Printer ink isn’t expensive by accident. To see how much it really costs, we priced the brand-name cartridges for 43 printers you can still buy new in the US, worked out the cost of every printed page, and compared each one with our own compatible and remanufactured cartridges. The results show which printers are cheap to buy but expensive to own, and how much you can save.
- $10,997per gallon: what Canon’s CLI-281XXL ink works out to
- 27¢for one color page with brand-name ink in a budget inkjet
- 65%less per black page with Swift Ink cartridges (median of 21 printer families)
- 10×the $54.99 Canon PIXMA TS3720’s price, in brand-name ink over 3 years
Key findings
- Printer ink is expensive because the printer is cheap. Printer makers sell many printers near or below cost and make their profit on ink and toner. They use cartridge chips and firmware to keep you buying their brand.
- Brand-name ink costs 4.4¢ to 13.0¢ per black page in the cartridge inkjets we priced, and up to 27¢ per color page.
- Swift Ink compatible and remanufactured cartridges cut the cost per black page by 40% to 84% (median 65%) for the same printers, using the lower of the two page yields.
- Ink tank printers are the cheapest per page. Brand-name bottles cost 0.3¢ to 0.4¢ per black page. That’s a tenth or less of what cartridge inkjets cost.
- The cheapest printer to buy is often the most expensive to own. A $54.99 inkjet can cost $571 in brand-name ink over three years at 100 pages a month.
Why is printer ink so expensive?
Four things push the price up, and they work together.
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The printer is sold cheap so the ink can be sold high
This is the “razor and blades” model. A printer that costs $55 at the store is how the maker gets you in the door, and cartridges are where it makes its money. In a January 2024 CNBC interview, HP’s CEO said a customer who doesn’t use HP supplies is “a bad investment” for the company.
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Small cartridges cost more per page
Standard cartridges hold little ink, so you buy more often and pay more per page. HP’s standard 64 black cartridge, for example, costs $25.99 for about 200 pages (13.0¢ a page). The 64XL costs $62.99 for about 600 pages (10.5¢ a page).
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Chips and firmware keep competitors out
Most cartridges carry a chip the printer checks. HP calls its system Dynamic Security. HP+ printers (model names ending in “e”) accept only original HP cartridges once HP+ is turned on. Firmware updates have locked out third-party cartridges before. In 2025 HP settled a class action over this and agreed to keep letting users decline those updates. Epson has faced similar lawsuits.
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It isn’t the ink itself
The same companies sell bottled ink for their own ink tank printers for a fraction of the cost per page. Epson’s 502 black bottle costs $24.99 and is rated for 7,500 pages, or 0.33¢ a page. The ink in a cartridge costs that much because of how it’s sold, not because of what it’s made of.
What printer ink costs per gallon
Cartridges are sold by the page, not by volume, so a gallon price is hard to see. Where the maker lists how much ink a cartridge or bottle holds, we did the math.
Ink tank bottles cost far less per gallon than cartridges from the same brands. Compatible bottles cut the cost again: our HP 32XL-compatible bottle holds the same 135 mL as HP’s and works out to about $224 a gallon.
How we did the math
Method in brief:
- Printers: only models sold new in the US on October 14, 2026, at the maker’s store or a major retailer.
- Brand-name prices: the maker’s US online store on October 14, 2026. If the maker didn’t list a cartridge on its own, we used Staples or B&H.
- Yields: the maker’s published ISO page yields, measured at about 5% coverage per color.
- Which cartridges: high-yield (XL) versions, which cost less per page.
- Swift Ink prices: swiftink.com on the same day. For page yield we used whichever was lower, our rating or the brand’s, so our numbers are never flattered.
- Color page: black + cyan + magenta + yellow cost per page (or black + tri-color).
- 3-year cost: the cheapest printer in each group, plus ink or toner for 100 pages a month (80% black, 20% color).
- Not included: paper, drums, and maintenance parts. Prices change, so check current prices before buying.
Cost per black page
Text documents, invoices, homework, and shipping labels are mostly black. This is the number that matters most for most people.
Cost per color page
A color page uses black plus every color, so costs add up fast. Brand-name color laser toner and cartridge inkjet ink land in the same range, about 15¢ to 27¢ a page. Ink tanks stay near 1¢.
