6 Best Black and White Laser Printers for Home (October 2026)
The best black and white laser printers for home include the Brother HL-L2460DW for a print-only desk with two-sided printing, the Brother DCP-L2640DW for a home office that also scans and copies, and the Brother HL-L2480DW for copying from a flatbed glass.
On this page (13 sections)
- How we picked these six black and white laser printers
- The 6 best black and white laser printers in detail
- HL-L2460DW or DCP-L2640DW: which Brother to buy
- Toner cost and cartridges for a black and white laser printer
- Two-sided printing and paper handling in a black and white laser printer
- Wi-Fi and phone printing on these black and white laser printers
- Which black and white laser printer fits your home
- Questions to answer before you buy a black and white laser printer
- Warranty and support for a black and white laser printer
- Setting up a black and white laser printer at home
- Common mistakes when buying a black and white laser printer
- Tray size and refills for a black and white laser printer
- Which black and white laser printer to buy
The Brother HL-L2460DW is our top pick for most homes, because it prints fast on both sides on its own and holds 250 sheets. If you also copy and scan, the Brother DCP-L2640DW adds a 50-page feeder.
Black and white printing is about text, forms and school papers. The features that matter most are two-sided printing, page speed and the cost of toner, so this guide stays on mono models.
Our picks at a glance
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How we picked these six black and white laser printers
We compared the specs of each model and what each maker says about two-sided printing, Wi-Fi and toner. Every printer here connects wirelessly, and the top of the list favors automatic two-sided printing, speed and a bigger tray.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. The scores run from 6.9 to 8.8, with the Brothers that print two-sided on their own at the top and the slow single-sided Canon last.
| Product | Best for | Functions | Two-sided printing | Black and white speed | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2460DW | a print-only desk with two-sided printing | Print only | Automatic | 36 pages per minute | 8.8 |
| Brother DCP-L2640DW | a home office that also scans and copies | Print, copy, scan | Automatic | 36 pages per minute | 8.6 |
| Brother HL-L2480DW | copying from a flatbed glass | Print, copy, scan | Automatic | 36 pages per minute | 8.2 |
| Brother HL-L2405W | one-sided home printing | Print only | Manual | 30 pages per minute | 8.2 |
| HP LaserJet M207dw | fast two-sided printing on Wi-Fi | Print only | Automatic | 28 pages per minute | 7.8 |
| Canon imageCLASS LBP6030w | budget pick for single-sided printing | Print only | None | 19 pages per minute | 6.9 |
The 6 best black and white laser printers in detail
Each card below gives the key facts for one model, followed by our notes on who it suits. Badges and scores match the picks list above.
Brother HL-L2460DW
- Automatic two-sided printing
- 250-sheet paper tray
- Dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB
- Brother Mobile Connect app
The HL-L2460DW prints only, but it's fast and prints on both sides on its own. It suits a desk where copying and scanning never happen.
Pros
- 36 pages per minute in black and white
- Automatic two-sided printing
- 250-sheet tray and manual feed slot
Cons
- No copy or scan
- Brother's optional Refresh trial needs a monthly plan
The HL-L2460DW is the top pick for a desk that never needs a copier. Brother rates it at 36 pages per minute in black and white, with automatic two-sided printing.
The 250-sheet tray holds plenty of paper for home jobs, and the manual feed slot takes envelopes. It connects over dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet or USB, and Brother's app handles remote printing.
It weighs 15.6 pounds, against 25 for the DCP-L2640DW. Brother lists an optional Refresh trial with this model, and it says the trial needs enrollment in a plan that bills monthly until you cancel.
Brother DCP-L2640DW
- Automatic two-sided printing
- 50-page automatic document feeder
- Dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet
- 36 pages per minute in black and white
The DCP-L2640DW puts print, copy and scan in one body. It's the most complete black and white unit in this guide for a home office.
Pros
- Prints, copies and scans
- Automatic two-sided printing
- 50-page document feeder
Cons
- No fax
- 25 pounds, so it needs a steady shelf
The DCP-L2640DW is the one to buy when a single desk machine has to print, copy and scan. It scores just below the HL-L2460DW because it is heavier and takes more desk room.
Brother rates it at 36 pages per minute in black and white, and it prints on both sides on its own. The 50-page automatic document feeder handles multi-page originals for copying and scanning.
Dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet connect it to a network, and Brother's Mobile Connect app prints and tracks toner from a phone. It weighs 25 pounds, so it needs a steady shelf.
There's no fax, so if you still send faxes, the MFC-L2820DW in our all-in-one laser printer guide is the better fit.
Brother's Refresh EZ Print plan is one way to buy toner, and you can skip it and buy TN830 or TN830XL cartridges when you need them. For the terms, see our laser printer no subscription guide.
