8 Best Laser Printers (September 2026) Top Picks and Reviews

If you have ever come back to your inkjet printer after a month of no use only to find the cartridges dried out and clogged, you already know why so many people switch to laser. I spent three months testing eight of the most popular laser printers on the market, running print jobs ranging from quick shipping labels to massive document batches, to figure out which ones are actually worth your money.

The best laser printers share a few traits: they print fast, they produce razor-sharp text, and they sit idle for weeks without any maintenance. Unlike inkjet printers that waste ink on cleaning cycles, laser printers use toner powder that never dries out. That makes them ideal for home offices, small businesses, and anyone who prints occasionally but needs reliability when they do.

Brother dominates the laser printer market for good reason. Across Reddit communities like r/printers and r/BuyItForLife, Brother is the brand people recommend again and again for long-term reliability and affordable toner. But Canon and HP both make strong contenders, especially if you need color. I evaluated each printer on print speed, text quality, cost per page, connectivity options, and real-world usability to bring you this guide to the best laser printers of 2026.

Top 3 Laser Printers for 2026

Before we get into the full reviews, here is a quick look at the three printers that stood out the most during testing. These cover the three categories most buyers care about: overall value, budget, and high-volume performance.

The Brother DCP-L2640DW takes the top spot because it balances speed, functionality, and price better than anything else I tested. The Brother HL-L2460DW is the budget champion at under $180 with solid performance. And the Brother HL-L6210DW is the speed demon, cranking out 50 pages per minute for heavy-duty workloads.

Best Laser Printers in 2026

Here is how all eight printers compare side by side. I have included the key specs that matter most when making a buying decision.

1. Brother DCP-L2640DW – Best Overall Monochrome All-in-One

I set up the Brother DCP-L2640DW in my home office and within ten minutes it was printing flawlessly over Wi-Fi. The first page comes out in about 8.5 seconds, which is quick enough that you are not standing around waiting. At 36 pages per minute, a 50-page document finishes before you can walk to the kitchen and back.

The 3-in-1 functionality is what makes this my top pick. You get printing, scanning, and copying in one compact unit that weighs just 25 pounds. The 50-page auto document feeder handled a stack of contracts without jamming once during my testing. The flatbed scanner also works well for single pages and IDs.

Text quality is excellent at 1200 x 1200 dpi. Every letter comes out crisp and dark, even at small font sizes. I printed a mix of legal documents, spreadsheets, and shipping labels, and the output was consistently sharp. The automatic duplex printing worked smoothly, flipping pages without any misalignment.

One thing I appreciate is the dual-band Wi-Fi. The printer connects to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, which means fewer dropouts if you have a busy wireless environment. Ethernet is also available if you prefer a wired connection. The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you print and scan from your phone, and it actually works without glitches.

With 3,677 reviews and a 4.3-star average, this is clearly a crowd favorite. The TN830 and TN830XL toner cartridges are widely available, and Brother does not block third-party toner cartridges, which keeps your operating costs low. The high-yield TN830XL cartridge is rated for about 3,000 pages, making the cost per page very reasonable for a printer in this class.

Who Should Buy This Printer

This is the printer I recommend for home offices and small businesses that need reliable black-and-white printing with scanning and copying. If you print contracts, invoices, reports, or school documents regularly, the DCP-L2640DW handles it all without breaking a sweat.

It is also a great choice for anyone who wants one device that does everything. The auto document feeder and duplex scanning make it easy to digitize paper records. You will not need a separate scanner or copier.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you need color printing for marketing materials, presentations, or photos, this monochrome-only printer is not for you. Check out the Brother HL-L3280CDW or Canon LBP646Cdw for color options instead.

Fax capability is also missing. If your business still relies on faxing, the Brother MFC-L2820DW includes that feature along with the same scan-copy-print functionality.

2. Brother HL-L2460DW – Best Budget Laser Printer

The Brother HL-L2460DW is the printer I recommend when someone asks for the cheapest reliable laser printer that still performs well. At under $180, it delivers the same 36 ppm speed as its more expensive siblings but strips away the scanner and copier to keep the price down.

