There is an old topic devoted to the costs of ink.
I buy compatible inks, about $25 for a set of 4 “XL’s”. We do not print much; our printer also does routine cleaning cycles to keep the head from clogging but they last a year or more. Those manufacturers that make firmware that refuse compatibles or play games with them in operation will never get my business so long as there is even one manufacturer that does not.
Many included carts are ‘promotional’ not ‘full’ and print a limited number of pages while some are ‘full carts’. Cheap printers also use much more ink but that can suit some users who don’t print much and as you wrote, find it economically reasonable to use them.
