Best Printers with Cheap Ink (2026)

One of the most common questions people ask when shopping for a printer is:

"Which printer has the cheapest ink?"

It's a simple question, but the answer isn't always straightforward. A printer with a low purchase price can sometimes end up costing far more over time if replacement ink or toner is expensive. On the other hand, a printer with a higher upfront cost may save you hundreds of dollars over its lifespan through lower operating costs.

Over the past 40 years at Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we've learned that the cheapest printer isn't always the most affordable to own.

When evaluating printing costs, it's important to consider ink and toner costs, page yield, print volume, and printer type to determine your true cost of ownership.

This guide will help you understand what makes a printer affordable to operate and highlight some of the best printers with cheap ink and toner available in 2026.

Looking for a specific use case? We've included affordable options for home users, small offices, high-volume environments, and businesses that primarily print in color.

Short Answer: Which Printer Has the Cheapest Ink?

For most home users and small offices, refillable ink tank printers such as Canon MegaTank and Epson EcoTank models offer the lowest long-term ink costs.

Unlike traditional cartridge-based printers, these refillable ink bottle systems can print thousands of pages (assuming low page coverage) before requiring replacement ink.

If an organization mainly prints documents, monochrome laser printers will give the lowest long-term cost per page because toner lasts much longer than ink and doesn’t dry out.

In summary:

• Ink tank printers = lowest color printing costs
• Monochrome laser printers = lowest black-and-white printing costs
• High-yield cartridges = lower cost per page
• Higher upfront costs often lead to lower long-term costs

Table of Contents

• Short Answer: Which Printer Has the Cheapest Ink?
• Understanding Printer Types
• What Makes a Printer Cheap to Operate?
• Best Printers With Affordable Ink (2026)
  • Inkjet Printers
  • Laser Printers
• Expert Tips to Extend the Life of Your Ink and Toner
• Where to Get Affordable Toner and Ink
• What Else Should You Consider Besides Ink Costs?
• Other Considerations
• FAQ

Understanding Printer Types

Before recommending printers, we must first understand the two primary printer categories: inkjet and laser.

The type of printer you choose will directly impact how much you spend on ink or toner over time.

Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are popular because they produce excellent color output and typically cost less upfront than laser printers.

Inkjet printers use liquid ink stored in cartridges or refillable tanks. They’re ideal for home offices that print a moderate volume of color documents such as marketing materials and photos.

Many modern inkjet printers have refillable ink tanks that lower printing costs, as one set of ink bottles can print thousands of pages.

However, traditional cartridge-based inkjet printers can become expensive if you print frequently. Ink can also dry out if the printer sits unused for long periods.

Laser Printers

Laser printers use toner powder instead of liquid ink.

Because toner doesn’t dry out, laser printers are often better for organizations with high monthly print volumes or those that print infrequently.

Laser printers also typically offer faster print speeds and lower black-and-white printing costs

While the initial cost is often higher, laser printers deliver lower long-term operating costs. If you print more than 1,000 pages per month, a laser printer is worth seriously considering.

For a deeper comparison, read our guide on Inkjet vs. Laser Printers.

What Makes a Printer Cheap to Operate?

When comparing printers, it's important to look beyond the purchase price. A printer's long-term cost depends on which supplies you buy (which impacts supply costs)  and cost per page, which is the average amount you spend on ink or toner for each printed page.

Here are a few things that can help reduce printing expenses:

• High-Yield Supplies: Cartridges and toner that last longer require fewer replacements and typically give you a lower cost per page.
• Page Coverage: Page yield estimates are typically based on 5% page coverage. Documents with large graphics, photos, or heavy ink coverage will use supplies faster and reduce actual yields.
• Refillable Ink Tanks: Ink tank printers typically have a much lower cost per page than traditional cartridge-based models.
• Duplex Printing: Automatic two-sided printing helps reduce paper consumption.

Overall, the cheapest printer to own is usually the one with the lowest cost per page.

Best Printers With Affordable Ink (2026)

As mentioned earlier, the best printer with cheap ink depends on your specific printing habits, monthly volume, and whether you primarily print in black and white or color.

The following recommendations offer a strong combination of affordability, page yield, and overall value.

Inkjet Printers

► Canon MegaTank PIXMA G3270 Wireless All-in-One Printer

Specifications

• Print Speed: Up to 11 ipm in black-and-white and 6 ipm in color
• Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 3,000 pages
• Black page yield: Up to 6,000 pages
• Color page yield: Up to 7,700 pages
• Cost: Starting at around $199 at Canon and Amazon

Description: A reliable and affordable option for everyday documents and photos. 

