Teachers print worksheets in bulk, in black and white, with the occasional color page, so fast mono lasers or ink tanks are ideal. This guide only includes ink tank printers. Here are the 8 we recommend from our catalog, ranked for teachers.
What to look for
- Fast black & white printing
- Automatic two-sided for worksheets
- Ink tank or laser for low cost per page
- Wi-Fi from a laptop or phone
Our picks
| Printer | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-M1170 Wireless Monochrome Supertank Printer | Inkjet printer, black & white, Wi-Fi, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| Epson EcoTank ET-M2170 Wireless Monochrome All-in-One Supertank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, black & white, print/scan/copy, Wi-Fi, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| Epson EcoTank ET-M3170 Wireless Monochrome All-in-One Supertank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, black & white, print/scan/copy, Wi-Fi, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| HP Smart Tank 5000 Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, color, print/scan/copy, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| HP Smart Tank 5100 Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, color, print/scan/copy, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, color, print/scan/copy, Wi-Fi, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| HP Smart Tank 7303 Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, color, print/scan/copy, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| HP Smart Tank 6003 Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, color, print/scan/copy, refillable ink tanks | see product |
1. Epson EcoTank ET-M1170
Why it fits: prints from phones and laptops over Wi-Fi, refillable ink tanks for very cheap pages, in stock, ships in 1–3 days.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-M2170
Why it fits: scans and copies, prints from phones and laptops over Wi-Fi, refillable ink tanks for very cheap pages.
3. Epson EcoTank ET-M3170
Why it fits: scans and copies, prints from phones and laptops over Wi-Fi, refillable ink tanks for very cheap pages.
4. HP Smart Tank 5000 Ink Tank Printer
Why it fits: color, scans and copies, refillable ink tanks for very cheap pages. Toner: Ink for HP Smart Tank 5000.
5. HP Smart Tank 5100 Ink Tank Printer
Why it fits: color, scans and copies, refillable ink tanks for very cheap pages.
Still deciding?
Compare: laser vs inkjet · toner vs ink · cost per page. Buying several printers? Ask for a volume quote. More: all buying guides.
Related guides
Understanding the Epson EcoTank ET-M1170
What kind of printer this is
An ink tank printer (Epson) is filled from bottles instead of cartridges. It costs more up front, but its cost per page is a fraction of a cartridge printer's, often under a cent for black. A set of bottles prints thousands of pages.
What the specs mean
- Black & white
- Prints black only, so you buy one cartridge and the cost per page is lower.
- Wi-Fi
- Print from laptops and phones anywhere on your network, with no cable. USB is there as a backup.
The real cost of a printer
The price tag is only the start. Over 3 years most printers cost more in ink than to buy. Before choosing, compare:
- Cost per page: cartridge price ÷ page yield.
- Recommended monthly volume: the pages per month it handles comfortably. The bigger duty cycle number is a maximum, not a target.
- Starter cartridges: many printers ship with setup cartridges that hold less than a full one. Plan your first order early.
Setting it up
- Unpack it and remove all orange tape and packing pieces, including inside the covers and paper tray.
- Install the ink: fill each tank from its matching bottle and load paper.
- Power on and follow the screen to pick your language and join your Wi-Fi.
- Install the driver or app from Epson's website (Epson Smart Panel). Avoid driver CDs, which are often out of date.
- Print a test page, then register the printer to activate the warranty.
Who it's best for
- Families, schools and offices that print a lot of color
- Anyone tired of buying cartridges
Keep it running well
- Keep a spare cartridge on hand so a busy day never stops.
- Use good, dry paper and fan the stack before loading to avoid jams.
- Install firmware updates from Epson for fixes and security.
- Faded pages, streaks or jams? Start with our troubleshooting guides.
Printer terms, explained
Laser vs inkjet
Laser printers use toner powder. They are fast, crisp on text, have a low cost per page and never dry out. Inkjets use liquid ink and are best for photos, at a lower purchase price. Full comparison
Mono vs color
Mono (black-and-white) printers use one cartridge and cost less per page. Color printers add cyan, magenta and yellow cartridges for charts, flyers and photos.
All-in-one (MFP)
A printer that also scans and copies, and sometimes faxes. MFP stands for multifunction printer.
ADF
Automatic document feeder: a tray on top that pulls a stack of pages through the scanner, so you don't scan page by page.
Duplex (auto 2-sided)
Prints on both sides of the paper automatically, which saves paper. On many model names, a "d" means duplex and a "w" means wireless.
PPM
Pages per minute on standard text pages. A team of 5–10 people is comfortable from about 30 ppm.
Duty cycle vs monthly volume
Duty cycle is the maximum a printer can survive in a month. The recommended monthly volume, usually much lower, is what it handles comfortably. Choose by the second number.
DPI
Dots per inch: print sharpness. 600 dpi is crisp for text, and 1200 dpi or more matters for fine graphics and photos.
Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet
Wi-Fi joins your network. Wi-Fi Direct lets a phone connect to the printer without a network. Ethernet (cable) is the most reliable choice for shared office printers.
Starter cartridges
Many new printers include setup cartridges with less toner or ink than a full replacement. Order your first full cartridge early.
Buying for several offices, or reselling? Get a volume quote or apply for wholesale pricing →
