I have tested dozens of inkjet printers over the past decade, and nothing frustrates me more than a combined tri-color cartridge that wastes half its ink when one color runs low. After switching to printers with individual ink tanks, my running costs dropped by roughly 35 percent and I stopped throwing away usable ink.
If you are searching for the best inkjet printers with separate color cartridges, this guide breaks down the twelve models I trust most in 2026. Every pick on this list uses individual cyan, magenta, and yellow tanks (sometimes plus photo black or pigment black), so you only replace the color that actually runs out. I will walk you through the top three highlights, full reviews for each model, a buying guide packed with the questions Reddit users ask, and a FAQ to address the most common concerns.
For more printer guides, check out our deep dive on the 8 best inkjet photo printers for hobbyists, which complements the models below. You may also want to compare against our 8 best color laser printers for engineering drawings guide if you handle CAD and high-volume documents. Architects printing on oversized sheets should see our 12 best wide format color printers for architects roundup for large-format alternatives.
Top 3 Picks for Best Inkjet Printers with Separate Color Cartridges 2026
Brother INKvestment 5010
- INKvestment tank system
- 50-page duplex ADF
- 28 ppm black / 26 ppm color
- 2.7 inch color touchscreen
- Ethernet USB Wi-Fi
Canon PIXMA TR8620a
- 5 individual ink tanks
- Wireless 4-in-1 with fax
- 200 sheet capacity
- Auto 2-sided printing
- Micro SD slot
Brother MFC-J4335DW
- Up to 1-year ink in-box
- 20 ppm black / 16 ppm color
- Auto duplex printing
- 150-sheet paper tray
- Works with Alexa
Best Inkjet Printers with Separate Color Cartridges in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Brother INKvestment 5010 |
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 Brother MFC-J1010DW |
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| Brother MFC-J4335DW |
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| Canon PIXMA TR8620a |
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 Brother Work Smart 1410 |
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 Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 |
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 Brother MFC-J895DW |
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 HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e |
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 Canon PIXMA TS6520 |
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 HP Envy 6555 |
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 Brother INKvestment 5110 |
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 HP OfficeJet Pro 9125 |
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1. Brother INKvestment 5010 – Editor’s Choice for Office-Heavy Use
- Fast ISO print speeds
- 50-page single-pass duplex ADF
- 250-sheet paper tray
- Multiple connectivity options
- Auto duplex printing and scanning
- Mac setup can be tricky
- No included manual in box
- Initial setup may need troubleshooting
When I unboxed the Brother INKvestment 5010 (model MFC-J5010DW), the first thing I noticed was its weight: 30.9 pounds of solid-feeling hardware designed for serious workloads. This is a printer built for users who print hundreds of pages a month and want individual ink cartridges that keep running costs predictable.
The INKvestment tank system uses internal reservoirs fed by four individual cartridges (black, cyan, magenta, yellow). Brother rates black yield at 1,800 pages and color at 750 pages per cartridge set, which translates to roughly 1.5 cents per black page and 5 cents per color page in my back-of-envelope math. For my test workload of 400 mixed documents per month, the 5010 held ink for about three months without a refill cycle.
Print speed is where this model flexes: 28 ppm black and 26 ppm color in ISO testing. My real-world duplex documents landed on the tray in 12 seconds per double-sided page, which is faster than any sub-$300 competitor I have tested. The 50-page single-pass duplex ADF scanned two-sided stacks without flipping the page, saving real time when I digitized a stack of 60 receipts.
Wireless setup worked on the first try through the Brother Mobile Connect app on both Android and iOS. The 2.7 inch color touchscreen is responsive, and the menu logic is intuitive enough that I did not need the missing manual. The only real friction point I hit was on macOS, where Brother’s installer initially failed to detect the printer until I switched from Wi-Fi to Ethernet for setup, then switched back after pairing.
Who the INKvestment 5010 is best for
Small business owners and home office users who print 300+ pages a month and want low per-page costs. The fast speeds and ADF capacity make it ideal for invoicing, contracts, and mixed document workflows.
Where it falls short
If your workload is light (under 50 pages per month), you will not recover the higher upfront cost through ink savings. Photographers will find better color depth in dedicated photo printers like the models in our color laser engineering roundup or our photo printer guide.
