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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
If you print documents, forms, or anything in black and white, a laser printer is the single best upgrade you can make. It swaps the clogged-nozzle, expensive-ink-cartridge cycle of an inkjet for a toner cartridge that lasts thousands of pages. The right pick prints at 30+ pages per minute, connects to Wi-Fi without a fight, and delivers crisp, professional-looking text.
I’m Mo Maruf — the founder and writer behind The Tools Trunk. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
From compact home models to high-volume office workhorses, this breakdown of the best black and white laser printer options focuses on speed, connectivity, and the long-term cost of toner so you choose the right one.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Black And White Laser Printer
Before you buy a monochrome laser printer, ask yourself three things: how much you print, where you print from, and whether you also need scanning. Answer those, and the right model narrows itself down to a few clear choices.
Print Only vs. All-in-One
A print-only machine is the cheapest and often the fastest, but if you also need to scan or copy, a multifunction model saves you from buying a separate scanner. Look for an automatic document feeder (ADF) if you scan stacks of multi-page documents, so you can load 35 or 50 sheets and let the machine work through them.
Wired vs. Wireless Connectivity
Wireless printing lets you send jobs from laptops, phones, and tablets from anywhere in the house. Wired USB or Ethernet connections are more stable and secure, which is why many offices prefer them. If you buy a budget wired-only model, you lose the convenience of printing straight from your phone.
Speed and Toner Costs
Speed is measured in pages per minute (ppm), and most home lasers fall between 30 and 36 ppm. Toner cost depends on cartridge yield — the number of pages a cartridge is rated to print. A high-yield cartridge with a big page count can make each print dramatically cheaper, so it is worth checking the yield before you buy.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Print Speed | Duplex | Functions | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2480DW★ Best Overall | Home offices needing scan + copy | 36 ppm | Automatic | Print, Copy, Scan | Amazon |
| HP LaserJet M209dCompact Wired Pick | Simple wired USB setups | 30 ppm | Automatic | Print Only | Amazon |
| Xerox B230Mobile First | Mobile-first printing | 36 ppm | Automatic | Print Only | Amazon |
| Canon MF273dw | Scanning stacks of documents | 30 ppm | Automatic | Print, Copy, Scan | Amazon |
| HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw | Small teams with high volume | 40 ppm | Automatic | Print, Copy, Scan | Amazon |
| Canon MF275dw | Needing fax in a 4-in-1 | 30 ppm | Automatic | Print, Copy, Scan, Fax | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-L2820DW | Offices that need fax | 34 ppm | Automatic | Print, Copy, Scan, Fax | Amazon |
| HP LaserJet Pro 4001n | High-volume office printing | 63 ppm | Manual | Print Only | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Brother HL-L2480DW
Our pick — 4.5★ from 600+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The home-office favorite that pairs a flatbed scanner with 36 ppm printing.
The Brother HL-L2480DW is the crowd favorite for a reason — it combines a laser printer, scanner, and copier in one compact footprint without forcing you to buy three separate machines. The flatbed scan glass handles books and single sheets easily, while automatic duplex printing (printing on both sides of the page) cuts your paper use in half. Setup is famously painless straight from the start, and the crowd favorite status is backed by 4.5 stars across 600+ owner experiences.
At up to 36 pages per minute and a first page out in 8.5 seconds, it keeps pace with a busy home office. The 250-sheet paper tray holds a full ream, and a manual feed slot takes envelopes and specialty paper when you need them. The 2.7-inch touchscreen lets you print from and scan to cloud apps like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Evernote without touching a computer.
Buyers report the print quality is “crisp 600×600 DPI text/greyscale,” and owners note it runs quiet enough to sit next to a desk. One long-term owner summed it up: “After 1yr, still great; near end of first cartridge.” The main caveat is wireless connectivity, which gets mixed feedback — most users are happy, but a handful hit hiccups. Brother’s toner costs stay reasonable, which is a big part of why people stick with this brand.
Why it wins: It nails the essentials — fast printing, scanning, copying, and a touchscreen — at a price that undercuts most competitors.
Reach for this if: You want one reliable machine that prints, scans, and copies for a home office without a big footprint.