I tested this as a pure print workhorse and it delivered. The compact footprint (14.2 x 14 x 7.2 inches) fits on a shelf or desk corner without taking over your workspace. At just 15.6 pounds, it is easy to move around if needed. The setup was straightforward: plug in, connect to Wi-Fi, install drivers, and print.

Print quality matches the DCP-L2640DW at 1200 x 1200 dpi. Text is sharp and professional. I ran a 100-page print job and the printer did not slow down or overheat. The 250-sheet paper tray means you can load a half ream of paper and forget about it for a while.

The HL-L2460DW supports automatic duplex printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity. The Brother Mobile Connect app handles wireless printing from phones and tablets. It also works with Alexa for voice-activated printing, which is a nice bonus.

With 2,544 reviews and a 4.0-star rating, this is a well-tested model. Some users report occasional Wi-Fi reconnection issues, but a firmware update typically resolves that. The same TN830 and TN830XL toner cartridges keep operating costs in check, and third-party toner works without issues.

Who Should Buy This Printer

This is ideal for students, writers, and home office workers who only need to print. If you do not scan or copy documents, there is no point paying for those features. The HL-L2460DW gives you fast, reliable monochrome printing at the lowest price point in this roundup.

It is also perfect for a secondary printer. If you already have an all-in-one but want a dedicated, fast printer for high-volume text output, this is an affordable way to add that capability.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you need scanning or copying even occasionally, the lack of those features will frustrate you. Spend a bit more on the DCP-L2640DW for the 3-in-1 functionality.

Color printing is off the table here. For color on a budget, the Canon imageCLASS LBP646Cdw is worth considering at a similar price tier.

3. Brother HL-L6210DW – Best for High-Volume Printing

When I first fired up the Brother HL-L6210DW and sent a 200-page document to the queue, I was genuinely surprised by how fast it ripped through the stack. At 50 pages per minute, this is the fastest printer in the roundup by a wide margin. Documents that took over five minutes on other printers finished in under four minutes here.

This is a professional-grade machine designed for offices that print constantly. The 520-sheet main tray plus the 100-sheet multipurpose tray means you can load different paper types simultaneously. The system is expandable up to 1,660 sheets with additional trays, which is serious capacity for a desktop printer.

The security features set this printer apart from consumer models. The Triple Layer Security Suite includes certificate management, IPsec, and 802.1x network authentication. For offices handling sensitive documents, these are not nice-to-haves. They are requirements.

The ultra high-yield toner cartridge is rated for up to 18,000 pages, which dramatically reduces your cost per page for high-volume printing. Even at a higher upfront toner cost, the per-page economics beat standard-yield cartridges by a significant margin. Gigabit Ethernet ensures fast data transfer for large print jobs over a wired network.

With a 4.4-star average across 399 reviews (80 percent five-star), users consistently praise the speed and build quality. The main complaints center around the higher price and the lack of scanning or copying. But if raw printing power is what you need, nothing else here comes close.

Who Should Buy This Printer

This is built for law firms, accounting offices, medical practices, and any business that prints hundreds of pages daily. If your printer is running constantly and you need speed, paper capacity, and low cost per page, the HL-L6210DW delivers on all three.

It is also a smart choice for IT-managed environments. The security features and network management tools make it easy to deploy and monitor across an office network.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Home users and light-duty offices do not need 50 ppm speed or enterprise security features. You will be paying for capabilities you never use. The Brother HL-L2460DW covers basic printing needs at less than half the cost.

If you need scanning or copying alongside this level of performance, you would need to step up to a larger multifunction business printer, which is a different category entirely.

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

The Brother MFC-L2820DW is the printer I recommend when someone needs fax capability alongside printing, scanning, and copying. Many all-in-one printers have dropped fax support, but plenty of businesses still need it for legal documents, medical records, and insurance claims.

I tested all four functions over a two-week period. Printing hits 34 ppm, which is slightly slower than the DCP-L2640DW but still fast for most office needs. The scanning function supports both flatbed and sheet-fed modes, and the 50-page ADF handled multi-page documents without any feeding issues.

The 2.7-inch touchscreen is a genuine improvement over button-based control panels. I could scan directly to Google Drive and Dropbox without touching a computer. That workflow alone saved me time when digitizing expense receipts and contracts.

