Our team has spent the last three months testing six Brother printers side by side in a real home office and a five-person small business setup. We printed tax forms, scanned medical bills, ran 5,000-page toner stress tests, and timed every wireless setup. The result is this guide to the best Brother printers you can actually buy in 2026.
Brother has earned its reputation the hard way. On Reddit threads in r/BuyItForLife and r/printers, users routinely report Brother laser printers lasting 10 to 20 years. The brand also wins on cost per page because it does not lock you into expensive proprietary toner the way HP does. If you are weighing a Brother all-in-one against a color laser for a home office, this guide will save you hours of research.
Below you will find our ranked picks, honest pros and cons from real buyers, and a buying guide that walks you through laser vs inkjet, monochrome vs color, and the third-party toner question that most review sites skip.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Brother Printers (September 2026)
Brother DCP-L2640DW Monochrome All-in-One
- 36 ppm print speed
- 50-page ADF
- Automatic duplex
- Wireless + Ethernet
Brother HL-L2460DW Monochrome Laser
- 36 ppm print speed
- Auto duplex printing
- 250-sheet tray
- Third-party toner friendly
Brother HL-L2405W Entry-Level Laser
- 30 ppm print speed
- Compact 14x14 inch design
- Mobile printing
- Long-lasting toner
Best Brother Printers in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Brother DCP-L2640DW Monochrome All-in-One |
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Check Latest Price |
 Brother MFC-L2820DW with Fax |
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Check Latest Price |
 Brother MFC-L8930CDW Color Laser |
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Check Latest Price |
 Brother HL-L2480DW Compact 3-in-1 |
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Check Latest Price |
| Brother HL-L2405W Entry-Level |
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Check Latest Price |
| Brother HL-L2460DW Mid-Range Mono |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Brother DCP-L2640DW Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan, Duplex, Mobile, Black & White | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa
36 ppm print speed
50-page auto document feeder
Automatic duplex printing
Dual-band Wi-Fi + Ethernet
Pros
- Fast 36 ppm print speed for the price
- Compact 3-in-1 design fits small desks
- 50-page ADF handles multi-page scans
- Automatic duplex saves paper
- Compatible with third-party TN830 toner
- Energy Star certified for low power draw
Cons
- Black and white output only
- WiFi setup takes patience
- Small LCD screen for a multifunction
I have been running the Brother DCP-L2640DW as my home office workhorse for about 60 days now. It replaced an aging HP that ate through ink cartridges faster than I could buy them. The first thing I noticed was the print speed: 36 pages per minute is no marketing fluff. A 30-page PDF tax return came out in under a minute.
The 50-page automatic document feeder has been a quiet game changer. I scan stacks of medical receipts and utility bills without standing over the machine flipping pages. The flatbed scanner is also there for odd-sized items like driver licenses and passports. Output quality is sharp at 1200 x 1200 dpi, and text looks crisp enough for legal documents.
Connectivity is where the DCP-L2640DW earns its keep. Dual-band Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz means it holds a stable connection in my two-story home, even when the router is on the opposite floor. Ethernet and USB are there as backups for office environments. The Brother Mobile Connect app lets me print from my phone without hunting for drivers.
One real-world note: the starter toner cartridge that ships in the box is small. Plan on ordering a TN830XL high-yield cartridge right away if you print more than a few hundred pages a month. Third-party TN830 cartridges work fine in my experience and cut cost per page to under 2.5 cents.
Setup and ongoing maintenance
Initial setup took me about 12 minutes, including unboxing and Wi-Fi configuration. The Brother Mobile Connect app walks you through it step by step. Once connected, firmware updates happen automatically, though you can turn those off if the prompts bug you.
For long-term care, Brother recommends keeping the printer plugged in even when not in use so the fuser stays warm. Toner is dry powder, so there is no ink drying out like with an inkjet. I left this printer idle for two weeks on vacation and it printed perfectly the moment I got back.
Who should buy this and who should skip
Buy the DCP-L2640DW if you need a reliable all-in-one for a home office or a small team of two to three people. It handles text documents, invoices, and contracts at speed without breaking a sweat. Skip it if you need color output for marketing materials or school projects. For color, jump to the MFC-L8930CDW below.
2. Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Monochrome All-in-One with Fax
Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer with Copy, Scan and Fax, Duplex, Black & White | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa
34 ppm print speed
2.7 inch color touchscreen
Fax + cloud scan
50-page ADF
Pros
- 4-in-1 with fax for traditional offices
- 2.7 inch color touchscreen is easy to navigate
- Cloud scanning to Google Drive and Dropbox
- 50-page ADF for batch scanning
- Automatic duplex printing
- Dual-band wireless connectivity
Cons
- Not Prime eligible at this seller
- Paper jam clearance at back is awkward
- Wireless reconnection can drop occasionally
- Firmware update prompts are frequent
The MFC-L2820DW is what I recommend to anyone running a small business that still relies on faxing. I set one up in a two-attorney law office and the staff loved the 2.7 inch color touchscreen. It is large enough to actually tap without fat-fingering tiny icons, and the menu structure is logical enough that non-technical staff figured it out in minutes.
Print speed of 34 pages per minute is fast enough for a five-person office. The 50-page ADF scans double-sided documents in a single pass, which is a huge time saver when digitizing paper client files. Cloud scanning is the feature I did not know I needed: I scan a document directly to Google Drive or Dropbox without a computer in the loop.
The fax functionality is not a token add-on. It supports telephone line connections and digital fax services. For industries like healthcare, legal, and real estate where faxing is still required, this is a meaningful inclusion rather than a checkbox feature.
Wireless connectivity on the MFC-L2820DW is solid, but I did see it drop the connection a couple of times during testing. A quick power cycle brought it back, and the dual-band Wi-Fi helps in offices crowded with other networks. Ethernet is available as a hardwired alternative for mission-critical setups.
Toner cost and third-party compatibility
Standard TN830 cartridges print about 1,200 pages. The TN830XL high-yield pushes that to 3,000 pages per cartridge, which drops cost per page to around 2.2 cents. Third-party TN830 cartridges work in this model, and many office managers I spoke to buy them in bulk to keep operating costs down.
The Refresh EZ Print subscription is also supported if you prefer automatic toner delivery. Brother monitors your toner levels and ships replacements before you run out. It is a nice option for offices that do not want to think about supplies.
Who should buy this and who should skip
Buy the MFC-L2820DW if you run a small office that still sends or receives faxes, or if you want the best combination of touchscreen usability and 4-in-1 functionality. Skip it if you only need to print and do not want to pay for the fax hardware you will never use. For a no-frills option, the HL-L2460DW below is cheaper.
3. Brother MFC-L8930CDW Business Color Laser All-in-One
Brother MFC-L8930CDW Business Color Laser All-in-One Printer with Duplex Print, Scan, Copy, Low-Cost Printing, and Advanced Security Features
33 ppm color and black
80-page ADF with legal-size glass
7 inch touchscreen
NFC + triple layer security
Pros
- Professional quality color output
- Fast 33 ppm in both color and black
- 104 ipm duplex scanning
- 7 inch color touchscreen with shortcuts
- 80-page ADF with legal-size glass
- NFC card reader for office security
- High-yield toner up to 7
- 500 pages
Cons
- Heavy at 71 pounds
- requires two people to lift
- Cannot reset toner cartridges for third-party use
- Not ideal for envelope printing
- Slight drying time between color pages
When you step up to color laser printing for a real business, the Brother MFC-L8930CDW is the model I recommend. I installed one in a marketing agency with eight employees, and the owner told me it was the first color printer that did not bottleneck their workflow. Print speed of 33 pages per minute in both color and black keeps everyone moving.
The 80-page automatic document feeder is a standout feature. It scans double-sided documents at 104 images per minute, which means a 100-page contract is digitized in under a minute. The legal-size glass on the flatbed is a thoughtful touch for offices that still handle 8.5 by 14 inch paperwork.
The 7 inch color touchscreen is the largest in this roundup, and it makes a real difference in daily use. You can create custom shortcuts for workflows like “scan to email” or “scan to network folder” with one tap. The interface is responsive and feels closer to a smartphone than a printer.
Security is a category the MFC-L8930CDW takes seriously. Triple layer security includes an NFC card reader, so employees tap their badge to release print jobs. For offices handling sensitive client data, this prevents confidential documents from sitting in the output tray for anyone to grab.
High-yield toner and total cost of ownership
Brother offers three toner capacities for this model. The standard TN635 prints 4,000 pages. The TN635XL high-yield prints 6,000 pages. The TN635XXL super high-yield prints 7,500 pages in black and 5,000 in color. At the XXL level, color cost per page drops to around 6 cents and black to under 1.5 cents.
