Best laser printers in 2026: speed, quality, and value reviewed by experts
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Laser printers are a top choice for offices, students, and remote workers. The main reason for this is that they offer fast print speeds, crisp quality, and long-term cost efficiency. If you're like me and appreciate devices that are easy to maintain, that’s yet another reason to love laser printers.
However, the numerous options on the market can easily overwhelm you. But I’ve got your back. As a Cybernews expert, I reviewed and compared the best laser printers available today with the help of our research team to help you make a smart, informed choice.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the six best laser printers in 2026.
Best laser printers – shortlist
- HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw – overall best laser printer in 2026
- Canon MF656Cdw – best all-in-one color laser printer
- HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw – best office laser printer
- Brother HLL6210DW – best laser printer for small business
- Canon iC MF753Cdw – best wireless color laser printer for different uses
- Brother MFCL8900CDW – best laser color printer for large print outputs
The best laser printers compared
If you’re in a hurry and want to compare just the main aspects of my six top picks, I’ve got you. The table below compares the best laser printers side by side, so you can easily see the differences in features and use cases. Here’s a brief overview:
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| Title | HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw | Canon MF656Cdw | HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw | Brother HLL6210DW | Canon iC MF753Cdw | Brother MFCL8900CDW |
| Color or monochrome | Monochrome | Color | Color | Monochrome | Color | Color |
| Connection type | USB, Ethernet | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct Connection | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet |
| Maximum standard paper size | 8.5x17in | 8.5x14in | 8.5x14in | 8.5x14in | 8.5x14in | 8.5x14in |
| Best for | Offices | Remote workers and offices | Small businesses | Busy offices and workgroups | Small and medium-sized businesses | Workgroups with higher print volumes |
| Price | $659.00 | $519.00 $639.00 -19% | $349.99 | $573.10 $702.99 -18% | ||
| More info | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
6 best laser printers – our detailed list
Now, let’s delve into my detailed reviews and see what each of my six best laser printers offers.
1. HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw – best monochrome laser printer
The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw is the best laser printer for offices. Although it only prints in black and white, this device also has a scanner, copier, and fax. Therefore, it suits small to mid-sized teams that need reliable document handling without color output.
Design and features
The printer comes with the HP Wolf Pro Security with customizable settings to keep your printer and data safe at all times. It supports fast Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi, and common mobile printing standards, which makes it easy to deploy across mixed device environments. A responsive touchscreen, automatic document feeder, and solid paper handling help streamline daily administrative tasks.
Performance
With the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw, you can print up to 42 black-and-white pages per minute. Keep in mind that this refers only to single-sided printing, even though this HP printer model supports automatic two-sided printing. In regular use, it delivers crisp text, quick first-page output, and stable performance during sustained print jobs.
User reviews
On Amazon, reviewers praise this printer for its print speed and consistent output quality. Many also highlight the straightforward setup process, strong security tools, and dependable duplex printing for office workloads. Reported downsides include its bulky footprint and occasional driver issues on Mac systems, though overall satisfaction remains high.
2. Canon MF656Cdw – best home office laser printer
If you’re looking for a reliable home office laser printer, I recommend the Canon MF656Cdw. This 4-in-1 solution combines color printing, scanning, copying, and faxing in a compact format that fits home workspaces. Noise levels remain pleasantly low.
Design and features
The Canon MF656Cdw features a clean, modern design with a large color touchscreen for quick navigation. It supports Wi-Fi and wireless mobile printing, which simplifies everyday use. An automatic document feeder with duplex scanning makes it practical for multitasking at home. Most importantly, it supports color printing, which is ideal for work-from-home documents, school assignments, or home crafting.
Performance
This printer delivers sharp text and vibrant color graphics suitable for reports and presentations. Print speeds reach around 22 pages per minute, which is adequate for home offices with moderate workloads. Warm-up times are short, duplex printing works reliably, and output quality stays consistent across longer print sessions.
User reviews
On Amazon, users frequently praise the MF656Cdw for its strong print quality and home-friendly size. Many reviews mention easy setup, intuitive controls, and dependable wireless printing across devices. Meanwhile, criticism focuses on setup complexity and intermittent connectivity.
3. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw – best wireless laser printer
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw is my pick for the best wireless laser printer for modern workspaces. It combines color printing, scanning, copying, and faxing with strong wireless reliability. This makes it a practical choice for teams that prioritize cable-free printing.
Design and features
This HP printer supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, and mobile printing for seamless wireless and wired connectivity. It’s confirmed to be compatible with Chromebook and Amazon Alexa. A color touchscreen, automatic document feeder, and compact footprint improve everyday usability without complicating setup processes.
Performance
The printer delivers fast, consistent output and specializes in incredibly vivid colors. Print speeds reach around 26 pages per minute, which suits small teams and busy home offices. Wireless performance remains stable during longer jobs, while duplex printing helps reduce paper use overall efficiency gains.
