A Complete Guide to the Different Types of Printers

Quick Answer: The main types of printers are inkjet, laser, multifunction (all-in-one), and label printers. Inkjet printers are great for photos and colour printing at home. Laser printers suit high-volume office use. Multifunction printers combine printing, scanning, and copying. Label printers handle specialist tasks like shipping labels. The right choice depends on your print volume, budget, and intended use.

Choosing the right printer feels overwhelming when you are faced with so many options. Inkjet or laser? All-in-one or dedicated? It is easy to spend money on a printer that simply does not match your needs. This guide cuts through the noise. We'll cover the various types of printers in detail. By the end, you will know exactly which printer fits your home, business, or creative needs.

 

What Are the Main Types of Printers Available Today?

There are several categories of printers commonly available to UK buyers, each designed with a different use case in mind. Understanding what sets them apart is the first step to making a smart purchase.

Here is a quick overview of the main printer types covered in this guide:

• Inkjet printers — versatile, colour-capable, great for home use and photo printing
• Laser printers — fast, sharp, and cost-efficient for high-volume document printing
• Multifunction/all-in-one printers — print, scan, copy, and sometimes fax in a single unit
• Label printers — specialist devices for adhesive labels, barcodes, and shipping tags
• Thermal printers — use heat rather than ink; ideal for receipts and tickets
• Photo printers — optimised for producing high-quality photographic prints at home
• Dot matrix printers — older technology still used for multi-part carbon copy forms
• 3D printers — build three-dimensional objects rather than printing on flat paper
• Wide format printers — large-scale printing for posters, banners, CAD drawings, and architectural plans

If your focus is getting work done efficiently, a look through the dedicated range of printers for office use is a solid place to start. Likewise, if you are setting up at home, the curated selection of home printers covers everything from budget-friendly inkjets to capable all-in-ones.

 

 

Inkjet printers are the most popular type of computer printer for home users in the UK. They work by firing microscopic droplets of liquid printer ink through tiny nozzles in the printhead, building up the image or text dot by dot on the page.

They handle colour printing and photo output exceptionally well, making them a go-to choice for households, students, and creative professionals. You will find inkjet printers at a wide range of price points, from around £40 for a basic model up to several hundred pounds for a professional photo printer.

Who Should Buy an Inkjet Printer?

Inkjet printers are ideal for home users who print occasionally and care about colour quality and photo output. If you print family photos, school projects, boarding passes, or the occasional work document, an inkjet is almost certainly your best match.

However, if you print hundreds of pages a month, the running costs can climb quickly with standard cartridge models. In that case, consider an EcoTank-style inkjet or switch to a laser printer for better value over time.

Tip: Epson EcoTank and Canon MegaTank printers use large refillable ink tanks rather than cartridges. The upfront cost is higher, but the cost per page is dramatically lower, making them brilliant for families and home-office users who print regularly.

 

Pros and Cons of Inkjet Printers

Pros	Cons
Excellent colour accuracy and photo quality	Standard cartridges can be expensive to replace
Lower upfront purchase price (from around £40)	Slower print speeds compared to laser printers
Handles a wide variety of paper types including photo paper	Ink can smear if the page gets wet or damp
Compact models available — ideal for small spaces	Print heads can dry out with infrequent use
EcoTank and MegaTank models offer very low cost per page	Not ideal for high-volume black-and-white printing
Great for occasional users who need colour flexibility	Colour cartridges often run low faster than expected

Shop a wide selection of inkjet printers at Laptop Outlet, including EcoTank and standard cartridge models.

 

What Is a Laser Printer and How Does It Work?

Laser printers use a completely different technology to inkjets. Instead of liquid ink, they use a fine powder called toner, which is fused onto the paper using heat and pressure. The result is sharp, crisp text and significantly faster print speeds.

There are different kinds of printer within the laser category: monochrome (black and white only) and colour laser models. Monochrome laser printers are a staple in offices where large volumes of text documents need to be printed quickly and at a low cost per page.

