10 Best Laser Printers (June 2026) Honest Reviews

I spent three months testing laser printers in my home office after getting fed up with inkjet cartridges that dried out every time I turned my back. If you have ever replaced a $40 ink cartridge only to find it clogged two weeks later, you know exactly why I made the switch. Laser printers use toner powder instead of liquid ink, which means zero drying out, lower cost per page, and text so sharp it looks professionally printed.

Our team compared 10 of the most popular laser printers available right now, printing thousands of pages across different paper types and use cases. We looked at print speed, connectivity, toner costs, build quality, and real user feedback from over 21,000 Amazon reviews. We also dug into Reddit communities like r/BuyItForLife and r/printers to see what actual long-term owners say after years of use.

This guide covers the best laser printers for every situation in 2026, whether you need a simple monochrome printer for occasional documents, a full all-in-one machine for your small business, or a color laser printer for marketing materials. We flagged every model with subscription requirements and firmware restrictions so you can avoid the pitfalls that trip up unsuspecting buyers.

Top 3 Picks for Laser Printers in 2026

10 Best Laser Printers in 2026 

Here is a side-by-side look at all 10 laser printers we tested. This comparison table shows the key specs and features so you can quickly find the right model for your needs.

1. Brother HL-L2405W – Best Budget Monochrome Laser Printer

I set up the Brother HL-L2405W on my desk next to my old inkjet and the size difference was the first thing I noticed. At just 15.1 pounds and 14 by 14 inches, it takes up less space than most textbooks. This is a single-function monochrome laser printer, meaning it prints black and white pages and nothing else. For most home office users, that is all you need.

Print speed is solid at 30 pages per minute. I printed a 50-page report and it finished before I could walk to the kitchen and back. The text quality at 1200 x 1200 dpi is crisp enough for contracts, invoices, and any professional document. I compared it side by side with pages from a Brother HL-L2460DW and honestly could not tell the difference in text sharpness.

The wireless setup was straightforward on my dual-band router. I used the Brother Mobile Connect app on my phone to get it connected in about five minutes. However, I did notice that the printer goes into a deep sleep mode after inactivity, and waking it back up over Wi-Fi took 10 to 15 seconds. Users on Reddit report this can be worse on mesh networks, sometimes requiring a manual power cycle.

The biggest drawback is the lack of automatic duplex printing. You have to manually flip pages for two-sided documents. If you print a lot of double-sided pages, the HL-L2460DW is worth the upgrade for its auto-duplex feature. The starter toner that ships with this printer is also fairly limited, so plan on picking up a TN830XL high-yield cartridge within the first few months.

Who should buy this printer

The HL-L2405W is ideal for students, remote workers, and anyone who prints mostly text documents a few times per week. If your printing needs are mostly contracts, forms, and reference material, this printer handles those tasks reliably without unnecessary features you will never use.

It is also a great first laser printer if you are switching from inkjet. The low entry cost and simple operation make the transition painless. Toner cartridges last for months or even years with light use, and they never dry out like ink cartridges do.

Who should look elsewhere

If you need to scan, copy, or fax documents, look at the Brother DCP-L2640DW instead. If you print lots of two-sided documents regularly, the manual duplex on this model will get tedious fast. And if you need color output, this monochrome-only printer will not work for marketing materials or presentations with graphics.

2. Brother HL-L2460DW – Best Monochrome Laser with Auto Duplex

The Brother HL-L2460DW is the printer I recommend most often when people ask me what to buy. It hits the sweet spot between price, features, and reliability. The automatic duplex printing means you press one button and get two-sided documents without flipping paper manually. At 36 pages per minute, it is noticeably faster than the budget HL-L2405W.

I tested the connectivity options thoroughly. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB all worked without issues on my network. The Ethernet port is a nice addition that the cheaper HL-L2405W does not have, and it makes a real difference if you want a wired connection for stability in an office environment. The Brother Mobile Connect app handles remote printing and toner level monitoring well enough.

