Buying guides for the best laser printer for home use
Is your small business in need of a quality laser printer that won’t break the bank? If so, you’ll want to take a closer look at the best laser printers for small businesses.
We’ve gathered some of the top-rated models on the market, so you can find the perfect fit for your needs. Whether you’re looking for fast printing speeds or versatile features, we’ve got you covered. So what are you waiting for? Check out our top picks and see which one is perfect for your business!
Top 7 best laser printers for home use to buy in 2023
*Note: Score is based on our AI score (Editor’s choice and rating)
What is a laser printer?
A laser printer is a type of printer that uses a laser to create an image on paper. Laser printers are some of the most common types of printers used in homes, offices, and businesses. They provide high-quality prints quickly and cost-effectively.
Laser printers use toner cartridges instead of ink cartridges, which last longer and produce higher quality prints than inkjet printers. In addition, laser printers are capable of printing in black & white or color and offer a wide range of features and connectivity options such as wireless printing or cloud printing.
With advancements in technology, modern laser printers can also print on cardstock, glossy photo paper, and other specialty media.
Benefits of laser printers
Cost-Effective: Laser printers are significantly less expensive than inkjet printers. With laser printers, you don’t have to replace the ink cartridges or print heads as often, which helps keep costs down and eliminates waste.
Colorful Prints: Laser printers can produce crisp text and vibrant colors on demand, so you don’t have to settle for dull black-and-white copies anymore! This can be especially helpful if you need high-quality color prints for presentations or marketing materials.
Fast Printing Speed: Laser printers are much faster than inkjet models because they use heat rather than ink to produce images on paper; they can print up to 30 pages per minute! This makes them perfect for printing large documents without wasting time waiting around for your machine to finish its job before moving on to something else.
High-Quality Output: Laser printers produce high-quality prints that are sharper and more detailed than inkjet models. The resolution of laser printouts is also higher, resulting in images and text that look clearer and crisper when viewed up close. This makes them ideal for professional printing needs.
Low Maintenance: When compared to inkjet printers, laser printers require very little maintenance. They don’t need to be cleaned as often (the toner cartridge typically only needs to be replaced once or twice a year) and they run quietly without producing any noticeable noise. This makes them perfect for office settings where loud machinery can disrupt the workflow.
Energy Efficient: Laser printers are highly energy efficient; on average, they use about 75% less electricity than inkjet models. This makes them a great choice for businesses that want to reduce their energy consumption and lower their operating costs.
Consistent Quality: Because laser printers use toner instead of ink, the output quality is consistent every time you print. This means that text and images will look the same on each page, even if you’ve been printing all day long! The result is professional-looking documents with a polished finish.
Pros and Cons of laser printers
Pros
- Laser printers are fast and high-quality. They’re able to print large batches of material quickly, with sharp text and images that are easy to read.
- They’re eco-friendly. Laser printers use less energy than inkjet printers, so they don’t contribute as much waste to landfill sites or pollute the environment with toxic chemicals.
- They’re affordable. Laser printers are more cost-effective in the long run than inkjet printers because they use less ink per page and have fewer parts that need replacing.
Cons
- They’re expensive to buy. Laser printers are more expensive than inkjet printers, so if you don’t plan on making a lot of prints in the near future, it might not be worth the investment.
- They require special paper and toner cartridges. Laser printers need specific types of paper and toner cartridges to work properly, which can add an extra expense if you don’t already have these supplies available.
- The printouts fade over time. Laser printed documents tend to fade faster than those printed with an inkjet printer, so they may not last as long when stored away for archival purposes.
Types of laser printers
- Monochrome Laser Printer: A monochrome laser printer uses one color of toner to produce documents in black and white. It is the most common type of laser printer used for general-purpose printing needs due to its affordability, speed, and reliability.
- Color Laser Printer: A color laser printer uses four different colors of toners (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) that work together to create colorful prints with sharp details. Although more expensive than monochrome printers, these devices can be a great asset if you require quality color prints on a regular basis.
- Compact Laser Printer: Compact laser printers are great options if you need a robust printing device but you are short of space in your home or office. These devices offer the same features and performance as larger printers, but in a more compact size.
- Multifunction Laser Printer: Also known as an all-in-one laser printer, this device combines several functions into one single unit. It can be used to scan, copy and print documents with speed and accuracy. It is an ideal solution for small offices that need a cost-effective solution to handle multiple tasks without taking up much space.
How to use a laser printer?
- Make sure that the printer is plugged into a power source and that it’s connected to your computer via USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi (depending on the model).
- Load paper into the tray of the printer, making sure it is correctly aligned in accordance with the arrows printed on the inside of the tray. If two-sided printing is an option, make sure you only place the paper in one direction.
- Open up your document on your computer and select “Print” from either the dropdown menu in your application or by pressing CTRL+P simultaneously. This should open up a print dialogue box. Select which printer you want to use for this job as well as any other specifications you need from the dropdown menus.
- Once these specifications have been made, click “Print” on the dialogue box and wait a few moments whilst the printer starts to print your document. Depending on how large your document is, it could take some time for it to finish printing but when it does, you should have a physical copy of your document in front of you!
- To remove printed documents or reload the tray with fresh paper, press down on the two small tabs located at either side of the input tray until it slides out gently onto your desk. The documents and/or new paper can then be loaded into this tray before pushing it back into place and closing the lid.
