Buying a printer without knowing how it differs from other models is doomed to failure. Even for an experienced user, the number of offers in the modern market is too large. You can make the right choice if you throw aside spectacular, but unnecessary functions, and highlight the basic, truly necessary features of each option. This article should help solve the main dilemma that arises for every buyer: which printer is better, inkjet or laser?
What is the difference?
The main differences between inkjet and laser printers are as follows. The first type of device uses ink, it is suitable for printing in small volumes and is a traditional choice for home users. Laser models require toner, they are able to quickly replicate multi-page documents and are mainly (but not exclusively) used in offices.
Which printers are better? Inkjets are generally cheaper, smaller, and can print both text and high-quality images, especially photographs. However, you should be wary of low-cost models, as they will ultimately cost a fortune. Laser technology, on the other hand, provides cheaper and faster printing and lower cost of ownership. This article details the strengths and weaknesses of two types of printing devices, which should give users more confidence when buying.
How do you plan to use the printer?
For those who need to periodically print at home, most owners are advised to purchase an inkjet model. However, with infrequent use, dried ink will damage the cartridge and print head. Therefore, if there are financial opportunities, experts recommend buying an inexpensive laser printer, since the toner it uses is free from this drawback.
If you need to regularly print a small volume of documents and images, then an inkjet model will do just fine with this job.
Laser printers are more reliable and can produce a large number of black-and-white and color prints. Although they were originally created for offices, for reasons of economy, their popularity for home use is growing.
Color laser printers do a good job of daily printing, but if you need professional photos with high resolution, inkjet models are better for this. They are specially designed to produce vivid and crisp prints with tonal diversity and deeper blacks that photographers need. Many professional printers use pigment inks that are more resistant to fading and work with a wide range of artistic types of paper, as well as its various formats.
The question of which printer is better - laser or inkjet is one of the most popular among buyers. The answer to it depends on what color printing is for. If the user wants to have high-quality photographs, then it is better to buy an inkjet printer. But if there are enough images of medium quality, without color depth and tonal range, laser models will be the best choice for two reasons: firstly, the toner does not dry out after prolonged inactivity, and secondly, their cartridges allow you to print more.
Technology
Inkjet printers spray liquid ink onto paper through microscopic nozzles. Laser uses a drum that applies toner to the paper, heating it.
Thus, in devices of one type, ink is used, and the other - powder. Therefore, it is generally accepted that smearing of the printed matter is more inherent in inkjet printers. But not everyone. If dye-based inks require a long drying time, the pigment-based formulations are not washed out. It also depends on what paper is printed. Some types absorb ink better than others.
Print quality
The result of the operation of the printing device largely depends on the type of information that is printed on paper. Which color home printer is better if you need bright high-quality photos? In this case, you should choose a good professional inkjet photo printer that allows you to print images with high resolution. If you need a reliable model that can produce documents with clear fonts, then a laser is suitable.
It is generally accepted that inkjet technology copes better with color images, and laser technology with black and white. However, progress does not stand still. Advanced laser technology delivers impressive prints. Despite the fact that inkjet models are still the best when it comes to creating detailed and perfectly tinted photographs, laser ones have become an acceptable option for those who have enough color images of medium quality, enjoying the reliability, endurance and economic advantages of this technology. In short, then:
- monochrome laser printers are great for printing text and documents;
- color laser printers complement their ability to output medium-quality color images (for example, family photos for personal use);
- Inkjet photo printers produce high quality prints with a wide color range and deep tones.
Print speed
Laser printers were created to meet the requirements of workplace productivity, so they quickly print (15-100 ppm). Inkjets operate more slowly, at about 16 ppm. Faster laser models can produce more documents and therefore have a larger monthly print volume. However, this is not a decisive indicator of which home printers are better - inkjet or laser.
Print volume
The print volume determines the number of pages that the printer is capable of delivering over a period of time. Laser devices are considered office workhorses because of the ability to quickly replicate documents. Given that inkjet printers are designed for home use, their performance is significantly less. For example, you can compare the HP LaserJet Pro M401n and the Canon PIXMA MX922. The speed of the first is 35 ppm with a monthly volume of 750-3000 pages, and the second - 7 ppm with the output of 250-500 ppm. The sharp contrast between the performance of devices of these types is striking.
Factors that help determine which printer is best include the maximum monthly work cycle and the recommended monthly print volume. Often users are confused which of these values should be taken into account to ensure optimal operation of the device.
The maximum monthly duty cycle is the number of pages that can be printed over the course of a month without causing damage to printer parts.
The recommended monthly print volume is the number of pages needed to ensure optimal device performance.
Constantly maintaining the maximum monthly duty cycle can cause the printer to fail much earlier than expected. In order for the device to work long and reliably, you should stay within the recommended monthly print volume.
