- Top Pick: HP DeskJet 2955 Color Inkjet Printer | Wireless | All-in-One | Easy Home Printing | Color Documents | Mobile Compatibility | Print, Scan & Copy | Ideal Home Use
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For most homes that print regularly, a refillable ink tank printer such as the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 (budget), Epson EcoTank ET-4950 (all-round, with a document feeder) or Canon PIXMA G3270 (simple and low-cost) offers the lowest running cost, while a cartridge inkjet such as the HP Envy 6555e suits people who print only a few pages a month. Inkjets also handle photos and color graphics better than most lasers. This guide covers current home inkjet printers, wireless and color options, what ink yields mean, and the trade-offs, using maker specifications and independent reviewer comments.
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Home Inkjet Printers at a Glance
| Model | Type | Key stated specs | Running-cost note | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | Ink tank, 3-in-1 | Four-ink system with pigment black and dye colors, 100-sheet tray, flatbed scanner, 1.4-inch display, Wi-Fi and USB | Replacement 502 bottles rated about 7,500 black and 6,000 color pages | Basic; Consumer Reports rates text quality as below most printers |
| Epson EcoTank ET-4950 | Ink tank, 4-in-1 | Automatic document feeder that scans both sides, Ethernet, 250-sheet tray, fax, 10,000-page duty cycle | Replacement bottles rated about 8,500 black and 6,500 color pages | Duplex setup is confusing to some buyers |
| Canon PIXMA G3270 | Ink tank, 3-in-1 | 11 ipm mono, 100-sheet tray, 1200 x 4800 dpi, Ethernet, USB and Wi-Fi | Full bottle set rated up to 6,000 black and 7,700 color pages in default mode | No auto duplex or document feeder |
| HP Smart Tank 7001 | Ink tank, 3-in-1 | Auto duplex, 250-sheet tray, flatbed scanner, Bluetooth, legal paper support | HP 32XL and 31 bottles listed near 6,000 black and 8,000 color pages | No document feeder; no touchscreen |
| HP Envy 6555e | Cartridge, 3-in-1 | Compact, budget cartridge inkjet | HP promotes a subscription ink program | Cartridge cost per page higher over time |
| Epson EcoTank ET-8550 | Ink tank, photo | Prints up to A3+, six tanks | Premium photo printer | Larger and costlier tier |
Ink Tank or Cartridge: The First Decision
Inkjet cost per page depends mainly on how ink is supplied. A cartridge inkjet is cheap up front but the cartridges hold little ink, and replacements are a recurring cost. An ink tank printer is more expensive at purchase but holds ink in refillable tanks, and the replacement bottles are rated for thousands of pages. Reviewers consistently say ink tank models win on long-run cost. TechRadar reports that Epson’s EcoTank bottled ink costs far less than cartridge ink, and describes the ET-2850 as basic with OK print quality but great cost per page.
If you print a handful of pages a month, a cartridge model may be enough, and some can dry out between uses. If you print weekly or run a household with students, tank printers usually make more sense. For photo albums, look at a photo-oriented model with extra ink colors.
Best Inkjet Picks by Home Need
Epson EcoTank ET-2850: low-cost starter tank printer
Epson lists the ET-2850 with a 502 ink bottle system, a 100-sheet main tray, and a 2-year US limited warranty. Digital Trends reviewed the ink bottles in the box at about 6,500 black and 5,200 color pages, and Epson notes that part of the starting ink goes into setup. Black documents print at about 10 ppm, with color about half that. Northlight and TechRadar list 14,000 black pages for the box, which conflicts with the bottle labels, so use Epson’s figures. Consumer Reports places the ET-2850’s text quality below most printers and its glossy photo quality near the bottom among inkjets. It fits budget-focused households with modest quality needs.
Epson EcoTank ET-4950: best fit for paperwork and families
TechRadar’s roundup names the ET-4950 as best overall home printer and for home offices. Epson lists a 250-sheet tray, an automatic document feeder that copies or scans both sides, fax, Ethernet and a 10,000-page duty cycle with a recommended volume up to 1,600 pages a month. Replacement bottles are rated at about 8,500 black and 6,500 color pages, and the box ships with up to 6,600 black and 5,500 color pages. RTINGS praises scan quality and the Epson app, and Consumer Reports calls text quality very good though not quite the best, adding that the back side of duplex prints loses a little quality. Some buyer comments mention a confusing duplex setup, and one said default print quality is set low.
Canon PIXMA G3270: simple, low-cost tank printer
Canon lists the G3270 as a 3-in-1 A4 printer with Ethernet, USB and Wi-Fi, 11 ipm mono, a 100-sheet tray, 1200 x 4800 dpi, and a 1.4-inch monochrome display. It has no auto duplex and no feeder. Canon rates the bottle set at up to 6,000 black and 7,700 color pages in default mode and 7,600 black and 8,100 color in economy mode. Black ink is pigment and color is dye. One site reports real-world yields of about 5,900 black and 3,400 to 6,800 color pages. Consumer Reports found Wi-Fi setup more tedious than usual and rated scanning very good. TechRadar picks it as its budget ink tank choice.