Look elsewhere if: Your Wi-Fi router is unreliable, since wireless setup is the one area with mixed owner reports.
2. HP LaserJet M209d
A wired-only workhorse for people who want simple, secure printing without network fuss.
The HP LaserJet M209d is for buyers who value simplicity and security over wireless convenience. It connects via USB only — the cable is included in the box — which means no Wi-Fi passwords, no dropped connections, and a smaller attack surface for security-minded users. The compact design (13.98″D x 8.07″W x 11″H) saves desk space, and at 30 pages per minute, it keeps up with general home office workloads.
Its defining feature is the fastest-in-class two-sided printing speed, so a 30-page report duplexes quickly without you flipping pages manually. The 150-sheet input tray handles a partial ream, and smart-guided buttons make operation straightforward. Print quality is excellent — owners mention crisp 600×600 DPI text and greyscale, with pages that come out smudge-free and even waterproof.
The big catch is that this HP only works with cartridges that have HP chips, and the printer blocks anything else. That locks you into HP toner, which owners say is overpriced — though off-brand savings are impossible here. It is also not compatible with modern MacOS beyond version 11.x, so Apple users with newer systems should look elsewhere. For Windows users who never print from a phone, this is a dependable, secure choice.
What owners love
- Fast automatic duplex printing
- Crisp, smudge-free 600×600 DPI text
- Simple USB setup with cable included
Know before you buy
- No wireless or mobile printing at all
- HP-brand toner is expensive
- Not compatible with newer MacOS versions
Who it suits: Windows-based home offices that want a secure, wired connection and don’t need to print from phones.
The trade-off: You trade wireless convenience for locked-in HP toner costs.
3. Xerox B230
A dependable monochrome printer with native AirPrint and Mopria support for mobile-first users.
The Xerox B230 is aimed at small businesses that need a compact, reliable monochrome printer with simple setup. It supports Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, and Chromebook printing, so mobile users can send jobs straight from a phone or tablet without installing drivers. At 36 pages per minute with automatic 2-sided printing, it handles standard office document volume comfortably, and the compact footprint fits in tight spaces.
Owners consistently praise the print quality — crisp black text on fast duplex (automatic two-sided) jobs — and those who get through setup appreciate how well it works afterward. The printer also includes comprehensive security features to protect sensitive data, and its scanning software, a 35-sheet ADF (auto document feeder that holds 35 pages), and the flatbed scanner handle multi-page documents well, though some users note the ADF is a bit finicky with mixed paper types.
The honest catch is setup and wireless reliability. While some owners connect in minutes via the phone app, others report the wireless fails and a cable is needed, and the on-device menus are not the most intuitive. One owner described the setup as “almost gave me an aneurysm” before getting help, and a few report connectivity drops. If you are comfortable troubleshooting once, the Xerox B230 is a solid, lower-priced workhorse.
Where it shines
- Excellent print quality for the price
- Native AirPrint and Chromebook support
- Compact size fits small desks
Where it trips up
- Wireless setup can be frustrating
- Some customers note unreliable Wi-Fi
Choose this if: You want a budget-friendly print-only machine with strong mobile support and don’t mind a potentially fiddly first-time setup.
Pass on it if: You need guaranteed plug-and-play wireless, since connectivity is the most mixed aspect by far.
4. Canon imageCLASS MF273dw
The all-in-one that makes scanning stacks of paper feel easy.
The Canon imageCLASS MF273dw is a wireless 3-in-1 that prints, copies, and scans, with a 35-sheet automatic document feeder for multi-page jobs. If you regularly scan receipts, contracts, or multi-page forms, the ADF is a genuine time-saver — load the stack, press a button, and it feeds through the scanner automatically. First print out lands in about 5.3 seconds, and it runs at 30 pages per minute.
The 150-sheet cassette and automatic duplex printing keep paper handling simple. The tilting control panel and a clear display make operation approachable, and reviewers point out excellent print quality with sharp blacks. Owners also praise the fast print speed and note it handles printing multiple pages quickly. The included starter cartridge is rated for 700 pages, giving you a solid run before your first toner replacement.
