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

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Our Top Picks

#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 by1,167
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 by1,167
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

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Ink Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy for Home Use, White

Rating
8.5
Print Technology
Print Quality
Connectivity Options

Most important from
21073 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
8.5
Print Technology
Print Quality
Connectivity Options

Most important from
21073 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.
#3

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Ink Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy for Home Use, Black

Rating
8.5
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Paper Handling

Most important from
21073 reviews

Print Quality
Print quality for photos and documents is excellent, delivering bright, vivid colors without smudges or off-colors.
Connectivity Options
Wi-Fi connectivity allows printing from anywhere in the house, adding convenience for home use.
Paper Handling
Manual duplex printing is easy to perform, though the printer lacks automatic double-sided printing.
Cost of Consumables
The ink tank system provides clear visibility of ink levels, unlike opaque cartridges.
Print Speed
The printer may feel slow and cumbersome for users who require frequent or high-volume printing.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a great option for home users looking to avoid the hassle and expense of traditional ink cartridges. It uses an innovative cartridge-free system with refillable ink bottles, which can print a large number of pages (up to 4,500 black and 7,500 color) before needing a refill. This means fewer interruptions and lower cost per page over time compared to cartridge-based printers. It prints black and white documents at about 10 pages per minute and color at around 5 pages per minute, which is suitable for typical home tasks but might feel slow for heavy use.

The print quality is impressive for an inkjet, offering sharp text and vibrant colors with a high maximum resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, making it capable of good photo and document prints. Paper handling is straightforward with a single tray that holds up to 100 sheets and supports sizes up to 8.5 x 14 inches; however, it doesn't offer automatic double-sided printing, so you’d need to manually flip pages. Connectivity options include USB and Wi-Fi, allowing easy wireless printing from computers and mobile devices. The printer also includes scanning and copying functions, adding to its versatility for home use.

Epson recommends using genuine ink bottles to maintain print quality and avoid damage, which may limit cheaper third-party ink options. The printer is fairly compact and quiet, consuming about 12 watts of power. For those seeking a reliable, cost-efficient printer that minimizes cartridge waste and handles moderate home printing needs, the EcoTank ET-2800 is a solid choice, though it may not be ideal for frequent large-volume printing or if duplex printing is needed.

Rating
8.5
Print Quality
Connectivity Options
Paper Handling

Most important from
21073 reviews

Print Quality
Print quality for photos and documents is excellent, delivering bright, vivid colors without smudges or off-colors.
Connectivity Options
Wi-Fi connectivity allows printing from anywhere in the house, adding convenience for home use.
Paper Handling
Manual duplex printing is easy to perform, though the printer lacks automatic double-sided printing.
Cost of Consumables
The ink tank system provides clear visibility of ink levels, unlike opaque cartridges.
Print Speed
The printer may feel slow and cumbersome for users who require frequent or high-volume 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.

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