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10 Best Printers For Home Use Cheap Inks 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer - Black, Medium

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a versatile and economical choice for home users seeking a printer with low-cost ink options. Its standout feature is the cartridge-free printing system that uses high-capacity ink tanks, significantly reducing ink costs and frequent cartridge replacements. The printer comes with enough ink to last up to two years, making it a cost-effective solution for families who print frequently. Each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges, which means fewer trips to buy replacements and less waste ending up in landfills. This eco-friendly aspect is a significant plus for environmentally conscious users.

The print quality is impressive, thanks to Epson’s Micro Piezo Heat Free technology, which ensures sharp text and vibrant color prints. It supports a variety of paper types, including glossy photo paper, making it suitable for printing everything from documents to high-quality photos. Additionally, the built-in scanner and copier add to its functionality, although the copy resolution is somewhat lower than the print resolution. On the connectivity front, the ET-2800 offers wireless printing and even supports voice-activated printing via smart devices. This makes it convenient to print from smartphones and tablets using AirPrint or the Epson Smart Panel app.

However, the printer’s speed is on the slower side, with a maximum of 10 pages per minute for monochrome and 5 pages per minute for color prints. It also lacks duplex (double-sided) printing, which could be a drawback for users who frequently need to print on both sides of the paper. Despite these minor limitations, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 remains a robust and cost-effective printer that excels in reducing ink costs and minimizing environmental impact, making it an excellent choice for home use.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Ink Cartridge Yield
The ink lasts significantly longer than traditional cartridges, making it a cost-effective option.
Refillable Ink Tanks
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a game-changer with its refillable ink tanks, saving money and reducing plastic waste.
Print Quality
Print quality is excellent for both documents and photos, with vibrant colors and no smudging.
Connectivity Options
Wireless printing works flawlessly from laptops and phones, enhancing convenience.
#2

HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All-in-One Ink Tank Printer with 2 years of ink included,Print, scan, copy, Best-for-home, Refillable ink tank (1F3Y0A)

The HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All-in-One Ink Tank Printer is a solid choice for home users looking for a budget-friendly printing solution with cheap, refillable inks. It stands out due to its inclusion of 2 years’ worth of ink right from the start, which allows for high-volume printing (up to 6,000 pages) without the constant need for cartridge replacements. The refillable ink tanks are designed for easy, spill-free refills, making it a practical choice for families who print frequently.

The print quality is commendable, providing crisp text and vivid, true-to-life colors suitable for both documents and photos. Additionally, the printer supports wireless and mobile printing, offering convenience and flexibility for users who print from various devices such as smartphones, PCs, and laptops. The self-healing Wi-Fi ensures a reliable connection, minimizing disruptions.

However, there are a few limitations to consider. The print speed is moderate, with a maximum of 12 pages per minute for black and 5 pages per minute for color, which might not be sufficient for users who need to print large volumes quickly. The absence of automatic duplex printing means manual intervention is required for double-sided printing, which could be inconvenient. The printer's build and features are mainly geared toward home use, so it may not be ideal for a high-demand office setting. Despite these drawbacks, the HP Smart Tank 5101 offers a significant cost-saving advantage on ink and delivers reliable performance for everyday home printing tasks.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Ink Type
The liquid ink lasts significantly longer than traditional cartridges, making it a cost-effective choice.
Ink Cartridge Yield
This printer is easy to set up and the ink doesn't dry out quickly, enhancing its longevity.
Print Quality
The image quality is impressive, and connecting to Wi-Fi is straightforward.
Connectivity Options
The image quality is impressive, and connecting to Wi-Fi is straightforward.
#3

Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier, Fax, ADF and Ethernet – Ideal-for Your Home Office, White

The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is a versatile all-in-one printer designed for home offices, offering high-capacity, cartridge-free printing. One of its main strengths is the significant savings on ink costs, as it uses refillable ink tanks instead of traditional cartridges. This feature allows users to print up to 4,500 pages in black and 7,500 pages in color with the included ink, reducing the need for frequent and expensive replacements.

