The cost of a printer over its life is mostly the cost of what goes into it. Here is how to compare like with like.
The three main supply types
Ink cartridges
Small replaceable containers. Some combine all colours in one cartridge, so when one colour runs out you replace the whole thing; others have a separate cartridge per colour. Some cartridges also contain the print head.
Ink tanks
Larger tanks built into the printer, refilled from bottles. The printer usually costs more up front, but each page usually costs less, which can pay off if you print a lot.
Toner
Laser printers use toner cartridges full of dry powder. Many also have a separate drum unit that is replaced less often. Toner cartridges cost more each but print many more pages.
What "page yield" means
Manufacturers rate cartridges by the number of pages they print in a standard test (ISO/IEC 19752 for mono toner, ISO/IEC 24711 for inkjet). The test page has fairly light coverage, so real yields are lower if you print photos or heavy graphics. Yield figures are still the most useful way to compare supplies from the same family.
Working out cost per page
Divide the cartridge price by its rated yield. A $30 cartridge rated for 300 pages costs about 10 cents a page; a $60 cartridge rated for 1,500 pages costs about 4 cents a page. Compare colour and black separately, and include drum units for lasers if they are separate.
Other things to know
- Standard and high-yield ("XL") cartridges fit the same printer. High-yield ones usually cost less per page.
- Third-party and refilled cartridges can cost less. Some printers warn about non-original supplies, and some manufacturers' firmware updates have stopped certain third-party cartridges working. Check the manufacturer's warranty terms and the seller's return policy before you buy.
- Ink subscription programmes offered by some manufacturers charge a monthly fee based on pages printed. Read their terms carefully, including what happens to the cartridges if you cancel.
- Store spare supplies sealed, at room temperature, and use them before their date.
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