Best/Cheapest Photo Printer?

[The Angry Hen]

I've only had Epson PictureMate photo printers. The first one I had wasn't reacting properly and had some internal difficulties I could not repair. The second one (my current one) was a gift to me. I've printed a good deal of photos from it- but it's starting to act finicky. It won't print when cabled to PC, and it went a little haywire. The nozzle check sheet prints crooked, and the device won't accept my memory cards. I've checked the ink levels, I've tried to freshen up the settings, and it just won't work.

I'm going to fiddle around with it more... in hopes I can figure out the real issue. Maybe take another look at the manual. If I decided (for future reference) to invest in a cheap, but sturdier, printer with a longer lifespan, what would you suggest? What do you have the best of luck with?
For those with the PictureMate- do you notice that they tend to work improperly due to them being an older make or else wise?

Thank you!

 

[perchie.girl]

I have a Hewlet Packard... It will print photos on photo paper high quality... Or it will print Drawings that I do on eleven by seventeen paper. In a past live I was an engineer. But I am a gear head not a sparky...

I would have gotten as far as you and thrown up my hands.

HP makes a simlar version without a wide format feature... Good guarantee. Excellent website for info. No manual you have to go online to solve issues.

Good luck on you journey.....

deb

 

[CarpCharacin]

You could get one of those printers with refillable ink reservoirs. It might be more expensive up front than a printer that uses ink cartridges, but if you get a printer that uses ink cartridges, the cartridges will cost you a lot of money in the long run.

 

[perchie.girl]

You could get one of those printers with refillable ink reservoirs. It might be more expensive up front than a printer that uses ink cartridges, but if you get a printer that uses ink cartridges, the cartridges will cost you a lot of money in the long run.

I bought my son the Epson which is a work horse IMHO. Worked great but you have to keep using it if it takes a break it has to be cleaned thoroughally and run through many many test sheets before all the jets work.

In my opinion its not photo grade. Unless there are others that use the technology.
Its been a couple of years now and you know how technology improves exponentially

deb

 

[The Angry Hen]

Thank you very much for your help, @perchie.girl and @CarpCharacin. I appreciate the input and suggestions. I'll certainly look into the Hewlett Packard.

My Epson PictureMate does use ink cartridges. I mostly do my photography and virtually upload it- posting it to my website for future selling.
At the pace I print photos, the ink doesn't get used super quick so up until now the newer PictureMate worked smoothly. It certainly would be helpful to have a printer with a reservoir.

Thanks again!

 

[casportpony]

Have you seen this?
https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/162891/the-best-photo-printers

More:
https://www.photoworkout.com/best-photo-printers/
https://www.lifewire.com/best-photo-printers-to-buy-4066817
https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/best-photo-printers/
https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/best-photo-printer