Who Should Buy a Laser Printer?

If you print frequently and your documents are mostly text-based, the laser printers can save you a significant amount over time compared to a standard inkjet. Small businesses, home offices, and anyone printing 200 or more pages a month will typically find laser the smarter, more economical investment.

Colour laser printers are worth considering for businesses that need occasional colour alongside heavy mono printing. They are not the ideal tool for vivid photo output, but they produce clean, professional colour documents reliably.

Pros and Cons of Laser Printers

Pros	Cons
Fast print speeds — typically 20 to 40+ pages per minute (ppm) for mono	Higher upfront purchase cost than comparable inkjet models
Very low cost per page, especially for mono output	Colour laser printers can be significantly more expensive
Toner doesn't dry out between uses — reliable after periods of inactivity	Larger and heavier than most inkjet models
Crisp, sharp text output — professional quality every time	Not the best choice for photo printing
Handles high-volume print runs with ease	Uses more energy during the warm-up cycle
Toner cartridges yield hundreds to thousands of pages	Colour toner sets (4 cartridges) can be costly to replace

Browse the full range of best laser printers at Laptop Outlet, including mono and colour laser models.

 

What Are All-in-One Printers and Are They Worth the Money?

Multifunction printers (MFPs), also called all-in-one printers, combine printing with scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing in a single compact device. They are among the most versatile types of printers available today.

For most homes and small businesses, an all-in-one makes perfect practical sense. Instead of buying a separate printer and scanner, you get everything in one footprint, saving both money and valuable desk space.

Who Should Buy an All-in-One Printer?

All-in-one printers are the smart choice for home offices, freelancers, students, and small businesses that need print, scan, and copy capability without the clutter of multiple machines. They are also a solid choice for families who want one flexible device that handles everything from schoolwork to scanning important documents.

If space is tight or your budget does not stretch to separate devices, an all-in-one gives you the most functionality per pound spent. Just decide whether you need an inkjet or laser engine inside, based on your typical print volume and document types.

Pros and Cons of Multifunction Printers

Pros	Cons
Print, scan, copy, and fax in a single unit	If one function breaks, the entire unit may be affected
Saves desk space compared to buying multiple devices	Can be pricier than a single-function printer of similar quality
Cost-effective overall versus separate scanner and printer	Some budget models have noticeably slow scan speeds
Wide range of models available at every budget level	Larger footprint than a basic printer
Ideal for home offices and remote workers	Advanced features (fax, ADF) may go completely unused
Many models support wireless, cloud, and mobile printing	Premium laser MFPs can be a significant investment

Explore the wide range of multifunctional printers at Laptop Outlet, covering both inkjet and laser all-in-ones.

 

What Are Label Printers and Who Really Needs One?

Label printers are specialist devices designed specifically to produce adhesive labels, barcodes, address stickers, and product tags. They are not your everyday home printer, but for the right user, they are an absolute game changer for efficiency.

If you run an e-commerce business, manage a warehouse, or handle regular shipping, a dedicated label printer saves hours every week compared to printing labels on a standard inkjet or laser machine.

Who Should Buy a Label Printer?

Label printers are a must-have for online sellers on platforms like eBay, Amazon, Etsy, and Vinted. They are also widely used in retail, warehousing, healthcare, logistics, and hospitality for product tagging and compliance labelling.

If you print fewer than 10 labels a week, your standard home printer will likely cope just fine. But if you are despatching dozens of parcels daily, a dedicated label printer pays for itself quickly in time saved alone.

Pros and Cons of Label Printers

Pros	Cons
Fast and precise — purpose-built for label output	Limited to label-specific tasks only
No ink or toner needed on thermal models	Label rolls are an ongoing consumable cost
Compact, lightweight, and desk-friendly	Not suitable for general document printing
Supports barcodes, QR codes, and custom label formats	Some entry-level models have limited connectivity
Integrates with platforms like Royal Mail Click & Drop, eBay, and Amazon	Label design software can have a learning curve
Thermal labels are durable and smudge-resistant	Direct thermal output can fade in heat or sunlight over time

Browse our range of label printers at Laptop Outlet, from compact handhelds to high-volume desktop models.