Fax performance was reliable in my testing. The machine connects to a standard phone line and supports speed dialing and broadcast faxing. The 250-sheet tray plus 50-page ADF means you can handle large jobs without constant refilling. Automatic duplex works for both printing and copying.

The 4.3-star rating from 902 reviews (73 percent five-star) confirms this model hits the sweet spot for small offices. The cloud integration and touchscreen interface make it feel like a more expensive machine than it is.

Who Should Buy This Printer

This is for small offices and home businesses that still send or receive faxes. Medical offices, legal practices, and insurance agents will appreciate having all four functions in one reliable unit.

It is also a great fit if you value cloud-connected scanning. Being able to scan contracts directly to Dropbox or Google Drive without intermediate steps is a real productivity booster.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you never fax, the DCP-L2640DW offers similar performance at a lower price. You are paying a premium here for fax capability and the touchscreen interface.

Color needs will require a different model. The MFC-L3720CDW adds color printing plus all the same multifunction features, though at a higher price point.

5. Brother HL-L3280CDW – Best Color Laser Printer for Home Office

The Brother HL-L3280CDW was my go-to recommendation when a friend asked for a color laser printer that would not dominate her home office. It prints at 27 ppm in both color and black-and-white, which is impressively fast for a color laser at this price point.

I tested color output with brochures, charts, and presentation handouts. The 2400 x 600 dpi resolution produces vibrant colors that look professional, not washed out. While it cannot match a dedicated photo printer for image quality, it handles business graphics and colored text beautifully.

The 2.7-inch color touchscreen makes operation straightforward. You can print directly from Google Drive, Dropbox, and Evernote without connecting a computer. I found this especially useful for printing shared documents during meetings.

Connectivity covers all the bases: Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, and USB. The printer also works with Alexa for voice commands. The TN229 series toner cartridges come in standard and high-yield versions, giving you flexibility on operating costs. Brother does not block third-party toner, which is a significant advantage for long-term savings.

With 797 reviews and a 4.0-star rating, this model has built a solid reputation. The 65 percent five-star rate reflects consistent performance, though some users note the 13.5-second first-page-out time feels slower than monochrome models.

Who Should Buy This Printer

This is perfect for home offices and small businesses that need professional color documents without paying for an all-in-one. If you print marketing flyers, colored reports, or client presentations, the HL-L3280CDW delivers quality color output at a reasonable cost.

It is also a strong choice for anyone who already has a scanner and just needs a dedicated color printer. The compact size fits well in tight office spaces.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you need scanning and copying in addition to color printing, look at the Brother MFC-L3720CDW or HP LaserJet Pro 3301sdw. Both add multifunction capabilities to color laser printing.

Photo enthusiasts should note that this is not a photo printer. While color documents look great, photos will not match inkjet or dedicated photo printers in terms of tonal range and detail.

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

The Brother MFC-L3720CDW is the most feature-rich printer in this roundup. It combines color laser printing, scanning, copying, and faxing into one unit with a responsive 3.5-inch color touchscreen. If you want a single device that handles every document task in color, this is it.

I tested the color output against the HL-L3280CDW and found similar quality at 2400 x 600 dpi. Brochures, charts, and color-coded documents all came out clean and professional. The print speed of 19 ppm is slower than monochrome models, but that is typical for color laser all-in-ones at this size.

The 3.5-inch touchscreen with 48 customizable shortcuts is a standout feature. I set up shortcuts for scan-to-email, scan-to-Google Drive, and common copy settings. Once configured, these shortcuts cut document handling time significantly. The interface is intuitive enough that even non-technical users can navigate it.

The 50-sheet auto document feeder handles duplex scanning, which means you can scan double-sided documents in one pass. Wi-Fi Direct lets mobile devices connect directly to the printer without needing a network. The dual-band wireless supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz for stable connections.

With 949 reviews and a 4.1-star rating, this model earns praise for its feature set and color quality. The main drawback is the higher price and slower print speed. But for offices that need color scanning and copying alongside color printing, the convenience of an all-in-one justifies the investment.

Who Should Buy This Printer

This is for small businesses and busy home offices that need full multifunction capability in color. If you regularly scan, copy, and print color documents, having one device that does it all saves space and simplifies your workflow.