Brother HL-L2480DW
- Flatbed scan glass
- 2.7-inch touchscreen
- Automatic two-sided printing
- 36 pages per minute in black and white
The HL-L2480DW adds a flatbed scan glass and a touchscreen to a fast black and white printer. It's a good fit for books and single sheets.
Pros
- Flatbed glass for books and single sheets
- Touchscreen with cloud scan apps
- Automatic two-sided printing
Cons
- A flatbed is slow for long stacks
- 22 pounds
The HL-L2480DW is a black and white printer that also copies and scans. It has a flatbed scan glass for books and single sheets, and a 2.7-inch touchscreen for copy and scan jobs.
It prints at 36 pages per minute in black and white, with automatic two-sided printing. From the screen you can print from and scan to cloud apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox and Evernote.
The flatbed is slower than a document feeder for long stacks. If you copy stacks of pages often, the DCP-L2640DW is the better fit.
Brother HL-L2405W
- Dual-band Wi-Fi and mobile printing
- 250-sheet paper tray
- Manual two-sided printing
- 30 pages per minute on one side
The HL-L2405W is the Brother for a home that mostly prints one side of a page. Two-sided jobs need the paper flipped by hand.
Pros
- Dual-band Wi-Fi and mobile printing
- Compact, about 14 inches wide
- 250-sheet tray
Cons
- Two-sided printing is manual
- No copy or scan
The HL-L2405W is the Brother for a home that mostly prints one side of a page. It has dual-band Wi-Fi, a 250-sheet tray and a manual feed slot for envelopes.
Brother rates it at 30 pages per minute for one-sided printing. Two-sided jobs need you to flip each sheet by hand, so it's a poor pick for long reports.
It weighs 15.1 pounds and takes Brother's TN830 or TN830XL toner. Brother lists an optional Refresh trial with it.
HP LaserJet M207dw
- Automatic two-sided printing
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset
- Ethernet included
- 150-sheet capacity
HP describes the M207dw for one to five people. It's a compact printer for a small office that prints on both sides.
Pros
- Automatic two-sided printing
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet
- About 14 inches wide
Cons
- Print only
- No copy or scan
HP describes the LaserJet M207dw for one to five people, which suits a small home office. It prints on both sides automatically, so you get two-sided pages without the flip.
HP rates it at up to 28 pages per minute on one side. It has dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset, plus Ethernet, and it holds 150 sheets.
It's a print-only printer that weighs 12.4 pounds and measures about 14 inches wide. It's the compact choice when desk space is tight and you don't need copies.
Canon imageCLASS LBP6030w
- Wireless printing
- Single-sided printing only
- 19 pages per minute
- Canon Genuine Toner 125, rated for 1,600 pages
The LBP6030w is a budget black and white printer that prints wirelessly. It prints one side only, so it fits light, single-sided use.
Pros
- Budget pick in this guide
- Wireless printing
- Less than 2 watts in Energy Saver mode, per Canon
Cons
- Single-sided printing only
- Slowest speed in this guide
The Canon imageCLASS LBP6030w is the budget black and white printer here. It's single-function, so there's no copy or scan, but it does print wirelessly.
Canon rates it at 19 pages per minute on one side, with a 150-sheet paper capacity. It uses Canon Genuine Toner 125, which Canon rates at 1,600 pages.
It weighs 11 pounds and fits a narrow shelf. Canon says it uses less than 2 watts in Energy Saver mode, which helps if the printer sits on all day.
HL-L2460DW or DCP-L2640DW: which Brother to buy
Buy the HL-L2460DW if you only print, and the DCP-L2640DW if you copy or scan most weeks. Both print at 36 pages per minute with automatic two-sided printing and use TN830 toner.
The HL-L2460DW scores higher because it's 15.6 pounds and about 14 inches wide, against 25 pounds and about 16 inches for the DCP-L2640DW. The DCP-L2640DW earns its extra size with a 50-page feeder, which saves real time on stacks of forms.
Our HL-L2460DW review and DCP-L2640DW review go through each model in full.
Toner cost and cartridges for a black and white laser printer
Toner is the cost you pay again and again, so check the cartridge before you judge the speed. Four of these models use Brother's TN830 or TN830XL cartridges, and the Canon LBP6030w uses Canon Genuine Toner 125.
Brother rates the standard TN830 at up to 1,200 pages and the high-yield TN830XL at up to 3,000 pages. A high-yield cartridge costs more up front but often lowers the cost per page.
Some makers sell cartridges that aren't their own. HP says some of its printers work only with cartridges that use HP chips and block the rest, so read the maker's notes before you buy a non-HP cartridge.
For the Brother cartridge codes and the yield on each one, see our Brother laser printer toner guide. If the printer says no toner, our no toner error guide walks through the checks.