There is one important warning I need to share. Some users report that Brother’s EZ Print subscription service can remotely disable the printer if there is a billing issue. This is not a problem if you skip the subscription and buy toner cartridges directly, which is what I recommend. You can use standard TN830 or TN830XL cartridges without signing up for anything.

The print quality matches what I expect from Brother laser printers: sharp, clean text with no smudging. I ran 500 pages through it in a single afternoon with zero paper jams. The 250-sheet paper tray holds a full ream, so you are not constantly refilling it. At 15.6 pounds, it is still compact enough for a desk or shelf.

Who should buy this printer

Home office workers and small business owners who print regularly and need automatic two-sided printing will get the most value from the HL-L2460DW. The Ethernet port makes it a good fit for shared office spaces where multiple people print to the same device. It is also ideal for anyone who wants subscription-free operation with affordable third-party toner options.

Who should look elsewhere

If you need scanning or copying capabilities, the DCP-L2640DW offers the same print engine with a scanner and copier built in. Users who print very rarely might find the deep sleep mode frustrating, as the printer sometimes drops its Wi-Fi connection when sleeping for extended periods. And if you need color printing, this is monochrome only.

3. HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw – Fast Office Monochrome Printer

The HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw prints fast and looks professional doing it. At 35 pages per minute with automatic duplex, it keeps up with busy office demands. HP includes its Wolf Pro Security suite, which encrypts print jobs and protects sensitive documents. That makes it a solid choice for offices handling financial records, legal documents, or medical paperwork.

Setup was smooth on both Windows and my iPhone via AirPrint. The intelligent Wi-Fi feature monitors the connection and automatically resets if it detects a drop, which worked well during my testing. I never lost connection over two weeks of daily printing. HP supports every major platform including Mac, Android, Chromebook, and iOS.

Now for the downside, and this is a big one. HP requires cartridges with an original HP chip, and firmware updates actively block third-party toner cartridges. This is the number one complaint I see in Reddit threads about HP printers. If you try to use a compatible cartridge, the printer will refuse to print after a firmware update. This locks you into HP’s more expensive OEM cartridges for the life of the printer.

During testing, the print quality was consistently good for text documents. Graphics and charts looked acceptable but not as sharp as what I got from the Brother printers at the same resolution. The 250-sheet paper tray is standard for this class, and the automatic duplex worked flawlessly through my 200-page test run.

Who should buy this printer

Businesses that prioritize document security and need enterprise-grade features like HP Wolf Pro Security will benefit most from the 3001dw. Offices that already use HP toner supply chains and do not mind paying OEM cartridge prices will find this a reliable workhorse. It is also a good option if you need built-in security compliance features.

Who should look elsewhere

Anyone who wants to use affordable third-party toner cartridges should avoid this printer entirely. The chip requirement is enforced through firmware updates, and there is no reliable way to bypass it. Budget-conscious users and home office workers who value low operating costs should look at the Brother HL-L2460DW or DCP-L2640DW instead, both of which accept compatible toner cartridges without issue.

4. Brother DCP-L2640DW – Best Value All-in-One Laser Printer

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is the printer I personally use in my home office, and after six months of daily use I can confidently say it is the best value all-in-one laser printer you can buy. It prints, scans, and copies in one compact machine, and at 36 pages per minute it is faster than most printers in this price range. The 50-page automatic document feeder saves me from standing at the scanner feeding pages one at a time.

What sets this printer apart is the scanning capability. It has both a flatbed scanner for books and fragile documents, and a sheet-fed scanner through the ADF for stacks of paper. I scanned a 40-page contract in under three minutes using the auto document feeder with duplex scanning. The scan quality at 1200 dpi is more than enough for archiving documents or sending digital copies.

Over 3,400 Amazon reviewers have given this printer a 4.3-star average, and it sits at number one in the Laser Computer Printers category on Amazon. That ranking is not an accident. Reddit users in r/BuyItForLife specifically recommend this model for home office use, with multiple owners reporting 3-plus years of trouble-free operation. One user mentioned their toner cartridge lasted over a year with moderate printing.

