Should I buy a laser printer if I rarely print?

Usually, yes — if you rarely print text documents, a laser printer is often the better low-hassle choice.

The main reason is that toner doesn’t dry out the way inkjet ink can, so a laser printer is less likely to give you trouble after sitting unused for weeks or months. Laser printers are also typically very good for crisp text.

That said, it’s not automatically the best pick for everyone:

• If you only print a few pages once in a while and want the lowest upfront cost, a basic inkjet may still be fine.
• If you need photos or frequent color printing, an inkjet is usually the better fit.
• Laser printers, especially color models, are often more expensive upfront and can be larger and heavier than basic inkjets.

Best rule of thumb: for occasional black-and-white document printing, buy a monochrome laser. If you mostly print photos or want color, consider an inkjet instead.