Printer Running Cost: Laser vs Ink Tank vs Inkjet

Most people compare printers by the price on the box. But over a few years, the toner or ink you buy often costs more than the printer itself. A cheap printer with expensive refills can end up costing far more than a pricier one with cheap refills.

This guide shows you how to work out the cost per page and the total cost over time for any printer, with a simple formula and a worked example.

The short answer

• Cost per page = price of the toner or ink ÷ number of pages it prints (the page yield).
• Total cost = printer price + (cost per page × pages you print).
• The more you print, the more the cost per page matters, and the less the printer price matters.
• If you print very little, a cheaper printer can win, because you may never recoup a higher upfront price.

Step 1: Find the numbers you need

For each printer you're comparing, note:

1. Printer price (from the product page)
2. Price of one black toner cartridge or ink bottle or cartridge
3. Page yield of that refill. This is on the box and the product page, usually shown as "approx. 1,500 pages".
4. For colour: the price and yield of the colour toner or ink.

About page yield: it is measured with a standard test that assumes about 5% of each page is covered in ink or toner. A page with big graphics or photos uses more, so your real yield may be lower. Plain text pages may go further.

Step 2: Calculate cost per page

Cost per page = refill price ÷ page yield

Example (sample numbers only, not real prices):
A toner cartridge costs ₹3,000 and prints 1,500 pages. ₹3,000 ÷ 1,500 = ₹2.00 per page.

Step 3: Work out your total cost

Total cost = printer price + (cost per page × total pages printed)

Pages printed = pages per month × 12 × years you'll keep the printer.

Worked example (sample numbers only)

Imagine you print 300 black-and-white pages a month and keep the printer for 3 years. That is 300 × 12 × 3 = 10,800 pages.

These are made-up numbers to show the method. Real prices and yields vary by model, so use the figures from the product pages you're comparing.

What the example shows: the cheapest printer to buy (the inkjet) became the most expensive to run, and the ink tank cost the most upfront but the least overall.

Break-even: when does a pricier printer pay off?

Pages to break even = extra upfront cost ÷ saving per page

Using the sample numbers above, the ink tank costs ₹8,000 more than the inkjet but saves about ₹2.88 per page (₹3.00 − ₹0.12).

₹8,000 ÷ ₹2.88 ≈ 2,780 pages. At 300 pages a month, that is about 9 months. After that, the ink tank is cheaper every month.

If you print only 20 pages a month, it would take over 11 years to break even, so the cheaper printer might be the smarter buy.

What about colour?

Colour pages cost more per page than black-and-white on every printer type. To include colour in your estimate:

1. Work out the cost per colour page the same way (colour refill price ÷ colour yield).
2. Estimate what share of your pages are colour. For example, 20% colour means 60 of 300 pages.
3. Add the black cost for the rest and the colour cost for the colour pages.

Example with the ink tank above (sample numbers): black ₹0.12 per page, colour ₹0.25 per page. For 240 black and 60 colour pages a month, that is (240 × 0.12) + (60 × 0.25) ≈ ₹44 a month.

A black-and-white-only laser can't print colour at all, so if you need colour, compare only colour-capable printers.

What this calculation leaves out

• Paper, which costs about the same for every printer
• Electricity, which differs a little between types
• Repairs and maintenance
• A little black ink or toner used in colour pages
• Your time and convenience

When does each type usually win?

Costs depend on the exact models, but these patterns often hold:

Don't assume. Run the numbers for your own situation, because a laser and an ink tank can be close for black-and-white, and the winner depends on the actual yields and prices.

Tips to lower your cost per page

• Choose a high-yield cartridge if your printer supports it. It often gives a lower cost per page. Our guide to choosing the right HP toner cartridge explains how.
• Print in draft or economy mode for internal documents.
• Print double-sided to save paper.
• Print only what you need, and preview before printing.
• Keep the printer in regular use so ink doesn't dry out.
• Use genuine supplies for consistent quality and fewer problems.

Printers and supplies

Browse our laser printers and inkjet printers, plus toner cartridges and ink bottles and cartridges. Check the page yield on each product page before you compare.

Still choosing? Read our guides to laser vs inkjet vs ink tank printers, HP Smart Tank 210 vs 520 vs 750 and the best HP printers in India 2026.

Buying for an office?

If you run several printers, a small difference in cost per page adds up quickly. For bulk pricing, GST invoices and help comparing models, send your requirement on our Bulk Orders and B2B enquiry page.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate cost per page?
Divide the price of the toner or ink by its page yield. For example, ₹3,000 for 1,500 pages is ₹2.00 per page.

Is ink tank cheaper than laser?
Often for colour, and sometimes for black-and-white too. It depends on the actual prices and yields, so calculate it for the models you're comparing.

Why is my real cost higher than the calculation?
Page yield is measured on pages with light coverage. Pages with graphics or photos use more ink or toner.

Is a cheaper printer always cheaper overall?
No. If you print a lot, expensive refills can make a cheap printer the costliest option over time.

How many pages do I need to print for an ink tank to pay off?
Divide the extra upfront cost by your saving per page. The worked example above shows how.

Are the supplies on WERY genuine?
Yes. WERY sells 100% genuine products with official brand warranty.