Ink Tank vs Laser Printer: Which Is Better

Ink tank printers have been popular since their birth. Their ink placement location and consumables are different from traditional inkjet printers. As a new type of inkjet printer, many people are curious about which is better: ink tank vs laser printers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore their differences to help you decide which option is best for your needs.

Index:

I. Overview
II. What Is Ink Tank Printer? III. What Is Laser Printer? IV. Ink Tank vs Laser Printer: Which to Choose?
V. Summary
VI. Popular Ink Tank Printer Laser Printers for Home Use

I. Overview

Criteria	Ink Tank Printers	Laser Printers
Text Print Quality	Excellent monochrome and color text printing; perfect for high volume printing.	Excellent monochrome and color text printing; perfect for high volume printing.
Photo Print Quality	Great color photo printing; can print on glossy or matte photo paper	Can print on glossy or matte photo paper, but not as good as ink tank printers
Print Speed	Slower	Faster
Initial Cost	Printer prices generally range from $100 to $700 (the best-selling printers range from $200 to $400)	Printer prices generally range from $100 to $500 (the best-selling printers range from $200 to $300)
Supplies Cost Per Page	Lower cost per page in the long run because of refillable ink tanks	Higher cost per page than ink tanks, but worth it long-term due to the large toner content.
Maintenance	Ink may dry; more maintenance required	Toner won’t dry out; less maintenance.

Prices may fluctuate due to holiday events and promotions.

Ink tank printers perform well in color printing. It’s more versatile and capable of clear text and photo printing.

Laser printers excel at high-speed text printing. They can also offer photo printing, but the print quality is not as good as ink tank printers.

Although prices may vary over time, generally, ink tank printers range from $100 to $700, while laser printers are mainly priced between $100 and $500.

Both offer worthwhile cost-per-page and are ideal for high-volume printing. The ink of the ink tank printer may dry out and require more printer maintenance, but laser printers that use toner do not have to worry about this, saving us time in maintenance.

For those who focus on text printing, a laser printer is preferred because of its faster printing speed and less printer maintenance.

An ink tank printer is a wise choice if you want to print more diverse papers, such as text and photos.

II. What Is Ink Tank Printer?

Ink tank printers are a major advancement in inkjet printing technology. Unlike traditional inkjet printers that rely on ink cartridges, ink tank printers use refillable ink tanks that can be easily refilled with ink bottles. This innovative design enables higher page yields at a lower cost compared to inkjet printers.

The ink bottles that come with this type of printer have a capacity of about 65 ml to 130 ml. It can print up to 7,700 pages, depending on how much ink the printer can store. For example, Epson 502 ink includes 127 ml for black, yielding 7,500 pages, and 70 ml for color, yielding 6,000 pages. The Epson 664 ink offers 70 ml for black, yielding 4,500 pages, and 70 ml each for cyan, magenta, and yellow, yielding 6,500 pages each. 

Here are some of the ink tank printer series on the market:

Canon PIXMA G-Series MegaTank Printer: Canon’s PIXMA G series printers feature refillable ink tanks designed for low-cost printing. E.g., PIXMA G3260, PIXMA G4210, PIXMA G6020, PIXMA G7020, etc.

Epson EcoTank Series: Epson’s EcoTank printers are well-known for their big, refillable ink tanks that deliver high page yields. Some models include Epson EcoTank ET-2720, ET-2800, ET-4760, and ET-15000.

Epson L Series: Epson L series printers provide high quality prints and low-cost ink solutions, such as the Epson L3110, Epson L3150, and Epson L4160.

HP Smart Tank Series: HP Smart Tank printers come with refillable ink tanks for printing large amounts of documents and photos. E.g., HP Smart Tank 5101, HP Smart Tank Plus 651, HP Smart Tank 7301, etc.

(1) Pros of Ink Tank Printer

Ink tank printers offer several advantages over traditional inkjet printers in terms of cost-effectiveness and convenience.

Affordable Cost Per Page: The cost per page of ink tank printers is significantly lower than that of traditional inkjet printers. An ink tank printer that uses large ink tanks can print thousands of pages before needing to refill the ink. This makes it more cost effective than an inkjet printer when you need to print large amounts of documents. Plus, ink tanks can be refilled and reused, which saves money in the long run and is also environmentally friendly.

