Should I buy an inkjet or laser printer for home?

For most home users, the choice between an inkjet and a laser printer comes down to how often you print and what you print:

• Buy a laser printer if you print infrequently (for example, every few weeks or months) or you mostly print black-and-white text documents. Laser printers use dry toner instead of liquid ink, so they’re much less likely to dry out during periods of inactivity. They often have a lower total cost of ownership over time and are usually faster for text-heavy printing.
• Buy an inkjet printer if you want better results for high-quality color photos, art, or graphics, or if you want the lowest upfront price. The tradeoff is that ink can dry out or clog if the printer sits unused for long periods, so they’re best if you print regularly.

If you want a simple default for most homes, I’d lean laser for documents and inkjet for photos or color-heavy printing. If you’re considering a color laser, expect a bigger upfront cost and often a larger machine than a basic inkjet, though the exact size and running costs vary by model.

If you tell me roughly how often you print and whether you print photos, I can recommend which type fits you best.