Best Printer with Cheap Ink UK: Ink Tank vs Laser vs Cartridge
Quick answer: the printers with the cheapest ink are ink tank printers, which you refill from bottles instead of buying cartridges. They cost more to buy, but the cost per page is a fraction of a standard cartridge inkjet, so they pay off if you print regularly in colour. For black text only, a mono laser printer is also very cheap per page. Our ink tank picks include the Brother DCP-T580DW (£228.99) and HP Smart Tank 7005 (£228.99).
Cheap cartridge printers are cheap for a reason: the ink is where the money goes. If you print homework, letters, tickets or photos every week, a printer with low running costs saves more than it costs within a year or two. Here is how to pick one.
How to compare running costs
Cost per page = price of ink or toner / pages it prints. Manufacturers publish page yields based on a standard test page (ISO/IEC yields). Divide the replacement price by the stated yield, for black and for colour, to compare printers fairly. Remember that photos and full-colour pages use much more ink than the test page.
Printer types by ink cost
| Type | Upfront cost | Cost per page | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cartridge inkjet | Lowest | Highest | Very occasional printing |
| Inkjet with high-yield (XL) cartridges | Low | Medium | Moderate printing |
| Ink tank | Higher | Very low | Regular colour printing |
| Mono laser | Medium | Low for black | Lots of black text |
| Colour laser or LED | Higher | Low to medium | Colour business documents |
Ink tank printers we sell
| Printer | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Brother DCP-T580DW | 3-in-1, Wi-Fi, automatic 2-sided printing, refillable bottles | £228.99 |
| HP Smart Tank 7005 | All-in-one A4, wireless, high-volume home office | £228.99 |
| HP Smart Tank 7305 | All-in-one, wireless, low-cost office printing | £278.99 |
Low-cost black text: mono laser
If you rarely need colour, a mono laser is the most reliable low-cost option. Toner does not dry out, so it suits people who print in bursts. Try the Brother HL-L2400DWE (£113.99) or the 3-in-1 Brother DCP-L2627DWE (£158.99). Our laser vs inkjet guide explains the trade-offs.
Is an ink tank printer worth it?
- Yes if you print more than a few colour pages a week, have children printing schoolwork, or print photos.
- Maybe not if you print only a handful of pages a month. A cheaper inkjet or a mono laser may cost less overall.
Tips to make ink last longer
- Use draft or eco mode for everyday printing.
- Print in greyscale unless you need colour.
- Use 2-sided printing and print preview to avoid wasted pages.
- Use genuine or good-quality compatible ink as the manufacturer recommends, and check your warranty terms.
- Keep the printer switched on standby, which lets it maintain its print head.
Browse ink tank printers, ink and toner and all printers.
Frequently asked questions
Which printer has the cheapest ink in the UK?
Ink tank printers, refilled from bottles, have the lowest cost per page for colour. Mono lasers are cheapest for black text.
Are ink tank printers worth the money?
Yes, if you print regularly in colour. The higher upfront price is usually recovered through much cheaper ink.
How do I work out cost per page?
Divide the price of the replacement ink or toner by its stated page yield, for black and colour separately.
Do ink tank printers dry out?
They can if unused for very long periods. Print a test page every week or two and leave the printer on standby.
