Top laser printers ranked by transparent trust scores.
$199–$249 · Best Overall
$279–$329 · Best for Small Offices
$329–$379 · Best Expandable Paper Capacity
$69–$99 · Best Budget
$159–$179
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
Updated the discontinued Brother HL-L2395DW to the HL-L2480DW, Canon LBP236dw to the LBP246dw II and Kyocera P2235dn to the Wi-Fi ECOSYS PA3500wx, removed the discontinued Lexmark B2236dw and the OKI B432dn (OKI left the Americas printer market), added the Brother HL-L2460DW and HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw, and fixed the top pick's label.
10/12/2026 · PickClarity Editorial
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A monochrome laser printer remains the cheapest way to print text documents reliably at home or in a small office. Toner does not dry out between jobs the way inkjet cartridges can, and per-page costs drop sharply once you move to high-yield cartridges. The main differences between models now are speed, whether you get a flatbed scanner, connectivity, and the cost and availability of toner and drum units. Several long-running models, including the Brother HL-L2395DW, have been discontinued, so check the model number before buying.
Starter cartridges are the most misunderstood part of the price. Brother ships the HL-L2480DW with a 700-page starter cartridge, and Pantum's P2502W ships with a 700-page starter as well, so the first replacement comes quickly. Check what a standard and high-yield cartridge cost before you buy the printer; Canon's Cartridge 070H, for example, is rated at 10,200 pages against 3,000 for the standard 070. Also note whether the drum is a separate consumable, as it is on Brother models.
Common mistakes include buying a printer without automatic duplexing when you print long documents, and buying a print-only model when you occasionally need to scan or copy. Another is ignoring cartridge rules: HP's LaserJet Pro 3001dw uses dynamic security that blocks cartridges with non-HP chips, which limits cheaper third-party toner. Finally, check connectivity: some office models are Ethernet-only, while home users usually want Wi-Fi with AirPrint or Mopria support and an Ethernet port as a fallback.
Print-only models like the Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw II are smaller and simpler. If you sometimes copy or scan, a model with a flatbed such as the Brother HL-L2480DW saves buying a second device.
Compare the price of standard and high-yield cartridges against their rated page yields. High-yield cartridges usually cut cost per page substantially; Canon's 070H is rated at 10,200 pages versus 3,000 for the standard 070.
Some printers use a separate drum unit; Brother rates the DR830 drum used by the HL-L2480DW and HL-L2460DW at about 15,000 pages. HP's LaserJet Pro 3001dw blocks cartridges with non-HP chips, so budget for genuine or HP-chipped toner.
Focused recommendations for specific needs
Auto two-sided printing saves paper on long documents. The Brother, Canon, Kyocera and HP models here include it, but the budget Pantum P2502W does not.
Home users usually want Wi-Fi plus AirPrint or Mopria for printing from phones. Offices may prefer Ethernet for reliability; the Canon LBP246dw II and Brother HL-L2480DW offer both.
Rated speeds range from about 23 pages per minute on the Pantum P2502W to 42 on the Canon LBP246dw II (letter). For a shared office printer, also check tray size and whether optional extra trays are available.
Our top pick is the Brother HL-L2480DW, a compact mono laser with a flatbed scanner, auto duplex, dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet. The Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw II ranks second as a faster print-only option for small offices, and the Brother HL-L2460DW is a cheaper print-only alternative from the same family.
For black text, usually yes, especially with high-yield toner. Toner also does not dry out if the printer sits unused for weeks. For color photos, an inkjet or color laser is needed instead.
Most printers ship with a reduced-capacity starter cartridge. Brother's HL-L2480DW and the Pantum P2502W each ship with a 700-page starter, well below a full high-yield cartridge.
Brother has discontinued it. The Brother HL-L2480DW is the closest current model, with flatbed copy and scan, a touchscreen, wireless and automatic duplexing. If you don't need scanning, the print-only Brother HL-L2460DW uses the same TN830 toner and DR830 drum.
On printers with a separate drum unit, yes. Brother rates the DR830 drum used in the HL-L2480DW and HL-L2460DW at about 15,000 pages, so you will replace toner several times before the drum.
Often not reliably. Retailer listings for the HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw state it accepts only cartridges with a new or reused HP chip and uses dynamic security to block cartridges with non-HP chips, maintained through firmware updates. HP+ versions of HP printers add an HP account and internet requirement and lock the printer to Original HP toner.
They generally cost less per page, but quality and real-world yield vary by seller. Genuine high-yield cartridges, such as Canon's 070H rated at 10,200 pages, are a reliable middle ground.