Buying a New Printer in 2026? Read This FirstWe receive a steady stream of calls from customers asking the same question: which printer should I buy? Often, they’ve been caught out by expensive cartridges, poor availability, or printers that simply refuse to cooperate when they need them most. It’s usually only after the purchase that the true running costs become clear. Because of this, we keep a close eye on new printers as they’re released. We look not just at the upfront price, but at who the printer is actually suitable for, whether that’s occasional home printing or regular business use. More importantly, we examine which cartridges they use, how readily available they are, and whether they offer genuinely good value over time. In our experience, the printer itself is only part of the story. A well-chosen model using affordable, widely available cartridges will almost always be cheaper and less frustrating to run long term than a cheap printer with restrictive or expensive ink. We’re also increasingly asked about tank printers, such as Epson EcoTank, Canon MegaTank, and HP Smart Tank models. These can offer extremely low running costs, but they are not the right choice for everyone. In this guide, we’ll explain which new printers are worth considering, which cartridges offer the best value, and who should — and should not — consider a tank-based printer. Best New Basic Home Printers at a GlanceBest Not So Basic PrintersCanon PIXMA TS9551Ca All-In-One A3 Wi-Fi Printer £189.99 “ ” Takes our 580/581 range. Toner Printer examples.Brother HL-L3240CDW A4 Colour LED Laser Printer £186.90 “ ” Uses toners TN248XL.HP LaserJet M110w Mono Laser Printer £139.99 “ ” Uses toner HP 142A. Should You Buy a Smart Tank Printer?Tank printers such as Epson EcoTank, Canon MegaTank, and HP Smart Tank models have become increasingly popular, largely because of their very low running costs. Instead of using cartridges, they use refillable ink tanks that can print thousands of pages before needing to be topped up. For the right user, they can be an excellent choice. However, they are not automatically the best option for everyone, and we regularly speak to customers who would have been better off with a traditional cartridge printer. Smart tank printers are best suited to:Homes or businesses printing frequently, such as several times a week Offices printing high volumes of documents Users printing schoolwork, business paperwork, or regular colour documents Anyone willing to pay more upfront to reduce long-term ink costs Because the ink bottles are relatively inexpensive and last a long time, the cost per page is extremely low. Smart tank printers may not be suitable if:You only print occasionally You may go weeks or months without printing You want the lowest upfront printer cost You prefer simple cartridge replacement Inkjet printers that use tanks still rely on liquid ink systems, and like all inkjets, they benefit from regular use. If left unused for long periods, ink can dry within the system, potentially causing print quality issues. For many home users printing occasionally, a traditional cartridge printer using widely available cartridges such as Epson 603XL/604XL, Canon 570/571 or 580/581, or Brother LC-series cartridges can be a more practical and lower-risk option. These printers are usually cheaper to buy, simpler to maintain, and replacement cartridges are easy to install when needed. Our general recommendationIf you print frequently and consistently, a smart tank printer can offer excellent value. If you print occasionally, a cartridge printer using affordable, widely available cartridges is often the safer and more sensible choice. The key is not just choosing the printer, but choosing one with cartridges that are reliable, affordable, and readily available when you need them. Inkjet vs Toner (Laser) Printers: What’s the Difference?One of the most common questions people ask when buying a printer is whether to choose an inkjet printer or a toner-based printer, more commonly known as a laser printer. Both have their advantages, and the right choice depends largely on how and how often you print. How inkjet printers workInkjet printers use liquid ink cartridges to create images and text on the page. They spray tiny droplets of ink directly onto the paper, which allows them to produce very sharp text and excellent colour quality. Inkjet printers are the most common choice for home users because they are affordable to buy, compact, and very versatile. They handle everything from basic documents to colour printing and photos. - Home users
- Occasional printing
- Colour printing
- Photo printing
- Lower upfront cost
Most home printers from brands such as HP, Epson, Canon, and Brother use inkjet technology. How toner (laser) printers workLaser printers use toner instead of liquid ink. Toner is a fine powder that is fused onto the paper using heat. Because of this, toner does not dry out in the same way liquid ink can. Laser printers are designed for speed and efficiency, particularly when printing large volumes of black and white documents. They are best suited to: Office environments High-volume printing Fast document printing Users who print frequently Businesses printing mainly text Laser printers are often more expensive to buy initially, but toner cartridges can last a very long time. Which is better?For most home users, an inkjet printer is the better and more practical choice. They are cheaper to buy, handle colour printing well, and offer a wide range of affordable cartridge options. Laser printers are usually the better choice for offices or users printing large quantities of documents regularly, particularly if colour printing is not essential. Our general adviceIf you print occasionally at home, an inkjet printer using affordable, widely available cartridges is usually the best option. If you print large volumes regularly, particularly for business use, a laser printer using toner may offer better efficiency and lower cost per page over time. The most important factor in either case is choosing a printer with reliable, readily available consumables to ensure it