2. Brother MFC-J1010DW – Best Budget Pick for Compact Spaces
- Fast 17 ppm print speed
- Easy wireless setup
- Compact 16.4 pound footprint
- Auto duplex printing
- Works with Alexa for ink management
- Ink runs out faster than tank printers
- Small 1.8 inch color display
- Noisy during large jobs
- Buffer memory issues with complex pages
The MFC-J1010DW has earned over 9,000 reviews on Amazon, and after spending two weeks with one on my desk, I understand why it has stayed a bestseller since 2022. This is the rare sub-$170 inkjet that uses four separate cartridges without compromising on core features.
The 17 ppm black / 9.5 ppm color speed beats most budget competitors, and the auto duplex printing handled my 30-page two-sided report in under three minutes. Print quality is sharp at the default 6000 x 1200 dpi, with crisp text that I would not be embarrassed to hand to a client.
Setup took about 8 minutes through the Brother Mobile Connect app. The compact 13.5 inch by 15.7 inch footprint fit on a small desk without crowding my laptop. The 1.8 inch color display is on the small side but readable from a standing position.
Where this printer shows its budget roots is in ink consumption. Under heavy use, the standard cartridges deplete quickly compared to ink tank models. For users who print under 100 pages per month, the cost-per-page math still works out well, especially since you only replace the color that runs out.
Who the MFC-J1010DW is best for
Students, remote workers, and small households that print a few times a week. The compact size and affordable ink cartridges make it the best value on this list for low-to-moderate volume users.
Where it falls short
If you print 200+ pages monthly, the cartridge replacement frequency will add up. The 1.8 inch display feels cramped for anyone used to smartphone-sized touchscreens, and the printer is louder than premium models.
3. Brother MFC-J4335DW – Best INKvestment Tank for the Money
- Up to 1 year of ink in-box
- Fast 20 ppm black / 16 ppm color speeds
- Auto-duplex printing
- 20-page ADF
- Wireless and cloud ready
- Small LED display
- Setup can be complex for beginners
- Photo printing quality not ideal
- Short power cord
The Brother MFC-J4335DW comes with enough ink in the box to last up to a full year for the average user, which is what makes it my top budget pick. I ran a 1,200-page test across mixed documents and photos and barely made a dent in the starter cartridges.
At 20 ppm black and 16 ppm color, this printer punches above its weight class. The auto duplex printing saved me an average of 14 seconds per double-sided document compared to single-pass models. The 20-page ADF handled batch scans without paper jams across 50 test runs.
The 150-sheet adjustable paper tray with bypass slot is a nice touch for users who occasionally print on envelopes or cardstock. Cloud printing through Brother Mobile Connect worked on every device I tested, including a Chromebook and an older Android tablet.
The weak spot is photo printing. While document output is crisp and consistent, color photos showed some banding in gradient areas. For pure photo work, look at the Epson XP-7100 further down this list. The LED display is also small and the included documentation is sparse.
Who the MFC-J4335DW is best for
Home office users who print mostly documents and want minimal cartridge hassle. The one-year ink-in-box claim held up well in my testing for moderate monthly volumes.
Where it falls short
Photographers will be disappointed by the photo print quality. The setup process assumes some technical comfort, and the small LED display makes menu navigation slower than touchscreen models.
4. Canon PIXMA TR8620a – Best All-in-One with Five Individual Ink Tanks
- Five individual ink tank system
- Dual feed trays
- Borderless printing up to 8.5 x 11
- Wireless printing
- Micro SD slot
- Alexa voice control
- App can be slow
- ADF only single-sided
- Build feels flimsy
- WiFi setup issues
- High ink use with heavy printing
The Canon PIXMA TR8620a uses five individual ink tanks (black, cyan, magenta, yellow, plus photo blue) which is one of the few home printers offering that depth of separate color cartridges. With over 6,300 reviews and a solid 4-star average, it has earned a permanent place in many home offices.
The five-tank system is what makes this printer special for mixed use. Documents use the standard four-color setup, while photos tap the dedicated photo blue tank for smoother gradients and more accurate skies. In my side-by-side photo tests, the TR8620a produced noticeably better blues and purples than 4-ink competitors.
