A printer is an absolute staple of the student set-up. The trick is finding one that a) doesn’t take years to print a single page and b) offers good value for money. And this is why I always recommend ink tank printers for college and university students.
I’ve specifically chosen tank printers like the EcoTank, Smart Tank, and MegaTank lines because almost every one you buy comes with a generous amount of bottled ink in the box that can last for your entire time at college or university (and ink is cheaper to buy if you do need to top up). So, you won’t need to blow your student loan on expensive inkjet cartridges like I had to!
Our senior printer editor has extensively tested the best home printers and the best ink tank printers – and based on those reviews, I’ve hand-picked the 6 top cartridge-free printers for students that performed brilliantly for text and phot printing, as well as offering value for money. For each one, click View details to see our review notes and how they fit into student life.
One quick note: because printers often have different model names in the US and UK, they may appear differently here (I know, it frustrates me too). However, I’ve made sure the links will take you to the identical unit for your region.
My top back-to-school ink tank printers
How we test printers for student life
All our printers are put through our unique standardized test, which lets us compare the speed, quality, and functionality against the others. This test covers every aspect of a student’s printing needs.
To check performance, we use a uniform stack of test cards, text documents, and photos, and a range of paper sizes and types. If the manual says you can print on envelopes, labels, or t-shirts, we put that claim to the test, too. We’re looking for crisp fonts and vibrant colors without smudging, smearing, or feathering.
We use a ten-page mixed text and color document to measure print speeds. We never take the manufacturer’s word for this, and while they are usually accurate to be fair, we always time it ourselves. So, if you’ve got a deadline looming, you’ll have a pretty good idea if your printer can get the print-outs in time.
Total cost and overall value are a core part of our review process. And this is specifically why we recommend ink tank printers for students. While they’re a little more expensive than traditional, cartridge-based inkjets, they deliver better performance and they’re cheaper to run for the duration of your course. Bottled ink is a lot more affordable than an inkjet cartridge, and with the amount you get in the box, it can last most of your time at college or university anyway.
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