Usage

Print fewer than 20 pages monthly? A basic cartridge printer might cost less overall. The upfront savings offset higher ink costs for minimal printing needs.

Occasional Use

If you print seasonally or sporadically, cartridge printers handle long dormant periods better. Supertank systems can develop clogs from extended non-use.

Future of Low-Cost Printing

Printer manufacturers continue improving supertank technology. Newer models feature better clog resistance, faster printing speeds, and enhanced photo capabilities.

Subscription ink services also emerged as alternatives. Canon, HP, and Epson offer monthly plans that automatically ship ink when you’re running low. These services cost more per page than supertanks but less than buying individual cartridges.

Conclusion

Supertank printers revolutionized home and office printing costs. Models like the Canon G6020 and Epson ET-4760 slash ink expenses by 90% while maintaining excellent print quality. Yes, you pay more upfront, but savings start immediately and compound over time.

Choose based on your specific needs: G6020 for photos, ET-4760 for offices, ET-2720 for basics. Any supertank printer beats cartridge models for total cost if you print regularly. Your wallet will thank you every month when you skip those expensive cartridge purchases.

Which printer brand has the most reliable supertank technology?

Canon and Epson lead in supertank reliability, with both brands showing similar failure rates in consumer testing. Canon edges ahead slightly for photo printing, while Epson excels in office features and speed.

How long does supertank ink last compared to cartridges?

Supertank ink reservoirs typically last 1-2 years for average home users, compared to 2-4 months for standard cartridges. The exact duration depends on your printing volume and habits.

Can you use third-party ink in supertank printers?

Yes, most supertank printers accept compatible third-party inks without voiding warranties. These alternatives cost 30-50% less than brand-name bottles while delivering similar quality for everyday printing.

Do supertank printers work well for printing photos?

Modern supertank printers produce excellent photo quality that rivals dedicated photo printers. The Canon G6020 and Epson ET-4760 both deliver professional-looking photos at a fraction of traditional photo printing costs.

What happens if you don’t print regularly with a supertank printer?

Infrequent use can cause ink clogs in supertank systems. Print a test page weekly or run the automatic cleaning cycle monthly to keep ink flowing properly and prevent costly repairs.