Imagine printing a whole stack of reports for school or work in just a few minutes, with crisp, clean text that looks professional. That’s the magic of a laser printer! But when it’s time to buy one, the choices can feel overwhelming. Do you need the fastest one? The cheapest one? One that can do more than just print?
Choosing the right laser printer can be tricky. You want something that works well without costing too much, and you might not know where to start. It’s easy to feel confused by all the different features and brands. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you sort through it all.
In this guide, we’ll explore what makes laser printers so great and break down the important things to think about when you’re shopping. You’ll learn what features matter most for your needs, so you can pick a printer that makes printing easy and efficient. Let’s dive in and find the perfect laser printer for you!
Top Laserjet Printers Recommendations
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES – Engineered for extraordinary productivity, the Brother DCP-L2640DW Monochrome (Black & White) 3-in-1 combines laser printer, scanner, copier in one compact footprint and delivers high-quality black & white prints
- FAST PRINTER WITH EFFICIENT SCANNING – Produces documents quickly with print speeds up to 36 ppm(2) and scan speeds up to 23.6/7.9 ipm(3) (black/color). A 50-page auto document feeder(4) allows for convenient, time saving multi-page scanning and copying
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS – Easily navigate the changing demands of your business with secure multi-device connectivity via built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz) and Ethernet. Or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Print, scan, and manage your wireless printer anytime, from almost anywhere from your mobile device. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(5)
- CHOOSE BROTHER GENUINE TONER – When it’s time to replace your toner, be sure to choose Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL replacement toner. And with Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service, you’ll never worry about running out of toner again and you’ll enjoy savings of up to 50%(6) on Brother Genuine Toner. Get started with Refresh today with a Free Trial(1)
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Perfect for small teams printing professional-quality black & white documents and reports plus auto 2-sided printing. Perfect for up to 7 people
- SUPER-FAST PRINT SPEEDS – Up to 35 black-and-white pages per minute single-sided
- STAYS CONNECTED – Intelligent Wi-Fi looks for the best connection to stay online and ready to print
- PROTECTS YOUR DATA – Includes HP Wolf Pro Security with customizable settings so your printer and information are always secure
- PRINT FROM ANY DEVICE – Wireless printing from any mobile device, PC or tablet. Ethernet and Bluetooth included. Works with Microsoft, Mac, AirPrint, Android, Chromebook and more
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Perfect for small teams printing professional-quality black & white documents and reports. Perfect for 1-3 people
- WORLD'S SMALLEST LASER IN ITS CLASS – Precision laser printing that fits anywhere
- FAST PRINT SPEEDS – Up to 21 black-and-white pages per minute single-sided
- WIRELESS WITH SELF-RESET – Helps you stay connected
- PRINT FROM ANY DEVICE – Wireless printing from any mobile device, PC or tablet. Works with Microsoft, Mac, AirPrint, Android, Chromebook and more
- HP LaserJet M209dw Wireless Printer, Print, Fast speeds, Easy setup, Mobile printing, Best-for-small teams, Instant Ink eligible
- Perfect for small teams printing black & white documents and reports, plus auto two-sided printing. Perfect for 1-5 people
- FASTEST TWO-SIDED PRINTING IN ITS CLASS – Up to 30 black-and-white pages per minute single-sided, u up to 19 black-and-white images per minute two-sided printing
- DUAL-BAND WI-FI WITH SELF-RESET – Automatically detects and resolves connectivity issues
- STRONG SECURITY – Built-in security features help protect your printer from potential attacks
- EVERYTHING SMALL TEAMS NEED – Print, scan and copy professional-quality black & white documents and reports plus fax. Auto 2-sided printing and auto document feeder for fast scan/copy. Perfect for up to 7 people.
- SUPER-FAST PRINT SPEEDS – Up to 35 black-and-white pages per minute single-sided
- STAYS CONNECTED – Intelligent Wi-Fi looks for the best connection to stay online and ready to print
- PROTECTS YOUR DATA – Includes HP Wolf Pro Security with customizable settings so your printer and information are always secure
- PRINT FROM ANY DEVICE – Wireless printing from any mobile device, PC or tablet. Ethernet and Bluetooth included. Works with Microsoft, Mac, AirPrint, Android, Chromebook and more.
- The HP LaserJet MFP M234dw offers high-speed two-sided precision laser printing and scan/copy functionality, plus smart setup and reliable connectivity. Strong security gives you peace of mind, and the HP Smart app lets you work more efficiently with helpful, time-saving features.
- Perfect for small teams printing, scanning and copying professional-quality black & white documents and reports. Perfect for 1-5 people.