Two-sided printing and paper handling in a black and white laser printer
Automatic two-sided printing saves paper and time on reports, so check it first. Four of the six printers here print both sides on their own.
Only the HL-L2405W needs a hand flip, and the Canon LBP6030w prints one side only. The 250-sheet trays on the Brother models hold enough paper for most home jobs.
For a deeper look at duplex, read our guide to choosing a duplex laser printer.
Wi-Fi and phone printing on these black and white laser printers
All six printers here connect over Wi-Fi, so you can print from a laptop or a phone. The Brother models add the Mobile Connect app, which prints from a phone and tracks toner.
HP says the M207dw works with AirPrint, Android and Chromebook. Check that your phone and printer are on the same network before the first print.
If you want only wireless models, our wireless laser printer guide compares them on the same terms.
Which black and white laser printer fits your home
A black and white laser printer that copies and scans
If you copy and scan at home, the DCP-L2640DW is the most complete choice. The HL-L2480DW is the pick when a flatbed glass suits your papers better than a feeder.
A black and white laser printer for printing only
The HL-L2460DW is the top print-only choice, with automatic two-sided printing at 36 pages per minute. Choose the HL-L2405W if one-sided printing covers most of your jobs.
A budget black and white laser printer
The Canon LBP6030w is the low-cost option when you print one side of a page and don't need duplex. It's also the slowest model here, so it suits light use best.
For more low-cost picks, see our best budget laser printer guide.
Questions to answer before you buy a black and white laser printer
Start with the jobs you do most. If you copy or scan at home, the DCP-L2640DW or HL-L2480DW saves a second machine.
Then check the toner. The high-yield TN830XL is the cartridge to plan around for a home printer that runs every week, since it covers up to 3,000 pages.
Finally, check the width. The DCP-L2640DW and HL-L2480DW are about 16 inches wide, while the HL-L2405W and HL-L2460DW are about 14 inches wide.
Warranty and support for a black and white laser printer
Warranty terms differ by brand and model, so read the card in the box before you register the printer. Keep the receipt with the model number, since both make a claim faster.
Brother lists a 1-year limited warranty on its four models here, and it says its support covers online, phone and live chat help for the life of the printer.
Canon lists a 1-year limited warranty on the LBP6030w, and HP sets its own terms for the M207dw. Check the terms for the model you buy, because terms can change.
Setting up a black and white laser printer at home
Remove every packing strip and protective film before you power on the printer. Install the toner cartridge as the manual shows, and the drum unit too on the Brother models, since both parts click into place.
Connect to Wi-Fi from the touchscreen or the maker's app, then print a test page. Set two-sided printing as the default on each computer that prints to it.
Keep the printer on a stable shelf close to the router. A steady connection prevents many slow prints that people blame on the printer itself.
Common mistakes when buying a black and white laser printer
The most common mistake is buying for speed alone. For home work, duplex, toner yield and the feature set matter more than the rated pages per minute.
Another mistake is ignoring the cartridge. Compare the page yield of the standard and high-yield cartridges before you choose, because you buy the cartridge again and again.
A third mistake is paying for copy and scan you won't use. A print-only model is simpler, and a home that never copies doesn't need a feeder.
Skipping the test page is a fourth easy error. A test page after setup confirms the connection, the toner and the duplex setting in one step.
Tray size and refills for a black and white laser printer
The tray size decides how often you refill paper during a long job. The Brother HL-L2460DW, HL-L2405W and HL-L2480DW hold 250 sheets, while the Canon LBP6030w and HP M207dw hold 150.
A bigger tray is worth it if you print in batches, such as a week of school papers. For a few pages a day, a smaller tray is enough.
Which black and white laser printer to buy
Buy the HL-L2460DW if you want the best-scoring black and white laser printer for most homes: it prints fast, on both sides, from a 250-sheet tray. Buy the DCP-L2640DW if you also want to copy and scan.
Pick the HL-L2405W or the LBP6030w for light, one-sided printing on a tight budget. Every model here is a sound black and white laser printer, so the right choice depends on the jobs you do each week.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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Frequently asked questions
Is a black and white laser printer better than an inkjet for home?
For text-heavy printing, a black and white laser printer usually costs less per page than an inkjet. Toner is a powder rather than liquid ink, so the printer doesn't dry out the way an inkjet can.
Can a black and white laser printer copy and scan?
Yes, but only some models do. The Brother DCP-L2640DW and HL-L2480DW copy and scan, while the HL-L2460DW and LBP6030w print only.
Which toner should I buy for a Brother black and white laser printer?
Brother lists the TN830 standard cartridge for up to 1,200 pages and the TN830XL high-yield cartridge for up to 3,000 pages. Several models in this guide use both, so check your model's compatibility before you order.