Setup is where opinions split — some find it easy, others spend days wrestling with it. The scanner is a particular sticking point: a few shoppers say unreliable scanning over USB or Wi-Fi, and one returned the unit over it. The documentation also draws repeated complaints. But once running, owners call it “the most trouble-free printer owned” and note cheap generic toners work fine, keeping long-term costs low.
Best for: Home offices that scan and copy documents regularly and want Canon’s excellent print quality.
Think twice if: You need flawless scanning on day one, since that is the most common owner frustration.
5. HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw
A fast all-in-one with 40 ppm speed and a 50-sheet ADF for small teams.
The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw is for small teams that print, scan, and copy in serious volume. It hits up to 40 pages per minute single-sided — noticeably faster than the 30 ppm (pages per minute) models on this list — and the 250-sheet input tray plus a 50-sheet auto document feeder keep long jobs moving without constant reloading. The 7-second first-page-out time means you are not staring at a blinking light while waiting for a job to start.
Owners consistently call it reliable and easy to set up, with crisp monochrome copies that match the originals. The wireless connection is described as stable, reconnecting on its own after power outages. One business owner specifically praises its ability to print checks straight from QuickBooks, which shows how well it slots into real workflows. Reliability is the second-most-praised aspect after overall quality.
The trade-offs are typical HP: it blocks generic toner cartridges through chip checks, so your long-term supplies cost more. One owner warns that auto-feed jams surface when the document feeder holds more than about 25 sheets, and the occasional Wi-Fi drop requires a known YouTube fix. If you are happy with HP-brand toner and mostly print under 25 pages at a time, this is a fast, dependable team printer.
Why teams like it
- Fast 40 ppm printing speed
- Reliable wireless that reconnects after outages
- 50-sheet auto document feeder
Watch out for
- Generic toner cartridges are blocked
- Document feeder can jam over 25 sheets
Grab this for: A small office where several people print daily and you need scan-and-copy speed in one machine.
Consider the cost: The genuine HP toner requirement adds up over a year of heavy printing.
6. Canon imageCLASS MF275dw
The rare compact 4-in-1 that still includes fax for offices that need it.
The Canon imageCLASS MF275dw is a wireless 4-in-1 that adds fax on top of print, scan, and copy — a combination getting harder to find. It prints up to 30 pages per minute with about a 5.3-second first-page-out time, and the 6-line adjustable touchscreen tilts so you can use it sitting or standing. The 35-sheet automatic document feeder handles multi-page scans and faxes, while the 150-sheet cassette holds a partial ream.
Setup earns consistent praise as straightforward, and owners highlight excellent print quality with clear, crisp copies. It is ENERGY STAR certified and EPEAT Silver rated, which matters if your office tracks sustainability. The Canon PRINT Business app plus Apple AirPrint and Mopria support cover mobile printing from any device you carry. One owner confirms the fax works very well, contrary to some claims it lacks fax capability.
The honest limitations: it is not especially fast, scanning has no scan-to-email capability, and the Wi-Fi can occasionally drop or jump networks — one owner saw it happen twice. The starter cartridge is rated for 700 pages, and owners note the trial toner lasts a long time for light users. If you need fax in a compact all-in-one and value Canon’s quality, this fills a niche the MF273dw cannot.
Its niche: A space-saving 4-in-1 with fax, easy setup, and Canon print quality for a small office or home office.
Pick this if: Fax is non-negotiable and you want a single compact machine for printing, copying, and scanning too.
skip it if: You need scan-to-email or print faster than 30 pages a minute.
7. Brother MFC-L2820DW
A fax-equipped Brother that combines speed, a touchscreen, and a document feeder.
The Brother MFC-L2820DW delivers print, copy, scan, and fax in a compact frame, with print speeds up to 34 pages per minute and scan speeds up to 23.6 pages per minute in black. The 50-page auto document feeder runs multi-page copy, scan, and fax jobs hands-free, and the 2.7-inch touchscreen lets you print from and scan to Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, and OneNote. It is the most feature-complete Brother on this list.
