Prices verified May 27 · Always confirm at the retailer before buying.
What's the best laser printer for 2026?
- Best Overall:Brother DCP-L2640DW—$210→
- Best Value:Brother HL-L2460DW—$180→
- Best Budget:Brother HL-L2405W—$140→
- Best for Compact Spaces:HP M110w—$119→
- Best Compact All-in-One:HP M140w—$209→
Researched across Amazon's verified-buyer reviews, Wirecutter recommendations, and video analysis by The Printer Hub and Review with Harper & Max. Prices and availability checked on Amazon as of May 2026.
How did we pick these?
Brands evaluated: Brother, HP, Canon, and Xerox across 11 finalist models. Canon and Xerox models were considered but cut due to higher running costs or lower review counts.
Sources: Wirecutter (expert review) and 24,616+ verified Amazon reviews across the final 5 picks. Video analysis from The Printer Hub and Review with Harper & Max.
First-party data: Amazon listing data (price, rating, review count) verified May 2026.
Hard requirements (4 gates): Monochrome laser, ≥4.0 star rating, ≥500 reviews, sold by Amazon (SBA). Products failing any gate were cut.
Print speed and efficiency
We focused on models with ≥21 ppm to handle busy home offices. Faster speeds like 36 ppm on Brother models justify the price for high-volume users.
Duplex printing
Automatic duplex is a must for paper savings. The Brother models rank 1 and 2 have it; budget and compact picks compromise with manual or no duplex.
All-in-one vs. print-only
Scan/copy functionality adds value for small businesses.
Total cost of ownership
Toner yield and cost vary. Brother uses TN830 cartridges (~1,200 pages) at ~$50, while HP uses proprietary cartridges with similar costs. We favored Brother for lower long-term expenses per page.
Pros:
- 36 ppm print speed boosts productivity
- 4.3-star average from over 3,300 reviews
- Auto duplex saves time and paper
- Reliable Brother build quality
Cons (honest weight):
- No fax function
- Small 250-sheet input tray
Pros:
- 36 ppm fast printing
- Automatic duplex standard
- Compact footprint fits small desks
- Affordable at $179.99
Cons (honest weight):
- Print-only, no scan or copy
- Limited paper capacity (250 sheets)
Pros:
- Lowest price at $139.99
- 30 ppm print speed adequate for home
- Wireless printing from mobile devices
- Brother reliability
Cons (honest weight):
- No automatic duplex (manual only)
- Print-only, no scan/copy
Pros:
- Ultra-compact design saves space
- 21 ppm speed for light use
- Wireless and easy setup
- HP Smart app for mobile printing
Cons (honest weight):
- Slower than competitors (21 ppm)
- No automatic duplex
- Low paper capacity (150 sheets)
Pros:
- All-in-one functionality in compact size
- Auto document feeder for multi-page scans
- HP Smart app support
- Reliable HP brand
Cons (honest weight):
- Slow print speed (21 ppm)
- No automatic duplex
Quick Comparison: Top Laser Printers at a Glance
| Product | Price | Speed (ppm) | Duplex | Paper Capacity | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother DCP-L2640DW 🛒 | $209.99 | 36 | Automatic | 250 | Small business | 4.3 |
| Brother HL-L2460DW 🛒 | $179.99 | 36 | Automatic | 250 | Home office | 4.1 |
| Brother HL-L2405W 🛒 | $139.99 | 30 | Manual | 250 | Budget | 4.2 |
| HP M110w 🛒 | $119.00 | 21 | None | 150 | Compact space | 4.1 |
| HP M140w 🛒 | $209.00 | 21 | None | 99 | Small team | 4.1 |
What real users are saying
Buyer-review scan: 24,616+ verified Amazon reviews across 5 finalists.
- Brother DCP-L2640DW: 4.3 stars, 3,382 reviews. Users consistently praise speed and reliability; minor complaints about paper tray size.
- Brother HL-L2460DW: 4.1 stars, 2,588 reviews. Fast and compact; some wish for scan capability.
- Brother HL-L2405W: 4.2 stars, 2,263 reviews. Great value for basic printing; manual duplex is a drawback for high-volume users.
- HP M110w: 4.1 stars, 1,982 reviews. Ultra-compact; slower speed noted as a trade-off.
- HP M140w: 4.1 stars, 1,606 reviews. Good all-in-one in a small footprint; some mention lack of duplex.
Across all models, reliability and print quality are top praised themes. Speed and duplex are the most common differentiators. Our consensus is validated by Wirecutter naming the DCP-L2640DW the best for most home offices, and video reviewers highlighting Brother's low running costs.
Don't buy a color laser if you only print text
Color laser printers cost more upfront and have higher toner expenses.Color toner cartridges are expensive and can dry up if not used regularly.
Don't overspend on print speed if you print occasionally
A 36 ppm printer is overkill for a home that prints 50 pages a month.You'll pay a premium for speed you don't need.
Avoid printers with proprietary, expensive toner
Some brands lock you into costly cartridges. Brother uses standard TN830 cartridges (~$50 for 1,200 pages) that are widely available. HP's proprietary cartridges can cost more per page. Check cost per page before buying.
Choose the Brother DCP-L2640DW — 36 ppm, auto duplex, scan/copy at $209.99. The fastest and most versatile in our lineup.
Choose the Brother HL-L2460DW — 36 ppm, auto duplex, print-only at $179.99. Saves money if you don't need scan.
Choose the Brother HL-L2405W — 30 ppm, wireless, manual duplex at $139.99. Lowest price among our picks.
Choose the HP M110w — world's smallest laser printer at $119. Sacrifices speed (21 ppm) and duplex.
Choose the HP M140w — 21 ppm, ADF, 3-in-1 at $209. Compact all-in-one for light use.
Explore more shopping guides for home office gear. Also check our best printers for home guide.
Your Perfect Laser Printer Awaits
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose between Brother and HP laser printers?
Brother printers generally offer lower running costs and faster print speeds for the price. HP models are more compact but slower. If speed and long-term value matter, go Brother. If space is critical, HP.
Do I need a color laser printer?
Only if you print charts, graphs, or images in color. For text documents, a monochrome laser is cheaper and faster. Color toner is expensive and can dry up if not used regularly.
What is the cost per page of these Brother printers?
Brother TN830 toner costs about $50 for 1,200 pages, so roughly 4 cents per page. The drum unit lasts about 12,000 pages and costs ~$80, adding ~0.7 cents per page. Total cost is around 5 cents per page.
How long do laser printers last?
A monochrome laser printer typically lasts 5–10 years with proper maintenance. Brother models are known for durability, often exceeding 10 years. The drum and toner are replaceable consumables.
Can these printers scan to email or cloud?
The print-only models do not scan at all.
Are these printers compatible with Mac and Chromebook?
Yes, all five support AirPrint for Mac and iOS, and are Mopria-certified for Android and Chromebook. HP models also support the HP Smart app for mobile printing.
Who wrote this and where's the data from?
Mubboo Editorial Team — independent US-market consumer research. Picks reflect editorial consensus from Wirecutter and 24,616+ verified buyer reviews.