User reviews
Verified user reviews on Amazon praise the printer’s wireless reliability and strong color print quality. I also found many users enjoying the easy setup, responsive controls, and dependable mobile printing across phones, tablets, and laptops. When it comes to downsides, expect expensive toner costs and the occasional app issues.
4. Brother HLL6210DW – best laserjet printer with outstanding capacity
For high-volume printing in demanding work environments, nothing beats the Brother HLL6210DW. Built for mass printing in black-and-white, it prioritizes paper handling and reliability over unnecessary features. This makes it ideal for busy offices that need consistent output and has no use for bells and whistles.
Design and features
The Brother HLL6210DW is built around a big 520-sheet main tray that reduces refills during heavy use. It supports Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity, which allows flexible deployment across teams. Automatic duplex printing, expandable paper capacity, and durable construction reinforce its focus on efficiency and long-term workloads.
Performance
This Brother printer delivers fast black-and-white output with print speeds reaching up to 50 pages per minute. Office documents will look sharp, even during extended print runs, and the printer’s warm-up time is short. You can also expect its duplex printing to be reliable and its performance to hold steady throughout the workday.
User reviews
Based on Amazon reviews, users find this printer to be dependable for daily office printing. Many users praise its speed and strong network stability. Unfortunately, it won’t be the best fit if your office needs a printer with scanning features.
5. Canon iC MF753Cdw – best laser printer for home or office use
The Canon iC MF753Cdw is the best laser printer for versatile use, thanks to its balance of color printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. Its compact size makes it ideal for workspaces of all sizes, resulting in a versatility that suits professionals working either from home or the office.
Design and features
Like other entries in this list, the Canon iC MF753Cdw features a responsive color touchscreen, automatic document feeder, and duplex scanning for efficient workflows. It supports Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, and mobile printing, so you can print office documents from most of your devices. All these features, combined with easy navigation and clear on-screen prompts, gives you a printer suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
Performance
The Canon iC MF753Cdw delivers crisp text and vibrant color graphics for reports and presentations. Monochrome printing speeds reach about 35 pages per minute, with reliable automatic duplexing. Warm-up times aren’t the shortest, but overall, this printer’s performance remains consistent during regular home or office print runs.
User reviews
Amazon reviews point out this printer’s high print quality, smooth wireless performance, and intuitive controls. Meanwhile, criticism focuses on toner costs and occasional app quirks, which seems to be a common thread among many mid-tier printers.
6. Brother MFCL8900CDW – best laser printer for busy offices
The Brother MFCL8900CDW is my printer of choice for busy offices that handle constant document printing. With this printer, you’ll get color printing, scanning, copying, and faxing in a durable build designed for shared environments.
Design and features
This Brother model features a large color touchscreen, automatic document feeder with duplex scanning, and flexible paper handling. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, and mobile printing support simplify printer access across teams. Built-in triple-layer security protects networks, devices, and documents, which is essential for offices managing sensitive information.
Performance
The printer delivers fast, consistent output with print speeds reaching up to 33 pages per minute. Text and color graphics remain clear during extended print sessions.
User reviews
Reviews posted on Amazon highlight reliability and printing speed. Some users, however, are unhappy about the space-consuming build and toner costs. Its 63-pound weight also requires a durable stand.
How did we select the best laser printers?
I worked with the Cybernews research team to select and rank the best laser printers in 2026, strictly evaluating various models based on certain criteria. So, let’s see how I’ve chosen my top six picks:
- Print quality and resolution (25%). First, I considered the sharpness and detail of each printer, as this matters for any use, regardless of whether personal or professional. This applies to both text and images.
- Print speed (25%). I also analyzed how many pages per minute (PPM) each printer could realistically handle.
- Cost of ownership (10%). Another thing I reviewed was how much it would cost you to own the printer, including toner price, efficiency, and long-term value.
- Ease of use (10%). I carefully explored the setup process, software, and user interface, as they all play a crucial role in defining the device’s ease of use.
- Connectivity and compatibility (20%). I also checked whether each printer works seamlessly with different devices and operating systems, so you can connect them to any device.
- Real-world user feedback (10%). I analyzed customer reviews to gain valuable insights about the printers’ reliability and long-term value.
Inkjet vs laser printer: what's the difference?
The main difference between inkjet and laser printers is in the ink they use. More precisely, laser printers use a laser beam to transfer the toner onto paper via an electrostatic charge. On the other hand, inkjet printers spray ink onto paper using a nozzle in microscopic droplets.
When it comes to cost, laser printers are more cost-efficient, as they don’t require you to change their toner cartridges frequently. However, the initial cost can trick you. That’s because inkjet printers are relatively budget-friendly, but you have to replace the ink cartridges regularly, which increases your cost over time.
That said, you’ll probably save more money in the long run with laser printers due to the lower cost of printing per page.
Another aspect in which these two types of printers differ is their speeds. Laser printers are overall much faster than inkjet ones, due to their printing technology. Therefore, these printers handle much larger printing volumes better.
Again, the underlying technologies also determine the longevity of both printers. In other words, laser printers usually have a longer lifespan than inkjet printers. This is because they’re less prone to issues like dried ink and clogged printheads.