- Finally, you should switch off your printer by pushing the “Power” button and wait for all the lights to go off before unplugging it from the power source. This will ensure that no further prints are made and the ink cartridge won’t dry out over time.
Factors to consider before buying laser printers
Resolution: Laser printers are known to print at a higher resolution than inkjet printers, and this can be an important factor in selecting the right printer for your needs. If you’re looking to produce high-quality prints or documents, then a laser printer is the way to go.
Speed: Laser printers are much faster than inkjet printers when it comes to printing speeds. For those who need higher volumes of printed material quickly, a laser printer is ideal due to its speed and output quality.
Cost Per Page: The cost per page of laser printing is usually lower than with inkjet printing because you don’t have to replace toner cartridges as often as ink cartridges. However, keep in mind that the cost per page can vary depending on a variety of factors, so it’s important to research and compare different models before making your purchase.
Duty Cycle: The Duty Cycle is the number of pages a laser printer can safely print in a month without having to worry about maintenance or repairs. If you plan on printing large volumes of material regularly, then you’ll want to make sure your printer has a higher duty cycle.
Connectivity: Many laser printers now come with built-in wireless networking capabilities, which allow users to connect their devices directly to the printer without having to physically connect them via USB or other cables. This makes it much easier for multiple people to be able to wirelessly print from the same printer.
Energy Usage: When selecting a laser printer, you’ll also want to consider its energy usage. Laser printers typically use more power than their inkjet counterparts, so if you’re looking for an eco-friendly option then make sure to look for models with low energy consumption ratings.
Maintenance & Support: Like any other electronic device, laser printers need regular maintenance and repairs in order to ensure they continue working properly and efficiently. Before making your purchase, take the time to research each model’s warranty coverage as well as the availability of technical support in case something goes wrong down the line.
Brand: The brand of the printer is also an important factor to consider. While it may be tempting to go with the cheapest option, it’s important to make sure that you are getting a quality product from a reputable manufacturer.
Price: Price is always an important factor to consider when buying any product. It can be tempting to go with the cheapest option but bear in mind that you’ll often get what you pay for and a cheaper printer may not last as long or produce as high-quality prints as more expensive models.
Design: The design of the laser printer is also something to take into account. Some printers are designed with a minimalist aesthetic while others are bulkier and more industrial-looking. Consider your own personal style preferences before making a purchase.
Warranty: As with any electronic device, it’s important to make sure that the printer you choose has a good warranty. Make sure to read through the fine print and understand what is and isn’t covered under the warranty before making your purchase.
Customer Service: The level of customer service provided by a company can be an important factor in selecting the right laser printer. Take some time to research online reviews or speak directly with customer service representatives to get an idea of how helpful they are if something goes wrong.
Material: Finally, consider what types of materials you’ll be printing from your printer as this will impact which type of material you should use for the best results. Laser printers are designed to work with different types of paper, so make sure you select one that can handle the type of material you’ll be printing on a regular basis.
Tips to use laser printer.
- Clean the printer head regularly: Laser printers work by transferring toner onto the paper, and this requires a clean printhead for optimal performance. To ensure your laser printer is running at its best, it’s important to clean the printhead often and replace any worn or damaged parts.
- Use high quality paper: High quality papers are designed specifically for use with laser printers, so using them can help you get better results from your printer. Make sure you select a paper that is suitable for your printer model and check that it meets the recommended specifications of your manufacturer before printing.
- Handle cartridges carefully: Laser toner cartridges should be handled with care as they contain sensitive components which can be damaged easily. Always store cartridges in a dry, dust-free environment and keep them away from excessive heat or direct sunlight.
- Keep your toner levels topped up: Checking the toner levels of your laser printer regularly is an important part of keeping it running smoothly. If you allow the toner cartridge to become empty then it can damage the printhead and lead to poor printing results.
- Calibrate your printer: Laser printers need to be calibrated regularly in order to produce consistent, high quality prints. This involves adjusting a number of settings such as page size, paper type, resolution, color balance, and other parameters which can help ensure that you get the best possible results from your printer.
- Update firmware/software: Just like with any other device, updating the firmware and software of your laser printer can help ensure it runs at its best. Keeping up-to-date with these updates can also prevent any potential security risks from arising.
- Use a surge protector: Power surges can be damaging to your laser printer, so make sure you use a quality surge protector to keep it safe. This will help protect against power spikes which could potentially damage components in the printer and lead to costly repairs or replacements.
FAQs.
Can laser printers use any paper?
Inkjets and laser printers don’t need to use different paper. You can get by with a ream of cheap office copy paper if that’s all you’ve got!
Which page size is used in laser printers?
Laser printers are a popular choice for home, office, and small business use. They can handle print jobs from 8 1/2 x 11-inch sheets of paper up to 14″x17″. The best models have options like continuous sheet feeding so you don’t need to manually change out your printer’s pages as it goes along – just put in new ones when they’re finished printing!
Conclusion.
If you are looking for the best laser printer on the market, we have a few recommendations for you. Our top picks are based on performance, price, and customer satisfaction.
Whether you are in the market for a personal or business laser printer, our list will help you find the right model for your needs. Have any questions? Feel free to reach out to us today. We would be happy to assist you in finding the perfect laser printer for your needs.
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