Most UK households end up in one of three systems:
- Buy cartridges when empty (HP 305, Canon PG-545, etc.)
- HP Instant Ink subscription on eligible HP printers
- Ink tank / EcoTank bottles with very low cost per page
This guide compares all three. For Instant Ink alone, also see HP Instant Ink vs buying cartridges.
Quick verdict
| Monthly pages | Usually cheapest |
|---|---|
| Under 20 | Cartridges (or smallest Instant Ink plan if already enrolled) |
| 20–80 | Instant Ink or EcoTank (depends on plan price and colour mix) |
| 80+ | EcoTank (or mono laser for text-only) |
1. Buy-as-you-go cartridges
- Lowest hardware cost
- Highest cost per page on OEM ink (often 6–15p+)
- Fine for rare printing; painful for weekly school / office use
Example: HP DeskJet 2710e on HP 305 — see 305 vs 305XL.
2. HP Instant Ink
- Predictable monthly fee for a page allowance
- Can beat OEM cartridges at moderate volume
- You are locked into HP’s ecosystem; overage fees hurt if you spike
Best when your volume is steady and fits a plan without constant overages.
3. EcoTank / MegaTank bottles
- Higher upfront printer cost
- Bottles often land under 1p/page for black documents
- Best long-term if you will keep the printer 2+ years
See Epson EcoTank ET-2850 running costs and EcoTank vs MegaTank.
Rough 2-year spend sketch (mixed home colour)
Assumptions are illustrative UK street prices — always re-check live deals.
| System | Hardware | Consumables (2yr @ 60 ppm) | Total sketch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartridge inkjet | £50–£80 | £120–£200 | £170–£280 |
| Instant Ink | £50–£120 | £120–£180 | £170–£300 |
| EcoTank | £180–£250 | £30–£70 | £210–£320 |
EcoTank pulls ahead as volume rises or the ownership window stretches past two years.
How to decide
- Estimate real monthly pages (not the optimistic number)
- Check if your HP model is Instant Ink eligible
- Run the print cost calculator
- Use the upgrade advisor if you already own a cartridge printer
FAQ
Is Instant Ink cheaper than EcoTank?
At low-to-moderate steady volumes, sometimes. At higher volumes, EcoTank usually wins on pure cost per page.
Can I switch from Instant Ink to normal cartridges?
Often yes, but check your plan terms and whether your printer was sold as Instant Ink–required.
What about mono laser instead?
For text-only homes, a Brother mono laser can beat all three on black pages — see laser vs inkjet for home office.
