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10 Best Budget Laser Printers 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan, Duplex, Mobile, Black & White | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,260
Print Speed
Print Quality
Connectivity Options

Most important from
1895 reviews

Print Speed
This printer is incredibly fast and quiet, and it just works effortlessly.
Print Quality
The print quality is crisp and much better than any inkjet printer I've used.
Connectivity Options
The convenience of wired connection ensures reliability, especially for those who struggle with wireless setups.
Paper Handling
The automatic document feeder and duplex printing save time and effort on multi-page tasks.
Toner Cost and Yield
The toner lasts a long time, and replacements are reasonably priced.

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact monochrome laser printer that stands out for small businesses and home offices needing efficient printing, scanning, and copying capabilities. One of its main strengths is the impressive print speed of up to 36 pages per minute, which helps boost productivity. With automatic duplex printing, it saves time and paper, catering to users who want environmentally friendly options. The printer also features a 50-page automatic document feeder, making multi-page tasks easier.

In terms of connectivity, the DCP-L2640DW offers flexible options including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connections, allowing users to easily integrate it into various office setups. The Brother Mobile Connect app is a handy feature for managing the printer remotely, providing convenience for busy users.

However, it does have some drawbacks. Being a monochrome printer, it can only handle black and white printing, which limits its use for those needing color prints. The print quality, while satisfactory for text documents, may not meet the expectations for high-quality graphics or images. Additionally, the initial cost of toner can be a concern, though the Refresh Subscription Service offers a way to save on replacements.

Another point to consider is that while the printer is fairly lightweight for its category, weighing 25 pounds, it may take up more space than some users desire, particularly in smaller offices. Finally, the maximum paper handling capacity is 250 sheets, which might not be sufficient for larger printing demands.

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a solid choice for users looking for a reliable, efficient budget laser printer, particularly where high-volume monochrome printing is required.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,260
Print Speed
Print Quality
Connectivity Options

Most important from
1895 reviews

Print Speed
This printer is incredibly fast and quiet, and it just works effortlessly.
Print Quality
The print quality is crisp and much better than any inkjet printer I've used.
Connectivity Options
The convenience of wired connection ensures reliability, especially for those who struggle with wireless setups.
Paper Handling
The automatic document feeder and duplex printing save time and effort on multi-page tasks.
Toner Cost and Yield
The toner lasts a long time, and replacements are reasonably priced.
#2

HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-Office (499Q3F)

Rating
9.8
Print Speed
Print Quality
Duty Cycle

Most important from
472 reviews

Print Speed
Prints so fast and the quality of copies is amazing, capturing even the faintest details accurately.
Print Quality
Print and color quality is superb, making it an excellent printer, scanner, and copier.
Duty Cycle
The included black ink cartridge is durable, lasting over a month with heavy daily use.
Connectivity Options
Setup is easy and connecting to Wi-Fi is painless, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
Paper Handling
The drawer feed design eliminates paper jams, a significant improvement over gravity feed.

The HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw is a solid choice for small office teams needing a budget-friendly laser printer that can handle printing, scanning, and copying tasks. Its print speed of up to 30 pages per minute in both color and black ensures efficient workflow, and the professional-quality TerraJet toner delivers vivid, sharp prints.

The printer features automatic two-sided printing and a 250-sheet input tray, which adds convenience and reduces the need for frequent paper refills. This model's wireless connectivity, including dual-band Wi-Fi, simplifies printing from various devices, while the HP app allows for easy mobile printing and scanning.

Security is also a strong point, with built-in HP Wolf Pro Security to protect sensitive information. However, potential drawbacks include its weight of 37.7 pounds, which might be cumbersome for smaller spaces, and the toner cost, as HP's original toner cartridges can be pricier compared to third-party options. Nevertheless, the printer's reliability and eco-friendly design, certified by Energy Star and EPEAT, make it a commendable choice for those looking for a cost-effective, versatile, and secure printing solution.

Rating
9.8
Print Speed
Print Quality
Duty Cycle

Most important from
472 reviews

Print Speed
Prints so fast and the quality of copies is amazing, capturing even the faintest details accurately.
Print Quality
Print and color quality is superb, making it an excellent printer, scanner, and copier.
Duty Cycle
The included black ink cartridge is durable, lasting over a month with heavy daily use.
Connectivity Options
Setup is easy and connecting to Wi-Fi is painless, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
Paper Handling
The drawer feed design eliminates paper jams, a significant improvement over gravity feed.
#3

Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier, Fax, ADF and Ethernet – Ideal-for Your Home Office, White

Rating
9.6
Print Quality
Paper Handling

Most important from
4424 reviews

Print Quality
The print quality is crisp for documents, and it handles color prints well enough for most everyday needs.
Paper Handling
For an artist, the direct paper feed handles heavier weight card stock paper well, perfect for art and greeting cards.

