Before anything else, you have to make a decision between ink and laser. I’ll go into the details in terms of each model, but the most important consideration is the paper type, as this is a limitation, not a benefit. Laser printers use heat during bonding, which means if you regularly print on envelopes or photo paper in your windows, you need to use an ink printer or change to a thermal protection alternative, which can be prohibitive if you print a lot.
Inkjets are the most common flavors for home printers, and they will work as you expect them to until it splashes into a series of tiny holes. Didn’t you expect it? Neither me! Very exciting stuff.
Inkjet printers come in two flavors, with prefilled ink cartridges or built-in tanks. The latter quickly became more popular due to better prices, more convenient and greatly reduced wasted plastic. If you purchase a new printer in 2025, you should choose an ink tank, even if it is not a laser printer. They require more setup and maintenance work as you have to put the tank on it and should be kept on a flat surface to avoid leakage. I can’t imagine that in many cases the printer keeps moving and tilting, but that’s a consideration.
Do you think inkjet is cool? The laser printer works by blasting a tube filled with dry plastic particles and then fuses them onto the paper with heat. They tend to be more upfront costs, but the cost per page is generally much lower. If there is a $20 ink cartridge that may print 200 pages, you can print a $60 ink cartridge that can print 2000. They tend to be much faster than inkjet printers, and you don’t have to worry about them drying out. Plus, these pages come from the good and warmth of the printer, and you really can’t pay for it.
Laser printers are my preferred type as long as your paper type and budget can support them.
