We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance, functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our privacy policy

10 Best Printer That Doesnt Use Ink 2026 in the United States

How do we rank products for you?

Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

headphones-stars

Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank with Scan and Copy, The Ideal Basic Home Printer - White

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,439
Print Technology
Print Quality
Connectivity Options

Most important from
19565 reviews

Print Technology
The ink tank system is satisfying to fill and lasts significantly longer than traditional cartridges, reducing plastic waste.
Print Quality
Print quality is excellent, producing sharp text and vibrant color photos without ink smudges or off colors.
Connectivity Options
Despite some connectivity issues with the app, the overall quality and ink longevity make this printer a great purchase.
Cost of Consumables
The printer is very economical, saving users tons of money on ink while maintaining high-quality output.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a versatile all-in-one printer designed for home use, offering a unique cartridge-free printing solution. It uses high-capacity ink tanks that drastically reduce the need for tiny, expensive ink cartridges, making it a cost-effective option for families. The savings from its replacement ink bottles are substantial, allowing users to print thousands of pages before needing a refill, which is both economical and environmentally friendly as it reduces cartridge waste.

This printer's print quality is impressive, producing sharp text and vibrant color photos thanks to Epson’s Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology, suitable for various types of paper. However, its print speed is modest, with a maximum of 10 pages per minute for monochrome and 5 pages per minute for color, which might be slow for high-volume printing needs. The built-in scanner and copier add convenience, although the absence of automatic dual-sided printing can be a drawback for those requiring efficient bulk document handling.

Connectivity options include both wired and wireless, supporting mobile printing for added flexibility. The printer accommodates a range of paper sizes and types, but its maximum input sheet capacity of 100 may not be sufficient for users with heavy printing demands. The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is generally reliable, backed by a 2-year limited warranty, making it a solid option for home users looking for a budget-friendly, eco-conscious printing solution.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,439
Print Technology
Print Quality
Connectivity Options

Most important from
19565 reviews

Print Technology
The ink tank system is satisfying to fill and lasts significantly longer than traditional cartridges, reducing plastic waste.
Print Quality
Print quality is excellent, producing sharp text and vibrant color photos without ink smudges or off colors.
Connectivity Options
Despite some connectivity issues with the app, the overall quality and ink longevity make this printer a great purchase.
Cost of Consumables
The printer is very economical, saving users tons of money on ink while maintaining high-quality output.
#2

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Office Printer, Scanner, Copier, ADF, Duplex, Best-for-Office (499Q3F)

Rating
9.7
Print Quality
Print Speed
Connectivity Options

Most important from
1023 reviews

Print Quality
Print quality delivers vibrant colors and crisp text, making it ideal for client presentations and everyday documents alike.
Print Speed
The printer operates quickly, significantly reducing waiting times compared to older inkjet models.
Connectivity Options
Wireless connectivity works well after initial setup, supporting multiple devices smoothly in a home or office environment.
Cost of Consumables
The toner cartridges last much longer than inkjet cartridges, offering better longevity despite a higher upfront cost.

The HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw is a solid choice for small office teams needing reliable color printing without the hassle of ink. Using laser technology with HP’s TerraJet toner, it delivers sharp, vivid prints at speeds up to 30 pages per minute for both color and black-and-white, which is quite efficient for regular office tasks. It supports automatic double-sided printing and includes a 250-sheet input tray, helping reduce paper refills and improving productivity. Scanning and copying features add convenience, making it a versatile all-in-one device.

Connectivity options include USB and Ethernet, with app control for easy mobile printing, though it lacks wireless options like Wi-Fi, which might limit flexibility in some setups. Print quality is decent at 600x600 dpi, suitable for most business documents but may not satisfy needs for very high-detail graphic work. The printer’s duty cycle fits well with small to medium workloads but might not hold up under very heavy use.

One downside is that it requires original HP toner cartridges with chips, preventing use of third-party refills and potentially increasing the cost of consumables over time. At about 38 pounds, it is a bit bulky but still manageable. For those seeking a dependable, easy-to-use laser printer for standard office printing, scanning, and copying, this model offers good value, though it’s best to be aware of the ongoing cost of official toner cartridges and limited wireless connectivity.

Rating
9.7
Print Quality
Print Speed
Connectivity Options

Most important from
1023 reviews

Print Quality
Print quality delivers vibrant colors and crisp text, making it ideal for client presentations and everyday documents alike.
Print Speed
The printer operates quickly, significantly reducing waiting times compared to older inkjet models.
Connectivity Options
Wireless connectivity works well after initial setup, supporting multiple devices smoothly in a home or office environment.
Cost of Consumables
The toner cartridges last much longer than inkjet cartridges, offering better longevity despite a higher upfront cost.
#3

Brother HL-L2460DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Duplex, Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa

Rating
8.8
Print Speed
Print Quality
Connectivity Options

Most important from
2419 reviews

Print Speed
Fast printing without any issues, making it ideal for small to medium workloads.
Print Quality
Prints great and allows for easy wireless printing from phones or laptops anywhere in the house.
Connectivity Options
Easy to set up and connect, taking no longer than a minute to start printing.