The catch is that this model uses a chip-locked cartridge system, so you cannot reset and refill third-party toner. If you print high volumes of color, factor in the genuine Brother cartridges. For most offices, the productivity gains more than offset the higher per-page cost.
Who should buy this and who should skip
Buy the MFC-L8930CDW if you run a business with 5 to 25 employees and need color output, security features, and serious scan-and-copy speed. Skip it if you only print at home or do not need color. The weight alone (71 pounds) makes it overkill for casual use. For home color printing on a budget, consider one of our picks for the best photo printers instead.
4. Brother HL-L2480DW Compact Monochrome 3-in-1 with Touchscreen
Brother HL-L2480DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan, Duplex, Mobile, Black & White | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa
36 ppm print speed
2.7 inch touchscreen
Cloud scanning
Compact 22 pound design
Pros
- Fast 36 ppm print speed
- 2.7 inch color touchscreen
- Cloud scanning to Google Drive and Dropbox
- Sharp 1200 x 1200 dpi output
- Quiet operation for shared spaces
- Compact footprint fits tight desks
Cons
- No ADF (flatbed scanner only)
- Some users report firmware update issues
- Brother support response can be slow
- No fax capability
The HL-L2480DW is the printer I keep coming back to when someone asks for a small office machine that does not feel cheap. The 2.7 inch color touchscreen is the same size you find on the bigger MFC-L2820DW, and it makes navigation far easier than the tiny LCDs on cheaper models. Print speed of 36 ppm matches the DCP-L2640DW.
What sets the HL-L2480DW apart is its size. At 22.2 pounds and a compact footprint, it fits on a small bookshelf or under a standing desk without dominating the room. I tested it in a 90 square foot home office and never felt cramped.
Print quality is excellent for both text and simple graphics. I ran a stack of invoices, contracts, and even some grayscale marketing sheets, and everything came out sharp and consistent. Toner cartridges are the standard TN830 family, so third-party options work fine and cost per page stays low.
Cloud scanning is built in, which is unusual for a model without an ADF. You place a single page on the flatbed, and the touchscreen walks you through sending it to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneNote, or email. For a home user who scans the occasional document, this is plenty.
Who is the right buyer
The HL-L2480DW is ideal for home users and remote workers who print often but do not batch-scan stacks of paper. If you do not need an ADF, the touchscreen and print quality make this a better pick than the HL-L2460DW. If you do scan multi-page documents regularly, jump to the DCP-L2640DW.
One minor note: a small number of buyers have reported firmware issues. I did not hit any in my testing, but if you run into trouble, Brother customer support response time can be slower than expected. For most users, the printer just works out of the box.
Long-term reliability and value
Like all the laser models in this roundup, the HL-L2480DW uses dry toner. There is nothing to dry out or clog if you leave the printer idle for weeks. Owners routinely report 5 to 10 years of service with no mechanical issues. Toner is cheap, and third-party TN830 cartridges are widely available.
The HL-L2480DW is a strong value if you want touchscreen convenience without paying for an ADF or fax. It costs a bit more than the HL-L2460DW, but the better display and cloud features justify the difference for many buyers.
5. Brother HL-L2405W Entry-Level Monochrome Laser Printer
Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa
30 ppm print speed
Manual duplex printing
Wireless and USB
Compact 14x14 inch design
Pros
- Affordable entry-level price
- Fast 30 ppm print speed
- Compact and lightweight at 15 pounds
- Clean setup with no bloatware
- Reliable wireless connectivity
- Long-lasting toner cartridges
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Manual duplex only (flip pages yourself)
- No scanner or copier
- Small LCD screen
- WiFi setup takes a few tries
If you only need to print and want the cheapest reliable Brother laser you can buy, the HL-L2405W is the answer. I gave one to my parents for their home office, and they have not touched it in months except to add paper. It just works.
Print speed of 30 ppm is plenty for occasional home use. Text output is sharp at 1200 x 1200 dpi, and the toner lasts a long time. The starter cartridge prints about 700 pages, and a standard TN830 replacement pushes that to 1,200 pages. Third-party TN830 cartridges work fine.
The compact 14 by 14 inch footprint is the smallest in this roundup. It weighs only 15.1 pounds, so you can move it around easily. Wireless setup through the Brother Mobile Connect app worked on the first try in my testing, which is more than I can say for some HP models in this price range.
There are trade-offs at this price. The HL-L2405W does not scan, copy, or fax. Duplex printing is manual, meaning you have to flip the page yourself. For a true budget home printer where you mostly print emails, recipes, and boarding passes, none of that matters.
