If you need a printer that's quick, compact, with lower running costs than a traditional inkjet, I consistently recommend the best ink tank printers. These cartridge-free units use cheap bottled ink, and most of the ones I review have two or three years'-worth of ink included. So, whether it's for home, business, or study, they're the smart choice as far as I'm concerned.
I've put more than 200 printers through their paces using a standardized test I devised, and in my experience, the Epson EcoTank ET-4950 is the best for most people. It's fast to print, the quality is excellent for documents and photos, and I struggle to think of a printer so feature-packed and so generous with its ink at this price. Just to prove how good it is, I rank it as the best home printer, too, even against top-tier inkjet and laser models.
You'll find my full review below, alongside alternatives that are suitable for home, small business, and craft printing. I've personally tested each cartridge-free model here and compared print quality, speeds, and on-going running costs.
Best ink tank printer overall
If you're looking for an ink tank printer for home and office use, the Epson EcoTank ET-4950 is excellent. This all-in-one cartridge-free inkjet offers more features and more ink than any other mid-range printer we've tested.
First off, it's a 4-in-1, letting you print, scan, copy, and fax. Second, it actually has double-sided scanning and printing, which is rare for a model at this price - and one of the main reasons why it's perfectly suited to the home office. Print speeds are excellent, particularly in mono, and there's also a 30-sheet automatic document feeder. If you're doing a lot of high-volume printing in black-and-white or color, it's features like these that make it a must in our experience.
What's especially notable about the EcoTank ET-4950 series is the sheer amount of bottled ink that comes included in the box (Epson estimates it should last around three years). Print quality with this ink delivered some vividly colored and detailed test pages during our review.
While Epson still leads the way in the refillable printer market, that's not to say the ET-4950 is perfect. We found the Canon MAXIFY GX4020 offered slightly more detailed photos, and the HP Smart Tank 7001 has larger ink tanks. But for feature-rich all-rounder, it's hard to beat at this price.
Read our full Epson EcoTank ET-4950 review
Best ink tank printer on a budget
The Canon Pixma G3270 (also known as the Canon Pixma G3570) is a modest little MegaTank well-suited for home printing on a budget.
It’s an entry-level all-in-one home ink tank printer, with print, scan, and copy functionality - all of which performed well in tests, although it’s not exceptional by any means. Both print speed (11ipm mono) and paper capacity (100 sheets) is about standard for ink tank printing at home. However, we would’ve liked to see auto-duplex mode for quick double-sided printing. Test pages we printed during our review process showed bright, colorful, consistent color prints that didn’t smudge under the finger.
It’s not ideal for professional photo printing - we found the resolution was fine, but the colors were lacking vividity - but will be more than suitable for printing documents and photos at home. It also lacks some of key extra features, like a touchscreen or ADF. For a cheap home ink tank printer, there are a fair amount of trade-offs here, but at least the Pixma G3270 won't break the bank.
Editor's note: If you want an even cheaper ink tank printer, I personally like the Epson EcoTank ET-2400 from Amazon. In the UK, it's known as the EcoTank ET-2860 / ET-2861, and costs around $160 / £160.
Read our full Canon Pixma G3270 / G3570 review
Best ink tank printer for the home office
The HP Smart Tank 7001 (known as the 7005 outside the US) is an affordable refillable inkjet aimed at home and small business use. It’s relatively basic, in that there’s no touchscreen, USB Host port, NFC or ADF (automatic document feed).
However, it can scan Letter-sized documents, auto-duplex, and has a decent 250-sheet paper input tray. It also has dual-band wi-fi and Bluetooth which really speeded up the setup procedure. In the test, it printed quite quickly at 15ppm (pages per minute) in simplex mode and the results looked detailed and vibrant overall.
Photos looked a little too vivid and I experienced paper jams any time I asked the printer to duplex with imperfect paper. But breaking away from cartridges makes this HP an economical and worthy choice for anyone needing a cheap ink tank model.
Read our full HP Smart Tank 7001 (7005) review
Best ink tank printer for photographers
We’ve hand-tested plenty of the best ink tank printers and the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 stands out as our top premium ink tank for photograph printing thanks to its quality, ease of use, and low-profile design. Its six-color Claria ET ink system delivers exceptional detail and colour accuracy for photos, while keeping down costs.
The ET-8550’s print quality is outstanding, with colors popping off the page, and even black-and-white images look more eye-catching. A rear tray allows for the printing of quite thick card and stops A3 photos from curling up. The large tilting touchscreen setup is straightforward. Whether you’re connecting via Wi-Fi or using the companion app, everything from unboxing to first print feels easy.
It performs most functions people are likely to need, including scanning, copying, and the ever-useful auto-duplex mode. Alongside this, the printer can enlarge photocopies from Letter / A4 to A3, can print on blank media, supports up to Tabloid / A3+ paper sizes, and via the rear tray, can print 2m banners
The main caveat is paper capacity. The trays hold less than some office-first rivals, and while print speeds are decent, they won’t impress in a busy workgroup setting. For anyone who wants the best photo and document output in a pleasure-to-use package, and can live with moderate paper handling, the ET-8550 looks like a superb long-term investment based on its features and performance.