The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is an affordable all-in-one printer, ideal for home office use. Its standout feature is the innovative cartridge-free printing, which uses high-capacity ink tanks to deliver significant cost savings on ink. The claimed savings of up to 90% on replacement ink bottles are impressive, and the capacity to print up to 4,500 pages in black and 7,500 pages in color means fewer interruptions and lower ongoing costs.

This model shines in terms of print quality, with Epson's Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology producing sharp text and vivid color graphics on various paper types. However, its print speed is relatively slow, with a maximum of 10 pages per minute (ppm) for monochrome and 5 ppm for color, which may not suit high-volume print needs. Connectivity is robust, offering both Ethernet and wireless options, and supports modern features like voice-activated printing and mobile printing through the Epson Smart Panel App.

The built-in scanner and copier, along with features like automatic duplex printing and an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), enhance its functionality. Paper handling is decent with a 100-sheet capacity, suitable for light to moderate usage. The device’s environmental impact is mitigated by the reduction in cartridge waste, aligning with eco-friendly practices. Measuring 13.6 inches in height, the printer is compact enough for most home office setups.

Rating
9.6
Print Quality
Paper Handling

Most important from
4424 reviews

Print Quality
The print quality is crisp for documents, and it handles color prints well enough for most everyday needs.
Paper Handling
For an artist, the direct paper feed handles heavier weight card stock paper well, perfect for art and greeting cards.

Buying Guide for the Best Budget Laser Printers

When choosing a budget laser printer, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. Laser printers are known for their speed, precision, and cost-effectiveness over time, especially for high-volume printing. By understanding the key specs, you can make an informed decision that balances performance and affordability.
Print SpeedPrint speed, measured in pages per minute (PPM), indicates how quickly a printer can produce documents. This is important if you need to print large volumes of documents regularly. Entry-level models may offer speeds around 20-30 PPM, which is sufficient for home or small office use. Mid-range models can print 30-40 PPM, suitable for moderate office use. High-end models exceed 40 PPM and are ideal for busy offices with high printing demands. Consider your typical printing volume to choose the right speed for you.
Print QualityPrint quality is measured in dots per inch (DPI) and determines the clarity and detail of the printed documents. For most text documents, a resolution of 600 x 600 DPI is adequate. If you need to print graphics or images, look for a printer with at least 1200 x 1200 DPI. Higher DPI values provide sharper and more detailed prints, but may not be necessary for everyday text printing. Assess the type of documents you print most often to decide the appropriate print quality.
Duty CycleThe duty cycle is the maximum number of pages a printer can handle per month without experiencing wear and tear. This is crucial for ensuring the longevity of your printer. For home use or small offices, a duty cycle of up to 10,000 pages per month is usually sufficient. Medium-sized offices might need a printer with a duty cycle of 10,000 to 50,000 pages. Large offices with heavy printing needs should look for models with a duty cycle exceeding 50,000 pages. Estimate your monthly printing volume to choose a printer with an appropriate duty cycle.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity options determine how you can connect your printer to your devices. Basic models may only offer USB connectivity, which is fine for direct connections to a single computer. For more flexibility, look for printers with Wi-Fi or Ethernet capabilities, allowing multiple devices to connect wirelessly or through a network. Some models also support mobile printing via apps or Bluetooth. Consider your setup and how you prefer to print to choose the right connectivity options.
Paper HandlingPaper handling refers to the types and sizes of paper a printer can accommodate, as well as the capacity of its paper trays. Basic models typically handle standard letter and legal sizes with a single tray holding around 150-250 sheets. More advanced models may offer multiple trays, higher capacities, and support for various paper types like envelopes, labels, and cardstock. If you frequently print on different media or need to minimize paper refills, look for a printer with versatile and high-capacity paper handling.
Toner Cost and YieldToner cost and yield are important for understanding the long-term cost of operating your printer. Toner yield is the number of pages a toner cartridge can print before needing replacement. Higher yield cartridges may have a higher upfront cost but lower cost per page. Compare the cost and yield of toner cartridges for different models to estimate your ongoing expenses. If you print frequently, a printer with high-yield toner cartridges can be more economical in the long run.

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