Best economical Ink Tank Printers 2023: Under 12000 Rupees

Having the best and most economical ink tank printer in your office or home is a great boon if you need to print, scan or fax regularly. Over the last many years, the printer industry has turned a lot. We have witnessed a significant shift from traditional inkjet color printers to cost-effective ink tank color printers. So, let’s see which is the most economical ink tank printer.

Which Is The Most Economical Ink Tank Printer?

Ink tank printers are nothing but the advanced or hybrid version of inkjet printers. Inkjet printers use ink cartridges whereas ink tank printers use ink chambers (70 ml in most printers). 12000 rupees is the economical range for an ink tank printer. An ink tank printer can range from 8000 to 90000 rupees. 

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But lower-end ink tank printers are only of single function and with nearly no features. And it is common that you may face typical printer-related errors or problems. 

Similarly, higher-end are multi-function ink tank printers and are less prone to printer problems but they are unaffordable. According to my experience and testing results, the most economical ink tank printers are HP Ink Tank 316 and Brother DCP-T226. 

These printers deliver excellent printing quality, low maintenance cost, low printing cost, and high volume output. Keep this in your mind you need a printer by which you can conserve ink while printing. 

Full Review

Reason To Trust Us?

Big Screen Lab has been testing ink tank printers (also known as super tanks) since 2017. Vidya Raj and Anannya Pathak are the two exceptional specialists covering the part. Vidya Raj is also working as an author and writing reviews for a USA-based website artsideoflife.com and Anannya Pathak is working actively as a printer reviewer for candytech.in.

They have spent an enormous time researching models, listing them according to their quality, and picking up the best economical ink tank printer under 12000 for you. Other than that they have done quite a number of work (like polling readers and gathering feedback from comment sections) to understand what buyers desire from their printers.

Who Should Buy Ink Tank Printers?

Ink tank printers are nothing but an upgraded version of inkjet printers. Ink tank printers have similar working principles to inkjet printers except for one thing inkjet printers use cartridges as their ink source whereas ink tank printers use ink chambers which are capable of storing more ink than the inkjet cartridge system. So, the page yield of ink tank printers is much more than cartridge printers. The cost per print of ink tank printers is much less than inkjet printers.

You will get all-in-one (multifunction) printers and single-function printers in the ink tank system. All-in-one printers include print, scan, and copy whereas single-function ink tank printers are only capable of printing only. Thus, your choice and requirement will decide what type of ink tank printer you need. If your need covers printing, scanning, and copying then a multifunction ink tank printer like HP 316 printer is the best but if your basic requirement is only for printing then Canon Pixma G1020 is excellent. 

Few important questions you should ask yourself before selecting an ink tank printer:

1. How often do you print? What is your monthly printing requirement? If you have a low printing requirement below 100 pages per month like 40 or 50 pages then the ink tank printer is not a great choice as their initial cost is much more than inkjet printers. According to us, a printing requirement is between 100 to 500 pages per month is best for ink tank printer use. Whereas for low printing requirements we recommend a budget laser printer as Ink tank printers or cartridge inkjet printers will dry out and clog due to irregular use or if they sit inactive for too long and to make them up and running you have performed a cleaning cycle that waste the costly ink which will increase its operating cost.  
2. Will you print in colors frequently or do you print glossy photos occasionally? In the above, both requirements ink tank printers are perfect to use but if your requirements are limited to only black and white document printing then select a black and white laser printer.
3. What functionality do you need? Will you only use the printer for printing only or you will perform scanning or copying tasks also? Multifunction ink tank printers and single-function ink tank printers don’t have much difference in price but yes they have some differences. If you only have a printing demand then it is good to choose a single-function ink tank printer as it will save some money and definitely perform the single task efficiently.

Finally, what is your budget? Budget is the most crucial thing that you require to select first. 12000 rupees is the most economical range for a decent ink tank printer below that you will not get any good but the perfect spot for an excellent ink tank printer is 15000 rupees. The best ink tank printer under 15000 rupees are excellent as they come with wireless support, they are multifunctional, they are easy to set up, and easy to use.

How do We Select?

When we first began to select the best economical ink tank printer which is basically under 12000 rupees. For printers under 12000 rupees, there are not many options available but we pick those printers that come with maximum features which is very important for home and home office. Here is what we looked for best economical ink tank printer. 

Printer Type: Though there are many cartridge printers available that run on inkjet technology which is much cheaper than any ink tank printers but they are not really economical printers. Cartridge printers are available for under 5000 rupees but they have a very low page yield, high printing cost, and high maintenance cost compared to ink tank printers, and also they are much more prone to different types of printer issues. However, we also tested laser printers and these machines are ideal for high printing requirements and also good for users who want to avoid frustrations that come with inkjet printers but the cost is a factor if you can afford then you should definitely buy them.

Functionality: We always prefer an all-in-one printer no matter if it is an inkjet or laser. The all-in-one printer provides you with the function of printing, scanning, and copying otherwise you have to purchase separate machines for a specific function.