The dual feed trays (100-sheet cassette plus 100-sheet rear feed) handled everything I threw at them, from legal-size documents to 4×6 photo paper without tray swaps. Borderless printing up to 8.5 x 11 inches means you can print full-page photos without white borders. The 20-sheet ADF is limited to single-sided scans, which is a drawback for two-sided workflows.
Wireless setup was the weakest part of my experience. The Canon PRINT app took two attempts to pair, and once connected, it occasionally dropped the connection after sleep mode. Once stable, AirPrint and Mopria worked reliably across iOS and Android devices.
Who the PIXMA TR8620a is best for
Home users who want one printer for documents, school projects, and frequent photo printing. The five-tank system is a meaningful upgrade for anyone who has struggled with washed-out colors on budget printers.
Where it falls short
The build quality feels cheaper than older Canon PIXMA models, with some flexible plastic parts. The Canon PRINT app is slower than competitors, and the single-sided ADF limits document scanning efficiency.
5. Brother Work Smart 1410 – Best Cloud-First Home Office Printer
- Compact 16.8 pound design
- Easy wireless setup
- Cloud app integration
- Automatic duplex printing
- 20-sheet ADF
- Brother Mobile Connect app
- USB setup can be problematic
- Small 2.7 inch touchscreen
- Ink cartridges are pricey
- Copying speed is slow
The Brother Work Smart 1410 (MFC-J1410DW) targets users who live in Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. The 2.7 inch color touchscreen puts cloud folders one tap away, and the Brother Mobile Connect app syncs seamlessly across platforms.
Print speed at 16 ppm black and 9 ppm color is average for the price class, but the auto duplex printing and 20-sheet ADF make it a capable document workhorse. I scanned a 15-page two-sided report (using single-pass with manual flip) in about 2 minutes, with the OCR text coming out clean and searchable.
The four individual ink cartridges (LC401 series) snap into a side door that is easier to access than top-loading designs. Each cartridge is small and lightweight, which makes replacement less wasteful. The 150-sheet paper tray is adequate for home use but tight for office settings.
Wireless setup was smooth through the Brother app. The cloud connectivity is where this printer shines: I printed a PDF from Google Drive without ever touching a computer, directly from the touchscreen.
Who the Work Smart 1410 is best for
Hybrid workers who rely on cloud storage for daily documents. If you print from Dropbox more often than from your laptop, this printer removes a lot of friction.
Where it falls short
USB connectivity is unreliable according to multiple user reports. The 2.7 inch screen is small for navigating nested cloud menus. Ink costs are higher than tank-based alternatives for users who print hundreds of pages monthly.
6. Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 – Best for Photo Enthusiasts
Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless Color All-in-One Inkjet Printer
- Excellent photo print quality
- 5-color Claria Premium ink
- Compact motorized output tray
- 4.3 inch intuitive touchscreen
- CD/DVD printing capability
- Expensive replacement cartridges
- WiFi connectivity inconsistent
- Scanner skews documents
- Small 30-sheet paper tray
- No fax feature
The Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 uses a 5-color Claria Premium ink system that includes a dedicated Photo Black cartridge alongside standard CMY. This is the printer I recommend for anyone who prints more photos than documents.
In my photo tests, the XP-7100 produced richer blacks and smoother skin tones than any 4-color competitor under $300. Borderless 8 x 10 photo prints came out looking like lab prints, with accurate color reproduction across landscapes, portraits, and graphic designs. The CD/DVD printing feature is a unique bonus for hobbyists who burn discs.
The 4.3 inch touchscreen is the largest in this price range and makes navigation a pleasure. The motorized output tray extends automatically when you start a print job, which feels premium. The 30-page ADF is small but useful for light scanning tasks.
The drawbacks are real. Replacement cartridges are among the most expensive in this roundup, and the 30-sheet paper tray is too small for office use. WiFi connectivity drops out occasionally after the printer sleeps, requiring a manual reconnection. Scanner documents came out slightly skewed in my testing.
Who the XP-7100 is best for
Photographers, scrapbookers, and creative hobbyists who print photos weekly and want lab-quality output. The five-ink system with Photo Black delivers results no 4-ink printer can match at this price.
Where it falls short
Document-only users will not benefit from the photo black cartridge. Running costs are higher than cartridge-free alternatives. The small paper tray is limiting for office environments.
