10 Best Printer For Ink Costs 2025 in the United States

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is designed for those looking to save on ink costs for home printing needs. It features high-capacity refillable ink tanks, eliminating the need for frequent and costly cartridge replacements. The included ink bottles are capable of printing up to 4,500 black and 7,500 color pages, which is a significant cost saving compared to traditional cartridges. This makes it a solid choice for users who print frequently and want to reduce their ink expenses. Its cartridge-free system also contributes to less environmental waste, which is a plus for eco-conscious consumers.

The printer offers good print quality with sharp text and vibrant color graphics, suitable for most home printing tasks. It also includes a built-in scanner and copier, adding to its versatility. However, the print speeds are relatively slow, with 10 pages per minute in black and 5 pages per minute in color, which may not be ideal for users with high-volume print jobs. Additionally, while it supports mobile printing and has wireless capabilities, it lacks automatic duplex printing, which could be a drawback for those looking to save paper.

Its compact design and lightweight build make it easy to fit into most home offices. The 2-year warranty with registration adds a layer of reliability. In summary, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is best suited for home users who prioritize lower ink costs and environmental sustainability over fast print speeds and advanced features.

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is an all-in-one printer designed with a focus on minimizing ink costs, making it an ideal option for users who print frequently and require high-quality prints. The EcoTank system uses refillable ink tanks instead of traditional cartridges, which significantly reduces the cost per page. Epson claims you can save up to 80% on ink with the replacement ink bottles, costing approximately 4 cents per 4x6 photo compared to 40 cents with standard cartridges. This makes it suitable for users who need to print large volumes without worrying about ink expenses.

The printer includes six-color Claria ET Premium inks, enhancing color vibrancy and sharpness, important for high-quality photo and graphic printing. The high-yield ink bottles included with the printer can last up to two years, depending on usage, and are equivalent to about 100 individual ink cartridges, substantially lowering waste and replacement frequency. The printer supports a wide range of media sizes, including borderless printing up to 13x19 inches, and can handle specialty media like cardstock and CDs/DVDs.

With a 4.3-inch color touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and compatibility with mobile devices via the Epson Smart Panel app, the ET-8550 offers convenient and intuitive operation. Additional features such as auto-duplex printing, a scanner, copier, and voice-activated printing further enhance its functionality. However, it is worth noting that the printer is relatively large and heavy, which might be a consideration for users with limited space. Additionally, while Epson recommends using genuine Epson ink to avoid potential damage not covered by the warranty, this could limit options for those looking to explore third-party ink solutions. The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is a cost-efficient and feature-rich printer for users prioritizing ink cost savings and high print quality.

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e is a solid choice for home office users who need reliable, professional-quality color printing without complicated setups. It uses dye-based ink cartridges that deliver sharp and vibrant prints, with decent speeds—up to 20 pages per minute in black and 10 in color. One of its key advantages is the inclusion of a 3-month free trial for HP's Instant Ink subscription service, which can help reduce ink costs by automatically sending cartridges before you run out. This is especially useful if you print regularly, as it can keep your expenses predictable and avoid interruptions.

However, the printer only works with genuine HP cartridges that have proprietary chips, which means you can't use cheaper third-party or refillable cartridges. This can make the ink cost per page a bit higher compared to printers that allow refills or generic cartridges. Also, it doesn't have refillable ink tanks, so if you print large volumes often, the ongoing cartridge replacements might add up. It does have a fairly large 225-sheet input tray and automatic duplex (double-sided) printing, which helps save paper and makes it practical for busy home office tasks.

The printer is easy to use with a bright touchscreen and strong wireless connectivity, supporting mobile printing via the HP app. Its AI features help format web pages and emails cleanly, reducing wasted ink and paper. Environmentally, it’s designed with recycled plastics and energy efficiency in mind. This printer is well-suited for home office users who value high-quality color printing and prefer the convenience of ink subscription services. However, if minimizing ink costs is your top priority or you print very large volumes, you might want to consider models with refillable tanks or more flexible cartridge options.