Is it worth buying a laser printer vs inkjet in 2026?

Laser is definitely the way to go if you print more than like a couple times a week - way cheaper per page in the long run and the toner doesn't dry out if it sits around for months. Inkjets are fine if you barely print anything, but honestly most people end up regretting not going laser.

I literally just went through this myself a few months back. I was printing shipping labels constantly for my delivery gig and kept running out of ink, which was killing me financially. Switched to a laser printer and honestly it's been a game changer.

The main thing is the cost per page is way cheaper with laser, especially if you're printing a lot. My old inkjet would dry out if I didn't use it for like a week, which was super annoying. The toner in my laser just sits there and doesn't go bad. That said, lasers are more expensive upfront - mine was around $300 while an inkjet would've been like $80-100. But I've already made that back in not buying cartridges constantly. If you only print occasionally though, an inkjet might still make sense since you won't notice the waste as much. Also color lasers are still pretty pricey if that matters to you.

The real deciding factor is how much you actually print. In 2026 there's honestly not much difference in quality between them anymore. For my labels and the occasional document it's perfect. If you're printing photos or doing graphic design stuff regularly, some people still prefer inkjet. But for everyday printing, especially volume printing like I do, laser is definitely worth it. Just do the math on how many pages you print per month and check the cost per page for whatever model you're looking at.

I'd say laser is worth it if you're printing regularly, which most people are these days. I deal with a lot of this stuff because we print client records and care sheets at the clinic, plus labels for supplies and meds. The toner situation is just so much better than dealing with ink cartridges that cost a fortune and dry out if you don't use them for a week. With laser, I can go months without printing and it still works fine when I need it.

The real thing is your usage pattern though. If you're printing maybe once or twice a month just to print some random documents, an inkjet might be fine and takes up less space. But honestly, laser prices have come down so much that even entry-level ones aren't that expensive anymore. The per-page cost is way lower, so it pays for itself pretty quick if you're printing anything more than occasional stuff. I've had my Brother laser sitting in our office for like three years now with zero issues. My parents still have an inkjet and they're constantly complaining about it not working when they need it, or the cartridges being mysteriously empty.

One thing to consider if you're in a small space like an apartment - some lasers are genuinely huge. Look at the actual dimensions before you buy. There are smaller models now though if you need something compact. For me, the decision was easy since we print a lot, but if space is tight or you genuinely barely print anything, don't force it.