Need a new inkjet

[y_p_w]

Not me as I've got a Canon laser all in one and am happy with it. All I have is the starter cartridge and another one from a defunct printer of the same cartridge model, and I think that will last me for a while.

But my parents' old HP DeskJet just bit the dust. It won't turn on at all, although I suppose it could be something simple like a fuse. But it's old and probably ready for electronics recycling at this point.

But then I tried to explain what new printers are like - especially HP's Instant Ink program. They seem to have some sort of subscription model where their cartridges are enabled through the internet and where they stop working if the subscription lapses. And an oddball pages per month subscription plan. Then there's the included months, although that might be limited. I don't think my parents want to deal with that kind of thinking. Occasionally they have a lot of stuff to print at once even though they might not even turn it on for weeks at a time.

My dad is asking about HP's Smart Tank system. I wasn't quite sure how that worked since they claim 2/3 months ink, but I don't think it's any kind of subscription model with liquid refill ink. That might be a simple enough usage model compared to Instant Ink. Anyone have any experience with it? There's one on sale for $180 now at a bunch of stores. Thinking of getting one by this weekend.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Epson Ecotank is much better

I don't trust HP at all

 

[Gyro Gearloose]

I have not had good luck with HP. Our current Epson has lasted so long that it may no longer be a relevant sample of their products.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I spent so much on HP cartridges I could have bought a color laser. When it died I bought an Epson Ecotank. It came with 2 sets (full large bottles) of ink. Worked perfectly for all kids projects and so many other things. Still have it, works with no issues, ink not expensive and actually lasts.

Reviews at the time were it sucks or it's better than indoor plumbing. For the price I paid at Sam's I think I said let me try. I think it's 5 years now and just this summer had to buy ink. That was with 2 kids doing school projects and a wife who prints stuff for her classroom.

My son moved to Virginia and bought a new version of ours from Amazon for same reasons. It works, not expensive, no ink subscriptions etc. Are there better higher detail ones and business ones, yup. I never tried doing pictures but my daughter-in-law did all their wedding stuff with it.

 

[Skippy722]

I highly recommend getting a used/refurbished laser printer. HP ruined inkjets for me and I wasn't part of their instant ink program.

 

[dogememe]

Laser! Inkjets are the work of the devil.

 

[Saturnguy]

Epson Ecotank 2800 / 2803.

Around $199, but shop carefully, you can get it for $179 or less

 

[Nukeman7]

After owning HP and Canon inkjets and Brother laser printers that only lasted a few years and cost a king's ransom in ink and toner cartridges, I have found the proverbial "Pot of Gold" in the Epson ECOTank printers. While I have the ET-3800 model, the best value is the Black Friday price on the ET-4800 currently on sale for $200.

 

[Arc]

Printers have got to be the biggest scam of my lifetime. I wouldn't buy one if it was free right now. Won't print if one color is out. Wont print if the time is expired on the cartridge regardless of the amount of ink. Won't print if not connected to the internet. Won't print unless you keep paying monthly seems to be the theme.

 

[Pablo]

I love and hate my Brother. I really don't print much. The most irritating thing is how it decides to bop off the wireless network at will. But printing is reliable and decent. Why I have color, dunno?

 

[Tdbo]

HP is basically the biggest scam in the world.
Had a 6 month old one that just stopped printing.
After following every procedure outlined by HP and the internet to get it going, I got PO'd and tossed it in the trash.
Frankly, I don't print enough to justify a laser.
I've had very good luck with Canon's, so I just buy the $39-49. special at Walmart, use it up, and toss it out.
Whatever you do, avoid HP like the plague.

 

[Rand]

I'll give my standard advice(for personal use)

Brother Laser, Brother Inkjet

If a ton of printing is needed and inkjet for some reason.. epson ecotank.

Canon I've had odd driver issues.. So I don't support or install those anymore.(if I can avoid it and with a disclaimer)

 

[y_p_w]

Wasn't thinking of the fill yourself models. But I have a laser printer myself and am OK with B&W in exchange for lower print cost and sharpness. My dad was tied to the old HP inkjet and kept on buying remanufactured cartridges, where the quality of the ink used could vary. Certainly a lot of the cheap ones would bleed if wet. I'm trying to persuade my dad to just get a B&W laser but he's insisting on a color inkjet. He just wants to see color sometimes.

I guess the ink tank models are similar. As much as Canon gets railed, I guess they all have issues some time or another. This one looks tempting and can be ordered from Amazon. Some local stores have it in stock though.

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-PIXMA-G3270-All-One/dp/B0BSMSYM9N/?th=1

They're claiing about 6000 pages B&W and a little less than that color - from the included ink bottles. That would be plenty, and my worry would be about it drying out from lack of use. Not sure if my dad needs a sheet feeder. I've never seen him use it. If he needs to copy (doesn't know how to scan) he'll just use the flatbed. But at this point I think he'd like a tank based printer since he's tired of ordering cartridges (always reman) and dealing with differences in quality and price.

 

[y_p_w]

I just ordered the Canon for them. Again - never saw them use the sheet feeder, although I have on occasion just for a single page to copy. My only worry is that they won't at least print up something every once in a while. I might also need to learn how to clean the print heads for them.

 

[Nessism1]

I've got a cheap Dell laser printer that keeps going and going. It's just black and white, though. That's all I need. In fact, I've got another laser printer in the garage that I was planning on using when this one dies, but it just won't.

 

[ammolab]

After owning HP and Canon inkjets and Brother laser printers that only lasted a few years and cost a king's ransom in ink and toner cartridges, I have found the proverbial "Pot of Gold" in the Epson ECOTank printers. While I have the ET-3800 model, the best value is the Black Friday price on the ET-4800 currently on sale for $200.

View attachment 312442

I liked the eco tank printers in capacity, but if you don’t princolor FREQUENTLY? It’s a black and white printer as the color nozzles block solid. (I tried the head cleaning routine multiple times)

 

[Speedbird001]

HP are such a rip off, it’s almost criminal.

Refillable tank style for sure…

I got an epson a few years ago, but it would not double side print with my Mac? Traded it on a Cannon. Much better. TBH, not as good as HP. But good enough and like 1/4 the cost per sheet.

 

[Mainia]

Epson EcoTank - For The WIN!!!!

 

[MaximumMini]

It's good to see so many people turned off by HP's greed and treachery.
My past experience with Epson hasn't been much better. I avoid HP and Epson.

I've been using Brother laser printers for years now and they've been extremely reliable and dependable. I like Brother so much that I buy only Brother refill cartridges even if they cost a little more.

As long as they dont change their business model to HP's, I'll buy only their products over the others whenever I can.

And nope..I don't know anyone who works there and never got any kind of discount.

 

[MaximumMini]

I liked the eco tank printers in capacity, but if you don’t princolor FREQUENTLY? It’s a black and white printer as the color nozzles block solid. (I tried the head cleaning routine multiple times)

^^^ THIS ^^^