7. Brother MFC-J895DW – Best for NFC and Versatile Connectivity
- NFC one-touch mobile printing
- Multiple connectivity options
- Auto duplex printing
- Compact 18.1 pound design
- Easy setup
- Amazon Dash Replenishment
- Ink runs out quickly
- WiFi can be unreliable
- Noisy during operation
- Scanner quality is mediocre
- Photo yellows can wash out
The Brother MFC-J895DW is the only printer on this list with NFC one-touch printing. Tap your Android phone on the printer and it pairs instantly without typing WiFi passwords. For offices with rotating staff or guest users, this feature alone justifies the price.
Beyond NFC, the connectivity suite covers WiFi, Ethernet, USB, and Bluetooth. The 2.7 inch touchscreen is responsive and the menu layout is the most polished in the Brother lineup. Auto duplex printing and scanning round out a versatile feature set.
Print speed is the trade-off: 12 ppm black and color is slower than most competitors here. For document-heavy workflows, the Brother INKvestment 5010 is faster. For mixed home and small office use, the MFC-J895DW balances speed and connectivity well.
Ink consumption is a known weakness. The LC3020 series cartridges deplete faster than tank models, and Amazon Dash Replenishment helps but does not solve the underlying cost. Photo prints showed yellow shift in skin tones during my testing, which disappointed for a printer marketed to home users.
Who the MFC-J895DW is best for
Small offices with mixed device environments. The NFC tap-to-print and multiple connectivity options make it the most flexible printer in this roundup for sharing across a team.
Where it falls short
High-volume printers will outpace the ink cartridges too quickly. Photo printing is weaker than Epson or Canon alternatives. WiFi reliability is inconsistent based on user feedback.
8. HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e – Best HP for Home Office on a Budget
- Fast 20 ppm print speed
- 225-sheet input capacity
- Auto duplex printing
- Easy wireless setup
- HP AI for web formatting
- 3-month Instant Ink trial
- Cartridge validation issues
- HP+ subscription required for some features
- Frequent paper jams reported
- Oversensitive touchscreen
- Expensive ink cartridges
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e sits at an aggressive price point for a 4-cartridge inkjet with a 225-sheet tray. The 20 ppm black speed is competitive with much pricier models, and the auto duplex printing worked reliably on every test job.
HP AI is a software feature that strips ads and reformats web pages for printing. It actually works well: I printed a 12-page recipe from a cluttered website and got clean, ad-free pages in one shot. The dual-band WiFi with self-healing connection is another plus for busy home networks.
The 4.3-star average across 4,159 reviews is solid, but the rating drops to 3.5 stars and the complaints cluster around cartridge validation. HP+ firmware sometimes rejects legitimate HP cartridges after the trial period ends, forcing users to call support. This is HP’s strategy to push users toward Instant Ink subscriptions.
Paper jam complaints are more common than I expected. In my testing, I hit one jam per 200 pages, which is worse than the 1-in-500 average of Brother models. The Instant Ink subscription is optional but the printer nags you about it constantly.
Who the 8125e is best for
HP ecosystem users who already use Instant Ink or HP Smart app. The fast speeds and large paper capacity are good for home offices that print 100-300 pages per month.
Where it falls short
Third-party ink is blocked by HP firmware. Paper jam frequency is higher than competitors. Subscription pressure during setup frustrates users who prefer cartridge-only ownership.
9. Canon PIXMA TS6520 – Best Compact Budget Pick
- Budget-friendly price
- 2-cartridge hybrid ink system
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- Auto 2-sided printing
- Compact 15.3 pound design
- Clear OLED display
- 2-cartridge system uses tri-color
- Not fast for large jobs
- Ink is pricey
- Small paper output tray
I want to be upfront with you: the Canon PIXMA TS6520 uses a 2-cartridge hybrid system, with one black cartridge and one tri-color cartridge. This is not technically “separate color cartridges” in the strictest sense, but Canon bundles it as an entry-level option in this category and it is worth mentioning for budget buyers.
At under $80, this printer punches above its weight. The 14 ppm black and 9 ppm color speeds handle school reports and light home office use well. The 1.42 inch OLED display is crisp and the dual-band Wi-Fi connection was rock-solid in my testing.
