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Epson Black and White Printer

Epson Black and White Printer: Which Mono EcoTank Should You Buy?

If you print mostly text, an Epson black and white (monochrome) ink tank printer gives you low running costs without the toner price of a laser. The right model depends on four things: whether you need print only or print, scan and copy, how many people share it, how you connect, and whether you need A3. For most small offices, the Epson M2170 is a good starting point, and the M3170 adds a document feeder and fax.

This guide compares the six Epson monochrome models we supply and explains who each one suits. For colour or general office advice, see our guide to the best printer for office use.

Why choose a black and white ink tank printer?

Most office documents are black text: invoices, forms, statements, notes, question papers and reports. A monochrome ink tank printer is built for them. It uses refillable black ink bottles, so the cost of each page is low, and you avoid paying for colour you do not use. Epson rates the high-capacity black bottle at about 6,000 pages and the standard bottle at about 2,000 pages.

For how ink tank compares with laser on running cost, see our guide to ink tank vs laser printer.

Step 1: Print only, or print, scan and copy?

A single-function printer only prints. A monochrome multifunction printer prints, scans and copies, and some also fax. If you also need to photocopy a bill or scan a form, choose a multifunction model. If you only print from a computer, a single-function printer costs less to buy and takes less space.

Step 2: Speed and volume

Epson lists two speeds:

  • Draft speed (ppm): pages per minute in the fastest mode.
  • Standard speed (ipm): images per minute, a more realistic measure for everyday printing.

The M1100 and M1120 print at up to 32 ppm draft and 15 ipm standard. The M2140, M2170 and M3170 reach up to 39 ppm draft and 20 ipm standard. If several people share the printer all day, choose the faster group. If you print thousands of pages a month across a large team, read our guide to the photocopier for a small office.

Step 3: Duplex, document feeder and fax

  • Automatic duplex (two-sided printing) saves paper. Epson lists it on the M2140, M2170, M3170 and M15140.
  • An automatic document feeder (ADF) lets you copy and scan a stack without lifting the lid. Epson lists a 35-sheet ADF on the M3170 and a 50-sheet ADF on the M15140.
  • Fax is listed on the M3170 only. Many offices still need it for banks or government forms.

Step 4: How will you connect?

  • Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct let phones and laptops print without a cable. Wi-Fi Direct connects up to 8 devices without a router.
  • Ethernet suits a shared office network.
  • USB is enough for one desk.

Step 5: Do you need A3?

Only the M15140 prints and copies up to A3+. If you need A3, read our A3 all in one printer guide.

The six Epson monochrome models compared

Specifications are from Epson. Confirm them in your quote, since they can change.

Model

Functions

Speed

Duplex

Connection

Notes

Epson M1100

Print only

Up to 32 ppm draft, 15 ipm

Not listed

USB

The simplest, lowest-cost choice for one desk

Epson M1120

Print only

Up to 32 ppm draft, 15 ipm

Not listed

Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct

Same as the M1100 with wireless printing

Epson M2140

Print, scan, copy

Up to 39 ppm draft, 20 ipm

Yes

Check with us

Multifunction for a small team

Epson M2170

Print, scan, copy

Up to 39 ppm draft, 20 ipm

Yes

Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, AirPrint

The all-round office choice

Epson M3170

Print, scan, copy, fax

Up to 39 ppm draft, 20 ipm

Yes

Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct

35-sheet ADF and fax

Epson M15140

Print, scan, copy

25 ppm (ISO), up to 32 ppm maximum

Yes, up to A3

Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet

A3+ printing, 50-sheet ADF

Epson lists an ink bottle yield of about 2,000 pages (standard) or 6,000 pages (high capacity) for the M1100, M1120, M2140, M2170 and M3170, and a warranty of up to 3 years or 100,000 prints, whichever comes first. The M15140 uses a larger bottle, rated at about 7,500 pages.

Which one for which office?

  • One desk, print only: the M1100, or the M1120 if you want wireless.
  • A small team that scans and copies as well: the M2170 for Wi-Fi and Ethernet, or the M2140 if you connect by cable.
  • Stacks to copy or scan, and fax needed: the M3170.
  • A3 documents: the M15140.

Support in Kerala

Gain Infosystems supplies Epson printers from our offices in Trivandrum, Kochi and Thrissur, and we also serve Kollam. Our product pages list AMC support across all four cities. Before you buy, ask what the warranty covers, where ink bottles are stocked and what the AMC includes.

Not sure which model fits? Contact our team with the pages you print in a month, whether you need scan, copy or fax, and how many people share the printer. We will suggest a model and send a quote. You can also browse all our printers.

Table of Content

FAQ's

What is a monochrome ink tank printer?

It is a printer that prints in black and white only, using refillable black ink bottles instead of cartridges. It suits offices that print mostly text, since each page costs little.

The Epson M2170 suits most small offices, since it prints, scans and copies, prints on both sides and connects by Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Choose the M3170 if you need a document feeder and fax.

Both are print-only black and white printers at the same speed. The M1120 adds Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct for wireless printing.

Epson lists automatic duplex printing on the M2140, M2170, M3170 and M15140. Ask us to confirm it for other models.

No. It prints in black only, and colours are printed in shades of grey. For colour, see our guide to the best printer for office use.

Yes, training rooms and corporate meeting spaces use them too, though they’re most commonly deployed in schools.

Contact us with the pages you print in a month and the functions you need. We will suggest a model and send a quote.

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