Printer manufacturers make their money on ink, not on printers. The business model is the same as razors and blades: sell the hardware cheap, then lock you into expensive consumables. HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother all play this game — but they play it differently, and some brands are significantly cheaper to run than others.
This guide calculates the actual price per page for each brand using current retail prices and manufacturer-rated page yields. We used ISO-standard page yields (ISO/IEC 24711 for inkjet, ISO/IEC 19752 for toner) and prices from Amazon, Best Buy, and Newegg as of early 2026.
The short version: Epson EcoTank printers have by far the lowest per-page cost for inkjet. Among standard cartridge brands, Brother and Canon beat HP on per-page cost. For laser printing, Brother is the value leader at the consumer level. The details are below.
BuyPerUnit tracks current prices for all four brands in real time and ranks every cartridge by price per page. You can also filter by brand to see only HP, Canon, Epson, or Brother options. Compare all brands by price per page.
How We Compared
For each brand, we looked at:
- The most popular cartridge family (the one that covers their bestselling printers)
- Standard and XL yields for each family
- OEM prices from major US retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg)
- Compatible prices from the same retailers, filtered to highly-rated options
We calculated price per page by dividing the cartridge price by the ISO-rated page yield. Color page costs are calculated as the combined cost of cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges used to print a standard color page at 5% coverage per color. Black page costs use only the black cartridge.
HP Ink: Popular but Expensive Per Page
HP is the dominant printer brand in the US, which means HP cartridges are everywhere — and priced accordingly. HP's consumer inkjet line (DeskJet, OfficeJet, ENVY) runs on a variety of cartridge families, and per-page costs vary significantly by which cartridge your printer uses.
HP 67 / 67XL (DeskJet 2700, ENVY 6000 series):
| Cartridge | Page Yield | Typical Price | Price Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 67 Black (Standard) | 120 pages | ~$15 | ~$0.125/page |
| HP 67XL Black | 240 pages | ~$25 | ~$0.104/page |
| HP 67 Tri-Color | 100 pages | ~$16 | ~$0.160/page |
| HP 67XL Tri-Color | 200 pages | ~$26 | ~$0.130/page |
The HP 67 family is one of HP's more expensive cartridge lines per page — a consequence of the lower page yields on their entry-level DeskJet printers. The XL always beats the standard on per-page cost, but even the XL comes in above average for OEM inkjet.
HP 910XL (OfficeJet Pro 8000 series — higher-yield option):
| Cartridge | Page Yield | Typical Price | Price Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 910XL Black | 825 pages | ~$28 | ~$0.034/page |
| HP 910XL Cyan/Magenta/Yellow | 825 pages each | ~$22 each | ~$0.027/page |
The OfficeJet Pro line uses higher-yield cartridges that cut per-page costs dramatically. If you're buying an HP printer primarily to save on ink, the OfficeJet Pro series is a different calculation than the DeskJet/ENVY consumer line.
HP compatible cartridges typically run 50–60% less than OEM, bringing black per-page costs into the $0.020–$0.055 range depending on yield tier.
Browse HP ink ranked by price per page
Canon Ink: Slightly Cheaper Than HP at the OEM Level
Canon's popular cartridge families (PG-245/246 for PIXMA, CL-241 for older models, PGI-280/CLI-281 for the newer PIXMA TS series) tend to come in a few cents cheaper per page than HP's comparable consumer cartridges.
Canon PG-245XL / CL-246XL (PIXMA MG, TS series):
| Cartridge | Page Yield | Typical Price | Price Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG-245 Black (Standard) | 180 pages | ~$13 | ~$0.072/page |
| PG-245XL Black | 300 pages | ~$19 | ~$0.063/page |
| CL-246 Color (Standard) | 180 pages | ~$17 | ~$0.094/page |
| CL-246XL Color | 300 pages | ~$23 | ~$0.077/page |
Canon PGI-280XXL / CLI-281XXL (PIXMA TS series, XXL yield):
| Cartridge | Page Yield | Typical Price | Price Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGI-280XXL Black | 600 pages | ~$20 | ~$0.033/page |
| CLI-281XXL Color (each) | 820 pages | ~$18 | ~$0.022/page |
Canon's XXL cartridges are genuinely competitive on per-page cost — the PGI-280XXL at $0.033/page is meaningfully cheaper than the HP 67XL at $0.104/page, though they serve different printer lines. Canon tends to offer better yield options at the mid-range, which rewards buyers who plan ahead and stock up.
