Some noticeable large price differences in the recommended machines!
The review doesn’t indicate CISS/Cartridge printers!
Am interested because I’ve found in the past that cartridge colour printers for infrequent colour printing seem to empty or dry up fairly quickly, hence become expensive to use. Thought getting a CISS printer might be a better option, and probably then don’t completely fill the reservoir each time.
I use a laser for Black/White printing.
It is indicated by some of the model names:
Canon, those using the branding of ‘MegaTank’
Epson branded with ‘EcoTank’.
HP branded ‘smart tank’
Brother don’t use model branding, but, can easily be checked with a internet search.
Using the indicative number of text pages from a cartridge figure also provides indication of the are Continuous Ink Tank Printer models as Choice states “Continuous ink supply system (CISS) printers have a much higher page yield than most standard ink cartridges/toner barrels. We limit CISS ink consumption tests and cost calculations to 3000 pages in order to reduce paper waste. Most CISS printers exceed this limit. This is explained in detail in our How We Test Printers article.”
A CISS printer, while good for high-volume printing and low ink costs, might not be ideal for infrequent use. CISS printers used infrequently/not regularly can be susceptible to ink drying or head clogging.
My Brother MFCs (over decades) have very light use most of the time. I buy ‘XL’ compatible inks from ebay. They last 18-24 months. The MFC periodically does an automatic light clean. Every few months I’ll print this to see if any jets seem clogged
Have not had a worry about clogged jets because of that maintenance process. Ink costs all inclusive, about $15-20 every 18 months or so.
I have a HP combined printer/scanner.
You mention ebay for cartridges. Is that manufacturers or 3rd party, it seems very much cheaper than both the former and typical online places, eg, $40 for 4 colour pack
HP have locked down the usage of ‘compatible’ (non genuine) inks and toners. They will refuse to work if non genuine cartridges are used inn most of their printers, firmware updates have made these changes and new printers already come with the limitations in place.
Many other manufacturers of printers are doing the same, Brother units have generally been ‘forgiving’ of using compatible inks and toners, though newer firmware updates are starting to limit the usability and there are warnings when non genuine are used.
With Ink Tank printers, any compatible ink could be used without restrictions being in place. Cartridges have chipsets that identify the cartridges to the printer operating system, if the cartridge does not contain the correct information the printer is able to reject or limit the use of it. The restrictions can even be imposed on where the cartridges are meant to be used e.g, a cartridge made for the EU market may not work in a printer sold for the Australian market or as another example if a printer made for the EU market was imported to here then the cartridges designated for the Australian market may not work in the printer…this applies even if the cartridges are exactly the same model number in all other respects.
See also
HP is expensive. @grahroll’s post indicates why. A set for my Brother from a random ebay ad today. (XL = ‘extra large’ ink supply)
Aye, I’d expect CISS to be more prone to dry/clogged heads than cartridge heads…
I also use a Laser now for printing needs. On the very odd occasion I need colour I decided I’d go the Library or business… I think Officeworks also has printers to do colour cheaply adhoc.
Why would that be the case? dry/clogged print heads occur because of lack of printing use, hence not enough or no ink flow to lubricate them, and independent of the mode of ink supply (carts or tanks).
Some printers have the print heads in the ink carts, and some have them in the printer itself. There are pluses and minuses to each but the former is more costly as each ink cart requires print heads in it. The plus is that each time the cart is replaced one has new print heads and that w/could improve quality because print head eventually wear out and replacing those in a printer can be costly when required. Not all CISS printers have user replaceable print heads and costs for replacement will vary, depending.
You are right and many websites online state why they potentially clog more regularly than traditional cartridges.
CISS systems aren’t sealed like traditional cartridges, meaning components are more exposed to air. The air dries out or thickens the inks, causing blockages. If they are used regularly, isn’t an issue as the ink delivery system is flushed out/more concentrated inks diluted, every time it is refilled.
This is the AI response I asked about which is better regarding drying up:
CISS (Continuous Ink Supply System) printers are generally considered to be better in preventing ink from drying up compared to traditional inkjet cartridges. This is because CISS printers use external ink tanks connected to the printhead via a tube, and the ink is less exposed to air and drying conditions.
Elaboration:
CISS systems deliver ink from large external tanks to the printhead through a sealed tube, minimizing air contact and preventing ink from drying out as easily.
Traditional inkjet cartridges have open ink reservoirs and are more susceptible to drying out, especially if not used regularly.
