How to Choose a Printer: Inkjet vs Laser & the Ink Trap

Printers are essential for many homes — schoolwork, documents, photos, forms. But choosing a printer is confusing: inkjet vs laser, ink costs, wireless, all-in-one features. And the wrong choice can cost you a fortune in ink. This guide helps you choose the right printer without getting burned.

We've covered fixing printers; this guide focuses on choosing one.

What we'll cover

Inkjet vs laser The ink trap Features to consider

Inkjet vs laser

The two main printer types serve different needs:

Inkjet. Uses liquid ink. Good for photos and color documents. Cheaper upfront, but ink can be expensive.

Laser. Uses toner powder. Best for black-and-white text. Faster, cheaper per page, but pricier upfront and color lasers are expensive.

Consider your main use. Mostly text → laser. Photos/color → inkjet.

💡 The printer type rule

If you print mostly black-and-white text (school, documents), a laser printer is cheaper per page and more reliable. If you print photos or color, an inkjet is the choice. Match the type to your main use — that's the biggest factor.

The ink trap

The biggest printer money trap is ink cost. Cheap printers often have expensive ink:

Check the ink cost per page. A cheap printer can cost more in the long run if ink is expensive.

Look at page yield. How many pages a cartridge prints — higher is cheaper per page.

Consider third-party or refillable ink where compatible, to save money.

Be aware of ink drying. Inkjet ink can dry if unused — regular use helps.

⚠️ Watch the ink cost

Printers are often sold cheaply because the manufacturer makes money on ink. Before buying, check the cost per page — a slightly pricier printer with cheaper ink can save you a lot over time. Cheap printer + expensive ink is a classic trap. Look at the long-term cost, not just the upfront price.

Features to consider

Here are the features worth considering:

All-in-one. Printer, scanner, copier and sometimes fax in one — convenient for homes.

Wireless. Print from your phone, laptop or tablet without cables.

Duplex printing. Prints on both sides automatically — saves paper.

Photo quality. If you print photos, look for a model with good photo quality.

Reliability and reviews. Read reviews — reliability matters for printers.

All-in-one, wireless, duplex and good reviews are worth prioritizing. Choose the features you'll actually use.

✨ Think about the long-term cost

When choosing a printer, think about the long-term cost, not just the purchase price. Compare the cost per page of ink/toner. A reliable laser for text or a reasonably-priced inkjet for color, with affordable ink, is the smart choice. The printer that's cheap to run beats the one that's cheap to buy.

📌 Bottom line

Choose a printer by matching the type to your use — a laser for mostly black-and-white text (cheaper per page), an inkjet for photos/color. Watch the ink trap: check cost per page, not just the printer's price, and consider refillable or third-party ink. Look for all-in-one, wireless and duplex features you'll use. Read reviews for reliability. Think about long-term cost, and you'll choose a printer that serves you well without costing a fortune.

Michael Torres

PC performance writer

Part of the HighTechBee editorial team. Michael Torres writes practical, beginner-friendly tech guides that solve real everyday problems.