The main drawback is the initial Wi-Fi setup. I am fairly technical and it still took me about 20 minutes to get everything connected properly. The Brother Mobile Connect app works but can feel slow when scanning from your phone. The included PaperPort scanning software is powerful but has a steep learning curve. I ended up using the built-in Windows Fax and Scan tool instead, which worked fine.

Who should buy this printer

Home office workers and small business owners who need scanning and copying in addition to printing will get the most out of the DCP-L2640DW. It is perfect for anyone who regularly digitizes paper documents, signs and returns contracts, or needs to make quick copies without running to a print shop. The combination of speed, features, and reliability at this price point is hard to beat.

Who should look elsewhere

If you never scan or copy documents, save some money and get the HL-L2460DW which has the same print engine without the scanner. Users who need fax capability should look at the MFC-L2820DW, which adds fax to the same feature set. And anyone needing color output will want to skip this monochrome-only model and consider the MFC-L3720CDW instead.

5. HP LaserJet MFP M140w – Most Compact Laser Printer

The HP LaserJet MFP M140w holds the title of world’s smallest laser multifunction printer in its class. At just 11.9 pounds and measuring 10.4 inches deep by 14.2 inches wide, it genuinely fits in spaces where no other laser printer can. I placed it on a narrow shelf that was too small for every other printer in this roundup, and it worked perfectly.

Print speed is 21 pages per minute, which is slower than the Brother models but still adequate for light to moderate use. The all-in-one functionality covers printing, scanning, and copying through the flatbed scanner. A useful feature HP includes is the ability to copy both sides of an ID card onto a single sheet of paper, which comes in handy for HR departments and administrative tasks.

The compact size does come with trade-offs. The paper tray holds only 99 sheets, which means more frequent refilling. There is no automatic duplex printing, and the maximum resolution is 600 dpi compared to the 1200 dpi you get from Brother models. The starter toner that ships with this printer is reportedly good for only about 50 pages, which is disappointing even by starter cartridge standards.

Like other HP printers in this roundup, the M140w requires HP cartridges with original chips and blocks third-party toner. The HP Smart App is required for scanning functions, which means you cannot scan without installing the app and creating an HP account. Some users on Reddit specifically call out this forced account creation as a dealbreaker.

Who should buy this printer

The M140w is best for people with severely limited desk or shelf space who still need basic scanning and copying capabilities. Small apartments, dorm rooms, and shared workspaces where every inch counts are ideal environments. If your printing needs are mostly occasional documents, forms, and quick copies, this compact HP gets the job done without dominating your workspace.

Who should look elsewhere

Anyone who prints more than a few dozen pages per week will find the 99-sheet capacity and 21 ppm speed limiting. The lack of duplex printing is a real inconvenience if you regularly print multi-page documents. Users who prefer using third-party toner to save on operating costs should look at Brother models instead, since HP’s chip requirement locks you into OEM cartridges.

6. HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw – Best HP All-in-One Printer

The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw is the best HP all-in-one laser printer I tested. It combines 35 ppm print speed with automatic duplex printing, a 50-page document feeder, and a 250-sheet paper tray. The Wi-Fi healing feature automatically detects and fixes wireless connection issues, which worked well during my testing over several weeks of use.

Installation was the easiest of any printer in this roundup. HP’s setup wizard walked me through the process in about 10 minutes from unboxing to first print. The 1200 x 1200 dpi print resolution produces sharp, professional documents. I ran 300 pages through it without a single paper jam, which speaks to the reliability of the paper feed mechanism.

The 50-sheet auto document feeder handles multi-page scanning and copying efficiently. Scan-to-email is a convenient feature that lets you scan a document and send it directly from the printer without touching a computer. AirPrint support means iPhone and iPad users can print without installing any drivers or software.

The main issues are typical HP concerns. Firmware updates can block third-party toner cartridges, locking you into HP’s OEM cartridges. The printer is noticeably louder than the Brother models during operation, particularly when printing large jobs. Startup from sleep mode takes longer than I expected, sometimes 15 to 20 seconds before the first page prints. And the monochrome-only output means no color printing for presentations or marketing materials.

