Inkjet vs. laser printers: which model is right for me?

These two types of models print in different ways, with varying features – so choosing one comes down to what you really want from your printer. Read on as we explain the main differences between inkjet and laser printers, to help you decide which option is right for your print requirements.

Inkjet printers, explained:

This type of printer uses liquid ink, which is sprayed through dozens of micro nozzles onto the page. (This explains the name – ink, from a jet.) The ink is stored in easily replaceable foil-sealed cartridges and can be dye or pigment based. Their main benefits include:

• They’re compact: inkjets have no need for internal drums and rollers, so they have smaller, sleeker designs that can fit into tight spaces.

• They’re colourful: those inkjets can handle vibrant, full-colour print jobs like photos and design work.

• They’re versatile: many models can be set up for A3 and can produce a variety of prints from single-colour documents through to multi-colour customer materials.

• They’re affordable: both the printer itself and the ink cartridges you need to run it have a cheaper upfront cost than those needed for a laser.

All these advantages make inkjets a popular choice for home offices and low-volume business printing. For more detailed information on how these models work, take a look at our complete guide [link] – or click here to explore all the features of Brother’s inkjet printers.

Laser printers, explained:

The biggest difference between inkjet and laser printers is the way they do the job. Instead of using liquid ink, a laser printer leaves its mark on the page with toner. The words or images you want to print are scanned and fused to the paper using specs of this toner dust, with the laser generating the electrostatic charge that powers this heat transfer. Laser printers can be a popular choice because:

• They’re efficient: with much higher printing speeds, they produce an average of 10 pages per minute.

• They’re precise: laser printers produce super sharp, crisp text and graphics – the highest quality for black and white.

• They’re cost-effective to run: while the initial purchase may be more expensive, the cartridges give you more prints for your money – and they last longer before needing replacement too.

• They stop the smudges: the heat transfer process means the print is fully set by the time it comes out of the machine – whereas the ink from an inkjet is still drying as the paper enters the tray.

With these precise, high-capacity capabilities, laser printers are often seen more in industrial or business settings with lots of pages to print. For more information on Brother’s laser models, just click here to explore the range.

How do I choose the right printer for me?

When exploring inkjet vs. laser printers, there are four main considerations that’ll help you choose the right option:

• Cost: how much do you want to pay upfront and what’s your budget for printing costs?

• Output: what materials will you mainly be printing?

• Quality: how precise or vibrant do you need your prints to be?

• Volume: how much will you be printing?

The answers to these questions will help you understand your needs so you can match that to the features of each type of printer. For example, if you have a smaller budget, and will be using your printer for the occasional colour document, inkjet is the one for you. If you’re printing on a larger, more industrial scale and demand precision, a laser would be a better option. And if your needs are somewhere in the middle (as is most likely), consider which of the four aspects is most important to you, and be led by that.

Don’t forget the All-in-One:

You might have decided on a particular type of printer or may still be weighing up your options – but wherever you’re at in the process, it’s helpful to consider another type of printer too. Available on laser and inkjet models, All-in-One functionality means the machine can copy, scan and fax as well as print – making them a real multipurpose printing machine. Click here to learn more about all the Brother All-in-One models and see if your company or home office would benefit from these additional capabilities.

Inkjet vs. laser printers: a summary

Overall, the main differences between inkjet and laser printers come down to cost, size and capability.

Where inkjets are more affordable, smaller and better at handling colours, they aren’t always able to keep up with high print volumes. While they’re undoubtedly cheaper to purchase, their cartridges will need replacing more often (the ink element means they can dry out if not in regular use).

Laser printers may be bigger, bulkier and require a greater initial investment, but undeniably deliver on cost-effectiveness for high-volume printing – and achieve unbeatable precision and sharpness on monochrome.

Why choose a Brother printer?

Whether you choose an inkjet or a laser model, you can always rely on a Brother printer. Established for over 100 years, we’ve made our name as the print experts – continually innovating to make printing simple.

Most importantly we’re “At your side” with the support you need. We’ll help you find the right printer for you, and be there to help with maintenance, troubleshooting and ongoing advice. If you’re a business customer, this can include wider Managed Print Services to really help you get the most from your printer. But it doesn’t matter whether you’re printing at home or in business – you can expect the same high standards from a Brother device.

Ready to purchase your printer? Click here to take a look at all the laser and inkjets in our range. Or if you still have a few questions, use the live chat feature to speak with a member of our team.