In recent years, the printing market has changed a lot. Consumers now have more options based on budget, print volume, and print quality. Ink tank printers have become popular because they are affordable and great for high-volume printing. Traditional inkjet printers are still loved for their compact design and reliable photo quality, making them a classic choice for inkjet printing at home. Both use liquid ink to create sharp prints, but they differ a lot in cost, print quality, maintenance needs, and long-term value. In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between ink tank printers and inkjet printers, look at their pros and cons, and help you figure out which type fits your needs best.
What Are Inkjet Printers and Ink Tank Printers?
Many shoppers feel confused when they see the terms “ink tank” and “inkjet” while choosing a printer. Technically, ink tank printers are a type of inkjet printer. However, when people say “inkjet printer,” they usually mean models that use cartridges. The biggest difference lies in how the printer stores and delivers ink.
1. Inkjet Printer
Definition & Features:
An inkjet printer works by spraying tiny droplets of liquid ink onto paper through a series of nozzles. These printers use small-capacity inkjet cartridges and are known for delivering high print quality. They are ideal for photos, color documents, and graphics. Inkjet printers are compact, simple to use, and fairly quiet. Because of their versatility, they’re a good choice for homes or small offices and can handle most everyday printing tasks with ease.
How It Works:
Inkjet printers heat or vibrate the ink to push it out in precise droplets. Two common technologies are:
Thermal inkjet: A heating element vaporizes the ink to form bubbles, which then push ink droplets onto the paper.
Piezoelectric inkjet: A piezo crystal changes shape to squeeze ink out, allowing very accurate control over droplet size.
2. Ink Tank Printer
Definition & Features:
Ink tank printers use large refillable ink tanks instead of individual cartridges. These ink tank printers are essentially printers with refillable ink tanks. You refill the tanks with bottled ink, which reduces how often you need to replace supplies and lowers long-term printing costs. These printers focus on high-volume printing, cost efficiency, and easy refilling. They’re user-friendly and more eco-friendly because they generate less waste.
How It Works:
Ink tank printers use a Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS), which sends ink directly from the tanks to the printhead. When you hit print, the printhead sprays tiny droplets through the nozzles to create text and images. This technology was designed for users who need low-cost, high-volume printing without giving up print quality.
3. Structural Features: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Ink Tank Printer | Cartridge-Based Inkjet Printer |
| Example Models |
 |
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| Ink Delivery | External, transparent tanks | Replaceable cartaridges |
| Ink Type | Dye or pigment ink | Most dye-based ink |
| Printhead Design | Separate printhead (not built into the cartridge) | Integrated (cartridge + printhead) or semi-separate |
| Refill Method | Pour bottled ink into the tank | Replace the entire cartridge |
| Brand Examples | Epson EcoTank, Brother INKvestment | HP OfficeJet, Canon PIXMA |
What’s the Difference Between an Ink Tank Printer and an Inkjet Printer?
When choosing between an ink tank printer and a cartridge-based inkjet printer, it’s important to understand how they differ in price, long-term cost, print quality, speed, features, and maintenance. Below is a clear comparison to help you pick the right one.
1. Price: Upfront Cost
| Category | Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet Printer |
| Entry Level | £200–£300 (e.g., Epson EcoTank L3210) | £50–£100 (e.g., HP DeskJet 2722) |
| Mid-Range | £300–£500 (e.g., Canon G6020) | £100–£200 (e.g., Canon PIXMA TR4720) |
| High-End | £500+ (e.g., Epson EcoTank ET-16650) | £200+ (e.g., HP OfficeJet Pro 9020) |
Ink tank printers usually cost more upfront. Most models fall between £150 and £400, especially the multi-function or premium ones. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, are more budget-friendly. Many popular HP inkjet and Canon models sit between £50 and £150, making them a nice choice for students or families on a tight budget.
📌 If you want the lowest upfront cost, an inkjet printer looks more appealing.
But in the long run, ink tank printers offer a lower total cost of ownership because their ink is cheaper and lasts longer.
2. Cost: Ink & Consumables
| Category | Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet Printer |
| Ink Capacity | 50–100 ml per color | 5–10 ml per cartridge |
| Ink Cost | Bottled refills £10–£30 | Cartridges £20–£50 each |
| Cost per Page (Black) | £0.003–£0.005 | £0.10–£0.15 |
| Cost per Page (Color) | £0.008–£0.015 | £0.25–£0.40 |
| Page Yield | 6,000–7,000 pages per refill | 200–300 pages per cartridge |
Ink tank printers offer low ink costs because their tanks hold a large amount of refillable ink. For example, Epson 502 ink bottles can print thousands of pages at a very low cost per page. Inkjet printers may cost less to buy, but their inkjet cartridge are more expensive over time. Replacing inkjet cartridges, like Canon inkjet cartridges, more often increases long-term costs.
📌 If you print more than 100 pages per month, an ink tank printer can save you a lot of money.
Inkjet printers seem cheaper at first, but maintenance and ink replacements add up quickly.
