Ever since the introduction of Xerox 914 laser printer 1979, individuals and businesses have relied on the speed and precision that in-house laser printing services can provide.
Owning and operating a printer can be an expensive venture, especially if you purchase an inkjet printer. Thankfully, laser printers are well known for their affordability and ability to produce huge volumes of copies and prints at impressively fast speeds. Indeed, in today’s market, it is hard to beat both the speed and budget of a laser printer. Even though the granddaddies of modern printer manufacturing (such as Brother, Hewlett-Packard and Xerox) have been holding steady in developing new and advanced trends in laser printing, Samsung and other relative newcomers to the industry have made waves recently by applying new technology standards to this ubiquitous and sometimes reviled office staple. All of these companies are in the business of engineering the best laser printers that money can buy. Consumers, whether they are businesses or private individuals, are finding that faster and more efficient printers are increasingly offered with multiple technological functions that were inconceivable only a decade ago. Whether you’re shopping for full color printing with high resolution, mobile printing or wireless connectivity, the printers below not only pack the most tech into one package, they come with the highest user recomendations that you’ll find across multiple reviews.
1. Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer, HL-L2350DW
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Why we like it: Oh Brother, where art thou? The Brother HL-L2350DW is one of the best monochromatic compact printers that deliver a quality and effective print each time. And with the ability to connect to a variety of devices, you can always get your printing needs met without issue.
Having a quality printer is essential to getting all your office needs met. One of the best printers that is up for the job is the Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer. The Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer offers all the essential that you would need out of an advanced printer. For starters, this printer is regarded as a compact one. This means that it is the ideal option to go with if you are looking for a good printer to install in your home office or place of work where space is limited. Although the Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer is compact in size, it was constructed so that it can be as efficient as possible. An example of this is being able ot print up to 32 pages per minute. There is also a maximum monthly duty cycle of 15,000 pages, though the recommended amount of pages is 2,000 pages. With each print, you can look forward to a faster and higher quality print. This in part is thanks to the 250 sheet capacity that the printer can hold. This rather large capacity allows you to refill your printer less often which is always great. When you load up your printer, you can look forward to printing both letter sized and legal sized. When you are printing, you can look forward to duplex printing that allows you to print on both sides of a sheet. Also, for even more convenience, you are able to print via wireless capabilities. This means that you can easily link up your laptop, smartphone, desktop, and even tablet and then print straight from there. Overall, the Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer is one of the best printers to invest in because you can have the quality and convenience of a high powered printer in one that does not look as such.
Pros
- Good value
- Impressively high dpi
- Very lightweight
Cons
- No mobile printing
- No color option
- No LCD display
2. Samsung SL C1810W
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Why we like it: Samsung has been a major player in consumer electronics just about as long as electronics have existed. It should then come as no surprise that when as far as laser printers go, Samsung takes itself and its products very seriously. The Samsung SL C1810W combines Samsung’s technical know-how with its almost standard eye for design. The C1810W is about as gorgeous a printer as you’re going to find, and comes sporting top-of-the-line technology to make your printing experience fast, efficient and fun.
Samsung pulled out all of the stops with the C1810W. As the company that made Near Field Communication popular within their Galaxy line of mobile phones, Samsung decided that this same technology would be beneficial in their laser printers as well. Not only can you print wirelessly over the internet or through a wired USB connection, you can take your brand new Samsung phone and print directly through the NFC touch feature.
As productivity on the go is a must for both individuals and businesses alike, the 19 ppm printing speed is appealing for those who don’t have time to wait around for a much slower inkjet printer. This unique printer is designed to work specifically with Samsung’s specially designed polymerized toner cartridges, which will not only lower the expense of printing, but increase your printing speed. You can expect your first page to begin zooming into the output tray in a mere 16 seconds from the time you hit CTRL + P.
If you’re printing pictures, Samsung also has your best in mind. At 9,600 x 600 dpi, the C1810W is the undisputed king on our list for image resolution. And with a toner life of 2,500 pages for black and 1,800 pages for color, you’ll be able to keep those prints coming for weeks before you need to replace the cartridge.
