Ink Saving Printers That Keep Cost Per Page Low

A parent who swaps cartridges every few weeks, or a student who prints a thesis draft only to hit a low-ink warning on page nine, knows that the real price of a printer is the ink. Ink saving printers attack that problem in two main ways: refillable tanks that make ink cheap per milliliter, and high-yield systems that lower the cost of every page. The best ink saving printers are the ones where the ink supply is large, the refill is simple, and the machine does not waste ink on constant cleaning cycles.

The six models below mix tank printers from HP, Epson and Canon with Brother’s INKvestment Tank design. The guide explains how to compare running costs, why page yield matters more than the sticker price, and which household each model suits. As of 2026, tank printers have become common enough that most major brands sell at least one, so the question is no longer whether to consider a tank but which tank printer fits your space, your paper habits and the number of pages you really print. Because the savings only appear over time, this guide keeps its attention on habits and specifications rather than hype, and it treats every model as a tool whose value depends on how it is used in a real household.

Quick Picks

How to Choose

Compare cost per page, not purchase price

Divide the cost of a full set of replacement ink by its stated page yield. Tank systems commonly advertise thousands of pages per set, while small cartridges yield a few hundred. A good rule of thumb is that a printer which lowers your per-page cost noticeably pays back its higher purchase price within a year or two if you print more than about 50 pages a week, and never pays back if you print a handful of pages a month. Also compare how many pages the bundled ink is said to cover, since a machine that ships with a full set of bottles can postpone your first purchase of supplies by a year or more.

Check how refilling works

Look for bottles with keyed nozzles that prevent mixing colors and spills, and a clear tank window that shows ink levels at a glance. Easy refills encourage you to keep using the right supplies and to top up before a tank runs dry. Avoid designs that require awkward tilting, and be wary of any model that lacks a visible ink gauge, because running a tank to empty can pull air into the lines. Store spare bottles upright in a cool, dark cabinet, keep them out of reach of children and pets, and wipe the nozzle after every refill so dried ink does not build up and cause a crooked pour the next time.

Look at head cleaning and idle behavior

Printers waste ink on cleaning cycles, especially after sitting idle. Models with pigment black ink and sealed tanks tend to keep better over time. Printing at least a page or two every week helps prevent clogs and wasted ink, and turning the machine off with its own power button, rather than at the wall, lets it cap the print head properly. Small details like this add up over a year, and they separate households that get the full benefit of a tank printer from those that quietly pay for the same wasted ink they hoped to leave behind.

Consider print modes and duplex

Draft or economy mode reduces ink per page, and automatic duplex saves paper. Check that the printer offers these options and that its driver lets you set them as defaults, which is where most day-to-day savings happen. A household that prints in black by default and chooses color deliberately will see the biggest drop in running cost.

Our Picks Reviewed

HP Smart Tank 5101

The Smart Tank 5101 is part of HP’s refillable lineup, and the name signals a tank system aimed at households that want a simple home printer with lower running cost than a cartridge model. It suits families who print school assignments, forms and the occasional photo and who would rather top up a tank than hunt for cartridges.

• Pro: A tank system generally lowers the cost per page compared with small cartridges.
• Pro: An entry-level number suggests a straightforward home design that is easy to set up.
• Con: Brand account and software requirements may be part of the setup process.

Skip it if you want an office-grade document feeder, fax or very fast output for large jobs.

HP Smart Tank 7301

The 7301 sits higher in the Smart Tank numbering, which typically means a step up in capability over the entry models. It suits families who want the tank savings plus the scanning and copying convenience of a more capable multifunction, for example parents who digitize school forms and receipts every week.

• Pro: Tank economics paired with a more capable multifunction design.
• Pro: Suitable for households that scan and copy regularly as well as print.
• Con: Higher model numbers typically cost more up front than entry-level siblings.

Skip it if you only print a few pages monthly, because the extra capability would sit unused and the ink may age.

