Laser printer vs Inkjet Cost Per Page, Let’s Compare It!!

As a consumer and printer user, you may be asking which printer is suitable for me to use. Laser printer vs Inkjet cost per page, what is, Cheaper? When you decide to buy a printer, there are several factors you should consider to determine which printer you should buy.

The essential difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer is how the ink uses in the printer. In laser printers, only toner uses, and inkjet printers use traditional ink. It also affects other factors, such as printing speed, volume, page yield, technology, and printer maintenance costs.

Laser printer vs Inkjet Cost Per Page

The cost of maintaining a printer depends on the intensity of use, the volume of printing, and, of course, the toner in laser printers and ink cartridges in inkjet printers. The price of laser printer toner is higher, but it is more durable than the price of inkjet printer ink, which runs out quickly.

It affects the cost per page for printing on inkjet printers, which of course, becomes more expensive, especially for a long time than using a laser printer, depending on the inkjet printer model used.

For the cost per page: the average laser printer costs 2 to 5 cents per page for black and white and 15 cents for color. As for inkjet printers, the cost per page for Black and White is around 5 to 10 cents, color, 15 to 25 cents. The difference is clear.

What are Laser Printers?

A laser printer is one of the ideal printers for printing documents with high volumes. Laser printers are usually designed specifically for use in an office environment, although it is also not a problem when used for home printers.

This laser printer uses powdered toner to produce the desired image print instead of using ordinary liquid ink. You can use this laser printer to print all projects with sophisticated, neater results. It is very suitable for printing office documents because it has a resolution of 600 pixels/inch and is even higher.

What are Inkjet Printers?

An inkjet printer is a printer that uses traditional ink that is sprayed on paper to create an image from a computer. This printer is often referred to as a home printer because of its compact, portable, and affordable price.

However, several types of inkjet printers are designed for professionals with various additional features. However, this inkjet printer is very suitable for low-volume printing and is widespread for personal or home use.

Laser Printer vs Inkjet Printer

After looking at the cost per page difference and the primary differences between laser and inkjet printers, here are some other differences.

Print Speed

The difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer is its function to meet printing needs. Laser printers are usually used for printing office documents, while inkjets are often used for home printers that don't have too much print volume.

Laser printers can print an average of 15 – 100 pages/minute, while inkjet printers are usually slower, only 5 – 20 pages/minute. Because laser printers have more print speeds, this type of printer has more monthly print volumes than inkjet printers.

In this case, the laser printer: is superior.

Printing Volume

The print volume is the number of pages the printer can produce within one month of printing documents. The print volume on a laser printer is indeed more because it is designed for office purposes that require it to be able to print documents quickly and in large quantities.

Meanwhile, home printers, such as inkjet printers designed for personal use, are relatively small in print volume. The average print volume on a LaserJet printer is around 50 pages/minute, while for an inkjet printer, a maximum of only 15 pages/minute. Meanwhile, laser printers can produce thousands of pages within a month, while inkjet printers usually <1000 pages/month.

In this case, the laser printer: is superior.

Photo Printing Needs

From the beginning, laser printers were explicitly designed to print text and provide sharp and clear letter prints and may require special paper if they are to be used to print photos. However, it is different from Inkjet printers because this printer is better if it is used to print pictures than printers.

Printing image files with this inkjet is indeed much better because this printer has better resolution results when printing images. In addition, although there are indeed color laser printers for photo printing purposes, the price of these printers on the market is higher than inkjet printers.

In this case, the inkjet printer: is superior.

Print Quality

Inkjet printers are indeed superior in printing graphics, images, or photos, while laser printers function for printing documents in the form of text. In terms of print quality, inkjet printers have a print quality of 1200 – 5000 dpi, and laser printers only have a maximum of 1200 dpi. That's what makes inkjet printers superior in image printing.

In addition, using dry toner in laser printers also affects the durability of documents and usually fades more easily. While the use of Inkjet printers with traditional ink does not disappear quickly, each of these printers has its function and use.

Media Compatibility

Not all types of paper can use in laser printers. Inkjet printers can use various types of paper to print documents, photos, and graphics. It makes inkjet printers more flexible and superior when printing multiple documents with different materials such as vinyl, iron, cloth, and others.

Which is Cheaper, Laser Printers or Inkjet Printers Overall?

To determine the overall cost and which type of printer is suitable, you should pay attention to two things—first, the upfront cost while buying a printer the first time from the store. Second, the cost of printer maintenance after use.

Consider the first point: Inkjet printers are more affordable, simple, and compatible. As for laser printers, the price is higher because the volume results are also extensive. After all, it is adjusting to the needs.

Pros and Cons of using Laser Printers vs Inkjet Printers

Before you decide which printer to buy, you must first analyze how you will use your printer.

Inkjet Printer

Pro of Inkjet Printer:

• Great for printing photos and heavy image documents. Inkjet printers are capable of doing better graphics work than laser printers.
• The initial cost is more affordable than using a laser printer, and the ink cartridges are also less expensive than toner cartridges.
• Print image files on several paper types, such as textured stationery, glossy photo paper, and some fabrics.
• It takes almost no time to warm up before being used to print documents.
• Refilling the ink is easy because it can reuse, reducing waste and saving money.
• Inkjet printers are usually smaller, easier to maintain, portable, and lighter than laser printers.

Cons of Inkjet Printers:

• In the long run, ink prices will be higher than laser printers.
• The ink in inkjet printers is liquid, so the printouts are susceptible to water damage and easy to fade.
• It would be best if you cleaned ink cartridges regularly, and maintenance must be automatic because this printer consumes a lot of ink.
• This inkjet printer's speed is still considerably slower than a laser printer for printing documents on a larger scale.
• Some inkjet printers produce gray and blurry text printed on plain office paper.
• There is no good printing that fits a lot, so you may have to bother arranging prints regularly.

Laser Printer

Pro of Laser Printer:

• Able to print with more volume than using an inkjet printer. So, there will be a big difference in the number of printed documents.
• Able to produce prints with black text that is sharper and perfect. Therefore, a laser printer is an excellent choice if you want to print a file that mostly texts with graphics.
• Can handle small fonts as well as fine lines.
• Laser printers are better equipped to handle high-volume print jobs.
• Although the price is higher, the maintenance cost and the price of the cartridge will be more affordable over time.

Cons of Laser Printer:

• Although it can work to print documents faster, it still takes time to warm up.
• Although the toner is cheaper for long-term use, the upfront cost/purchase tends to be more expensive.
• It still has the potential to have a toner leak.
• Not able to handle various types of paper or printing materials such as inkjet printers.
• Not suitable for printing images, photos, and graphics documents.
• Usually heavier, not easy to move, and requires a place to put it.

Tips Before Buying a Printer

When buying a printer, you must know the various types, sizes, prices, functions, and other things. Here are some tips before buying a printer so you don't choose the wrong kind and function.

Determine the budget you have to buy a printer, and its complementary components, such as toner cartridges and ink, and estimate how much maintenance costs during use.

1. Know your printing needs

If you use the printer for office purposes and many needs, use a laser printer. Meanwhile, if only for home-scale document printing, use an inkjet printer.

2. Know the essential functions of the printer

Do you need a printer with a single essential function only to print? Or do you need it to copy documents, scan them, and can also be used to send faxes? Know the vital functions first.

3. Know the need for a particular photo printer

Although all printers can print photos, images, or graphics, consider using special inks to print them. It is because, usually, special photo printers must use special ink and photo paper of higher quality.

That's information about Laser printer vs Inkjet Cost Per Page, What's More Expensive. Hopefully, this information can be a reference for you before buying a printer to suit its function and use.