Inkjet vs Laser Printer: Which Is Cheaper to Run?

Over time, laser printers are almost always cheaper to run than inkjet printers, especially if you print more than a few pages per week. The cost per page for a typical monochrome laser printer is 2–4 cents, while an inkjet’s per-page cost often runs 5–15 cents for text, and color inkjet pages can be 10–20 cents or more. However, the answer depends on your print volume, whether you need color, and how often you actually use the printer.

Formula

The yearly running cost for each printer type is:

Yearly cost = (Pages per month × 12 × Cost per page) / 100

• Pages per month – how many pages you print in an average month.
• Cost per page – the average cost of ink or toner for one page, in cents.
• 12 – converts monthly to yearly.
• 100 – converts cents to dollars.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator (100 pages per month, 3 cents per page for laser, 10 cents per page for inkjet):

1. Laser yearly cost = (100 × 12 × 3) / 100 = 3600 / 100 = $36.00
2. Inkjet yearly cost = (100 × 12 × 10) / 100 = 12000 / 100 = $120.00
3. Yearly savings with laser = 120 − 36 = $84.00

So for 100 pages per month, the laser saves about $84 per year on consumables alone.

How Inkjet and Laser Printing Work

Inkjet printers spray tiny droplets of liquid ink onto paper. They use either dye-based or pigment-based inks, and most consumer models have separate cartridges for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Ink cartridges are small and expensive per milliliter – a typical black cartridge might hold 5–10 ml and cost $15–$25.

Laser printers use a dry toner powder and a heated drum. The toner is fused onto the paper with heat and pressure. Toner cartridges hold much more toner – a standard toner cartridge can print 1,500–3,000 pages, and high-yield cartridges can exceed 5,000 pages. The upfront cost of a laser printer is usually higher, but the cost per page drops dramatically because the toner lasts so long.

Cost Per Page: The Real Numbers

The most reliable way to compare running costs is to look at the manufacturer’s “yield� rating for each cartridge, which tells you how many pages it should print. The formula is:

Cost per page = Cartridge price ÷ Page yield

For example, if a black toner cartridge costs $60 and is rated for 2,000 pages, the cost per page is 3 cents. If an ink cartridge costs $20 and is rated for 300 pages, the cost per page is about 6.7 cents – and that’s just for black. Color printing uses multiple cartridges, so the cost per color page is the sum of all the cartridges used.

In practice, laser printers typically deliver:

• Monochrome laser: 2–4 cents per page
• Color laser: 10–15 cents per page (with all four toners)
• Inkjet black: 5–10 cents per page
• Inkjet color: 10–20 cents per page

These numbers vary by brand and cartridge size, but the pattern is consistent: laser wins on cost per page almost every time.

When Inkjet Can Be Cheaper

Inkjet printers can be cheaper to run in a few specific situations:

• Very low volume: If you print only a few pages a month, the higher upfront cost of a laser may never be recouped. For example, printing 10 pages a month at 3 cents vs 10 cents costs $3.60 vs $12 per year – the difference is only $8.40, which might not justify a $200 laser.
• Photo printing: For glossy photos, inkjet is often the only practical choice. Laser printers don’t produce the same color depth or smooth gradients on photo paper.
• Occasional color: If you rarely need color, a monochrome laser for text plus a cheap inkjet for color might be the most economical combo.

Hidden Costs That Change the Equation

Several factors can make inkjet printers more expensive than the per-page math suggests:

• Ink drying out: If you don’t print for a few weeks, ink can dry in the printhead, clogging it. Cleaning cycles waste ink, and you may need to replace cartridges prematurely.
• Starter cartridges: Many printers ship with “starterâ€� cartridges that contain less ink than full retail cartridges. This makes the first replacement come sooner than you expect.
• High-yield cartridges: Always check if a high-capacity cartridge exists. The price per page is often 30–50% lower than standard cartridges.
• Paper costs: Laser printers work with most plain paper, but some inkjet inks bleed on cheap paper. If you need special paper for inkjet, that adds to the cost.

How to Choose the Right Printer

To decide which type is cheaper for you, follow these steps:

1. Estimate your monthly print volume – count pages for a month or check your printer’s page counter.
2. Note whether you need color and what kind (documents vs photos).
3. Look up the cost per page for the specific models you’re considering. Use the formula above.
4. Add the upfront cost of the printer and the estimated consumable cost over 3–5 years.
5. Compare the totals. If you print more than 50–100 pages a month, a laser usually wins.

Common Misconceptions

“Inkjet printers are cheaper because the printer is cheap.� That’s often true upfront – you can buy an inkjet for $50 – but the cartridges may cost $30–$50 each and only last a few hundred pages. The printer is cheap because the manufacturer makes money on the ink.

“Laser printers are only for offices.� Modern monochrome lasers are compact, quiet, and affordable for home use. A basic model costs $100–$200 and can last 5–10 years with moderate use.

“Color laser is always too expensive.� Color laser printers have dropped in price, but the toner is still pricey. If you only need color occasionally, a monochrome laser plus a cheap inkjet for color may be more economical than a color laser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a laser printer cheaper per page than an inkjet?

Yes, for text documents. A monochrome laser typically costs 2–4 cents per page, while an inkjet costs 5–10 cents for black text. The gap widens for color: laser color pages are usually 10–15 cents, while inkjet color pages can be 15–25 cents or more.

Do inkjet printers waste ink when not used?

Yes. Most inkjets periodically run cleaning cycles that use ink, and if the printhead dries out, you may need to replace cartridges even if they’re not empty. This is why inkjets are more expensive for occasional printing.

Can I use third-party ink or toner to save money?

Yes, but with risks. Third-party cartridges are cheaper but may not fit perfectly, may leak, or may produce lower quality. Some printers use firmware to block non-official cartridges. If you try them, start with a single cartridge and test quality.

How long do laser printers last compared to inkjets?

Laser printers generally last longer because they have fewer moving parts that wear out. A typical laser can print 100,000–300,000 pages over its lifetime, while consumer inkjets are often replaced after 20,000–50,000 pages.

Is it cheaper to print at home or at a print shop?

For small jobs, a print shop might cost 10–20 cents per page, which is higher than a home laser but lower than a home inkjet. For large volumes, a home laser is almost always cheaper. The break-even point depends on your local print shop’s prices.

Do laser printers use more electricity?

Yes, laser printers use more power when printing because they heat a fuser. However, the difference is small – maybe 1–2 cents per page in electricity. Over a year, that adds up to a few dollars, which is negligible compared to the ink savings.

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in t | Pages per month | pages | 100 | 0
in c | Cost per page (laser) | cents | 3 | 0
in d | Cost per page (inkjet) | cents | 10 | 0
out laser_yearly | Laser yearly cost | $ | (t * 12 * c) / 100 | 2
out inkjet_yearly | Inkjet yearly cost | $ | (t * 12 * d) / 100 | 2
out savings | Yearly savings with laser | $ | ((t * 12 * d) - (t * 12 * c)) / 100 | 2