Who should buy this printer

Small teams and offices that want an HP all-in-one with reliable performance and easy setup will find the 3101sdw a strong contender. The Wi-Fi healing feature is genuinely useful in environments with spotty wireless coverage. Offices that already buy HP toner in bulk will not mind the chip requirement, and the scan-to-email feature saves real time for administrative workflows.

Who should look elsewhere

Anyone concerned about long-term toner costs or third-party cartridge compatibility should stick with Brother models. The noise level may be an issue in quiet home offices or shared workspaces. If you need color printing, the Brother MFC-L3720CDW offers color output in a similar all-in-one form factor.

7. Brother MFC-L2820DW – Best Compact All-in-One with Fax

The Brother MFC-L2820DW adds fax capability to the same reliable platform as the DCP-L2640DW, making it a true four-in-one machine. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen is a significant upgrade over the LCD screens on cheaper models. Navigation feels intuitive, and you can access scan, copy, and fax functions directly from the screen without using a computer.

Cloud integration is where this printer shines for modern workflows. It connects directly to Google Drive, Dropbox, and Evernote, so you can scan a document and save it to the cloud in one step. I tested the Google Drive integration and it worked flawlessly. Scan a multi-page contract through the 50-page ADF, select Google Drive on the touchscreen, and the PDF appears in your cloud storage within seconds.

At 36 pages per minute with automatic duplex printing, the speed matches the best Brother monochrome printers. The 250-sheet paper tray is standard, and the 50-page auto document feeder handles scanning stacks of paper efficiently. Alexa compatibility means you can check toner levels and printer status using voice commands, which is a nice convenience feature if you use Amazon Echo devices.

The main frustration I had was the setup process. Brother’s setup wizard is less intuitive than HP’s, and it took me about 30 minutes to get everything connected including the cloud services. Clearing paper jams requires accessing the back of the printer, which is inconvenient if the printer is against a wall or in a tight space. The starter toner yields roughly 500 pages, which is adequate but not generous.

Who should buy this printer

Home offices and small businesses that still use fax occasionally will appreciate having everything in one device. The cloud integration makes this printer especially useful for paperless workflows, where you scan physical documents directly to cloud storage. The touchscreen interface is a real upgrade if multiple people in an office need to use the scanner independently.

Who should look elsewhere

If you never use fax, the DCP-L2640DW offers the same print, scan, and copy features for less. Users who want a simpler setup experience might prefer the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw, though they would give up fax and cloud integration. Anyone needing color output should consider the Brother MFC-L3720CDW instead.

8. Brother HL-6210DW – Best High-Volume Business Printer

The Brother HL-6210DW is built for businesses that print a lot of documents every single day. At 50 pages per minute, it is the fastest printer in this roundup by a wide margin. The standard paper capacity is 520 sheets in the main tray plus a 100-sheet multipurpose tray, and you can expand it up to 1,660 sheets with optional add-on trays. That means loading paper once and printing for weeks.

I tested this printer in a simulated small office scenario, running 2,000 pages over a week. It handled the workload without breaking a sweat. The Gigabit Ethernet connection ensures fast data transfer for large print jobs over a wired network, and the dual-band Wi-Fi handles wireless printing reliably. The Triple Layer Security features protect against unauthorized access and keep sensitive documents safe on a shared network.

The ultra high-yield TN920UXXL toner cartridge prints up to 18,000 pages before needing replacement. That translates to a remarkably low cost per page, which matters when you are printing thousands of documents per month. Even the standard-yield cartridge handles 3,000 pages. This is where the long-term savings of a laser printer really add up for high-volume users.

The downsides are worth noting. This is a larger printer at 29.8 pounds, and it takes up more desk space than the compact models in this roundup. Several Amazon reviewers report frustrating firmware password lockout issues that can require factory resets to resolve. The deep sleep mode is aggressive and can be difficult to disable. Photo printing shows visible banding, so stick to text documents and simple graphics.

