The cheapest ink for your printer is usually a compatible cartridge bought after identifying your exact printer model and cartridge number. Compare the full delivered price, ink capacity, page yield and guarantee instead of choosing the lowest headline price.
Cartridge prices, delivery charges and promotions vary by model. The most useful starting point is therefore the cartridge your printer takes, followed by a comparison of specialist UK suppliers.
The examples below show specific cartridge prices and a refillable ink-tank route. They are useful price and cost comparisons rather than a universal ranking. For the cartridge options, compare the same compatible model with delivery, capacity and guarantee included.
| Option | Price and specification | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Cartridge People compatible Canon PG-545XL black | £19.49 including VAT; 16.5ml | Canon printers that use the PG-545XL black cartridge |
| Original Canon cartridge | £21.53 for 15ml in the cited PG-545 comparison | Buyers who prefer the printer manufacturer’s cartridge |
| Cartridge People compatible Canon CL-546XL colour | £18.49 including VAT; 15ml | Canon printers that use the CL-546XL colour cartridge |
| Cartridge People compatible Canon PG-545XL/CL-546XL multipack | £37.49 including VAT for two cartridges | Users who need both black and colour ink |
| Refillable ink-tank printer system | Higher initial printer cost; refill bottles can reduce running costs | Frequent printers comparing long-term ink costs |
The first four prices and ink volumes come from Cartridge People’s Canon PG-545 and CL-546 listing. Its own-brand compatible black cartridge was listed at £19.49 with 16.5ml, compared with £21.53 for the original cartridge containing 15ml. The compatible colour cartridge was listed at £18.49 with 15ml, and the retailer described it as 17% cheaper than the original. The multipack was listed at £37.49.
Cartridge People says its compatible Canon cartridges are manufactured to ISO-9001-certified standards and include a lifetime printer guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Compatible, also called third-party, cartridges are generally cheaper than original-brand cartridges. Original cartridges are made for the printer manufacturer’s range, while compatible cartridges are made for use in the same printer models. The lower purchase price is not automatically the lowest cost per page because capacity and reliability vary.
Which? reports that its testing found several good third-party alternatives, although quality and reliability can vary between products. It also says many third-party brands offer a guarantee if a cartridge does not work. Read Which?’s findings on cheap printer ink for its testing and reliability context.
Which? recommends entering the exact printer model on a third-party supplier’s website to see which compatible cartridges are available. The cartridge number is the useful identifier, rather than a similar appearance or part of a product name.
Use this five-step check to compare the amount of printing supplied by each option:
Separate colour cartridges can reduce waste because only the colour that is empty needs replacing. This can be more economical than replacing a combined colour cartridge when one colour runs out.
For a supplier comparison, InkFactory’s UK store states that displayed prices include VAT and offers free UK delivery on orders over £15. Next-day delivery is available for an additional charge depending on weight and availability.
Specialist retailers are a practical place to look for compatible cartridges. InkFactory and Cartridge People are examples with product listings for specific printer models. Which? recommends comparing suppliers because compatible cartridges are generally cheaper than original-brand cartridges, although the difference is not always substantial.
Cartridge Save advertises free next-day delivery on website orders over £30. InkFactory advertises free UK delivery above £15. A price-comparison service can provide another starting point: Idealo’s ink-cartridge guidance identifies capacity, page yield, delivery charges and unused colours as factors in the real cost.
High-capacity cartridges can reduce the cost per page when the extra ink is used. Separate colour cartridges can also reduce waste, and a multipack may suit someone who needs both black and colour ink.
If you print frequently, compare a cartridge printer with a refillable ink-tank system. Ink tanks normally cost more to buy initially, but refill bottles can reduce running costs. Epson advertises savings of up to 95% on ink costs for its EcoTank systems, based on its own cost-per-page comparison methodology; this is a manufacturer claim rather than a universal saving.
Which? says a cartridge printer can cost as little as £40, while a replacement set of cartridges may cost more than the printer itself. Replacement ink is therefore an important part of choosing a printer. Which?’s guide to printers that are cheap to buy and run provides further comparison context.
For regular, high-volume printing, estimate annual ink costs before replacing the printer. For occasional printing, a compatible cartridge with a clear guarantee may be more suitable than paying the higher initial cost of an ink-tank system.
A compatible cartridge from a specialist UK retailer is usually the lowest-cost route. Which? recommends comparing suppliers for the exact cartridge used by your printer.
InkFactory and Cartridge People list compatible cartridges for specific printer models. Search by the printer’s exact cartridge number to find the relevant listings.
They can work, but Which? found that quality and reliability vary between third-party products. Many brands offer a guarantee if a cartridge fails.
Compare cost per page, consider high-capacity cartridges and use separate colour cartridges where available. Frequent printers can also compare cartridge systems with refillable ink tanks.