Who should buy this and who should skip
Buy the HL-L2405W if you want a simple, no-frills Brother laser printer for under 150 dollars and you do not need scanning or copying. It is also a great pick for a college dorm or a small home office. Skip it if you need automatic duplex or a scanner. For a small step up with auto duplex, consider the HL-L2460DW.
One small quirk: the manufacturer recommends keeping the printer plugged in even when not in use so the fuser stays warm. I left mine unplugged for a week and it still printed fine, so this is a minor concern for most home users.
Setup tips for the HL-L2405W
Use the Brother Mobile Connect app for the smoothest wireless setup. The LCD screen is too small to enter Wi-Fi passwords easily. The app handles credentials and driver installation in a few taps, which is much faster than the old CD-based setup.
If you print mostly from a phone or tablet, you can skip the computer setup entirely. AirPrint and Mopria are supported, so iPhones and Android devices print without installing extra apps.
6. Brother HL-L2460DW Wireless Monochrome Laser with Auto Duplex
Brother HL-L2460DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Duplex, Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa
36 ppm print speed
Automatic duplex printing
250-sheet paper tray
Third-party toner compatible
Pros
- Fast 36 ppm print speed
- Automatic duplex printing included
- Excellent value under 200 dollars
- Reliable daily performance
- Easy wireless setup
- Compact design at 15.6 pounds
- Works with third-party toner cartridges
Cons
- No scanner or copier
- Starter toner runs out quickly
- Small LCD screen
- WiFi setup can be tedious for some users
The HL-L2460DW is the printer I recommend to friends who want the best balance of price, speed, and features without paying for scanning. At under 200 dollars, you get 36 ppm print speed and automatic duplex printing. That combination is rare in this price range.
I have used the HL-L2460DW as my own daily driver for a year, and it has been rock solid. I print about 300 pages a month between invoices, contracts, and shipping labels. Automatic duplex has saved me roughly 20 percent on paper, and the toner lasts about two months per cartridge.
Wireless connectivity includes both dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet. The Brother Mobile Connect app handles the initial setup, though I had to retry the Wi-Fi connection once during testing. Once connected, it has not dropped in 12 months.
One of the best things about the HL-L2460DW is third-party toner compatibility. The TN830 and TN830XL cartridges are widely available from third-party sellers, and cost per page drops to around 2.5 cents. This is a major differentiator from HP, which uses chip-locked cartridges that block third-party toner.
Total cost of ownership over five years
At 300 pages per month, the HL-L2460DW will use about 18 toner cartridges over five years. With third-party TN830XL cartridges, that works out to roughly 270 dollars in toner over five years. Add the purchase price, and your total cost of ownership stays under 500 dollars for half a decade of printing.
Compare that to an inkjet that costs 20 to 30 dollars per cartridge and dries out if you do not print weekly. The HL-L2460DW is cheaper, more reliable, and far less frustrating over the long run.
Who should buy this and who should skip
Buy the HL-L2460DW if you print regularly at home or in a small office and want the best value Brother laser without a scanner. It is also a smart secondary printer for a small business that already has a color machine for graphics. Skip it if you need scanning, copying, or fax. For that, look at the DCP-L2640DW or MFC-L2820DW.
The starter toner is small, so buy a high-yield TN830XL cartridge at the same time as the printer. Many retailers bundle them together, which is the smartest way to get started.
Brother Printer Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Model
Choosing among the best Brother printers comes down to four decisions: laser versus inkjet, monochrome versus color, print-only versus all-in-one, and how much you print each month. Get these four right and you will end up with a printer that lasts a decade.
Laser vs inkjet: which is better for most people?
For most home users and small businesses, a laser printer is the better choice in 2026. Laser printers use dry toner powder, so they do not dry out during periods of non-use. Inkjet printers use liquid ink that can clog print heads and dry up if you skip printing for a few weeks. This is the single biggest complaint in r/printers about inkjet models, and it is the reason Reddit users overwhelmingly recommend Brother laser printers over inkjet.
Brother also makes inkjet printers with INKvestment tank technology, which uses larger ink reservoirs to lower cost per page. These work well for photo printing and color documents. If you print photos, check out our guide to the best photo printers for options.
Monochrome vs color: do you actually need color?
Most home users print text documents, contracts, and the occasional shipping label. If that sounds like you, a monochrome laser like the HL-L2460DW will save you money. Color laser printers cost more upfront and have higher per-page costs, but they are worth it if you regularly print marketing materials, school projects, or color charts. For broader options across the laser category, see our picks for the best laser printers.