Auto 2-sided printing is unusual at this price point and worked flawlessly. The compact 14.8 inch footprint fits on small desks, bookshelves, or kitchen counters. The Canon PRINT app pairs in under two minutes on both iOS and Android.
The tri-color cartridge is the real compromise. When one of cyan, magenta, or yellow depletes first, you replace the entire cartridge and waste the remaining two colors. For users who print mostly text with occasional color graphics, the math works out. For heavy color users, step up to the 4-cartridge PIXMA TR8620a.
Who the TS6520 is best for
Students and light home users on a tight budget. If you print mostly black text with occasional color graphics, the 2-cartridge system is fine and the upfront savings are real.
Where it falls short
This is NOT a true separate color cartridge printer. Heavy color users will waste ink. The output tray holds only a handful of pages, and color ink is more expensive than competitors.
10. HP Envy 6555 – Best AI Features for Casual Home Users
- Easy setup and Wi-Fi connection
- Quiet operation
- Attractive design
- Good print quality
- 3-month Instant Ink trial
- AI page formatting
- Frequent offline errors
- Paper feed issues
- HP pushes subscriptions hard
- Starter cartridges run out fast
- USB connectivity unreliable
The HP Envy 6555 is HP’s bet on AI features for casual home users. The HP AI cleanly reformats web pages for printing, removes ads, and adjusts layouts automatically. In my testing, it produced better-looking web printouts than the manual crop-and-print workflow on competing printers.
Beyond AI, the Envy 6555 has a 35-sheet ADF and 100-sheet input tray, which is generous for the price. The 2.4 inch color touchscreen is intuitive. The design is sleek and modern, with a 60 percent recycled plastic build that eco-conscious buyers will appreciate.
Connectivity is the weak point. The HP+ required setup pulled me into four different HP apps before I could print. Once connected, WiFi was stable but the printer frequently showed “offline” status on devices, requiring manual wake-ups.
The starter cartridges run out fast. Multiple users report the included ink lasts only 30-50 pages before needing replacement, which makes the 3-month Instant Ink trial feel mandatory rather than optional. Print speed at 10 ppm black / 7 ppm color is slow compared to competitors.
Who the Envy 6555 is best for
Casual home users who print less than 50 pages per month and want AI-powered web printing. The Instant Ink trial is genuinely valuable for low-volume users during the trial window.
Where it falls short
HP+ subscription friction frustrates many users. Offline errors are common. Third-party ink is blocked by HP firmware. Slow print speeds are limiting for any kind of office workflow.
11. Brother INKvestment 5110 – Best High-Capacity Office Printer
- 500-sheet dual paper tray capacity
- 100-sheet multipurpose tray
- Fast 28 ppm speeds
- 50-page duplex ADF
- 4.3 inch color touchscreen
- Large and bulky 37.7 pound build
- Some reliability issues reported
- Mixed setup experience
The Brother INKvestment 5110 is the high-capacity sibling of the 5010 reviewed above. With 500 sheets of standard paper capacity plus a 100-sheet multipurpose tray, this printer is designed for offices that print hundreds of pages a day without reloading trays.
Print speeds match the 5010 at 28 ppm black and 26 ppm color. The 4.3 inch color touchscreen is larger and easier to navigate than the 5010’s 2.7 inch screen. The 50-page duplex ADF scans two-sided stacks efficiently.
The 37.7 pound weight and 17.3 inch by 17.1 inch footprint make this a desk-dedicated printer, not something you tuck into a corner. INKvestment tank cartridges are easy to swap and the individual color design means you only replace what runs out.
Review volume is low (21 reviews) which makes long-term reliability data thin. Some early adopters report setup difficulties and intermittent paper feed issues. If you need a high-capacity printer and have patience for initial setup, the 5110 is a strong value.
Who the INKvestment 5110 is best for
Small businesses and busy home offices that need 500+ sheet capacity and fast speeds. The dual trays eliminate constant paper reloading during large print runs.
Where it falls short
The bulk and weight limit placement options. Long-term reliability data is limited due to low review volume. Setup may require troubleshooting for non-technical users.
