Why would you use a laser printer?

Asked by: Ray Klein  |  Last update: February 20, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (53 votes)

Laser printers are known for producing sharp, crisp text and clean lines. They're perfect for text-heavy documents and professional-looking reports. Laser printers excel at: Business documents.

What are laser printers good for?

The print speed is fast, the toner has a larger capacity than the ink cartridge, and the paper cassette has a large reserve, so there's less wasted time. In addition to being able to easily supply consumables, laser printers are ideal when you have a large number of documents to print and want perfect print quality.

When would you use a laser printer?

Laser printers can provide fast results at high volumes, making them a great choice for small businesses, larger workgroups, and mid-sized offices. Small offices and home offices that have lower print volumes find that an inkjet printer can easily meet their printing needs.

What is the purpose of a laser printer?

Laser printing is an electrostatic digital printing process. It produces high-quality text and graphics (and moderate-quality photographs) by repeatedly passing a laser beam back and forth over a negatively charged cylinder called a "drum" to define a differentially charged image.

Which is better, an inkjet or laser printer?

This depends on the user's needs and budget. Laser printers are generally more expensive than inkjet printers, but they are faster and produce higher-quality prints. Laser printers are also better for printing large volumes of documents, while inkjet printers are better for printing photos and other color documents.

What's the difference between inkjet and laser printers?

22 related questions found

What is the disadvantage of a laser printer?

Laser printers carry a steeper up-front cost, making them a pricier investment all in one span of time. The required toner used for printing with laser printers is more expensive than the standard replacement inkjet cartridges, and a color laser printer can add to that expense.

Are laser printers being phased out?

Epson has announced that it will completely halt the sale and distribution of laser printers by 2026 due to environmental concerns. The manufacturer has previously said that switching from laser to inkjet printers could halve printing-based global energy emmissions.

Why would someone use a laser printer over an inkjet printer?

Speed and Volume: Laserjet vs Inkjet

If print speed and high volume are priorities, laser printers generally have the edge. Additionally, print speeds are generally faster for laser printers, making them more suitable for high-volume printing environments.

What type of printer is best for home use?

For home printing tasks, an inkjet printer is a gold standard. As one of the most common and popular printers consumers are familiar with, color inkjet printers have rapidly become a staple in home offices for the less frequent printer.

Do you need to refill laser printers?

Laser printers use toner, a powder, instead of ink. Unlike inkjet printers, they don't require frequent refilling. Toner cartridges generally last longer than ink cartridges, providing a higher page yield. However, they do eventually run out and need to be replaced or refilled.

Where are laser printers mostly used?

Laser printers can be used in a home office or a small business office. Office connectivity is typically via an Ethernet connection. In a home office or small business, a cable or Wi-Fi are used to connect the printer to computing devices. Wi-Fi is also used to connect mobile devices to printers for mobile printing.

What are the disadvantages of HP printers?

Disadvantages: 1. Cost of Consumables: One notable downside of HP printers is the relatively high cost of replacement ink cartridges. Genuine HP ink cartridges can be expensive, impacting the overall cost of ownership over time.

Do laser printers use ink cartridges?

Laser printers use toner powder instead of ink to produce prints in both monochrome and color. The key to how laser printers work is understanding the drum, a cylindrical, photosensitive component that allows the laser to pick up toner through static electricity.

What can I do with a laser printer?

5 Amazing Uses of Laser Printers
  • High-Volume Printing. Laser printers are ideal for anyone needing to print huge volumes rapidly because they eliminate mess and waiting time for lengthy prints. ...
  • Business Cards. ...
  • High-Quality Labels. ...
  • Create Custom Calendars. ...
  • Photo Printing.

Can laser printers print photos?

In fact, they have always been good at printing photos. Historically, laser printers have been associated with high-quantity printing over quality, and while this is partially true, it is possible to have the best of both worlds thanks to the latest developments in laser printing.

Are laser printers better for infrequent use?

You want a laser printer. Inkjets will clog up with infrequent use, but lasers won't. HP makes some interesting compact laser printers these days that could easily be stored away while you're not using them -- something like the HP LaserJet Pro M15w might be nice for infrequent use.

What is better, an inkjet or a laser?

Inkjet printers are best suited for personal use or printing high-quality photos/images, while laser printers are more suitable for office settings and regular high-volume document printing.

Can a laser printer print color?

There are two types of laser printers – colour and monochrome. Colour laser printers are ideal for photography and creative needs, whereas monochrome ones are affordable, simpler and reliable options for every day printing.

What is the most popular type of printer used today?

Inkjet printers are one of the most common types of printers used in both professional and domestic settings. Developed in the 1950s, inkjet printing technology is still hugely popular today due to its numerous advantages and minimal drawbacks.

Do laser printer cartridges dry out?

Laser printers use toner powder which doesn't dry out the same way an ink cartridge does. Unlike an inkjet cartridge, which is liquid-based, toner is composed of plastic components. It's already dry, so it won't dry out further. When stored properly, a sealed printer toner cartridge can technically last for years.

How long do laser printers last?

Color Laser Printer or Black & White Laser Printer

As print quality goes down over time, this will be a reason to replace the color printer. We find a black and white printer can sometimes last 10 years or more and most color laser printers are replaced every 3 to 5 years.

What is one disadvantage of a laser printer?

Laser printers use a lot of energy, even when turned off. This is because the fuser element in the printer becomes heated and releases heat. The room might get very hot at some point! Laser printers aren't recommended for humid or hot environments, but newer models have an option called power saver to help save energy.

Why is HP being discontinued?

Updated HP is discontinuing its e-series LaserJet printers due to customer complaints, along with the HP+ and the "Instant Ink" toner subscription services tied to the hardware.

Is it worth getting a laser printer for home use?

But if you want to keep the annoyance to a minimum, we recommend a laser printer: Not only do laser models print sharp text and crisp graphics, but they also run more reliably than inkjets, and they won't clog if they sit unused for weeks between jobs.