When shopping for a new printer – there are two main types. Laser, and inkjet. But what is the difference between these two technologies? In short, Laser printers use a dry toner powder, and are designed for business use or printing in medium to large offices. Inkjet printers are smaller, use liquid ink and are typically used in homes and smaller offices. In this blog post, we will compare laser printers vs inkjet printers and find out which is better for your needs.
How Inkjet and Laser Printers Work
We have a quick rundown on how inkjet and laser printers work here, but read our in-depth blog post on how a printer works here.
Inkjet Printers
- Use liquid inks made with either a coloured dye or liquid containing solid pigments in suspension.
- A print head containing thousands of precise nozzles to drop ink at high speed onto the paper.
Laser Printers
- Use a dry toner powder
- When the drum unit gets statically charged, a laser shines onto the drum outlining the image and attracting the toner particles. Finally, a series of rollers, roll the drum unit over the paper, creating your print.
Inkjet Printer Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Cheaper Upfront Cost
- Usually, Compact & Lightweight
- Supports A Variety Of Paper Yypes
- Superior Image Print Quality
Disadvantages
- Running Costs Can Be High
- Print Speeds Are Slower
- Ink Cartridges Have A Shorter Lifespan
- Prone To Smudging
- Inks can Clog If Left Unused
Laser Printer Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Lower Cost Per Page
- Faster Print Speeds
- Toner Is Often A High Capacity and Doesn’t Dry Out
- Instant Drying
- Higher-Volume Printing
- Ideal For Documents
Disadvantages
- High Upfront Cost
- Large & Heavy Machines
- Slow Warm Up Time
- Higher Energy Consumption
- Not Always Ideal For Photos
Key Factors to Take Into Account
Below we will look at some of the important factors to consider when looking at laser printers vs inkjet printers
Cost
Cost is arguably the most important factor when purchasing anything, and that’s no different with printers, A low upfront cost can mean expensive replacement inks.
However, with printers, there is a general rule of thumb:
Inkjet printers are known for a lower upfront cost, but smaller ink cartridges can be more expensive in the long term and more frequent replacements.
Laser printers on the other hand have a higher upfront cost, on both purchasing the printer and the replacement toner cartridges. Plus, most laser printers require a drum unit to be replaced on occasion. However, with less frequent replacements, and higher reliability. Most users believe that laser printers are more cost-effective in the long run.
Print Quality
One of the most popular comparisons for laser vs. inkjet printers comes down to the print quality used on each type of printer. Inkjet are often seen as photo printers, they offer bright and vivid prints, with accurate colour details. Most professional photo printers are an inkjet.
Laser printers are often used for documents, the reason they’re most commonly found in an office. Thanks to high print speeds, crisp text and instant results.
When choosing an inkjet or a laser printer, ask yourself “Do I prefer photo quality, or documents?”
Purpose
On a basic level, a simple comparison for laser vs. inkjet printers comes down to the following:
If you are on a budget and need a small printer for the home, or plan on printing plenty of pictures and graphics. Choose inkjet.
If you’re a shared office, need high-speed printing, reliability and the best in documentation prints, choose laser.
Which Should You Pick?
For General Home Use
Brother MFC-J4340DW
Specifications:
- Inkjet
- Print, Scan, Copy & Fax
- USB & Wireless Connectivity
- Up To 35ppm Print Speed
- Excellent print quality of 4,800 x ,1200 dpi
- Duplex Print
Reasons To Buy:
- Small Size
- High Capacity Inks
- Easy To Use
- Great Print Quality
Reasons To Avoid:
- Single-Sided Scanning
For a home setup, we would recommend an inkjet printer and the Brother MFC-J4340DW is an excellent choice, combining cost, performance, and efficiency. Its compact design makes it easy to fit in small spaces, whilst fast print speeds and bright colour output make it perfect for both documents and photos. With wireless and double-sided printing, alongside the ability to handle multiple paper types, it offers convenience and versatility in any home.