Canon compatible cartridges run 40–55% below OEM, landing in the $0.015–$0.045/page range for black depending on yield tier.
Browse Canon ink ranked by price per page
Epson Ink: Two Very Different Cost Structures
Epson is the most interesting brand to compare because they sell two fundamentally different product lines with radically different per-page economics.
Standard Epson Cartridges
Epson T822XL / T812XL (WorkForce Pro series):
| Cartridge | Page Yield | Typical Price | Price Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| T822XL Black | 470 pages | ~$28 | ~$0.060/page |
| T822XL Color (each) | 470 pages | ~$22 | ~$0.047/page |
Epson's standard cartridge line is competitive with Canon — roughly in the same per-page range for OEM. Compatible cartridges bring these numbers down by 40–50%.
Epson EcoTank: A Different Category
Epson's EcoTank line is an entirely different model. Instead of cartridges, EcoTank printers use large ink reservoirs that are refilled with bottled ink. The bottles hold 65–70ml of ink and typically print 1,500–2,000 pages.
| EcoTank Ink | Bottle Contents | Typical Price | Pages (est.) | Price Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank Black Ink (T502) | 70ml | ~$12 | ~2,000 pages | ~$0.006/page |
| Epson EcoTank Color Ink (T502) | 70ml per color | ~$9 per color | ~1,500 pages | ~$0.006/page per color |
At $0.006 per page, EcoTank black ink costs 17× less per page than the HP 67XL at $0.104/page. The tradeoff is the printer: EcoTank models start around $200 and run to $400+, versus $50–$100 for a standard inkjet. At moderate print volumes (200+ pages/month), the EcoTank pays back the printer premium within a year.
EcoTank printers only accept Epson bottled ink — third-party refills can damage the precision printing system and void the warranty. The cheap ink is proprietary to the ecosystem.
Browse Epson ink ranked by price per page
Brother Ink: Competitive Inkjet, Dominant Laser
Brother is primarily known for laser printers, and for good reason — their toner per-page costs are among the lowest in the consumer market. Their inkjet line is also competitive, particularly at the high-yield end.
Brother LC3033 / LC3013 (MFC-J series, high-yield):
| Cartridge | Page Yield | Typical Price | Price Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| LC3033 Black (Super High Yield) | 3,000 pages | ~$34 | ~$0.011/page |
| LC3033 Color (each, Super High Yield) | 1,500 pages | ~$24 | ~$0.016/page |
| LC3013 Black (High Yield) | 800 pages | ~$22 | ~$0.028/page |
Brother's inkjet super high-yield cartridges deliver some of the best OEM per-page costs in the market at $0.011/page for black. The printers that use them (MFC-J series all-in-ones) are mid-range priced ($150–$250), making the math work well for moderate-to-heavy home users.
Brother Toner (Laser):
| Cartridge | Page Yield | Typical Price | Price Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| TN630 Black (Standard) | 1,200 pages | ~$45 | ~$0.038/page |
| TN660 Black (High Yield) | 2,600 pages | ~$55 | ~$0.021/page |
| TN760 Black (High Yield) | 3,000 pages | ~$55 | ~$0.018/page |
| Compatible TN760 | 3,000 pages | ~$20 | ~$0.007/page |
Brother's HL-L2300 series (monochrome laser, $130–$180) paired with compatible TN760 toner at $0.007/page is one of the cheapest ways to print text documents. Over 12 months at 300 pages/month, that's $25.20/year in toner costs.
