Especially during the era of working from home, printing has gained a new significance. Many print jobs that were once created in the office are now created at home. And, understandably, you want to print as cheaply as possible.
The solution: invest in an inkjet multifunction printer with a tank system, which can be filled with ink from bottles, achieving low page prices that are impossible with a conventional printer, whether it uses toner or ink cartridges.
Multifunction printers with ink tanks are a type of printer that has gained popularity in recent years. Unlike traditional inkjet printers, which use replaceable ink cartridges, ink tank printers have a refillable tank system that can hold a larger volume of ink.
These tanks are more durable and can be refilled with ink when they run out, instead of having to purchase new cartridges. This makes ink tank printers more cost-effective in the long run, as users can save money on ink by refilling the tanks themselves or purchasing larger bottles of ink.
When selecting an ink tank printer, it’s important to consider factors such as print quality, print speed, connectivity options, and the cost of replacement ink tanks. Some popular brands of ink tank printers include HP, Epson, Canon, and Brother, each offering various models with different features and price points.
Is the investment in ink tank printers worth it despite the high initial costs? … Continue Reading
[tie_index]Canon Maxify GX4050[/tie_index]
Canon Maxify GX4050
The Canon Maxify GX4050 is a high-performance office printer that excels in printing, copying, scanning, and faxing, making it ideal for handling the needs of multiple workstations in an office setting. It boasts flexible connectivity options, a high paper capacity, and can be easily controlled from a mobile device. One of the biggest selling points of this printer is its ink tanks, which allow for incredibly low page prices even when the maintenance cassette is due in the future.
the Canon Maxify GX4050 is a recommended alternative to colour laser multifunction printers. However, it does have a few limitations. It is not able to print borderless and comes in a relatively massive housing. Nonetheless, it makes up for these shortcomings with the ability to print on rigid cardboard and banners, which is a rare talent among office printers.
In comparison to other ink tank printers, the Canon Maxify GX4050 offers superior performance, especially in an office setting. Its fast print speeds, high page yield, and low operating costs make it a cost-effective and efficient option. It also has a range of features that make it user-friendly, such as its easy-to-use control panel and flexible connectivity options.
One of the key benefits of the Canon Maxify GX4050 is its ability to handle high-volume print jobs. Its 50-sheet automatic document feeder and 500-sheet paper capacity mean that it can handle large print jobs with ease. Additionally, its duplex printing capability helps to save time and reduce paper waste.
The Canon Maxify GX4050 is a solid investment for businesses looking for a reliable and cost-effective office printer. Its high-performance capabilities, low operating costs, and user-friendly features make it an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes.
Pros :
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- 3 Paper feeds
- Cardboard and banner printing
- Touch display
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
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Cons :
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- No borderless printing
- Massive housing
- Many nozzle rinses
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[tie_index]Canon Pixma G3570[/tie_index]
Canon Pixma G3570
The Canon Pixma G3570 is a versatile all-in-one ink tank printer designed for both home and small office use.
Its compact design, modern black finish, and well-laid-out control panel make it a stylish addition to any workspace. One of the standout features of this printer is its 1.2-inch LCD display which makes everyday operations much easier. Dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity also allows for easy wireless printing from a variety of devices.
This printer can print, scan, and copy, and offers a high-quality print resolution of up to 4800 x 1200 dpi.
Its automatic document feeder (ADF) can hold up to 20 sheets, making it easy to scan and copy multiple pages. The printer can produce up to 8.8 images per minute (ipm) for black and white documents and 5 ipm for color documents, which is slightly slower compared to some of its competitors. However, the page costs are super cheap due to its refillable ink tank system, which makes it an ideal choice for those who print frequently.
Overall, the Canon Pixma G3570 is a reliable and cost-effective printer that offers excellent value for money. Its wireless connectivity options, versatile functions, and low running costs make it a great choice for both home and small office use.
Pros :
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- Very low cost per page
- Printheads and residual ink tanks are interchangeable
- Cool design
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
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Cons :
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- No automatic duplex mode
- Control panel not foldable
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[tie_index]HP Smart Tank 5105[/tie_index]
HP Smart Tank 5105
The HP Smart Tank 5105 is a compact and modern all-in-one printer designed for home and small office use. Part of HP’s Smart Tank series, this printer features a refillable ink tank system that promises to significantly lower the cost of printing.