HP Smart Tank 7001: duplex and larger tray
HP’s printer is a compact thermal inkjet with duplex printing, a flatbed scanner, a 250-sheet tray and Bluetooth, and TechRadar notes it has larger ink tanks than the Epson. PC Guide calls it a mixed bag but a strong budget printer that handles occasional documents and photos well, not high volume. TechRadar says it would be easier to use with a touchscreen. If you want auto duplex without a feeder, it is the one to look at.
HP Envy 6555e and cartridge models: light use
TechRadar names the HP Envy 6555e as a best-on-a-budget cheap 3-in-1 inkjet. A customer-review roundup likes the HP DeskJet 2855e and Canon PIXMA TR4720 for light use, and another site lists the Canon PIXMA TS6520 with duplex as an all-round budget pick. HP’s strength, per one roundup, is its subscription ink program, which bills by pages printed. Cartridge models suit people who print rarely, though cost per page is typically higher than tanks.
Running Cost: Reading Ink Yields
Ink yields are measured under standard test conditions, often with a mix of text and light graphics, so real use varies. Starter bottles yield less than replacements because ink fills the print head on setup. Compare replacement yields: Epson lists 7,500 black and 6,000 color pages for ET-2850 bottles and 8,500 black and 6,500 color for the ET-4950. Canon lists up to 6,000 black and 7,700 color for the G3270 bottle set. HP’s 32XL and 31 bottles are listed near 6,000 and 8,000. Pigment black ink tends to stay sharper on plain paper, while dye colors give vivid output on glossy paper.
Also consider print heads: in ink tank printers the print head is typically a long-life part, but if you leave a printer unused for months, nozzles can clog and need cleaning cycles that use some ink. Print at least a test page now and then, and follow the maker’s maintenance guidance.
Setup, Size and Compatibility Notes
- Mobile printing: These printers use Wi-Fi with the maker’s app; check the product page for AirPrint and Mopria support on your exact model.
- Duplex: The Canon G3270 has no auto duplex; the HP Smart Tank 7001 and Epson ET-4950 do.
- Scanning: The ET-4950 has an automatic document feeder; the ET-2850, G3270 and HP 7001 use flatbed scanning only.
- Paper tray: 100 sheets on the ET-2850 and G3270 means more frequent refilling than 250 on the ET-4950 and HP 7001.
- Refilling: Fill each tank only with its matching bottle color and follow the manual to avoid spills and mixing.
- Display: The ET-2850 and G3270 have small 1.4-inch displays, so most setup uses a phone app.
Pick X If… Decision Table
| Pick | If you want | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | Lowest running cost on a modest budget | Basic features, 100-sheet tray |
| Epson EcoTank ET-4950 | Scanning paperwork and family printing | Duplex setup learning curve |
| Canon PIXMA G3270 | Simple tank printer for light to moderate use | No duplex, no feeder |
| HP Smart Tank 7001 | Auto duplex and a bigger tray | No feeder or touchscreen |
| HP Envy 6555e or other cartridge models | Occasional printing | Higher per-page ink cost |
| Epson EcoTank ET-8550 or Canon G620 | Photo prints | Larger, premium tier |
Alternatives to Consider
- Laser printers: For mostly text, a laser such as the Brother HL-L2460DW needs no maintenance for idle weeks. See the laser guides on this site.
- Photo-focused models: TechRadar names the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 for photos and the Canon PIXMA G620 as its photo printer pick.
- Print shops: If you print photos only a few times a year, outsourcing avoids ink maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ink tank printers better than cartridge inkjets?
For regular printing they usually cost less per page, because bottles are rated for thousands of pages. Cartridge models cost less up front and may suit people who print rarely. Choose based on how many pages you print each month.
How many pages does one set of bottles print?
Epson lists about 7,500 black and 6,000 color pages for ET-2850 replacement bottles, and Canon lists up to 6,000 black and 7,700 color for the G3270. Real use is lower or higher depending on coverage. Starter bottles yield less because some ink fills the print head.
Do inkjets dry out if I don’t print often?
They can, since liquid ink may clog nozzles. Print a test page periodically, follow the maker’s cleaning steps and avoid leaving the printer off for long periods.
Which is best for photos?
Photo-oriented models with extra ink colors, such as the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 (six tanks, up to A3+) or Canon PIXMA G620, are named by TechRadar. Consumer Reports places the ET-2850 near the bottom among inkjets for glossy photo quality, so a basic tank printer is not the best photo tool.
Is duplex printing common on home inkjets?
Not on all. The Epson ET-4950 and HP Smart Tank 7001 have automatic duplex, while the Canon G3270 does not. If two-sided printing matters, confirm it on the maker’s page.
What does subscription ink mean?
Programs such as HP’s Instant Ink bill based on pages printed rather than cartridges purchased. They can suit light users but tie supplies to a plan, so read the terms before enrolling.
