Inkjet vs. Laser printer: what to consider before purchasing

Do you use the printer frequently?

If you do not use the printer often, you should consider buying a laser printer. It is easy for the inkjet to be blocked by dry ink after long idling. Even though some inkjet printer has the “inkjet head cleaning” function, it is often a complicated operation and too difficult for common users. If the ink jam is too severe for the automatic cleaning, the printer might need to be dissambled to be fully cleaned to function again.

On the other hand, laser printers don’t have similar issues. A laser printer uses toner instead of ink, so it doesn’t require a inkjet head which might get blocked. As long as the printer stays away from water and moisture, it can be fully functional after years of idling.

Which one is cheaper to use?

Without a doubt, with similar feature sets, inkjet printers are generally much cheaper than laser ones. However, going with inkjet might not be the cheaper option on the long term factoring in operational costs on ink or toner.

Typically, the more expensive machines use relatively less expensive consumables, and vice versa.

If you need to print a significant amount of black & white documents, a b&w laser printer is most suitable for your workflow because of the reliability and large capability of laser toner catridges. However, if you print lots of photos or require colored printing, it is recommended that you consider a colored inkjet printer, especially one with a refillable catridge, as the cost to refill ink is much lower than replacing the catridge with new ones.