Key takeaways
- Refill carefully: use the maker’s bottles, follow the key-shaped nozzle design and stop at the fill line. Wipe up spills immediately because ink stains.
- Print something every week or two to keep the nozzles clear. Long idle periods can cause clogs, and cleaning cycles use ink.
- Keep the printer on a flat surface and do not tilt it while the tanks are full.
- Store ink bottles upright, away from children and pets, and follow the safety data on the label.
- Using non-maker ink may affect warranty or print quality. Read the warranty terms.
For most homes and small offices, an Epson EcoTank in the ET-2800 or ET-4800 family, a Canon PIXMA or MegaTank G-series model, or an HP Smart Tank is the best way to print often without paying cartridge prices. Choose a basic wireless model for occasional documents, a model with an automatic document feeder and fax or duplex for a home office, and a photo-oriented six-colour model only if you print pictures regularly. This guide compares how tank printers work, what each family offers, and where the trade-offs sit.
Our top picks
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What a tank printer is
A tank printer replaces small cartridges with built-in reservoirs that you refill from bottles. The makers state that the bottles hold far more ink than a cartridge and that a single set can yield thousands of pages, though yields depend on the page coverage and the test method the maker uses. The printer costs more at purchase than a cartridge inkjet, but running costs are lower for people who print a lot. If you print only a few pages a month, ink in the tank can dry out or clog heads, and a cheaper cartridge printer or a laser printer may suit better.
At a glance
| Family | Best for | Key stated features | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-2800 series | Light home use: documents, school work, occasional photos | Wireless all-in-one with print, copy and scan, bottled ink, no feeder | No automatic document feeder; manual duplex only |
| Epson EcoTank ET-4800 series | Home office needing a feeder and fax | Automatic document feeder, fax, Ethernet and wireless, per the maker | Larger body; four-colour ink |
| Epson EcoTank photo models (ET-8500 series) | Photo printing and creative work | Six-colour ink, borderless photo printing, CD and DVD printing on some models | Higher purchase cost; heavier |
| Canon PIXMA and MegaTank G-series | Home and school printing with bottled ink | Refill by bottle, wireless, all-in-one options, per the maker | Models vary by region; check ink bottle codes |
| Canon MegaTank GX series | Small office | Business-oriented tanks with larger yields and feeders, per the maker | Premium tier for a home user |
| HP Smart Tank | Families and students who want app-based setup | Bottled ink, smartphone app, wireless all-in-one models | Some models rely on the HP app and account for features |
| Brother Refill Tank (DCP-T series) | Budget-minded printing at home | Bottled ink, all-in-one models in select regions | Availability differs by country |
Model names change by region. Use the family as a guide and confirm the exact model, ink bottle number and feature list on the maker’s page.
Picks by use
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 series: the simplest entry
The ET-2800 family is the starting point for most households. Epson positions it as a compact, wireless all-in-one that prints, copies and scans from a mobile app or computer. It lacks an automatic document feeder, which matters if you scan stacks of paper. For school assignments, boarding passes, forms and occasional colour documents it is usually enough. Reviewers often report that setup is straightforward, but that the print speed is modest and the front-loading paper tray is small.
Epson EcoTank ET-4800 series: for the home office
Step up when you need an automatic document feeder, Ethernet and fax. Epson lists these among the series features. If you print invoices, copy contracts or scan multi-page documents, the feeder saves time. The footprint is larger and the purchase cost is higher, so it makes sense if you print weekly or more.
Epson EcoTank ET-8500 series: for photos
The ET-8500 family uses a six-colour ink system aimed at photo printing, with borderless prints and a rear tray for photo paper. It suits hobbyists and small creative businesses that want inexpensive photo prints at home. If you mostly print documents, it is overkill. Remember to use paper the maker lists as compatible, and be ready for slower speed on high quality settings.
Canon PIXMA and MegaTank G-series
Canon’s tank range uses refill bottles and a design that keeps the ink visible through a window. Canon markets the G-series for home users and the GX range for small businesses. Reviewers praise the print quality for photos and the high yield of some models, and they note that scan speed and feature sets vary. Because models differ across countries, compare the maker’s list before choosing.
