Printer ink cost per page: how to find the real price of printing
A cheap printer with expensive cartridges costs more over time. A short sum, and when third-party cartridges are worth considering.
The purchase price of a printer tells you little. The cost of ink or toner over the years usually dwarfs it.
Work out cost per page#
Take the price of a cartridge and divide it by the pages it is rated to print. If a cartridge costs 20 and is rated for 500 pages, that is 4 cents or pence per page. Ratings use standard test pages with light coverage, so real-world use may give fewer pages. Use the figure to compare, not to promise.
Compare printer types#
Inkjets are cheaper to buy and suit occasional colour printing, but ink can dry out if the printer sits unused. Laser printers (toner) suit regular text printing and tend to have a lower cost per page. Ink tank printers have refillable reservoirs, cost more upfront and usually cut running costs for heavy users.
Ask how often you print#
Under a few pages a week, buy a cheap model and accept that ink can expire. If you print often, favour a laser or ink tank. Don't buy a printer for the one week a year you need ten pages. A print shop or library may be cheaper.
Subscription ink plans#
Some manufacturers offer plans that charge per page printed. They can work out cheaper for light users, but check what happens if you cancel, whether the printer stops working with other cartridges and whether unused pages roll over.
Third-party and refilled cartridges#
Compatible cartridges can cost much less than the maker's own. Quality varies, and some printers block them through firmware. Choose a supplier with a clear returns policy and a guarantee that covers any damage to your printer. Look at page yield claims and reviews that mention your exact model. Remember too that using them may affect your warranty in some cases, so read yours.
Our tip#
Set a defaults check: print in draft or greyscale for everyday pages, and print a nozzle test only when quality drops. Store ink in a cool room and keep the printer on a routine, since printing something small once a week prevents dried heads.
Before you buy#
Find the cartridge model, its price and its yield, then do the sum for a year of your printing. Buy the printer after that, not before.