Owners call the setup a breeze — one connected it via a Cat6 cable with no app needed in under 20 minutes. It works wirelessly with Linux, Windows 10/11, Android, and iOS, which is rare versatility. The print quality and speed for text are excellent, and with TN830 and TN830XL toner options, running costs stay low. It is described as fast, with one owner clocking roughly two seconds per page in operation.
The recurring trade-off is connectivity — it gets mixed feedback, with some users hitting Wi-Fi issues. One owner notes the scanning is single-page only, so there is no auto document feeder for scans, and regrets not upgrading to a model with that feature, though the print and copy functions are button-operated with no account required. If you want a fax-capable Brother with a touchscreen and ADF (auto document feeder), this is the pick.
The strong points
- 50-page auto document feeder
- Fast 34 ppm printing and quick scanning
- Works across Windows, Linux, and mobile
The weak points
- Wireless connectivity has mixed owner reports
- No ADF for multi-page scanning
Choose it for: A small office needing fax, a touchscreen, and fast multi-page processing in one Brother machine.
Be aware: Wi-Fi reliability is the most inconsistent aspect, so a wired connection may suit you better.
8. HP LaserJet Pro 4001n
The fastest printer here, built for high-volume offices that refuse to wait.
The HP LaserJet Pro 4001n is a print-only machine designed for offices that churn through documents. It hits up to 42 black-and-white pages per minute single-sided — the quickest on this list — with a 6.1-second first-page-out time that makes even single jobs feel instant. It is built for up to 10 users, and the Ethernet and USB connections keep it stable and secure on a shared office network.
Security is a headline feature: HP Wolf Pro Security comes with customizable settings to protect sensitive data and documents from cyber threats. It prints from any device — Microsoft, Mac, AirPrint, Android, and Chromebook — with Ethernet included. Buyers report easy setup, quick printing, and clear, sharp documents, with print quality the most-praised aspect by far.
The big trade-off is duplex printing: it is manual, meaning you flip pages yourself for two-sided jobs, which slows high-volume duplex workflows. HP also locks out generic toner, and some owners say the printer goes through cartridges quickly, with a few reporting reliability issues after about 15 months. The 148A cartridge (~2,900 pages) and high-yield 148X (~9,500 pages) give you options, but sticking with genuine HP toner adds up. This is the speed pick when throughput matters most.
Why it stands out
- Blazing 63 ppm top speed
- HP Wolf Pro Security built in
- Rugged build for office environments
Consider this
- Manual duplex only — you flip pages
- Genuine HP toner required
- Some owners mention reliability dips after a year
Best for: An office that prints mostly single-sided documents in high volume and values speed and security above all.
Not for: Anyone who duplexes constantly, since the manual flip adds friction to every two-sided job.
Understanding the Specs
Pages Per Minute (ppm)
This is how fast a printer produces single-sided black and white pages. Home models typically run 30 to 36 ppm, while office speed demons hit 40 ppm or more. Faster is better if you print long documents or share the printer with a team, but for light home use, 30 ppm is plenty.
Automatic Duplex Printing
Duplex means printing on both sides of the page automatically, without you flipping the paper. It halves paper use and is a near-universal feature on modern lasers. The only exception here is the HP LaserJet Pro 4001n, which requires a manual flip — a real difference if you care about paper savings.
FAQ
Is a black and white laser printer cheaper to run than an inkjet?
Do I need an all-in-one or a print-only laser printer?
What is a good print speed for a home office laser printer?
Will a laser printer work with my Mac or Chromebook?
Can I use cheap third-party toner cartridges?
What does an auto document feeder do?
Which is better for a small office, Brother or HP?
How many pages does a starter toner cartridge print?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For the majority of shoppers, the black and white laser printer winner is the Brother HL-L2480DW because it combines fast 36 ppm printing with scanning, copying, and a touchscreen at a crowd-pleasing value. If you want the fastest throughput for an office, grab the HP LaserJet Pro 4001n. And for a budget-friendly machine that still handles scan-and-copy duties, the Brother HL-L2465DW is the one to reach for. The single most important advice: decide whether you also need scanning, check that your computer’s operating system is supported, and don’t underestimate how much toner cartridges cost over the printer’s life.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, The Tools Trunk earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.