Ink tank printers offer incredible value compared to classic cartridge setups. The best ink tank printers, like those from Epson and Canon, can save you hundreds in ink over their lifespan.
We’ll show you everything you need to make the right decision between Canon vs Epson ink tank printers. The Epson EcoTank and Canon MegaTank both promise plenty of ink capacity, cost savings, and loyal customers backing up those claims.
We’ll need to explore the finer details, such as how each printer meets your specific needs, what the upkeep is like, and which one is better on a cost-per-page basis.
No matter which side of the Epson vs Canon tank printer you choose, you’ll get a nice upgrade from classic cartridges. You can also save more at SellToner.com by selling us your unused and unwanted cartridges.
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Canon vs Epson Ink Tank Printer (Comparison Chart)
| Category | Canon MegaTank | Epson EcoTank |
|---|---|---|
| Print Speed | Faster (e.g., GX2020: 13 ppm black / 9 ppm color) | Slower (e.g., ET-2800: 8 ppm black / 4 ppm color) |
| Photo Output Time | ~50 seconds | ~90 seconds |
| Color Quality | Strong everyday color accuracy | Better detail and accuracy for photos/design |
| Page Yield | ~3,000 pages per fill | ~4,000 pages per fill |
| Ink Bottle Cost | ~$17 (GI-25 Black) | ~$22 (T522 Black) |
| Cost-Per-Page | Low | Lower (better yield for the price) |
| Maintenance | User-replaceable printhead (easy fixes) | Integrated printhead (less tinkering, pricier repairs) |
| Best For | Offices & fast document output | Color work, photos, long stretches between refills |
Benefits of Canon MegaTank
Let’s kick off our comparison of Canon vs Epson ink tank printers by looking at each one individually.
Canon is one of the titans of the printing industry. The company originated in Japan with roots in cameras and photography.
The MegaTank line is one of their best releases yet. It’s fast, cost-efficient, user-friendly, and produces photo-quality results. Note that several Canon printers use the Mega Tank technology, from basic models for home use to powerhouses for enterprise settings.
Many ink tank printers struggle with speed compared to cartridge models, since ink has further to travel. However, Canon’s MegaTank doesn’t have this issue. The MAXIFY GX2020 puts out around 13 black or 9 color pages per minute. It also prints photos in about 50 seconds, offering a quick turnaround for professional results.
Upkeep is also relatively straightforward with MegaTank printers. It doesn’t take long to learn how to change ink on a Canon printer; just pour the ink from the ink bottle until it stops flowing. Canon even gives you direct access to the printheads, allowing you freedom and cost savings to fix issues yourself.
We also love Canon’s user interface and accessibility. It’s easy to access settings via a touchscreen or switch between copying and scanning.
Benefits of Epson EcoTank
Let’s jump to the other half of the Canon vs Epson ink tank printer debate. Epson also comes from Japan, originally as a product of Seiko. Epson played an active role in growing the printer industry in the 1960s and 70s.
Epson’s EcoTank is an exciting innovation for its historic brand. When we compare Epson vs Canon tank printers or any other brand, the former is a clear winner in terms of ink tank capacity. Eco Tank models also have excellent cost efficiency, durability, and easy upkeep.
For example, the Epson ET-2800 has a rough page yield of 4,000 black or color pages. That’s hundreds more than similar models from other brands. You’re getting the best cost-per-page with that ratio.
You won’t have to worry about learning how to change the ink on an Epson printer, either. The EcoTank is just as easy to fill as the MegaTank; just pour the ink bottle in, and you’re good to go.
Canon vs Epson Ink Tank Printer: Which is Better?
We’ve looked at each half of the Canon vs Epson ink tank printer debate individually. Each one offers fantastic benefits, so we’ll need to get into the details to distinguish them.
Consider your intended use cases and shop for models that fit your needs. You may prefer Epson vs Canon tank printers or vice versa, but one brand’s enterprise printer model will outperform the other’s basic home machine in terms of volume, no matter your preference.
Print Quality and Speed
Let’s begin exploring Canon vs Epson ink tank printers by looking at results. Canon MegaTank printers have incredible speed. The Canon MAXIFY GX2020 can output 13 black or 9 color pages per minute. The Epson ET-2800 does 8 black or 4 color pages per minute.
Photo printing is another noticeable gap. Canon MegaTank printers have nearly half the printing time of Epson’s EcoTank line, with 49 and 90 seconds for the models above.
However, speed isn’t the only factor that sets Epson vs Canon tank printers apart. Epson makes up for slower speeds with fantastic print quality. EcoTank models deliver excellent photo print quality and capture small details. Canon isn’t bad, but it doesn’t have quite the same level of color accuracy.
