Why do HP and Lexmark compatible ink cartridges cost more than Epson and Canon?
We've compiled enough inkjet printer reviews to show you the main reasons why HP and compatible Lexmark ink cartridges can cost more, as well as what you can do to save money on your printing costs.
After all, when it comes down to it, you're going to pay less with a higher quality printer. And since more people are buying Canon printers than ever before, we wanted to find out why. Then we dug into how the environment will suffer if people continue using cheaper printers that need HP compatible Lexmark ink . With that in mind, read our post on how the Canon brand is better for the environment!
First up: You'll pay less for a higher quality printer with a Canon.
We've reviewed the most popular printer models and we're going to compare HP and Canon ink cartridges so you can see how the higher quality product affects your overall cost per page.
First, we'll take a look at the lowest cost of ownership when you purchase an Epson or Lexmark printer model that uses HP compatible ink cartridges. We'll then compare that to some of our top-rated Canon models (with Canon brand ink, of course) in order to show you how a lower quality product will cost you more in the long run.
Second, we'll take a look at the environmental effects of using higher ink capacity cartridges.
And finally, we'll provide you links to our articles that will comparing multifunction units and color laser printers from Canon, HP, and Epson that include both the cost per page as well as their environmental impact over the lifespan of each printer.
1) You'll save money on a Canon printer
Look at the number of colors on each page. The Epson is cheaper, but not by much! And since you're only printing in black and white with most documents, your cost per page is going to be higher than if you had used a higher quality printer with an extra cartridge.
2) You'll save money on a Canon printer
This one is pretty simple. The higher the quality of your printer the cheaper it will be to run. Leading us to our next point.
3) You'll save money on a Canon printer
The Epson is the cheapest way to go, but unless you're printing in color and/or have a specific need for lots of ink, you'll be better off saving your money and buying a higher quality product that will keep you running less costly over the years.
4) You'll use less ink and your printer will last longer
The higher quality Canon models have a lower rate of cartridge replacement. This means you'll be able to get more use out of your printer at a lower cost over the years.
5) You'll save money on an Epson color laser printer
The increased page yield and the lower costs involved with replacing all those standard black cartridge will mean you'll save a lot on the cost per page.
7) You'll reduce your environmental impact
The earth will thank you for using a higher quality machine! The Epson color laser printer (with the new, larger capacity cartridges) will have a lower impact over its lifetime than an Epson inkjet .
8) You'll avoid waste and save money in the long run
You'll save money by not throwing away all those HP compatible Lexmark ink cartridges. And you can reduce your environmental footprint by using one of Canon's high capacity ink tanks for the best of both worlds.
9) You'll save more if you buy a multifunction unit (MFP) or color laser printer instead of three individual devices.
Print, copy, and scan at home without paying for all three machines. You'll even save money with that new-fangled technology called a "wireless network."
10) You'll save more using genuine ink cartridges
You'll get the best results from your printer if you use genuine Canon cartridges to produce your documents. They're higher quality, easier to install, and will produce better copies than any compatible or refilled cartridge.
12) You'll make less frequent trips to the store (and the landfill!)
That's right! Buying a high capacity in bulk will cost you less per page than buying smaller quantities of HP compatible ink cartridges when they run out. Not only that, but the larger tank will make it cheaper to run as well.
13) You'll spend less on ink in the long run
The average inkjet printer needs to be replaced around once every two years. And that cost is going up. Compare that to an average HP color laser printer lasting for at least six years and you can see what you're saving by buying a quality machine from a reputable manufacturer instead of refilling your cartridges with bargain basement products.
14) You'll be able to print in color or increase the number of pages per cartridge
As mentioned earlier, if you're not printing in color, it doesn't matter if you buy a cheaper Epson model or one from Canon . The extra capacity in your ink tank will mean you're not going to be replacing the cartridges as often. So that $15 or $30 a cartridge is going to amount to a lot less in the long run.
15) You'll avoid refilling your cartridges and reduce waste (and thus increase the environment!)
As mentioned earlier, you'll save a lot of money by buying a quality machine. You won't need to refill your cartridges as often and that lead to less waste and an improved hipster cred in the process.
16) You'll get better quality prints
The HP replacement cartridges will produce decent results but they're not going to be as professional looking. And it's those differences in quality that will pay off over the long run when you factor in things like the increased number of pages you're going to be able to print before having to replace a cartridge.
17) Your new printer will last longer
Since you're buying from the manufacturer, you're getting an extra warranty to protect your investment. And if you take good care of it, it will last for years and save you money in the long run.
18) You'll save money on paper by switching to a laser printer (e.g., Canon)
If you use Canon branded supplies, you can print up to 9,000 pages before having to replace a cartridge. That's $0.015/page! Compare that to using HP compatible cartridges which may only get about 4,000 pages out of their ink tanks before having to replace them (at $0.03/page).
Conclusion
If you're looking to save money in the long run, there are plenty of reasons to switch to a higher quality printer. Hopefully this article convinced you that it's better to buy a true color laser printer instead of buying three separate devices.
The price of an Epson color laser printer may be as low as $150 but with all the same features as high priced models by HP and Canon, it will pay for itself in less than five years!
Posted by Sean at 2:38 PM June 28, 2006 : If you have a question about printing or just want to comment on this article, feel free to drop me an e-mail at sean(at)honeypot(dot)com .