What Is a Tank Printer and Is It Better Than a Laser Printer?

Choosing the right printer for your home or office can be confusing. There are inkjet printers, tank printers, and laser printer —all with different features, costs, and print qualities. If you’ve seen terms like Epson EcoTank, HP Smart Tank, or color laser printer, you might be wondering which is best for your needs.

This guide explains what a tank printer is, how it compares to laser printers, and which type is better for different users.

What Is a Tank Printer?

A tank printer, also known as a supertank printer or ink tank printer, is a type of inkjet printer that stores ink in large, refillable tanks instead of small cartridges.

• How it works:
  You pour liquid ink from bottles into transparent tanks. The printer feeds ink to the printhead to create text and images.
  
• Popular models:
  
  • Epson EcoTank series
    
  • HP Smart Tank series
    
  • Canon MegaTank series
    

These printers are designed for high-volume printing and low cost per page.

Advantages of Tank Printers

1. Low Printing Costs
   
   • Ink bottles are cheaper than cartridges.
     
   • Many models come with ink to print thousands of pages.
     
   • Perfect for users who print school projects, photos, and home office documents frequently.
     
2. Better for Color and Photos
   
   • Tank printers use liquid ink, which produces vivid colors and sharp details.
     
   • Great for presentations, images, and photo printing—something many laser printers struggle with.
     
3. Eco-Friendly Printing
   
   • Refillable tanks reduce plastic waste from disposable cartridges.
     
   • Many brands recycle ink bottles.
     
4. Easy Ink Monitoring
   
   • Transparent tanks let you check ink levels at a glance.
     
   • No more surprise “out of ink” messages.
     

What Is a Laser Printer?

A laser printer works differently. It uses toner powder and heat to bond the image or text to paper.

• Best for:
  
  • High-speed document printing
    
  • Offices that print hundreds of pages per week
    
• Popular types:
  
  • Black-and-white laser printers (fast, cost-efficient)
    
  • Color laser printers (good for graphics, not for photos)
    
  • Wireless laser printers and multifunction laser printers for offices
    

Brands to know: HP LaserJet, Xerox, Lexmark, Brother.

Laser Printer Benefits

• Faster Printing: Great for bulk printing in businesses.
  
• Crisp, Sharp Text: Ideal for reports and legal documents.
  
• Lower Maintenance: Toner doesn’t dry out like ink, so occasional users don’t face clogs.
  
• Durability: Many business printers last for years without major repairs.
  

Tank Printer vs Laser Printer: Key Differences

Feature	Tank Printer	Laser Printer
Initial Cost	Moderate	Higher, especially for color
Cost per Page	Very low (ink bottles)	Low with toner, but higher upfront
Print Speed	Slower	Much faster
Text Quality	Good	Excellent
Photo Quality	Excellent	Average for color
Maintenance	Needs occasional cleaning	Low maintenance
Eco-Friendly	Less plastic waste	Toner cartridges create waste

How to Choose Between a Tank Printer and a Laser Printer

• Choose a tank printer if:
  
  • You print photos, color charts, and creative projects.
    
  • You want low-cost color printing.
    
  • You prefer an eco-friendly, refillable solution.
    
• Choose a laser printer if:
  
  • You print mostly black-and-white documents.
    
  • Speed and sharp text are your top priority.
    
  • You print infrequently and want low maintenance.
    

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which printer is cheaper to run, a tank printer or a laser printer?

A tank printer is usually cheaper for color printing over time, while laser printers are cheaper for high-volume black-and-white printing.

Q2. Can tank printers print wirelessly?

Yes. Many support Wi-Fi, AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print. Look for wireless multifunction printers if you want scanning and copying too.

Q3. Do laser printers print photos well?

Color laser printers can print charts and graphics well, but inkjet tank printers are better for photo-quality prints.

Q4. Which brands make the best printers in Canada and Vancouver?

Top options include:

• Epson EcoTank printers for low-cost color printing
  
• HP Smart Tank and HP LaserJet for offices
  
• Canon MegaTank for home users
  
• Xerox and Lexmark laser printers for business and printer lease options
  

Final Thoughts

• A tank printer is better for people who want affordable, high-quality color printing and don’t mind slower speeds.
  
• A laser printer is better for offices, high-volume document printing, and users who value speed and text clarity.
  

If you’re in Canada or Vancouver looking for business printers, office printers, or even printer lease options, consider your printing volume, color needs, and long-term costs before buying.

Looking for the best color laser printer in Canada or a wireless tank printer for your home office? Check local Vancouver printer stores or trusted online retailers for deals on multifunction printers that match your needs.