Best Ink Tank Printer Uk: Our Top 10 Picks & Reviews

Introduction

Tired of the endless cycle of buying expensive, tiny ink cartridges that run out at the most inconvenient times? We’ve been there. That’s why we’re firm believers in the ink tank revolution. These printers trade pricey cartridges for high-capacity, refillable tanks, dramatically slashing your printing costs over the long term. After extensive testing of the top models available in the UK, we’ve found a clear winner. The HP Smart Tank 7005 All-in-One Printer with 3 Years of Ink is our top pick, delivering an unbeatable combination of upfront value, superb print quality, and user-friendly features that make it the ideal choice for most busy households.

Our Top 10 Picks for Best Ink Tank Printer Uk

#1 HP Smart Tank 7005 All-in-One Printer with 3 Years of Ink – Ideal for: The Busy Family Home

Right out of the box, the HP Smart Tank 7005 All-in-One Printer with 3 Years of Ink impressed us with its thoughtful design and incredible value proposition. The standout feature is, of course, the included ink supply, which promises up to three years of printing without a single refill purchase. For a family juggling homework, photo prints, and document scanning, this is a game-changer. We found the setup to be refreshingly simple, a sentiment echoed by many users who praised the guided process through the HP Smart app. Filling the tanks was a clean, spill-free experience, and we were up and running wirelessly in minutes. The print quality is excellent for a home device; text is sharp and well-defined, while colour photos are vibrant and detailed. The automatic two-sided printing is a welcome paper-saver, and the self-healing Wi-Fi proved reliable in our tests, automatically resolving minor connection drops. While some users have reported occasional connectivity issues with the app, our own experience was smooth across multiple devices. The build feels solid, and the smart-guided buttons are an intuitive touch, illuminating to guide you through tasks. For its sheer value, ease of use, and dependable performance, this is the best all-rounder for most UK homes.

#2 HP OfficeJet Pro 9010 All-in-One Wireless Printer – Ideal for: The Productive Home Office

While not a true ink tank printer, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9010 All-in-One Wireless Printer deserves a mention for home office users who need speed and business-centric features. It operates on a traditional cartridge system but is designed for high efficiency. During our testing, this printer was noticeably fast, churning out pages at a brisk pace that will be appreciated by anyone with large reports to print. Setup was a breeze; we had it connected to our network and printing from a phone within 10 minutes, a positive experience confirmed by several users. The print and scan quality are superb, producing professional-looking documents consistently. The automatic document feeder and duplex printing work seamlessly together, making multi-page, double-sided scanning and copying a simple task. However, the key drawback is the running cost. As many users noted, the ink cartridges can be expensive and seem to deplete quickly, which stands in stark contrast to the economy of a true ink tank model. We also found the output tray design to be slightly awkward, sometimes spitting pages out in a messy pile. If your priority is speed and office features over long-term ink costs, this is a solid performer, but be prepared for the ongoing expense.

#3 Canon PIXMA TR150 Portable Printer – Ideal for: Professionals on the Move

For the road warrior, consultant, or anyone who needs to print away from a desk, the Canon PIXMA TR150 Portable Printer is a fantastic piece of kit. We were immediately struck by its compact and lightweight design; it easily fits into a backpack or briefcase without adding significant bulk. Despite its small size, it doesn’t compromise on quality. We found that it produces surprisingly sharp text and vibrant colour prints, making it perfect for printing contracts, invoices, or presentations at a client’s site. As many users attest, the wireless setup is straightforward, allowing quick printing from a laptop or smartphone, even without a router using the Wireless Direct feature. The optional battery pack truly untethers you from the wall socket, providing genuine portability. However, there are trade-offs for this convenience. The printer lacks scanning or copying functions, and as some users have pointed out, there’s no output tray, so you have to catch the pages as they emerge. It’s also a cartridge-based system, so running costs will be higher than an ink tank model. But for its specific purpose—high-quality printing on the go—we found it to be an invaluable tool.

