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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Neither ink tank nor laser printers are always cheaper. An ink tank can be the better value if you print color regularly and keep the printer long enough for lower refill costs to offset its purchase price. A monochrome laser can be more economical for text-heavy black-and-white printing, with sharp text and speed as added benefits. The right comparison depends on your print mix, volume, local prices and ownership period.
Start with what you print
Estimate how many pages you print in a typical month, separating black-and-white pages from color pages. Also decide how long you expect to keep the printer. Those figures determine whether ongoing supply costs are likely to matter more than the purchase price.
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HP offers volume bands as a buyer aid, but they are HP recommendations, not universal break-even points. A printer that suits one household or office may not suit another with a different color mix, workload or local supply prices. See HP’s comparison of ink tank and laser printers and its guide to choosing a printer by use case.
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- Mostly black text: Include a monochrome laser in your comparison. It may offer competitive text-page costs and is well suited to sharp text output.
- Frequent color documents: Compare ink tanks carefully; their low refill-ink costs can help compensate for a higher initial price over time.
- Photos or varied color work: Consider output quality as well as supply costs. A color laser is not automatically the best choice for photo printing.
Calculate total cost over your ownership period
Compare the cost of owning each specific printer for the same period, rather than judging by sticker price or a headline cost-per-page figure. Epson describes its calculator method as combining the hardware’s initial purchase price with ongoing ink or toner costs. It also identifies servicing, power and replacement parts as additional variables in total cost of ownership. That is Epson’s calculator methodology, not a neutral market-wide pricing standard; see Epson’s TCO calculator methodology.
#1 Best Overall
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― High-capacity ink tanks mean no more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; Epson’s exclusive EcoFit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
- Impressive Print Quality ― Unique Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology produces sharp text – plus impressive color photos and graphics – on virtually any paper type
- Zero Cartridge Waste – By using an EcoTank printer, you can help reduce the amount of cartridge waste ending up in landfills
- Built-in Scanner & Copier ― High-resolution flatbed scanner and a color display for easy document copying and navigation
- Use current local prices. Record each printer’s price and the price of genuine replacement ink or toner in your region.
- Account for supplies in the box. Note the included supply yield, if published. Bundled ink or toner may delay your first replacement, but its pages still belong in the ownership-period estimate.
- Estimate pages by supply. Divide the price of each replacement supply by its published page yield. For color printing, use the relevant color-supply figures rather than assuming black-only yield applies.
- Add parts and operating costs. Include a drum or other replacement parts if the model requires them, as well as likely servicing and power costs where you can estimate them.
- Apply your print mix and period. Estimate the supplies needed for your expected black-and-white and color pages over the time you plan to own the printer, then add the printer price and other costs.
For a useful comparison, keep the region, currency, ownership period, monthly volume, black/color mix and genuine-supply basis consistent. Published yields are not a promise that every user will get the same number of pages: Epson’s methodology describes standardized ISO-based test patterns, and actual results vary with coverage and use. Its European EcoTank calculator explains its comparison methodology, including use of 2023 IDC shipment data published in Q1 2024 and ISO/IEC 24712 test patterns.
How the trade-offs usually fall
Ink tank: lower ongoing ink costs, especially for color
Refillable tanks are designed to reduce the ongoing cost of ink. They can be attractive when you print color regularly, because repeated color output gives lower-priced refill ink more opportunity to offset the printer’s upfront cost. The trade-off is that the initial purchase price may be higher, so occasional printing may not make the most of the savings.
Rank #2
- THE LAST PRINTER YOU'LL EVER NEED – Set it up once and print with confidence; no complicated maintenance, just easy, reliable printing you can count on
- FULLY LOADED WITH SAVINGS – Best for low-cost, high-volume printing—up to 3 years of HP Ink included; get up to 6,000 color or black pages right out of the box
- KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan, plus borderless prints, mobile and wireless printing
- MESS-FREE REFILL – Replenish ink with HP's easy-access, mess-free refill system; simply plug the ink bottles into this cartridge-free ink tank and let them drain—no squeezing, no spilling
- BEST PRINT QUALITY, PERIOD – Sharper text, richer colors, only with HP Smart Tank
Epson’s U.S. EcoTank product-line page advertises up to 6,600 color pages and up to 5,500 black pages from included ink. These are maximum brand claims for the described range, not guaranteed yields for every model or user; included supplies and results vary by model and usage. Check the exact model’s included-ink details at Epson’s U.S. EcoTank range page.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchMonochrome laser: competitive for text-only output
A monochrome laser avoids paying for color capability you may not need. HP says, “Black-and-white laser models can offer a very competitive cost per page for text-only documents.” The qualification matters: that statement concerns text-only documents, not every workload or a universal comparison against ink tanks. Compare the specific laser’s toner yield and price, along with any drum or other required replacement parts.
