An overview of inkjet printers and laser printers for home use

An overview of inkjet printers and laser printers for home use

Today, different types of printers are available in the market like inkjet printers, laser printers, wireless printers, and so on. Out of these, inkjet printers and laser printers are the most preferred options for home use.
Let’s take a look at inkjet printers and laser printers to understand the technologies employed by both of these printers.

Inkjet printing creates a digital image by dropping spots of ink onto paper, whereas laser printers produce digital images by scanning a laser beam across photoreceptors.

People often wonder which type is better, but this depends on what your needs are. Read on to take a look at the pros and cons of inkjet and laser printers to understand which one is better for your home:

  • Inkjet printers: These printers are unmatchable when it comes to printing photos and image-heavy documents as they do a better job of blending smooth colors. They also come with a low price tag, and so, many homeowners prefer inkjet printers over laser printers. The cartridges are cheaper as compared to toner cartridges. A wide variety of printing materials can be used in the case of inkjet printers including glossy photo paper, textured stationery, and even on some fabrics. This makes inkjet printers more versatile than laser printers. Another advantage of an inkjet printer is that it needs almost no warm-up time, and the ink cartridges can be refilled, which cuts down on waste and helps people save some money in the process. They are also lighter and much easier to maintain than laser printers. But buyers need to note that the ink that used in inkjet printers is water-based, and so, the prints are susceptible to water damage and fading. The ink cartridges also need frequent cleaning, and ink is wasted unnecessarily during this process. Printing is slower in inkjet printers as compared to laser printers, and some of them tend to produce a grey, fuzzy text when printing on plain office paper.
  • Laser printers: Laser printers print at faster speeds as compared to inkjet printers. They are able to produce perfect, sharp black text, and they can also handle fine lines and small fonts far better than inkjet printers. Laser printers are better equipped to handle high-volume print jobs, and although the toner cartridge is more expensive, it does print more sheets relative to their cost than inkjet cartridges. They are also less wasteful in nature. But buyers need to bear in mind that although laser printers are faster, they take some time to warm up, and if the printer has a toner leak, it can be a nightmare to handle. The upfront costs involved with laser printers are higher, and this type of printer cannot handle a variety of paper or printing materials like inkjet printers. For a home laser printer, printing out smooth photographs is quite a challenge.