Who should buy this printer

Small to medium businesses with high daily print volumes will see immediate value from the HL-6210DW. Law offices, accounting firms, medical offices, and any business that prints hundreds of pages per day will benefit from the speed, capacity, and low cost per page. The expandable paper handling means this printer can grow with your business.

Who should look elsewhere

Home users and light office users do not need this much printer. The higher price point and larger footprint make it overkill for occasional printing. If you need scanning or copying, this is a print-only device, so look at the MFC-L2820DW or MFC-L2710DW instead. Users who are not comfortable with network configuration might find the setup process challenging.

9. Brother MFC-L2710DW – Most Reliable Laser Printer

The Brother MFC-L2710DW has something no other printer in this roundup can claim: over 8,700 Amazon reviews with a 4.5-star average. That is an enormous sample size, and it tells a clear story about long-term reliability. Reddit users in r/BuyItForLife consistently name this model as a printer that just works, year after year, with minimal intervention.

This is a four-in-one machine that prints, scans, copies, and faxes at 32 pages per minute with automatic duplex. The feature set covers everything a home office or small business needs. I found the print quality consistently sharp at 2400 x 600 dpi effective resolution. The 250-sheet paper tray is standard, and the automatic document feeder handles multi-page scanning and copying tasks.

What impressed me most is how stable the network connection is. Once I got it connected to my Wi-Fi network, it stayed connected. Many printers in this roundup have issues with deep sleep mode dropping the Wi-Fi connection, but the MFC-L2710DW maintained connectivity reliably during my testing period. Multiple reviewers specifically praise this quality, with one user reporting their printer has not dropped a connection in over three years of ownership.

The TN730 and TN760 toner cartridges this printer uses are widely available and affordable. Third-party compatible cartridges are easy to find, which keeps operating costs low. Reddit users report that a single TN760 high-yield cartridge can last over a year for light home use, and Brother does not block third-party toners through firmware updates the way HP does.

Who should buy this printer

Anyone who values proven long-term reliability should put the MFC-L2710DW at the top of their list. It is ideal for home offices and small businesses that want a set-and-forget printer. The combination of all-in-one functionality, stable connectivity, and affordable toner makes it one of the most practical choices in this entire guide. It is also a great option for people who are frustrated with inkjet printers and want their first laser printer.

Who should look elsewhere

The main drawback is the Wi-Fi setup process, which many reviewers describe as challenging for non-technical users. If you are not comfortable with network configuration, have someone help with the initial setup. The starter toner yields approximately 700 pages, which is better than some competitors but still requires a replacement cartridge within the first few months of regular use. Users needing faster print speeds should look at the MFC-L2820DW with its 36 ppm output.

10. Brother MFC-L3720CDW – Best Color Laser All-in-One

The Brother MFC-L3720CDW is the only color laser printer in this roundup, and it is the best choice if you need color output alongside the reliability of a Brother machine. It prints up to 19 pages per minute in both color and black and white, with a 3.5-inch color touchscreen that lets you create 48 customizable shortcuts for frequent tasks.

Color print quality is good for business documents, charts, and presentations. I printed marketing brochures and internal reports with color graphs, and the output was vibrant and professional. Photo quality on plain paper is acceptable for internal use but not comparable to what a dedicated photo printer or even a good inkjet can produce. If color accuracy is critical for client-facing materials, you may want to order sample prints before committing.

The four separate toner cartridges mean you replace only the colors that run out, which is more efficient than combined color cartridges. The 50-page auto document feeder handles scanning, and the automatic duplex printing saves paper. Cloud integration with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote lets you scan directly to your preferred cloud service, just like the MFC-L2820DW.

However, there is a significant design choice that frustrates many users. The printer stops working entirely when any single toner cartridge is empty, and you cannot bypass an empty color cartridge to print in black and white only. The toner monitoring system uses page counts rather than actual toner levels, which means it may report a cartridge as empty when there is still toner remaining. The cartridges also have chips that prevent resetting or refilling. These restrictions drive up the total cost of ownership compared to the monochrome Brother models.

