Consumers searching for ways to save money on printer and toner cartridges have been advised to invest in a laser printer, which was also recommended due to it being "hassle-free".

According to advice columnist Don Lindich of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the devices are useful as they need to be filled up much less regularly than an ink-based machine.

But he advised those who want to print in colour at home to have two devices in order to save on the amount of money they spend on ink.

"Get a colour all-in-one for scanning and color printing and the laser for everything else," Mr Lindich said, pointing out this is the system he has used in his own property for a number of years.

It was recently revealed by printer and toner cartridges manufacturer Canon that it is launching two new laser printers next month – the imageRUNNER 1100 and 1700 series, which are aimed particularly at workgroup users.