Top 10 Best Laser Printers of 2026: Ranked & Reviewed
The 10 best laser printers of 2026, ranked by speed, value, and real-world reliability. From a $180 workhorse to a $700 color powerhouse. See which one ranked #1.
Six of the ten printers on this list wear a Brother badge. That ratio isn't bias: it's the unavoidable conclusion of comparing spec sheets, warranty terms, and actual user reviews across every laser printer worth buying this year. The best laser printers of 2026 range from a stripped-down $180 speed demon to a $700 color multifunction beast that could anchor a 20-person office. And here's the thing: the gap between budget and premium has never been narrower. The top pick, the Brother MFC-L8930CDW, costs more than some laptops. But for teams that need color, speed, and enterprise security in one machine, it earns every dollar.
| # | Product | Price | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brother MFC-L8930CDW | $699.99 | 4.4/5 | View Deal |
| #2 | Brother DCP-L2640DW | $209.99 | 4.3/5 | View Deal |
| #3 | HP LaserJet MFP M235sdw | $199 | 4.3/5 | View Deal |
| #4 | Canon imageCLASS MF462dw | $330.00 | 4.2/5 | View Deal |
| #5 | Brother MFC-L2820DW | $279.99 | 4.3/5 | View Deal |
| #6 | Brother MFC-L2900DW | $329.99 | 4.3/5 | View Deal |
| #7 | Brother MFC-L3720CDW | $300.00 | 4.1/5 | View Deal |
| #8 | Brother HL-L2460DW | $179.99 | 4/5 | View Deal |
| #9 | HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw | $438.90 | 3.9/5 | View Deal |
| #10 | Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw | $409.99 | 3.9/5 | View Deal |
#1. Brother MFC-L8930CDW Business Color Laser All-in-One Printer
The fastest, most secure color laser all-in-one on this list, built for workgroups that print at enterprise scale.
Price: $699.99 Rating: 4.4/5 Best For: High-Volume Business Workgroups Check Price on Amazon
Six of the ten printers on this list are Brothers, but the MFC-L8930CDW justifies its spot at #1 without breaking a sweat. For a 10-person office, this printer replaces the print shop for color jobs and the IT guy for scanning questions. At $700, it costs more than twice what the Brother MFC-L3720CDW (#7) does, and honestly, most small offices don't need it. But when you need it (client presentations due at 4pm, 50-page contracts that need secure printing, marketing collateral that has to look professional), the gap between this and everything else on the list becomes obvious fast. Skip it if you're a solo operator or color is an afterthought. If printing is central to your workflow, nothing else here competes.
Pros
- 33ppm print speed in both color and black
- 104ipm duplex scanning via 80-page auto document feeder
- 7-inch color touchscreen with customizable shortcuts and cloud app access
- Triple-layer security with integrated NFC card reader for badge authentication
- EPEAT Gold rated and ENERGY STAR certified
Cons
- $700 price tag puts it out of reach for small offices and solo users
- Physical footprint requires dedicated floor or counter space
- Overkill if color printing represents less than 20% of your output
Verdict: The definitive choice for mid-size workgroups that need color, speed, and security in one machine. Solo users and budget-conscious offices should look at #7 or #2 instead.
#2. Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer
The most-reviewed printer here with 3,600+ ratings, and the best value monochrome all-in-one under $250.
Price: $209.99 Rating: 4.3/5 Best For: Budget Home Offices Check Price on Amazon
This is the printer the list was built around. The DCP-L2640DW makes you stop and ask why anyone pays more for a home office monochrome machine. Stacked against the HP at #3, it's faster for less money. Compared to the print-only HL-L2460DW (#8), it adds scanning and an ADF for just thirty bucks more. The sheer volume of positive reviews tells you what you need to know: this is the Honda Civic of laser printers. It won't excite you. It will show up every day for five years and never complain. If you don't need color, fax, or a touchscreen, stop scrolling and buy this one.
Pros
- 36ppm print speed, ties for fastest mono on this list
- 50-page auto document feeder for multi-page scanning and copying
- Dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz) plus Ethernet and USB
- Brother Mobile Connect app for remote print and scan management
- 3,600+ verified reviews with 4.3/5 average rating
Cons
- No fax functionality, dealbreaker for legal and medical offices
- Monochrome only with no color upgrade path
- Basic LCD screen instead of a touchscreen interface
Verdict: The smartest money you can spend on a home office monochrome all-in-one. Skip it only if you need color, fax, or a touchscreen.