Browse Brother ink ranked by price per page
Summary: Brand vs Brand Price Per Page
| Brand | OEM Black (XL/High-Yield) | Compatible Black | Cheapest OEM Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | $0.034–$0.104/page | $0.020–$0.055/page | 910XL ($0.034/page) |
| Canon | $0.033–$0.072/page | $0.015–$0.045/page | PGI-280XXL ($0.033/page) |
| Epson (cartridge) | $0.047–$0.070/page | $0.020–$0.040/page | T822XL ($0.047/page) |
| Epson (EcoTank) | $0.005–$0.007/page | N/A (proprietary) | T502 ($0.006/page) |
| Brother (inkjet) | $0.011–$0.028/page | $0.008–$0.020/page | LC3033 ($0.011/page) |
| Brother (toner) | $0.018–$0.038/page | $0.007–$0.015/page | TN760 compatible ($0.007/page) |
These ranges cover the most common consumer cartridge families for each brand. Per-page costs vary by specific printer model and cartridge family. The cheapest option within a brand may not be compatible with your printer.
What Brand Actually Matters Less Than You Think
The brand comparison above matters — but it's the second-order decision. The decisions that move the needle more:
1. OEM vs compatible cuts costs 40–60% regardless of brand. Switching from HP OEM to HP compatible saves more than switching from HP OEM to Canon OEM. Compatible cartridges are safe for document printing and cannot void your warranty under US law.
2. Standard vs XL within any brand typically saves 15–30% per page. Always buy XL unless you print fewer than 10–15 pages per month.
3. Printer ecosystem is the binding constraint. You cannot swap brands mid-ownership — your printer dictates which cartridges you buy. The brand decision is made when you buy the printer, not when you buy the cartridge. Research ink costs before purchasing a printer, not after.
4. Print volume determines which type of printer wins the total cost calculation. At under 100 pages/month, almost any inkjet works. At 300+ pages/month, Brother inkjet or any laser printer cuts your annual costs significantly.
The Bottom Line
If you already own a printer, use the price per page benchmarks to evaluate your current ink costs and find compatible alternatives that bring them down. If you're buying a new printer:
- Lowest inkjet per-page cost: Epson EcoTank (if you can absorb the upfront cost)
- Best inkjet value without the EcoTank premium: Brother MFC-J series with super high-yield cartridges
- Cheapest text printing: Brother monochrome laser with compatible toner
- Best mid-range balance (canon): PIXMA TS series with XXL cartridges
Frequently Asked Questions
Which printer brand has the cheapest ink per page?
For inkjet: Epson EcoTank at $0.005–$0.007/page is by far the cheapest, but requires an EcoTank printer ($200–$400). Among standard cartridge brands, Brother's high-yield inkjet cartridges reach $0.011/page OEM — the lowest in the cartridge market. For laser printing, Brother compatible toner reaches $0.007/page.
Is HP ink more expensive than Canon or Epson?
For comparable consumer inkjet cartridges, yes — HP tends to have higher per-page costs than Canon and Epson at the OEM level, particularly for entry-level DeskJet printers. HP's OfficeJet Pro line narrows the gap with higher-yield cartridges, but Canon and Brother consistently deliver better per-page value in the consumer segment.
Are Brother cartridges cheaper than HP?
Brother's high-yield inkjet cartridges (LC3033) and compatible toner are both significantly cheaper per page than HP's consumer inkjet line. Brother's inkjet super high-yield black ($0.011/page OEM) costs about 9× less per page than HP's 67XL ($0.104/page OEM). The comparison isn't entirely fair — they serve different printer lines — but if low ink costs are your priority, Brother's ecosystem is designed around that.
Can I use compatible cartridges to save money regardless of brand?
Yes. Compatible cartridges save 40–60% compared to OEM for every brand listed here. Quality for document printing is comparable to OEM. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prevents manufacturers from voiding your warranty simply for using compatible cartridges. For photo printing, OEM produces better color accuracy.
Should I switch printer brands to get cheaper ink?
You can't switch brands mid-ownership — your printer is locked into a cartridge ecosystem. The brand decision matters when you're buying a new printer. If you already own a printer, the biggest levers are switching from standard to XL cartridges and switching from OEM to compatible. Both changes are available regardless of brand.