Best Laser Printers

TL;DR: The Brother DCP‑L2640DW prints at 36 ppm, offers automatic duplex and a 50‑sheet ADF, and packs solid security and energy‑saving features into a 25‑lb desktop unit for $209.99.

Speed is the headline feature: it prints and copies at 36 pages per minute, while scanning black‑and‑white pages reaches 23.6 ppm. The built‑in 50‑sheet automatic document feeder and a 250‑sheet input tray let you run medium‑sized jobs without constant reloading, and the 120‑sheet output tray holds finished work. At 25.0 pounds (11.3 kg) the machine is sturdy enough for a small office, and its dual‑band Wi‑Fi (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) plus Apple AirPrint and Mopria support keep mobile printing simple.

Compared with the other five printers in this roundup, the DCP‑L2640DW sits toward the higher end of the price spectrum—its $209.99 list price is above the $179.99 Brother HL‑L2460DW and the $159.00 HP LaserJet M209d, but below the $324.00 Canon imageCLASS MF465dw II. It is heavier than the HL‑L2460DW (15.6 lb) and the HP M209d (about 12 lb), yet lighter than the Canon MF465dw II (34.4 lb). Its 50‑sheet ADF matches the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw, while the other models either lack an ADF or list no capacity.

User feedback repeatedly praises the fast 36 ppm output and the convenience of automatic duplex printing, noting that it cuts paper use and speeds up two‑sided jobs. Professional reviewers also highlight the strong security suite—secure wireless networking and data‑protection settings—that satisfies small‑business IT policies. On the downside, reviewers point out that the printer is monochrome only, so any color documents need a separate device, and the non‑touch LCD makes menu navigation feel dated. Reviewers also mention the higher price tag and 25‑lb weight as trade‑offs for those seeking a budget‑friendly or highly portable solution.

Beyond speed, the DCP‑L2640DW is Energy Star‑compliant and carries an EPEAT Silver rating, reflecting its low‑power design: it draws about 43 W in ready mode and drops to roughly 4.1 W in sleep. The printer’s recommended monthly volume of 2,500 pages aligns with its 250‑page recommended volume, making it a solid fit for a modest workgroup that prints consistently. Toner Save Mode further reduces consumable costs when high‑volume draft printing is needed.

Best for: Small offices, home offices, or workgroups that need reliable monochrome printing, copying, and scanning with strong security and energy‑saving features.

Avoid if: You're shopping on a tight budget — it's priced at $209.99.

TL;DR: The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw prints black‑and‑white at 28 ppm, offers automatic duplex, 512 MB memory and fast 5 GHz Wi‑Fi, but lacks color and wired ports.

At the core of this all‑in‑one is a 28 ppm black‑and‑white laser engine paired with 512 MB of memory, which helps keep multi‑page jobs moving smoothly. It also supports 2.4/5 GHz Wi‑Fi with speeds up to 150 Mbps, and automatic duplex printing lets you halve paper use without manual intervention.

Compared with the other five printers in the roundup, the HP weighs 23.1 lb—lighter than the Canon imageCLASS MF465dw II’s 34.4 lb but heavier than Brother HL‑L2460DW’s 15.6 lb. Its 15.7 in depth exceeds Brother DCP‑L2640DW’s 399 mm depth, while its 2.7 in touchscreen is larger than Brother HL‑L2460DW’s 1 in screen but smaller than Canon’s 5‑in display. Print speed trails the 36 ppm of both Brother models, yet its memory outstrips the 64 MB in HP’s LaserJet M209d and Canon MF3010 VP. The 50‑sheet ADF and 250‑sheet input tray give it more on‑board capacity than many compact peers.

Professional reviewers highlight the printer’s fast 28 ppm output and the inclusion of HP Wolf Pro embedded security as a strong point for small‑office environments. Users appreciate the quick wireless setup and reliable duplex printing, though they note the monochrome‑only output limits use for color documents and the absence of built‑in Ethernet or USB‑direct connectivity can be a drawback for wired networks.

Best for: Small offices, home offices, and professional environments that need high‑volume monochrome printing with robust wireless security.

Avoid if: You require color printing, extensive wired network connections, or a lighter, ultra‑compact device.

TL;DR: The HP LaserJet M209d delivers fast 30 ppm single‑sided output, automatic duplex, and a compact 205 × 279 × 355 mm footprint, all for $159.00, making it a solid budget workhorse for small offices.

The standout feature is its automatic duplex printing combined with a single‑sided speed of 30 pages per minute and a first‑page‑out time of just 6.9 seconds. At 5600 g, the printer's lightweight enough to sit on a crowded desk while still handling 150‑sheet input and 100‑sheet output trays.

Compared with the other five printers in this roundup, the M209d is lighter than the Canon imageCLASS MF3010 VP (7,600 g) and the Brother HL‑L2460DW (7,076 g). Its depth of 355 mm sits between the shallower Canon (276 mm) and the deeper Brother DCP‑L2640DW (399 mm). Its speed is lower than the Brother DCP‑L2640DW’s 36 ppm but exceeds the Brother HL‑L2460DW’s 15‑sides‑per‑minute duplex rate. Memory matches the Canon’s 64 MB, while its USB 2.0‑only interface means it lacks the wireless options found on some rivals.

Users consistently praise the printer’s quick first page, reliable duplex operation, and space‑saving design, calling it “solid” and “ideal for small workspaces.” Professional reviewers list it as the fastest two‑sided printer in its class. The main criticisms focus on the lack of wireless or network connectivity and the fact that it prints only in monochrome.

Technical details reinforce its suitability for modest workloads: a monthly duty cycle of 20,000 pages, recommended volume of 200‑2,000 pages, a 500 MHz processor, 420 watts active printing power, and just 0.5 watts in sleep mode. These specs keep operating costs low while delivering crisp 600 × 600 dpi text.