remains economical to run long term. Subscription Ink: What to ConsiderSubscription ink services can sound convenient. Ink is sent automatically based on how many pages you’re expected to print each month, so in theory you never run out. In practice, it doesn’t always work that smoothly and we don't recommend them. We regularly hear from customers who are frustrated because they’re paying for pages they don’t use, receiving too much ink, or running out because they’ve exceeded their monthly allowance. Since you’re paying for a page limit rather than the physical ink, printing patterns don’t always line up neatly with the plan you’ve chosen. It’s also worth knowing that subscription cartridges can stop working if you cancel the service, even if there is ink left inside. Ink Costs: The Most Important Factor Most People IgnoreWhen buying a new printer, most people focus on the upfront price. It’s understandable. Printers are often heavily discounted, and many good models are available for under £80. However, the purchase price of the printer is only a small part of the overall cost. The real long-term cost comes from the ink. We regularly speak to customers who bought a cheap printer, only to discover that replacement cartridges are expensive, difficult to find, or don’t last very long. Over time, the cost of ink can easily exceed the original cost of the printer itself. This is why cartridge availability and affordability should always be considered before buying a printer. Widely available cartridges keep running costs lowPrinters that use common cartridge ranges tend to be far more economical over time. Popular cartridge numbers such as Epson 603XL, 604XL, HP 364, Canon 570/571, and Brother LC-series cartridges are widely available and benefit from competitive pricing. Because these cartridges and some others are so widely used, they are easier to source, more affordable, and available in high-capacity versions that reduce the cost per page even further. Printers using less common or newly introduced cartridge systems can sometimes be more expensive to run simply because there are fewer options available. High-capacity cartridges offer better valueMany printers offer both standard and high-capacity cartridges. High-capacity versions, usually marked as XL or XXL, contain more ink and last significantly longer. Although the upfront cost is slightly higher, the cost per page is much lower. For anyone printing regularly, high-capacity cartridges almost always represent better value. For example, an XL cartridge may cost slightly more but can print twice as many pages, reducing the overall cost of ownership. We tend to sell only the XL cartridges as we are all about value. Availability matters just as much as priceAnother important consideration is how easy cartridges are to obtain. Widely used cartridges are easier for us to make and stock and remain available for many years. This ensures that the printer remains economical and practical to use long after purchase. Less common cartridges can sometimes become a problem to make, to find or remain expensive due to limited availability. Choosing a printer with well-established cartridge ranges if possible helps avoid these issues and ensures reliable, affordable printing long term. The cheapest printer is rarely the cheapest to runManufacturers often subsidise the cost of printers, knowing the ongoing revenue comes from ink sales. This means a very cheap printer may use smaller cartridges or require more frequent replacement. A slightly more expensive printer using efficient, high-capacity cartridges will often cost less to run over its lifetime. We have done a blog on machines that use 2 cartridges before. Whilst we provide these inks we generally find them poor value as these machines can only use a remanufactured ink cartridge. We aren't allowed to make one of our new compatibles for them. Our recommendationBefore buying any printer, always check: - Which cartridges it uses
- Whether high-capacity versions are available
- How widely available those cartridges are
- The realistic cost of replacing them
A well-chosen printer using affordable, widely available cartridges will provide far better value and fewer frustrations over time. And finallyThe printers listed in this guide represent only a small selection of the models currently available. They were chosen because they are widely sold through major UK retailers such as Currys and John Lewis, and reflect the types of printers such as Epson, Canon, HP that most people are likely to encounter when buying new. Of course, many other retailers also stock these models and similar alternatives. There are hundreds of different printers still in use across UK homes and businesses, ranging from brand new releases to older, reliable models that continue to perform perfectly well. In many cases, there is no need to replace a printer at all, especially if cartridges remain readily available and affordable. We supply cartridges for a very wide range of printers, both old and new, including many models that are no longer sold but are still economical to run. Often, continuing to use an existing printer with affordable replacement cartridges can be the most practical and cost-effective option. If you are unsure which cartridges your printer uses, or are considering replacing your printer and want to understand the long-term running costs, it is always worth checking cartridge availability first. A well-supported printer with affordable ink will almost always provide the best experience over time. This is a surprisingly large and often confusing subject, and there is no single answer that suits everyone. The right printer depends on how often you print, what you print, and how important long-term running costs are to you. We speak to customers every day who are unsure which printer to choose or which cartridges offer the best value, and we’re always happy to help point people in the right direction. A little guidance at the start can often save a great deal of cost and frustration later on so always feel free to get in touch and remember that we are just glossing over this issue. |
