A laser printer is a printer that uses a laser, static electricity, and heat to fuse powdered toner onto paper. It's built for fast, crisp text and high page volumes, which makes it a popular choice for offices and anyone who prints a lot of documents. Laser printers come in monochrome models that print in black only and color models that add cyan, magenta, and yellow toner.
Laser Printer Essentials at a Glance
Uses dry toner powder instead of liquid ink
Prints sharp text quickly, especially for large black-and-white jobs
Comes in monochrome (black only) and color models
Usually costs more up front than an inkjet but less per page for text
Toner doesn't dry out, so occasional use won't clog the printer
How Does a Laser Printer Work?
Laser printing uses static electricity to place toner exactly where it's needed, then heat to lock it onto the page. The process happens in a few quick steps:
Charging: A rotating cylinder called the drum receives an even electrical charge across its surface.
Exposing: A laser beam sweeps across the drum, changing the charge wherever text or images should appear. This creates an invisible image of the page.
Developing: Toner particles are attracted to the charged areas of the drum, making the image visible in powder.
Transferring: The paper passes the drum, and an opposite charge pulls the toner off the drum and onto the paper.
Fusing: The paper runs between heated rollers in the fuser, which melt the toner and bond it to the page.
Cleaning: Leftover toner is cleared from the drum so it's ready for the next page.
Because the laser can draw a full page quickly and toner doesn't need to dry, laser printers turn out pages fast and the prints are ready to handle right away. For a side-by-side look at both technologies, read our comparison of laser and inkjet printers.
What Is Toner?
Toner is the fine, dry powder a laser printer uses instead of liquid ink. It's made mostly of plastic particles mixed with pigment, which melt and bond to the paper during fusing. Because it's dry, toner doesn't evaporate or clog nozzles, so a laser printer can sit unused for long stretches and still print cleanly.
Toner cartridges
Toner comes in sealed cartridges that slide into the printer. In many HP LaserJet printers, the imaging drum is built into the toner cartridge, so the parts that wear most are renewed each time you replace it. Other models use a separate drum unit that's replaced less often.
Page yield and high-yield cartridges
Each cartridge lists an estimated page yield, the number of pages it can print under standard test conditions. High-yield cartridges, often marked with an X in HP model numbers, hold more toner and print more pages than standard cartridges. Your actual page count depends on how much of each page is covered with text or images.
Learn more about ink and toner, printing costs, or read our comparison of printer ink vs. toner.
Monochrome vs. Color Laser Printers
A monochrome laser printer uses a single black toner cartridge. A color laser printer uses four: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, layered to create full-color pages.
Monochrome laser printer | Color laser printer | |
Toner cartridges | 1 (black) | 4 (black, cyan, magenta, yellow) |
Best for | Text documents, forms, invoices, reports | Documents with color charts, logos, flyers, and marketing materials |
Up-front cost | Usually lower | Usually higher |
Cost per page | Low for text | Higher for color pages |
Size | Often more compact | Usually larger to fit four cartridges |
Photos | Not suited to photos | Fine for graphics, but an inkjet is better for photo prints |
If you rarely need color, a monochrome laser keeps both purchase and running costs down. If your documents regularly include color, a color laser printer saves you from using a second printer.
What Are Laser Printers Best For?
High-volume document printing: Offices, schools, and home offices that print reports, contracts, and forms every day
Sharp text: Crisp lettering that holds up well, even at small font sizes
Shared printing: Workgroups that need a fast, reliable printer for many users
Infrequent printing: Toner doesn't dry out, so a laser printer is ready even after weeks of no use
Advantages and Limitations of Laser Printers
Laser printer advantages
Fast print speeds, especially for multi-page documents
Low cost per page for black-and-white text
Smudge-resistant prints that are ready to handle immediately
Larger paper trays and higher monthly volumes on many models
No ink to dry out between print jobs
Laser printer limitations
Higher up-front cost than most inkjets
Not ideal for photos or glossy photo paper
Heat-sensitive media, like some labels and transparencies, may not be compatible
Color models are usually larger and heavier
If you print a lot of color, consider an ink tank printer as well. For photos, an inkjet printer is the better fit.
HP LaserJet Printers
Our HP LaserJet printers range from compact models for home offices to high-capacity printers for large organizations. HP LaserJet Pro and HP Color LaserJet Pro models serve small and medium businesses, while HP LaserJet Enterprise models add advanced security and management for larger teams. Many are also available as all-in-one printers that scan, copy, and fax.
What to Check Before Buying a Laser Printer
Monochrome or color: Choose color only if your documents regularly need it.
Recommended monthly page volume: Pick a printer rated comfortably above how much you print each month.
Print speed: Compare pages per minute (ppm) for the type of documents you print. Learn more about print speed.
Automatic two-sided printing: Saves time on long documents.
Paper capacity: Larger trays mean fewer refills in busy offices. Learn more about paper and media.
Connectivity and security: Look for Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and built-in security features for shared printers. Learn more about printer security.
Toner cost: Check the price and page yield of replacement cartridges, not just the printer's price.
How to Care for a Laser Printer
Gently shake a low cartridge: When prints start to fade, rocking the toner cartridge side to side can redistribute the remaining toner, following the printer's instructions.
Give it room to breathe: The fuser gets hot, so keep vents clear and leave space around the printer.
Use compatible paper: Use paper and labels rated for laser printers to avoid jams and fuser damage.
Keep firmware current: Updates can improve performance and security. Learn more about drivers and firmware.
Clean carefully: Wipe the exterior with a dry, lint-free cloth, and follow the printer's guide before cleaning inside.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Printers
Do laser printers use ink?
Laser printers don't use liquid ink. They use toner, a dry powder that the printer melts onto the paper with heat. Inkjet and ink tank printers are the types that use liquid ink.
Can a laser printer print photos?
A color laser printer can print photos, but the results usually don't match an inkjet printer on photo paper. Laser printers also can't use many glossy inkjet photo papers because of the heat involved. For photo printing, an inkjet printer is the better choice.
Do laser printers dry out if not used?
Laser printers don't dry out when they sit unused, because toner is a dry powder. This makes a laser printer a good fit for people who print in bursts or only occasionally.
Is a laser printer cheaper than an inkjet printer?
A laser printer usually costs more to buy than an inkjet printer, but it often costs less per page for black-and-white text. For people who print a lot of documents, the lower page cost can make a laser printer cheaper over time.
Related Printer Topics
Printers: the main types of printers and how they work
Inkjet printers: how inkjets work and who they suit
Printers by use: matching a printer to home, office, or creative needs
Print quality: resolution, color, and sharpness
