Help you decide among the Canon Pixma G2420, the HP Smart Tank 500 and the Epson Ecotank L3210.
Help you decide among the Canon Pixma G2420, the HP Smart Tank 500 and the Epson Ecotank L3210.
Hello,
I plan to purchase a new printer next week for personal use. I mainly handle documents and occasionally print photos on photo paper (up to 250gsm). My printing needs will be around 3 pages per week up to 100 pages weekly, and I’ll also use the scanner and copier—hence choosing a multi-function model.
My primary operating system is Windows 10, and I don’t require wireless features.
Living in this area with budget limits, my main options are the Canon Pixma G2420, the HP Smart Tank 500, and the Epson Ecotank L3210.
The HP model is more affordable here, though not significantly so. The reason these printers stand out to me is the availability of third-party ink prices (similar for both, and reasonably priced).
What do you think would be the best choice?
Thank you very much.
With such a low usage rate, you'll mostly be dealing with ink clogs in the heads while wasting costly ink. It's better to invest more upfront and get a home or small office all-in-one color laser. Toner stays clear when not in use and lasts for years.
Laser printers become beneficial when a significant volume needs to be printed quickly. Therefore, choosing "get a color laser" would not only be unwise but also unsuitable in this situation:
My previous printer was a Canon Pixma iP5000, which I owned for many years without any issues. I rarely printed (there were times I didn't print for a month or more) and never faced clogging problems. When it did occur, I only printed a short test pattern to verify everything was working. I also only ran the "nozzle clean" function a few times. Moreover, I always used original ink.
I can't say the same about HP or Epson, but based on my experience with the Canon printer, I would definitely choose it again if necessary. If I encounter problems, I would need one.
Regarding third-party inks, opinions are mixed. In the past, when printers were cheap and ink was costly, many advised "if it stops working, I discard it and buy a new one," which made sense back then. Now printers are pricier with larger refill tanks, making it less feasible to experiment with different inks. It's ultimately a personal decision.
Bogdan