Comparison between a laser printer and an inkjet printer
Article · Printing blog

Laser or inkjet printer: which to buy in 2026

Updated

Choose inkjet if you need colour or photos and your volume fits its consumables; consider laser if text predominates and you want to avoid dry ink problems. Always compare the total cost: machine price, cartridges or toner, paper and maintenance. No technology wins in every case.

The choice depends on how much and what you print. In addition to the initial price, calculate consumables, paper, and maintenance for the models you are comparing; none of these items weigh the same in all use cases.

Key points

  • The cost per page depends on the current price, the declared yield, and the documents; compare specific models. See also: OCU
  • Yield varies significantly between cartridges and devices. Check the figures for the specific references you are comparing.
  • For text and frequent documents, compare laser models. If you need photographs and color, compare inkjet models. The result depends on the device and your documents.
  • Print only now and then? Mono laser: the toner doesn't dry out.
  • A refillable tank can change the cost per page; calculate the result using the bottles and prices for the specific model.

What is an inkjet printer and what is a laser?

They are two different ways of putting ink (or powder) onto paper, and that physical difference explains almost everything else. An inkjet printer is one that sprays liquid ink onto the paper through a head with hundreds of micro-nozzles; it uses ink cartridges. A laser printer draws the image with a laser onto an electrically charged drum, which attracts toner (an extremely fine powder) and fixes it to the paper with heat via a fuser; it uses toner cartridges.

Liquid ink can dry out during periods of inactivity; toner powder does not present that same risk. Even so, both types of equipment may require maintenance depending on the model.

How do the two technologies compare?

Both technologies have potential advantages, but price, speed, quality, and cost per page vary between models. Use this table as a list of factors to compare specific devices.

Factor Inkjet Laser
Purchase price Depends on the model Depends on the model
Cost per page Depends on the model and the consumable Depends on the model and the consumable
Speed Check the model speed Check the model speed
Photo and colour quality Check model samples Check model samples
Text quality Depends on the model Depends on the model
Irregular use Ink can dry out Toner doesn't dry out
Size and weight Depends on the model Depends on the model

Which is really cheaper?

The total cost depends on the price of the device, consumables, and usage. Compare specific models and calculate the cost per page using current prices. See also: OCU

To estimate the cost, divide the current price of each consumable by its declared yield. ISO yield standards use defined test pages; the figure does not guarantee your actual page count. See also: ISO

Ink and toner yields vary by reference. Compare figures declared under appropriate methods and the type of documents you print. See also: Consumer Reports

The point at which a more expensive printer becomes cost-effective depends on your volume and current prices; calculate the total cost for your models. See also: the real cost of printing tank or cartridges calculation 2026

There is no universal saving or quality for all compatible consumables. Compare specific products and their declared yield against your needs.

Which suits you, according to your use?

Choose by your real printing pattern, not by the label price. These are the most common scenarios and the honest recommendation for each:

  • Home and occasional use: compare an inkjet if you want photos or color. Check the total price and maintenance guidelines for the model; a fixed printing frequency does not apply to all machines.
  • Home and irregular printing: consider a monochrome laser for text. Toner does not dry out like liquid ink, but that does not guarantee that any device will work without maintenance after months of inactivity.
  • Photography and color: compare samples from inkjet printers suitable for photos. Paper, ink, and settings influence the result; not all models offer the same output.
  • Office and high text volume: compare laser, inkjet, and tank printers based on speed, quality, and total cost of specific models. If you need color, also check the consumables.
  • High, steady volume. Laser, or an inkjet with a refillable ink tank system.

There is no three-year savings figure valid for most offices. Calculate the cost of equipment and consumables for your actual volume. See also: HP Tech Takes

What about refillable tank systems?

A refillable tank printer uses bottles to fill its ink tanks. It may be of interest if you print in color frequently, but compare the initial price, consumables, and maintenance before deciding.

Commercial savings claims for tank printers depend on the model and the chosen comparison. Check yields and current prices before estimating your cost. See also: Epson HP Tech Takes EcoTank vs MegaTank vs Smart Tank

Can I save with compatibles on both technologies?

Compatible consumables exist for both ink and toner printers, but their compatibility, yield, quality, and price depend on each reference. Check the product sheet and compare the current cost per page; do not assume they match the original. See also: 3 years' legal guarantee ink cartridge or toner

In the catalogue you'll find compatible laser toner for HP, Brother, Canon, Epson and more, and compatible ink cartridges for inkjet. If you still don't know how many pages it'll last you, see how many pages a cartridge prints.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, a laser or inkjet printer?

Consider inkjet for photos and color, or laser if you mainly print text or leave the printer idle for long periods. Compare specific models next: purchase price, supplies, maintenance and samples of the output you actually need. Neither technology is automatically cheaper or better for every household or office; printing volume matters too.

Which works out cheaper in the long run?

The cheaper printer over time is the model with the lower total cost for your expected pages. Calculate the total expense by considering the hardware price, consumables and maintenance. Divide each consumable price by its declared yield as a starting point, then adjust the estimate to your documents and printing habits. Test yields do not predict your exact page count.

Does a laser printer print photos?

Yes, a color laser printer can print photographs, although the final result depends heavily on the specific model, paper quality, and settings used. If photography is your priority, compare real-world samples from the devices you are considering against an inkjet printer, as quality varies significantly regardless of the underlying printing technology.

I print only now and then, what suits me?

A monochrome laser printer might suit you if you print text only occasionally, as toner is a dry powder and does not risk drying out like liquid ink. However, always check the specific model requirements. If you occasionally need color or photos, compare inkjet options and their recommended maintenance schedules instead.

What is a refillable tank printer?

This is an inkjet printer that stores ink in internal reservoirs refilled from bottles rather than relying on small, replaceable cartridges. Various manufacturers offer these systems under different brand names. Before choosing one, compare the initial hardware price, the cost of ink bottles, and the maintenance needs of each specific model.

Can I use compatible cartridges in both types of printer?

Yes, third-party ink cartridges and toner units are available for many specific printer models. Always verify the exact reference number for both your printer and the consumable, check the seller’s product specifications, and review return policies before purchasing. Performance, print quality, and device recognition can vary, as compatibility is not guaranteed for all.

Keep reading at Startoner

If laser printing fits your volume and you are choosing between the top two brands, read our in-depth comparison of Brother vs HP laser printers: which to buy and what toner really costs.

Sources

  • OCU, Which printer to buy: how to choose: https://www.ocu.org/tecnologia/impresora/como-elegir
  • ISO, ISO/IEC 19752:2025 Method for determining toner cartridge yield: https://www.iso.org/standard/88924.html
  • Consumer Reports, Best Printers of the Year: https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/printers/best-printers-of-the-year-a9151182809/
  • HP Tech Takes, Laser Printer vs Inkjet: Which is Best for You?: https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/laser-printer-vs-inkjet
  • HP Tech Takes, HP Smart Tank vs Ink Cartridge: Real Cost Per Page: https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/printer-cost-per-page-smart-tank-vs-cartridge
  • Epson, EcoTank Refillable Ink Tank Printers: https://epson.com/ecotank-ink-tank-printers

Last updated: July 2026. Startoner, Almacén Central, Calle Océano Atlántico 38, 11379 Los Barrios, Cádiz. CHICTRATEC S.L. (NIF B72834534), part of the Grupo Recycop founded in 1998.

Cost-per-page study with prices and sources

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