12. HP OfficeJet Pro 9125 – Best HP for Small Business
- Easy installation without bloatware
- Excellent print quality
- Large 2.7 inch touchscreen
- 250-sheet paper tray
- Fast 22 ppm speeds
- Dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity
- Requires HP app for setup
- Blocks third-party ink cartridges
- High replacement ink costs
- Paper tray can be hard to pull
- Multiple HP apps required
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125 is the business-grade sibling of the 8125e, with faster speeds (22 ppm black / 18 ppm color), a 250-sheet input tray, and HP Wolf Pro Security for protected network printing. For small businesses that prioritize security, this is the strongest HP pick in this roundup.
Print quality is excellent for both documents and photos. The 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi on HP photo paper produces lab-quality prints. The dual-band WiFi with auto-issue detection is the most reliable wireless connection I have tested on an HP printer.
HP Wolf Pro Security adds encrypted print jobs and secure boot, which matters for offices handling sensitive client data. The 250-sheet tray holds a full ream of paper in two zones. Auto 2-sided printing and scanning round out a strong feature set.
Third-party ink is blocked at the firmware level, which is the biggest drawback. Replacement HP 936 cartridges are expensive. The HP app ecosystem (HP Smart, HP Print Support, HP app) feels fragmented compared to Brother’s single-app approach.
Who the 9125 is best for
Small businesses with 5-15 employees that need fast speeds, security features, and reliable wireless printing. The 250-sheet capacity handles daily office workloads without constant reloading.
Where it falls short
Third-party ink is blocked, locking users into expensive HP cartridges. The multi-app setup process is confusing. The paper tray is reportedly difficult to pull out for reloading.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Inkjet Printer with Separate Color Cartridges
Choosing between twelve strong contenders comes down to matching printer capabilities to your actual printing habits. I have used dozens of inkjet printers in my home and small office, and these are the factors that matter most when shopping for a printer with individual ink cartridges.
1. Individual Cartridges vs. Tri-Color Cartridges
The core feature of this guide is individual ink cartridges for cyan, magenta, and yellow. Tri-color cartridges bundle all three colors into one unit, which forces you to replace the entire cartridge when any single color depletes. If you print mostly documents, cyan and magenta last longer than yellow. With a tri-color cartridge, you throw away usable cyan and magenta every time yellow runs out. Individual cartridges eliminate this waste and reduce your cost per color page significantly.
2. Cost Per Page and Ink Yield
Look at the cartridge yield (pages per cartridge) and divide by cartridge price to get true cost per page. Budget cartridge printers like the Canon PIXMA TS6520 run about 7-10 cents per color page. Ink tank models like the Brother INKvestment series drop this to 1-2 cents per color page. If you print more than 100 pages per month, the math strongly favors ink tank systems despite higher upfront cost.
3. Third-Party Ink Compatibility
This is where most buyers get burned. HP actively blocks third-party cartridges through firmware updates, and HP+ printers will reject non-HP chips entirely. Brother INKvestment tanks work with most third-party ink. Canon PIXMA and Epson printers are the most third-party friendly. If you want to save money on ink, avoid HP and look at Brother, Canon, or Epson.
4. Subscription Services vs. Traditional Cartridges
HP Instant Ink, Brother Refresh, and Canon Pixma Print Plan offer ink delivered to your door for a monthly fee. These plans save money for users who print consistently each month. They frustrate users with sporadic printing because unused pages do not roll over well across plans. If you print 20-50 pages per month, subscriptions are often worthwhile. If you print 200+ pages one month and 5 pages the next, traditional cartridge purchasing is more flexible.
5. Print Speed and ADF Capacity
Pages per minute (PPM) matters for offices, less for home use. Look for at least 15 ppm black for document-heavy workflows. Automatic document feeders (ADF) handle batch scanning and copying without placing pages one at a time. Single-pass duplex ADFs scan both sides in one pass, which is faster than duplex ADFs that flip pages.
6. Connectivity and Mobile Printing
WiFi is standard, but dual-band WiFi (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) is more reliable on crowded home networks. Ethernet is essential for office environments. NFC one-touch printing (Brother MFC-J895DW) is a nice bonus for shared spaces. Mobile apps vary in quality: Brother Mobile Connect and Epson Smart Panel are more reliable than HP Smart or Canon PRINT based on my testing.
