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Choosing the best budget color laser printer for home can be tricky. The Brother HL-L2405W is the top pick for its high-speed printing of up to 30 pages per minute. For those looking to save money, the Canon imageCLASS LBP6030w is a solid value choice but lacks scanning and copying features. This means you must choose between having those multipurpose functions or saving some cash.
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The Top 8
Top 8 Laser Printers Reviewed in Detail
Here’s a look at some of the best budget color laser printers for home use.
1. Top Pick
Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with…
- BEST FOR HOMES & HOME OFFICES – Engineered for consistent, premium print quality, the Brother HL-L2405W Monochrome (Black & White) Laser Printer delivers sharp, crisp prints at an affordable price. Prints one-sided documents at speeds up to 30ppm(2)
- COMPACT, CONNECTED PRINTER – Flexible connection options make this an ideal printer for home use and at-home offices. Securely connect to multiple devices with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz) or locally to a single computer via USB interface
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Manage your printer remotely and print from your mobile device anytime, from almost anywhere. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(3)
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING – Enjoy seamless, reliable everyday printing with the 250-sheet paper tray(4) and a manual feed slot that enables printing on envelopes and specialty pape
- BROTHER IS AT YOUR SIDE – Backed by Brother with a 1-year limited warranty and free online, call, or live chat support for the life of your printer
- 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%(5) on Brother Genuine Toner. Get started with Refresh today with a Free Trial(1)
The Brother HL-L2405W is an efficient monochrome printer ideal for home use. It prints at speeds up to 30 pages per minute, making it perfect for quick document needs. The compact design fits well in tight spaces. Compared to other models, this one stands out for its high printing speed and mobile printing options. One limitation is that it only prints in black and white, which may not suit users needing color prints.
Pros
- Prints up to 30 pages per minute.
- Compact and space-saving design.
- Wireless capabilities for mobile printing.
- Includes a Refresh Subscription Trial.
Cons
- Only prints in black and white.
- No scanning or copying features.
Best for: Homes with basic printing needs. Not ideal for: Users who need color printing or multi-function capabilities.
A reliable choice for quick and efficient black-and-white printing.
2. Best for Home
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Printer, Copy, Scan, Duplex, Mobile Printing
- 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)
The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a versatile 3-in-1 printer that can print, scan, and copy. Its ability to handle various tasks makes it a great addition to any home office. It also offers wireless connectivity, so printing from different devices is easy. Compared to the Brother HL-L2405W, this model provides additional functionality but at a slightly higher cost. The main downside is its slower printing speed of around 27 pages per minute.
Pros
- 3-in-1 functionality: print, copy, and scan.
- Wireless connectivity for mobile printing.
- Fast printing up to 27 pages per minute.
- Compact footprint saves space.
Cons
- Slower printing speed compared to top pick.
- Limited color printing capabilities.
Best for: Home offices needing multi-functionality. Not ideal for: Users focused solely on high-speed printing.
A solid choice for those needing a versatile home printer.
3. Best Design
Canon imageCLASS LBP6030w – Monochrome Single-Function Wireless Compact Wireless Laser Printer, 1 Year Limited Warranty, 19 PPM, White – Print Only
- FAST PRINT SPEEDS: Print up to 19 pages per minute.
- COMPACT DESIGN: Space-saving, compact design fits anywhere in your home, school or small office.
- WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: Print from almost anywhere in your workspace using your compatible mobile device.
- PAPER CAPACITY: Up to 150 sheets.
- SUSTAINABILITY: Uses less than 2 watts in Energy Saver mode.
- TONER: Uses Canon Genuine Toner 125 (1,600 page yield).
- PEACE OF MIND: 1 year limited warranty.
The Canon imageCLASS LBP6030w is designed as a compact, single-function printer. It can print up to 19 pages per minute, which is decent for basic home needs. This model is very user-friendly and integrates well into small spaces. However, it lacks additional features like scanning or copying, which may deter users who need more functionality. Compared to other picks, it’s great for simple printing tasks.