Generous Page Yield: Generally speaking, ink tank printers can produce more pages before needing to refill the ink. They can print up to more than 7,000 pages, which is much higher than conventional ink cartridge printers, such as the Canon PIXMA G5020(6,000 Black/7,700 Color).

High Quality Prints: Many ink tank printers use advanced printing technologies such as Micro Piezo and PrecisionCore to provide precise drop placement and consistent results. They boast outstanding color prints that produce vibrant and detailed images, perfect for high-resolution photo printing and graphic design.

Continuous Ink Supply: Ink tank printers are usually equipped with a continuous ink supply system (CISS) to ensure a steady flow of ink to the print head. This allows for smoother printing and fewer interruptions compared to inkjet printers with individual cartridges, which can accidentally run out of ink.

Versatility: This type of printer is versatile and can handle a variety of print media, including plain paper, glossy photo paper, envelopes, and more. Whether you need to print documents, photos, or labels, it can meet a wide range of printing needs.

(2) Cons of Ink Tank Printer

While ink tank printers come with various advantages, they also have some disadvantages.

Risk of Ink Smudges: The ink is water-based and printed documents may smudge when exposed to high humidity. Plus, refilling ink tanks can be messy and cause ink to spill.

Prone to Ink Drying Issues: Like inkjet printers, tank printers’ ink can dry out if not used frequently, which can cause print head clogging and print quality issues.

Slower Printing Speed: Due to the differences between inkjet and laser technology, the printout process of ink tank printers is slower than that of laser printers. As a result, ink tank printers often print slower, especially when producing color prints, although it’s usually rewarded with superior color accuracy.

More Maintenance: Ink tank printers require more frequent maintenance as the ink may dry out. This includes cleaning the printhead and checking the ink levels to prevent ink drying and clogging issues.

III. What Is Laser Printer?

A laser printer is a printer that uses a laser beam to print text and images on paper. It has long been a staple in office environments due to its fast print speeds and high page yields. Instead of using ink, it prints using toner cartridges, resulting in superior efficiency and longer life than ink-based printers. Below are some popular laser printer series:

Brother HL Series: It comprises a variety of monochrome laser printers ideal for home offices and small businesses. E.g., Brother HL-L2370DW, Brother HL-L6200DW, Brother HL-L8350CDW.

HP Color LaserJet Series: It offers a diverse range of color laser printers tailored for businesses and professionals. Examples include the HP Color LaserJet CP1215, HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M553n, and HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw.

Canon imageCLASS Series: This series includes a range of laser printers suitable for different printing needs, from small offices to larger businesses. E.g., Canon imageCLASS LBP236dw, Canon imageCLASS MF275dw, Canon imageCLASS MF465dw, etc.

Besides, there are many other laser printer series, such as the Kyocera KM series, Samsung Xpress series, Xerox VersaLink series, and so on.

(1) Pros of Laser Printer

Laser printers offer a variety of advantages, including:

Quick Printing Performance: Laser printers have fast print speeds and are ideal for environments such as offices. They can typically print more pages per minute than ink tank printers, which makes them suitable for handling high volumes of monochrome printing tasks.

High Quality Output: These printers print clear, crisp text and graphics for professional documents, reports, presentations, and marketing materials. They can reproduce fine details and small fonts with precision.

Superior Page Yield: Laser printer toner cartridges usually contain a high toner content and can print up to 8,000 pages. This type of printer can create tremendous value for you in the long run.

Durability: These printers are generally more durable than ink tank printers. They have fewer moving parts and are less likely to clog or dry out, even if they are not used regularly.

Versatility: Laser printers can handle a variety of paper types and sizes, including plain paper, envelopes, labels, and card stock. Some printers also offer double-sided printing, reducing paper usage and costs.

(2) Cons of Laser Printer

When comparing ink tank printers and laser printers, there are some disadvantages to laser printers:

Color Printing Costs More: Color printing with a laser printer may not be as economical as with an ink tank printer. Ink tank printers typically cost less per color printed page because they use liquid ink, which is cheaper to refill than laser toner cartridges.

Higher Cost Per Page of Toner Cartridges: Cost per page = cartridge price/total number of pages. The maximum page yield of a toner cartridge is similar to that of an ink tank. However, due to the price difference, toner cartridges cost a bit more per page.