Full results table
| Printers | Supplies | Black page: brand-name | Black page: Swift Ink | Color page: brand-name | Color page: Swift Ink | Savings per black page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2405W, HL-L2460DW, MFC-L2820DW | TN830XL | 3.28¢ | 1.10¢ | Black only | Black only | 66% |
| Brother HL-L6210DW, MFC-L5915DW | TN920UXXL | 1.34¢ | 0.33¢ | Black only | Black only | 75% |
| HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw, 3101fdw | HP 138X | 3.75¢ | 1.47¢ | Black only | Black only | 61% |
| HP LaserJet M209dw, M234dw, M235sdw | HP 134X | 4.37¢ | 1.67¢ | Black only | Black only | 62% |
| HP LaserJet M110w, M140w | HP 141A | 6.53¢ | 3.89¢ | Black only | Black only | 40% |
| HP LaserJet Pro 4001dn | HP 148X | 2.97¢ | 0.73¢ | Black only | Black only | 76% |
| Brother HL-L3220CDW, HL-L3280CDW, MFC-L3780CDW | TN229XL | 3.21¢ | 1.00¢ | 19.32¢ | 4.91¢ | 69% |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw, 3301 | HP 218X | 3.59¢ | 1.87¢ | 19.67¢ | 9.07¢ | 48% |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw, 4301fdw | HP 210X | 2.92¢ | 0.93¢ | 17.59¢ | 4.75¢ | 68% |
| Canon imageCLASS LBP674Cdw II, MF751Cdw II, MF753Cdw II | Canon 069H | 2.92¢ | 0.72¢ | 17.58¢ | 3.72¢ | 75% |
| Brother MFC-J1800DW | LC401XL | 7.66¢ | 2.00¢ | 20.85¢ | 7.99¢ | 74% |
| Canon PIXMA TS3720, TR4720 | PG-275XL / CL-276XL | 13.00¢ | 7.33¢ | 27.33¢ | 14.99¢ | 44% |
| Canon PIXMA TS9520a | PGI-280XXL / CLI-281XXL | 7.17¢ | 1.17¢ | 20.83¢ | 3.90¢ | 84% |
| HP ENVY Photo 7975, 7275 | HP 64XL | 10.50¢ | 3.83¢ | 27.12¢ | 9.61¢ | 64% |
| Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820, WF-4820 | 822XL | 4.36¢ | 1.54¢ | 14.45¢ | 5.63¢ | 65% |
| Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7840, WF-7310 | 812XL | 4.36¢ | 1.54¢ | 14.45¢ | 5.63¢ | 65% |
| Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 | 410XL | 5.72¢ | 2.00¢ | 15.87¢ | 7.99¢ | 65% |
| Epson Expression Premium XP-6100 | 302XL | 5.40¢ | 2.73¢ | 15.55¢ | 9.27¢ | 50% |
| Epson EcoTank ET-4950 | 502 bottles | 0.33¢ | 0.12¢ | 1.18¢ | 0.52¢ | 64% |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2900 | 522 bottles | 0.38¢ | 0.16¢ | 1.10¢ | 0.43¢ | 59% |
| HP Smart Tank 5100, 7603 | HP 32XL / 31 bottles | 0.40¢ | 0.13¢ | 1.22¢ | 0.36¢ | 67% |
Want to run the numbers for your own printer and cartridges? Use our printer cost per page calculator.
The cheapest printers to run in 2026
These picks have the lowest total cost over three years at 100 pages a month: printer price plus ink or toner. Each is sold new today and works with Swift Ink compatible or remanufactured supplies.
Best for black-and-white printing
Brother HL-L2405W
- Printer price
- $139.99
- Black page
- 1.10¢ (brand: 3.28¢)
- 3-year cost
- $180 (brand: $258)
The lowest 3-year cost of any printer we priced when you use Swift Ink toner. Uses TN830XL. Shop Brother supplies.
Best HP laser printer
HP LaserJet M209dw
- Printer price
- $129.00
- Black page
- 1.67¢ (brand: 4.37¢)
- 3-year cost
- $189 (brand: $286)
A low-cost HP mono laser. Buy the M209dw, not the M209dwe. Uses HP 134X. Shop HP supplies.
