If you print a lot of documents, a laser printer is a practical choice. It uses toner rather than liquid ink, so you get quick printing, sharp text and a lower cost per page when printing in larger volumes.
Laser printers are a natural fit for home offices and workplaces. If photos are a bigger part of what you print, inkjet printers may suit you better.
Is a Laser Printer Right for You?
Laser printers work well anywhere there is a steady stream of documents to get through, from home offices and schools to small businesses and shared workplaces.
They are particularly handy for reports, invoices, forms and study materials. For occasional photo printing or more varied print jobs, compare the wider range of printers & scanners.
Choose Between Mono, Colour and Multifunction
What do you actually need to print? Answering that first makes choosing a laser printer much simpler.
Mono Laser Printers
Mostly printing text? A mono laser printer handles black and white documents without the extra colour toner cartridges. It is a straightforward choice for invoices, reports and everyday paperwork.
Colour Laser Printers
Colour models are useful for presentations, charts and documents that need more than black and white. Expect them to cost more to buy and run than a comparable mono printer.
Multifunction Laser Printers
A multifunction model adds scanning and copying to your printer, with fax available on some models. It is handy if you want one machine to handle several office jobs rather than adding separate scanners.
Know What the Printer Specs Mean
Laser printers use toner, a drum and heat to put the image onto the page. Because toner is fused to the paper, prints come out dry and ready to handle.
A few specs are particularly useful when comparing models:
- Pages per minute: How quickly it gets through a print job.
- First page out time: How long you wait for that first sheet.
- Print resolution: How much detail the printer can reproduce.
Match the Printer to How Much You Print
Printing a few pages at home is very different from running off hundreds of documents at work. Check the printer's recommended monthly volume and duty cycle to see whether it suits your workload.
Paper capacity is worth checking too. Automatic duplexing handles double-sided printing for you, while extra trays are useful if you regularly switch between different paper sizes or types.
Work Out Your Toner Costs
The printer price is only part of the cost. Toner yield tells you roughly how many pages a cartridge can print, which helps you compare the ongoing cost per page.
High-yield cartridges can make sense if you print regularly. Some printers also have a separate drum that eventually needs replacing, so check the consumables and replacement intervals before buying. Browse ink and printing consumables for compatible options.
Shop Laser Printers at digiDirect
digiDirect stocks everything from compact mono laser printers to colour multifunction models from recognised brands. Shop Australian stock with applicable warranty coverage, with Click & Collect and delivery options depending on availability.
Laser Printer FAQs
Can a laser printer sit unused for long periods without problems?
Yes. Toner is a dry powder, so you do not have the same issue with liquid ink drying out between print jobs. That makes a laser printer handy if there are sometimes long gaps between uses.
Do laser printers handle thick, recycled or specialty paper?
Many can, but the supported paper types and weights vary by printer. Check the specifications before loading thick card or specialty media. Paper that is too heavy for the printer can cause feeding problems.
Why does a laser printer need to warm up before printing?
The printer uses heat to fuse toner onto the paper, so it may need a little time to get ready. Some models warm up faster than others. Compare the first page out time if you often print short, one-off jobs.
Are third-party toner cartridges safe to use?
Quality and compatibility vary between third-party toner cartridges. A poorly matched cartridge can cause print or reliability problems. Check your printer manufacturer's cartridge requirements and warranty terms before using one.
Do laser printers need to be used in a ventilated room?
A normal, well-ventilated home or office space is suitable for most laser printers. Give the printer enough room around its vents and follow the manufacturer's placement advice. Avoid putting it in a cramped, enclosed space where heat cannot escape easily.
