5 Cheapest Printer Ink Brands Per Page (2026 Data)

The Problem with "Cost Per Milliliter"

Shoppers searching for the cheapest ink per milliliter are looking for a standardized metric, but the printing industry refuses to provide one. Major manufacturers like HP, Canon, and Epson do not print milliliter (mL) volumes on standard cartridge packaging. Because BuyPerUnit strictly tracks verified, in-stock data, calculating a defensible $/mL ranking is impossible.

BuyPerUnit tracks the printer-ink market by page yield. Page yield combined with shelf price provides an auditable cost-per-page metric. To understand exact calculations, review our methodology.

For buyers evaluating output rather than raw liquid volume, high-capacity refill bottles dominate the market. To compare traditional cartridges, explore our analysis on Is Canon Ink Cheaper Per Page Than HP? (2026).

The Cheapest Ink Brands by Cost Per Page

Shifting the metric from milliliters to actual printed pages reveals that bulk refill bottles decimate standard cartridge competition.

Mid-Tier Refill Bottles

Buyers requiring a specific brand for compatibility will find several options hovering near the $0.001 per page mark:

1. OKGO!INK 522 Refill Bottles: $20.99 yields 18,000 pages ($20.99 / 18,000 = $0.001166 per page).
2. st@r ink EPSON 502: $14.98 yields 10,000 pages ($14.98 / 10,000 = $0.001498 per page).

High-Yield Cartridges vs. EcoTank Bottles

Data shows a clear divide between cartridge systems and tank systems. The cheapest ink options are exclusively refill bottles designed for EcoTank-style printers. The OFCINK 522 High Capacity 6-bottle set costs $18.99 and yields 10,000 pages ($18.99 / 10,000 = $0.001899 per page).

Conversely, traditional cartridges cost significantly more per page. While the total shelf price is lower than the 10,000-page OFCINK bottle, the cost per page is exponentially higher.

For a broader breakdown of how brands stack up across various yields, read our guide on Printer Ink Price Per Page Ranked By Brand (2026).

How to Calculate True Cost

Finding the best deal requires dividing the total price by the stated page yield. The how-it-works guide details exact mathematical formulas.

Lower-yield options in the database demonstrate shifting price structures:

• TOKYOINK Replacement for EPSON 522: $18.03 yields 9,000 pages ($18.03 / 9,000 = $0.002003 per page).
• SuppliesMAX Brother DCP-8070: $25.99 yields 12,000 pages ($25.99 / 12,000 = $0.002165 per page).
• inkalfa 522 and 502 High Yield: $16.99 yields 7,500 pages ($16.99 / 7,500 = $0.002265 per page).

Even the most expensive item in the top 15 cheapest list (inkalfa at $0.002265 per page) drastically undercuts standard yield cartridges. To explore specific capacity brackets, compare the value of 1000 pages versus 2000 pages listings.

Why Standard Cartridges Fail the Cost Test

Standard yield cartridges are designed for convenience, not volume. When manufacturers seal 5 to 10 milliliters of ink into proprietary plastic cartridges, the cost per page skyrockets. Why HP Ink Costs 50% More Per Page Than Alternatives provides critical context for anyone buying printer supplies.

Verified data proves that bypassing traditional cartridges for multi-bottle refill packs drops operating costs below one-tenth of a cent per page. The Trokliey Ink Refill Bottles for ET-2850 printers cost $32.99 and yield 19,000 pages ($32.99 / 19,000 = $0.001736 per page). The PROSWIFT 522 High Capacity set costs $17.99 for 10,000 pages ($17.99 / 10,000 = $0.001799 per page).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ink cartridge brand costs the least per milliliter?

Manufacturers hide liquid volumes, making cost per milliliter impossible to track accurately. Ranked by cost per page, bulk refill bottles dominate the market.

Why is printer ink measured in milliliters but toner in page yield?

Toner is a dry powder measured by weight, while liquid ink is measured by volume. Because mL volumes are rarely printed on retail packaging, tracking verified cost per page remains the only reliable consumer metric.

Is the cheapest ink by page yield cheaper than standard liquid ink cartridges?

Standard cartridges often exceed $0.05 per page.

How do you calculate the cost per page for a printer cartridge?

Divide the total purchase price by the total page yield.

Are EcoTank printers cheaper than buying traditional ink cartridges?

EcoTank systems use bulk refill bottles. Data shows these bottles consistently drop operating costs to fractions of a cent per page, successfully bypassing the premium pricing of traditional cartridges.