Cheapest Ink Per Page: Every Major Brand Ranked (2026 Data)

The printer itself is just the beginning. Over 3 years, most people spend 3–5× more on ink than they paid for the printer. Choosing the wrong model can cost you hundreds of dollars. Here's exactly what you'll pay per page with every major printer, ranked from cheapest to most expensive.

Cost Per Page Rankings (2026)

All figures are based on ISO-rated page yields using OEM inks at current retail prices. Black CPP uses the high-yield black cartridge/toner. Color CPP is calculated as an average across all four colors. Prices verified March 2026.

Why Cost Per Page Matters More Than Printer Price

The average household printer user prints around 500 pages per year. Over 3 years, that's 1,500 pages. At $0.065 per page (Canon MG3620), you'd spend $97.50 on ink. At $0.003 per page (Epson ET-4850), you'd spend $4.50. The difference is $93 — and that's on low usage. Print more, and the savings scale dramatically.

The Epson EcoTank ET-4850 costs $249 upfront vs $69 for the Canon PIXMA MG3620. That's a $180 premium. But within 3,000 pages of printing (about 2–3 years for an average user), the ET-4850 more than covers that gap in ink savings alone.

EcoTank and MegaTank: The Refillable Revolution

Both Epson's EcoTank and Canon's PIXMA G-series use refillable ink reservoir systems instead of traditional cartridges. Instead of paying $15–$40 for a cartridge that yields 200–400 pages, you pay $10–$15 for a bottle that yields 6,000–7,500 pages. The math is obvious — but there's a caveat.

Refillable tank printers cost more upfront ($150–$300 vs $50–$100 for basic cartridge printers). They're also physically larger and slightly more complex to maintain. They're the right choice for anyone who prints regularly — but for occasional, light printing, a cheaper standard inkjet may be appropriate.

Laser vs Inkjet: Which Is Cheaper?

For black-and-white printing, laser typically wins on cost per page — especially with high-yield toner. The Brother HL-L2350DW using a high-yield TN760 toner (~$26, 3,000 pages) works out to about $0.009 per page. That's competitive with even the best inkjet options.

For color printing, inkjet MegaTank printers win decisively. Color laser toner is expensive. A full set of color toner for a basic laser can cost $80–$150. EcoTank color ink costs $12–$15 per color bottle and yields far more pages.

Hidden Ink Costs to Watch For

Ink that dries out: Standard inkjet printers that sit unused for weeks or months can develop dried-out printheads, requiring cleaning cycles that waste ink. Laser and EcoTank printers don't have this problem.

XL vs standard cartridges: Standard cartridges often look cheaper at first glance. Always check the cost-per-page on the XL version — it's almost always lower, and the difference can be significant.

Ink subscription traps: HP Instant Ink plans can be cost-effective for consistent, medium-volume users. But the "your printer stops working if you cancel" dynamic is a real constraint. Read the fine print before enrolling.

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