Best for busy offices
Brother HL-L6210DW
- Printer price
- $349.99
- Black page
- 0.33¢ (brand: 1.34¢)
- 3-year cost
- $362 (brand: $398)
At 1,000 pages a month it costs $470 over 3 years with Swift Ink toner, vs $833 with brand-name. Uses TN920UXXL (18,000 pages per cartridge). Shop Brother supplies.
Best color laser printer
Brother HL-L3220CDW
- Printer price
- $284.99
- Color page
- 4.91¢ (brand: 19.32¢)
- 3-year cost
- $349 (brand: $517)
The cheapest color laser to own in our data, with sharp text and color pages that don’t smear. Uses TN229XL. Shop Brother supplies.
Best cartridge inkjet
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4820
- Printer price
- $129.99
- Color page
- 5.63¢ (brand: 14.45¢)
- 3-year cost
- $215 (brand: $360)
A cartridge inkjet whose high-yield cartridges keep pages cheap. Uses 822XL. Shop Epson supplies.
Best inkjet for color and photos
Canon PIXMA TS9520a
- Printer price
- $199.99
- Color page
- 3.90¢ (brand: 20.83¢)
- 3-year cost
- $262 (brand: $556)
The lowest cost per color page of the cartridge inkjets we priced, plus 11 × 17 scanning and printing. Uses PGI-280XXL / CLI-281XXL. Shop Canon supplies.
Lowest cost per page
HP Smart Tank 5100
- Printer price
- $199.99
- Color page
- 0.36¢ (brand: 1.22¢)
- 3-year cost
- $206 (brand: $220)
An ink tank printer. The bottles last thousands of pages, and color costs about a third of a cent per page with compatible ink. Uses HP 32XL / 31 bottles. Shop HP supplies.
For HP printers: buy the version without an “e” at the end of the model name, and skip HP+ during setup. You can decline firmware updates that include Dynamic Security. See how to block HP firmware updates. For Epson, see how to block Epson firmware updates.
Printers we left out, and why
- HP LaserJet models ending in “e” or “we” (M110we, M140we, 3001dwe, M234dwe, and others). They’re HP+ printers that only take original HP toner. See why HP “e” printers don’t accept aftermarket cartridges.
- HP OfficeJet Pro 8120 and 9120/9130 series (HP 923 and 936 cartridges). Aftermarket cartridges for these printers aren’t reliable yet, so we can’t recommend them for low running costs.
- Discontinued printers. Many popular printers aren’t sold new anymore, including models that use HP 67, 910, 962, and 952, Canon PG-240 and PG-245, Epson 232, and Brother TN760 cartridges. If you already own one, you can still save. Find cartridges by printer.
7 ways to spend less on ink and toner
- Check cost per page before you buy a printer Free
The printer’s price is the smallest part of what you’ll spend. Compare the cost per page of its cartridges first.
- Buy high-yield (XL) cartridges Free
They cost more up front but less per page, often 15% to 40% less.
- Print documents in grayscale or draft mode Free
Many printers mix color ink into “black” unless you choose grayscale or black-only. Draft mode uses less ink for everyday pages.
- Print at least once a week on inkjets Free
Idle inkjets clog, and cleaning cycles burn ink. A laser printer is a better fit if you print rarely.
- Skip HP+ and Instant Ink at setup if you want a choice Free
Once HP+ is activated, the printer is locked to HP cartridges for life.
- Pick the right printer type Free
Mostly text? A mono laser is cheapest. Lots of color? An ink tank printer wins. See laser vs inkjet: which is cheaper to run.
- Use quality compatible or remanufactured cartridges $
In our data, they cut the cost per black page by a median of 65%.
Frequently asked questions
Why is printer ink so expensive?
Printer makers sell printers cheaply and earn their profit on ink and toner. Cartridge chips and firmware make it harder to use cheaper alternatives. The ink itself isn’t the reason: the same brands sell bottled ink for their tank printers at a small fraction of the cost per page.
How much does printer ink cost per page?
