DeskJet vs InkJet Printer, What Is the Difference?

When you are choosing a printer, you may see many DeskJet and InkJet printers. What are the differences between them, their advantages and disadvantages? What are they suitable for? In this blog, we will take a detailed look at DeskJet vs InkJet printers to help you make the best decision based on your printing needs.

Quick Summary

DeskJet and InkJet printers are closely related, but they are not interchangeable terms.

InkJet refers to a general printing technology that uses liquid ink sprayed through nozzles to form images and text. This category includes a wide range of printers from different brands designed for everything from casual photo printing to professional-grade color output.

DeskJet, on the other hand, is a specific line of HP InkJet printers targeted at home and light office users.

All DeskJets are InkJets, but not all InkJets are DeskJets.

While they share the same basic technology, DeskJets tend to be more affordable, compact, and simplified in functionality, whereas other InkJet models like HP OfficeJet or Canon PIXMA offer more robust features, higher speeds, and larger duty cycles for heavy or business use.

The relationship between them is that of subcategory to category, with DeskJet serving as an entry-level InkJet printer series ideal for low-volume, everyday printing tasks.

What Is a DeskJet Printer?

A DeskJet printer is a specific brand of inkjet printers from HP (Hewlett-Packard). It represents HP’s affordable, compact line of printers, primarily for home and small offices.

DeskJet printers use thermal inkjet technology: heat evaporates the ink, forming bubbles inside the ink cartridge, which expand and force ink droplets out of the nozzle and onto the paper.

This type of printer typically uses two ink cartridges: one for black ink and one for tri-color inks (cyan, magenta, and yellow). DeskJet printers are ideal for users who need a reliable and simple solution for basic document and photo printing.

What Is an InkJet Printer?

An inkjet printer is any printer that creates images by ejecting tiny droplets of ink directly onto paper. It’s a broad category that covers a variety of brands and models, and isn’t limited to HP.

Generally speaking, there are two main types of inkjet technology:

• Thermal InkJet (used by HP and Canon): A heating element vaporizes the ink to form bubbles.
• Piezoelectric InkJet (used by Epson and Brother): When an electrical charge is applied, a crystal vibrates, ejecting the ink from a nozzle without heating.

Inkjet printers are known for their ability to blend colors and produce high-resolution images. Depending on the model, they can be customized for home use, photo printing, or even commercial use. See the blog What Is an InkJet Printer for more.

DeskJet Printer vs InkJet Printer, What’s the Difference?

Although DeskJet printers use InkJet technology, not all InkJet printers are DeskJets. Let’s look at some key differences.

Category Classification

DeskJet printers are a line of printers owned by HP, including the DeskJet 2700, DeskJet Plus 4100, and DeskJet 2755e series. These products are mainly aimed at affordable home printing needs.

However, there are more varieties of inkjet printers. Other popular inkjet printer series include:

• HP OfficeJet (for small businesses)
• Canon PIXMA (great for photo printing)
• Epson EcoTank (known for refillable ink cartridges)
• Brother MFC series (good for business document printing)

So, DeskJet is just one series in the family of inkjet printers, which themselves include many different types with different functions.

Appearance and Size

Designed for home use, DeskJet printers are compact, lightweight, and usually white, gray, or sometimes light blue. They can be easily placed on a desk or small shelf, making them ideal for those with limited space.

However, there are many different types of inkjet printers, and their designs vary widely. Home inkjet printers are compact, while office inkjet printers such as the HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e are larger, and professional photo printers such as the Canon PRO-300 are even larger.

Price Range

DeskJet printers are generally very affordable, with entry-level models starting at between $60 and $150, making them great for everyday printing.

Inkjet printers have an even wider price range. Affordable models start as low as $50, but higher-end inkjets, especially photo printers or office-grade models, can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Printer Ink

DeskJet uses HP ink cartridges and usually comes with two cartridges (black + tri-color). Common printer ink cartridge models include HP 60, HP 63, HP 64XL, HP 65XL, HP 67XL, etc.

Inkjet printers generally use two types of printer inks, one is the ink cartridge, usually 2, 4 or even 6, such as the DeskJet 2-color ink cartridges mentioned above, HP 902 4-Pack, HP 910XL, HP 923, HP 936e, HP 952XL, Canon 280 281 6-Pack, etc. Another type is refillable ink bottles, which are common in Epson EcoTank and Canon MegaTank printer series, usually 4, 5, or 6 colors, such as Canon GI-20, Epson 502, Epson 522, Epson T512, Epson 552, etc.

Of course, regardless of the type, if the printer is not used for several months, the ink will dry out and clog the print head, which is a common problem with all inkjet printers, including DeskJets.

Print, Copy, Scan, and Fax

For DeskJet printers, some basic models only support printing, while slightly higher-end models offer printing, scanning, and copying capabilities. Some models also include fax capabilities, but these are less common.

In the broader inkjet printer market, office-use inkjet printers usually offer full “print-scan-copy-fax” capabilities. In addition, some printers have features such as automatic document feeders and two-sided scanning.

Printer Paper

DeskJet printers support standard paper sizes, such as A4, Letter, and envelopes. They can also handle photo papers such as lightweight photo paper, but usually have restrictions on weight and thickness.

Inkjet printers, by contrast, can print on a wider range of papers, and in addition to standard paper, they can handle specialty papers such as thick cardstock, thermal transfers, glossy photo paper, and even transparencies.

Durability

DeskJet printers are durable for their price range, but they are not designed for heavy use. With proper care, a DeskJet printer can last for years.

Inkjet printers also cover a wider range. In addition to DeskJet printers, there are also high-end inkjet printers. The high-end printers are designed to last and withstand heavy use, especially business models.

Good At

DeskJet printers excel at basic document printing, school projects, and occasional photo printing.

Other InkJet printers are better suited for specialized tasks such as professional photo printing, high-volume document processing, and wide-format printing.

DeskJet Printer Pros and Cons

Now that we know the main differences between them, let’s look at the pros and cons of DeskJet printers.

What Are the Pros of DeskJet?

• Very affordable initial cost
• Compact and fits small spaces
• Excellent print quality for daily use
• Reliable for casual use

What Are the Cons of DeskJet?

• Ink may dry out if not used regularly
• Ink cartridge prices increase over time
• Slower print speeds
• Not ideal for businesses or heavy users
• Limited paper handling options
• Not suitable for high-volume printing

InkJet Printer Pros and Cons

Likewise, inkjet printers have their own strengths and weaknesses.

InkJet Printer Pros:

• Wide variety of models for different needs
• Excellent photo and color printing
• Supports many paper types and sizes
• Some models offer low running costs (EcoTank, MegaTank)

InkJet Printer Cons:

• Higher-end models can be expensive
• Maintenance costs (ink, parts) may increase
• Ink can dry out if unused for long periods, especially traditional cartridge models

Which Is Better, InkJet or DeskJet Printer?

If you need a simple, affordable printer for casual use, the DeskJet is a fantastic choice.

If you need better performance, flexibility, volume capacity, or professional photo output, a higher-end InkJet will better meet your needs.

Ultimately, DeskJets are InkJets — just basic, affordable ones. Choose according to your budget, frequency of use, and required features.

Wrap It Up

InkJet printers include DeskJet printers and other printers. Choosing a DeskJet printer or other InkJet printers depends on your printing needs. If you are looking for affordability and convenience, DeskJet is a good choice. If you need more powerful features, faster speed, or more professional output, other InkJet printers may be more suitable for you.