Laser printer

rmg1

Hi all

I've currently got an Epson Stylus SX115 inkjet (I think) printer, but don't really use it very often.
I'm looking to get a cheap(ish) B&W laser printer to replace it (I'll keep the Epson on case I need to print anything in color) as most of my printing is documents (so only need B&W) and I believe lasers are actually cheaper to run.

Two questions:-
1) Is my belief that lasers are cheaper to run correct?
2) Can anyone recommend a decent laser that' not too expensive?

I don't have a budget as such but don't want/need something that's all-singing-all-dancing (and will make my coffee in a morning).

TIA

Richard

Neil_Jones

Lasers are not necessarily cheaper to run (you can get compatible ink for your inkjet for peanuts), but they will do far more pages per toner than your inkjet ever will, short of putting it into some super-duper efficient mode that's virtually unreadable...

A lot of the budget lasers are out of stock at the moment, but expect to budget about £80, and a toner for about £35 for 1200 pages:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brother-HL-L2310D-Printer-Connected-Printing/dp/B076PMTMQW

You may find compatible or remanufactured cartridges around that are even cheaper.

Also note your inkjet will dry up if you don't use it regularly.

rmg1

I do get compatible cartridges (but the printer software whines that I haven't used the proper ones) but I till seem to be spending a lot on the (possibly from the wrong place).
Then you've got to clean the print heads (which wastes more ink).

I haven't had an issue with it drying up, but it will be "blobby" if I don't use it for a while.

I found this one (clicky) but I wasn't sure as it's a make I've never heard of..

Any thoughts?

greyteam1959

Sounds like it will do all you want & a very reasonable price.
I bought a Brother laser B&W printer about 5 years ago £39.99 from Amazon.
Superb printer still going strong.
I use compatible laser cartridges at around £8.50 each delivered.

rmg1

Thanks for that.  Have you got the model of the Brother?

Neil_Jones

All Epson printers pee and moan if the ink isn't genuine, its not unique to Epson.

The SX115 uses the T711-714, which are here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cartridges-Replacement-Cartridges-SX600FW-SX610FW/dp/B0153EITK0 (10 for £6.99, at time of writing, four blacks and two each of the colours, 69p each!)

The "blobby" effect is because the ink has solidified at the bottom of the cartridge and "clumps" together, the actual ink head release heads are painfully tiny and it doesn't take much to block them up, and on the Epson it is only head clean for all of them, not just one cartridge as you may find on some other printers.

The Pantum looks interesting, the only issue I spotted in the Q&A is that there was no compatible/cheaper toners for them, so its genuine or nothing (at least with Brother and friends you can get cheaper reman/compat cartridges).  Pantum is a trading name of  Zhuhai Seine, a Chinese company that has traditionally made printing consumables - toner cartridges, printer drums, and the like, so its entirely plausible your drums and toners for other manufacturers are sourced from there too with a new label on them.

rmg1

That sounds interesting.  At risk of moving the goalposts, how much would a decent colour laser be?
I do occasionally do colour printing and if I can get one printer to do the lot for a decent price, I might well just replace the lot.

Neil_Jones

Colour lasers can be quite expensive, both to buy and for the toners, but again its offset to an extent because of the number of pages you get out of them.  They also tend to get quite bulky.

Whitefiver

There's £75 cashback "from Brother" if you  buy a  Brother HL-L8260CDW from an authorised seller at the moment. Printerland still have stock for example, but I bought mine from Amazon whilst on offer (and they still had stock!), and after cashback, it cost just under £100. Brother paid out in less than a week.

Currently it will cost more though!

This model does take compatible toner cartridges which helps with controlling costs.

NB - if you are interested, this is a LARGE and heavy printer! I'm very happy with the quality of the output, and things like automatic duplex are a bonus too.

rmg1

I think I'l stick with B&W then and just keep the inkjet for any colour stuff.

Found a Brother printer on Amazon (clicky).
Anyone any thoughts on this one?

I'm getting slightly wary of the original one I posted as it's a make I don't know and it's only original cartridges.

mksysb

Don't forget to use your inkjet at least once a month, preferably more frequently, otherwise you may find the jets will be clogged up when you want to use it.