Key Features: High resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, compact size.

Ideal Use Cases: Home offices and students with moderate print volumes.

This all-in-one printer is the most affordable printer on this list. With one set of inks, you can print up to 7,700 pages in color and 6,000 pages in black-and-white. It features wifi connectivity, and with its compact size, it's ideal for small offices and homes.

► Canon MegaTank GX5120 Color Single-Function Printer  

Specifications

• Print Speed: Up to 24 ppm in black-and-white and 15.5 ppm in color
• Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Not available
• Black page yield: Up to 6,000 pages
• Color page yield: Up to 14,000 pages
• Cost: Starting at around $431 at Canon and Amazon

Description: An economical choice for color printing with refillable ink tanks.

Key Features: High yield ink bottles, wireless connectivity, and the ability to print on a wide variety of media types and sizes.

Ideal Use Cases: Small offices with moderate to high print volumes.

If all you need is print, this single-function color printer offers great value. It provides an impressive yield of 6,000 pages for black and white and 14,000 pages for color images per ink bottle set. Plus, with automatic two-sided printing, it's easier to reduce paper use and cost.

► Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 Color Multifunction Printer

• Print Speed: Up to 25 ppm in black-and-white and in color
• Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 3,300 pages
• Black page yield: Up to 7,500 pages
• Color page yield: Up to 6,000 pages
• Cost: Starting at around $850 at Epson and Amazon

Description: A versatile all-in-one color printer with ultra-low-cost replacement bottles.

Key Features: Print, scan, copy, and fax capabilities; wireless connectivity; prints up to 8.5" by 14".

Ideal Use Cases: Home and office environments requiring a multifunction printer.

With its refillable ink tank system, this color all-in-one printer ensures there's no cartridge waste. It's a bit on the pricier side, but you can get up to 7,500 pages in black and white and 6,000 pages in color with one ink set. Navigating this printer is easy too, with a 4.3" color touchscreen. 

Laser Printers

► Xerox C320 Color Single-Function Printer

Specifications

• Print Speed: Up to 35 ppm in black-and-white and in color
• Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 6,000 pages
• Black page yield: Up to 8,000 pages
• Color page yield: Up to 5,500 pages
• Cost: Starting at around $450 at Xerox and Amazon

Description: A compact and efficient color single-function laser printer that can reliably print up to 6,000 pages monthly.

Key Features: Fast printing speeds (up to 35 ppm for color and B&W), high-quality output, and wireless connectivity.  

Ideal Use Cases: Small to medium-sized businesses needing reliable color prints.

If you're looking for a more powerful single-function printer, the Xerox C320 is a great choice. It's built for small businesses and home offices with a moderate print volume. By using genuine Xerox high-capacity toner, you can print up to 8,000 pages in black and white and 5,500 pages in color.

See our review of the Xerox C310 model.

► Brother HLL8430CDW Color Single-Function Printer 

Specifications

• Print Speed: Up to 33 ppm in black-and-white and in color
• Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 5,000 pages
• Black page yield: Up to 7,500 pages
• Color page yield: Up to 6,500 pages
• Cost: Starting at around $489 at Brother and Amazon

Description: A robust color single-function laser printer with cost-saving features.

Key Features: Duplex printing, high-yield toner options, wireless connectivity.

Ideal Use Cases: Small businesses with high print volumes.

Another top color laser printer with cheap toner is the Brother HLL8430CDW. With a quick print speed of 33 ppm and compatibility with Brother's super high-yield replacement toner (7,500 pages black and 6,500 pages color), this printer not only boosts productivity, but helps you save money on toner replacements.

► Brother MFCL8930CDW Color Multifunction Printer

Specifications

• Print Speed: Up to 33 ppm in black-and-white and in color
• Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 6,500 pages
• Black page yield: Up to 7,500 pages
• Color page yield: Up to 6,500 pages
• Cost: Starting at around $699 at Brother and Amazon

Description: A powerful all-in-one color laser printer with high quality output.

Key Features: Print, scan, copy, and fax capabilities; automatic two-sided printing; print speeds of up to 33 ppm; ultra high-yield toner options.

Ideal Use Cases: Small-medium offices needing multifunction capabilities and high print volumes.

For small to medium-sized businesses looking for a high quality all-in-one laser printer with cheap toner, this is our top choice. When paired with ultra high-yield toner, this machine can print up to 7,500 pages in black and white and 6,500 pages in color.

Cheap Ink vs. Cheap Printer: What's the Difference?

One major mistake buyers make is focusing only on the purchase price of the printer.

