Printers · Guide
Inkjet vs Laser: Which Do You Need?
Before comparing specific printers, it's worth understanding what actually separates these two technologies — because the right answer depends on one factor: whether you'll print in color with any regularity.
Inkjet
- The only type that does quality color and photo printing
- The print head can dry out if left unused for months
- Tank systems (Epson EcoTank) cut per-page cost drastically versus cartridges
- The ET-4800 adds ADF, fax and Ethernet; the ET-2803 stays at print/scan/copy
Laser (Monochrome)
- Toner doesn't degrade over time — survives months of disuse
- Crisp text at speed, per Consumer Reports
- No color at all on the model in our ranking
- Higher per-page cost than tank ink, but more reliable long-term
What to buy based on what you actually want
- Epson EcoTank ET-4800 — for anyone who needs color, a document feeder, fax and Ethernet in a home office.
- Epson EcoTank ET-2803 — for anyone who needs occasional color without the office features, at the lowest price of the three.
- Brother HL-L2465DW — for anyone who never prints in color and prioritizes reliability and surviving months of disuse.
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Frequently asked questions
Which fails sooner, an inkjet or a laser?
Almost always the inkjet, for one specific reason: the print head dries out if the machine sits unused for weeks or months. A laser's toner doesn't degrade over time, so it survives that same idle period without issue — it's why Consumer Reports recommends laser for anyone who prints infrequently and irregularly.
Do ink-tank printers have the same problem as cartridge printers?
The print-head-drying risk exists on any inkjet, tank or cartridge — the difference between tank and cartridge is per-page cost, not resistance to disuse. If you're going to leave the printer off for months, a laser remains the safer choice against either kind of ink.
Why choose inkjet at all if laser is more reliable?
Color and quality photo output — none of the mono lasers in this comparison print in color at all. If you need color with any regularity, a tank printer like the Epson EcoTank ET-4800 or ET-2803 is the choice, with a running cost comparable to a laser thanks to the refillable ink system.
See the full printer ranking → or the ink tank vs cartridge comparison →