Compare the best inkjet printers of 2026, including refillable-tank, all-in-one and photo picks tier-ranked on running cost and value.
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The best inkjet printer for most people is the Epson EcoTank, whose refillable ink tanks slash running costs compared with cartridges, making it the cheapest to run over time for families and home offices. Want a low upfront price all-in-one? The HP Envy and Canon PIXMA lead. After business features and speed? The HP OfficeJet Pro delivers. We compared the leaders on print quality, running cost
The best inkjet printer for most people is the Epson EcoTank, whose refillable ink tanks slash running costs compared with cartridges, making it the cheapest to run over time for families and home offices. Want a low upfront price all-in-one? The HP Envy and Canon PIXMA lead. After business features and speed? The HP OfficeJet Pro delivers. We compared the leaders on print quality, running cost, features and value.
An inkjet printer sprays ink onto the page for sharp text and vibrant color and photos, making it the versatile choice for home use, school, photos and light office work. The difference between a great inkjet printer and a frustrating one comes down to its running cost, since ink can cost more than the printer over time, its print quality and speed, and its all-in-one features like scanning and wireless. The picks below earned their tiers on real print quality, running cost, features and value.
The most important and often overlooked factor when buying an inkjet printer is the running cost, since the price of ink over the printer’s life frequently exceeds the price of the printer itself. This is why refillable-tank printers like the Epson EcoTank and Canon MegaTank have become so popular, as they replace expensive cartridges with cheap, high-yield ink bottles that bring the cost per page right down, which pays off for anyone who prints regularly even though the upfront price is higher. If you print only occasionally, a low-cost cartridge printer like the HP Envy may suit better despite higher ink costs. The next factor is what you print, since photo-focused users should prioritise color print quality as the Canon PIXMA offers, while document-heavy home offices benefit from faster speeds and features like automatic double-sided printing and a document feeder. Almost all modern inkjets are all-in-one units that scan and copy and print wirelessly from phones and laptops, so check that the scanning and connectivity features match your needs, and consider paper handling and size for your space.
| # | Product | Best for | Ink type | Use | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color A | overall | Refill tank | All-in-one | Most people | Check Price |
| 2 | Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkj | photo value | Cartridge | All-in-one | Photos | Check Price |
| 3 | HP Envy 6155 Wireless All-in-One Color | home value | Cartridge | All-in-one | Home all-in-one | Check Price |
| 4 | Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wirele | refill value | Refill tank | All-in-one | Canon refill | Check Price |
| 5 | HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e Wireless All-in | business | Cartridge | All-in-one | Office speed | Check Price |
| 6 | Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840 Wireless A | office value | Cartridge | All-in-one | Office value | Check Price |
| 7 | Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color | reliable value | Cartridge | All-in-one | Reliable budget | Check Price |
| 8 | HP DeskJet 2755e Wireless Color inkjet | budget | Cartridge | All-in-one | Cheapest | Check Price |
Why we picked it: The Epson EcoTank is the best inkjet printer for most people because its refillable ink tanks dramatically cut running costs, replacing expensive cartridges with cheap bottles that last for thousands of pages. With solid print quality, all-in-one scanning and wireless printing, it costs more upfront but saves far more over time, making it the smartest long-term choice for any household that prints regularly.
Households and home offices that print regularly.
Very light users wanting the lowest upfront cost.
Key specs: Refillable tank - all-in-one - low running cost - wireless
Why we picked it: The Canon PIXMA is the photo and value pick, producing vibrant, detailed color prints and photos that make it a favourite for families and creative projects, with all-in-one scanning and wireless at an affordable upfront price. For anyone who prints photos and color at home and wants a low entry cost, it is the standout choice.
Families wanting affordable color and photo printing.
High-volume users wanting low running cost.
Key specs: Cartridge - all-in-one - vibrant photos - affordable
Why we picked it: The HP Envy is the easy home all-in-one pick, with simple setup, reliable wireless printing from phones and laptops, and good everyday print quality for documents and photos at a low upfront price. For a fuss-free household printer that just works with mobile devices, it is a dependable, affordable choice.
Households wanting a simple, affordable all-in-one.
High-volume or cost-per-page-focused users.
Key specs: Cartridge - all-in-one - easy wireless - affordable
The Epson EcoTank is the best for most people, with refillable tanks that slash running costs over time. The Canon PIXMA is the best for photos and value, and the HP Envy is a simple, affordable home all-in-one.
Over time, yes. Refillable-tank printers like the Epson EcoTank cost more upfront but use cheap high-yield ink bottles that dramatically lower the cost per page, saving money for anyone who prints regularly, while light users may prefer a cheap cartridge printer.
Choose an inkjet for vibrant color and photos and lower upfront cost, ideal for home and creative use. Choose a laser for fast, cheap, high-volume text printing. Many homes are best served by an inkjet, while document-heavy offices benefit from a laser.
Ink often costs more than the printer over time, so running cost is the key factor. Refillable-tank printers like the Epson EcoTank use cheap, high-yield bottles that slash cost per page, paying off for regular printing despite a higher upfront price. Light users may prefer a cheap cartridge printer. Weigh how much you print before deciding.
Match the printer to your needs. Photo and color-focused users should prioritise print quality, which the Canon PIXMA delivers. Document-heavy home offices benefit from faster speeds, automatic double-sided printing and a document feeder. Identify whether you mainly print text documents or color and photos to choose the right strengths.
Almost all modern inkjets are all-in-one units that scan, copy and print wirelessly from phones and laptops. Check that the scanning resolution, automatic document feeder and connectivity match your needs. Also consider paper capacity and the printer size for your space, since tank printers and office models tend to be larger.
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Low running cost | Tank models slash ink spend. |
| Vibrant color | Great for photos and projects. |
| All-in-one | Print, scan and copy. |
| Wireless printing | Print from phone and laptop. |
| Easy setup | Up and running in minutes. |
We don't accept free units or payment for placement. We research every product on verified specifications and real owner feedback, compare them on one transparent rubric, and buy and test units where hands-on use genuinely changes the verdict.