Solved New Printer Advice

trevo · Feb 5, 2025

I haven't needed to own a printer for the last 10 years, have just used print stores and/or online printing.

Currently I need one and have no idea how technology has moved on if it has.
Ink Jet, Laser?

I want something relatively inexpensive because other than the next couple of months I probably won't use it very much and I don't want to have to buy ink every time I need to print something.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

PCUser · Feb 5, 2025

Inexpensive? Then NOT a laser printer. Toner is spendy.

Epson are a GREAT value, reliable and don't waste ink like HP.

Look into Epson Ecotank printers.

You'll probably love them.

trevo · Feb 5, 2025

PCUser said:
Inexpensive? Then NOT a laser printer. Toner is spendy.

Epson are a GREAT value, reliable and don't waste ink like HP.

Look into Epson Ecotank printers.
You'll probably love them.

Thanks for the advice, just ordered one from Amazon, Epson EcoTank ET-2400, will mark solved.

PCUser · Feb 5, 2025

@trevo Congratulations! 79% gave it a 4 or 5 star rating.

Up to 2 Years of Ink Included in the Box?!

Looks like a great VALUE.

bobkn · Feb 5, 2025

I see that the OP has already ordered an inkjet.

But what you get should depend on your use.

Monochrome laser printers are inexpensive. Good for text and (B&W) graphics.

Color laser printers, more expensive.

If you need to print photos, and want a result that resembles a regular photo print, an inkjet is pretty much required.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2400 uses 4 inks (CYMK), which means it may be fair for photos. The 8550 is highly regarded, and adds only one more ink for photos (gray).

trevo · Feb 5, 2025

PCUser said:
Up to 2 Years of Ink Included in the Box?!

That and delivery later today were the motivating factors

Wynona · Feb 5, 2025

trevo said:
I haven't needed to own a printer for the last 10 years, have just used print stores and/or online printing.

Currently I need one and have no idea how technology has moved on if it has.
Ink Jet, Laser?

I want something relatively inexpensive because other than the next couple of months I probably won't use it very much and I don't want to have to buy ink every time I need to print something.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I use brother printers, both laser and inkjet.

bobkn · Feb 5, 2025

trevo said:
That and delivery later today were the motivating factors

Please let us know whether you like it.

bobkn · Feb 5, 2025

Wynona said:
I use brother printers, both laser and inkjet.

My laser printers are Brother.

I gave up on HP years ago because of their (IMHO) lack of driver support for printers that aren't all that old. I also credited them with inventing the tiny, expensive inkjet cartridge. (May be unfair.)

trevo · Feb 5, 2025

bobkn said:
Please let us know whether you like it.

Certainly will

pparks1 · Feb 5, 2025

i have an older Ecotank from around 2019. I've not had to fill any ink...we don't print a ton. However, almost every time we do print i have to do a head cleaning in order for it to print correctly. This seems to be a common issue with the Eco tank printers. As long as you print frequently, I don't think it's an issue.

antspants · Feb 5, 2025

trevo said:
just ordered one from Amazon, Epson EcoTank ET-2400, will mark solved.

Good job. I have a few printers. One in particular, a monotone Laser I use for throwaway documents. Between my Wife and I we can print a couple of hundred pages on a busy day.
Monotone Laser refills are cheap, I don’t by the brand product. Have been doing it this way for years and have never once had a toner issue.

My point being (and you say you don’t print a lot) is that anyone who does print a lot of throwaway pages, a secondary cheap Monotone Brother Laser Printer is the go. You can currently get a new Brother HL-1210W Wireless Laser printer in Australia for $30

I have always loved Brother Lasers, as Wynona does.

Fishmill · Feb 5, 2025

My experience, considering you say you don't print much:

Cheap Brother laser black and white printer purchased in 2006; cost then about 70. I don't know what a similar cheap Brother laser would cost today.

It came with what I think is the standard "starter" toner package; less capacity than the "normal" refill toner.

During the 18 years since purchase, my additional printing expenses have been zero. ($0.00). The original "starter" toner is still in use, with no issues.

18 years; 70 dollars.

I obviously don't print much, maybe more or less than you. I'd guess I've printed maybe 500 to 700 pages in the 18 years. I easily go 6 months or a year without even starting the printer.

I can only imagine how much I would have spent on inkjet cartridges in that time, considering their useful shelf life.

Steve C · Feb 6, 2025

For B&W office printing a basic Brother laser printer is cheapest overall. For photo printing you need a quality photo printing. I use an Epson ET8550 ecotank printer for office and photo printing in colour up to A3 size. There are cheaper ecotank printers for office colour printing.

Steve C · Feb 6, 2025

pparks1 said:
i have an older Ecotank from around 2019. I've not had to fill any ink...we don't print a ton. However, almost every time we do print i have to do a head cleaning in order for it to print correctly. This seems to be a common issue with the Eco tank printers. As long as you print frequently, I don't think it's an issue.

I've never needed to run a print cleaning cycle on my Epson ET8550 but I generally print something at least weekly

PCUser · Feb 6, 2025

pparks1 said:
i have an older Ecotank from around 2019. I've not had to fill any ink...we don't print a ton. However, almost every time we do print i have to do a head cleaning in order for it to print correctly. This seems to be a common issue with the Eco tank printers. As long as you print frequently, I don't think it's an issue.

It's a good idea to use it at least once a month or more frequently

trevo · Feb 13, 2025

bobkn said:
Please let us know whether you like it.

I have set-up and used the printer and all is well.

Set-up was easy once I'd dismissed their suggestion of using a phone to set it up.

Filling the ink tanks worked well and seems an improvement over cartridges.

Print quality is fine and the device is small enough to store in a cupboard until needed.

MrPig · Feb 13, 2025

HP Colour laser for me. Bought from Aldi for £104 20 years ago & filled with 5 Star cartridges. Complete set of 4 refills for the price of one HP cartridge!
My previous printer was a Epson inkjet that blocked its print head. Stripped the thing & soaked the print head in IPA & it still wouldn't print, chucked it in the bin & bought a laser!

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