What Other Printer Types Are Worth Knowing About?

Beyond the four main categories, there are several other different kinds of printer that are worth understanding, particularly if you have specialist requirements.

Thermal Printers

Thermal printers use heat to produce images on heat-sensitive paper. They require no ink or toner, making them extremely low maintenance. You will find them in supermarket tills, ticket machines, and courier services. They are not suitable for general home or office use but are highly reliable in commercial settings.

Photo Printers

Dedicated photo printers use six or more ink colours to produce smoother gradients, more accurate skin tones, and richer blacks than a standard inkjet can manage. Perfect for photographers and creatives who want physical prints at home without compromising on quality. Prices usually start from around £70 in the UK.

Dot Matrix Printers

An older type of computer printer, dot matrix machines work by striking an ink-soaked ribbon against paper. They are slow and noisy but virtually indestructible and capable of printing multi-part carbonless forms. They are still used in some manufacturing, banking, and logistics environments where carbon copies are legally required.

3D Printers

3D printers are a completely different category. Rather than printing on flat paper, they build three-dimensional objects layer by layer using materials like PLA filament, resin, or nylon. Used by product designers, engineers, hobbyists, and schools. Prices start from around £150 for entry-level FDM models and can exceed £5,000 for professional resin printers.

Wide Format / Large Format Printers

Wide format printers handle media wider than A3, typically from 24 inches upwards. Architects, graphic designers, and engineers use them for CAD drawings, blueprints, banners, and signage. They are based on inkjet technology at large scale. Expect to pay from £500 to several thousand pounds for a quality wide format model.

 

Which Printer Is Right for You? Summary Table

Use this summary to quickly match your situation to the most suitable printer type. The right choice between the different types of printer on the market depends on your print volume, content type, and budget.

Printer Type	Best For	Print Quality	Running Cost
Inkjet	Home users, photo printing, mixed use	Excellent for colour	Medium to high (cartridges)
EcoTank Inkjet	Regular home users wanting low running costs	Excellent colour and text	Low (after initial outlay)
Mono Laser	Offices, high-volume document printing	Sharp text, no colour	Very low
Colour Laser	Business colour documents, presentations	Good colour, excellent text	Medium
Multifunction (Inkjet)	Home offices, remote workers, mixed tasks	Good colour and text	Medium
Multifunction (Laser)	Small to medium businesses	Excellent text output	Low to medium
Label Printer	E-commerce sellers, retail, warehouses	Precise label output	Low (thermal) to medium
Photo Printer	Photography enthusiasts, creative users	Outstanding colour depth	Medium to high
Thermal Printer	Retail, hospitality, receipts, tickets	Basic text and graphics	Very low (no ink)
Wide Format Printer	Architects, designers, signage, CAD plans	Excellent large-scale colour and line accuracy	Medium to high (specialist inks and media)
3D Printer	Prototyping, engineering, education, creative industries	Three-dimensional objects (not flat prints)	Low to medium (filament or resin)

Still not sure where to land? Our guide to buying a printer breaks down all the key specs and features to help you understand your needs and find the right one.

 

How Much Should You Expect to Spend on a Printer in the UK?

Printer prices in the UK vary widely depending on type, brand, and features. Here's a sensible breakdown to help you set a realistic budget before you start shopping.

• Budget inkjet (basic home printing): £40 to £60
• Mid-range inkjet or EcoTank model: £80 to £250
• Entry-level mono laser printer: £70 to £130
• Mid-range colour laser printer: £150 to £400
• All-in-one inkjet printer: £50 to £250
• All-in-one laser printer: £150 to £600+
• Label printer: £30 to £200
• Dedicated photo printer: £60 to £400

One important tip: always factor in the cost of ink or toner alongside the retail price. A £35 printer that requires £25 cartridges every month will cost far more than a £150 EcoTank model over the course of a year. Always check the manufacturer's published ISO page yield figures for cartridges before buying.

