Ink Tank vs Laser Printer: Which Is Cheaper to Run?
Updated 27 October 2026 by the Web Direct team, Diep River, Cape Town.
The printer price is only part of the cost: ink and toner over the printer's life usually cost more. Here is how the main types compare.
| Ink tank (EcoTank, MegaTank, Smart Tank) | Mono laser | Colour laser | Cartridge inkjet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Running cost | Lowest, especially colour | Very low for black | Moderate | Highest |
| Best for | Homes, schools, colour printing | Offices printing text | Offices printing colour documents | Very occasional printing |
| Dries out? | Print weekly | No | No | Yes, if unused |
| Speed | Moderate | Fast | Fast | Moderate |
Our recommendation
Mostly black text? A mono laser. Lots of colour, photos or school projects? An ink tank. Office colour documents in bursts? A colour laser. Avoid cheap cartridge inkjets if you print more than a few pages a month.
Shop ink tank printers, mono laser and colour laser printers, all printers and ink and toner.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ink tank printer cheaper than a laser?
For colour, yes. For black text only, a mono laser is often as cheap per page and faster.
Do ink tank printers dry out?
Not if you print a page every week or so. Laser printers do not dry out at all.
Which printer is best for a small office?
A mono or colour laser multifunction printer with duplex and network printing suits most small offices.
Need help choosing?
Tell us what you need it for and your budget, and we will recommend the right option. WhatsApp 083 297 3302, call (021) 712 3265 or email [email protected]. Free delivery on orders over R3,000 anywhere in South Africa, and no payment upfront: we confirm stock, then send an EFT invoice (how ordering works).
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