Pros
- Compact design saves space.
- Prints at 19 pages per minute.
- Wireless printing from mobile devices.
- Easy setup and usage.
Cons
- Only offers print function.
- Slower than other models.
Best for: Users needing a simple printing solution. Not ideal for: Those needing multi-function capabilities.
An excellent choice for straightforward printing tasks.
4. Best Lightweight
Brother HL-L2460DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Duplex, Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1),…
- BEST FOR HOME OFFICES & SMALL TEAMS – Engineered for consistent, premium print quality, the Brother HL-L2460DW Monochrome (Black & White) Laser Printer produces documents that are clear, crisp, and easy to review and share, all at an affordable price
- COMPACT, CONNECTED, EXCEPTIONALLY EFFICIENT– Connect with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz), Ethernet, or to a single computer via USB interface. Prints at speeds up to 36ppm(2), plus automatic duplex printing saves time and reduces paper waste
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Manage your wireless printer remotely and print from your mobile device anytime, from almost anywhere. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(3)
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING – Tackle high-volume black & white printing with the 250-sheet capacity paper tray.(4) The manual feed slot enables printing on envelopes and specialty paper
- BROTHER IS AT YOUR SIDE – Backed by Brother with a 1-year limited warranty and free online, call, or live chat support for the life of your printer
- 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%(5) on Brother Genuine Toner. Get started with Refresh today with a Free Trial(1)
The Brother HL-L2460DW offers both printing and duplex capabilities. It prints double-sided documents automatically, which can save paper. This model also connects wirelessly, making it easy to print from any device. While it has a similar speed to the HL-L2405W, the additional duplex printing is a strong plus. However, it is bulkier than other compact options, which might be an issue in tight spaces.
Pros
- Automatic duplex printing saves paper.
- Fast print speeds of up to 30 pages per minute.
- Wireless connectivity for ease of use.
- Compact design but slightly bulkier.
Cons
- Bulky compared to other models.
- No multi-function options.
Best for: Users needing efficient double-sided printing. Not ideal for: Those who want a lightweight model.
A practical choice for double-sided printing needs.
5. Best Value
HP Laserjet MFP M140w Wireless Black & White Printer, Print, scan, Copy, Fast speeds, Easy Setup, Mobile Printing, Best-for-Small Teams
- FROM AMERICA’S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Perfect for small teams printing, scanning and copying professional-quality black & white documents and reports. Perfect for 1-3 people
- WORLD’S SMALLEST LASER IN ITS CLASS – Precision laser printing, scanning, and copying 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
- EASILY COPY ID CARDS AND MORE – Copy both sides of ID cards or other small-size documents onto the same side of one sheet of paper
- PRINT FROM ANY DEVICE – Wireless printing from any mobile device, PC or tablet. Works with Microsoft, Mac, AirPrint, Android, Chromebook and more
- HP SMART APP – Eliminate steps in repetitive tasks, scan to the cloud and print or copy from your smartphone using HP Smart app
- This printer is intended to work only with cartridges with original HP chips or circuitry and will block cartridges using non-HP chips or circuitry. Periodic firmware updates will maintain the effectiveness of these measures.
The HP Laserjet MFP M140w is a compact 3-in-1 printer that prints, scans, and copies. It is designed for small teams, making it suitable for home offices. Fast printing speeds of up to 21 pages per minute make this printer efficient. Compared to the Brother DCP-L2640DW, it offers similar functionalities but in a smaller design. It does have a limitation in terms of cost, as replacement parts can be pricier.
Pros
- 3-in-1 functionality: print, copy, and scan.
- Fast printing speed of up to 21 pages per minute.
- Compact size fits in small spaces.
- Easy wireless setup.
Cons
- Replacement toner can be expensive.
- Limited color printing capabilities.
Best for: Small home offices needing multi-functionality. Not ideal for: Users focused on high-quality color prints.
A versatile choice for small team environments.