Who should buy this printer

Small businesses and home offices that genuinely need color printing will find the MFC-L3720CDW to be a solid all-in-one solution. It is ideal for creating marketing materials, color-coded reports, presentations with charts, and any document where color improves readability. The touchscreen and cloud integration make it user-friendly for offices where multiple people share one printer.

Who should look elsewhere

If you primarily print black and white text documents, you will pay more for color toner cartridges you rarely use. The restriction on printing when any cartridge is empty is particularly annoying if you mainly print in black and white and rarely touch the color cartridges. Home users and small offices that do not specifically need color output should save money and pick one of the monochrome Brother models instead. The DCP-L2640DW or MFC-L2820DW offer the same functionality minus color at significantly lower operating costs.

How to Choose the Best Laser Printer for Your Needs?

Picking the right laser printer comes down to understanding your actual printing habits and matching them to the right features. Here is what matters most when making your decision.

Monochrome vs Color

Most people do not need a color laser printer. If you print contracts, invoices, reports, forms, and reference materials, a monochrome laser printer will serve you better for less money. Color laser printers cost more upfront, have higher operating costs with four toner cartridges instead of one, and still cannot match inkjet photo quality. Choose color only if you regularly print marketing materials, presentations with charts, or color-coded documents.

Print Speed and Pages Per Minute

Print speed matters more than most people realize. The difference between 21 ppm and 36 ppm is noticeable when you are printing a 50-page report. For home users printing a few pages at a time, anything over 20 ppm is fine. For offices or anyone who regularly prints long documents, look for 30 ppm or faster. The Brother HL-6210DW at 50 ppm is the speed king for businesses that need maximum throughput.

Total Cost of Ownership

The purchase price is only part of the equation. Toner cartridge costs determine your long-term spending. A typical Brother monochrome laser printer has a cost per page of roughly 2 to 4 cents with standard-yield toner, and under 2 cents with high-yield cartridges. Compare that to inkjet printers, which often run 8 to 15 cents per page when you factor in cartridge replacement and waste from cleaning cycles. Over three years of moderate use, a laser printer can save you hundreds of dollars in consumable costs alone.

Connectivity Options

Modern laser printers offer Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, and mobile printing protocols like AirPrint and Mopria. Wi-Fi is essential for home use, while Ethernet provides stability in office environments. AirPrint support means iPhone and iPad users can print without installing drivers. If you use a mesh network at home, pay attention to user reviews about deep sleep connectivity issues, as some Brother printers can drop their Wi-Fi connection when sleeping.

All-in-One vs Single Function

Think honestly about whether you will use scanning, copying, and fax features. If you digitize paper documents regularly, an all-in-one with an automatic document feeder is worth the extra cost. The Brother DCP-L2640DW and MFC-L2820DW are excellent all-in-ones. If you only print, save money with a single-function model like the HL-L2460DW.

Firmware Updates and Toner Compatibility

This is a critical consideration that most buying guides ignore. HP printers require cartridges with original HP chips, and firmware updates actively block third-party toner. This has been a top complaint on Reddit for years. Brother printers accept third-party compatible toner cartridges without firmware restrictions, which keeps your operating costs significantly lower. If avoiding subscription models and cartridge restrictions matters to you, Brother is the clear choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Printers

Final Thoughts on the Best Laser Printers in 2026

After testing 10 laser printers and reviewing feedback from over 21,000 real users, three models stand out. The Brother DCP-L2640DW is the best overall pick for most people thanks to its 3-in-1 functionality, 36 ppm speed, and outstanding reliability. The Brother HL-L2405W is the best budget option for anyone who just needs fast, sharp monochrome printing. And the Brother MFC-L2710DW, with its 8,700-plus reviews and 4.5-star rating, is the most proven reliable laser printer you can buy.

The best laser printers save you money over time with lower cost per page, toner that never dries out, and years of reliable performance. Choose a Brother model for subscription-free operation and affordable toner, or pick an HP model if enterprise security features matter more than long-term consumable costs. Whatever you choose, switching from inkjet to laser is a decision you will not regret.