HP LaserJet MFP M140w Review: Compact Laser All-in-One (October 2026)
The HP LaserJet MFP M140w is a compact wireless black and white all-in-one for a small desk, with copy, scan and single-sided printing. Skip it if you need automatic two-sided printing or fast output, since the Brother DCP-L2640DW does both.
On this page (20 sections)
- The HP LaserJet MFP M140w at a glance
- Who the HP LaserJet MFP M140w suits
- What's in the box
- Print speed and single-sided printing
- Copy, scan and ID card copying
- Paper size and the document path
- Wi-Fi, USB and the HP Smart app
- Desk fit for the HP LaserJet MFP M140w
- Toner: the starter cartridge and the HP chip rule
- Is HP a good laser printer brand for home?
- Problems to check before you buy
- Setup in the first hour
- Who it suits in a family home
- Desk placement and power
- Common questions about the M140w
- Specs of the HP LaserJet MFP M140w
- How the M140w compares with nearby models
- Who should skip the M140w
- How we scored the M140w
- Is the HP LaserJet MFP M140w right for a small desk?
The HP LaserJet MFP M140w is a small black and white all-in-one for a desk that needs printing, copying and scanning without much room. HP suits it to one to three people, which fits a home office or a small shared desk.
This review covers who it suits, what it does well and where it falls short. The main trade-offs are single-sided printing and a cartridge rule you should read before you buy.
The HP LaserJet MFP M140w at a glance
The card below has the key facts about the printer. The sections after it go through the trade-offs in order.
HP LaserJet MFP M140w
- 21 pages a minute in black and white, single-sided
- Copy, scan and print from one body
- Wi-Fi and USB 2.0
- HP Smart app and AirPrint
- Copies both sides of an ID card onto one sheet
The compact HP here, with copy, scan and ID card copying in a small body. It suits a desk for one to three people who print mostly one side at a time.
Pros
- Compact body, 14.2 inches wide
- HP Smart app and AirPrint for phones
- Copies both sides of an ID card onto one sheet
Cons
- Single-sided printing only
- HP says it works only with cartridges that carry original HP chips
Most buyers of this model care about the desk size, the single-sided speed and the cartridge rule. Those three points decide whether the M140w is right for you.
Who the HP LaserJet MFP M140w suits
It suits one to three people sharing a small desk, or a home office where copy and scan come up now and then. It's a sensible pick when the desk is the tightest part of the room.
It's a poor fit for a busy desk that prints two-sided pages all day. The Brother DCP-L2640DW is the better choice for that work.
What's in the box
The box includes the printer, a starter black toner cartridge, a getting started guide, a setup poster, a support flyer, a warranty guide and the power cord.
Start setup with the cartridge already in place. Then follow the setup poster or the HP Smart app to connect to Wi-Fi.
Print speed and single-sided printing
HP says the M140w prints up to 21 black-and-white pages a minute, single-sided. The first page takes about 8.3 seconds.
Single-sided printing means two-sided jobs need you to flip each sheet. Allow extra time for long reports, since every second side is a manual step.
HP LaserJet MFP M140w and two-sided jobs
Two-sided jobs on the HP LaserJet MFP M140w mean a manual flip for every second side. For a long report, that's the biggest difference from the Brother models.
Copy, scan and ID card copying
The M140w copies, scans and prints from one body. It can make up to 99 copies in one run, which covers most home jobs.
HP says it can copy both sides of an ID card onto the same side of one sheet. That's a handy trick for small documents, such as a card or a small form.
Paper size and the document path
The printer handles paper up to 8.5 by 14 inches, so legal-size pages are supported.
Load the paper with the guides snug, and fan the sheets before you load them. That helps prevent a double feed on a busy day.
Wi-Fi, USB and the HP Smart app
The printer connects over Wi-Fi and USB 2.0. HP says the Wi-Fi resets itself after connection problems, which helps the printer stay on the network.
The HP Smart app handles scan to the cloud, and it lets you print or copy from a smartphone. AirPrint and Mopria support mean many phones and tablets can print to it directly.
Desk fit for the HP LaserJet MFP M140w
The M140w measures 14.2 inches wide, 10.4 inches deep and 7.8 inches tall. It weighs 11.9 pounds, the lightest model in this group of reviews.
That makes it easy to fit on a small corner desk or a shelf near a power outlet. Leave room at the back for the paper and the cables.
Toner: the starter cartridge and the HP chip rule
The box includes a starter black cartridge. A starter cartridge usually prints fewer pages than a standard replacement, so plan for a full cartridge early on.