Print-only vs all-in-one: what kind of laser printer do you need?
The kind of laser printer you need depends on your daily needs. So, while there are print-only and all-in-one printers, you can make the decision based on a couple of factors. Here are the main differences between the two types:
- Print-only. These laser printers are ideal for more straightforward printing tasks. Still, you can use them for high-volume printing as well.
- All-in-one. These are more well-rounded printers. I recommend them for home offices or businesses. This is because they can help you complete tasks, like scanning, copying, and faxing. So, whatever you need to get done, you can do it by getting an all-in-one laser printer.
What kind of connectivity to look for in a laser printer?
Nowadays, you can find laser printers with different kinds of connectivity. The most common are USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi. However, you need to be aware that each of them has its pros and cons.
USB provides a simple and direct wired connection to a PC. This offers fast printing speeds, but lacks native networking capabilities.
Ethernet connectivity comes with a robust wired network connection, making it ideal for shared printing activities in an office. This connection is stable and fast. However, there may be a lot of cables which can frustrate you.
When it comes to Wi-Fi, you can enjoy excellent printing flexibility, allowing you to place the device anywhere and avoid any cables. However, the setup can be more complex, and the stability of the connection can vary.
Another type of connectivity is mobile printing, which offers options like Google Cloud Print and other apps that allow you to print and scan from your smart device.
These app integrations improve mobile device compatibility while adding everyday convenience. Cloud printing support lets you print documents directly from online services, resulting in a smoother and faster printing experience.
Laser printer output speeds
The output speed of a laser printer is determined by how many pages you can print in one minute. There’s a bit of a difference in the speeds of monochromatic and color printers. I found that anything above 30 PPM for black and white printing is more than enough for most home and small office needs.
When it comes to color laser printers, I found out a similar number. Anything that ranges between 25 and 30 PPM is pretty fast for printing documents in color. Of course, you need to be aware that color printers are relatively slower as they’re mainly used to print pictures. But this may not be enough for larger businesses or busy offices.
Always consider your needs first, and then look for a suitable printer based on its output.
Factors to consider when choosing a laser printer
There are a few factors to consider when choosing a laser printer. But before I delve into my detailed list, you need to remember to always match features with your printing needs. Now, let’s see what you should consider:
- Monochrome vs color. The first thing to consider is whether you need a black and white or a color laser printer. Once you determine this, you can narrow down the selection.
- Duty cycle (pages/month). One very important factor to consider is the printer’s duty cycle. This refers to the number of pages it can print within a month without shortening its lifespan or causing any damage.
- Toner cartridge yield and refill costs. Don’t forget to consider the ownership costs of the printer. This includes the toner cartridge yield and refill costs, which, if they require a frequent change, can turn out your printing experience to be very costly.
- Duplex (double-sided) printing support. If you need to print on both sides of the page, make sure the printer has duplex support.
- Size and footprint. Ultimately, explore the sizes and the space a certain laser printer may require, especially if you don’t have a lot of space.
- Print speed. Check how quickly the printer can produce pages, especially if you regularly handle large print jobs. Faster speeds help maintain efficiency in busy environments.
- Connectivity options. Consider available options, such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, and mobile printing. Having multiple connectivity methods ensures compatibility with all your devices.
- Cost. Evaluate both the printer’s upfront price and its ongoing expenses like toner or drum replacements. Balancing purchase cost with long-term maintenance helps avoid unexpected expenses.
Other reviews you might be interested in:
Final word on best laser printers
After analyzing different highly-rated laser printers, the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw is my #1 choice. Although monochromatic, it has everything you may need, especially fast printing speeds.
Still, the best laser printer is pretty subjective, depending on your specific workflow and priorities. These may include speed, efficiency, multifunctionality, or long-term savings. But I considered all of this, so I picked all printers with this, plus practicality in mind.
FAQ
Are laser printers better than inkjets for home use?
No, laser printers aren’t better than inkjets for home use. While they provide more high-quality printing, you can benefit more from an inkjet because they’re generally a better option for occasional printing of documents and pictures.
Can laser printers print in color?
Yes, laser printers can print in color. You just need to find the right model that offers color printing functionality.
Do laser printers support wireless printing?
Yes, laser printers support wireless printing. Most of them nowadays don’t require any cable connectivity. However, make sure that the one you choose operates on Wi-Fi if this is what you need.
What’s the average lifespan of a laser printer?
The average lifespan of a laser printer is three to seven years. However, most of them work well until the fifth year. Still, the lifespan depends on the model, usage, and how you take care of the laser printer while it’s functional.
Are laser printers more expensive?
Yes, laser printers generally have a higher upfront cost compared with inkjet models. However, they offer lower per-page printing costs, faster speeds, and longer-lasting toner cartridges, which can offset the initial investment over time.
Are laser printers worth the price?
Yes, laser printers are worth the price if you need fast, reliable printing with sharp text and high-volume capacity. They reduce long-term maintenance costs and toner replacements, making them a practical choice for offices or home users who print regularly.
