Refillable-tank inkjet vs cartridge inkjet

Same underlying technology, very different running cost. Here's when each one makes sense.

How they differ

Both spray liquid ink. Cartridge models use sealed cartridges that you swap when empty. Tank models have refillable reservoirs that you top up from bottles. A single set of bottles typically yields thousands of pages.

Up-front vs ongoing cost

Tank printers cost more on day one. They have dramatically lower cost per page. The crossover point usually comes within a year if you print more than a few hundred pages a month.

Maintenance differences

Cartridge models are simpler to refill (drop in a new one) but more expensive each time. Tank models need occasional careful refilling from bottles. Some users prefer the cleaner workflow of cartridges.

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