Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, reviewstook.com earns from qualifying purchases. Links to Amazon on this page are affiliate links; they cost you nothing extra.
Ink tank and laser printers are the two types that usually cost the least per page. They get there in different ways, and each fits a different kind of printing. This guide compares them so you can pick by your own habits rather than by the price on the box.
Last updated: October 30, 2026.
The short answer
If you print color or photos regularly, an ink tank printer usually gives the lowest running cost. If you print mostly black-and-white text, or leave the printer unused for weeks, a monochrome laser is usually the better fit. If you print very little, a cheap cartridge printer can be the most economical overall.
How each one works
An ink tank printer is an inkjet with refillable tanks. You pour ink from bottles into the tanks, so you replace ink rarely and pay less for each page. A laser printer fuses toner powder onto the page with heat. Toner does not dry out, which is why lasers cope well with long gaps between uses.
Running cost
Work out cost per page for both: divide the price of the replacement ink or toner by its rated page yield. Here are made-up numbers purely to show the math: a 70-dollar set of ink bottles rated for 4,000 pages works out to about 1.75 cents a page; a 90-dollar toner rated for 1,200 pages works out to 7.5 cents a page. Real figures vary by model, so use the ones on the product page, and remember that rated yields assume a standard amount of ink or toner coverage. Our cost-per-page guide shows the full method.
Print quality
Laser output is crisp on text and smudge-resistant. Ink tank printers print color and photos better, and many use dye or pigment inks suited to photo paper. A color laser sits in between but costs more to buy and to feed.
Upfront price and size
Ink tank printers cost more than basic cartridge printers. Monochrome lasers are often cheap and compact, while color lasers and laser all-in-ones are bigger and heavier. Check the dimensions before you order.
Who should pick which
- Families who print school work, color pages and photos: an ink tank printer such as the Epson EcoTank ET-2850.
- Home offices that print black-and-white documents all day: a monochrome laser such as the Brother HL-L2350DW.
- People who print a few pages a month: a basic cartridge printer, because neither type pays back.
See our full guides to the best EcoTank printers and best laser printers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an ink tank printer cheaper than a laser?
For color and photos, usually yes. For black-and-white text, a monochrome laser is often cheaper over time, depending on the toner yield.
Which clogs less, ink tank or laser?
Lasers do not clog because toner is a dry powder. Ink tank printers can clog if left unused for weeks, so print a test page now and then.
Are lasers better for the office?
Often yes for text-heavy work: they are fast, quiet and their toner lasts. For color-heavy work an ink tank or color laser may fit better.
Bottom Line
Match the type to what you print: ink tank for color and volume, monochrome laser for text and irregular use. Work out cost per page for the exact models you are comparing before you decide.