The printer's Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology ensures impressive print quality for both text and color photos, making it suitable for various printing needs. The built-in scanner and copier add to its functionality, and the device supports modern connectivity options, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and hands-free voice-activated printing. Users can also print easily from smart devices using the Epson Smart Panel App and the Epson Email Print feature.

However, the printer's print speed is relatively slow, with 10 ppm for monochrome and 5 ppm for color, which might not be ideal for high-volume printing tasks. The printer's dimensions and weight are manageable for home use, but its output sheet capacity of 100 sheets may require frequent refilling for continuous printing jobs. While the initial investment in the printer might be higher compared to cartridge-based printers, the long-term savings on ink can be substantial. The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 offers a reliable and eco-friendly printing solution with a 2-year limited warranty, making it a good choice for home offices looking to reduce ink costs and environmental impact.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Ink Type
The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is a breath of fresh air with its massive ink reservoir that eliminates the need for frustrating ink subscriptions.
Ink Cartridge Yield
The cost per page is absurdly low, making it a game-changer compared to traditional inkjet models.
Refillable Ink Tanks
Setting up the printer is refreshingly simple, and filling the ink tanks is surprisingly mess-free.
Print Quality
The print quality is crisp for documents and handles color prints well enough for everyday needs.

Buying Guide for the Best Printers For Home Use Cheap Inks

Choosing the right printer for home use can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you want to ensure that the ink costs remain low. The key is to focus on a few important specifications that will help you find a printer that meets your needs without breaking the bank on ink. Here are the key specs you should consider and how to navigate them to find the best fit for you.
Ink TypeInk type refers to the kind of ink cartridges the printer uses. This is important because different types of ink can vary significantly in cost and efficiency. There are mainly two types: dye-based and pigment-based inks. Dye-based inks are generally cheaper and better for vibrant colors, making them suitable for photo printing. Pigment-based inks are more expensive but last longer and are better for text documents. If you print a lot of photos, go for dye-based inks. If you print mostly documents, pigment-based inks might be more cost-effective in the long run.
Ink Cartridge YieldInk cartridge yield indicates how many pages a cartridge can print before it needs to be replaced. This is crucial for understanding the long-term cost of owning a printer. Cartridges with higher yields are more cost-effective as they need to be replaced less frequently. Yields can range from a few hundred pages to several thousand. If you print frequently, look for printers with high-yield cartridges to save money over time. For occasional printing, standard yield cartridges should suffice.
Printer TypePrinter type refers to whether the printer is an inkjet or a laser printer. Inkjet printers are generally cheaper upfront and are good for color printing and photos, but their ink can be more expensive. Laser printers, on the other hand, are more expensive initially but have lower per-page printing costs, especially for black and white documents. If you need to print a lot of documents and want to keep ink costs low, a monochrome laser printer might be the best choice. For mixed use, an inkjet printer with affordable ink options is a good balance.
Refillable Ink TanksRefillable ink tanks are an alternative to traditional ink cartridges. These tanks can be refilled with bottled ink, which is usually much cheaper per page than cartridges. This is important for reducing long-term ink costs. Printers with refillable tanks are ideal for high-volume printing as they significantly lower the cost per page. If you print a lot and want to save on ink, look for printers with this feature. For low to moderate printing needs, traditional cartridges might be more convenient.
Print QualityPrint quality is measured in dots per inch (DPI) and determines how sharp and clear the printed output will be. This is important if you need high-quality prints for photos or professional documents. Higher DPI means better quality but can also mean higher ink usage. For general home use, a DPI of 600x600 is usually sufficient. If you need to print high-quality photos or detailed graphics, look for a printer with a higher DPI, such as 1200x1200 or more.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity options refer to how the printer connects to your devices. This is important for convenience and ease of use. Common options include USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Wi-Fi-enabled printers allow you to print from multiple devices without needing to connect physically, which is great for households with multiple users. If you want to print directly from your smartphone or tablet, look for printers with mobile printing capabilities. For basic use, a USB connection might be sufficient.

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