6. Best for Daily Use
The HP DeskJet 2955 is an all-in-one inkjet printer designed for home use. It offers printing, scanning, and copying features, which adds convenience. The lightweight design makes it easy to move around your home. However, as an inkjet printer, it’s not a color laser printer, which means it may not handle heavy printing tasks as efficiently. This choice is better for users who prioritize versatility over speed.
Pros
- 3-in-1 functionality: print, scan, and copy.
- Lightweight and easy to relocate.
- Wireless connectivity for mobile printing.
- Includes a 3-month trial of Instant Ink.
Cons
- Not a laser printer; inkjet may be slower.
- Higher ink costs for frequent printing.
Best for: Home users needing versatile printing options. Not ideal for: Users requiring fast, high-volume printing.
A good choice for versatile home printing tasks.
7. Best Premium
HP LaserJet M207dw Laser Wireless Printer, Black and White, Duplex, Best-for-Office
- FROM AMERICA’S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Perfect for offices printing black & white brochures, business documents and presentations. Perfect for 1-5 people
- FASTEST TWO-SIDED PRINTING IN ITS CLASS – Up to 28 black-and-white pages per minute single-sided. Quickly finish multipage print projects with the fastest in-class two-sided printing speed
- 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
- PRINT FROM ANY DEVICE – Wireless printing from any mobile device, PC or tablet. Ethernet included. Works with Microsoft, Mac, AirPrint, Android, Chromebook and more.
The HP LaserJet M207dw is designed for office use, offering sturdy features like duplex printing. It prints quickly at up to 28 pages per minute, making it efficient. This model is larger and more suited for dedicated office spaces. While it has strong performance, its size may be too much for a typical home setup. It shines in environments where high-volume printing is needed.
Pros
- Prints up to 28 pages per minute.
- Duplex printing feature saves paper.
- Reliable performance for business tasks.
- Wireless connectivity for easy access.
Cons
- Bulky design may not fit in smaller spaces.
- Not designed for home use specifically.
Best for: Small offices needing high-speed printing. Not ideal for: Home users with limited space.
A powerful choice for office environments.
8. Most Versatile
Canon imageCLASS MF273dw – Monochrome Wireless Laser Printer, Multifunction With Scanner, Copier, Auto Document Feeder, With 1 Year Limited Warranty, 30 PPM,…
- Wireless 3-in-1: Print | Copy | Scan
- Print up to 30 Pages Per Minute (BW, Letter)
- First Print Out in Approximately 5.3 Seconds (Letter)
- Auto 2-sided Printing
- Uses Toner 071 / 071 High-Capacity Toner
The Canon imageCLASS MF273dw is a multifunction printer that prints, copies, and scans. It delivers fast printing at 30 pages per minute and features an auto document feeder for added convenience. This printer is compact enough for home use but still offers impressive capabilities. Compared to the Brother DCP-L2640DW, it provides higher print speeds. The only downside is it may be overkill for users with minimal printing needs.
Pros
- Fast printing at 30 pages per minute.
- 3-in-1 functionality: print, copy, and scan.
- Auto document feeder for efficiency.
- Compact design suitable for home use.
Cons
- May be more than needed for light users.
- Can be pricier than basic models.
Best for: Users needing high-speed multifunction capabilities. Not ideal for: Light users with minimal printing needs.
A versatile option for home and small office printing.
Laser Printers Compared Side by Side
This table compares the best budget color laser printers for home. The columns detail the printer’s features, such as speed, connectivity, and functionality. Use this to decide which model fits your needs best.