#3. HP LaserJet MFP M235sdw All-in-One Laser Wireless Printer
HP reliability with self-healing Wi-Fi and class-leading duplex speeds, all for under $200.
Price: $199 Rating: 4.3/5 Best For: Home Office All-in-One Check Price on Amazon
HP took a different swing with the M235sdw. Instead of competing on raw speed, they focused on making a printer that doesn't generate IT headaches. The self-healing Wi-Fi is the feature everyone who's ever power-cycled a printer mid-deadline will appreciate. At 28ppm, it's slower on paper than the Brother DCP-L2640DW (#2), but the first-page-out time is quick enough that short jobs feel roughly the same. The real question is whether you trust HP's ecosystem. The toner costs more over time than Brother's, and the 3.9-star rating on the color HP at #9 suggests not everyone loves the long-term math. HP loyalists who want a set-and-forget experience won't find a better fit. Everyone else should grab the Brother at #2 and call it a day.
Pros
- 28ppm with 6.9-second first-page-out time
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with automatic connectivity self-reset
- Built-in security features to protect against network attacks
- Works with AirPrint, Android, and Chromebook out of the box
- Automatic two-sided printing at class-leading speed
Cons
- 28ppm lags behind Brother competitors at the same price
- No fax functionality included
- Plastic chassis feels less durable than Canon alternatives
Verdict: The best pick for HP loyalists and anyone who values trouble-free Wi-Fi over raw speed. If faster printing matters more, the Brother at #2 is the better buy.
#4. Canon imageCLASS MF462dw Monochrome Duplex Wireless Laser All-in-One Printer
The fastest monochrome printer on this list at 37ppm, with a 3-year warranty to back it up.
Price: $330.00 Rating: 4.2/5 Best For: Fast Monochrome Office Work Check Price on Amazon
One thing, louder than anything else on this list: pure monochrome speed. The Canon MF462dw hits 37 pages per minute, and if your office prints reports and contracts in volume, that number adds up to real hours saved by Friday. The awkward part? It costs $330 for black-and-white only while the MFC-L3720CDW (#7) delivers color for $300. That's a tough conversation with the person signing the purchase order. Still, if color is genuinely irrelevant to your workflow and speed is everything, the 3-year warranty and expandable paper capacity make a strong case. Just make sure you actually need 37ppm before spending mono money on a color-capable budget.
Pros
- 37ppm print speed, fastest monochrome output on this list
- 5-inch color touchscreen with customizable Application Library
- 50-sheet one-pass ADF scans at up to 100ipm in black and white
- Expandable paper capacity up to 900 sheets with optional cassette
- 3-year limited warranty with fax functionality included
Cons
- $330 for mono-only when the color MFC-L3720CDW costs $300
- Larger footprint than compact alternatives like the DCP-L2640DW
- Touchscreen interface has a learning curve for non-technical users
Verdict: The undisputed speed king for monochrome offices. Buy this if print volume is your bottleneck. If color matters at all, the #7 Brother delivers it for less.
#5. Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer
NFC tap-to-print and 1200x1200 dpi resolution packed into a compact, touchscreen-equipped all-in-one.
Price: $279.99 Rating: 4.3/5 Best For: Small Business Monochrome Check Price on Amazon
Trapped between two better Brothers. That's the MFC-L2820DW's problem. For $70 less, the DCP-L2640DW (#2) gives you the same core experience minus NFC. For $50 more, the MFC-L2900DW (#6) adds cloud integration and duplex scanning. So who buys this one? Someone who values print quality above all else. The 1200x1200 dpi output is genuinely sharper than the 600x600 you get from most budget models, and if you print a lot of small-type legal documents or detailed reports, you'll notice. The NFC tap-to-print is neat but niche. If neither sharper text nor phone-tap printing matters to you, move up or down the list. This printer makes sense for a narrow slice of buyers, and you probably know if you're one of them.