Read our full Epson EcoTank ET-8550 review
Best ink tank printer for business
Known as the Canon Maxify GX4020, GX4050, or GX4060, depending on your territory, this compact MegaTank printer is one of the best ink tank printers for small offices who need reliability, good performance, and cost-efficiency. Rounding out the small-business potential, the Canon’s ink tank printer features print, scan, copy, and fax.
During our own tests, the GX4020 showed a FPOT (first print out time) of approximately nine seconds (mono or color), which is very prompt. However, at 18ppm (mono), overall print speeds aren’t super-quick, and the 250-sheet paper capacity means it won’t suit larger workplaces. But it’s fast enough and big enough to tackle print jobs in small offices where employees won’t be queuing to print multiple pages.
It prints text documents well, with on-page characters coming across sharp and dark - although not as rich as you’d get from a laser printer. While photos printed on glossy paper were lacking, the printer excelled at mixed color documents, with maps in particular highlighting the brightness, detail, vibrancy the Canon Maxify GX4020 can deliver.
Read our full Canon Maxify GX4020 review
Best ink tank printer for cardstock & crafts
The Brother MFC-T780DW - known as the Brother DCP-T780DW in the UK - is the company's first serious ink tank printer, and it's a complete success. It might have lower-capacity tanks compared to units like the HP 7001, and for large-scale craft printing, I recommend opting for the versatile Epson EcoTank ET-8550. But I just can't fault the print quality here.
I found it suitable for home and home office use - but for me, the real highlight of this INKvestment printer is the sheer versatility of the paper types it supports. So, alongside the standard legal/A4, you can print on envelopes, smaller paper sizes, and cardstock up to 300gsm. If you're an Etsy creator or into crafting at any level, this is the ink tank printer I fully recommend.
Design-wise, it's compact and well-built for an all-in-one that prints, scans, copies and - in the US, fax. Features are good here, with a 100-sheet main tray, a 2-sheet automatic document feeder, and a single-sheet media-friendly rear feed for thicker card.
During my tests, I found color printing was very impressive (and that's due to Brother’s bright C/M/Y inks). I also felt resolution and detail were excellent. It might lack a touchscreen, and as I say, the tanks are smaller than some ink tank printers. However, document and photo print quality is above average and the support for thicker cardstock make it idea for arts and crafts if you don't need a larger-scale printer like the Epson EcoTank ET-8550.
Read our full Brother MFC-T780DW review
Best ink tank printers: Frequently asked questions
What are ink tank printers and how do they work?
Ink tank printers, also called bulk ink tanks, or supertanks, are inkjet printers that have refillable ink reservoirs instead of cartridges. They use bottled ink which you pour into the color-coded tanks where it is drawn through tubes the printheads. HP, Canon, Brother, and Epson have all developed ink tank printers that work on the same principle, but in slightly different ways. HP’s Smart Tank printers and Canon’s MegaTank printers have user-installed printheads, while Epson’s EcoTank printers have the printhead built in.
How long do the ink tanks last in an ink tank printer?
Each tank in a supertank printer is many times larger than the average cartridge, so you can print a lot more, or for longer than a cartridge-based printer. HP’s Smart Tank printers hold 80ml of ink in each tank, while HP’s cartridges usually contain closer to 8ml. HP reckons one full set of tanks will keep you printing for up to two years. That’s 8,000 colour pages and 6,000 monochome pages. Epson and Canon both make similar claims.
Which is better ink tank, inkjet, or laser?
This really comes down to what you’re printing and how often. A good rule of thumb is this:
Cartridge inkjet printers are cheap to buy, but their cartridges are expensive (a new set could cost more than the printer itself), so they’re better for low print demands. They're good for black and white or color documents and great for photographs. Some say installing a disposable inkjet cartridge is more convenient than topping up an ink tank. It certainly creates more waste.
Laser printers are bigger and more expensive, but toner is cheap because toner cartridges have a much higher page yield than inkjet cartridges. They excel at document printing, but typically aren't so good at color images and they won’t print on photo paper.
Ink tank printers are expensive to buy, but their bottled ink is cheap, so they suit a high usage. They are inkjet printers with the same strengths, plus the added benefit of cheap ink and less environmental impact, so it’s fair to say that ink tank printers are better than cartridge inkjet printers.
Are ink tank printers more cost-effective than traditional cartridge printers?
Yes, although they cost more upfront, ink tank printers are more cost-effective because bottled ink is up to 90 percent cheaper than cartridge ink. HP’s entry-level Smart Tank printer sells for around US$300, while its cartridge printers start at around thirty bucks. However, the Smart Tanks come with two years of ink, while those ‘starter cartridges’ with the cheap printer will last for less than a hundred prints and a new 8ml ink cartridge can cost as much as an 80ml ink bottle.