Printer cost
When deciding which printer is better, laser or inkjet, the price of the first seems to be its most important drawback. After all, the initial cost of inkjet models is much lower. The price of new printers may fall to 1700 rubles. Laser printers are much more expensive and the most affordable ones can be bought for 3400 rubles, which is twice the price of the cheapest competitor.
Beware of budget inkjet printers. As a rule, they have a high printing cost and a minimum capacity of cartridges, which is why they often have to be changed. But before the user understands which printer is best for home use, he will spend more than the device itself costs.
Inkjet models are cheaper than laser ones, because the average service life of the former does not exceed 3 years, while for the latter it is at least 5 years. And it all depends on the frequency of use.
Cartridge Price
An important factor to consider when deciding which printer is best is the cost of supplies. Just as inkjet and laser models differ significantly in price, the cost of consumables is also different - and not without reason. Toner cartridges can print significantly more than ink cartridges. For example, the HP LaserJet M401n uses an HP 80x cartridge that can print at least 6,900 pages, and the Canon MX922 uses a Canon PGI-250 (250XL) which prints 500. The HP 80x costs about 11 thousand rubles, and Canon PGI-250XL - 2.6 thousand rubles. Although HP toner costs 75% more, it allows you to print 92% more, indicating lower costs - 1.53 rubles. instead of 5.1 rubles. per page. To a large extent, this determines which printer is best for the home - laser or inkjet.
In addition, if the price of toner is too high, there are cheaper offers on the market. Third-party cartridges are widely available at much more attractive prices than expensive branded cartridges, and they print the same way.
For comparison, you can take the price of the HP 80x and compare it with a compatible low-cost option. If the original costs about 11 thousand rubles, then the equivalent is 2 thousand rubles, that is, 83% cheaper. Compatible ink cartridges for inkjet printers also cost less. Thanks to this, expensive consumables are a thing of the past.
The cost of an inkjet printer may seem low and more attractive. But, taking into account the price of ink cartridges and the frequency of their replacement (due to the small number of printed pages), the costs will significantly exceed the initial costs.
In contrast, toner consumables can print more, so depending on how heavily your device is used, it may take months or years before you need to replace a cartridge. All this will help determine the answer to the question of which printer is best for home and office.
Drum
Laser printers always come with a drum that transfers toner to paper. It is also a consumable item that requires periodic replacement. Sometimes the cartridge and drum are combined into one part, but more often they are sold separately. Which laser printer is better in this case? According to expert reviews, when buying, you need to make sure that the cartridge and drum unit can be changed separately, since the second one requires replacement much less often.
The following is a brief overview of the differences, which will help determine which printer is the best - inkjet or laser.
Advantages and disadvantages of inkjet models
The advantages of this type of printer are:
- They are generally smaller and lighter, making them ideal for a home office where space savings are valued.
- Inkjet printers are great for creating photographs and illustrated documents, as they are better than laser ones for mixing and printing bright colors.
- They are cheaper.
- Do not require heating before printing.
- Allow you to use various types of paper, including glossy, textured art and fabrics.
- They can print on large sheets.
- Ink cartridge refill kits reduce printing costs.
Disadvantages of inkjet printers:
- The high price of ink, especially for users who print regularly and often have to buy cartridges because they are designed for a small number of pages.
- They are much slower than laser ones.
- The low capacity of the trays, designed for 50-100 sheets, which may disappoint users who print a lot.
- Low monthly duty cycle (maximum monthly print volume that can be done without affecting the printer).
Advantages and disadvantages of laser printers
The advantages of this type of model are as follows:
- Most laser printers are much faster than inkjet printers. This is not and should not be an advantage at home, but users who print a lot will notice a huge difference.
- Laser printers allow you to display high definition text. For those who print a lot of documents, this is the most suitable solution.
- A higher monthly duty cycle means that laser printers are better equipped to handle large volumes.
- With regular printing of text, they are cheaper than inkjet.
- In the long run, cartridges for high-performance models cost less because there is enough toner to print thousands of pages.
Disadvantages of laser printers:
- Only simple graphics are displayed, and complex images and photographs are too difficult for them.
- Although there are several compact laser printers on the market, they are generally larger and heavier than inkjet printers.
- Cannot work with various types of paper.
- High initial cost.
Finally
The decision about which color printer is best depends on what and how much to print. Inkjet models are great for creating small image documents such as photographs and school projects. But if you need a printer that can print large volumes of text documents, a laser will be more efficient and more economical. It is also worth thinking about the future. Are you planning to change the print volume? Will children need a more reliable laser printer or is it better to have an inkjet? Over time, needs change and, taking them into account, you can save a lot in the future.