Pros
- 34ppm print speed with 1200x1200 dpi resolution for sharp text
- 3.5-inch color touchscreen for intuitive navigation
- NFC tap-to-connect for instant mobile printing
- Automatic duplex printing to reduce paper consumption
- Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity options
Cons
- Awkwardly priced between the faster #2 and more feature-rich #6
- NFC requires close phone proximity, limiting practical daily use
- No direct cloud app integration on the touchscreen
Verdict: A solid middle-ground pick if NFC and print resolution are priorities. Most buyers will find better value at #2 or more features at #6.
#6. Brother MFC-L2900DW Professional Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer
Cloud-connected workflow integration with direct Google Drive and Dropbox access from the touchscreen.
Price: $329.99 Rating: 4.3/5 Best For: Small Business Efficiency Check Price on Amazon
Offices that live in Google Workspace, this one's for you. The MFC-L2900DW scans signed contracts straight to the right client folder without touching a computer. That workflow shortcut is the entire reason to buy this over the cheaper MFC-L2820DW (#5). The single-pass duplex scanning is a genuine upgrade too: two-sided originals scan in half the time. The problem is the price. At $329.99, you're within spitting distance of the color MFC-L3720CDW (#7) for $300. If cloud integration saves you 15 minutes a day, this is a bargain. If you don't use Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneNote, you're paying for features you'll never touch. Buy the #2 or #5 instead.
Pros
- 36ppm print speed with single-pass duplex scanning
- 3.5-inch touchscreen with direct Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote access
- 50-page auto document feeder for hands-free multi-page processing
- 22% lower electricity consumption with faster wake-from-sleep
- Dual-band wireless, Ethernet, and USB connectivity
Cons
- Nearly the same price as the color MFC-L3720CDW (#7) but mono-only
- Cloud features require a stable internet connection to be useful
- No NFC for tap-to-connect mobile printing
Verdict: The best pick for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 shops that want scan-to-cloud without extra steps. If you don't use cloud storage, save $50 with #5 or #2.
#7. Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser All-in-One Printer
The most affordable color laser all-in-one here, genuine color printing at a breakthrough $300 price.
Price: $300.00 Rating: 4.1/5 Best For: Small Business Color Check Price on Amazon
Thought you couldn't afford a color laser printer? The MFC-L3720CDW changes that math. At $300, it undercuts the next cheapest color option by over $100. The catch is speed: 19ppm is slow enough that you'll notice, especially if you're coming from a monochrome laser that prints nearly twice as fast. Think of this as the occasional-color printer. If you print proposals and flyers once or twice a week, the speed won't bother you. If color is a daily requirement, the slowness will grate and you should stretch to the #1 or #9. Also, brace yourself for the toner replacement bill. A full set of color cartridges costs nearly as much as the printer itself. Budget accordingly.
Pros
- Color laser printing at an accessible $300 price point
- 3.5-inch color touchscreen with 48 customizable shortcuts
- 50-sheet ADF and 250-sheet adjustable paper tray
- Dual-band wireless with Wi-Fi Direct for cable-free setup
- Remote printing and toner monitoring via mobile app
Cons
- 19ppm is noticeably sluggish compared to every mono printer on this list
- Full set of color toner replacements is expensive
- Lowest-rated Brother on this list at 4.1/5
Verdict: The entry point for color laser printing. Ideal for offices that print color occasionally. Daily color users should stretch to the #1 or #9 instead.
#8. Brother HL-L2460DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
Pure print speed at the lowest price, 36ppm for $180 with zero unnecessary features.
Price: $179.99 Rating: 4/5 Best For: Value Monochrome Printing Check Price on Amazon
Simplest recommendation on this list, hands down. If you need to print and nothing else, buy the HL-L2460DW. Thirty-six pages per minute for $180 is the kind of value that makes you wonder why multifunction printers exist at all. The answer, of course, is that eventually you'll need to scan something. When that day comes, you'll wish you spent the extra $30 on the DCP-L2640DW (#2). But if you already own a scanner, use your phone for the occasional document capture, or simply never handle paperwork that needs digitizing, this is all the printer you need. The included USB cable is a nice touch in an era where manufacturers strip every accessory to hit a price point. Fast, cheap, and surprisingly complete for what it is.