The Brother HL-L2460DW is a compact monochrome laser printer designed primarily for home offices and small teams, making it an excellent choice for those who need print quality and efficiency without the hassle of traditional ink. One of its standout features is the print speed of up to 36 pages per minute, which allows for quick handling of large documents, a definite advantage for busy users. It also offers automatic duplex printing, saving time and paper, which is an environmentally friendly option. The printer’s wireless connectivity options, including dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, allow for flexible setup and usage, enabling printing from various devices using the Brother Mobile Connect app.

On the downside, being a monochrome printer, its functionality is limited to black and white printing only, which may not suit users who occasionally need color prints. Additionally, while the initial cost of the printer is reasonable, the ongoing cost of toner should be considered; however, the Refresh Subscription Service can help alleviate some of these concerns by offering savings on replacement toners.

The printer's 250-sheet capacity paper tray is beneficial for high-volume jobs, but its manual feed slot can be a minor inconvenience for those frequently printing specialty media.

Rating
8.8
Print Speed
Print Quality
Connectivity Options

Most important from
2419 reviews

Print Speed
Fast printing without any issues, making it ideal for small to medium workloads.
Print Quality
Prints great and allows for easy wireless printing from phones or laptops anywhere in the house.
Connectivity Options
Easy to set up and connect, taking no longer than a minute to start printing.

Buying Guide for the Best Printer That Doesnt Use Ink

When choosing a printer that doesn't use ink, you're likely looking at laser printers or thermal printers. These types of printers use different technologies to produce prints without the need for traditional ink cartridges. Laser printers use toner, which is a powder, while thermal printers use heat-sensitive paper. Understanding the key specifications of these printers will help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs, whether it's for home, office, or specialized printing tasks.
Print TechnologyPrint technology refers to the method a printer uses to produce text and images on paper. For non-ink printers, the main types are laser and thermal. Laser printers use a laser beam to transfer toner onto paper, which is then fused using heat. Thermal printers use heat to create images on special heat-sensitive paper. Laser printers are ideal for high-volume printing and offer sharp text and graphics, making them suitable for office environments. Thermal printers are often used for printing receipts, labels, and barcodes, making them perfect for retail and logistics.
Print SpeedPrint speed is measured in pages per minute (PPM) and indicates how quickly a printer can produce printed pages. This is important if you need to print large volumes of documents quickly. Laser printers typically offer higher print speeds, ranging from 20 to 50 PPM or more, making them suitable for busy offices. Thermal printers vary in speed depending on their use case, with some models designed for rapid receipt printing. Consider your typical print volume and how often you need to print large batches when evaluating print speed.
Print QualityPrint quality is measured in dots per inch (DPI) and determines the clarity and detail of the printed output. Higher DPI values mean better print quality. Laser printers generally offer high print quality, with common resolutions around 600 to 1200 DPI, making them suitable for professional documents and graphics. Thermal printers usually have lower DPI, around 200 to 300 DPI, which is sufficient for text and simple graphics like barcodes. Choose a printer with a DPI that matches your need for detail and clarity in your prints.
Duty CycleThe duty cycle is the maximum number of pages a printer can produce in a month without experiencing reliability issues. This is crucial for understanding the printer's durability and suitability for your printing needs. Laser printers often have high duty cycles, ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 pages per month, making them ideal for high-demand environments. Thermal printers have varying duty cycles depending on their design and intended use. Assess your average monthly print volume to ensure the printer you choose can handle your workload.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity options determine how you can connect your printer to your devices. Common options include USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Laser printers often come with multiple connectivity options, allowing for flexible setup in different environments. Wi-Fi and Ethernet are particularly useful for office settings where multiple users need to access the printer. Thermal printers may also offer various connectivity options, especially those used in retail settings where wireless connections can be beneficial. Consider your setup and how you plan to connect to the printer when evaluating this spec.
Paper HandlingPaper handling refers to the types and sizes of paper a printer can accommodate, as well as its paper tray capacity. Laser printers typically support a wide range of paper sizes and types, including standard letter, legal, and various envelope sizes, with large input and output trays for high-volume printing. Thermal printers are usually more specialized, often designed for specific paper types like receipt rolls or label sheets. Think about the types of documents you need to print and the volume of paper you use to choose a printer with suitable paper handling capabilities.
Cost of ConsumablesThe cost of consumables includes the price of toner for laser printers and thermal paper for thermal printers. This is an important factor for long-term cost efficiency. Laser printers use toner cartridges, which can be more expensive upfront but often yield a high number of pages, making them cost-effective for high-volume printing. Thermal printers require special thermal paper, which can vary in price depending on the quality and type. Consider the ongoing costs of consumables in relation to your printing volume to choose a printer that fits your budget and usage patterns.

FAQ

Most Popular Categories Right Now