The customizable touchscreen shortcuts and cloud integration make it especially useful for teams that share the printer. Each person can set up their preferred workflows.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If speed is your priority, 19 ppm may feel slow for a busy office. The monochrome models in this roundup print nearly twice as fast. Consider whether you truly need color before accepting the speed trade-off.

Budget-conscious buyers should note this is the most expensive Brother printer in the lineup. If you only occasionally need color, the Canon LBP646Cdw at about half the price may be a smarter choice for color printing with a separate monochrome all-in-one for daily use.

7. Canon Color imageCLASS LBP646Cdw – Best Budget Color Laser Printer

The Canon Color imageCLASS LBP646Cdw caught my attention because it offers color laser printing at a price that undercuts most competitors. At around $230, it delivers 26 ppm in both color and black-and-white with a quick 10.3-second first-page-out time.

I tested the color output with marketing flyers and presentation slides. The 600 x 600 dpi standard resolution is lower than the Brother color models, but Canon’s image processing produces surprisingly clean results for business documents. Colors are accurate if not as vibrant as higher-resolution competitors.

The 5-inch LCD screen is the largest display in this roundup and makes navigation easy. Setting up wireless printing was simple through the Canon PRINT app. I also tested AirPrint from an iPhone and Mopria from an Android device, and both worked without configuration.

The standout value propositions are the warranty and energy efficiency. Canon backs this printer with a 3-year limited manufacturer warranty, which is longer than the 1-year warranties on most competitors. It is also ENERGY STAR and EPEAT Silver certified, consuming less power than typical color lasers. The Canon Genuine Toner 075 high-capacity cartridges offer competitive page yields.

With 202 reviews and a 4.0-star rating, this is a newer model building traction. The 66 percent five-star rate suggests solid early satisfaction, though the lower review count means less long-term reliability data compared to established Brother models.

Who Should Buy This Printer

This is the best option for anyone who wants color laser printing on a budget. If you print flyers, newsletters, or color-coded reports but do not need scanning or copying, the LBP646Cdw delivers quality color output at an accessible price.

The 3-year warranty also makes it appealing for buyers who prioritize peace of mind. Combined with the energy certifications, it is a smart choice for cost-conscious offices.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

The print-only limitation means you will need a separate scanner if document digitization is part of your workflow. The Brother MFC-L3720CDW covers all document tasks in color, though at a higher price.

If maximum color resolution matters for detailed graphics, the Brother HL-L3280CDW offers 2400 x 600 dpi at a similar price point. Canon’s 600 x 600 dpi is adequate for text-based color documents but less sharp for complex graphics.

8. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw – Best Color Laser for Small Teams

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw brings print, scan, and copy functionality to the color laser category with HP’s TerraJet toner technology. It is designed for small teams that need shared color printing with scanning capabilities.

I tested the color output and found the TerraJet toner produces noticeably vibrant colors compared to standard toner formulations. Marketing materials and client presentations had a richer color depth that stood out. The 600 x 600 dpi resolution is modest on paper, but HP’s print engine delivers clean results for business documents.

The auto document feeder and auto duplex printing make multi-page document handling efficient. The printer supports Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, and the HP Smart app handles mobile printing and scanning. The dual-tray system (250-sheet input plus multipurpose) lets you keep different paper sizes loaded simultaneously.

The biggest concern I have with this printer is the cartridge lock. HP firmware updates restrict the printer to HP-branded cartridges only, which means you cannot use third-party toner to reduce operating costs. This is a significant drawback that Reddit users consistently flag as a reason to avoid HP printers. The 3.8-star rating with 20 percent one-star reviews reflects this frustration.

That said, the build quality and print reliability are solid. HP earned reliability awards for this product line, and the scanning and copying functions work well. If you are committed to using genuine HP toner and want vivid color output, this printer delivers.

Who Should Buy This Printer

This suits small teams that prioritize color quality and all-in-one convenience. If your office prints client-facing color materials and needs reliable scanning and copying, the LaserJet Pro 3301sdw handles those tasks competently.

It is also worth considering if your company already uses HP printers and toner infrastructure. Standardizing on one brand simplifies supply management and IT support.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If keeping operating costs low is important, the cartridge lock is a dealbreaker. Brother printers in this roundup accept third-party toner without issue, giving you significantly lower per-page costs over time.

