Laser vs Inkjet Printer: Which is Better and Cheaper?
When shopping for a Printer, you’ve likely noticed two very different printer types: Laser Printer and Inkjet Printer. The question is, what’s the difference between laser and inkjet printers? And more importantly, which is better suited to your specific needs? Read on to learn the basics of laser vs inkjet printers so you have all the facts before you buy.
What is the Difference Between Laser and Inkjet Printer?
An Inkjet Printer uses ink to print documents, while a Laser Printer uses a laser to print documents. There are several differences between laser printers and inkjet printers to consider before making your purchase decision.
Laser Printer
Use toner to produce text and images. They’re generally larger than their inkjet counterparts and have fast print speeds. Larger businesses and busy offices with high print volumes often opt for laser printers due to their business-focused features, such as optional trays for additional capacity, large replacement supply yields, and advanced security features.
Inkjet Printer
Rely on dye or pigment based ink to operate. They are a great option for people who want high-quality results and who print a lot of graphics. Inkjet printers are usually preferred by home users, along with home, school and small offices that print image-heavy documents.
How do Laser and Inkjet Printer Work?
One of the fundamental differences between inkjet printers and laser printers is how they operate. Although they both produce crisp, clean text and images, how they do this is very different.
Laser Printer use toner powder instead of dye or pigment-based ink. Laser printers produce electrostatically charged dots on a light-sensitive drum which attracts toner powder. The toner is transferred to the paper and fixed by a heating process. Laser printers deliver crisp black and white and brilliant color prints.
Inkjet Printer use small nozzles that emit ink droplets directly onto the paper. This method lends itself to brightly colored images and is a good choice if you’re looking to produce high-resolution photos, graphics, or images in your documents.
5 Factors Should You Consider When Choosing Laser and Inkjet Printer?
If you’re deciding between a Laser Printer or, an Inkjet Printer there are several important factors that can help you determine which is better for your needs, including:
1. Color or Black and White: If you plan to print in color, both inkjet and laser printers can provide the vivid colors and richly hued images you need. However, if you need to print only in black and white, a monochrome laser printer may be an ideal option.
2. Price: If copy, scan, and fax functions are not required, laser printers offer a greater range of options. Inkjet printers are typically less expensive to purchase while laser printers may cost more to buy initially, but generally have a lower total cost of ownership over time.
3. Quality: While inkjet printers are considered powerhouses when it comes to high-resolution color printing, laser printers do produce solid color and black and white results. Both inkjet and laser printers can give you clear, crisp text that’s easy to read, as well as brilliant color images and graphics ideal for business documents. Inkjet printers also offer the ability to provide borderless (edge-to-edge) printing.
4. Print Speed and Volume: How soon do you need those documents—and how many documents do you need? Laser printers can provide fast results at high volumes, making them a great choice for small businesses, larger workgroups, and mid-sized offices. Small offices and home offices that have lower print volumes find that an inkjet printer can easily meet their printing needs.
5. Page Yield: Both toner and ink cartridges are available in a range of page yield options so that you can select the best choice for your printing needs. Both inkjet and laser printers offer high-yield cartridge options that enable you to print more pages before needing replacement cartridges. This can help to reduce the total cost of ownership, regardless of the type of printer.
Pros & Cons : Laser vs Inkjet Printer
Laser Printer
PROS:
• Most laser printers print much faster than inkjet printers. This isn’t and shouldn’t be a strong selling point for casual printers, but high volume users will notice a huge difference.
• Laser printers produce sharp text. If you’re a high volume printer that only requires text documents, laser is the way to go.
• Higher monthly duty cycle means they are better prepared to handle high-volume jobs.
• A price-by-price comparison favors laser printers over inkjet printers if you print on a frequent basis and aren’t producing documents that are graphically complex.
• Toner, on average, is cheaper in the long run for high volume printers because their cartridges can print out thousands of pages in comparison to ink cartridges.
• Toner stores better than ink. Since toner powder is made of plastic materials, it won’t dry out like ink and can last for months untouched inside your printer.
CONS:
• Can handle simple graphics, but complex images and photos are a challenge.
• Although there are some compact laser printers on the market, they are generally bigger and heavier than inkjet printers.
• Laser printers can’t handle the same variety of paper that inkjets can.
• The upfront cost of a laser printer is usually more than your average inkjet printer.
Inkjet Printer
PROS
• Inkjet printers are usually smaller and lighter – making it ideal for a bedroom or home office where space saving is valued.
• Great at producing photo quality prints and image-heavy documents, as inkjet printers do a better job of blending and producing vibrant colors than laser printers.
• The price of an inkjet printer is less than most laser printers.
• No warm-up time needed before printing.
• Can print on a variety of paper types, including glossy photo paper, textured art paper, and fabrics.
• Can accommodate larger paper sizes.
• Ink refill kits can reduce the cost of printing.
CONS:
• Ink is expensive, especially for users who print on a regular basis who are continually forced to repurchase more cartridges because ink cartridges can only print a few hundred pages.
• Much slower than laser printers.
• Low-capacity paper trays of 50 to 100 sheets, which can be frustrating for a user who prints a lot.
• Low monthly duty cycle (the maximum amount of prints possible in a given month without causing damage to the printer).
• Ink can sometimes smear and takes longer to dry than toner powder.
• Since it is a liquid, ink will dry out over time if it’s not used regularly.
Conclusion
Although both print technologies have a place in homes and offices, one is likely to fulfil your needs better than the other. It all comes down to what you want to achieve and which technology is most suited to your demands when it comes to inkjet versus laser printers.
Sources
https://www.brother-usa.com/inkjet-vs-laser-printers#:~:text=Inkjet%20printers%20use%20small%20nozzles,dye%20or%20pigment%2Dbased%20ink.
https://www.ldproducts.com/blog/pros-cons-of-inkjet-and-laser-printers/