- FASTEST TWO-SIDED PRINTING IN ITS CLASS – Up to 30 black-and-white pages per minute single-sided, up to 19 black-and-white images per minute two-sided printing
- DUAL-BAND WI-FI WITH SELF-RESET – Automatically detects and resolves connectivity issues
- STRONG SECURITY – Built-in security features help protect your printer from potential attacks
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Perfect for offices and small businesses printing black & white documents and reports.
- KEY FEATURES – Fast print speeds, auto 2-sided printing, smart-guided buttons,150-sheet input tray and USB cable included.
- BUILT FOR SPEED – Quickly finish multipage print projects with the fastest in-class two-sided printing speed.
- AWARD-WINNING DESIGN – Save space without sacrificing performance with a compact design.
- EXCEPTIONAL LASER QUALITY – Rely on consistent, quality prints page after page.
Your Guide to Picking the Perfect Laser Printer
Laser printers are a great choice for busy homes and offices. They print documents quickly and clearly. This guide will help you find the best one for your needs.
Why Choose a Laser Printer?
Laser printers use toner powder, not ink. This makes them faster and more efficient for printing lots of pages. They are also great for sharp text. This means your reports and letters will look very professional.
Key Features to Look For
Here are the most important things to check when you shop:
- Print Speed (PPM): This is how many pages the printer can print in one minute. More PPM means faster printing.
- Resolution (DPI): This shows how clear the printed image is. Higher DPI means sharper text and graphics.
- Duplex Printing: This feature lets the printer print on both sides of the paper automatically. It saves paper and time.
- Connectivity: How can you connect to the printer? Look for USB, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet. Wi-Fi is very handy for printing from phones and tablets.
- All-in-One Capabilities: Some laser printers also scan and copy. These are called All-in-One or Multifunction Printers (MFPs).
- Toner Yield: This is how many pages a toner cartridge can print. A higher yield means you’ll buy new cartridges less often.
Important Materials and How They Affect Your Printer
Laser printers are built with durable parts. The main material is plastic for the casing. Inside, there are rollers and a drum.
- The Drum: This is a key part that transfers the toner to the paper. A good drum lasts a long time.
- Toner Cartridges: These hold the toner powder. High-quality toner makes for crisp, dark prints.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Print Quality
Good quality prints depend on a few things.
- Resolution (DPI): As mentioned, higher DPI makes text sharper. For most documents, 600 DPI is good. For very detailed graphics, 1200 DPI is better.
- Toner Quality: Cheap toner can lead to faded prints or streaks. Stick with brand-name toner for the best results.
- Printer Settings: Your printer’s settings matter. You can often choose “draft” mode to save toner or “best” mode for high-quality prints.
Poor quality can happen if the drum is worn out or if you use low-quality toner. Streaky or faded prints are signs of a problem.
User Experience and Use Cases
Laser printers are easy to use. Most have simple control panels. Connecting to Wi-Fi is usually straightforward.
- For Home Users: If you print school papers, recipes, or occasional documents, a basic laser printer is perfect. A model with Wi-Fi lets you print from anywhere in your home.
- For Offices: Businesses need speed and efficiency. Look for printers with high PPM and large toner yields. All-in-One models save space and offer valuable scanning and copying features. If many people use the printer, a network-ready model is best.
Choosing the right laser printer means thinking about how much you print, what you print, and how fast you need it done. With these tips, you’ll find a printer that works hard for you.
Laser Printer FAQs
Q: What is the main difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer?
A: Laser printers use toner powder, while inkjet printers use liquid ink. Laser printers are usually faster and better for printing text.
Q: How do I know if I need an All-in-One laser printer?
A: You need an All-in-One if you also want to scan and copy documents. It saves space and money by combining three machines into one.
Q: What does “PPM” stand for?
A: PPM stands for “pages per minute.” It tells you how fast the printer can print.
Q: Is it expensive to buy toner cartridges?
A: Toner cartridges can seem expensive at first. But they print many more pages than ink cartridges. So, the cost per page is often lower for laser printers.
Q: Can I print photos with a laser printer?
A: Laser printers are best for text and simple graphics. Inkjet printers are usually better for printing high-quality photos.
Q: What is “duplex printing”?
A: Duplex printing means the printer can automatically print on both sides of a piece of paper. This saves paper.
Q: How do I connect my laser printer to my computer?
A: You can connect using a USB cable, an Ethernet cable to your network, or wirelessly via Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is very convenient.
Q: What does “resolution” mean for a laser printer?
A: Resolution is measured in DPI (dots per inch). It tells you how sharp and clear the printed text and images are. Higher DPI means better quality.
Q: How often do I need to replace the toner cartridge?
A: It depends on how much you print and the toner yield. Some cartridges print thousands of pages before needing replacement.
Q: Are laser printers good for small businesses?
A: Yes, laser printers are excellent for small businesses. They offer speed, reliability, and good quality for documents, which are important for business operations.