While CISS printers still have a risk of drying if not used for extended periods, the closed system and the use of larger ink tanks make them less prone to drying compared to cartridges.
Not everything AI indicates is correct. The AI comment may possibly be true for regularly used CISS printers, but, you indicated that you are an infrequent printer whereby lack of use has caused issues in the past.
Many ink suppliers outline why CISS printers clog more regularly than traditional cartridges printers, when the printers are used infrequently.
The comment about the ink being less exposed to the air doesn’t make sense. CISS printers the ink is in contact with the air, how else can one refill the tanks. Your plan to only partly fill the tanks is likely to increase air exposure and likelihood of drying. Cartridges are usually sealed. Printing heads exposure to air is dependent on how the printer manages the heads between print jobs.
The other comment made by ink suppliers is that the potential for contaminates entering a CISS printer is also greater, such as dust particles if refilling occurs in a dusty environment.
Other blockages can result from air bubbles created through the refilling process. This can be addressed usually through printer maintenance functions when observed. If they are left between infrequent print jobs, they can lead to blockages.
Inkjet printers whether cartridge or CISS type aren’t suitable for infrequent use. As you have experienced issues with cartridges in the past, due to infrequent use, similar problems are likely to be encountered with a CISS system. Consideration needs to be given to costs when a blockage occurs due to infrequent use if one plans to persist with using an inkjet printer.
This could be informative although they target industrial not home systems.
Caveats are heat and low humidity affecting the ink, but quality inks are formulated to tolerate fairly wide ranging environments. However users are creative and can introduce dust, bubbles, and so on, or buy cheap inks that do not conform and become less fluid over time.
There is a lot of websites that suggest they are more suited to high volume/regular printing.
As it appears from the OP that cartridge printing has been an issue from infrequent use, CISS mighty not be the right solution. I haven’t checked, but I suspect fixing a dried out or clogged CISS printer may be more expensive that replacing a cartridge.
There are also a lot of cartridges which could bought for the existing printer, compared to the price of a new printer.
Alternatively, a printing service (Officeworks etc) might be cheaper and more sustainable option when one does infrequent colour printing, especially when home inkjet colour printing has had issues. This is the option we chose. We also have a B/W laser at home for general printing.
Maybe CISS printers are better suited to businesses or home users (household with students or home based businesses) who print a lot.
An option we’ve used. Useful considering they have photo printing and larger the A4 printing options. Also the advantages of providing for a variety of media and printers. For sustainability one also needs to factor in convenience. Not everyone has a print shop or Officeworks conveniently nearby or on the way to/from work, shops etc.
All CISS printers I have looked at have seals at the opening where the ink tank is filled.
Like all inkjet printers air needs to enter the ink storage unit to ensure no vacuum or pressure build up occurs (allows equalisation of pressure). Even cartridges have openings that allow free exchange of air for this reason.
The most troublesome spot is where the “jets” are, as it is where the ink sits with most contact with the outside air . In bubble jets there is also heating of the ink which causes the ink to be expelled onto the paper so some ink may dry and form a crust, piezoelectric nozzles use vibration of the crystal to expel and draw in new ink to the nozzle, this leaves ink exposed at the nozzle to dry.
If left for too long the drying causes blockages beyond the nozzle back towards the cartridge or tank and this makes it much harder to clean.
A guide that may help when clogging is stubborn
Choice used to indicate who did the research, hence it was straight forward to involve them here. But, I think they have stopped that, which is disappointing. I think there are questions in this topic that would benefit from their input. As moderators do you know who they might be?
I note that the review also doesn’t include any Laser colour printers, the 7 lasers are all monochrome. I thought that might be that they were well outside the home price use, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. For example Brother has several colour lasers, some being multifunction machines for under $500.
Maybe they don’t meet other functionality criteria?
Every Buying Guide and How We Test shows the responsible writers under the top photo. They would be the primary contacts.
Two are colour
There were a number of changes at CHOICE towards the end of 2024 regarding staff positions. I do know that Matt Steen (@MattSteen) remains the Director for Testing and Reviews.
CHOICE staff do visit the Community often, they may not often respond in topics but you can be assured that notice is taken. There are some staff members whose job is to have a dedicated role here such as Brendan Mays (though they do have holidays like any worker), again they raise issues with the relevant areas of CHOICE when required.
If you have a particular issue or query that you think needs a CHOICE staff response, then email [email protected] as that is seen by CHOICE staff members.
Thank you for (a) correcting me 2 colour Laser. (b)When searching it goes to Reviews rather then the two links you provided. 