Ink Efficiency and Cost-Per-Page
There are several different types of printer ink, including dye, pigment, latex, UV, and solvents. Yet there’s one common goal on everyone’s mind when shopping for a new printer: how do I get the most out of my investment?
We can directly compare the two brands by looking at ink capacity. Epson has a significant advantage over Canon MegaTank models here. Epson’s ET-2800 can handle nearly 4000 pages on a full tank, while Canon’s MAXIFY GX2020 is closer to 3,000.
A bottle of Canon GI-25 black costs around $17, while a bottle of Epson T522 Black Ink costs $22. For the extra few dollars, you end up with nearly 1,000 more pages, providing a lower overall cost per page.
That isn’t to say that Canon’s numbers are bad. You’ll still receive better ink efficiency than cartridge printers.
Upfront Printer Price
Upfront price can also help you decide between Canon vs Epson ink tank printers. Canon MegaTank printers are slightly cheaper overall than Epson EcoTank models. However, you must compare similar models. Epson’s ET-2800 is more affordable than the Canon GX7120, but only the latter is suitable for office settings.
Overall, the upfront price differences are a one-time payment; we recommend putting more weight on long-term cost-per-page and maintenance expenses to get the most value for your investment.
Software and Feature Set
Canon and Epson are two of the industry leaders for good reason. Both brands offer top-of-the-line features, wireless connectivity, mobile apps, and additional functions such as scanning and copying.
For example, Canon’s MAXIFY MegaTank printers allow you to print from your phone, scan directly to cloud services, and enable two-sided pages. We recommend the UI on Canon models, especially those with touchscreen functionality.
Epson EcoTank printers provide similar functions, including mobile printing and color management. They’re also a fantastic choice for photographers and creatives, particularly with their high-end models.
We lean slightly toward Canon for high-yield document output thanks to their speed and ease of use. Conversely, we prefer Epson when color quality matters.
Day-to-Day Reliability and Long-Term Maintenance
Epson and Canon have a storied reputation for quality and reliability. After all, you don’t want to deal with repairs and headaches every year because you chose the wrong printer brand.
Epson EcoTank printers are workhorses. They have an integrated printhead, reducing the number of moving parts. This helps mitigate clogs, smearing, and other minor damage. However, if an issue occurs, you’ll need to disassemble the entire printer, which can lead to costly repairs.
Canon MegaTank printers have a separate printhead. They are more prone to minor issues, such as clogs. However, you can swap them out at a moment’s notice, just like you would an ink cartridge.
Ultimately, the winner here depends on what you’re more comfortable with. The quick fix of Canon printers that comes with a few more headaches, or the long-term value that ends in a costly repair with an Epson model.
Home Offices vs Professional Settings
Canon and Epson ink tank printers are each suitable for home and professional settings. As with other categories in this guide, consider your intended use case when choosing the right model.
However, each brand has a few advantages that can make all the difference.
Canon MegaTank printers are a better fit for offices due to their speed. They’ll output sharp text on essential documents. Many of their models come with helpful features like automatic feeders or built-in double-sided printing.
Epson has slightly better color quality. EcoTank printers are an excellent choice for home offices and high-volume enterprise settings thanks to their high ink capacity. They can effectively handle anything from vibrant color prints to low-cost text documents.
We also prefer Epson’s color management features for professional photographs.
Closing Thoughts on Epson vs Canon Tank Printer
We’ve explored everything there is to know to help you begin searching for a new ink tank printer. When we look at Canon vs Epson ink tank printers, there are a few differences that make all the difference.
Canon printers are fast, user-friendly, and efficient. They’re a great choice for home use and enterprise settings. Epson printers offer excellent color management, better ink capacity, and long-term durability.
No matter which brand you prefer, you’re sure to get better value for your money than standard cartridge printers. A bottle of ink for a tank printer can cost as low as $15, while cartridges cost you $40 or more for a fraction of the output.
You’ll benefit from making the switch even if you just print documents occasionally. Plus, there’s one more benefit of switching away from cartridges – you can sell printer ink back to us to make some money back!
Selltoner.com is the #1 ink and toner reverse logistics company. We buy unwanted and unused ink cartridges from every major brand. That includes Epson and Canon, as well as Dell, HP, Kyocera, Panasonic, Xerox, and Konica Minolta.
We provide speedy cash offers up to $350 on our website. You can also chat with our friendly team to get answers to all your burning questions. Whether you want help deciding between a Canon vs HP printer, have questions about the differences in Canon vs HP printer ink costs, or just want a tip on how to make the most of your ink bottles, we’re here for you.
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