My main requirements are it works with color, cos we sometimes photo print for personal use, and that it's possible to refill rather than spend big buck on new toners, so either they don't have chips faking the fill level or are easy to reset.
Scanner optional but appreciated.
Do y'all have any tips for me? I'm so so done with flaky inkjets and I've read some nightmares about some more modern printers.
Thanks in advance!
Videos
Ready to Buy the Right Laser Printer for You?
We trust that our list of the best lasers we've tested, plus this guide's advice, will make your choice easier. Laser printers have much to offer businesses of all sizes, from sole proprietorships to large corporations. They are worth considering, for some folks, for home use as well.
We update these picks often, but also check out our printer category page for the very latest reviews we've posted, including many models that didn't make the cut here but are also worth considering. And for more printer buying advice and reviews, check out our top printer picks overall, the best inkjet printers, and our picks for best all-in-one printers.
Will a Laser Printer Cost More or Less Than a Comparable Inkjet?
As surprising as it may seem, a laser printer can be less expensive in the long run than a comparable inkjet. You really have to look at the total cost of ownership to figure that out, though.
A common complaint about lasers is that laser toner cartridges are expensive compared with inkjet cartridges. For inexpensive models, the cost can even exceed the cost of the printer, particularly for color lasers if you need to replace a full set of cartridges (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toners). But if you compare the cost per page, rather than the price per cartridge, you'll find the running cost for cartridge-based lasers is actually less than for comparable cartridge-based inkjets. In addition, most lasers are designed to last longer than most inkjets, so you can amortize the initial cost of the printer over more pages as well.
Be aware that tank-based inkjets can beat lasers on running cost, which complicates any broad-brushstroke comparison of costs between the two technologies. The tank-based models cost more than equivalent inkjets that use cartridges, but they let you use far cheaper ink, which you typically pour from bottles into large tanks in the printer. There are also a few lasers that take a similar approach, selling toner in bulk "injectors" rather than in cartridges.
Ultimately, focusing on initial price only or on running costs only when comparing printers is likely to lead to the wrong conclusion about which will be cheaper. You need to take both into account by estimating the total cost of ownership over the printers' lifetimes. How to Save Money on Your Next Printer: Weighing the Cost of Tank vs. Cartridge Ink gives a step-by-step example of how to compare tank and cartridge inkjets. The same approach will work with any two printers. And don't forget to factor in the possible savings from ink subscription plans if any are available for a printer you're considering.
Do PCL and PostScript Matter in a Laser Printer?
Do you need HP's PCL or Adobe's PostScript? Support for one or both of these two page-description languages (PDLs) is critical for those who need it, but otherwise irrelevant. PCL was once standard for business users, and is still required in some cases, but is not usually needed. PostScript can be essential for pre-proofing commercial print jobs, particularly in concert with desktop-publishing applications that won't work without it. It also guarantees that when printing a document, page breaks and line breaks will be the same when printing on any PostScript printer, and also the same as you saw on screen, assuming the program was set to use a PostScript driver. (Converting it to PDF format serves the same purpose.)
Generally speaking, if you're in a position to buy a printer for your business, you should already know if you need one or the other of these PDLs. If you don't need them, you can often find an identical or similar model for less from the same manufacturer, minus only the PCL or PostScript support. Don't pay extra for it if you don't need it.
What would you like to accomplish?
I want a reliable printer that just prints.
Meaning I don't want:
a subscription
chipped carts
to be forced to use proprietary app
it to give up the ghost after a year
I used to have a Brother B&W laser printer for years and it was perfect. I "lost it in a move" and I have fallen into the trap of buy cheap inkjet, have issues until it dies. (plus refilling carts by hand)
I also don't print a ton, so by the time I use my printer the quality is trash from ink sitting too long.
I'm looking to invest in a good printer that I will keep for a long time.
Are there any models you are currently looking at?
I haven't done a ton of model specific research this time around.
But, I'm partial to Brother printers
Minimum Requirements:
Budget: Flexible, but under $500 USD if possible
Country: USA
Color or black and white: Color
Laser or ink printer: Laser
New or used: New or Refurbed, but used is acceptable
Multi-function: Optional
Duplex Printing: Optional
Home or business: Home
Printing content: Text, TTRPG reference materials
Printing frequency: Sporadic
Pages per minute : N/A
Page size: Letter (8.5x11)
Device printing from: Windows, Linux, Android, ChromeOS
Connection type: Network
Thank you in advance for helping me!
I know I hear a lot about Brother laser printers but are they the best option for rare to occasional use? I just want something simple that I can count on to work for the times I do need it, and strongly prefer it to be color. I don't need any bells and whistles.
I was looking at this one because it seems to be basically the least expensive option HL-L3220CDW but there's a specific Amazon review that is worrying. (The review is for HL-L3210CW so not sure if that variation makes a difference). The review states that the printer locked him out because the printer thinks the black toner is empty, even though it's not empty. It won't even allow him to print in color and there is apparently no way to manually reset the toner status on this printer, unlike previous versions.
What would you like to accomplish?
Laser printers are more capable of printing clearer Word documents at higher volumes. They are more expensive than inkjet printers, which is one you may wonder if you can afford them in your home office.
While working at home may present some financial constraints on the equipment that you use, it doesn’t mean you can’t get yourself a laser printer.
Brother? Any other good brand?
We have curated a list of laser printers that can serve you well despite the lack of space and/ or budget:
1. Canon Color ImageClass MF656Cdw
2. Brother MFC -L2750DW
3. HP LaserJet Tank MFP 2604SDW
4. Brother HL-L2350DW
5. Canon imageClass MF264dw II
6. Xerox VersaLink B600DN
7. Kyocera Ecosys
8. Xerox B215
9. Ricoh
10. Lexmark MB3442adw
Finally, laser printers you can use for your home office
You don’t have to settle for blurred documents or very slow printing and noisy printers. You can get more work done and clearer outputs with a laser printer. No matter what your size requirement and budget may be, you can find a suitable unit for your home office.
The Epson that I’m looking at has a $200 price advantage over the Brother option. But I’ve read that laser is the way to go for ease of maintenance. I’m kind of leaning toward the Epson at the moment, because Brother’s laser colour printer options are pricier, but I’m interested to hear your opinion.
For context, I’m looking for something somewhat economical (over the long run). Light use planned, mostly for printing occasional tokens, PDFs, and terrain for tabletop games. Looking for something that can manage card stock, too.
Looking to buy a color laser printer. Have a brother black and white but my needs are now moving to color. What y'all recommend.