HP Smart Tank
HP’s Smart Tank printers follow a similar plan: bottled ink, wireless setup and strong app integration. They suit people who want guided setup from a phone. Check the maker’s policy on cartridge or ink programmes, because some HP services may require an account or specific ink for full function.
Brother Refill Tank models
Brother sells tank printers under its Refill Tank name in several regions, including compact all-in-one models. They make sense for a budget-minded household where they are sold. Brother also makes cartridge-based INKvestment models with large cartridges, which are not tank printers, so make sure you are comparing the right type.
What to compare before buying
Printer type and functions
Decide whether you need scanning, copying, fax, duplex printing or a document feeder. Each function adds cost. A print-only tank printer is cheaper but limits what you can do.
Ink system
Most tanks use four colours (black, cyan, magenta, yellow) for documents. Photo models add extra colours. Dye-based inks give bright colours on glossy paper, while pigment black ink resists smudging on plain paper. Read the maker’s spec for the ink types in your model.
Yield claims
Makers publish page yields under standard test conditions. Real yields vary because cleaning cycles, borderless photos and heavy colour pages use more ink. Treat claims as a guide, not a guarantee.
Speed and quality
Tank printers tend to print more slowly than laser printers. If you need fast, high-volume black-and-white text, a laser printer is often a better choice. Tank printers excel at colour and photos at a low per-page cost.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB and Ethernet vary by model. Ethernet suits an office. Apps allow printing from phones.
Paper handling
Check paper tray capacity, the paper sizes supported (A4, Letter, photo sizes) and whether duplex printing is automatic or manual.
Care and use notes
- Refill carefully: use the maker’s bottles, follow the key-shaped nozzle design and stop at the fill line. Wipe up spills immediately because ink stains.
- Print something every week or two to keep the nozzles clear. Long idle periods can cause clogs, and cleaning cycles use ink.
- Keep the printer on a flat surface and do not tilt it while the tanks are full.
- Store ink bottles upright, away from children and pets, and follow the safety data on the label.
- Using non-maker ink may affect warranty or print quality. Read the warranty terms.
Budget tiers
| Tier | Typical choices | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Epson ET-2800 series, Canon G-series entry models, Brother DCP-T models | Light home and student printing |
| Mid-range | Epson ET-4800 series, HP Smart Tank mid-range models | Home office with a feeder |
| Premium | Epson ET-8500 series, Canon GX models | Photo enthusiasts and small businesses |
Pick X if…
| If you… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Print a few pages a week | Epson ET-2800 series | Low entry cost and simple setup |
| Scan or copy stacks of paper | Epson ET-4800 series or Canon GX | Document feeder |
| Print photos | Epson ET-8500 series | Six-colour photo ink |
| Like app-guided setup | HP Smart Tank | Phone-first workflow |
| Print very rarely | A laser printer | Toner does not dry out |
Alternatives
- Monochrome laser printer: the better option for text-only home offices that print occasionally.
- Colour laser printer: sharper text and faster speed, though photos are weaker.
- Cartridge inkjet with a subscription: lower purchase cost but ongoing fees, and often higher cost per page.
- Online photo labs: a sensible choice if you only print photos a few times a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tank printers worth the higher purchase cost?
They usually are if you print regularly, because ink bottles are cheaper per page than cartridges. If you print only a few times a month, the savings are smaller and clogging risk grows. Estimate your monthly pages before buying.
Which brand has the best tank printer?
Epson’s EcoTank line is the best known and has the broadest model range. Canon, HP and Brother offer competitive alternatives. The right brand depends on features, regional model availability and the ink supply where you live.
Can I use third-party ink?
Some people do, but makers warn that non-original ink may harm print quality or not be covered by warranty. Read the warranty terms, and be careful about bottle compatibility, because the nozzles are designed for specific models.
Do tank printers dry out if I don’t use them?
Inkjet nozzles can clog when idle for long periods. Printing a colour test page regularly and turning the printer off with its power button, not at the wall, are the usual maker recommendations. If prints show gaps, run the cleaning cycle in the manual.
Is a tank printer good for photos?
Photo-oriented models with extra colours are good for home photo printing, while standard four-colour models are better for documents. Use quality photo paper and the correct paper setting in the driver.
How often should I refill the tanks?
Refill when the ink level approaches the lower line, not when the tank is empty. Running dry can draw air into the system and cause errors. Follow the manual for the correct procedure.