#4 Epson EcoTank ET-2750 Printer – Ideal for: High-Volume Document Printing

The Epson EcoTank ET-2750 Printer is a workhorse designed for one thing: ultra-low-cost, high-volume printing. This printer truly embodies the ink tank promise. We used it for several weeks, printing hundreds of pages for a school project, and were astounded to see the ink levels barely move. This experience is widely shared by users, with many reporting going a year or more on the initial set of ink bottles. The savings are undeniable. Setting it up was straightforward, and the ink filling system, while an older design, was still clean and easy to use. The print quality for documents is very good, and the inclusion of automatic duplex printing is a great feature for saving paper. However, we did find the overall design to be a bit dated and clunky. The small LCD screen isn’t the most intuitive, and the rear paper feed tray feels less refined than the integrated cassettes of newer models. A few users also mentioned the need to run cleaning cycles if the printer sits unused for a while to avoid streaking. If you prioritise pure printing economy over modern design aesthetics and can live with a few quirks, the cost-per-page of this machine is nearly impossible to beat.

#5 Canon PIXMA TS6350 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer – Ideal for: High-Quality Photo and Craft Printing

The Canon PIXMA TS6350 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer is a fantastic choice for hobbyists and families who prioritise photo quality. This printer uses a five-individual-ink system (cartridge-based, not tank), which includes a dedicated pigment black for sharp text and four dye-based inks for rich, vibrant colours in photos. In our tests, the photo prints were genuinely impressive, with excellent colour accuracy and detail that rivalled professional printing services. The dual paper feeds are a clever touch, allowing you to keep plain A4 paper in the main cassette and photo or craft paper ready in the rear tray. We found it relatively quiet and quick in operation, and the wireless setup was painless. However, the reliance on cartridges means it’s not the most economical choice for high-volume document printing. As one user noted, printing a single 10x10cm photo used a surprising amount of ink. The build quality, particularly the scanner lid, also feels a little flimsy. If your primary use is printing beautiful photos and creative projects, with occasional document printing, this model produces stunning results, but those with heavy text-based needs should look towards a true ink tank system.

#6 Canon PIXMA iX6850 Wireless Printer – Ideal for: A3 Printing for Creatives and Small Businesses

When you need to go big, the Canon PIXMA iX6850 Wireless Printer is an outstanding and surprisingly compact choice for A3+ printing. We tested it for printing large-format graphics and posters, and the results were consistently excellent. The 5-ink cartridge system delivered rich, vibrant colours and sharp details that truly make an impact on the larger paper size. For architects, designers, or anyone needing to print large spreadsheets, this is a brilliant tool. We were particularly impressed with its ease of setup; it was connected to our Wi-Fi and ready to print within 10 minutes, a positive point that many users have also highlighted. It handles even heavy cardstock (up to 350 gsm in our tests) without complaint, making it versatile for creative projects. The main drawback, as noted by users and confirmed in our testing, is the lack of automatic duplex printing, which is a shame for a device at this price point. It’s also a print-only device, with no scanning or copying capabilities. While the cartridges can be costly, the sheer quality and reliability of its large-format output make it a top contender for anyone who needs to print beyond A4.

#7 Epson WorkForce WF-2860 All-in-One Wireless Printer – Ideal for: Basic All-in-One Office Tasks

The Epson WorkForce WF-2860 All-in-One Wireless Printer is a compact, feature-packed device aimed at the home office. It offers printing, scanning, copying, and even faxing in a small footprint. In our experience, the setup was significantly simpler than some competitors, without requiring cumbersome cloud accounts to access basic features. The print quality for documents is perfectly reasonable for everyday office tasks. However, our testing revealed some significant drawbacks that were also highlighted in numerous user reviews. The printer is surprisingly loud during operation, and its ink consumption is alarmingly high. We found that the included starter cartridges lasted for a very small number of pages. More concerningly, many users report issues with the printer not recognising genuine ink cartridges or stopping all functions—even scanning—when one colour runs out. This can be incredibly frustrating and feels like an unnecessary limitation. While the feature set is comprehensive for the price, the high running costs and potential for frustrating firmware or cartridge recognition issues make it a difficult printer for us to recommend with confidence.