The printer has a simple design , making it easy to place on a desk or shelf. The control panel includes a 2.2-inch display and a number pad for easy copy quantity input.
The ink tanks are located on the front of the printer and are easy to access for refilling. The printer also features a 35-page automatic document feeder (ADF), which simplifies the scanning and copying of multiple pages.
In addition to printing, scanning, and copying, the HP Smart Tank 5105 also offers wireless connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi and the HP Smart app. With the app, users can print and scan from their smartphones and tablets.
The Smart Tank system uses four high-yield ink bottles that can produce up to 8,000 color pages and 6,000 black and white pages, making it cost-effective and suitable for those who print frequently.
In terms of performance, the HP Smart Tank 5105 has a maximum print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi and a print speed of up to 11 pages per minute (ppm) for black and white documents and 5 ppm for color documents. The first-page-out time is relatively fast at around 14 seconds. However, the printer can be quite noisy during operation, which may be a drawback for some users.
Pros :
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- cheaper price
- Very low cost per page
- Cool design
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
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Cons :
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- Less ink on starter color ink bottles
- Low working speed
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[tie_index]Epson Ecotank ET-5150[/tie_index]
Epson Ecotank ET-5150
The Epson Ecotank ET-5150 is a versatile all-in-one printer designed for home and small office use, offering cost-effective solutions for printing, scanning, and copying.
The printer has a modern design that mimics the appearance of many laser multifunction printers, making it easy to fit on a desk or shelf. It has a 2.4-inch color LCD screen for easy navigation, and the ink tanks are located on the side of the printer and are easily refillable, making it user-friendly.
The printer offers printing, scanning, and copying functions, as well as wireless connectivity options such as Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct. It has a large paper capacity, with the ability to hold up to 250 sheets of paper. The printer comes with four large, refillable ink tanks that can produce up to 7,500 color pages and 4,500 black and white pages.
In terms of performance, the Epson Ecotank ET-5150 is a reliable performer, with a maximum print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi and a print speed of up to 17 pages per minute (ppm) for black and white documents and 9 ppm for color documents. It also has a 50-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) for scanning and copying multiple pages.
Although the upfront cost of the Epson Ecotank ET-5150 is higher than some other printers on the market, the savings on ink costs over time make it a worthwhile investment. Its large refillable ink tanks significantly lower the cost of printing, making it an excellent value-for-money printer.
Pros :
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- Two bottles of black ink
- Very low cost per page
- Automatic document feeder
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
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Cons :
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- No fax function
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[tie_index] Canon Maxify GX7050 [/tie_index]
Canon Maxify GX7050
The Canon Maxify GX7050 is an all-in-one printer that’s designed to meet the needs of small to medium-sized businesses, as well as home offices. With a 4-colour dye-based ink system, it can print up to 24 pages per minute for black and white documents and 15.5 pages per minute for coloured documents. It also has an exceptional paper capacity, with two 250-sheet cassettes and a 100-sheet multi-purpose tray, capable of holding up to 600 sheets.
The GX7050 offers a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, and supports mobile printing from smartphones and tablets via the Canon PRINT app. It also has a flatbed scanner with a maximum scanning resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi and a maximum document size of 216 x 356 mm, as well as an automatic document feeder with a capacity of up to 50 sheets.
As a patented office model, the Canon Maxify GX7050 is an attractive option for those looking for a color-laser multifunction printer alternative. It boasts low page costs and a fast printing unit, both of which were impressive during testing. While the initial investment of approximately 700 euros (RRP) may seem high, the printer’s extensive features and high performance justify the cost. In fact, the Canon Maxify GX7050 performed so well during testing that it was awarded the “Editor’s Recommendation” accolade.