Rank #3
- INNOVATIVE CARTRIDGE-FREE PRINTING — No more dealing with tiny, expensive ink cartridges; With this wireless printer each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges²
- LESS FREQUENT INK REPLACEMENT — Replacement ink bottles don't have to be changed nearly as often as ink cartridges¹; Color printer lets you print up to 4,500 black and white pages and 7,200 color³
- PRINT FOR LONGER — Up to 2 years of ink in the box⁴ (and with every replacement ink set) for fewer out-of-ink frustrations; This home printer keeps printing longer
- HIGH CAPACITY INK TANKS – Printer, scanner and copier utilizes Epson’s exclusive EcoFit ink bottles, making the refill process easy and worry-free
- ZERO CARTRIDGE WASTE — By using an Epson EcoTank printer you can help reduce the amount of cartridge waste ending up in landfills; Cartridge-free printer utilizes ink bottles for more convenience and less waste
Color laser: do not assume it is the best color value
A color laser gives you color output, but that alone does not establish that it will be cheaper than an ink tank or better for photographs. Compare the model’s complete supply costs and the kind of color output you need. For photo-heavy use, output suitability is a separate consideration from toner cost.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why universal cost-per-page claims can mislead
A cost-per-page number is only useful when you know which printer and supplies it describes, how yield was measured, what region and prices were used, and what document coverage the estimate assumes. The available manufacturer material does not provide a current, neutral model-by-model comparison using common transaction prices and your print mix, so it cannot establish a market-wide winner or a universal break-even volume.
Rank #4
- STRESS-FREE PRINTING — Epson EcoTank comes with enough ink to print up to 6,600 pages black/5,500 color¹⁰ for fewer out-of-ink frustrations. Each replacement ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 cartridges¹¹
- SIMPLE INK REFILLING — Supersized ink tanks and uniquely keyed EcoFit bottles make refilling ink simple—no mess, no stress and no ink bottle mix-ups
- THE WORLD’S #1 SELLING SUPERTANK PRINTER² — Epson invented EcoTank to revolutionize the way people print; we’ve sold 100 million EcoTanks worldwide⁷ and this is our 7th generation of cartridge-free printers
- ADVANCED PRODUCTIVITY FEATURES — Fast 15 black/8 color ISO ppm print speeds with zero warmup time, built-in scanner, 100-sheet paper tray, auto duplex printing and a 1.44" color display for easy navigation
- STUNNING PRINT QUALITY — High 4800 x 1200 dpi print resolution for exceptional photos and text; enjoy amazing image quality on a wide range of media
For example, Epson UK’s historical calculator listed a mono laser market average of $154.26 for the printer, 5,588 bundled pages and $0.021 per black page. Those figures reflect a historical, regional comparison using IDC EMEA Q2 2019 data; they are not current prices or a reliable estimate of what a typical laser costs today. Epson says its calculator uses a defined set of comparison models, published yields and market data, and cautions that it is only a guide and prices can change.
Quick Recap
Choose by workload, then verify the model
- Choose an ink tank as a strong candidate if you expect to print color regularly and a model-specific calculation shows that lower refill costs offset its higher purchase price during your ownership period.
- Choose a monochrome laser as a strong candidate if your workload is predominantly text in black and white and the toner, drum and other part costs compare favorably for the exact model.
- Compare color output directly if photos or color documents matter; supply economics alone do not determine print quality or suitability.
- Check operational fit by comparing print speed, paper capacity, duplex printing and duty-cycle needs alongside cost.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
