The type of cartridges used by each graphic printer can be considered the main difference between laser and inkjet printers. While laserjet printers use toner cartridges, inkjet printers utilize ink cartridges. Inkjet printer technology is basic, where the ink is dispensed as the cartridge travels over the page. The primary difference between inkjet and laser printers lies in the process. An inkjet printer works by firing drops of ink onto paper when the print head is moving. As a result, tails or satellites of the ink drop are formed on the document, and the contours of the printed characters are rough and contain ups and downs. Pros. Best for ink-heavy printing, like images and photographs. Do a better job of blending smooth colors than laser printers. Low starting cost, and ink cartridges are cheaper than toner Oh, never try gloss inkjet paper in a laser - the surface will melt in the fuser and mess everything up! You need the right kind of gloss paper. There used to be a clear cost-per-print difference that pushed us to laser, but the rise of ink tank printers has blurred that somewhat. Key Takeaways. Laser printers use toner to produce sharp and crisp text and images, while inkjet printers use ink to create vibrant and colorful prints. Laser printers are ideal for printing large volumes of documents quickly and efficiently, while inkjet printers are better suited for printing high-quality photos and graphics. For more Epson photo printers, with more ink tanks, the Epson EcoTank ET-7750, the Epson EcoTank ET-18100, and the ET-8550 all received strong reviews from us. The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is a 3-in All-in-one inkjets accounted for slightly more than half (55 percent) of all printers purchased by CR members in 2022. HP is the most popular brand in the category. And HP, Brother, and Canon all Inkjet vs. Laser: A Personal Choice. There was a time when the cliché was valid: Laser printers were better for business, and inkjets were strictly for low-volume family and home-office Laser printers can't print on any paper type that's sensitive to heat. Inkjet printers don't print as quickly as laser printers do, and their paper trays can't hold as much paper. Inkjet cartridges are also more expensive, although certain programs like HP Instant Ink can help reduce their cost. In DOD, the printer cartridges fires ink only at special points on the surface that is required for creating an image. Inkjet printers produce cheaper copies but prints slower compared to laser printers. These are also small and compact, with the printer fitting right on the desk or workstation. 9vds4.