It can be tough to find a good, reliable printer that will last longer than a presidential term these days. When people ask for my opinion, I typically recommend a laser printer. They not only last much longer but are also more economical in the long run.
My current laser printer pick:
Brother MFC-L3720CDW
…and if you MUST have an inkjet printer…
Brother MFC-J4335DW
For a little more clarity on the whole “Laser vs Inkjet” subject, I’ve taken a quick excerpt from CDW’s article:
- How They Work: Inkjet printers spray ink onto the page, laser printers fuse toner onto pages
Winner: Laser printers, since inkjet nozzles can clog and ink can run. Toner is dry and does not run or bleed.
- Device Cost: Inkjet printers are often less expensive on average than laser printers
Winner: Inkjet printers, but by an increasingly slim margin. Prices in recent years have evened out
- Consumable Costs/Page Yield: Toner cartridges cost more than ink cartridges but last significantly longer both when in use and not, giving users a much lower cost per page than ink. Both toner and ink cartridges come in high yield varieties to stretch your dollar further
Winner: Laser printers due to cartridge lifespan
- Cost Per Page: Inkjet printers average about 5-10 cents per page for black-and-white and 15-25 cents for color, with laser printers averaging between 2-5 cents for black and white and 15 cents for color. These savings add up quickly when printing in high volumes.
Although laser printer cartridges are more expensive, laser printers have a significantly lower cost per page than inkjet printers, particularly if you’re looking to print a lot in black and white.
Winner: Laser printers