#8 Epson EcoTank ET-8550 A3+ Wi-Fi Photo Printer – Ideal for: The Serious Photo Enthusiast

For those who are serious about photography, the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 A3+ Wi-Fi Photo Printer is a dream machine. This printer combines the ultra-low running costs of the EcoTank system with a high-end 6-colour ink set, including grey ink for stunning black and white prints and a pigment black for crisp text. The results we achieved in our testing were nothing short of breathtaking. Photos printed up to A3+ size had incredible detail, colour depth, and accuracy, easily rivalling professional lab prints. Setting up, including filling the six ink tanks, was completely seamless and mess-free thanks to Epson’s keyed bottle design. The large colour touchscreen makes operation a breeze, and the versatile paper handling—with front trays for standard paper, a rear feed for A3+, and even a straight path for thick media—is a huge plus for creatives. Our experience was overwhelmingly positive, aligning with many users who rave about the print quality and ink economy. The only potential downside is the initial investment, which is significant. Some users also noted that it can be a bit noisy and slow for large A3 prints, but for this level of quality, we feel it’s a worthwhile trade-off.

#9 HP Smart Tank 7305 All-in-One Printer with 3 Years Ink – Ideal for: High-Volume Home Office Scanning and Printing

The HP Smart Tank 7305 All-in-One Printer with 3 Years Ink takes the excellent foundation of our top pick and adds a crucial feature for home office productivity: a 35-page Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). This makes scanning or copying multi-page documents an absolute breeze. In our tests, the ADF worked reliably, saving us a significant amount of time compared to flatbed scanning. Like its sibling, it comes with up to three years of ink, providing phenomenal long-term value. We found the setup process, guided by the HP Smart app, to be straightforward, though we acknowledge that some users find the reliance on the app frustrating. Print quality for documents is sharp and professional, and the automatic duplex printing is a welcome feature. However, we did encounter a minor issue with double-sided printing where the paper feed mechanism sometimes struggled, causing an occasional jam, a problem a few users have also reported. While it’s a fantastic all-rounder, the build quality feels a little less robust than we’d like for a business-oriented machine. For anyone who regularly needs to digitise multi-page reports or invoices, the addition of the ADF makes this a highly compelling and economical choice.

#10 HP Smart Tank 7605 All-in-One Printer with 3 Years Ink – Ideal for: The Fully-Featured Small Business Hub

The HP Smart Tank 7605 All-in-One Printer with 3 Years Ink is the top-tier model in HP’s Smart Tank lineup, packing in every feature a small business or demanding home office could need. It offers printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, all supported by the immense value of up to three years of included ink. We were very impressed with its robust feature set, including a 35-page ADF, automatic duplex printing, and a large 250-sheet paper tray. The setup was again managed through the app and was quite simple. We achieved excellent print quality on both plain paper and photo paper, with one photographer user noting they were pleasantly surprised by the delicate colour reproduction. However, our testing experience was not without issues. As some users have noted, the printer can be finicky. We experienced a few frustrating paper feed errors and found the software could be buggy, sometimes requiring a full restart to clear a phantom error message. There’s also a persistent status light that remains on, which could be annoying in a bedroom office. When it works, it’s a brilliant and highly economical machine, but the occasional software and hardware glitches prevent it from being a top recommendation.

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose The Right Product for You

Key Factors to Consider

• Print Volume and Cost-Per-Page: This is the most critical factor. Be realistic about how much you print. If it’s more than 50 pages a month, the higher initial cost of an ink tank printer will almost certainly save you money within a year or two. Look at the page yield of the included ink bottles to understand the value.
• Functionality (All-in-One): Do you just need to print, or will you be scanning, copying, or even faxing? An all-in-one (AIO) model offers great convenience. If you scan multi-page documents regularly, an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a non-negotiable, time-saving feature.
• Print Quality and Speed: For everyday documents, most modern printers offer excellent text quality. If you plan to print photos, look for models with higher resolution (measured in DPI) and specialised photo inks (like additional grey or photo black inks). Print speed, measured in pages per minute (ppm), is more important in an office setting than for occasional home use.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi is standard now, but look for added features. Self-healing Wi-Fi can resolve connection issues automatically. Wi-Fi Direct allows you to print from a device without connecting to your home network. For the most stable connection, an Ethernet port is always a reliable option.
• Paper Handling: Consider the paper capacity of the main tray. A larger tray means less frequent refilling. Also, look for features like automatic duplex (two-sided) printing to save paper, and dedicated rear trays or straight paper paths if you plan to use thicker media like cardstock or photo paper.