Best for: Small businesses, home offices, and budget‑conscious users who need reliable monochrome printing in a compact package.

Avoid if: You require color printing, high‑volume print‑shop output, or built‑in wireless/network connectivity.

TL;DR: The Canon imageCLASS MF3010 VP is a compact monochrome laser all‑in‑one that prints and copies at 19 ppm, scans quickly, and fits tight home‑office spaces for under $150.

The MF3010 VP measures just 276 mm deep, 254 mm high and 372 mm wide, and it’s 7,600 g, making it one of the smallest laser all‑in‑ones in this group. It delivers 19 ppm for both letter‑size prints and copies, and its flatbed scanner can capture a black‑and‑white page in 0.04 minutes.

Compared with its peers, the MF3010 VP is shallower than the HP LaserJet M209d (355 mm depth) and the Brother HL‑L2460DW (361 mm depth), and it’s shorter than the HP M209d’s 279.4 mm height. It’s wider than the HP M209d (205 mm) but still lighter than the Brother HL‑L2460DW’s 7,076 g, while remaining considerably lighter than the Brother DCP‑L2640DW, HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw and Canon MF465dw II, all of which exceed 10 kg. Memory matches the HP M209d at 64 MB, but the MF3010 VP lacks the automatic document feeder and duplex printing found on several of the larger models.

Professional reviewers praise the printer’s ultra‑compact footprint and the quick 0.13‑minute first‑print‑out time, noting that the integrated toner‑drum cartridge keeps maintenance simple. Users echo this sentiment, highlighting the fast warm‑up (0.17 minutes) and reliable 4.3‑star rating from 977 reviews. The most common complaints focus on the missing automatic duplex option, the absence of wireless networking, and a scanner that feels slow for frequent use.

Technical details include an Energy Saver Mode that draws only 1.2 W in sleep, a maximum power draw of 900 W during operation, and a standard cartridge yielding 1,600 pages (2,300 pages with the high‑yield option). Canon recommends a monthly volume of 100–1,000 pages, which aligns with the device’s 150‑sheet input tray and 100‑sheet output capacity.

Best for: Budget‑conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry‑level option

Avoid if: You need duplex printing, wireless networking, or high‑volume scanning

TL;DR: The Canon imageCLASS MF465dw II delivers fast 42 ppm monochrome printing, a 5‑inch touchscreen and a one‑pass 50‑sheet duplex feeder, but its $324 price and 34.4 lb weight make it a premium‑tier choice for small‑office work.

What really stands out is the 42 ppm black‑and‑white print speed paired with a quick 4.9‑second first‑page out time, letting you move documents through the office without a bottleneck. The 5‑inch colour touchscreen makes navigation intuitive, and the 50‑sheet duplex automatic document feeder lets you scan or copy double‑sided jobs in a single pass.

Compared with the other five printers in this roundup, the MF465dw II is heavier at 34.4 lb, outmatching the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw (23.1 lb) and the Brother DCP‑L2640DW (25.0 lb). Its 5‑inch display is also larger than HP’s 2.7‑inch screen and the Brother HL‑L2460DW’s 1‑inch panel. While the HP model shares the same 50‑sheet ADF capacity, the Canon’s expandable paper tray holds up to 900 sheets, far exceeding the standard 350‑sheet capacity of many peers.

Reviewers note the 42 ppm speed combined with the responsive touchscreen, and they say the one‑pass duplex feeder saves time on double‑sided projects. Users appreciate the full network security suite (IP/MAC filtering, IPSEC, TLS 1.3, SNMP v3, IEEE 802.1X, IPv4/IPv6, SMTP/POP3) for hybrid work environments. However, the monochrome‑only output limits the device for mixed‑media needs, and the 4,000‑page monthly duty cycle is modest for higher‑volume teams. The unit’s power draw peaks at 1250 W, but it drops to 0.9 W in standby and 0.1 W in sleep, keeping operating costs low.

Best for: Buyers willing to invest in a proven, high‑quality option

Avoid if: You're shopping on a tight budget — it's priced at $324.00

TL;DR: The Brother HL‑L2460DW delivers fast 36 ppm monochrome printing, automatic duplex and wireless connectivity in a compact 15.6‑lb design, making it a solid mid‑range choice for home offices at $179.99.

This laser printer pushes out up to 36 pages per minute and can produce the first page in just 8.5 seconds. Its automatic duplex runs at 15 sides per minute, and the 1200 × 1200 dpi engine ensures crisp text and line art on standard 8.5 × 14 in documents.

At 7,076 g (15.6 lb), the HL‑L2460DW weighs more than the HP LaserJet M209d (5.6 kg) but less than the Brother DCP‑L2640DW (11.3 kg) and far less than the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw (23.1 lb). Its footprint of 361 mm × 183 mm × 356 mm also fits tighter spaces than the larger Canon MF465dw II, while it offers a comparable weight to the Canon MF3010 VP (7.6 kg).

Everyday users praise the quick first‑page out time and the ease of wireless setup via AirPrint, Wi‑Fi and Ethernet. Professional reviewers note the fast 36 ppm speed and the printer’s advanced security features, while many comment on the limitation of monochrome‑only output and the absence of scanning or copying functions.

Power‑saving isn’t an afterthought: the unit draws just 0.4 W in deep‑sleep mode and 3.8 W while idle, meeting ENERGY STAR and EPEAT Silver standards. With 64 MB of RAM, a 600 MHz processor, and toner‑save mode, it balances performance and efficiency for a recommended monthly volume of 2,500 pages.

Best for: Value‑conscious buyers seeking quality at $179.99

Avoid if: You need color printing, scanning or copying, or require a portable all‑in‑one device