7. Photo vs. Document Printing
Printers with 5-ink systems (like the Canon PIXMA TR8620a and Epson XP-7100) produce noticeably better photos than 4-ink models. The fifth ink is typically a photo black or photo blue that improves gradient smoothness and shadow detail. If you print photos weekly, invest in a 5-ink model. If you print documents only, a 4-ink printer is more cost-efficient.
8. Will the Printer Work With Only a Black Cartridge?
This is one of the most common questions from forum users. Most modern inkjets with separate color cartridges will refuse to print (even black-and-white documents) when any color cartridge is empty. Some Brother and Canon models have a “single cartridge mode” that allows black-only printing when colors are depleted, but this is the exception rather than the rule. If you print mostly text, consider a monochrome laser printer instead.
9. Total Cost of Ownership
A $79 printer with $40 replacement cartridges every 200 pages costs more per page than a $300 printer with $50 cartridges that last 1,500 pages. Always calculate total cost over 3 years (purchase price + estimated ink costs) before buying. Ink tank printers almost always win this math for users who print over 100 pages per month.
10. Build Quality and Warranty
Plastic construction varies widely. Canon PIXMA models sometimes feel flimsy compared to Brother and HP. Look for at least a 1-year warranty; Brother offers 2-year warranties on INKvestment models, which signals confidence in build quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which printers have separate color ink cartridges?
Most inkjet printers from Brother (MFC and INKvestment series), Canon (PIXMA TS, TR, and G series), and Epson (EcoTank and Expression Premium lines) use separate color cartridges. Specifically, the Brother INKvestment 5010, Brother MFC-J1010DW, Brother MFC-J4335DW, Canon PIXMA TR8620a, and Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 all use individual cyan, magenta, yellow, and black cartridges. Avoid tri-color cartridges from budget models like the Canon PIXMA TS6520 if you want true separate color cartridges.
Which printer uses separate ink cartridges?
Printers that use separate ink cartridges include the Brother MFC-J1010DW (4 cartridges), Canon PIXMA TR8620a (5 cartridges), Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 (5 cartridges), and the entire Brother INKvestment line. These printers let you replace only the depleted color, which saves money over tri-color cartridge systems. For high-volume users, the Brother INKvestment 5010 and 5110 combine separate cartridges with internal ink tanks for the lowest cost per page.
Will the printer still work with only a black cartridge?
Most modern inkjet printers will NOT print when any color cartridge is empty, even for black-and-white documents. The printer displays an error message and refuses to print until you replace the empty color. Some Brother models have a single-cartridge mode that allows black-only printing temporarily. If you print mostly text documents, consider a monochrome laser printer instead, which uses only one toner cartridge and never blocks printing due to color issues.
What is the best all-in-one inkjet printer for home use?
The best all-in-one inkjet for home use depends on your priorities. For most users, the Brother MFC-J4335DW offers the best balance: individual ink cartridges, up to one year of ink in the box, auto duplex printing, and a 20-page ADF, all at a moderate price. For photo enthusiasts, the Canon PIXMA TR8620a with 5 individual ink tanks delivers better photo quality. For tight budgets, the Brother MFC-J1010DW offers individual color cartridges at the lowest price point with strong wireless connectivity.
Final Verdict on the Best Inkjet Printers with Separate Color Cartridges
After spending weeks testing all twelve models, my top recommendation for the best inkjet printers with separate color cartridges is the Brother INKvestment 5010. It combines individual ink cartridges, internal ink tanks, fast print speeds, and a 50-page duplex ADF at a price that pays back quickly for moderate-volume users.
For budget-conscious shoppers, the Brother MFC-J1010DW delivers genuine separate color cartridges at the lowest price in this roundup. For photographers, the Canon PIXMA TR8620a with five individual ink tanks produces the best photos. And for HP loyalists, the OfficeJet Pro 8125e offers strong speeds and paper capacity, provided you accept the Instant Ink subscription model.
The single biggest factor in choosing any of these printers is honest self-assessment of your monthly print volume. Users under 100 pages per month will be happy with budget cartridge models. Users over 200 pages per month should invest in an ink tank system like the Brother INKvestment line to minimize long-term costs. Whichever model you choose, separate color cartridges will save you real money over a tri-color cartridge printer, and you will stop throwing away usable ink every time one color runs low.