Epson, HP, and Canon printers with third party inks

Buster_Danog

I need to buy a new printer and am looking at all in one printers with a scanner. The things that seem to be influencing my decision are whether third party inks are available, and how noisy the printer is. I am concerned about Epsom because I have seen some awful reviews where one cartridge runs out then the printer won't print at all until it's replaced. Also HP is a concern because I have seen reports of third party inks not being recognised even when they have a chip in them. 

I have a Canon Pixma MG7550 at the moment which is on its last legs and have never had a problem with third party inks being recognised by the printer. However the cheaper Canons at the moment don't seem to take third party inks. Also, I would prefer a printer that is less noisy. I was thinking of buying something like the HP 6230 Envy but have seen some reviews saying it is noisy. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Neil_Jones

Buster_Danog said:

I need to buy a new printer and am looking at all in one printers with a scanner. The things that seem to be influencing my decision are whether third party inks are available, and how noisy the printer is. I am concerned about Epsom because I have seen some awful reviews where one cartridge runs out then the printer won't print at all until it's replaced. Also HP is a concern because I have seen reports of third party inks not being recognised even when they have a chip in them. 

I have a Canon Pixma MG7550 at the moment which is on its last legs and have never had a problem with third party inks being recognised by the printer. However the cheaper Canons at the moment don't seem to take third party inks. Also, I would prefer a printer that is less noisy. I was thinking of buying something like the HP 6230 Envy but have seen some reviews saying it is noisy. Any opinions would be appreciated.

That's always been the case with Epson printers since they started taking individual ink.

Re: HP Printers, that's usually because its a new printer and older stock.  Once the new stock comes through it usually solves itself.

Re: Canon, same as HP above. 

Re: Noisy printers, well all printers make noise to an extent, you're not going to have a totally silent printer/scanner, because of the way they work.  Noise is subjective.

IvanOpinion

Have a look at the HP Instant Ink option.  Depending on the volume of pages you print, in the average month, this may provide reasonable value. 

I have an HP Envy 5532 that has worked flawlessly for over 7 years now.  I pay £1.99 per month which allows me to print 50 pages per month (you then pay extra for blocks of 10 pages).  Other pricing options are available.

Buster_Danog

IvanOpinion said:

Have a look at the HP Instant Ink option.  Depending on the volume of pages you print, in the average month, this may provide reasonable value. 

I have an HP Envy 5532 that has worked flawlessly for over 7 years now.  I pay £1.99 per month which allows me to print 50 pages per month (you then pay extra for blocks of 10 pages).  Other pricing options are available.

Thanks. I can't see how that will work for me because I am only printing labels for ebay, or online shopping returns. Sometimes this is only 3 or 4 pages per month. My Canon seemed to go through a fair amount of ink. Out of curiosity is your HP on the loud side or quiet enough?

Anyway, I'l definitely avoid Epson. I guess I'm leaning towards HP but the only cheap printer that takes third party inks is the Officejet 6230 which is an old model and has no scanner.

I also seen a Brother all in one for around £100 that takes third party inks. That might be an option.

Neil_Jones

if your only printing is literally return labels and returns, and you don't do any other printing, then with respect do you really need a printer?  The local library might be a better option and just pay as you go.  Most libraries would probably charge, what, 10-20p something like that per side?  You wouldn't have the overheads of a printer, the ink, the paper, the maintenance, though the ability would only be available during library hours, something like 9-5 so its no good at like 3 in the morning.

Food for thought.

IvanOpinion

Buster_Danog said:

IvanOpinion said:

Have a look at the HP Instant Ink option.  Depending on the volume of pages you print, in the average month, this may provide reasonable value. 

I have an HP Envy 5532 that has worked flawlessly for over 7 years now.  I pay £1.99 per month which allows me to print 50 pages per month (you then pay extra for blocks of 10 pages).  Other pricing options are available.

Thanks. I can't see how that will work for me because I am only printing labels for ebay, or online shopping returns. Sometimes this is only 3 or 4 pages per month. My Canon seemed to go through a fair amount of ink. Out of curiosity is your HP on the loud side or quiet enough?
.

HP Instant Ink has an option at 99p per month that allows up to 15 pages to be printed each month (plus 45 roll over - for an occasional busy month).  For that you get genuine ink delivered to your door when it is required.

As far as noise is concerned, I don't have an issue.  It does make a noise and I have had both quieter and noisier printers in the past but I really don't find the HP overly intrusive (and it sits right beside me).  With such low volumes I don't think it is something that you should worry about.

Buster_Danog

I do print at evening / night time. I prefer to send ebay items the day after purchase and the library just wouldn't suit me. I recall relying on a printing service for some kind of documents that might have been a job application (I can't remember) but I resolved to never get caught out without a printer again as it was quite expensive. Before the lockdown situation I also used to go to some social events and printed documents for those as well.

Anyway, I'll keep looking. I might go with the instant ink with HP. I found that the Canon Pixma TS5150 takes third part inks but they are quite expensive compared to the ones I used to buy.

Buster_Danog

I got the HP Officejet 6230. It is a good printer and compared to Canon seems to be very quiet. Doesn't tick all my boxes as no scanner but for now it does the job, and it takes third party ink cartridges.