Winner
The Epson EcoTank ET-2860 is a great pick if you want to keep printing costs low without sacrificing quality. It’s an inkjet printer with refillable ink tanks, which means instead of buying pricey cartridges, you refill with bottles that last a very long time — one set can print thousands of pages, roughly equal to 72 standard cartridges. This really helps save money over time, especially if you print regularly. The print quality is solid, offering sharp black and color prints with resolutions up to 1200 dpi (black) and 5760 x 1440 dpi (color), so photos and documents look good.
It's fairly fast too, with up to 33 pages per minute in black and 15 in color, which is decent for home or small office tasks but not for heavy-duty jobs. The 100-sheet paper tray is suitable for everyday use, though it might feel limited if you print large volumes. Connectivity is modern and flexible with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, allowing easy printing from phones, tablets, or laptops using Epson’s app, which also handles scanning and copying. It lacks automatic double-sided printing, which could be a downside if you often print two-sided documents.
Its compact size fits well on a desk without taking up much space. This printer performs well for users who want affordable, hassle-free printing with good quality and wireless convenience but don’t need heavy commercial features or duplex printing.
The Canon PIXMA TS3750i is a compact all-in-one inkjet printer ideal for home use, especially if you need to print, scan, and copy occasionally. It offers good print quality with a maximum colour resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, which is great for sharp photos and documents. The print speed is moderate—around 7.7 pages per minute in black and white and 4 pages per minute for colour—so it’s not the fastest but sufficient for everyday home printing needs. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and USB, allowing easy printing from smartphones, tablets, and computers, which is handy if you want to print directly from your devices without cables.
Paper handling is basic but practical, with a 60-sheet input capacity and support for various paper sizes including A4 and photo paper. It also supports borderless photo printing up to 5x7 inches, making it a good choice for photo enthusiasts on a budget. One of its standout features is the PIXMA Print Plan subscription, which helps avoid running out of ink by delivering cartridges automatically—this can simplify ongoing costs but means you’ll want to be sure this subscription fits your usage. The printer supports double-sided printing, saving paper for those conscious of environmental impact. However, the operating costs might be higher than laser printers, especially if you print a lot, as inkjet cartridges can be costly over time.
The printer is lightweight and easy to set up, with a simple interface that suits users who aren’t tech-savvy. On the downside, copy speed is quite slow (3 copies per minute), and it lacks an automatic document feeder, so scanning or copying multiple pages can be time-consuming. This makes the TS3750i a solid choice for casual home printing, photo printing, and smartphone users looking for wireless convenience. However, it might not be the best fit if you need fast printing or large volume handling.
The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is a versatile ink tank photo printer that boasts a 6-colour ink system, which includes a new grey ink for impressive black and white photos, and is capable of producing high-quality prints up to A3+ size. This makes it a strong candidate for photography enthusiasts looking for vibrant, long-lasting images. The printer offers a mix of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and direct printing from SD cards and USB drives, which provides flexibility for various home and small office setups.
The print quality is notable, although the print speed is moderate, with a maximum of 16 pages per minute for monochrome and 12 pages per minute for colour. This might not be ideal for users needing rapid output, particularly in busy office environments.
One of the printer's standout features is its low operating cost, thanks to the ink tank system that can print up to 2,300 photos before needing a refill, which is both economical and environmentally friendly. Additionally, the included Epson Smart Panel app allows for easy control from smart devices, expanding the printer's usability.
In terms of paper handling, it accommodates various media sizes and types, including a rear tray for specialty media, which is beneficial for artistic projects. The inclusion of heat-free technology ensures energy efficiency and consistent print speeds, though users should be aware of the weight, as at 11.1 kilograms, it is relatively hefty for a home printer.
The printer's DPI might not match some high-end photo printers, yet its balance of cost efficiency, quality output, and connectivity makes it a solid option for hobbyists and small businesses that prioritize printing versatility and operational savings over sheer speed.