Do single color-cartridge printers use less ink?

Q. I read your article on the high cost of wasted printer ink and will now start leaving my printer on. However, does it make more sense to buy a printer using one black cartridge and one color cartridge, or one that uses a cartridge for each color?—Mary Carnahan Mingo Junction, OH

A. Printers with individual color cartridges usually have lower ink costs than ones that use a tri-color cartridge. but check our ratings for ink cost per month to compare which models are best.

—Consumer Reports

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