Are EcoTank-style refillable printers actually cheaper than cartridge models?

Across the reviewers we read, the consensus is yes for anyone printing more than a few hundred pages a year. Consumer Reports measurements on the ET-2803 and ET-4950 cite per-page costs well under a cent for black, versus tens of cents for traditional cartridge inkjets. The catch is the higher upfront price and the need to actually use the printer regularly to avoid head clogs.