If you're constantly printing off multi-page forms or lengthy articles, a laser printer can be a quick and efficient way to process a high volume of pages. Unlike inkjet printers, these printers use beams of light to heat up and melt powder within their toner cartridges to produce text and images. In most cases, the result is a higher page yield and a faster print time. Although the cost of laser printers can be more expensive to start, they're also generally more economical in the long term as their cartridges need to be replaced less often.
We've tested over 85 printers, and below are our recommendations for the best all-in-one printers you can buy. You can also check out our recommendations for the best wireless printers, the best all-in-one printers, and the best home printers.
The Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw is the best color laser printer for small or home offices that we've tested. This fantastically well-built printer is equipped with a flatbed scanner with hinges that lift to scan thick items. Also, it has an automatic document feeder that can automatically process long, double-sided documents. Surprisingly for a laser printer, it prints reasonably detailed-looking photos.
It yields an incredibly high number of black and color pages, so you shouldn't need to replace the toner cartridge often, even if you print frequently. This helps to keep the cost-per-print excellently low, although overall costs increase quickly if you print in color most often. While black documents aren't extremely fast at printing, color documents are incredibly quick. Also, it has fantastic connection options, offering a range of wireless and wired options to suit your needs.
Unfortunately, while it has a flatbed scanner, the resolution maxes out at 600 DPI. It's lower than most other printers, but it should be high enough for most office uses. Also, it doesn't support Bluetooth printing, which may be an issue for you if this is your preferred printing method. Nevertheless, this is a superb office printer, and it's among the best all-in-one printers we've tested.
If the Canon's flatbed resolution isn't enough for you, check out the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw. While its black page yield and cost-per-print aren't as good as the Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw's, it's a better option for high-quality scanning thanks to its higher color depth and flatbed scanner resolution. Along with its superior scanner features, it also prints black documents nearly twice as fast, so you won't have to wait as long for your documents. Unfortunately, if you need to print images often, its photo quality is quite bad as photos look pixelated and lack sharpness, although this is expected from laser printers.
If you want something with high page yields and a low cost-per-print, get the Canon. If you tend to scan a lot of images and need a high flatbed scanner resolution, go with the HP.
The best monochrome laser printer we've tested is the Canon imageCLASS MF445dw. It's an incredibly well-built all-in-one model that provides easy access to paper jams and toner cartridges. It has impressive scanner features, including a flatbed scanner, an automatic document feeder that performs duplex scanning, and fax capabilities. The scanner lid stays open on its own, so you don't have to hold it up while placing a document on the flatbed.
The page yield for the black toner is exceptionally high, which keeps the cost-per-print very low since you won't have to replace the toner often. It's very fast at printing the first page, and subsequent pages come out even faster. It has fantastic connectivity options, and you can even print directly off a USB thumb drive. It's also compatible with the Canon PRINT Business app, where you can print, scan, copy, and perform maintenance tasks right from your smartphone.
Unfortunately, like most laser printers, it's terrible at printing pictures, and it can't print on glossy photo paper. Also, since it's a monochrome model, you need to make sure you won't need the option to print in color before buying it. Overall, this is a great monochrome laser option, and it's among the best printers for small businesses that we've tested.
The best laser printer in the budget category that we've tested is the Brother HL-L2390DW. This all-in-one monochrome model has a remarkably high page yield, resulting in a very low cost-per-print. It has an amazing printing speed. While the first page takes a bit longer, subsequent pages are much faster, producing a 30-page document in less than one minute.
It has a high-resolution flatbed scanner with lid hinges that can raise to accommodate thicker items like books or manuals. There are decent wired and wireless connection options, including USB, Wi-Fi, and support for Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service. It's also compatible with the Brother iPrint&Scan app, from where you can print, scan, and copy directly to your mobile device.
Unfortunately, it doesn't have a sheetfed scanner, and it can't automatically scan double-sided documents. Also, since it's a monochrome laser model, it can't print in color and produces photos that look terrible. It doesn't support Bluetooth, and there's no Ethernet port. Nonetheless, this is an impressive laser option, especially if you're on a budget.
If you'd like to spend less upfront, the Brother HL-L2370DW is an excellent alternative. While it doesn't have a scanner like the Brother HL-L2390DW, it has a much lower cost-per-print, and the printer itself also costs cheaper. It has an incredibly high page yield which helps to keep long terms costs super low. There are also high-yield cartridges available which should last you even longer, though we haven't tested them. It has a remarkably fast printing speed, and it also has an Ethernet port in case you want to plug it directly into your router.
If you need a budget monochrome all-in-one printer for printing and scanning, get the L2390DW. If you want something even cheaper and don't need a scanner, go with the L2370DW.
Apr 01, 2021: Updated text for accuracy; no change in product picks.
Mar 02, 2021: Verified that products were still available; no changes to picks.
Feb 12, 2021: Replaced the Lexmark B2236dw with the Brother HL-L2370DW for 'Cheaper Alternative' to budget printer since it performs better. Moved Lexmark B2236dw to Notable Mentions.
Jan 14, 2021: Updated text for clarity and structure, no changes in product picks.
Dec 16, 2020: Added the Brother HL-L2370DW to Notable Mentions.
Oct 22, 2020: Moved the Brother MFC-L3770CDW to Notable Mentions, added the Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw as 'Best Small/Home Office Printer', changed 'HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw' to 'Alternative With Better Scanner Features'.
Sep 25, 2020: Added the Canon imageCLASS MF445dw as 'Best Monochrome Printer' and moved Brother MFC-L2750DW to Notable Mentions.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best laser printers for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's the list of all our laser printer reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no printer is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.