Inkjet vs Laser Printer: Which is best for you?

9th May 2024
Simon Cross

Choosing between an inkjet and a laser printer can be a real challenge. Each option offers its unique advantages depending on the individual users printing needs. In this blog I'll explore the key differences between the two that will hopefully set you on your way to deciding which you is best for you. 

Then once you've decided which direction you want to go you can either read my best colour laser printers for home & office in 2024 blog or my top 5 cheapest inkjet printers of 2024 blog.

Inkjet printers are known for producing high-quality colour prints and photos with excellent detail and vibrant colors. They are well suited for home use with a lower initial cost compared to laser but higher printer ink costs. Laser printers work perfectly for fast, efficient text printing for places like offices or corporations. They offer lower long-term costs for high-volume printing. In short, choose inkjet for superior print quality and laser for speed and economy.

Inkjet printer specs:

Canon Pixma TS6350A Inkjet Printer

General

• Multifunction: Print, scan, and copy

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and USB

• Paper tray capacity: Up to 100 sheets of plain paper

• Maximum print size: A4

Printing Features

• Print resolution: Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi

• Print speed: Up to 10.0 ppm for colour printing and 15.0 ppm for mono printing

• Automatic double-sided printing

• Ink cartridges: 5 individual ink tanks (PGBK, BK, C, M, Y)

Scanning Features

• Scanner resolution: Up to 1200 x 2400 dpi

Copying Features

• Copier speed: Up to 19 seconds for the first page and 6.5 ppm for subsequent pages

Additional Features

• Compatible with Windows and Mac computers

• Compatible with Apple AirPrint

Canon Ink Cartridges

• Canon Ink Cartridges PGI-580 and CLI-581

Laser printer specs:

Brother MFC-L8690CDW Wireless Colour Laser Printer

General

• Up to 31ppm colour and mono print speed

• 28ppm (56ppm) scan speed colour & mono

• 9.3cm touchscreen

• 300 sheet standard paper capacity

• Up to 1,200 x 2,400dpi scan resolution

Connectivity

• USB, Wireless and Gigabit Wired network connectivity

• AirPrint, Android Print Service Plugin, Google Cloud Print 2.0, iPrint&Scan, Mopria, Wi-Fi Direct supported

Other features

• Automatic 2 sided printing

Warranty

• 12-month manufacturer warranty

Consumables

• Brother Toner Cartridges TN421 and TN423

• Standard and high capacity available

Main Differences Between Inkjet Vs Laser Printers

So, there are a few differences between an inkjet and laser printers, mostly in the technology that is used to print onto the paper. Now, this is going to make a factor on certain things like costs, print quality, speed and intended use.

Based on what you want to use the printer for, inkjet might be better or laser might be better, it really depends on your preferences and what you want to achieve.

Inkjets use ink cartridges to print

How they work:

Inkjet printers work by precisely applying tiny droplets of liquid ink onto paper. This process is controlled by the printer's software, which directs the nozzles when and where to eject ink droplets.

The printer uses cartridges filled with liquid ink. These cartridges come in various colours (typically cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). High-resolution printing is achieved by combining these inks in precise proportions.

As paper is fed through the printer, the print head moves back and forth across the page, dropping ink in patterns determined by the print job. Some printers also have stationary print heads that span the width of the page, allowing for faster printing as the paper moves past them.

After the ink is applied to the paper, it requires a short time to dry. The drying time can affect the speed of printing, especially for photo prints or documents with heavy colour coverage.

Laser uses toner cartridges to print

How they work:

Laser printers work differently by using a laser to create a precise electrostatic charge on a drum inside the printer. This charge attracts toner (a fine powder) to the charged areas of the drum, which then gets transferred to paper.

Toner cartridges contain a powdered toner used for printing. The drum is a cylinder that receives an electrical charge from the laser to create an image.

Toner sticks to the charged areas of the drum, and then the drum rolls over paper, transferring the toner in the shape of your document or image.

After the toner is transferred to the paper, it passes through a fuser unit. The fuser applies heat and pressure to bond the toner powder to the paper, making the print permanent and smudge-free.

Print Quality Comparison: Inkjet Vs Laser

So which one is going to produce a better quality print? Well, to answer this question correctly, you need to understand that it really depends on what you are going to be doing with the printer.

If you are focusing on things like colour printing, photos printing, high quality or large detail printing then an inkjet printer is going to be much more superior versus a laser printer.

However, if you are in an office setting for example, and you need to print text documents efficiently and quickly then a laser is going to be way better suited to you compared to an inkjet printer.

So, let’s break down an inkjet vs laser printer more to find out exactly which areas they are good at, and which one is going to suit your needs better.

Colour accuracy on inkjet printers versus laser printers

When it comes to colour accuracy, inkjet seems to win every time. This is because a laser printer uses toner which is a powder and doesn’t tend to blend into the paper’s fibres quite as well as the liquid ink from inkjets do.