Epson EcoTank ET-4800

The ET-4800 is a step up within Epson’s EcoTank line, which is built around ink bottles instead of cartridges. It fits busy households and home offices that print daily and want fewer ink changes, since the larger supply means weeks or months between refills depending on how much you print.

• Pro: EcoTank design lowers the cost per page for frequent printing.
• Pro: A mid-to-upper model number points to more functions than the basic models.
• Con: Tank printers are bulkier than cartridge printers and need clear shelf space.

Skip it if desk space is very limited or if you print only a few pages a week.

Epson EcoTank ET-2800

The ET-2800 is the simpler EcoTank, suited to light and moderate household use. It brings the refill-bottle approach to a smaller, more basic printer, which makes it a gentle first step for anyone who is tired of cartridge prices but not ready for a large, feature-packed machine.

• Pro: Refillable tanks reduce ink running costs for regular printing.
• Pro: A basic model keeps the design and the learning curve simple.
• Con: Fewer functions than higher-numbered siblings, which may frustrate heavy users.

Skip it if you need a document feeder for scanning stacks, or if your household prints dozens of pages every day.

Canon PIXMA G6020

The G6020 belongs to Canon’s G series of tank printers, within the broad PIXMA family. It targets high-volume home and small office printing with a refillable system, and it will appeal to users who print schedules, worksheets and reports and want the ink supply to last for months.

• Pro: Tank design supports high page counts economically.
• Pro: PIXMA brand software and drivers are widely available for most computers and phones.
• Con: Tank models are larger than compact inkjets, so measure your shelf first.

Skip it if you print rarely, since a compact machine is easier to live with and ink will not sit unused.

Brother INKvestment Tank MFC-J1170DW

Brother’s INKvestment Tank name points to its refill system, and the MFC-J1170DW is a compact multifunction with duplex and wireless letters in the suffix. It suits small homes and apartments where a printer, scanner and copier need to share a single small footprint without giving up tank economics.

• Pro: A compact multifunction with a tank design saves both space and running cost.
• Pro: Duplex and wireless letters suggest everyday convenience for shared use.
• Con: Smaller bodies may mean smaller paper trays and more frequent reloading.

Skip it if you print large batches or need a heavy-duty office feeder.

Which One Fits

• Budget homes: HP Smart Tank 5101 or Epson EcoTank ET-2800, simple machines that still use tank economics.
• Scan-heavy families: HP Smart Tank 7301 for a more capable multifunction alongside tank ink.
• Daily printers: Epson EcoTank ET-4800 or Canon PIXMA G6020, where high page counts justify tanks fastest.
• Small desks and apartments: Brother INKvestment Tank MFC-J1170DW for a compact footprint.

Common Mistakes

1. Comparing sticker prices instead of cost per page over two or three years, which hides the real winner.
2. Letting a tank printer sit idle for months, which invites clogs and wasted cleaning ink.
3. Ignoring draft mode and duplex defaults, where most everyday savings actually come from.
4. Mixing up ink bottles or pouring into the wrong tank because the colors look similar in poor light.
5. Buying a tank printer for very light use, then paying for ink that dries out before it is used.

FAQ

Are tank printers worth it?

For regular printing, usually yes, because ink costs less per page. The best color printer guide compares tanks against cartridge models in more detail.

Do laser printers save more?

For black text, they can, since toner does not dry out. The HP monochrome laser printer roundup covers that route.

Does draft mode really help?

Yes. Draft or economy mode uses noticeably less ink per page, which is fine for internal documents, drafts and checklists you will throw away.

Can I use third-party ink?

Many people do, but check the warranty terms and the maker’s firmware policies first, since some printers restrict unrecognized supplies.

Is it safe to leave a tank printer unplugged for weeks?

It is better to print a test page every week or two. Long idle periods increase the chance of clogged nozzles and extra cleaning cycles that burn through ink, so a weekly test page is cheap insurance. If a nozzle check shows gaps, run one cleaning cycle and retest rather than repeating cleanings several times in a row.