With brand-name cartridges, a black page costs about 4.4¢ to 13.0¢ on the inkjets we priced and 1.3¢ to 6.5¢ on laser printers. A color page costs about 15¢ to 27¢. Ink tank printers cost well under 1¢ a black page.
What printer has the cheapest ink?
Ink tank printers like the Epson EcoTank and HP Smart Tank have the cheapest ink per page. For black-and-white printing, a mono laser printer such as the Brother HL-L2405W with compatible toner is the cheapest to own over three years in our data.
Are compatible ink cartridges as good as brand-name?
Good compatible and remanufactured cartridges print everyday documents very close to brand-name quality. Quality varies between sellers, so buy from one that tests its cartridges and stands behind them. See our returns and exchanges policy.
Does printing in black and white save ink?
Yes, if you also choose grayscale or black-only in the print settings. Otherwise some printers blend color ink into black areas.
Can I use these numbers in my article?
Yes. Please credit Swift Ink and link to this page. The full dataset is available below.
Download the data
Every price, yield, and source we used is in one spreadsheet: swift-ink-cost-per-page-data-oct-2026.csv. Prices were checked October 14, 2026.
Show every cartridge and bottle price we used
| Cartridge | Brand-name price | Rated yield | Swift Ink price | Yield used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TN830XL | $98.29 from Brother-usa.com | 3,000 pages | $32.99 | 3,000 pages |
| TN920UXXL | $241.49 from Brother-usa.com | 18,000 pages | $59.99 | 18,000 pages |
| HP 138X | $149.99 from HP.com | 4,000 pages | $58.99 | 4,000 pages |
| HP 134X | $104.99 from HP.com | 2,400 pages | $39.99 | 2,400 pages |
| HP 141A | $61.99 from HP.com | 950 pages | $36.99 | 950 pages |
| HP 148X | $281.99 from HP.com | 9,500 pages | $68.99 | 9,500 pages |
| TN229XL Black | $96.29 from Brother-usa.com | 3,000 pages | $29.99 | 3,000 pages |
| TN229XL Cyan | $123.49 from Brother-usa.com | 2,300 pages | $29.99 | 2,300 pages |
| TN229XL Magenta | $123.49 from Brother-usa.com | 2,300 pages | $29.99 | 2,300 pages |
| TN229XL Yellow | $123.49 from Brother-usa.com | 2,300 pages | $29.99 | 2,300 pages |
| HP 218X Black | $114.99 from HP.com | 3,200 pages | $59.99 | 3,200 pages |
| HP 218X Cyan | $133.99 from HP.com | 2,500 pages | $59.99 | 2,500 pages |
| HP 218X Magenta | $133.99 from HP.com | 2,500 pages | $59.99 | 2,500 pages |
| HP 218X Yellow | $133.99 from HP.com | 2,500 pages | $59.99 | 2,500 pages |
| HP 210X Black | $218.99 from HP.com | 7,500 pages | $69.99 | 7,500 pages |
| HP 210X Cyan | $268.99 from HP.com | 5,500 pages | $69.99 | 5,500 pages |
| HP 210X Magenta | $268.99 from HP.com | 5,500 pages | $69.99 | 5,500 pages |
| HP 210X Yellow | $268.99 from HP.com | 5,500 pages | $69.99 | 5,500 pages |
| Canon 069H Black | $221.99 from Staples | 7,600 pages | $54.99 | 7,600 pages |
| Canon 069H Cyan | $270.99 from Staples | 5,500 pages | $54.99 | 5,500 pages |
| Canon 069H Magenta | $264.00 from B&H | 5,500 pages | $54.99 | 5,500 pages |
| Canon 069H Yellow | $270.99 from Staples | 5,500 pages | $54.99 | 5,500 pages |
