The 5 Best Laser Printers - Fall 2024

The best color laser printer we've tested is the Brother MFC-L8905CDW, an all-in-one model. It has a sturdy build, many connectivity options, and an ADF-equipped, legal-size scanner with single-pass duplex scanning, which is everything you'd expect of a high-end model. It produces exceptionally sharp documents, warms up quickly, and can output an impressive 32 pages per minute. The regular toner cartridges are good for around 2,900 black and 1,400 color prints, so you won't have to replace them often unless you print a lot. Higher-yielding cartridges are available, like the TN437 cartridges, which yield up to 9,000 black and 8,000 color prints.

Regarding the drum, it's a separate unit on this model, meaning you'll have to spend extra to replace it. However, it usually lasts a long time, so it isn't something you'll have to do regularly. Cheaper variants exist if you want to save money and don't mind compromising on a few features. For example, the Brother MFC-L8610CDW has a smaller display and lacks duplex scanning; see our full review for more details. With its wide range of features and excellent performance, this is easily one of the best color laser printers we've tested.

If you want something a little cheaper, the Canon Color imageCLASS MF656Cdw is a great choice. It's also an all-in-one color laser printer with the same features and print quality as the Brother we recommend above. You still get an ADF-equipped scanner with duplex scanning, outstanding print quality, and a high page yield. However, it prints slower at 22 pages per minute and can only reach that speed over a USB or Ethernet connection, which is inconvenient if you don't have space near the computer or router to place the printer.

Unlike the Brother, the drum is built into the toner cartridges. This integrated design makes maintenance easier because you don't need to replace the drum separately. However, it can also increase running costs if the drum gets damaged, as you would have to discard any remaining toner to replace it. Thankfully, the toner cartridges aren't overly expensive. If you want to spend even less, you can get the Canon Color imageCLASS MF654Cdw variant, which lacks duplex scanning and fax functionality.

For our mid-range pick, we chose the Brother MFC-L2820DW. This all-in-one monochrome model has an ADF-equipped scanner with extendable hinges to accommodate thick items like textbooks, but unlike our picks above, it doesn't feature duplex scanning. It produces incredibly sharp documents, doesn't take long to warm up, and prints quickly at 33 pages per minute. It yields about 1,300 prints, and the toner cartridge is cheap, which helps keep maintenance costs low; XL cartridges are also available if you print more, with advertised page yields of 3,000 pages.

You can connect to the printer via Wi-Fi, USB, or Ethernet. Depending on your budget and needs, you can find other variants in this series that have more or less features. For example, you can save money with the Brother DCP-L2640DW variant, which loses the touchscreen interface but actually has higher print speeds at 36 pages per minute. You can also get more expensive variants like the MFC-L2880DW with single-pass duplex scanning and higher print speeds at 36 pages per minute. This model is ideal if you need to scan lots of long, multi-sided documents. The print quality remains the same no matter which model you get.

Our best budget pick is the Brother HL-L2460DW. This monochrome print-only model is a great choice for people who just need to print the occasional return label or important documents once in a blue moon. Obviously, the main drawback compared to the models above is the lack of a scanner, so you'll have to be sure you won't need to scan anything. It feels well-built and sports all the common connectivity options like USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. 

It prints quickly at up to 34 pages per minute, supports automatic duplex printing, and costs little to maintain, thanks to its high page yield and cheap replacement toner. Out of the box, the printing quality isn't up to par with what you would expect from a Brother laser printer. However, you can still produce sharp-looking documents if you change some settings. If you are on a tighter budget, cheaper variants are available, like the Brother HL-L2405W. This model loses support for Ethernet, and print speeds drop to 30 pages per minute, but it's much less expensive.

If you have a large print load, the HP LaserJet Tank MFP 2604sdw is the printer to get. It's a monochrome laser all-in-one with a refillable toner tank, similar to supertank inkjet models. A full tank gets you about 4,500 prints, and you can refill the tank as you go, even during print jobs. Plus, the toner is cheap. The print quality is outstanding; documents look sharp with little to no artifacts. As for printing speed, it prints up to 22 pages per minute but only over a wired USB connection, which is inconvenient if you share the printer with other people or don't have room to keep it close to your computer. Its printing speed drops to nine pages per minute over Wi-Fi.

There's a scanner with an automatic feeder, but it doesn't support duplex scanning, so you'll have to scan double-sided documents manually. The main downside with this printer, which could be a dealbreaker for some, is that although the drum lasts a long time—with an estimated lifespan of 50,000 prints—it isn't user-replaceable. It's also hard to access, as it requires disassembling the printer, and the drum isn't available for purchase to the general public. As such, you can only replace it through an authorized service provider. Due to this hassle, you need to be careful not to damage the drum while it still has a lot of life left, as it can get very expensive to maintain.