Inkjet vs. Laser Printers: Which one should you buy and Why?

Inkjet vs. Laser Printers: Which one should you buy and Why?

Before you buy a printer, knowing the features and the different types is essential. And as the answer to ‘Inkjet or Laser’ can’t be straight forward, you’ll need to dig a little deeper when choosing one for yourself. Both these types of printers use unique technologies and fit in different situations.

Inkjet printers work by using liquid ink which is sprayed by tiny nozzles on the paper, and the laser printers use a toner cartridge which has powder and a heated fuser. Nowadays, one can buy any printer at the same cost, but maintenance cost and long term expenses are some key factors to be kept in mind.

Let’s ponder here over the points to consider before buying an Inkjet printer or laser printer:

1. Startup cost – You can now purchase an inkjet printer or a laser printer at almost the same price. Hence, if you want a budget printer with diverse functions like scanning, copying, and printing, there’s invariably no difference as such in the cost of inkjets and lasers.
2. Monochrome or Color printing – The types of documents you want to print, will impact your decision of the type of printer. If you only want to print bills, invoices or business docs then you’ll require a monochrome laser printer, but if you opt for color printing on an everyday basis, a color laser printer is your best bet.
3.  Quality of printing – Quality of print is another important aspect. Inkjet ink is always water-based, and so there is a possibility of smudging, whereas laser ones print perfect black text which is more durable. The laser can also handle small fonts and fine lines better.
4. The speed of printing – Laser printers work faster, but they take time to warm up whereas inkjets need no warm-up. However, a laser printer is better prepared to handle a high volume of printing which makes it ideal for commercial use.
5. Type of paper to be printed – Inkjet can print onto many types of paper like glossy, textured even selected fabrics whereas laser can’t print on a variety of paper or other materials like fabrics, etc.
6. Maintenance – Inkjetcan be refilled and reused, but they need frequent cleaning and refilling. Although toner for a laser printer is cheaper, in the long run, maintenance costs are much higher.
7. Waste management – Ink wastage is high in Inkjet whereas more sheets can be printed with the laser, and they are less wasteful.
8.  Size of printer – Inkjets are smaller, lighter and easier to maintain than laser printers, therefore, making it ideal for home use.

The Verdict

To decide on which printer to buy, consider your requirements as the basis for decision-making. Inkjets are popular than laser as they are small and fit in small spaces.Also, they are slightly cheaper. Laser printers are faster, not messy and prints are high quality. Inkjets are ideal for home usage, family pics, projects, etc. whereas laser printers are ideal for office use as they are economical in the long run.

So, which one you are going to buy?

Inkjet vs. Laser Printers: Which one should you buy and Why?