Pros
- 36ppm print speed at the lowest price on this list
- Automatic duplex printing cuts paper use by up to 50%
- Dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity
- 250-sheet paper tray for high-volume printing with fewer refills
- 2,600+ reviews at 4/5 stars with bundled USB cable included
Cons
- Print-only, no scanner, copier, or fax functionality
- No touchscreen; all settings managed via buttons or app
- Manual feed slot handles only one sheet at a time for specialty media
Verdict: The no-brainer choice if you only need to print and nothing else. Pair it with a smartphone scanner app and you'll forget multifunctions exist.
#9. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer
HP's TerraJet toner delivers the richest color output among mid-range color lasers on this list.
Price: $438.90 Rating: 3.9/5 Best For: Office Color Printing Check Price on Amazon
HP's 3301sdw has one killer feature: TerraJet toner. Side by side with other color lasers on this list, the print quality difference is visible. Colors look richer, gradients stay smooth, and photos on glossy paper come closer to inkjet quality than any laser has a right to. The problem is everything else. At 3.9 stars, this is the lowest-rated printer on the list, and reading through the reviews, the complaints follow a pattern. HP's toner costs more than Brother's, and over a few years of regular use, that gap widens into hundreds of dollars. If print quality is your absolute priority and you don't mind paying the HP toner tax, the output justifies the rating risk. Value hunters should look at the Brother at #1 and #7 instead.
Pros
- Next-generation TerraJet toner for vivid, accurate color output
- 26ppm in both color and black with auto duplex printing
- 50-sheet ADF and 250-sheet input tray
- HP 218X high-yield toner cartridges available for lower cost-per-page
- Trusted HP brand with award-winning reliability track record
Cons
- Lowest overall rating on this list at 3.9/5
- HP toner ecosystem costs more than Brother's over the printer's lifespan
- 26ppm tops out below similarly-priced competitors
Verdict: Buy this for the TerraJet print quality if color accuracy is non-negotiable. Everyone else gets more speed and value from the Brother color options at #1 and #7.
#10. Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw Wireless Duplex Laser All-in-One Printer
A 3-year warranty and EPEAT Silver certification make this the set-and-forget office workhorse.
Price: $409.99 Rating: 3.9/5 Best For: Reliable Office All-in-One Check Price on Amazon
The Canon MF665Cdw closes out this list on a bet: that reliability matters more than speed. With a 3-year warranty covering parts and labor, Canon is putting money behind that bet. The 10.3-second first-page-out time is the slowest here, and at 26ppm it won't win any races. But a printer that still works flawlessly in 2029 beats a faster one that died in 2027. The 5-inch touchscreen matches the interface quality of the pricier Canon MF462dw (#4), and the high-yield toner cartridges stretch the time between replacements. The 3.9-star rating matches the HP at #9, but the complaints are different: mostly setup frustrations rather than long-term reliability issues. If you'd trade speed for a printer that's still earning its keep three years from now, this is your machine.
Pros
- 26ppm in both color and monochrome with duplex printing
- 5-inch color touchscreen with customizable Application Library
- 50-sheet duplex ADF for two-sided scanning and copying
- Canon Genuine Toner 075 high-capacity cartridges for fewer replacements
- 3-year limited warranty with ENERGY STAR and EPEAT Silver certifications
Cons
- 10.3-second first-page-out is the slowest on this list
- Setup wizard less intuitive than HP's guided installation process
- 3.9/5 rating raises questions about long-term consistency
Verdict: The warranty makes this the safest long-term bet for offices that prioritize reliability over speed. If you want faster color output, the #1 or #9 are better fits.
How to choose the best laser printer for your needs
The best laser printers of 2026 cover a staggering range, from sub-$200 print-only machines to $700 color multifunction powerhouses. Here's what actually matters when you're comparing models.
Monochrome vs. color: do you really need color?
The price gap between mono and color laser printers has shrunk dramatically. The Brother MFC-L3720CDW (#7) delivers color at $300, just $20 more than some mono-only models on this list. But the real cost of color isn't the printer. It's the toner. A full set of color replacement cartridges can run $200-$400 depending on the brand. If your printing is 90% black text documents with the occasional chart or logo, a monochrome printer paired with a once-a-year trip to a print shop for color jobs is often the smarter financial move. Offices producing client facing color materials weekly should go color from the start.
