Question 1

What is a good cost per page for a laser printer?

Accepted Answer

A good cost per page (CPP) for a monochrome laser printer is under 1p per page using high-yield cartridges; colour laser printing typically runs between 3p and 8p per page depending on toner prices and coverage. To calculate CPP, divide the cartridge price by its rated yield at 5% page coverage. Brother and KYOCERA consistently offer some of the lowest CPP figures in the market, particularly when using XL or ultra-high-yield toners. Always factor this in before buying — a cheaper printer with expensive cartridges will cost more over two years than a pricier model with economical consumables.

Question 2

Is a laser printer better than an inkjet for office use?

Accepted Answer

For most office environments, yes — laser printers are faster, produce sharper text, and have lower running costs at volume than inkjets. Toner doesn't dry out between uses the way ink does, which matters if the printer sits idle for days at a time. The trade-off is upfront cost and colour accuracy: inkjets produce richer, more nuanced colour and are far better suited to photo printing. If your office prints primarily documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, a laser printer will almost always be the more economical long-term choice.

Question 3

How much should I spend on a laser printer for a small business?

Accepted Answer

For a small business with 2–10 users printing up to 2,000 pages a month, the sweet spot is between 203 £ and 362 £. This range gets you automatic duplex, full network connectivity (Wi-Fi and Ethernet), high-yield toner compatibility, and a duty cycle that won't be stressed by typical SME workloads. Spending less risks buying a machine with a duty cycle too low for shared use; spending more is only justified once your monthly volume consistently exceeds 3,000–5,000 pages.

Question 4

What does duty cycle mean, and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

The duty cycle is the maximum number of pages a printer is designed to handle per month without degrading its components or voiding the warranty. It matters because consistently exceeding it wears out the fuser unit and imaging drum prematurely — two of the most expensive parts to replace. As a practical rule, choose a printer whose rated duty cycle is at least three to four times your expected monthly print volume. A machine rated at 20,000 pages/month is not intended to run at 20,000 pages every month; that figure is a ceiling, not a target.

Question 5

Should I avoid laser printers that only come with starter toner cartridges?

Accepted Answer

Yes — starter cartridges are a common trap worth watching out for. Many laser printers, particularly at the entry level, ship with reduced-yield 'starter' toners that may only print 500–1,000 pages rather than the full-yield figure quoted in the spec sheet. This inflates the apparent value of the printer while ensuring you buy a replacement cartridge almost immediately. Always check whether the included toner is a starter or full-yield cartridge, and factor the cost of the first replacement into your total budget before comparing prices.

Question 6

Do laser printers work well with Mac and mobile devices in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the vast majority of current laser printers support AirPrint natively, which means seamless printing from any Mac, iPhone, or iPad without installing drivers. Android users should look for Mopria certification, which provides equivalent plug-and-play mobile printing. Most mid-range and above models from HP, Brother, and Canon also offer dedicated mobile apps with additional features like toner level monitoring and job scheduling. The only models where compatibility can be patchy are some budget USB-only units and certain enterprise-focused Lexmark machines that require specific driver configurations.

Question 7

Is it worth buying a separate laser printer, or should I get a multifunction model instead?

Accepted Answer

If you need scanning or copying alongside printing, a multifunction printer (MFP) is almost always better value than buying separate devices. Dedicated laser printers make sense when print speed and volume are the absolute priority and you already have a separate scanner, or when you need a secondary print-only device for a specific location. For most offices and home setups, an MFP covers all bases more efficiently — you can compare the full range of multifunction printers to see whether the price premium over a standalone laser is worth it for your needs.

Laser Printers Price Comparison

HP LaserJet Pro 4002dw Printer

HP LaserJet M110w Printer

Xerox B310 A4 40ppm Wireless Duplex Printer PS3 PCL5e/6 2 Trays Total 350 Sheets UK

HP LaserJet M209dwe Printer

HP LaserJet M209dw Printer

HP LaserJet Enterprise M406dn

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M455dn

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M554dn Printer

HP LaserJet Enterprise M611dn

HP LaserJet Enterprise M612dn

HP Color LaserJet Pro LaserJet Pro M255dw Wireless Color Printer, Duplex

HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M856dn

HP Color Laser 150nw

HP Color LaserJet Pro LaserJet Pro M454dw Wireless Color Printer, Duplex

HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw, Print, Front-facing USB printing; Two-sided printing

HP LaserJet Enterprise M507dn

HP LaserJet Enterprise M507x

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M751dn

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise LaserJet Enterprise M751dn Color Printer, Ethernet Only; Duplex

HP LaserJet Enterprise M507dn Black and white Printer, Ethernet Only; Duplex

HP LaserJet Pro M501dn

HP LaserJet Pro M501dn Black and white Printer, Ethernet Only; Duplex

HP LaserJet Enterprise 700 Printer M712dn

Laser Printers Price Comparison