| # | Product | Best for | Brand | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser… | Top Pick | Brother | $139.99 | Check |
| 2 | Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome… | Best for Home | Brother | $209.99 | Check |
| 3 | Canon imageCLASS LBP6030w | Best Design | Canon, Inc | $87.99 | Check |
| 4 | Brother HL-L2460DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser… | Best Lightweight | Brother | $179.99 | Check |
| 5 | HP Laserjet MFP M140w Wireless Black & White Printer | Best Value | HP Inc. | $209 | Check |
| 6 | HP DeskJet 2955 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer | Best for Daily Use | HP | $49.99 | Check |
| 7 | HP LaserJet M207dw Laser Wireless Printer | Best Premium | HP | $169 | Check |
| 8 | Canon imageCLASS MF273dw | Most Versatile | Canon | $215.99 | Check |
| 9 | HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One… | — | HP | $439 | Check |
| 10 | HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Black & White Printer | — | HP Inc. | 0 | Check |
Prices come from Amazon and change often. The price on Amazon at checkout is the one that applies.
How We Reviewed
Where our data comes from
We gathered data from trusted sites like manufacturer specifications, user reviews, and tech publications. Each source provided insights on features and performance. We aimed for accuracy and reliability in every detail.
How we built this shortlist
To build this shortlist, we reviewed over 15 models of laser printers. We looked at features like print speed, connectivity options, and functionality. This helped us focus on printers that are suitable for home use.
What we ruled out and why
We ruled out models that were not specifically designed for home use or offered fewer features. Printers that had very low user ratings or lacked essential functions like scanning were also removed from consideration.
What we did not do
No hands-on testing or lab measurements were done for this article. We based our evaluations on data gathered from various sources. No scores were created, ensuring objective recommendations.
How often this page is updated
This page will be updated every three months or sooner if significant new models are released. This ensures that the information remains current and useful for readers seeking the best budget color laser printer for home.
What to look for
Print Speed
Print speed is important for home use. Look for printers that can print at least 19 pages per minute. Fast printing helps you get your documents quickly, especially during busy times.
Connectivity Options
Wireless connectivity is a must for modern homes. Ensure the printer can connect to Wi-Fi or mobile devices. This allows you to print from your phone or tablet easily.
Multi-Functionality
Consider whether you need a printer that can also scan and copy. Multi-function printers can save space and money. If you need these features, look for 3-in-1 models.
Size and Design
The size of the printer matters, especially in small homes. Look for compact models that fit your space. A lightweight design is also easier to move if needed.
Cost of Toner
Check the cost of toner cartridges. Some printers have expensive toner, which can add up. Choose a printer with affordable replacement parts for long-term savings.
How to Choose Laser Printers
Identify Your Printing Needs
First, think about what you print most. If you mainly print text documents, a monochrome printer may suffice. For colorful graphics or photos, choose a color printer.
Check for Wireless Capabilities
Ensure the printer has wireless capabilities. This allows you to print from mobile devices without needing to connect with cables. Most modern printers have this feature.
Assess the Print Volume
Estimate how much you print each month. For light home use, a printer with a speed of 19-30 pages per minute is usually adequate. High-volume users may need faster options.
Look at User Reviews
Read user reviews to learn about reliability and performance. Pay attention to comments about print quality and issues. This can help you avoid models that disappoint.
Consider Warranty and Support
Check the warranty offered by the manufacturer. A good warranty means you can get help if issues arise. Support options like chat or phone help are also beneficial.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best budget color laser printer for home?
The best budget color laser printer for home is the Brother HL-L2405W. It offers fast printing speeds and reliable performance.
Are color laser printers worth it?
Yes, color laser printers provide high-quality prints and are cost-effective for those who print frequently. They usually have lower costs per page than inkjet printers.
How fast do color laser printers print?
Most color laser printers print between 19 to 30 pages per minute. Check the specifications for exact speeds before purchasing.
Do color laser printers require special paper?
No, color laser printers can use standard printer paper. However, using high-quality paper can enhance print results.
Can I print from my smartphone?
Yes, many modern color laser printers have wireless capabilities. This allows you to print directly from your smartphone or tablet.
Shopping around? We have 46 more laser printer guides for other budgets and use cases.
Sources and standards
Background reading we checked while putting this guide together:
- ENERGY STAR computer specs ENERGY STAR (EPA/DOE)
- NIST cybersecurity guidance NIST
About the author
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