The Ultimate Printer Showdown: Ink Tank vs. Cartridge Printers

Are you in the market for a new printer but can't decide between an ink tank or cartridge-based one? Fear not, dear reader, as we are here to guide you through the pros and cons of each option.

Ink Tank Printers

Ink Tank printers, as the name implies, have an ink reservoir that can be refilled multiple times. These printers are a relatively new addition to the market and have become quite popular amongst consumers due to their cost-saving capabilities.

Cost

Ink Tank printers have a high upfront cost but pay off in the long run as their cost per page is significantly lower than cartridge printers. According to a study conducted by PCMag, ink tanks cost around 0.3 cents per black and white page and 0.8 cents per color page.

Maintenance

Ink Tank printers require less maintenance because of their larger ink tanks, which means lesser chances of clogs or dried out nozzles. However, cleaning the print heads of ink tank printers can be difficult and requires a lot of ink.

Print Quality

Ink Tank printers are known for their excellent color accuracy and print quality, making them ideal for printing high-quality images.

Cartridge Printers

Cartridge Printers are more common and have been around longer than Ink Tank printers, but have the disadvantage of having to replace the cartridges repeatedly.

Cost

Cartridge printers usually have a lower upfront cost, but the cost per page is higher compared to ink tank printers. According to PCMag, the cost per page for cartridge printers is about 5.5 cents per black and white page and 15 cents per color page.

Maintenance

Cartridge printers require regular maintenance, such as changing cartridges, cleaning the nozzles, and printheads. Failure to do so can lead to clogged print heads and streaky prints.

Print Quality

While cartridge printers have improved in print quality over the years, they still have slightly lower color accuracy and print quality compared to ink tank printers.

Which one is right for you?

The answer depends on your printing needs. If you print frequently and need to produce high-quality color prints, ink tank printers are the way to go. However, if you don't print regularly and prioritize affordability upfront, cartridge printers are a more cost-effective option.

In conclusion, ink tank printers provide more value in the long run and offer better print quality, while cartridge printers are cheaper upfront and require more maintenance.

We hope this comparison has helped you make an informed decision.

References

PCMag. (2021, August 20). Inkjet vs. Laser and Everything In Between. [https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-printers-for-2021].

Now that you're all clued up, it's time to get printing! Whichever type of printer you choose, here's hoping there won't be any paper jams or printer errors in your future. Remember to subscribe to our blog for more tech comparisons and reviews. Printing puns out 👋.