Ink cartridges and toner cartridges are often confused — understandably, since both are what make printers print. But they work in completely different ways, suit different types of printing, and aren't interchangeable. If you're choosing a new printer, or just trying to understand what you already have, here's a clear explanation of the difference and which is likely to suit you better.
How Inkjet Printers Work
Inkjet printers use liquid ink, stored in cartridges, which is fired through microscopic nozzles onto the page as tiny droplets. The droplets combine to form text and images with remarkable precision — which is why inkjet printers are capable of producing high-quality colour output and photo prints that genuinely look like photographs.
The ink itself is water-based, which means it can be absorbed by the paper. This is why paper choice matters more with inkjet printing — on plain or low-quality paper, ink can spread slightly and look less sharp than it would on a coated inkjet sheet.
Inkjet printers are typically more compact, quieter, and less expensive to buy than laser printers. They're the dominant choice for home use, home offices, and anyone who prints photos or colour documents regularly.
How Laser Printers Work
Laser printers use toner — a very fine dry powder — rather than liquid ink. A laser beam draws the image or text onto a photosensitive drum, which attracts toner particles in the right pattern. The paper then passes over the drum, picking up the toner, which is fused permanently to the page using heat.
Because toner is fused rather than absorbed, laser prints are generally more resistant to smudging and water damage. The process is also faster than inkjet printing, which makes laser printers better suited to high-volume environments where speed matters — busy offices, print rooms, and anywhere that regularly prints large quantities of text.
Laser printers are typically larger and more expensive upfront than inkjet models, but the cost per page is usually lower for text documents — which makes them more economical over time for high-volume users.
How to Tell Which Type You Have
If you're not sure whether your printer is inkjet or laser, the quickest way to find out is to look at the consumables it takes. Ink cartridges are small, usually rectangular or L-shaped, and contain liquid ink — you may be able to see the ink through a window on some models. Toner cartridges are significantly larger, typically cylindrical or block-shaped, and contain dry powder. They're most commonly found in office environments rather than home settings.
You can also check your printer's model number — look it up on the manufacturer's website or use our ink finder tool to confirm what it takes.
Ink or Toner — Which Is Right for You?
Choose inkjet if:
- You print at home or in a small office
- You print photos, colour documents, or anything where colour accuracy matters
- You print relatively modest volumes — a few pages a day rather than hundreds
- You want a compact printer that doesn't take up much space
- Your upfront budget for the printer is limited
Choose laser if:
- You print large volumes regularly — particularly text-heavy documents
- Speed is important and you can't wait for pages to print one at a time
- You primarily print in black and white
- You want a lower cost per page over time and print enough to justify the higher upfront cost
- You need prints that are highly resistant to smudging or moisture
What About Running Costs?
This is where the comparison gets more nuanced. Inkjet cartridges can look expensive relative to the printer cost, particularly if you print infrequently and cartridges dry out between uses. Laser toner cartridges cost more upfront but tend to last longer and have a lower cost per page for text documents.
However, inkjet printers have significantly improved in running cost efficiency in recent years, particularly with XL cartridge options that bring the cost per page down considerably. For moderate home use, a good inkjet printer with genuine XL cartridges can be very competitive on running costs — and the quality advantage for colour and photos remains firmly with inkjet.
One important note: whichever type you use, genuine cartridges consistently outperform compatible alternatives on both print quality and reliability. At Crazy Kangaroo we stock genuine HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother ink cartridges — no compatibles or refills — with free UK delivery on every order.
A Note on Recycling
Both ink cartridges and toner cartridges should be recycled rather than put in general waste. At Crazy Kangaroo, our free Freepost recycling service covers genuine HP and Canon inkjet cartridges — every order includes a prepaid recycling bag automatically. For toner cartridges and other brands, manufacturer take-back schemes are the best route — details are on our recycling page.
