There’s nothing more frustrating than running out of ink. Then suffering sticker shock at the price of replacement cartridges for your printer. When shopping for a printer that can use cheap ink, it’s essential to consider the initial cost and also the cost per page in B&W and color.
In our latest guide, we highlight five winning printers out of 26 evaluated based on their performance and test data. We examined 148,212 customer reviews and certified the best that excelled in testing while filtering out fake and low-quality reviews. Our unique approach leverages our scientific True Score to ensure you get reliable, cost-effective options. These models not only save on ink but also rank as some of the best printers available today, combining cost-efficiency with top-notch performance across various printing tasks.
Epson Ecotank ET-5850 – Best for Envelopes
The Epson Ecotank ET-5850 excels in high-volume printing with best-in-class black-and-white print speeds of 23 ppm and color speeds of 18.1 ppm, making it ideal for time-sensitive environments. Its economical ink usage at 0.5 cents per page, extensive connectivity options, and large 550-sheet tray capacity make it perfect for offices requiring efficiency and versatility. This is a top-tier printer for those who prioritize performance and cost-efficiency in their printing tasks.
Epson Ecotank ET-8550
The Epson Ecotank ET-8550 is an upper mid-range printer that balances ink efficiency with versatility, making it suitable for both office tasks and creative projects. With a color accuracy delta E of 6.48, best-in-class for its category, and a print speed of 15.45 ppm for black-and-white, it offers strong performance at a competitive price. Its ability to handle large-format prints and varied media sizes, combined with economical color printing at 0.4 cents per page, makes it a versatile choice for diverse printing needs.
Epson Ecotank ET-8500 – Best Mid-Range
The Epson Ecotank ET-8500 is a standout for its low ink costs, offering printing at just 0.3 cents per page, tied for best-in-class. It delivers versatile performance with a 100-sheet tray capacity and support for various paper types, making it ideal for both standard documents and creative projects. Its print speeds of 13.4 ppm for black-and-white and 7.35 ppm for color, along with comprehensive connectivity options, make it a reliable choice for users seeking efficiency and versatility in their printing tasks.
Epson Ecotank ET-3850
The Epson Ecotank ET-3850 stands out as a cost-effective mid-range printer with a low operating cost of 0.3 cents per page, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users. With a black-and-white print speed of 15.5 ppm and a respectable color accuracy delta E of 10.4, it is well-suited for home or small office use. The inclusion of features like wireless connectivity, duplex printing, and an automatic document feeder enhances its usability, making it a dependable and versatile option.
HP LaserJet Tank MFP 2604SDW – Best Value
The HP LaserJet Tank MFP 2604SDW is an excellent value choice, offering economical ink usage without compromising functionality. It features a moderate print speed of 12.85 ppm and a resolution of 600×600 DPI, providing a balance between speed and quality for black-and-white prints. While its cost per print is slightly higher at 0.7 cents per page, its reliability, tray capacity, and duplex printing make it a versatile option for small business environments or users with diverse printing needs.
How We Rank Printers and What is the Gadget Review True Score
Gadget Review is known for its True Score, the web’s most accurate product quality rating. The True Score blends expert reviews and human assessed Trust Ratings with customer feedback, underpinned by a sophisticated AI tool. This tool utilizes advanced machine learning algorithms and Bayesian models to analyze and synthesize data, ensuring accurate, unbiased, and comprehensive scoring. You can read more about it here.
