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For a small office buying in 2026, the strongest print-only monochrome laser shortlist is the Brother HL-L2865DW for speed and shared work, the Brother HL-L2460DW for low-cost duplex printing, the HP LaserJet M209dw for a compact desk, the Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw for higher throughput, and the Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw only when verified remaining stock exists.
These are all black-and-white laser printers. Your real cost will depend less on the purchase price than on genuine toner, high-yield cartridge availability, drum replacement, paper use and how often several people print at once.
2026 shortlist at a glance
| Model | Rated speed | Duplex | Networking | Paper and consumables | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2865DW | Up to 36 ppm (Brother, 2026); 34 ppm measured by TechRadar in 2026 | Automatic | Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi | 250-sheet tray; 1,200-page standard cartridge; 5,000-page TN835 high-yield cartridge | Overall small-office value |
| Brother HL-L2460DW | Up to 34 ppm (Brother, 2026) | Automatic | Wireless connectivity | Separate toner and drum; tray capacity not stated in the cited material | Budget print-only use |
| HP LaserJet M209dw | Up to 30 ppm (HP, 2026); TechRadar lists a 29 ppm maximum | Automatic | Ethernet, USB and Wi-Fi | 700-page inbox cartridge; single paper input | Smallest desk footprint |
| Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw | Up to 42 ppm (Canon, 2026) | Not stated in the cited material | Not stated in the cited material | Capacity and yield not stated in the cited material | Higher-throughput offices |
| Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw | Not stated in the cited material | Automatic | Wireless | Capacity and yield not stated in the cited material | Only if verified stock remains |
Manufacturer speed ratings are maximums measured under specified test conditions. Actual output changes with page coverage, graphics, warm-up time and two-sided printing.
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1. Brother HL-L2865DW: best overall small-office value
Brother describes the HL-L2865DW as ideal for small offices and small workgroups. Its 36 ppm rating, automatic two-sided printing, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi and 250-sheet tray give it the most balanced specification here for a shared printer.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
TechRadar’s September 2026 test measured 34 ppm and found sharp, consistent document text plus reliable automatic duplexing. That measured result is close to Brother’s headline rating, although your workload may produce a different rate.
Consumables are unusually clear: the supplied standard cartridge yields 1,200 pages, while Brother lists a 5,000-page TN835 high-yield replacement. Before buying, compare the local prices of both cartridges and the replacement drum; the high-yield option usually matters most for a busy office.
2. Brother HL-L2460DW: best budget print-only choice
RTINGS identifies the HL-L2460DW as its best budget printer tested when a buyer needs only black-and-white documents. Brother rates it at up to 34 ppm and includes automatic duplexing and wireless connectivity.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The toner-and-drum components are separate. Brother says this arrangement helps keep printing costs down because you replace each component when it is actually exhausted rather than discarding both together. It is a strong choice for routine text, invoices and internal documents when scanning, copying and faxing are unnecessary.
Rank #2
- 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.
3. HP LaserJet M209dw: best for a tight desk
The M209dw is the compact option. HP lists black print speed up to 30 ppm, while TechRadar describes a 29 ppm maximum, Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi and automatic duplex printing. TechRadar lists dimensions of 355 × 279 × 205 mm and a 700-page inbox cartridge.
Its single paper input simplifies the design and saves space, but it offers less flexibility than a printer with multiple trays and is slower than the HL-L2865DW. Check the current price and page yield of replacement toner in your country before choosing it; a small chassis does not guarantee the lowest running cost.
4. Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw: choose it when throughput leads
Canon rates the LBP246dw at up to 42 pages per minute and positions it for small offices. That is the highest stated maximum in this group, making it appropriate when several users regularly send print jobs or when waiting time matters more than the lowest entry price.
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Rank #3
- 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)
5. Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw: a conditional bargain
Canon describes the LBP122dw as a wireless, duplex, black-and-white print-only laser for home or small-office use. The important caveat is availability: Canon’s US store labels it “no longer available” and directs shoppers to similar products.
Treat this model as a purchase only when a reputable local seller, refurbished channel or remaining regional stock can verify the printer’s condition, warranty and compatible toner. It should not be presented as a universally available new model in 2026.
How to calculate the cheapest printer to run
No single model has the lowest cost per page in every country because toner prices, taxes, shipping and drum costs vary. Use the same calculation for each candidate:
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11- Find the current local price of a genuine standard cartridge and its stated page yield.
- Find the genuine high-yield cartridge, if one exists, and record its yield.
- Divide cartridge price by yield to get toner cost per page.
- Add the prorated drum cost: drum price divided by its rated page yield.
- Include paper, replacement shipping and any maintenance kit your region lists.
- Repeat the calculation for your expected monthly volume rather than relying on the printer’s purchase price.
For example, the HL-L2865DW’s 5,000-page TN835 option may reduce intervention for a busy team, while the HL-L2460DW’s separate drum can avoid replacing a usable drum with every toner change. Verify all yields against the cartridge packaging sold in your market.
Rank #4
- 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
What matters in an office installation
Automatic duplexing
Choose automatic duplex if staff print multi-page documents, policies or invoices. It reduces paper consumption and eliminates the manual step of flipping pages. All three Brother and HP picks listed here include automatic duplexing; Canon’s LBP122dw is also described as duplex, while the cited material does not state the LBP246dw’s duplex specification.
Capacity and workload
A 250-sheet tray, as supplied on the HL-L2865DW, suits many small offices. If your team prints heavily, check the manufacturer’s recommended monthly volume and duty cycle for the exact regional model; those figures are not established in the supplied specifications for every printer in this shortlist.
Networking and security
Ethernet is useful for a fixed shared printer, while dual-band Wi-Fi can help avoid congestion on crowded wireless networks. Confirm current firmware support, administrator controls and mobile-print compatibility before placing any model on a business network.
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Print-only versus multifunction
These printers save space and money by omitting scanners, copiers and fax hardware. If your office must scan receipts, copy identification or send faxes, compare a monochrome multifunction model instead of paying for a separate device later.
Quick Recap
A practical buying checklist
- Measure the shelf, including clearance for the paper tray and access panels.
- Confirm the printer’s voltage, warranty and wireless features for your country.
- Price both standard and high-yield genuine toner locally.
- Check drum pricing and whether the drum is separate from toner.
- Verify the recommended monthly volume for your expected workload.
- Confirm that the exact model and consumables are in stock before ordering, especially the Canon LBP122dw.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
