Ink Tank vs Ink Cartridge: Which is Better in 2022?

Thanks to modern technology, customers now have a greater variety of printing options when looking for the printer of their choice. When buying inkjet printers, there are two types of alternatives for an inkjet printer that use. They are ink tanks and ink cartridges.

Until recently, manufacturers sold home printers at a relatively low price because they relied on expensive brand name ink cartridges to profit. However, nowadays, brands like Epson produce printers with refillable ink tanks instead. Experts claim that printers with refillable ink tanks can last almost two years in the average household.

Therefore, what are the notable differences between ink tanks and ink cartridges? Here’s what you need to know about costs when choosing between the two, and how to determine which will be the better buy.

What are Ink Cartridges?

Ink cartridges refer to containers of ink with an integrated print head. A printer uses these tiny ink containers (cartridges) to print out the documents or images you need from your device. The ink is filled with liquid ink, so this can then be reused.

Most colour printers come with a black cartridge and a colour cartridge that combines 3 primary colours to create a variety of colour combinations. It can be replaced or refilled; it is usually much cheaper to refill a cartridge than to buy a completely new one.

Pros of Ink Cartridges

For many years, ink cartridges have been the most efficient method of proven printing technology. When it comes to their benefits, genuine printer cartridges are of the highest quality available. They are made by the same company that makes the printer and are 100% compatible. In some cases, most cartridges have lower print yields when comparing ink tanks to ink cartridges.

In addition to standardized print yields, ink cartridge printers are generally less expensive than ink tank printers. The cartridges also contain high-quality ink and compatible containers that enable flawless printing.

Although more complicated to install than ink tank refills, a final benefit is a minimal footprint. It can be refilled easily. If you grab the clean refill through the ink tanks, there may be nasty smudges on the edge of the printer tanks.

Cons of Ink Cartridges

A significant disadvantage of ink cartridges over ink tanks is that replacement cartridges are more expensive. Although the initial setup cost is lower, you will quickly rack up a few arrangements for regular printing. On the other hand, there is a risk that the printer ink will dry out for anyone who prints too infrequently.

Unlike ink tanks which have an airtight seal, which blocks the movement of dry ink, ink cartridges do not have this feature. As such, ink cartridges are best suited for the frequent printer, but not the power user. Therefore, there are potential compatibility issues.

If you accidentally buy non-genuine ink cartridges from online selling platforms, you are at high risk of breaking the printer. The cartridge is always at risk of being incompatible when purchased from illegitimate sources.

What are ink tanks?

Ink tanks or “integrated bulk ink systems” are refillable ink printers that do not contain an integrated printhead like ink cartridge printer models. Instead, they use an integrated bulk ink system. This means that printer ink is continuously supplied to the printer from the printer’s built-in ink tank. This eliminates the need for replacement ink cartridges.

Simply fill the ink tanks with the original ink bottles. While ink tank printers can save you a considerable amount of money, they promise to deliver significant savings on the cost per page. Compared to ink cartridges, ink tank printers have much lower running costs.

Pros of the ink tank

I mentioned earlier that ink cartridges can be quite expensive. And even when you pay huge amounts for ink cartridges, you still print a maximum of 250 pages. However, you can easily print around a thousand pages with the ink tank printer. You can buy them for your own use and have them used by your whole family without thinking about the cost of replacing ink cartridges.

The ink is sealed, so the ink inside won’t dry out or evaporate, so you can use your printer all year round without overfilling. However, if you don’t use the printer frequently in ink cartridges, the ink will dry out over time, and all your money will just be wasted. The most significant disadvantage of ink cartridge printers and ink tank printers is that they help you overcome this problem.

Even when printing many pages with ink tank printers, you still don’t have to worry about the money you need to pay for the ink. Generally, they come in a set of four primary colours and cost a lot less than you’d expect. Also, you should know that you will not have to refill the ink tanks again and again because the printing capacity of ink tank printers is very high.

Cons of the ink tank

At first, you won’t feel like you’re saving money with ink tank printers. Instead, the operating cost of the printer will be the same as other types of printers. It is also worth mentioning that ink tank printers tend to be more expensive than other printer types. For this reason, many people avoid buying ink tank printers because they think the initial investment is too high for them after comparing it to the cost of other different printers.

You will be happy to use it again and again. However, the tank will need to be refilled when all the ink is used up. Now, since the fill holes in the tank are tiny, you’ll need a lot of practice for the process. You may also need to purchase separate ink squirts to refill them without creating a colourful mess around the printer.

After all, the ink is difficult to remove and may even stain the table’s surface where you want to place the printer. You will need to purchase all four-ink primary colours for an ink tank printer.

This is because ink tank printers usually have different tanks for different colours. It also forces you to handle and store them safely. Because if you lose or lose one, the print will miss a few shades. Also, you need to keep an eye on the ink levels and refill it carefully without drying out the ink head.

Which is better among ink tanks and ink cartridges?

There is no clear winner in the battle between ink tanks and ink cartridges. In fact, the printing system you choose depends entirely on your usage and needs. For the occasional printer, ink cartridges are more suitable. Indeed, the initial installation costs are low, and the recurring fees remain reasonable with a moderate impression.

However, ink tank printers will significantly reduce your printing costs per page for those who are constantly catching up on their prints or need a high volume of colour prints. Although the initial cost of equipment is significant, these costs will quickly offset frequent users. That said, before purchasing ink cartridges or tanks, be sure to consider the future use of the printer.