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For a home that mostly prints text—forms, homework, labels, or reports—a monochrome laser printer is usually the better fit. Choose an inkjet for photographs, nuanced color, or glossy and creative media. If you print color regularly but want to reduce cartridge costs, compare refillable ink-tank inkjets as a separate option. The right choice depends on the specific printer, its supplies, and how often you print.
How inkjet and laser printing differ
An inkjet places liquid ink on paper. A laser printer transfers powdered toner and uses heat to fuse it to the page. That difference affects what each handles well: inkjets are generally better suited to photos and smooth color, while lasers tend to be practical for crisp text and document batches. It also matters when a printer sits unused: ink can dry or clog in an inkjet, while toner does not dry in the same way.
Which printer suits your home use?
| Your main need | Best place to start | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Forms, homework, labels, reports, and other black text | Monochrome laser | Toner yield and replacement cost, expected annual pages, and whether you need scanning or copying. |
| Photos, color artwork, or glossy prints | Color inkjet | Photo-paper compatibility and borderless-printing support. Features vary by model. |
| Regular color printing with concern about ink costs | Refillable ink-tank inkjet | Bottle prices and yields for the specific model; compare with cartridge inkjets and color lasers. |
| Occasional printing with long gaps between jobs | Laser, if text is the priority | If photos matter more, an inkjet may still suit you, but consider its maintenance routines and ink use. |
| Color charts and graphics, but not photo-quality output | Color laser | Supported media and the cost of toner and any model-specific drum or other replaceable parts. |
These are category-level tendencies, not guaranteed specifications. In a comparison updated December 16, 2025, RTINGS found smoother color transitions from its tested Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 than from its tested Brother MFC-L8905CDW color laser. Its comparison also found cleaner black text and more than twice the speed on the tested laser model versus the tested photo inkjet. Those findings describe those models, not every inkjet and laser printer. RTINGS’ model comparison also reports a tested inkjet sample clogged after four days unused; treat that as a review observation, not a universal threshold for all inkjets.
Inkjet, cartridge inkjet, or ink tank?
Cartridge inkjets
Cartridge inkjets often have a lower purchase price than comparable alternatives, but cartridge replacement can make them costly to run. If you print infrequently, include the possibility of ink-consuming cleaning cycles in your decision, rather than considering only the advertised cartridge yield.
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- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES – Engineered for extraordinary productivity, the Brother DCP-L2640DW Monochrome (Black & White) 3-in-1 combines laser printer, scanner, copier in one compact footprint and delivers high-quality black & white prints
- FAST PRINTER WITH EFFICIENT SCANNING – Produces documents quickly with print speeds up to 36 ppm(2) and scan speeds up to 23.6/7.9 ipm(3) (black/color). A 50-page auto document feeder(4) allows for convenient, time saving multi-page scanning and copying
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS – Easily navigate the changing demands of your business with secure multi-device connectivity via built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz) and Ethernet. Or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Print, scan, and manage your wireless printer anytime, from almost anywhere from your mobile device. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(5)
- CHOOSE BROTHER GENUINE TONER – When it’s time to replace your toner, be sure to choose Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL replacement toner. And with Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service, you’ll never worry about running out of toner again and you’ll enjoy savings of up to 50%(6) on Brother Genuine Toner. Get started with Refresh today with a Free Trial(1)
Refillable ink-tank inkjets
Tank printers use refill bottles rather than standard replaceable cartridges and can offer a different ongoing-cost profile. HP’s undated cost explainer gives an illustrative example of a $30 black-ink bottle divided by a stated 6,000-page yield, or $0.005 per page before paper. HP also lists model-dependent Smart Tank yields of up to 6,000 black pages and 8,000 color pages. These are manufacturer examples and claims, not independent averages or a promise about every model or page. HP’s ink-tank cost explanation describes its calculation.
Laser printers
Laser printers use toner, and a model may also require replacement of a drum or other components. A monochrome laser is often attractive for text-heavy printing, while a color laser can handle document graphics without being equivalent to a photo-focused inkjet. Compare the whole supply set for the exact model.