Samsung designed this printer for your average consumer, but also with a keen eye to small businesses who may do a fair amount of printing. With a power-sipping 380 watts while printing, this printer will not only save you a pretty penny in overall printing expenses, but also in power consumption. If you’re in the market for a laser printer that will offer you value, affordability and provide stunning images with amazing versatility in connectivity, give the Samsung SL C1810W a try.
Pros
- Versatile printing options with wireless, mobile and NFC technology enabled
- Amazingly clear resolution at 9,600 x 600 dpi
- Unique polymerized toner cartridges.
Cons
- Comparatively low page-per-minute printing speed.
- Comparatively low color toner life (a direct result of the high dpi)
3. Brother HLL8350CDW
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Why we like it: Look out, animal world: humanity has engineered a mechanical cheetah. The Brother HLL8350CDW not only deserves to be on a list of the best laser printers, it defines what such a list should include. The HLL8350CDW was built for speed and affordability, nearly maxing out what is capable of printers in its class.
When printing speed is the name of the game, the Brother HLL8350CDW flies to deliver the goods. At an almost unbeatable 32 ppm, this printer will get your documents ready to go faster than every other printer on our list. While it’s comparatively slow first page out speed of 15 seconds might make some potential buyers a bit wary, it more than makes up for its slow start by delivering 5 more pages per minute than even its little Brother, the HL2270DW.
This full-color printer delivers a nearly unbeatable amount of life out of each toner cartridge, squeezing out 4,000 black and 3,500 color pages. Your color pages will come out in beautiful and clear 2,400 x 600 dpi resolution as well. You’ll not only be able to print more color pages than most of the competition, they’ll be delivered with much more clarity than your average Hewlett-Packard printer of a similar value. With a max tray capacity of 800, and an option to expand this by another 500 pages, the HL2270DW was engineered specifically for high volumes at a very high speed and a very affordable.
Wireless and mobile printing come standard with the Brother HL8320CDW, so you will be able to print from most Android mobile devices, as well as from any other wireless device that you may have ready to go in your arsenal.
Despite being the heaviest printer on our list at a rather hefty 47.5 lbs, the Brother HL8320CDW will not disappoint. Although it’s also the most expensive, it provides more speed and more toner life across the color scheme than you will find with most printers you can find for a similar budget.
Pros
- Best-in-class pages-per-minute printing speed
- Extremely efficient black and color toner usage
Cons
- Heavy and power-hungry
- More expensive than most printers in its class
- Slow first page out speed compared to its pages-per-minute speed
4. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M277dw
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Why we like it: Despite a deceptively long name, the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M277dw is built for the efficiency and speed you’ll want and need to get the job done. Featuring some of the latest and greatest in technology, as well as a 3-in-1 printer, scanner and fax design, this HP printer is designed to contend with the competition by providing buyers with the best available functionality on the market.
If variety is what you want, this HP printer is ready to provide. The 3-in-1 combo is built for small-to-medium size businesses, or those who have a home business or simply do a lot of printing and copying out of their own home. Offering a ppm of 19 and a first page out speed of 11.5 seconds for black and 13 seconds for color, this printer provides above average speeds. If you’re crunched for time, you won’t have to wait long for this printer to not only get going, but to feed out all of your important documents.
Much like the rest of the high-tech printers, the MFP M277dw allows for extensive mobile and wireless printing, all while using a comparatively small 365 watts of power while in use. With a high-yield cartridge, users will be guaranteed to stretch their dollars gloriously thin, as this printer provides 2,800 pages of black and 2,300 pages of color from just one cartridge. Unfortunately, this device is not designed for those who wish to print with the upper-echelons of the chromatic palette. A below-average 600 x 600 dpi will leave the color-enthusiasts wanting. Don’t expect very high-resolution images from this one.
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M277dw (it really is quite a mouthful) is undoubtedly one of the the most expensive options on our list. This device is a fan favorite, enjoying not only extensive, but also very favorable reviews from very happy customers. While the MFP M277dw will not push the limits in terms of printing resolution, it does offer the known quality that only Hewlett-Packard can provide, while giving impressive speeds and a high volume of pages over the life of your toner cartridge.