You should also consider the ongoing maintenance cost. Both cartridge and ink tank printers use liquid ink that’s liable to dry out and clog the inkjet nozzles of the printhead if left for long periods. In most cases, that’s easily cured by running a cleaning or ‘maintenance’ cycle or two. This involves pushing fresh ink through the nozzles, which you don’t mind doing if you use bottled ink. If you use cartridges, however, it’s going to hurt.
What are some things to consider when choosing an ink tank printer?
When choosing an ink tank printer, there are a few key factors to consider:
Printing volume: Consider the volume of printing that you will be doing with the printer. Ink tank printers are ideal for high-volume printing, so a traditional cartridge printer may be a more cost-effective option if you have moderate or low print needs.
Ink cost: Compare the cost of ink for different printer models to determine which one will be the most cost-effective in the long run.
Connectivity: Consider the connectivity options important to you, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, or NFC.
Additional features: Think about any additional features you may want in a printer, such as automatic duplexing (double-sided printing), scanning and copying capabilities, or the ability to print from a mobile device.
I only print every few months. Is an ink tank printer best for me?
Probably not. If you're going months between prints, ink can dry out and clog nozzles requiring maintenance. For occasional users, laser printers are a better option because they use a dry powder or cartridge printers because you can replace the entire cartridge hassle free if it becomes blocked.
How often do I need to use an ink tank printer?
To prevent ink drying in the hoses and printer heads it's recommended to print one colour page at least once a week. With modern ink tank printers there is less risk because they have automatic cleaning cycles but you'll need to leave the printer powered on for this to function normally.
Are ink tank printers good for photos?
They're very good for family photos but you'll need to get a six-color printer to get the best photo-quality prints.
Are ink tank printers cost effective?
Yes. If you're printing large quantities it's hard to beat the cost-effectiveness of ink tank printers because you don't need to buy an entire cartridge for each refill. They're more expensive up front but if you're printing regularly the cost will pay for itself after the first year.
How to choose the best ink tank printers for you
Given you're already interested in finding out about the best ink tank printers, there's a good chance you already know of the significant economic (and environmental) benefits of owning an ink tank printer over the traditional cartridge models.
Usage
If you're on the lookout for a light, compact yet dependable printer that will sit in your home office for only a single user, your requirements will be drastically different to those needing a large and robust printer that will meet the needs of a team of ten in a small business. Because of their lower running costs, cheaper ink, and vibrant picture quality, ink tanks make some of best photo printers. For solo studio use, they can be ideal.
Print schedule
Get a rough idea as to how many pages you'll be printing per month, then factor in whether you'll be happy with black and white prints, or whether you'll also need color. Both factors will play a big part in the overall cost of your printer.
Print speed
You'll also want to consider how important print speed is to you - not all of these printers are the quickest to turn out a fresh page. Another consideration should be whether you need to print only A4, or will you be requiring A3 or even a variety of sizes? Lastly, consider how you'd like to connect to your printer from your device. If you're keen to avoid wires, prioritise those printers that offer cloud or Wi-Fi options.
Hardware & system
Another issue you may face is your laptop or computer - some printers will only work with Windows devices. In these circumstances, the best printers for Mac will be a better choice.
Brands
If you have a preferred manufacturer, our team has tested out the best Epson printers, the best Brother printers, and the best HP printers to help you find the right one for you.
How we test the best ink tank printers
As the senior printer editor at TechRadar Pro, I’ve tested hundreds of printers, from the best small business printers to the best sublimation printers, and I’m always improving my methodology. The process starts right from the unboxing and initial set-up, which is timed. If there’s a problem with unsustainable packaging or a baffling user manual, I’ll call it. If it’s a pleasure to use, that’ll be reflected in the final score too. I always test both wired and wireless connections and explore the various remote printing companion apps offered by brands such as HP, Epson and Canon as these often enhance the user experience.
For the performance tests, I have a folder of test cards, photos and text documents designed to assess detail resolution, contrast, color accuracy and gamut. Some test images are particularly good for spotting feathering and smearing among inkjets. A ten-page text document is useful for measuring print rates because I never take manufacturer's claims at face value. Having said that, the quoted print and scan speeds are usually accurate enough that I rarely contradict them.
I print each test page on a range of standard paper stock from cheap 75gsm sheets to 600gsm card, as every printer has its limits and preferences when it comes to paper quality. And if the manual claims you can print on envelopes, labels or t-shirts, I test that too.
Features such as auto-duplex scanning or copying multi-page documents via an ADF (automatic document feed) are evaluated, and an assessment of build quality and design contributes to the overall rating. I pay particular attention to the COO (cost of ownership) because cheap printers can often give lower value for money when you calculate the ongoing consumables cost. You can find out more about our comprehensive testing process in our guide to how we test, review, and rate printers on TechRadar Pro.