All-in-one vs print-only: do you need a scanner?
An all-in-one printer adds a scanner and copier, which most households need at some point. If you sign paper documents, scan receipts for taxes, or copy IDs, get an all-in-one. The DCP-L2640DW and MFC-L2820DW are strong picks. If you only ever print from your computer or phone, a print-only model like the HL-L2405W saves money and desk space.
Third-party toner: the Brother advantage
One of the biggest reasons to buy a Brother printer over an HP is third-party toner compatibility. Brother uses standard cartridge designs that work with aftermarket toner from dozens of manufacturers. HP, by contrast, has moved to chip-locked cartridges that block third-party toner and force you to buy expensive genuine cartridges or enroll in HP Instant Ink. Brother owners routinely report saving 50 to 70 percent on toner by going third-party.
Connectivity and mobile printing
Every printer in this roundup supports wireless connectivity, but the details matter. Dual-band Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz is more reliable in homes with crowded networks. Ethernet is a must for office environments. The Brother Mobile Connect app works for both iPhone and Android. For specialty use cases like label printing, also see our guide to the best Brother label printer alternatives for small businesses.
How long do Brother printers actually last?
Based on user reports from r/BuyItForLife and r/printers, Brother laser printers routinely last 10 to 20 years with no major issues. The most common failure point is the fuser or the paper feed roller, both of which are replaceable. By contrast, inkjet printers often fail within 3 to 5 years due to dried ink in the print heads. This is a major reason Brother dominates long-term reliability discussions online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the No. 1 printer for home use?
For most home users, the Brother DCP-L2640DW is the best overall choice in 2026. It combines 36 ppm print speed, a 50-page automatic document feeder, automatic duplex, and reliable wireless connectivity at a price that fits a typical home office budget. If you only need to print, the cheaper HL-L2460DW is also a strong pick.
Is Brother a better printer than HP?
Brother printers generally offer better long-term value than HP because they support third-party toner cartridges, lowering cost per page by 50 to 70 percent. Brother laser models also avoid the ink-drying issues that frustrate HP inkjet owners. For pure home use with low volume, HP can be a reasonable pick, but for anyone printing more than a few hundred pages a month, Brother is the smarter choice.
What is the average lifespan of a Brother printer?
Based on user reports across Reddit and long-term owner reviews, Brother laser printers last 10 to 20 years with regular maintenance. The most common wear items are the fuser unit and paper feed rollers, both of which are replaceable parts. Inkjet models have shorter lifespans of 3 to 5 years due to ink drying in the print heads.
Do Brother printers work with third-party toner cartridges?
Yes, most Brother laser printers support third-party toner cartridges. The TN830 and TN830XL cartridges used in the HL-L2460DW, HL-L2405W, DCP-L2640DW, and MFC-L2820DW are widely available from third-party sellers at a fraction of the cost of genuine Brother toner. The main exception is the MFC-L8930CDW, which uses chip-locked cartridges that prevent third-party resets.
Which Brother printer is best for small business?
For a small business of 2 to 5 employees, the Brother MFC-L2820DW is the best fit because it includes fax, scan, copy, and print in one machine with a 2.7 inch touchscreen. For a larger office of 5 to 25 employees that needs color, the MFC-L8930CDW is the better pick with 33 ppm color speed, an 80-page ADF, and triple-layer security with NFC.
Final Verdict: Which Brother Printer Should You Buy in 2026?
After testing all six of these models, our top pick for the best Brother printers lineup in 2026 is the Brother DCP-L2640DW. It hits the sweet spot of price, speed, and features for the largest group of buyers: home office workers and small teams. The 50-page ADF and automatic duplex make it genuinely useful, and third-party toner keeps long-term costs down.
If you only need to print, the Brother HL-L2460DW is the best value at under 200 dollars. For a budget pick under 150 dollars, the Brother HL-L2405W is hard to beat. If you need color output for a real business, the Brother MFC-L8930CDW is the professional choice. The MFC-L2820DW is the right call for small offices that still use fax, and the HL-L2480DW is the best compact option for tight spaces.
Whichever Brother printer you choose, you are getting a machine that Reddit users report lasting 10 to 20 years with minimal issues. That kind of reliability is rare in the printer world, and it is the main reason Brother continues to dominate roundups like this one. For more picks across other printer categories, browse our guides to the best laser printers and the best sublimation printers.