If you print more than the average person, you may want to consider ditching traditional ink printers for a laser printer at home. Laser printers have a few advantages over inkjet printers, the biggest of which is speed. Because there’s no ink to dry, laser printers generally print much faster. They also tend to be more cost effective, with toner cartridges costing more than ink cartridges up front, but printing more pages, although I’ve generally found ink tank printers even more economical if that’s your main concern.
The biggest downside to laser printers is typically a lower level of detail, particularly when mixing colors, so you’ll want to opt for something else if you plan on printing full color photos. Because they use heat to bond the toner with the paper, they may melt paper with plastic in it, like windowed envelopes or sticker sheets, so you’ll want to avoid them if anything but matte paper and cardstock are in the cards for you.
While I spent time with all of the printers below and found them satisfactory, I would still push most home users towards an ink tank printer. You’ll have a lower cost per page, lower upfront costs, and the option to print crisp photos and on alternative papers. Check out our roundup of the best printers I’ve tested for the most updated info.
