Understanding Printer Technology: Inkjet vs Laser vs Tank Systems

Selecting the right printer for your home or office can be daunting, given the wide range of options available today. Should you choose an inkjet, a laser, or one of the newer tank systems? Each technology has its own advantages and disadvantages that could greatly affect your printing experience and budget. This comprehensive guide explains these technologies in straightforward terms, helping you make an informed decision tailored to your specific needs.

Inkjet Printers: The Versatile Choice

How Inkjet Technology Works

Inkjet printers operate by spraying tiny droplets of liquid ink through microscopic nozzles onto paper. These droplets are incredibly small—often less than 50 microns in diameter (thinner than a human hair). The printheads contain hundreds of these nozzles, allowing precise control over ink placement.

The two main inkjet technologies are:

• Thermal inkjet: Uses heat to create a bubble that forces ink through the nozzle (used by HP and Canon).

• Piezoelectric inkjet: Uses electrical charges to push ink through the nozzle (Epson’s preferred method).

Advantages of Inkjet Printers

• Photo quality: Excellent for printing vibrant photos with smooth colour gradients

• Affordable upfront cost: Generally cheaper to purchase than laser printers

• Versatile media handling: Performs well with various paper types, including glossy photo paper

• Compact size: Usually smaller and lighter than laser printers, ideal for home use

• Low energy consumption: Uses up to 90% less power than comparable laser models

Limitations of Inkjet Printers

• Ongoing ink costs: Traditional cartridges can be expensive (though tank systems address this)

• Slower printing speeds: Generally slower than laser printers, especially for text documents

• Printhead clogging: Nozzles may clog if the printer isn’t used regularly

• Ink smudging: Prints can smudge if they get wet shortly after printing

• Higher cost per page: Traditional cartridge systems can cost 5–10p per page for colour prints

“The true cost of a printer isn’t the purchase price—it’s the ongoing cost of consumables over its lifetime,” says Martin Clarke, printer specialist at Which? consumer magazine.

Laser Printers: Built for Speed and Volume

How Laser Technology Works

Laser printers use a completely different printing process. Rather than liquid ink, they use powdered toner and a complex electrostatic procedure:

• A laser beam creates an electrostatic image of your page on a charged drum

• The drum collects toner particles where the laser has altered the charge

• The toner transfers from the drum to your paper

• Heat fuses the toner permanently to the paper

This process happens very quickly, which is why laser printers can produce pages at such speed.

Advantages of Laser Printers

• Speed: Can print 20–40 pages per minute (some business models exceed 100 ppm)

• Text quality: Produces exceptionally crisp, clean text documents

• Lower cost per page: Typically 2–3p per black and white page

• Higher monthly duty cycles: Built for larger print volumes

• Toner longevity: Toner cartridges don’t dry out like ink and last longer

• Print stability: Toner doesn’t smudge when wet as it’s heat-fused to the paper

Limitations of Laser Printers

• Higher upfront cost: More expensive initial purchase

• Photo limitations: Generally inferior to inkjets for high-quality photo printing

• Larger footprint: Take up more space, especially colour laser models

• Weight: Significantly heavier than inkjet printers

• Energy consumption: Use more electricity than inkjet printers

• Limited media versatility: May struggle with specialty papers and thicker media

According to a 2024 study by the British Printing Industries Federation, laser printers still dominate the business market, accounting for 78% of office printer purchases.

Tank System Printers: The Cost-Efficient Revolution

How Tank Systems Work

Tank system printers (sometimes called “supertank” or “ecotank” printers) are a relatively recent innovation in inkjet printing. Instead of using small, disposable cartridges, these printers have large, refillable ink reservoirs.

The technology is essentially inkjet, but with a fundamental difference in ink supply:

• Large ink tanks built into the printer hold the equivalent of dozens of traditional cartridges

• Ink bottles are used to refill tanks when needed

• Ink is delivered to printheads through tubes or direct connections

Advantages of Tank System Printers

• Dramatically lower running costs: As low as 0.3p per page for black prints

• Reduced waste: No need to dispose of numerous plastic cartridges

• Convenience: Less frequent ink replacement (can print thousands of pages before refilling)

• High capacity: Comes with enough ink to print 6,000–14,000 pages straight out of the box

• Visual ink levels: Clear windows show exactly how much ink remains

• Quality comparable to standard inkjets: Same excellent colour reproduction

Limitations of Tank System Printers

• Higher upfront cost: More expensive initial purchase (though savings on ink offset this)

• Potential for messy refills: Requires careful handling of ink bottles during refilling

• Slower speeds: Generally comparable to standard inkjets (slower than laser printers)

• Less compact: Slightly larger than cartridge-based inkjet printers due to the tanks

The tank system market has grown exponentially, with sales increasing by 43% in the UK between 2020 and 2024, according to industry analyst GfK.

Comparing the Technologies: Which Should You Choose?

For Home Users

Best for casual home use (fewer than 100 pages per month):

• Tank system inkjet if you can afford the higher upfront cost

• Standard inkjet if your budget is limited and you print infrequently

Best for home office (100–500 pages per month):

• Tank system inkjet for balanced performance and lowest long-term cost

• Monochrome laser if you mainly print text documents

Best for photo enthusiasts:

• Photo-optimised inkjet with five or more ink colours for the highest quality

• Tank system inkjet for high-volume photo printing on a budget

For Business Users

Best for small business (500–1,500 pages per month):

• Colour laser for professional-looking documents and moderate volume

• Tank system inkjet for mixed document and colour printing needs

Best for medium/large office (over 1,500 pages per month):

• Business-class laser printer for high-volume, high-speed requirements

• Multifunction laser for integrated scanning and copying capabilities

Environmental Considerations

With increasing awareness of sustainability, the environmental impact of printing technology is becoming ever more important:

Inkjet Printers:

• Lower energy consumption during use

• Cartridges generate plastic waste, although many can be recycled

• Smaller and lighter, requiring fewer resources to manufacture

Laser Printers:

• Higher energy consumption

• Toner cartridges contain more plastic but last longer

• Potential concerns regarding emissions of toner particles

Tank System Printers:

• Reduced plastic waste due to fewer cartridges

• Similar low energy consumption to standard inkjets

• Ink bottles are generally recyclable

“Tank systems represent a significant environmental improvement over traditional cartridge systems, potentially reducing plastic waste by up to 90%,” notes Dr Eleanor Thompson, environmental scientist at Green Tech Reviews.

Making Your Decision

When choosing between these technologies, consider the following key factors:

• Volume: How many pages do you print each month?

• Content type: Mainly text, photographs, or a mixture?

• Cost sensitivity: Is the initial purchase price or running costs more important?

• Space constraints: Do you have room for a larger device?

• Print quality needs: Are you printing professional documents or family photographs?

The Bottom Line

• Opt for inkjet if you require excellent photo quality and don’t print large volumes.

• Choose laser if speed, text quality, and reliability are your priorities.

• Go for a tank system if you want the lowest cost per page and don’t mind paying more upfront.

Most importantly, look beyond the purchase price and consider the total cost of ownership over the printer’s lifetime. For many users, especially those printing regularly, investing in higher-quality technology upfront can lead to significant savings and less frustration in the long run.

Which printing technology works best for your needs? Share your experiences in the comments section below, or explore our related articles on choosing the best printer for specific purposes.