Low Initial Investment Option
Canon PIXMA MG2551S
Specifications:
- Inkjet
- Print, Scan & Copy
- USB Connectivity
- Printing Speed Up To 8 ppm
- Good Print Quality Of 2400 dpi
- 60 Sheet Paper Tray
Reasons To Buy:
- Cheapest Inkjet Printer
- Quiet Mode
- Auto Power On
Reasons To Avoid
- No WiFi
- No Double-Sided Print or Scan
- Running Costs Can Be High
In the battle of laser vs. inkjet printers, there is a clear winner for the lowest initial investment, and that’s an inkjet. Specifically, the Canon PIXMA MS2551S. It is the ideal budget inkjet printer for basic home use. It offers good print quality for documents and occasional photo printing at very low upfront costs, plus the compact design makes it perfect for small spaces, this printer also includes scanning and copying functions, adding versatility. The low cost and ease of use make it the best choice for anyone looking for an inexpensive yet long-lasting printer.
Long-Term Cost Effective Option
Brother HL-L6210DW
Specifications:
- Mono Laser Printer
- Print Only
- USB, Network & Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Auto 2-Sided Printing
- High Print Speed Up To 50ppm
- Good Print Quality of 1200×1200 dpi
- 520 Sheet Paper Tray
- Low Running Costs
Reasons To Buy:
- High Print Speeds
- Low Running Costs
- Reliable Build
- Easy To Replace Consumables
Reasons To Avoid
- Print Only
- No Colour
The Brother HL-L6210DW is a top choice for long-term, cost-effective printing. Its high-yield toner cartridges provide an impressive cost per page, especially for high-volume black-and-white printing. With automatic duplex printing, and fast speeds, it’s perfect for small offices. The reliable build minimizes maintenance costs, while Wi-Fi and mobile printing enhance flexibility, and automatic 2-sided printing.
Photo Printing
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
Specifications:
- Professional Inkjet Photo Printer
- Print Only
- USB, Network & WiFi Connectivity
- Print Up To 380gsm
- Borderless Printing
- 9 Pigment-Based Inks
Reasons To Buy:
- Professional Level Photo Printing
- 9 Pigment-Based Inks Provide Accurate Colours
- Wide Range Of Paper Supported
Reasons To Avoid
- Initial Purchase and Running Costs are High
In the battle of laser printers vs. inkjets, a clear winner for photo printing is inkjet. These are almost always considered the “better option” for photo printing, especially on a professional level. Which leads us to the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 offering superior colour accuracy and detail compared to laser printers. Its 9-ink system delivers vibrant, true-to-life images, while laser printers prioritize speed and text. If high-quality photos are your focus, and slow speeds aren’t a concern the Pro-300 outshines lasers.
For High-Volume Office Environment
Brother MFC-L9570CDW
Specifications:
- Multifunction Laser Printer
- Print, Scan, Copy & Fax
- USB, Network & Wireless Connectivity
- 250 Sheet Paper Tray
- Auto 2-Sided Print, Scan & Copy
- 50 Sheet ADF
- Up To 31ppm Print Speed
Reasons To Buy:
- Low Cost Per Copy On Subscription
- High-Speed Document Printing
- User-Friendly
- Supports Multiple Users
Reasons To Avoid
- High Initial Output Cost
The Brother HL-L9570CDW is the perfect laser printer for heavy office use, outperforming inkjets with its fast printing speed and high-yield toner cartridges that offer a lower cost per page. Thanks to its high paper capacity and long-lasting components, it handles large amounts easily, whilst advanced security features and versatile connectivity make it great for demanding offices. Unlike inkjets, it requires less maintenance and downtime.
Verdict
And that’s the difference between laser and inkjet printers.
To summarise:
Laser printers use a toner powder, they’re larger and built for office use/documentation.
Inkjet Printers use liquid inks, smaller, typically seen in home and smaller offices, they also perform better on images, photos and graphics
What types of printers do you use? Did we help you decide if you need a laser or inkjet printer? Let us know in the comments below.
Need Help or More Information ?
If you need any further help or more information, reach out to us by leaving a comment below or through one of the many ways on our Contact Us page.
Alternatively you can contact us by Phone on 0161 308 5800 or by Live Chat on our main Website Monday to Friday and our team will be happy to help or answer with any questions you might have.
You can also find all the various ways to connect with Us at the bottom of this page. Please share this post if you found it helpful.