Operating Cost: The cost you have to pay for purchasing a printer is not much crucial compared to its operating and maintenance costs. If you purchase a low-price cartridge printer but you have a high printing requirement then it is definitely a bad deal as in the long run your operating cost will be much more compared to an ink tank printer. So, don’t think about buying the cost of a printer think about printing volume and printing cost of a print. 

Printing And Scanning Quality: Today all modern printers provide good printing and scanning quality but among them, few printers deliver more accurate picture quality with sharp text. 

Printing And Scanning Speed: Speed is not the most important factor compared to the factor listed above. However, modern printers deliver quick response and provide blazing-fast performance and it is enough to get your job done in time. 

Benefits of Economical Ink Tank Printer

1. Saves Money – These printers save a lot of money than the previous ones because they don’t need to refill frequently and when required can be easily refilled using Ink Bottles. These Ink bottles are available at very affordable prices.
2. Easy to use – They are very easy to use and install without the installation CD. Users can easily figure out the mechanics of these devices.
3. Multi-functional – Most of these ink tank printers are multi-functional, which means they do more than just printing, which saves you the extra cost of buying a separate device for those works.
4. Saves Time – These printers are very fast in their operation, saving a lot of time for the users.
5. Easy to maintain – These ink tank printers are easy to clean and maintain as inkjet printers you don’t need to spend much time. 

Drawbacks Of Economical Ink Tank Printer

There is only one drawback that I have noticed in my four-year experience is Ink tank printers need to use frequently. It is best to use them regularly otherwise the ink will get dry in the tank and the nozzle or printhead will get clogged. Then you have to clean the printhead for better performance it is not a difficult task but yes definitely a disturbing situation. So, using your economical ink tank printer regularly or printing a test page at regular intervals is the best way to avoid printhead failure or printer nozzle blocking. It is recommended after opening the bottled ink should be used within 6 months.  

Best Ink Tank Printer Between 10,000 To 12,000 Rupees in India

Economical ink tank printers are good for home use and small office or business use. Whereas the initial price is higher compared to inkjet but you have to spend less on maintenance and refilling. 

Best Economical Ink Tank Printer [Infographic]

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Type:	All in One	Color:	Yes
Technology:	Inkjet	InkTank:	Yes
Wireless:	No

HP 316 ink tank printer comes with decent build quality. It is made up of solid and sturdy plastic with a visible ink level. You can change its printhead if it gets clogged or damaged that’s how you can increase its lifespan. HP 316 ink tank printer has a monochrome display that doesn’t display very much only shows individual ink levels and print count.

Whereas the display is very clear you will not face any issues with visibility. HP 316 ink tank printer comes with a superb ink tank system. It has four ink tanks which you can refill by yourself and it provides high black and color page yields. You can use third-party ink to refill the printer but it will deliver low page yield and also low-quality prints.

The HP 316 printer has a decent scanning feature. It has a Flatbed scanner with no ADF (automatic document feature) and duplex printing so if you are required to scan many pages you have to do it one by one. The cost-per-print of the HP 316 all-in-one color printer is very impressive.

The printer charges 10p for black and 20p for color which is quite reasonable and makes you free to print high-volume pages. Whereas HP doesn’t provide combo ink bottle packs, you must purchase each bottle separately. The printing speed of the printer is very good HP has confirmed the printer will print 16 color pages per minute and 19 black pages per minute which means you can depend on the printer when you are in hurry. The HP 316 ink tank printer has great color accuracy and delivers superb print quality.

The colors are defined very well we found green and red come with great clarity. Though there are some banding and grainy areas they are not noticeable. It is the best economical printer for under 12,000 rupees. The printer supports most paper sizes and its input tray has a width slider. The HP printer 316 has okay connectivity options. It provides only USB connectivity if you are looking for the best wireless ink tank printer then check HP 419 WiFi ink tank printer.     

What We Like/Dislike About HP 316 Printer

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Verdict

The HP 316 ink tank printer is best for high color printing requirements. If you are searching for an inkjet printer that delivers great quality color printouts at a low cost per print and high output capacity and also don’t want to spend too much on its maintenance then it is the best choice. We don’t recommend this printer for professional photo printing and for those with very high printing requirements (more than 10,000 pages per month).

Type:	All-in-one	Color:	Yes
Technology:	Inkjet	InkTank:	Yes
Wireless:	No

The Brother DCP-T226 has an excellent build quality the plastic body feels strong and sturdy with easy access to paper jams. The printer requires the same maintenance as other ink tank printers. The Brother DCP-T226 comes with a self-maintenance tasks like printhead cleaning, ink volume, and improving print quality. Unfortunately, the printer doesn’t have any display but the control panel is packed with all the mandatory buttons.

The ink tank system of the Brother DCP-T226 printer is excellent and holds a good amount of ink to make a decent amount of printout before you require to refill it again. The printer has a flatbed scanner and scans 20 pages per minute. The scanning quality of the printer is good, it scans documents and photos clearly and nearly identically. But the scanning section doesn’t hold any type of extra features like duplex scanning and ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) whereas at this price no printer comes with these facilities.

