The Real Cost of Printing in 2026
A printer's purchase price is just the beginning. The real expense is ink or toner over the printer's lifetime. Here's what typical costs look like:
Tank Printers: The Lowest Cost Per Page
Supertank printers (EcoTank, MegaTank, INKvestment) have revolutionized home and small office printing. Instead of expensive cartridges, you refill reservoirs from bottles that cost a fraction per page.
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Best for: Home users, students, families
Cost Breakdown
- Black: ~$0.003/page
- Color: ~$0.008/page
- Included ink: ~4,500 black / 7,500 color pages
Features
- Print, scan, copy
- Wireless + WiFi Direct
- Auto-duplex printing
- Voice assistant compatible
Canon PIXMA G3270
Best for: Photo printing + documents
Cost Breakdown
- Black: ~$0.003/page
- Color: ~$0.007/page
- Included ink: ~6,000 black / 7,700 color pages
Why Canon
- Better photo quality than Epson entry models
- Hybrid ink system (dye + pigment)
- More compact design
Brother MFC-J1205W
Best for: Home office with moderate volume
Brother's INKvestment Tank uses high-capacity cartridges rather than refillable tanks, but still delivers low costs (~$0.01/page black) with easier maintenance. Good middle ground if tank refilling seems messy.
Check Price on AmazonSubscription Options: Pay Per Page
HP Instant Ink
HP's subscription service sends you ink automatically before you run out. You pay based on pages printed, not ink used.
Important: If you cancel Instant Ink, your cartridges stop working. You're locked into the ecosystem. Consider this before signing up.
Canon vs Epson Subscription Programs
Both Canon and Epson offer similar subscription services for select printers, though neither is as established as HP Instant Ink. Tank printers from these brands typically don't need subscriptions since ink is already so cheap.
Cost Comparison: 1,000 Pages
| Printer Type | Printer Cost | Ink for 1000 pgs | Total 1st Year | Cost/Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | $280 | $0 (included) | $280 | $0.003 |
| HP DeskJet + Instant Ink | $80 | $120/yr (100pg plan) | $200 | $0.12 |
| Budget Inkjet (cartridges) | $50 | $200+ | $250+ | $0.20+ |
*Costs based on mixed color/black printing at average coverage. Your actual costs may vary.
Our 2026 Recommendations
For Lowest Possible Cost Per Page:
Epson EcoTank ET-2850 or ET-3850 - Higher upfront cost pays off quickly. Best if you print 50+ pages per month.
For Occasional Printers:
HP DeskJet with Instant Ink Free Plan - 15 free pages/month is enough for occasional use. Just print something monthly to prevent ink drying.
For Best Photo + Low Cost:
Canon PIXMA G3270 - MegaTank system with Canon's superior photo quality. Great for family photos at pennies per print.
Additional Money-Saving Tips
- ✓ Use draft mode for internal documents - uses half the ink
- ✓ Print in grayscale when color isn't needed
- ✓ Print regularly (even once a week) to prevent ink from drying in the heads
- ✓ Buy ink in multi-packs when on sale for tank printers