Print speed: what those PPM numbers actually mean
Manufacturers quote pages-per-minute based on simple text documents at default quality settings. Real-world output, especially duplex or graphics-heavy prints, runs 20-30% slower. The gap between 28ppm and 36ppm sounds modest on paper, but over a 500-page print job, it's the difference between 14 minutes and 18 minutes of waiting. More importantly, first-page-out time determines how long you stand at the printer for short jobs. The HP M235sdw (#3) delivers its first page in 6.9 seconds despite a lower ppm rating, making it feel faster than some higher-ppm competitors for one-off prints.
All-in-one vs. print-only: when scanning matters
The print-only Brother HL-L2460DW (#8) saves you $30-$50 versus the cheapest all-in-one, but that saving evaporates the first time you need to scan a signed form and realize you can't. If you handle contracts, receipts, tax documents, or anything requiring signatures, an all-in-one with an automatic document feeder pays for itself in convenience within months. The ADF is the key feature to look for. Flatbed-only scanners work fine for single pages but become torture when you need to scan a 30-page contract.
The hidden cost: toner cartridge pricing and page yield
A $200 laser printer can cost $500 to feed over its lifetime. Brother offers the lowest cost-per-page across this list, which is a major reason they dominate the rankings. HP's toner ecosystem runs pricier, though their high-yield cartridges narrow the gap. Canon's 075 high-capacity cartridges on the MF665Cdw (#10) and the 3-year warranties on both Canon models help offset long-term costs. Before buying, check the price of a full toner replacement set, not just the black cartridge, and calculate your expected cost-per-page based on the stated yield.
Frequently asked questions about laser printers
Are laser printers better than inkjet?
For most home offices and businesses, yes, decisively. Laser printers produce sharper text, print faster, and don't suffer from dried-out or clogged print heads when left unused for weeks. Inkjets still win for high-quality photo printing on glossy paper, but for documents, spreadsheets, and everyday output, laser is the superior technology. The toner doesn't expire or dry out, so you can go months between prints without issues.
Are laser printers worth it for home use?
If you print more than 20-30 pages per month, absolutely. The upfront cost of a laser printer like the Brother DCP-L2640DW (#2) or Brother HL-L2460DW (#8) is offset within a year by not buying inkjet cartridges that dry out between uses. Laser printers also hold their value better and typically last 5-7 years with minimal maintenance. If you print fewer than 10 pages a month, a budget inkjet might make more financial sense, but the frustration of dried cartridges may still push you toward laser.
Laser printers vs inkjet: what's the real difference?
Laser printers use toner powder fused to paper with heat, producing crisp text that won't smudge at high speeds. Inkjets spray liquid ink through microscopic nozzles, which enables richer photo printing but introduces clogging risks and slower output. Laser toner cartridges cost more upfront but yield far more pages, typically 1,500-3,000 pages per cartridge versus 200-400 for inkjet cartridges. For document-heavy workflows, laser wins on speed, reliability, and long-term cost.
What's the best all-in-one laser printer for a home office?
The Brother DCP-L2640DW (#2) offers the best balance of speed, features, and price for most home offices at $209.99. It prints at 36ppm, includes a 50-page ADF for multi-page scanning, and has the most verified user reviews of any printer on this list. If you need color, the Brother MFC-L3720CDW (#7) delivers color laser printing at $300. For HP loyalists, the HP LaserJet MFP M235sdw (#3) at $199 prioritizes connectivity reliability over raw speed.
How long do laser printers typically last?
A well-maintained laser printer typically lasts 5-7 years in a home office and 3-5 years in a busy small business environment. The drum unit, the component that transfers toner to paper, is usually rated for 10,000-30,000 pages before replacement. Both Canon models on this list (#4 and #10) include 3-year warranties, which is notably longer than the standard 1-year coverage from most competitors and signals confidence in long-term durability.
Final verdict: the best laser printer of 2026
The Brother MFC-L8930CDW (#1) is the undisputed best laser printer of 2026 for workgroups that need color, speed, and security in one machine. It's overkill for solo users but untouchable at scale. The Brother DCP-L2640DW (#2) is the smart money pick for home offices, delivering 36ppm mono printing and scanning at a price that feels like a rounding error compared to years of inkjet cartridge purchases. And the Brother HL-L2460DW (#8) proves that $180 still buys a printer fast enough to embarrass machines costing twice as much, provided you don't need to scan or copy. Any printer on this list will serve you well. Prices on Amazon fluctuate, so check the current deals before you buy.