It's also worth checking whether the printer accepts compatible third-party cartridges, which can reduce running costs substantially. Just make sure you're buying from a reputable supplier to avoid issues with print quality or warranty.

 

What Should You Think About Before Buying a Printer?

The different types of printers have their own strengths and weaknesses. Before committing to a purchase, take a moment to consider the following:

• Print volume: How many pages do you typically print per week or month? High-volume users should look at laser or tank-based inkjet models rather than standard cartridge printers.
• Colour vs. mono: If you only ever print text documents, a mono laser printer is much cheaper to run. Colour is only worth paying for if you genuinely use it.
• Connectivity: Most modern printers support Wi-Fi as standard. Check for Bluetooth, USB, Ethernet, and cloud printing support if these matter to your workflow.
• Paper handling: Check paper tray capacity, whether duplex (double-sided) printing is supported automatically, and whether the model includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) for scanning multiple pages.
• Running costs: Compare the cost per page using ISO yield figures rather than guessing from cartridge prices alone. This number tells you the true long-term cost.
• Physical size: Laser and MFP models can be large and heavy. Measure your desk or office space before ordering, and check the product dimensions in the listing.
• Compatibility: Confirm the printer works with your operating system — Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, or Linux. Check for mobile printing support if you print from a phone or tablet.
• Brand support and warranty: HP, Canon, Xerox, Brother, and Epson all have strong UK support networks. Check what warranty is included, typically 12 months, and whether extended cover is available.

A little careful thought at this stage saves a lot of frustration later. The printer types that look cheapest upfront are not always the best value over time.

 

 

Smart Printing Starts with the Right Choice

There is no single best printer for everyone, which is exactly why understanding the types of printers available matters so much before you buy.

Inkjet models offer versatility and colour quality at a low entry price. Laser printers deliver speed and economy for high-volume text printing. All-in-ones eliminate the need for separate scanner and copier devices. Label printers and thermal models serve specialist business needs that standard printers simply cannot match efficiently.

The right decision comes down to what you print, how often you print it, and what you are willing to spend on consumables over time. Get those three things right and you will have a printer that earns its place on your desk every single day.

Laptop Outlet stocks a wide range of printers from HP, Brother, Epson, and Canon at competitive UK prices, so you can find the perfect match without overspending.

 

 

The "Need to Know" Bits

What are the most common types of printers?

The most common types are inkjet, laser, and multifunction printers. Each suits different needs based on print volume, colour requirements, and budget.

Is an inkjet or laser printer better for home use?

Inkjet printers are generally better for home use due to their lower upfront cost, compact size, and excellent colour output for photos and mixed documents.

What is the cheapest type of printer to run in the UK?

Mono laser printers typically have the lowest cost per page, making them the most economical long-term choice for high-volume black-and-white document printing.

What does an all-in-one printer actually do?

An all-in-one printer combines printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing into a single compact device, ideal for home offices and small businesses.

What type of printer is best for printing photos at home?

A dedicated photo printer or a high-quality inkjet printer delivers the best results for home photo printing, offering accurate colours and fine detail.

What is a thermal printer used for?

Thermal printers are mainly used for printing receipts, tickets, and shipping labels in retail, hospitality, and logistics settings without requiring any ink.

Are label printers worth buying for a small business?

Yes, label printers save considerable time and money for small businesses that ship regularly, producing faster, neater, and more professional-looking address labels.

What is the difference between a laser and an inkjet printer?

Laser printers use toner and heat for fast, sharp text output. Inkjet printers use liquid ink and excel at producing high-quality colour prints and photos.

Which printer type is best suited to an office environment?

Laser printers or laser multifunction printers are best for offices, offering fast speeds, consistently sharp text output, and a low cost per printed page.

 

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