OEM tank ink prices average around $21.64 for a single pack and $50.76 for a multi-pack, usually under $100. While OEM toner cartridge prices range from $35 to $900, averaging $152.23 for a single pack and $431.06 for a multi-pack.

Fortunately, third-party toner cartridges make up for this. These aftermarket products usually offer high-quality, compatible toner cartridges at lower prices. The most important thing is to find a trustworthy printer cartridge supplier.

Photo Print Quality: While laser printers can print decent photos, they may not match the level of detail and color accuracy achieved with ink tank printers, especially glossy photo paper.

IV. Ink Tank vs Laser Printer: Which to Choose?

Consider these factors when choosing between ink tank printers and laser printers.

1. Text Print Quality: Both Ink tank printers and laser printers are great for monochrome printing and color printing. These printer types are perfect for high volumes of jobs.
2. Photo Print Quality: Ink tank printers are compatible with glossy photo paper and matte photo paper. They can provide more details and natural colors, especially in high-resolution printers. Laser printers also support glossy and matte photo paper, but their printout performance is not as good as that of ink tank printers.
3. Print Speed: As mentioned before, laser printers can operate at fast speeds to produce large amounts of prints, while ink tank printers are slower in comparison.
4. Initial Cost: We did some research on this. Ink tank printers range in price from $100 to $700, with the best-selling models ranging from $200 to $400. Laser printer prices range from $100 to $500, with the best-selling models ranging from $200 to $300.
5. Supplies Cost Per Page: Ink tank printers boast a lower cost per page due to their affordable tank ink prices and continuous ink supply system. While laser printers have a higher cost per page compared to ink tanks, their huge toner capacity makes them a cost effective long-term investment.
6. Maintenance Frequency: Ink tank printers require more maintenance as their ink may dry out. Over time or if not used for a long time, this type of printer may clog the print head, requiring cleaning or even replacement. The toner in laser printer cartridges is powder and does not dry out over time. Therefore, even if it is not used for a long time, there will usually be no major problems.

V. Summary

The best printer for your needs is the best printer. Choosing between ink tank printers and laser printers depends on your specific printing needs, printing frequency, budget, preferences, and long-term supply costs.

If you need to print text and photos at a low cost per page, especially high quality color printing, then an ink tank printer is your first choice. If your top priorities are faster printing speeds, durable black-and-white text documents, and less printer maintenance, then a laser printer may be a better fit.

VI. Popular Ink Tank Printer Laser Printers for Home Use

	Printer Model	Compatible Ink/Toner
Ink Tank Printer	Canon PIXMA MegaTank G7020	Canon GI-20
	Epson EcoTank ET-2800	Epson 522
	Epson EcoTank ET-2850	Epson 502
	Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500	Epson 552
	Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550	Epson 552
	HP Smart Tank 7602	HP 31 Cyan Magenta Yellow, HP 32 Black
Laser Printer	Brother HL-L2390DW	Brother TN730, TN760
	Brother MFC-L2710DW	Brother TN730, TN760
	Brother MFC-L3780CDW	Brother TN229, TN229XL, TN229XXL
	Brother MFC-L8900CDW	Brother TN431, TN433, TN436, TN439
	Canon imageCLASS MF654Cdw	Canon 067, Canon 067H
	Canon imageCLASS D570	Canon 137
	Canon Color imageCLASS MF753CDW	Canon 069, Canon 069H
	HP LaserJet M110w	HP 141A, HP 141X
	HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M182nw	HP 215A
	HP LaserJet M209dw	HP 134A, HP 134X
	HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw	HP 206A, HP 206X
	HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw	HP 210A, HP 210X
	HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP M479fdw	HP 414A, HP 414X
	Xerox Phaser 6510DNI	106R03477, 106R03478, 106R03479, 106R03480

As a compatible printer cartridge supplier, True Image offers premium ink and toner cartridges at a fraction of OEM price. FREE SHIPPING on each order over $30, 30-Day Money Back Guarantee.

Want to know about Canon, HP, and Epson printers? Check out our blog:

Canon vs HP Printer: Which to Choose?

Canon vs Epson Printers: Which Is Better?

VII. Conclusion

In the ongoing debate between ink tank vs laser printers, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Both printer types have their pros and cons, and the right choice ultimately depends on your printing requirements.