Need printer recommendation

[ru4liberty]

I have an ink hog Canon MG5220. Not only do I get dull colors and muddy resolution when I print, the cartridges don't last worth squat. I don't use that much color in my printing, yet it seems like I'm always running out of one color or another. The replacement package of ink tanks is about $60, so I have decided to look for a printer that doesn't drink the ink.

I would prefer to spend less than the cost 2 packages of replacement cartridges (>$120). I want color integrity so that what I'm seeing on my computer screen is what prints out.

What I print:

- Recipes for sharing that I usually format with a small graphic of the completed dish or a main ingredient
- Flyers that I occasionally develop for local businesses
- Calendar pages for friends' fridges with a pic of their pets or kids (about 2 or 3 each Christmas)

I don't or haven't printed pics as actual pics (something to be framed), but I would like to have that option in case I ever want to.

Can anyone recommend a good printer for me? If possible, I'd prefer not to order it, rather find one in-store that I can buy and bring home. I'm not locked into that; it's just a preference. What I really want is a reliable printer that doesn't gobble the ink.

[Jim W N]

I’ve never been sorry getting an HP printer. Easy and reliable. They’re workhorses.

[FunkyZero]

I had similar issues. I was buying business class ink printers but the expense was just too much. on top of that, we would go long periods of printing nothing and the heads would dry up when the ink was barely used.

What I ended up doing was buying a use color laserjet for 50 bucks. I got toner refill kits off Amazon for about 20 bucks each and the think just goes and goes. Of course, it depends on usage. If you are trying to print high quality photos, the laserjet will disappoint.

[GMMC0987]

This site is a good resource;

http://thewirecutter.com/leaderboard/printers-2/

[bigtoona]

I love my color laser ... Brother mfc9325CW

I refilled the toner cartridges so now they last forever. Printouts look great, its fast and has a scanner and fax with sheet feeder.

[The Iceman Cometh]

I changed to an HP Laser printer and started ordering my toner cartridges from SuperMediaStore (web site). I can get 3 cartridges for the price of 1 that I can buy locally. Have never had an issued with the dozen or so cartridges I have ordered.

[Ouchthatonehurt]

In my experience, for exceptional color trueness and print quality, go Epson.
I do a good bit of art printing and line drawing reproduction and I’ve found Epson the best. As for the ink cartridges, its the curse of color printing. You may want to look at a model that has two different types of black cartridge.
FRegards

[corlorde]

I have the EPSON 3520. After having miserable luck over the years with printers and scanners, I hit the jackpot with the EPSON. It is simply the best printer, copier, and scanner I have ever owned. I have had crap luck with HP printers.

[WENDLE]

Brother MFC-760-CW

[TomGuy]

Consider a color laser.

The toner costs more, but lasts, and does not dry out like inkjets.

Some of the major electronic retailers (newegg, tigerdirect, bestbuy, walmart, etc.) occasionally have some pretty good prices.

About 7 years ago, I got a Xerox color laser for $150. I am still using it. It has the original cartridges, but I print very little.

Brother had a good deal on a color laser a few months ago — around $100.

[brivette]

I use an HP Photosmart 2610.

[Fresh Wind]

I guess I don’t have to tell you not to buy a Canon.

The darned ink cartridges go dry even if you don’t use the printer.

[Dalberg-Acton]

Color laser. HP is the best. Uses a dry toner, so your money doesn’t evaporate.

[Justa]

Considering expenses over the life of a printer I research and select the cartridges first then the corresponding printer.

The last 2 printers have been Brother taking the LC type cartridges. I can get a dozen of them for a few dollars off Amazon. If the printer has to take OEM cartridges the cost will be exorbitant in the long run.

[djf]

Ditto on the Brother!

I have a multifunction MFC J870DW and have been very happy with it.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Take a look at the HP LaserJet Pro 400.

[Gen.Blather]

If you don’t want your printer hooked up to the internet you need to get one that will allow you to use all the features whether you are hooked up or not. My HP won’t let me do that. Plus, it wants me to buy printer cartridges all the time and it’s annoying as hell. It puts up advertisements on my screen. I finally took it off the computer and only use it as a scanner when I need it.

[AppyPappy]

I bought a Brother networked laser printer that is monochrome. I decided if I ever needed color, I would just buy a separate color printer.

I never bought the color printer.

[taxcontrol]

I have an HP 6600 with an continuous ink system. Saves money but then again, I print a lot.

[bigtoona]

I just realized my printer is a couple years old and it shows on amazon for close to $1000. The newer models are here and are close to the $400 range that I paid for mine.

http://www.brother-usa.com/MFC/Color_Laser_Multifunction/#.Vi54hzZdG1w