The cheapest printer to buy is rarely the cheapest printer to own. That is the core mistake most buyers make.
Low-priced printers often look fine until the starter cartridges run out. After that, the important numbers are cost per page, refill cost, and whether your print volume is high enough to justify a more efficient machine.
What actually makes a printer cheap to run?
The metrics that matter most are:
- cost per page for black printing
- cost per page for colour printing
- how much replacement ink or toner costs
- whether the printer wastes ink through cleaning cycles
- whether you will print enough to recover a higher upfront price
That is why "cheap to buy" and "cheap to run" are very different things.
Best overall for low running costs: ink tank printers
For most households that print regularly, ink tank printers still win on pure running cost.
Typical economics look like this:
| Printer type | Typical black cost per page | Typical colour cost per page | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink tank | ~0.2p to 0.5p | ~0.4p to 1.0p | Families, regular colour printing, homework, home admin |
| Mono laser | ~1.5p to 2.5p | N/A | Text-only users and low-maintenance printing |
| Budget cartridge inkjet | ~5p to 15p | ~8p to 20p+ | Very light use only |
If you print every week, the difference compounds fast.
Strong examples in this category
- Epson EcoTank ET-2850 for general home use
- Canon MegaTank models such as the PIXMA G7020 if you want refillable-ink economics with more office-style features
If you are choosing between tank brands, read our ink tank vs laser comparison and EcoTank vs MegaTank coverage.
Best for text-only users: mono laser printers
If you mostly print letters, shipping labels, returns forms, and text documents, a mono laser can still be the cheapest practical option.
Why?
- toner does not dry out the way liquid ink can
- long gaps between print jobs are less of a problem
- running costs stay reasonable for black-only use
The trade-off is simple: mono laser is good for text, but poor if you ever need affordable colour printing.
Strong example in this category
- Brother MFC-L2750DW or a similar Brother mono laser if reliability matters more than colour
Worst long-term value: cheap cartridge printers for regular use
The riskiest buy is still the classic budget cartridge printer.
These models can make sense if you print a handful of pages a month, but they often become the most expensive option if you print regularly. Standard cartridges run out quickly, and some ranges stay expensive even when you switch to XL.
That is exactly why people end up asking whether it is cheaper to buy new ink or a new printer.
If you already own one, your best next move is usually:
- switch to XL if the range offers it
- compare originals against compatibles carefully
- use our print cost calculator
- check whether HP Instant Ink or a tank printer would actually cost less for your usage
Which type should you buy?
Use this rule of thumb:
- Print 50 or more pages a month, especially in colour: buy an ink tank printer
- Print mostly black text and want low-maintenance printing: buy a mono laser
- Print only occasionally: keeping your current cartridge printer may still be fine, but avoid assuming a new cheap inkjet will save money
Summary
For most regular home users, ink tank printers remain the cheapest printers to run in 2026. Mono laser still makes sense for text-only users who want reliability. Budget cartridge printers are only competitive when print volume is genuinely low.
If you are still unsure, use the print cost calculator first and then the upgrade advisor. That is the fastest way to see whether a low-upfront printer is actually the wrong financial choice.
FAQ
Q: What type of printer is cheapest to run overall?
A: For most regular home users, ink tank printers are usually cheapest to run because bottle refills keep cost per page very low.
Q: Are laser printers cheaper to run than inkjets?
A: Mono laser printers can be cheaper than cartridge inkjets for text-only use, but ink tank printers are often cheaper than laser for regular colour printing.
Q: Are cheap printers a false economy?
A: Often, yes. A low upfront price can be cancelled out quickly by expensive cartridges and low page yields.
Q: When does an ink tank printer become worth it?
A: Usually when you print regularly enough that low refill costs can recover the higher upfront price. Families and home offices often get there fastest.
Q: Should I replace my current printer just to save ink money?
A: Not always. It depends on your print volume and current cartridge costs. Use the calculator and upgrade advisor before replacing a printer that still works.