Printer types
Eight kinds of printer, side by side
How each one works, what it is good at, and what it costs to keep running, in relative terms you can actually compare.
Independent guide — not affiliated with any manufacturer. For warranty or official support, contact the maker of your printer.
At a glance
Compare the types
Levels are relative to the other types on this page, not exact prices. Individual models vary, so treat this as a starting point. To work out real running costs, see how to calculate cost per page.
| Type | Best for | Upfront cost | Running cost | Speed | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inkjet | Mixed home printing, light use | Low | High | Medium | Yes |
| Laser | Text documents, steady volume | Medium | Low | High | Some models |
| Ink-tank | Regular color printing at home | Medium | Low | Medium | Yes |
| All-in-one | Homes that also scan and copy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Yes |
| Photo | Photos and creative projects | Medium | High | Low | Yes |
| Label & thermal | Shipping labels, receipts, barcodes | Low | Low | High | Usually no |
| Portable | Travel, field work, phone printing | Medium | High | Low | Some models |
| Dot-matrix | Multi-part forms, industrial use | Medium | Low | Low | No |
Deep dives
Pick a type to explore
- Tiny droplets, big flexibilityInkjet printersThe everyday home printer: affordable to buy, good at color, happy with photos and documents alike.How it works
- Static, powder and heatLaser printersFast, crisp text and a low cost per page. The workhorse for documents.How it works
- Refill from a bottleInk-tank printersInkjet technology with large refillable tanks. More upfront, far less per page.How it works
- Print, scan, copyAll-in-one printersOne machine that prints, scans and copies, and sometimes faxes. Inkjet or laser inside.How it works
- More inks, finer detailPhoto printersInkjets tuned for pictures: extra ink colors, fine droplets and paper made for prints.How it works
- Heat instead of inkLabel & thermal printersShipping labels, receipts and barcodes printed with heat, often with no ink at all.How it works
- Printing on the movePortable printersSmall, battery-friendly printers for travel, field work and printing from a phone.How it works
- Pins, ribbon, impactDot-matrix printersImpact printers that strike an inked ribbon. Loud and old-school, still unbeatable for multi-part forms.How it works
Next step
Know your type? Find the guides that fit it
Setup, maintenance and troubleshooting guides, each tagged with the printer types it applies to.