The nature of toner can lead to less saturated colours compared to the vibrant, deeply absorbed colours produced by inkjets.

Also, inkjets can produce a better range of colours by their use of blending together primary ink colours (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). This allows for much smoother gradients in colour and better shades.

Laser printers, on the other hand, may struggle with producing such smooth colour transitions and can sometimes result in more noticeable banding in gradients.

So overall, when comparing the colour it would seem that inkjets win. So if you are doing colour printing, then we suggest you choose an inkjet over a laser printer.

Speed & Efficiency Comparison

Laser printers are generally faster and more efficient compared to inkjet printers. This is because inkjets work through moving a print head forwards and backwards over the paper. This can take time especially with high quality prints.

On the other hand, lasers use a non-mechanical process which involves using a laser to draw the image or text onto the drum which is then coated in toner. This is then quickly transferred onto the paper which is much faster than an inkjet.

So, with that being said, if speed is your main concern then we suggest you look towards a laser printer as this is going to be faster and more efficient for your day to day tasks. We find most customers who require high volume printers like accountants will choose lasers.

However, this doesn’t mean that inkjet is totally slow and shouldn’t be considered. It just means that if you need to print at speed, then the laser printer will perform much better.

Which Printer Is More Cost Effective?

Well, generally laser printers would be more cost effective, but only if you are doing mass printing. If you are only printing a few documents each month, it’s probably more cost effective to choose an inkjet printer.

Like I said before, it’s all about your usage. For those only using a printer a few times per month, go for inkjet. But if you need it for mass printing and will be buying ink a lot, then choose a laser printer.

Here’s some more details on the cost of running each printer:

Inkjets printers cost less to buy upfront

On average, inkjet printers are cheaper than laser printers if you buy them upfront. This means they certainly suit homeowners, or small office owners really well who only require printing every now and then.

Laser printers are more affordable to run

Laser printers tend to have a lower print cost per page. Especially when it comes to black and white printing. This is because toner cartridges typically last longer compared to inkjets. You can print thousands of pages with some toners before it needs replacing.

Which Printer Is Easier To Maintain?

Laser printers are generally easier to maintain. They use toner powder that doesn't dry out, eliminating the risk of clogging. Inkjet on the other hand does use ink, which runs the risk of drying out or clogging after prolonged periods without any usage.

With that being said, both printers are very easy to maintain. Although lasers are easier, don’t forget that sometimes you might need to clean the printer's interior to remove excess toner powder and sometimes replace a drum.

But all in all, either an inkjet or a laser printer are very easy to maintain. Inkjets tend to be easier to use and are better suited for home offices and home owners who are using it for higher quality.

Laser printers are better for larger workloads without the stress of having to deal with any interruptions to your printing each day.

Ease of Use and Connectivity Options

Both inkjet and laser printers offer a wide range of connection services, from Bluetooth to wired networks. You’ll certainly find options like cloud printing on inkjet and laser printers with most inkjet printers also providing options for USB as well.

Inkjet printers typically also have direct printing technologies like Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print, facilitating easy printing from mobile devices without the need for additional software.

Now, for corporate settings, laser printers may offer advanced connectivity features with enhanced security protocols to protect sensitive documents which inkjets will lack on.

So overall, it goes to say that the connectivity and security for laser printers work best for office and corporate settings whereas inkjet printers are perfect for home offices, home printing or small font desk options.

Which Is Better?

Well, as I've mentioned above, each printer is going to work differently for your needs and requirements. Inkjets are going to be well suited for colour printing in high quality, but not the best for speed.

On the other hand, lasers might be less quality but much more efficient for speed and mass printing. This is better suited for offices and corporate situations. With that being said, both inkjets and lasers are very good options for all.

For me personally, inkjets and laser printers are some of the best printer technology on the market right now. They are the best version of printers available and that is shown in their popularity in sales.

Don’t forget, it really depends on your budget as well. If you have a larger budget, then you can consider investing in a laser printer as this will last longer and work harder. But if you have a smaller budget, then I'd suggest looking at inkjet printer options.

Conclusion

Well, hopefully now you understand the difference between inkjet vs laser printers and you can confidently make a decision on which one to consider buying.

Of course as I have stressed, the decision between an inkjet and a laser printer should be guided by an evaluation of your printing habits, quality requirements, volume needs, and cost considerations.

If you do need help deciding between an inkjet printer or a laser printer then don’t hesitate to give us a call or browse through our awesome printer deals!

Hopefully I've been able to answer most, if not all of the questions you had when you first started reading this blog. If you found yourself with more questions about laser printers, I've got a detailed blog detailing  everything you need to know about a laser printer. Please feel free to give it a read!

Blog Author: Simon Cross is the engaging and knowledgeable voice behind the insightful articles on printers and printer consumables at IJT Direct, an ecommerce store renowned for its comprehensive selection of printers, printer consumables, and hardware. View Simons author page to find out more about him.