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What is the difference between an inkjet and a laser printer, and which is right for you? Are laser printers better than inkjet printers and vice versa?
These are common questions anyone who’s ever considered buying a printer will ask. If you want to choose the ideal printer for your printing needs, you must know the answers. Or else risk being stuck with an ill-equipped machine.
We’ve been a local print vendor for over 40 years and often get asked which type of printer is better for them. The truth is that the right printer type will vary depending on what your goals are.
In this blog, we'll rely on our expertise to provide you with all the information you need about laser and inkjet printers. We’ll compare the features of both printers, such as costs, print speeds, and print quality. This way, you will know which machine is better suited to your printing goals.
Table of Contents
- Which Is Better: Inkjet or Laser Printer?
- What Is an Inkjet Printer and How Does it Work?
- What Are the Biggest Pros of Inkjet Printers?
- What Are the Biggest Cons of Inkjet Printers?
- Is an Inkjet Printer Right for You?
- What Is a Laser Printer and How Does it Work?
- What Are the Biggest Pros of Laser Printers?
- What Are the Biggest Cons of Laser Printers?
- Is a Laser Printer Right for You?
- Which Printer Lasts Longer: Inkjet or Laser?
- Is Inkjet or Laser Better for Infrequent Use?
- Inkjet vs. Laser: Key Differences
- Which Printer Is Best for Home Use?
- FAQ: Inkjet vs. Laser Printers
Let’s begin with the basics: What is an inkjet printer, and how does it work?
Which Is Better: Inkjet or Laser Printer?
Neither is inherently better. Each excels in different situations. Inkjet printers are more affordable upfront and produce excellent color images and photos. Laser printers cost more initially but last longer, print faster, and are more cost-effective for regular document printing.
Use this rule of thumb:
- Inkjet = home, photos, light use
- Laser = office, documents, frequent use
What Is an Inkjet Printer and How Does It Work?
An inkjet printer sprays tiny droplets of liquid ink directly onto paper to create text and images. This printing method is ideal for precise color blending, which is why inkjets are popular for photo printing and home use.
Inkjet printers are typically smaller, lighter, and less expensive to purchase. Many are designed for occasional or personal printing rather than daily, high-volume workloads.
What Are the Biggest Pros of Inkjet Printers?
1. Lower Upfront Cost
Generally, inkjet printers are much cheaper to buy, so they’re ideal for households or individuals who don’t print too often.
They're an attractive choice for people who need a basic printer that gets the job done. Examples of inkjet printers include:
You can buy inkjet printers at large retail stores like Staples, Walmart, or Best Buy. They are more readily available than laser printers.
The HP DeskJet 3755 inkjet printer, courtesy of HP:
2. Excellent Photo and Color Quality
Inkjet printers excel at producing detailed images, smooth gradients, and accurate colors. This is because liquid ink can blend naturally on the page, making inkjets ideal for photos, marketing materials, and graphics-heavy documents.
If you prioritize image quality over speed or volume, inkjet printers often outperform laser printers in color reproduction.
3. Smaller Size
Another pro of inkjet printers is that they take up less space, as most models are designed for desktops, home offices, and compact workspaces.
What Are the Biggest Cons of an Inkjet Printer?
1. Higher Long-Term Cost Per Page
Inkjet printers are cheaper initially, but they can cost you more money to maintain over time.
While ink cartridges are cheaper than toner cartridges, they generally produce fewer pages before running out. Some ink cartridges only last 400 pages before they run out. In contrast, one toner cartridge can last up to 7,000 pages or more. This means inkjet printers have a higher cost-per-page.
Over time, you'll have to replace ink cartridges more frequently, which makes inkjet printers more expensive to operate than laser printers, especially if you print regularly.
Plus, if your inkjet printer needs service and you’re not under a maintenance contract, you’ll need to outsource repairs. Finding technicians can be difficult since many don’t work on inkjet printers, and you may have to replace the machine if issues arise.
2. Shorter Lifespan
Inkjet printers have a shorter lifespan because they are built for lighter print volumes rather than daily office use. Most inkjet printers typically won't last more than 3 years if used at a moderate volume.
This makes inkjet printers better suited for short-term or light-duty use rather than as a permanent office solution.
3. Ink Can Dry Out
If an inkjet printer sits unused, the liquid ink can dry out or clog print heads. This may require cleaning cycles or full cartridge replacement, even if the ink is not fully used.
Is an Inkjet Printer Right for You?