HP says the M140w is designed to work only with cartridges that carry original HP chips, and that it blocks cartridges with non-HP chips. Check that rule before you buy a replacement.
If you're comparing supplies with a Brother, read the Brother toner guide for that side of the choice.
Is HP a good laser printer brand for home?
HP sells this model for small teams, and the M140w fits that job with copy, scan and wireless printing in a small body. HP suits it to one to three people.
We can't judge long-term reliability from specs alone, so check HP's warranty terms before you buy. The HP website is the place to confirm them.
Problems to check before you buy
Start with the starter cartridge and the HP chip rule, since both affect what you buy next. Plan the supply cost before you commit to the printer.
Setup over Wi-Fi is the other step to plan for. Keep the router name and password ready, and set up the printer from the HP Smart app on your phone.
For a plain explanation of the toner and drum parts, read how a laser printer works.
Setup in the first hour
Unbox the printer and remove the packing tape. The starter cartridge is already installed, so you can go straight to the Wi-Fi setup.
If setup stalls, restart the printer and your router, then try again.
Install the HP Smart app on your phone and follow its steps to join your network. Then print a test page to confirm the connection before you send a real job.
Who it suits in a family home
A family of two or three that prints school forms, bills and occasional copies can use the M140w without much fuss. It fits a shared desk where one-sided printing covers most jobs.
A family that prints long two-sided handouts will feel the lack of duplex. In that case, a Brother with automatic two-sided printing is the better fit.
Place the printer where everyone can reach the output tray without crossing the desk.
Desk placement and power
Place the printer on a flat surface near a power outlet and your router. Leave space at the back for the cable and the paper.
Keep it on a stable desk, since the printer weighs about 12 pounds.
Common questions about the M140w
Can the M140w serve as a shared printer?
Yes, for one to three people sharing one desk. For a busier office, a larger printer with a feeder and duplex fits better.
Does the M140w print photos well?
The printer is aimed at text, copy and scan, so check the specs for photo printing before you rely on it.
Specs of the HP LaserJet MFP M140w
The table below sets out the main numbers for this model.
| Spec | HP LaserJet MFP M140w |
|---|---|
| Print speed | Up to 21 pages a minute, black and white, single-sided |
| First page | About 8.3 seconds |
| Duplex | No |
| Functions | Print, copy and scan |
| Copies per run | Up to 99 |
| Maximum paper size | 8.5 by 14 inches |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB 2.0 |
| Mobile printing | HP Smart app, AirPrint, Mopria |
| Toner | Starter black cartridge in the box; HP cartridges with original HP chips |
| Size (W x D x H) | 14.2 x 10.4 x 7.8 in |
| Weight | 11.9 lb |
How the M140w compares with nearby models
The Brother DCP-L2640DW adds automatic two-sided printing and a 50-page feeder, at 36 pages a minute. Its body is larger, at 16.1 inches wide.
The Brother HL-L2405W is a print-only Brother with a similar width. It has manual two-sided printing and no copy or scan.
For a wider comparison, read the Brother vs HP laser printer guide.
Who should skip the M140w
Skip it if you print two-sided pages often. Single-sided printing means a lot of flipping for long jobs.
Skip it if you plan to use third-party toner. HP says the printer blocks cartridges with non-HP chips.
Skip it if the desk serves a bigger group. HP suits it to one to three people.
How we scored the M140w
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
We scored it 7.3, because its small body, copy and scan features and wireless printing suit a compact desk. Single-sided printing and the cartridge rule hold the score back.
Is the HP LaserJet MFP M140w right for a small desk?
The HP LaserJet MFP M140w is right for a small desk that prints one side at a time, with copy and scan in a compact body. Pick the Brother DCP-L2640DW instead if two-sided printing and a feeder matter more.
For the full field of home lasers, the pillar guide to the best laser printer for home use is the place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Is the HP LaserJet MFP M140w a good printer for a small desk?
Yes, for one to three people who print mostly one side at a time. It copies, scans and prints from a compact body, and it connects over Wi-Fi.
How fast is the HP LaserJet MFP M140w?
HP says it prints up to 21 black-and-white pages a minute, single-sided. The first page takes about 8.3 seconds, and the printer can make up to 99 copies in one run.
Can the M140w print on both sides of the paper?
No, the M140w is single-sided only, so two-sided jobs need you to flip each sheet by hand. The Brother DCP-L2640DW prints both sides automatically.
Does the M140w work with third-party toner?
HP says the M140w works only with cartridges that carry original HP chips, and that it blocks cartridges with non-HP chips. Check that rule before you buy a replacement cartridge.
