Printer shopping used to be simple: Buy the machine, and replace the ink or toner when necessary.
However, anyone who has recently been in the market for a printer has likely noticed that things have changed, largely because of the introduction of so-called "ink subscriptions."
One printer buyer's search for a model without a "creepy" subscription took them to Reddit, where their question about avoiding such costly entanglements struck a nerve with shoppers tired of recurring fees tied to basic home devices.
Here's what to know
Trying to avoid printers tied to proprietary ink systems or subscription plans, a school-district employee asked Reddit's r/BuyItForLife community for recommendations.
"I definitely do not want to accidentally buy something like that," the original poster said.
They explained that they needed color printing but few bells and whistles and noted they were open to buying old or used equipment.
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One of the most popular recommendations was for the OP to purchase a Brother laser printer.
"No subscriptions, and you can use third-party cartridges if you want," one user said.
Another person agreed, writing, "Last printer you'll need to buy."
Someone else who recommended Brother also advised: "Just avoid anything that says 'HP+' or 'Instant Ink' in the listing. That's the subscription trap you're talking about."
More background
Because toner can last a long time, commenters said laser printers make the most sense for inconsistent printing schedules — like that of this poster, who said they would use the machine for a big job at least once a month during the school year but not much over the summer.
Several commenters pointed to the advantages of buying secondhand. Shopping used or refurbished can save serious money on everyday necessities, and it can also help people find rare, durable, and well-built products at steep discounts.
What can be done?
When looking to purchase a used or refurbished printer, read listings closely, avoid wording associated with subscription programs, and look for models that use standard toner or refill systems.
Even with a high upfront price, a refurbished Brother printer kept coming up as a strong choice, with commenters framing the extra cost as a durability trade-off.
Some people also recommended steering clear of so-called "all-in-one" machines, which offer multiple functions such as printing, scanning, and faxing but may suffer from reliability issues.
One commenter pointed to Costco as a good place to buy a new printer, saying the warehouse store's generous return policy offers protection.
Where can I learn more?
Read more about printer cartridge lockouts, planned obsolescence, ink packaging, and electronics recycling programs in these articles.
• An HP owner who hit a user-error cartridge warning swore off the brand.
• A shopper called straight-out-of-the-box printer failures planned obsolescence and absolutely ridiculous.
• An ink company introduced nitrocellulose-free recyclable packaging that could cut waste across supply chains.
• Staples rolled out an innovative recycling program to cut office electronics waste.
• At Staples, shoppers can trade in old office supplies for money instead of trashing them.
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