This color printer from the Brother brand comes with multi-functionalities. You can copy, print, and scan on this single device. It gives an excellent printing speed of 28 ppm for monochrome and 11 ppm for color. The Brother DCP-T226 is not a wireless printer it can only be connected through USB if you are looking for a wireless printer you can check the best printer with WiFi. It can be operated with a power source of 220 – 240 V AC. Most pages are supported in this ink tank printer. It provides pinpoint, accurate prints, and crystal clear copies.

The printing cost of the Brother printer is similar to HP 316 10p for monochrome and 24p for color it is the best choice for those who require a printer for lots of printing requirements. The Brother printer has satisfying color accuracy it can be used for printing works that demand precise color accuracy. In photo printing, the colors look vibrant and rich whereas we found yellow looks a little washout but that is not noticeable. This printer will be a good buy for people with papers and documents around them, waiting to be scanned or printed.

What We Like/Dislike About Brother DCP-T226 Printer

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Verdict

The Brother DCP-T226 is the best economical ink tank printer with excellent printing quality and decent printing speed. The printer is for family, student, and small office use as all these sectors require quality printing at an affordable price. You don’t need to spend too much money and time to maintain the printer other than that it has a self-maintenance feature to increase its life. If you don’t have any budget limitations then check out the best color printer. 

Type:	Print Only	Color:	Yes
Technology:	Inkjet	InkTank:	Yes
Wireless:	No

The build quality of Canon Pixma G1020 is decent. It is made up of good plastic that gives you the feeling of smoothness with solidity. The printer provides good access to the ink tank chambers and also easy access to paper jams. The control panel has decent control options but unfortunately, the printer doesn’t have any display and this you can take as a drawback. The cartridge system is very good and that’s why the printer generates a good number of color and black prints out. The printer accepts third-party ink but we recommend you not to do it as it voids the warranty and also prints quality is not the same as the original ink.  

The cost per print of this best economical ink tank printer under 12000 rupees is okay but not better than HP 316 printer the black printout cost 12 paise and 35 paise for color prints which can be considered as good but not best. It doesn’t have an impressive printing speed it prints 9 ppm in black and 5 ppm in color. Whereas this device only takes 45 seconds to print any borderless photos (10.16cm x 15.24cm). PIXMA G1020 is a recommended printer machine for getting instant printing.

This is a user-friendly ink tank printer that ensures maximum printing with low expenses. It is designed with replaceable printheads as well as easy maintenance cartridges which don’t delay printing and maximize productivity. The PIXMA G1020 comes with a compact yet powerful mechanism that allows smooth printing every time in the mood of the economy. The ink bottles of this premium printer are designed with anti-drip and spill-resistant technology that takes your worries away from inadvertent ink smears while filling ink into the cartilage.

The significant nozzle and receptacle identifiers feature ensures your ink refills without any hassle. The Canon ink tanker is manufactured based on state-of-the-art technology which extends its long lifespan. Under Rs. 12,000 this printer is definitely a standard quality printer that suits your budget. You can grab this best ink tank printer for under 12,000 for your regular home or office use. Also, it would be ideal to meet the needs of small businesses and students.

What We Like/Dislike About Canon Pixma G1020 Printer

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Verdict

So, the Canon Pixma G1020 is great for regular use with decent printing requirements. Whereas it is not a multifunction printer, it is a single-function printer that can only print in black and color but cannot copy or scan so that can be a deal breaker for many ones. The print quality of the printer is excellent that nearly unavailable in any printer in this price range. If you are looking for an ink tank printer with great printing performance at the lowest price then it is the best one. Whereas Canon Pixma G1010 is also available the previous version of G1020 is most suitable for those who are looking for an ink tank printer under 10,000 rupees.

best Economical Ink Tank Printer: FAQ

What is Ink Tank Printer?

Ink tank printers are refillable printers, and they have a tank where the users can fill ink when it gets empty. Special Ink bottles are sold in the market, which is used to fill these ink tanks.

The previous generation printers didn’t have such features, which yielded in higher cost of use and wastage of time.

But since the Ink Tank printers have come into the market, they have overshadowed the older printers and are now the talk of the town.

But the refillable nature of the Ink tank storage is not the only benefit of buying an Ink Tank Printer.

Are ink tank printers good for occasional use?

No ink tank printers are not good for occasional. You need to use them frequently or regularly otherwise their print head or nozzle will get clogged.

Are an economical ink tank printer comes with wireless connectivity?

No wireless connectivity is not available in printers under 10000 to 12000. Wireless printers are easy to connect with a laptop or desktop but this option is available above 12000 or more.

Is an ink tank printer better than an inkjet printer?

Yes, absolutely. Ink tank printers are upgraded versions of inkjet printers. Due to their ink tank chambers, they can hold more ink and for that printing costs in ink tank printers are very low. Other than that they need low maintenance and deliver high printing quality.