Pros
- 3-in-1 combo allows for more versatile usage
- Comparatively low first page out speed
- Comparatively energy efficient
Cons
- Below average dpi
5. HP LaserJet Pro 400 M451dw
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Why we like it: For high-volume users, power and longevity are tantamount to success. The HP LaserJet Pro 400 M451dw follows through with HP’s continued focus on both of these factors. This wireless- and mobile-enabled powerhouse will provide you with more overall toner life than any of the other printers on our list, and will do so with the efficiency and functionality that only Hewlett-Packard can deliver.
If you’re printing extensive amounts per month, the Pro 400 M4D1dw should be your go-to printer. A high-yield cartridge will net you an astounding 4,400 pages before you need to replace the black toner. Although you will net significantly less life out of the color toner cartridges (2,600 pages), this printer still outshines all others in the color setting that matters the most for most users.
The HP LaserJet Pro 400 M451dw offers the latest and greatest in wireless and mobile printing, offering users the ability to print from anywhere, even off network. Unlike most of the competition, this printer works with Apple’s AirPrint, so that you can print fast and effortlessly from your Apple devices, such as iPhone, iPad and even an iPod touch. Likewise, this printer sports HP’s Instant-on Technology, meaning it can turn on and print only when it’s needed, and subsequently turn itself back off. How’s that for power saving?
Printing will be a breeze with the Pro 400 M451dw. Delivering 21 ppm in both black and color and a first page out speed of 17 seconds is a simple task for this fully-capable printer. Unfortunately, this device shares the same resolution flaw as many other HP printers in the same class, offering only 600 x 600 dpi. While you will be able to print in color, that color may not be as stunning as you might hope. However, this printer was designed specifically for work productivity and functionality, so a lower dpi will have the effect of squeezing more life from your precious toner cartridges.
Pros
- Extremely efficient black printing
- Instant-on Technology allows for less power consumption
- Compatible with Apple’s AirPrint software
Cons
- Relatively expensive compared to other devices
- Below-average pages per minute and first page out speed
- Below average dpi
Laser Printer Cheat Sheet
Thinking of purchasing a new laser printer? Here are some helpful laser printer features to consider before making your purchase.
Pages Per Minute
The pages per minute (or ppm) is a simple calculation of how many pages your printer can printer in exactly 60 seconds. High productivity printers will have a ppm over 20. Lower productivity printers will have a ppm under 20. In almost all cases, laser printers will have a ppm that is much higher than an inkjet printer, with much more toner efficiency.
First Page Out
The First Page Out speed is a simple measure of how many seconds it takes the first page to be produced from the printer when the printer is on standby. This speed can vary, but the faster a printer is able to do this, the more efficient it is able to produce pages, saving the user time.
Wireless and Mobile Printing
If your printer does not have wireless printing, look elsewhere. Wireless printing is a feature that should, and does, come standard in most laser printers. Wireless printing allows you to send you documents wirelessly to your device to your printer as long as you are on the same network. If your laser printer does not have wireless printing, you will have to hook up directly to the printer via a USB cable or with an external USB flash drive. For most people, this is not a viable option or even a desired one, so make sure that your printer has wireless printing at the very least.
Toner
The key distinguishing feature between a laser printer and an inkjet printer is in the way that they transfer recorded information onto blank pages. While an inkjet printer does this by exuding ink from ink cartridges, laser printers utilize a laser to create a small static charge in various patterns. The static charge attracts a powdered form of ink that is transferred to the paper, landing on the statically charged regions. The toner is then fused with the paper. Because of the nature of toner, it is much more efficient than an inkjet printer. However, due to the expense of the technology materials required to make an laser printer, the toner cartridges and printers themselves are typically more experience. However, toner lasts much longer than a typical inkjet printer cartridge, providing significant savings in the long run. A toner’s yield is an estimation of how many pages a toner cartridge produce before needing to be replaced. As with most numbers related to printers, the higher the number, the better.
Dots Per Inch
The Dots Per Inch (or dpi) that your laser printer puts is a measure of the resolution which the printer can produce on images. This is a measure of how many individual dots of toner material the printer can place on an inch’s worth of a line. The more dots, the higher the resolution. The higher the dpi, the better the resolution. Because printers can reproduce images in much less resolution than what you would see on a computer screen, a printed page’s dpi will not be the same as a computer screen’s resolution. If you are in need of high quality resolution in your printed images, make sure that you are getting a laser printer with the highest possible dpi.