An inkjet printer is a good fit if you print infrequently, need high-quality color or photos, or want an affordable printer for home use.
What Is a Laser Printer and How Does It Work?
A laser printer uses toner powder and heat to fuse text and images onto paper. This process creates fast, durable prints, which makes them ideal for office and business environments.
Laser printers are built for higher print volumes, faster speeds, and lower cost-per-page than inkjet printers.
What Are the Biggest Pros of Laser Printers?
1. Longer Lifespan
Most laser printers last longer because they are engineered to handle higher monthly print volumes and consistent daily use. With proper maintenance and use within its recommended monthly print volume, many laser printers last five years or more.
The durability of laser printers makes them a great long-term investment for offices and organizations that depend on daily printing.
2. Faster Print Speeds
Laser printers typically print faster than inkjet printers because toner-based systems are optimized for high-speed document workflows. This speed can make a difference in busy offices where multiple users rely on the same machine.
With faster output, you also wait less, boost productivity, and enjoy smoother workflows for teams that print frequently. Plus, laser printers produce higher-quality text-based documents than inkjet printers.
3. Lower Cost Per Page
Although toner cartridges are more expensive upfront, they yield more pages than ink cartridges. This means a lower cost per page over the life of the printer.
What Are the Biggest Cons of Laser Printers?
1. Higher Upfront Cost
Laser printers cost more upfront because they're generally faster, more durable, and have higher print capacity than inkjet printers. This is especially true for color and multifunction models. Due to their higher cost, they might be out of reach for individuals or small offices with tight budgets.
However, many businesses offset this cost through leasing options or by focusing on the total cost of ownership rather than the initial price alone.
Read our blog on leasing vs. purchasing a printer to learn more about the two common buying options.
Xerox VersaLink B415, courtesy of Xerox:
The Ricoh IM C3000 laser printer, courtesy of Ricoh:
2. Larger Physical Footprint
Many laser printers require more space because higher-capacity models have larger paper trays, drums and finishing options. They also tend to be heavier than inkjet printers. Finding the right placement can be more challenging in small offices or homes with limited space.
While compact desktop laser printers do exist, higher-capacity office models often need dedicated space and appropriate electrical considerations.
Is a Laser Printer Right for You?
A laser printer is the better choice if you print frequently, rely on text-based documents, or want a long-term, cost-efficient printing solution.
Which Printer Lasts Longer: Inkjet or Laser?
Laser printers typically last longer than inkjet printers. They are designed for higher workloads, use toner that does not dry out, and contain more durable internal components.
Inkjet printers are best viewed as short- to medium-term solutions, while laser printers are built to be permanent fixtures in office environments.
Is Inkjet or Laser Better for Infrequent Use?
Laser printers are generally better for infrequent use. Toner does not dry out, so the printer remains ready even after long periods of inactivity.
Inkjet printers, by contrast, can clog or need new cartridges if they are not used regularly.
Inkjet vs. Laser: Key Differences
Which Printer Is Best for Home Use?
An inkjet printer is better suited for most home users. If you print occasionally, need color prints, or want a compact and affordable device, an inkjet is usually all you need.
However, a small desktop laser printer can make sense for home offices that print mostly documents and want reliability without frequent maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions: Inkjet vs. Laser Printers
Which is better: inkjet or laser printer?
There’s no single answer for all cases. Inkjet printers are better for photos and low-volume home use, while laser printers are better for document printing and office environments.
Which printer lasts longer?
Laser printers usually last longer because they are built for higher workloads and use toner that doesn’t dry out.
Which printer is cheapest to run long-term?
Laser printers are cheaper to run over time due to a lower cost per page, even though they cost more upfront.
Is inkjet or laser better for infrequent use?
Laser printers are better for infrequent use because toner doesn’t dry out between print jobs.
What is the main disadvantage of an inkjet printer?
The main drawback is a higher long-term cost due to having to replace ink cartridges frequently.
What is the main disadvantage of a laser printer?
The biggest downside is a higher upfront cost and larger size compared to inkjet printers.
Choosing the Right Printer
Choosing between inkjet and laser printers comes down to usage, volume, and expectations. Inkjet printers work best for personal and creative needs, while laser printers are built for speed, longevity, and efficiency in business settings.
Now that you understand the key differences between inkjet and laser printers, the next step is choosing a model that fits how you actually print. Instead of guessing, use our product configurator to see printers that match your print volume, space, budget, and usage needs.