Pros :
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- Duplex printing and scanning
- Foldable touch display
- Abundant paper stock
- Banner printing up to 1.20 meters in length
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Cons :
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- Massive housing
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[tie_index] Epson Ecotank ET-5800 [/tie_index]
Epson Ecotank ET-5800
The Epson Ecotank ET-5800 is a high-end all-in-one inkjet printer designed for home and small office use that provides reliable performance even under high workloads. With a four-color EcoTank ink system, the ET-5800 can produce up to 25 pages per minute for both black and white and color documents, and it offers automatic double-sided printing to save time and paper.
One of the standout features of the ET-5800 is its generous paper capacity, with two front trays capable of holding up to 550 sheets of paper. The printer also offers various connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, as well as mobile printing through the Epson iPrint app.
The high-resolution flatbed scanner can handle up to 8.5 x 11.7-inch documents, and the automatic document feeder can hold up to 50 pages. The low cost per page of the ink tank system also reduces the need for frequent ink replacements.
While the initial investment for the ET-5800 is relatively high and comparable to that of color laser multifunction printers, it proves to be a versatile office assistant that delivers in terms of speed and output quality for everyday work demands, making it an excellent investment for those in need of a reliable printer.
Pros :
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- Duplex printing and scanning
- Large touch display
- Abundant paper stock
- Borderless printing
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Cons :
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- Massive housing
- High price
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- What are the advantages of using an ink tank multifunction printer instead of one with cartridges?
One major advantage of using an ink tank multifunction printer is the significantly lower page costs. The device comes with a complete set of ink bottles, which can last for several thousand printed pages. Some models even come with additional black ink bottles. The refill bottles are reasonably priced for all manufacturers, resulting in page prices that are well below one cent for both black-and-white and color A4 sheets. When considering purchasing a device, it is worth examining what is included in the model.
- What are the drawbacks of using ink tank printers?
Despite the lower cost of printing, not all ink tank multifunction printers are designed for fast throughput, especially those intended for home use. Some models may require patience for printing, copying, and scanning. Technical data can help determine if the printing speed is moderate. Office ink tank systems usually offer faster printing units but come with a higher purchase price. There is no significant difference in speed regardless of how the device is controlled.
- Why are ink tank multifunction printers more expensive than cartridge printers?
Unlike cartridge printers for home use, manufacturers profit from the hardware of ink tank printers, as ink cartridge business generates sales for cartridge printers. Ink tank printers are becoming increasingly popular and no longer an exotic alternative, which is why manufacturers offer a large selection of models at higher prices.
- Does a higher hardware price mean that ink tank printers are always better equipped than cartridge printers?
Despite the higher purchase prices of ink tank multifunction printers, it does not necessarily mean that all possible equipment features are included. Some models may lack a display on the control panel or only provide brief font displays. Some features like automatic duplex printing, document feeder, or fax function may not be standard, and there may be savings on paper stock. However, existing feeders can usually hold at least 100 sheets. Some ink tank printers have a special paper management system and offer an additional single-sheet feeder, allowing thick media such as cardboard to be printed. These devices typically provide banner paper through the rear paper feeder without requiring an extra compartment.
- Does using bottle ink result in a loss of print quality?
No need to worry about a decrease in print quality with ink tank printers compared to cartridge printers. Our tests show that the inks from the bottles are of high quality, with pigmented black ink being commonly used. This ink is light-resistant, smudge-resistant, and provides excellent coverage on paper, making text easy to read. Manufacturers of ink tank printers often use dye inks, which produce bright, natural colors with many details, including printers with four colors. The quality of printers that exclusively rely on pigment inks may have a slightly darker color scheme, but the print results are still high-quality. The criticism of the copy quality is related to the built-in CIS scan units, which is a common issue with multifunction printers in general.
- How easy or difficult is it to fill ink into the tank?
In all the test candidates, the tanks are integrated into the housing, making it easier to fill the ink. The bottles have drip stops that prevent unwanted ink drops as long as pressure is not applied to the bottle. The valves open only when the bottle is placed on the respective tank, and the ink flow stops automatically when the tank is full. The commissioning processes for all the test candidates are well thought out and are documented in detail either in the start-up leaflets or through good commissioning assistants. The user-friendliness of the models is also discussed in the respective test reports. Overall, filling ink into the tanks of ink tank printers is as easy as installing ink cartridges in classic cartridge devices, so there is no need to worry.