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

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#1

Winner

Ricoh Aficio MP C4504 A3 Color Laser Multifunction Copier - 45ppm, Copy, Fax, Print, Scan, Auto Duplex, Network, WIFI, 4 Trays and Comes with Pre-Installed Postscript 3 Supplement (Renewed)

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,424
Print Quality
Cost of Consumables
Print Speed

Most important from
10 reviews

Print Quality
The printer delivers reliable, high-quality color prints and handles various paper sizes with ease, making it well-suited for busy office environments.
Cost of Consumables
Maintenance and repair costs can be high, with toner, fuser oil, and parts adding up, potentially making it expensive to keep running over time.
Print Speed
Despite its speed and multifunction capabilities, the printer might be overkill for casual home use and better suited for small to medium offices.

The Ricoh Aficio MP C4504 is a solid choice if you need a color laser multifunction printer that avoids ink cartridges. It prints quickly—up to 45 pages per minute for both black-and-white and color—which is great for busy offices or users who have a high volume of printing tasks. The print quality is sharp with a 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution, so your documents and images come out clear and vibrant. Automatic duplexing (double-sided printing) helps save paper, and the large maximum paper size (up to 12 x 18 inches) along with four paper trays means it can handle various print jobs without frequent refills.

Connectivity is flexible, with built-in Wi-Fi and USB ports, making it easy to print from multiple devices wirelessly or via a direct connection. The inclusion of a 10.1" smart operation panel makes it user-friendly, even if you’re not very tech-savvy. One thing to keep in mind is that this is a renewed product with a limited 90-day warranty, so it might not offer the same peace of mind as a brand-new model. Also, while it supports a high duty cycle and large paper capacity, it might be more than what a casual home user needs and better suited for small to medium office environments.

Consumable costs are generally lower than inkjet printers since it uses toner, but be mindful that replacing toner cartridges can still be an expense to consider. If you want fast, reliable color laser prints without the hassle of ink and need a multifunction machine for copying, scanning, and faxing, this Ricoh model is a practical option.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,424
Print Quality
Cost of Consumables
Print Speed

Most important from
10 reviews

Print Quality
The printer delivers reliable, high-quality color prints and handles various paper sizes with ease, making it well-suited for busy office environments.
Cost of Consumables
Maintenance and repair costs can be high, with toner, fuser oil, and parts adding up, potentially making it expensive to keep running over time.
Print Speed
Despite its speed and multifunction capabilities, the printer might be overkill for casual home use and better suited for small to medium offices.
#2

Ricoh Aficio MP 5054 A3 Monochrome Laser Multifunction Copier - 50ppm, Copy, Print, Scan, Auto Duplex, Network, 4 Trays (Renewed)

The Ricoh Aficio MP 5054 is a monochrome laser multifunction printer designed for offices, small businesses, or home offices that need reliable black-and-white printing without the hassle of ink cartridges. It uses laser technology, which means it prints quickly and efficiently, producing sharp text and clear images at a resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi. This print quality is quite good for most office documents. With a print speed of 50 pages per minute, it handles large volumes smoothly, making it suitable for busy environments. Its duty cycle, supported by a maximum sheet capacity of 4700 and four paper trays, allows for long runs without frequent paper reloads. The automatic duplex (double-sided) printing feature helps save paper and time.

Connectivity options are strong, including built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, which means you can easily print from computers or smartphones. The 10.1-inch smart operation panel with Android-based controls simplifies managing print, scan, and copy tasks. On the downside, this model comes with a limited 90-day warranty, which might be short if you expect heavy use over a long period. Also, being a renewed product, it may have some signs of previous use, although it should work well if tested properly. Laser printers typically have lower ongoing costs compared to inkjet printers since toner cartridges last longer and don’t dry out, but toner replacement can still be somewhat costly.

If you need a fast, reliable, and cost-effective black-and-white printer with scanning and copying features, this Ricoh is a solid choice. It is especially well suited for medium to high volume printing needs.

#3

Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan, Duplex, Mobile, Black & White | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa

Rating
7.9
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Cost of Consumables

Most important from
3659 reviews

Print Quality
The print quality is exceptional, producing crisp, clear documents much better than any ink printer I've used before.
Connectivity Options
Setting up and using the printer is straightforward, and it communicates flawlessly over Wi-Fi.
Cost of Consumables
The printer's toner lasts a very long time, making it a cost-effective solution for regular printing needs.

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact monochrome laser printer that stands out in the ink-free printer category, especially for small businesses or home offices. One of its primary strengths is its fast printing speed, capable of producing documents at up to 36 pages per minute. This impressive speed, combined with a 50-page automatic document feeder, makes it highly efficient for multi-page tasks like scanning and copying. The print quality is reliable, delivering sharp black and white documents, which is essential for professional settings.

In terms of connectivity, the DCP-L2640DW offers multiple options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, making it versatile for different user needs. The Brother Mobile Connect app is a fantastic feature for those who like to manage their printing tasks from their smartphones, enhancing convenience.

Being a monochrome printer, it only prints in black and white, which might limit users who occasionally need color documents. The toner cartridges, while efficient, can be an ongoing cost, and while the Refresh Subscription Service offers savings, it may not appeal to all users. Additionally, the printer weighs 25 pounds, which might be cumbersome for some to move or position. The DCP-L2640DW is suitable for those who primarily need reliable black and white printing with added functionalities like scanning and copying. It excels in environments where speed and efficiency are key, but those requiring color printing or looking for a lightweight option may want to explore other alternatives.

Rating
7.9
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Cost of Consumables

Most important from
3659 reviews

Print Quality
The print quality is exceptional, producing crisp, clear documents much better than any ink printer I've used before.
Connectivity Options
Setting up and using the printer is straightforward, and it communicates flawlessly over Wi-Fi.
Cost of Consumables
The printer's toner lasts a very long time, making it a cost-effective solution for regular printing needs.

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.

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