A  $150 printer may seem like a bargain, but if the replacement cartridges are expensive and print few pages, the long-term cost can surpass the cost of a more expensive printer.

This is especially important if you have a high monthly print volume.

Expert Tips to Extend the Life of Your Ink and Toner

• Monitor Print Usage: Track who prints what and how often to identify unnecessary printing. If you have a large number of print users or a large print fleet, investing in managed print services or print management software can help you better control your printing environment.     

• Optimize Print Settings: Use draft mode for non-essential prints and enable toner-saving features.

• Regular Maintenance: Keep your printer clean and perform regular maintenance to prevent toner leaks and other issues. If you own or lease a printer, a maintenance plan can ensure printer issues get solved on time.

• Print to PDF: Instead of printing physical copies, consider saving documents as PDFs and sharing them digitally.

• Store Ink Cartridges Properly: Store ink cartridges in a cool, dry place to prevent them from drying out or becoming damaged.

• Use High-Yield Cartridges: Opt for high-yield ink or toner cartridges, which can print more pages and are often more cost-effective in the long run if your volume supports the yield.

• Restrict Color Prints: If possible, limit color prints and copies through some form of color tracking.

For more information on proper toner storage and longevity, check out our blog on how long toner lasts.

Where to Get Affordable Toner & Ink

Toner

While we recommend OEM toner for the best print quality, compatible and remanufactured toner options can help lower costs.

Brands like Xerox offer newly remanufactured toners like Everyday Toner, which are compatible with many of the top brands. This type of toner is more affordable but isn’t available for newer models.   

Remanufactured toners are another cost-effective option. These cartridges are recycled, cleaned, and refilled for reuse. While many perform well, quality can vary depending on the manufacturer.

To learn about toner types, check out our blog on the 4 Different Types of Printer Toners.

Ink

For inkjet printers, refillable ink tank systems and high-yield cartridges are often the most cost-effective options.

Ink refill kits allow you to refill existing cartridges rather than purchasing replacements. However, this process can be messy, and you’ll need to be careful not to damage the cartridges.

Many manufacturers and third-party vendors also offer recycling programs through which you can return empty cartridges and receive discounts on new ones.

If you choose compatible or third-party ink, purchase only from trusted suppliers. Lower-quality ink can sometimes lead to poor color accuracy, print defects, clogged printheads, or inconsistent page yields.

What Else Should You Consider Besides Ink Costs?

While ink and toner costs are important, they aren't the only factors that determine a printer's overall value.

Your monthly print volume, the types of documents you print, and whether you print mostly in black and white or color can all impact your long-term costs. For example, a printer with a higher upfront cost can actually save you money over time if it uses refillable ink tanks or high-yield toner cartridges.

The most cost-effective printer is the one that fits your printing habits, not the one with the lowest purchase price.

For more help choosing the right device, check out our guide on How to Choose a Printer for Your Budget and Business Needs.

FAQ

Which printer has the cheapest ink for home use?

For most home users, Epson EcoTank and Canon MegaTank printers offer the lowest long-term ink costs because their refillable tanks can produce thousands of pages before needing more ink.

What brand has the cheapest printer ink?

Brands offering refillable ink tank systems, such as Epson EcoTank and Canon MegaTank, generally provide some of the lowest printing costs per page.

What printer has the lowest cost per page?

Most refillable ink tank printers have the lowest cost per page because they use inexpensive replacement bottles and provide extremely high page yields.

Is it cheaper to print laser or inkjet?

For high-volume document printing, laser printers are often cheaper over time. For moderate color printing, ink tank printers typically offer the best overall value. For more information, check out our blog: Printer Toner vs. Ink: Which One is Right for You?

What is the best printer if you don't use it often?

A monochrome laser printer is often the best option for infrequent printing because toner does not dry out like liquid ink.

Finding the Most Cost-Effective Printer

Choosing a printer with cheap ink isn't only about finding the lowest-priced cartridge. The best choice depends on your monthly print volume, the types of documents you print, and how long you plan to keep the printer.

And if you're purchasing printers for an office, school, nonprofit, or other organization, our team can help. With 40 years of experience helping businesses across North Texas and southern Oklahoma manage printing costs, we can recommend solutions that align with both your budget and your printing needs.

 

Looking for More Ways to Reduce Printing Costs?

Once you've chosen the right printer, your supplies become the next major factor in your overall printing expenses.

Compatible with many popular printer brands, Xerox Everyday Toner is a cost-effective alternative to traditional OEM toner while maintaining reliable performance and quality.

Learn more about Xerox Everyday Toner and discover additional ways to lower your long-term printing costs.