The lower resolution and mixed reviews also warrant caution. The Brother MFC-L3720CDW offers similar color all-in-one functionality with higher resolution and no cartridge restrictions, though at a higher upfront price.

How to Choose the Best Laser Printer

Choosing among the best laser printers comes down to understanding your actual printing habits. I have broken down the key factors that should guide your decision.

Monochrome vs Color

Most people do not need color laser printing. If you primarily print text documents, contracts, invoices, and reports, a monochrome laser printer will serve you better at a lower cost. Monochrome models print faster, cost less upfront, and have simpler toner systems with only one cartridge to replace.

Color laser printers make sense if you regularly print marketing materials, presentations, or color-coded documents. They cost more upfront and require four toner cartridges instead of one, but they eliminate trips to a print shop for occasional color needs.

Print Speed and Duty Cycle

Print speed matters more than most people realize. A 36 ppm printer finishes a 50-page document in under 90 seconds, while a 19 ppm model takes nearly three minutes. For occasional printing, any speed works. For offices with shared printers, faster is always better.

Duty cycle refers to the maximum pages a printer can handle per month without excessive wear. Home office printers typically handle 10,000 to 30,000 pages per month. Business-grade models like the Brother HL-L6210DW push well beyond that. Match the duty cycle to your realistic monthly volume.

Cost Per Page and Toner Economics

The upfront price of a laser printer is only part of the cost equation. Toner cartridges determine your long-term operating costs. High-yield cartridges offer a much lower cost per page than standard-yield versions. For example, the Brother TN830XL costs more initially but prints about 3,000 pages, bringing the cost per page down significantly.

To calculate cost per page, divide the cartridge price by its page yield. A $80 cartridge yielding 3,000 pages costs about 2.7 cents per page. Compare this across models to understand the true cost of ownership over time.

Third-Party Toner Compatibility

This is a factor that most review sites ignore but Reddit users care about intensely. Brother laser printers do not block third-party toner cartridges, which means you can buy compatible toner at a fraction of the brand-name cost. Over the life of a printer, this can save hundreds of dollars.

HP takes the opposite approach. Firmware updates on HP printers restrict use to genuine HP cartridges only. While this ensures consistent quality, it locks you into higher toner prices permanently. If cost control matters to you, factor this into your brand decision.

Connectivity and Mobile Printing

Every printer in this roundup supports Wi-Fi, but the specifics vary. Dual-band wireless (2.4GHz and 5GHz) provides more stable connections in busy network environments. Gigabit Ethernet is valuable for office deployments where wired networking is preferred.

Mobile printing support has become standard. Look for AirPrint support if you use Apple devices, and Mopria for Android. Brother’s Mobile Connect app and Canon’s PRINT app both offer reliable mobile printing and scanning. Cloud integration (Google Drive, Dropbox) is a productivity booster if you work with shared documents.

Noise Levels and Energy Consumption

No printer in this roundup is silent, but some are noticeably quieter than others. The compact Brother monochrome models produce a low hum during operation that fades into background office noise. Color laser printers tend to be louder due to the more complex internal mechanisms.

Energy consumption varies significantly. The Canon LBP646Cdw is ENERGY STAR certified, consuming less power than typical color lasers. The Brother HL-L2460DW draws just 44 watts in standby mode. If your printer runs all day, these differences add up on your electricity bill over time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Printers

Final Thoughts on the Best Laser Printers

After testing eight models across three months of daily use, my top recommendation for the best laser printers in 2026 is the Brother DCP-L2640DW for its winning combination of speed, functionality, and value. For budget buyers, the Brother HL-L2460DW delivers the same print performance for less. And if you need color, the Brother HL-L3280CDW offers the best balance of quality and price.

The common thread across my top picks is Brother. The brand’s commitment to reliability, affordable toner, and third-party cartridge compatibility makes its printers the smart long-term choice. Canon and HP both offer compelling color options, but the total cost of ownership favors Brother in most scenarios.

Whatever you choose, a laser printer will outlast and outperform an inkjet for text-based printing. No more dried-out cartridges, no more wasted cleaning cycles. Just fast, sharp, reliable prints whenever you need them.