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- BEST FOR HOMES & HOME OFFICES – Engineered for consistent, premium print quality, the Brother HL-L2405W Monochrome (Black & White) Laser Printer delivers sharp, crisp prints at an affordable price. Prints one-sided documents at speeds up to 30ppm(2)
- COMPACT, CONNECTED PRINTER – Flexible connection options make this an ideal printer for home use and at-home offices. Securely connect to multiple devices with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz) or locally to a single computer via USB interface
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Manage your printer remotely and print from your mobile device anytime, from almost anywhere. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(3)
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING – Enjoy seamless, reliable everyday printing with the 250-sheet paper tray(4) and a manual feed slot that enables printing on envelopes and specialty pape
- BROTHER IS AT YOUR SIDE – Backed by Brother with a 1-year limited warranty and free online, call, or live chat support for the life of your printer
How to compare running costs fairly
Calculate supply cost per page as supply price divided by its stated yield, then add paper cost per sheet. For a tank printer, account for the relevant black and color bottles; for a laser, include toner and any model-specific drum or other replaceable parts. Add the printer’s purchase price across the ownership period you expect, and estimate pages using your household’s actual mix of text, graphics, and photos.
- Use prices and yields for the exact printer and compatible supplies you are considering.
- Remember that stated yields do not guarantee the same number of pages for your work: coverage and usage differ.
- Compare like with like, including color versus monochrome and whether you need an all-in-one.
- Do not treat a manufacturer’s break-even page count or an old cents-per-page figure as a universal rule.
HP’s explanation describes the price-divided-by-yield method, but its examples are manufacturer figures. A comparison updated December 16, 2025, describes the Epson EcoTank ET-3950 as printing more than 6,500 black-and-white and 3,500 color pages before refill; that is a model-specific figure, not a general tank-printer yield. RTINGS’ printer comparison gives that model-specific context. An older Consumer Reports article from March 2017 reported 12–25 pages per minute and 1–5 cents per page for black-and-white laser text printing, and said inkjets cost about 33 percent more to operate on average than black-and-white lasers. Those historical figures should not be used as current prices or a present-day universal comparison. Consumer Reports’ 2017 comparison is dated corroboration, not current shopping data.
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- BEST FOR HOME OFFICES & SMALL TEAMS – Engineered for consistent, premium print quality, the Brother HL-L2460DW Monochrome (Black & White) Laser Printer produces documents that are clear, crisp, and easy to review and share, all at an affordable price
- COMPACT, CONNECTED, EXCEPTIONALLY EFFICIENT– Connect with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz), Ethernet, or to a single computer via USB interface. Prints at speeds up to 36ppm(2), plus automatic duplex printing saves time and reduces paper waste
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Manage your wireless printer remotely and print from your mobile device anytime, from almost anywhere. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(3)
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING – Tackle high-volume black & white printing with the 250-sheet capacity paper tray.(4) The manual feed slot enables printing on envelopes and specialty paper
- BROTHER IS AT YOUR SIDE – Backed by Brother with a 1-year limited warranty and free online, call, or live chat support for the life of your printer
What to check before buying
- Print mix: estimate how much is black text, color graphics, and photos.
- Idle periods: consider whether the printer may go unused for long stretches and how you will handle inkjet maintenance.
- Supplies: verify compatible cartridge, bottle, or toner prices and yields; check whether a laser model has a separately replaceable drum.
- Paper: confirm support for the photo or specialty media you intend to use. Media support varies by model.
- Other functions: decide whether you need scanning, copying, duplex printing, or particular connectivity. Print technology alone does not establish those features.
For photos, also confirm that the chosen inkjet supports the paper size and finish you want. For a document-focused laser, check whether monochrome output is enough or whether color is needed for charts and graphics.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- FAST PRINT SPEEDS: Print up to 19 pages per minute.
- COMPACT DESIGN: Space-saving, compact design fits anywhere in your home, school or small office.
- WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: Print from almost anywhere in your workspace using your compatible mobile device.
- PAPER CAPACITY: Up to 150 sheets.
- SUSTAINABILITY: Uses less than 2 watts in Energy Saver mode.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
