Should you buy a laser printer if you print once a month?

Yes—if you print only once a month, a laser printer is usually the safer buy than an inkjet, especially for black-and-white documents. Laser printers use toner powder, so they generally tolerate long gaps between print jobs better than inkjets, whose ink can dry or clog.

Best practical choice: buy a basic monochrome laser printer if you mostly print forms, labels, shipping pages, school/work documents, or occasional letters.

Do not buy a laser printer just because it is “better” if you need high-quality photo prints, frequent color graphics, or very low upfront cost. In those cases, an ink-tank inkjet or using a local print shop may make more sense.

Quick rule:

1. Print once a month, mostly text: buy monochrome laser.
2. Print once a month, photos/color: consider inkjet only if photo quality matters, otherwise print elsewhere.
3. Print only a few pages per year: skip owning a printer unless convenience matters.