Want to save more but have nothing in your mind? Watch the video below to see how to save your cost with inkjet printers or ink tank printers:
3. Print Quality: Text & Images
| Category | Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet Printer |
| Text Quality | Excellent (clear and sharp) | Good (dye ink may smudge) |
| Photo Quality | Moderate | Excellent; great for photo printing |
| Color Accuracy | Good; depends on ink type | Very high with dye ink |
| Durability | Strong (water-resistant, fade-resistant) | Average (dye ink fades faster) |
| Media Support | Limited on some models | More options (glossy, matte, sticker paper) |
Most inkjet printers, including many Epson inkjet printer models, use dye-based ink, which produces vibrant, detailed photos—perfect for photography lovers. Ink tank printers often use pigment ink, which performs better on plain paper. Text prints look sharper and resist smudging.
📌 If you print mostly documents, an ink tank printer is the better choice.
But if you print photos, posters, or colorful visuals, an inkjet printer will give better results.
4. Print Speed and Capacity
| Category | Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet Printer |
| Black & White Speed | 10–15 ppm (pages per min) | 8–12 ppm |
| Color Speed | 5–8 ppm | 4–6 ppm |
| First Page Out | 8–10 seconds | 10–15 seconds |
| Monthly Duty Cycle | Higher (up to 5,000 pages) | Lower (100–500 pages) |
| Best For | Heavy home and office use | Low-volume home printing |
Inkjet printers usually print slower, especially when handling high-quality photos or detailed graphics. The ink also needs more time to dry before you can touch the page. Ink tank printers are built for higher output. They usually deliver faster speeds, especially for black-and-white documents and simple color pages.
📌 If speed matters or you print in bulk, an ink tank printer is the better option.
Inkjet printers are slower, but still fast enough for most light home printing tasks.
5. Maintenance and Durability
| Category | Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet Printer |
| Printhead Clogging | Rare (auto-clean systems) | Common (needs manual cleaning) |
| Refill Process | Easy; spill-proof ink bottles | Messy; requires cartridge changes |
| Ink Drying | Less likely; sealed tanks | More likely; cartridges dry out faster |
| Waste Ink | Minimal (efficient ink use) | High (up to 20% wasted ink) |
| Overall Lifespan | Longer with proper care | Shorter due to cartridge wear |
Ink tank printers use large refillable ink tanks, so maintenance is generally simple. You only refill the ink tank printer ink occasionally, with no need to swap cartridges. Inkjet printers require more frequent cartridge changes. If you don’t use them often, the printhead may dry out or clog, which means more cleaning.
📌 Ink tank printers still need cleaning sometimes, but overall, they require far less frequent maintenance.
Inkjet printers need more attention to avoid clogging and dried ink, so ink tank models usually offer better long-term convenience.
Ink Tank Printer vs. Inkjet Printer: Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s a simple table that sums up the strengths and weaknesses of both printer types. It should help you decide based on your actual needs.
Ink Tank Printer vs. Inkjet Printer; Pros and Cons
| Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet Printer |
| ✔️ Very low cost per page | ✔️ Lower upfront cost |
| ✔️ Large ink capacity | ✔️ Compact and lightweight |
| ✔️ Less refilling and less maintenance | ✔️ Excellent photo quality |
| ✔️ Great for high-volume printing | ✔️ Good for low-volume and occasional use |
| ❌ Higher initial price | ❌ Higher cost per page |
| ❌ Bulkier design | ❌ Frequent cartridge changes |
| ❌ Color depth may be lower than high-end inkjets | ❌ Printheads clog easily if not used |
How to Make the Right Choice
When deciding between an ink tank printer and a traditional inkjet printer, it helps to look at a few key factors:
Print Volume:
If you print often or handle a lot of pages each month, an ink tank printer is usually the smarter pick. It holds more ink, runs at a lower cost, and saves you a lot of money over time.
Quality Needs:
If you print professional photos or detailed graphics, an inkjet printer may be a better match. Its color accuracy and resolution are usually sharper.
Budget:
Think about both the upfront price and the long-term cost. Inkjet printers look more affordable at first, but the ongoing inkjet cartridge replacements can add up.
Maintenance and Convenience:
Consider how often you want to deal with refills. Ink tank systems need fewer refills and usually have a cleaner, easier setup, so you spend less time on maintenance.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose an inkjet printer if:
- You print occasionally (less than 100 pages per month).
- You want the best photo quality.
- You prefer a low-cost printer for light home use.
Choose an ink tank printer if:
- You print frequently (over 300 pages per month).
- You need low-cost, high-volume printing.
- You want a printer with ink tank system, such as an Epson ink tank printer, Canon ink tank printer, or HP ink tank printer, to reduce maintenance and refills.
Conclusion
In short, both printer types have their strengths. For users in the UK, choosing between inkjet printers UK and ink tank printers UK depends on your needs. Inkjet printer printing excels for photos, while ink tank printing dominates for volume. Inkjet printers are affordable and versatile, and they shine when it comes to photo printing, but they also come with higher long-term ink costs. Ink tank printers cost more upfront but deliver much lower running costs, making them a great choice for anyone who prints a lot.
Your final decision should match your print habits, your budget, and how much you value print quality versus long-term savings. And with printer technology improving fast, it’s worth keeping an eye on new features that might affect future choices. By weighing your needs against the pros and cons of each system, you’ll find the option that gives you the best balance of performance, cost, and convenience.
