But lasers are a good fit for text and graphic output, particularly in bulk: long research papers, book drafts, contracts in law offices, monthly invoices, and the like. So, who would find a laser printer preferable to an inkjet? Definitely not a home user looking to print photos, much less a photo enthusiast or professional photographer, and not someone looking for a portable printer. Also note: At the very end of this article is a detailed spec breakout of our top models. Read on for our labs-tested favorites, followed by the buying basics you should know when buying a laser printer. Some printers have high-yield cartridges that last longer and reduce your cost per page.We've outlined below our top picks among home and office lasers that we've tested. You should also factor in the cost of toner cartridges, which are consumables that need to be replaced periodically. Laser printers vary in price depending on their features and performance. Finally, consider your budget and running costs.Make sure that the printer is compatible with your operating system and supports the file formats that you use. Some also have wireless or network capabilities that enable you to print from your mobile devices or share the printer with multiple users. Most laser printers have USB ports that allow you to connect them to your computer or laptop. Third, check the connectivity options and compatibility of the printer.The faster the speed, the more efficient the printer. Also look for the print speed, which measures how fast the printer can produce pages per minute (ppm).

The higher the resolution, the better the quality. Look for the print resolution, which indicates the sharpness and clarity of the output. Second, compare the features and specifications of different models.

Also, consider the volume of your printing and choose a printer with a suitable paper capacity and duty cycle. If you need to print color graphics or photos, you will need a color laser printer. If you mainly print text documents, a monochrome laser printer will suffice.

First, think about what you will be printing and how often.

Test print laser printer