| LC401XL Black | $38.29 from Brother-usa.com | 500 pages | $9.99 | 500 pages |
| LC401XL Cyan | $21.99 from Brother-usa.com | 500 pages | $9.99 | 500 pages |
| LC401XL Magenta | $21.99 from Brother-usa.com | 500 pages | $9.99 | 500 pages |
| LC401XL Yellow | $21.99 from Brother-usa.com | 500 pages | $9.99 | 500 pages |
| PG-275XL Black | $38.99 from Canon USA store | 300 pages | $21.99 | 300 pages |
| CL-276XL Tri-color | $42.99 from Canon USA store | 300 pages | $22.99 | 300 pages |
| PGI-280XXL Pigment Black | $42.99 from Canon USA store | 600 pages | $6.99 | 600 pages |
| CLI-281XXL Black | $33.99 from Canon USA store | 6,360 pages | $6.99 | 6,360 pages |
| CLI-281XXL Cyan | $33.00 from Staples | 820 pages | $6.99 | 820 pages |
| CLI-281XXL Magenta | $35.99 from Staples | 760 pages | $6.99 | 760 pages |
| CLI-281XXL Yellow | $35.99 from Staples | 824 pages | $6.99 | 824 pages |
| HP 64XL Black | $62.99 from HP.com | 600 pages | $22.99 | 600 pages |
| HP 64XL Tri-color | $68.99 from HP.com | 415 pages | $23.99 | 415 pages |
| 822XL Black | $47.99 from Epson.com | 1,100 pages | $16.99 | 1,100 pages |
| 822XL Cyan | $36.99 from Epson.com | 1,100 pages | $14.99 | 1,100 pages |
| 822XL Magenta | $36.99 from Epson.com | 1,100 pages | $14.99 | 1,100 pages |
| 822XL Yellow | $36.99 from Epson.com | 1,100 pages | $14.99 | 1,100 pages |
| 812XL Black | $47.99 from Epson.com | 1,100 pages | $16.99 | 1,100 pages |
| 812XL Cyan | $36.99 from Epson.com | 1,100 pages | $14.99 | 1,100 pages |
| 812XL Magenta | $36.99 from Epson.com | 1,100 pages | $14.99 | 1,100 pages |
| 812XL Yellow | $36.99 from Epson.com | 1,100 pages | $14.99 | 1,100 pages |
| 410XL Black | $28.59 from Epson.com | 500 pages | $9.99 | 500 pages |
| 410XL Cyan | $21.99 from Epson.com | 650 pages | $9.99 | 500 pages |
| 410XL Magenta | $21.99 from Epson.com | 650 pages | $9.99 | 500 pages |
| 410XL Yellow | $21.99 from Epson.com | 650 pages | $9.99 | 500 pages |
| 302XL Black | $29.69 from Epson.com | 550 pages | $14.99 | 550 pages |
| 302XL Cyan | $21.99 from Epson.com | 650 pages | $11.99 | 550 pages |
| 302XL Magenta | $21.99 from Epson.com | 650 pages | $11.99 | 550 pages |
| 302XL Yellow | $21.99 from Epson.com | 650 pages | $11.99 | 550 pages |
| 502 Black bottle | $24.99 from Epson.com | 7,500 pages | $8.99 | 7,500 pages |
| 502 Cyan bottle | $16.99 from Epson.com | 6,000 pages | $7.99 | 6,000 pages |
| 502 Magenta bottle | $16.99 from Epson.com | 6,000 pages | $7.99 | 6,000 pages |
| 502 Yellow bottle | $16.99 from Epson.com | 6,000 pages | $7.99 | 6,000 pages |
| 522 Black bottle | $17.99 from Epson.com | 4,700 pages | $6.99 | 4,500 pages |
| 522 Cyan bottle | $17.99 from Epson.com | 7,500 pages | $6.99 | 7,500 pages |
| 522 Magenta bottle | $17.99 from Epson.com | 7,500 pages | $6.99 | 7,500 pages |
| 522 Yellow bottle | $17.99 from Epson.com | 7,500 pages | $6.99 | 7,500 pages |
| HP 32XL Black bottle | $23.99 from HP.com | 6,000 pages | $7.99 | 6,000 pages |
| HP 31 Cyan bottle | $21.99 from HP.com | 8,000 pages | $5.99 | 8,000 pages |
| HP 31 Magenta bottle | $21.99 from HP.com | 8,000 pages | $5.99 | 8,000 pages |
| HP 31 Yellow bottle | $21.99 from HP.com | 8,000 pages | $5.99 | 8,000 pages |
