Ink vs Toner: Which Costs Less Per Page?
Inkjet printers are cheap to buy but the ink is pricey per page — often 5–20¢ for black text on consumer models, more for photos.
Laser printers cost more upfront, but mono toner often runs 2–4¢ per page and high-yield toners go even lower. A Brother TN880, for instance, prints ~12,000 pages for ~$120 — about 1¢ per page.
If you print mostly black text in volume, laser wins easily. If you print a little, or need photo color, inkjet (or an EcoTank-style refill-tank printer) is the better value. Refill-tank inkjets blur the line — Epson 522 bottles print thousands of pages for a few dollars each.
FAQ
Is laser always cheaper than inkjet?
For high-volume black text, yes. For low volume or photo printing, a good inkjet or refill-tank printer can be cheaper overall.
What about EcoTank / refill-tank printers?
They have the lowest ink cost per page of any inkjet — often well under 1¢ — but cost more to buy.
Related
Yields are ISO estimates at ~5% page coverage; actual results vary. Prices are approximate and for guidance only.