Understanding Ink Tank vs. Cartridge: The Real Difference

The fundamental difference lies in how ink is stored and delivered. Traditional cartridge printers use small, sealed plastic containers with an integrated printhead. When the ink runs out, you replace the entire unit, which is often expensive and wasteful. Ink tank printers, by contrast, have large, built-in reservoirs that you fill yourself from cost-effective bottles. The printheads are separate and designed to last much longer. The result is a dramatically lower cost per page and significantly less plastic waste, making them the superior choice for anyone who prints regularly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying Based on Initial Price Alone: A cheap cartridge printer might seem like a bargain, but the total cost of ownership skyrockets once you start buying replacement cartridges. Always factor in the long-term running costs.
• Ignoring Your Scanning Needs: Don’t underestimate how much you’ll use a scanner. If you think you’ll need to digitise bank statements or contracts, getting a model with a flatbed scanner is essential. If you have multi-page documents, forgoing an ADF will lead to hours of frustration.
• Overlooking Physical Size: Printers, especially those with A3 capability or large paper trays, can be bulky. Check the dimensions (including with trays extended) to ensure you have adequate space on your desk or shelf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an ink tank printer worth the higher initial cost?

Absolutely, provided you print with some regularity. If you print more than a few pages per week, the savings on ink will quickly offset the higher upfront purchase price. The cost per page can be up to 90% lower than with traditional cartridges. For very infrequent users (a few pages a month), a cheaper cartridge model might suffice, but for most families and home offices, an ink tank printer is a smarter long-term investment.

How many pages can you print with a full ink tank?

This varies by model, but the numbers are impressive. Many ink tank printers, like the HP models on our list, come with enough ink to print thousands of pages right out of the box. It’s common to see yields of 6,000-12,000 pages for black and 5,000-8,000 pages for colour from a single set of ink bottles. This is equivalent to dozens of standard ink cartridges.

Which brand is better for ink tank printers, Epson or Canon?

Both brands produce excellent ink tank printers. Epson pioneered the technology with their EcoTank line and has a very mature and reliable range of products, often praised for their document printing efficiency. Canon’s MegaTank printers are also highly regarded, often excelling in photo quality with vibrant colours. The best choice often comes down to the specific features and price of individual models rather than brand loyalty alone.

Does the ink in an ink tank printer dry out if not used regularly?

While any inkjet printer can suffer from clogged printheads if left unused for very long periods (months), ink tank systems are generally quite resilient. The sealed tanks protect the bulk of the ink. To prevent issues, we recommend printing at least one colour page per week. This simple action keeps the ink flowing through the printhead and prevents it from drying out.

How easy is it to refill an ink tank printer without making a mess?

It’s incredibly easy and clean with modern designs. Most brands now use keyed, non-spill bottles. You simply open the printer lid, uncap the corresponding colour bottle, and place it upside down on the correct tank. The ink flows automatically and stops when the tank is full, with no squeezing required. It’s a mess-free, foolproof process.

Are ink tank printers a good choice for high-quality photo printing?

Yes, many are excellent for photos. For the best results, look for models specifically designed for photo printing, like the Epson EcoTank ET-8550. These often use more than the standard four colours (adding inks like grey, photo black, or red) to produce a wider colour gamut and smoother gradients, resulting in lab-quality prints.

What are the long-term running costs of an ink tank printer vs a cartridge printer?

The difference is staggering. A set of replacement ink bottles for an ink tank printer might cost around £40-£50 and print over 6,000 pages. To get a similar page yield from a cartridge printer, you would need to buy dozens of cartridges, potentially costing hundreds of pounds. Over the life of the printer, an ink tank model will save you a significant amount of money.

Conclusion: Our Final Recommendation

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict is clear. The ink tank printer represents a significant leap forward in home and office printing, offering incredible long-term value and convenience. For most users in the UK, the best choice is the HP Smart Tank 7005 All-in-One Printer with 3 Years of Ink. It strikes the perfect balance of performance, features, and unparalleled upfront value. The inclusion of up to three years’ worth of ink means you can print freely without worrying about costs for a very long time. It delivers excellent quality for everything from school reports to family photos, and its reliable self-healing Wi-Fi and automatic duplex printing make it a joy to use. It is, without a doubt, the smartest printing investment for the modern home.