Inkjet vs Laser Printer: Which Is Best for You?
When comparing an inkjet and a laser printer, it’s important to evaluate print speed, output quality, acquisition cost, and total cost of ownership (TCO). In 2024, inkjet printers account for roughly 50.7% of the global market due to their versatility, affordability, and popularity among both home and business users. On the other hand, laser printers excel in speed, cost efficiency per page, and long-term durability, making them ideal for heavy printing demands. Considering these factors will help you choose the printer that best fits your needs.
Inkjet printers: affordable but costly in the long run
If your print volume is low, an inkjet printer may seem like a smart choice. For the occasional home office user, speed isn’t as important. Printing one or two pages at a time doesn’t require 40+ pages per minute.
Inkjet printers are also inexpensive to purchase. In fact, the upfront price can be so low it feels like a giveaway. However, the real costs show up when you need replacement ink cartridges. They run out quickly, often at the worst possible time. Worse yet, cartridges are expensive, and you may even be tempted to buy a whole new printer instead.
Inkjet printers do offer excellent image quality, which makes them appealing. But over time, the cost per page (CPP) adds up quickly.
Laser printers: higher investment, lower costs
While a laser printer has a higher initial price, it’s usually the smarter long-term investment. Here’s why:
Faster print speeds: Even the slowest laser printer is faster than the fastest inkjet.
Lower cost per page: Toner cartridges last much longer than ink cartridges.
Better TCO: When you factor in print volume, the total cost of ownership favors lasers sooner than most people expect.
With a laser printer, you won’t feel trapped in the cycle of constantly replacing ink. Instead, you’ll get high-volume printing at a fraction of the long-term cost.
How to decide: inkjet or laser?
The best way to choose is to look at your printing habits.
Print rarely, mostly photos or graphics? An inkjet may be enough.
Print often, mostly documents? A laser printer will save you money and time.
In the end, a laser printer is usually the smarter choice for anyone with moderate to heavy printing needs.
Final thoughts
I’ve owned both inkjet and laser printers, and after years of frustration with cartridges, I made the switch to laser. It was the best decision I could have made.
If you’re tired of constant ink costs and slow speeds, do yourself a favor: go laser.
