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If you’re searching best cheap printers with cheap ink, you’re really trying to avoid the classic trap: a “cheap” printer that turns into a subscription because cartridges cost a fortune.
Here’s the verdict upfront:
- Want the lowest long-term ink cost? Buy a refillable ink tank printer (EcoTank / MegaTank / Smart Tank). These are built to print thousands of pages per refill.
- Want the cheapest cost for black-only documents + speed? Buy a monochrome laser and use a high-yield toner.
My top 5 (fast answer)
- Best overall cheap printer + cheap ink: HP Smart Tank 7001 (balanced features + huge included yield)
- Best cheapest ink for basic home printing: Epson EcoTank ET-2800 (ridiculously low running cost)
- Best for families who print color a lot: Canon PIXMA MegaTank G3270 (strong yields; easy “set it and forget it”)
- Best cheap home-office all-in-one: Epson EcoTank ET-4850 (ADF + duplex + big yields—rare at this price)
- Best cheap printer for black text (no ink headaches): Brother HL-L2420DW (fast, duplex, low fuss)
Best Cheap Printers With Cheap Ink: Comparison Table
Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  | |
Best for | Best overall value | Cheapest ink long-term (basic needs) | Family color printing | Home office (ADF + duplex) | Cheap B&W documents + speed |
Claimed page yield (high level) | Up to 6,000 black / 8,000 color per bottle refills | 4,500 black / 7,500 color (ISO yield listed) | Up to 6,000 black / 7,700 color per full set | 7,500 black / 6,000 color (ISO yield listed) | High-yield toner up to 3,000 pages (TN830XL) |
Scan/Copy | Yes (AIO) | Yes (basic AIO) | Yes (AIO) | Yes (AIO + ADF + fax) | No (print only) |
Auto duplex printing | Yes (typical on this model line) | Varies by config; ET-2800 is often “basic” | No duplex (common limitation) | Yes duplex + ADF | Yes duplex |
Why it stays “cheap” | Huge included yield + bottle refills | Extremely low cost-per-print reputation | Big yields per bottle set | Big yields + office features without cartridge costs | Toner efficiency + duplex + speed |
Price |  | | | | |
What most “cheap ink” articles get wrong
Most lists pick either:
- “Cheap printer” OR
- “Cheap ink”
The top 1% answer connects them with a simple rule:
The Real Rule: Your ink plan matters more than your printer price
A cheap cartridge printer can cost you more over a year than a slightly pricier tank printer—because tank systems are engineered for ultra-high yields and cheap refills.
So the best cheap printer isn’t always the lowest sticker price. It’s the one that stays cheap when you hit “Print” all month.
The 5 Best Cheap Printers With Cheap Ink (Quick Reviews)
1) HP Smart Tank 7001: Best Overall Cheap Printer + Cheap Ink
If you want one pick that avoids regret, this is the “safe” answer: refillable tanks, big yields, and modern home-friendly all-in-one use.
HP highlights up to 6,000 black / 8,000 color pages from ink bottle refills.
TechRadar’s current “Best ink tank printer of 2026” guide calls it a Budget Buy, which matters because that list is specifically about low running costs.
Pros
- Huge page yield for the money
- Refill bottles > cartridges for long-term cost control
- Great “one printer for everything” vibe
Cons
- Not the fastest option for heavy office stacks (tank printers prioritize savings)
Best for: families, students, mixed home printing.
2) Epson EcoTank ET-2800: Cheapest Ink Long-Term (Basic Home Pick)
This is the “I refuse to pay cartridge prices ever again” starter printer.
Epson lists 4,500 black / 7,500 color ISO yields and pushes the cartridge-free savings concept hard.
RTINGS also calls out superb cost-per-print and high yields (with the tradeoff being slower speeds).
Pros
- Extremely low running cost reputation
- Great for basic documents + occasional color
- EcoTank refills are straightforward
Cons
- Slower printing, and often “basic” features vs home-office models
Best for: light-to-moderate printing where cost-per-page is the #1 goal.
3) Canon PIXMA MegaTank G3270: Best for Family Color Printing on a Budget
If your house prints colorful stuff constantly (school posters, charts, invitations), this one is a strong “cheap ink” pick.
Canon states up to 6,000 black / 7,700 color pages per full ink set (and even higher in economy modes on support pages).
The big downside: many reviews note no auto duplex and slower speed.
Pros
- Big yield per bottle set = predictable costs
- Solid for color-heavy home printing
- Compact “family printer” vibe
Cons
- No automatic duplex printing
- Slower print speed
Best for: parents and students printing lots of color pages.
4) Epson EcoTank ET-4850: Best Cheap Home Office All-in-One
This is the step-up pick when you’re done feeding single pages into a scanner.
Epson highlights an ADF, auto 2-sided printing, 250-sheet tray, and big yields (7,500 black / 6,000 color).
TechRadar’s 2026 guide tags it as “Best All-in-One” in the ink tank category.
Pros
- ADF + duplex makes it feel like a “real” office printer
- Big yields keep costs low
- Great for WFH packets, forms, and school admin
Cons
- Usually costs more than ultra-basic tanks (but saves time every week)
Best for: home office users, teachers, small side hustles, busy households.
5) Brother HL-L2420DW (Monochrome Laser): Cheapest for Black Text + Speed
If you mostly print black-and-white documents, laser is the “quiet cheat code.”
Brother positions the HL-L2420DW as efficient and affordable, with up to 30 ppm and automatic duplex printing.
Pair it with high-yield toner like the TN830XL (up to 3,000 pages) and your cost per page stays sane.
Pros
- Fast, sharp text + duplex
- Toner doesn’t “dry out” like ink
- Great for homework packets and bills
Cons
- Black-only (no color)
- No scanner (print-only)
Best for: people who print mostly text and want the simplest long-term ownership.
How to Choose in 30 Seconds
- Mostly color + want the cheapest ink: ET-2800 or G3270
- Need scanning stacks + duplex: ET-4850
- Mostly black text + want speed: HL-L2420DW
- Want one “safe” all-around buy: Smart Tank 7001
FAQ: Best Cheap Printers With Cheap Ink
What is the cheapest printer to run (ink cost)?
Refillable ink tank printers are commonly the cheapest to run because they print thousands of pages per refill and bottles are cheaper than cartridges.
Are ink tank printers worth it if I don’t print a lot?
If you print rarely, laser can be simpler (no ink drying). If you print even moderately, tanks usually win on running cost—especially for color.
What’s the cheapest way to print black-and-white documents?
A monochrome laser with duplex printing and high-yield toner is hard to beat for B&W document cost + speed.
Which cheap printer has the cheapest color printing?
Tank printers like the ET-2800 (EcoTank) and G3270 (MegaTank) are built for low-cost color over time due to high yields.
What should I avoid if I want cheap ink?
Avoid “cheap” cartridge printers where replacements are pricey. If “cheap ink” is the goal, start with tank printers or a monochrome laser.
Final Verdict: Best Cheap Printers With Cheap Ink
If you want the best balance of low upfront price + genuinely cheap ink, start with the HP Smart Tank 7001.
If your goal is the absolute lowest ink spend, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the “cheap to own” classic.
If you print mostly text, Brother HL-L2420DW is the clean, fast, low-drama option.
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About RegalPrinter
RegalPrinter offers the best reviews for inkjet printers, laser printers, 3D printers, and other similar office machines that you use in your everyday life. We provide expert information that will ensure you are making the right decision whenever buying any of these machines. Our Best Cheap Printers With Cheap Ink review will ensure you know which is right for you.