The best black and white laser printer is the one that costs the least per page once the starter toner runs out. We priced the toner and drums for the mono lasers sold new in the US this month. Three Brother models came out on top: the HL-L2460DW for most people, the HL-L6210DW for heavy printing, and the HL-L2405W on a tight budget.
Quick answer
- Best for most homes and small offices: Brother HL-L2460DW, $179.99. It has automatic two-sided printing and costs about 1.3¢ a page with compatible toner and drum.
- Lowest cost per page: Brother HL-L6210DW, $349.99. It runs about 0.4¢ a page with compatible supplies, the lowest of any printer we priced.
- Best budget pick: Brother HL-L2405W, $139.99. It uses the same toner as the HL-L2460DW but has no automatic two-sided printing.
- Need to scan, copy or fax? Brother MFC-L2900DW, $329.99. It uses the same toner and drum as the HL-L2460DW, so it also runs about 1.3¢ a page.
- Skip any HP LaserJet whose model number ends in “e” or “we”. Those accept only original HP cartridges.
- 0.41¢Lowest black page cost we found (HL-L6210DW, compatible toner and drum)
- 61–79%Lower cost per page with Swift Ink supplies across our picks
- 3.5¢Median black page cost for mono lasers with brand-name toner
- 700Pages from the starter toner in Brother’s compact models
The best black and white laser printers for 2027
Each pick below is sold new in the US as of October 2026. Swift Ink carries compatible toner for every one of them. Costs per page use the high-yield cartridge, the maker’s published page yield, and the drum when the printer has a separate one.
Best for most homes and small offices
Brother HL-L2460DW
- Printer price
- $179.99 (Brother.com, Oct 2026)
- Toner
- TN830XL, 3,000 pages
- Drum
- DR830, about 15,000 pages
- Brand-name cost per page
- 4.33¢
- Swift Ink cost per page
- 1.33¢
- Speed
- Up to 36 ppm, auto duplex
This is the printer most people should buy. It prints both sides of the page on its own and connects by Wi-Fi, Ethernet or USB. It costs $40 more than the HL-L2405W, and two-sided printing can cut your paper use in half.
It takes the same TN830 toner and DR830 drum as the HL-L2405W and MFC-L2900DW, so supplies are easy to find.
Lowest cost per page
Brother HL-L6210DW
- Printer price
- $349.99 (Brother.com, Oct 2026)
- Toner
- TN920UXXL, 18,000 pages
- Drum
- DR920, about 45,000 pages
- Brand-name cost per page
- 1.95¢
- Swift Ink cost per page
- 0.41¢
- Speed
- Up to 50 ppm, auto duplex
If you print a few reams a month, this is the one. One ultra high-yield cartridge is rated for 18,000 pages. That is six times what a TN830XL holds. The box also includes a 3,000-page TN920 cartridge, not a small starter.
It costs $170 more than the HL-L2460DW. At the Swift Ink prices below you save about 0.9¢ a page, so the gap pays for itself after about 18,500 pages. It also has a 520-sheet main tray plus a 100-sheet multipurpose tray, which means fewer paper refills.
Best budget pick
Brother HL-L2405W
- Printer price
- $139.99 (Brother.com, Oct 2026)
- Toner
- TN830XL, 3,000 pages
- Drum
- DR830, about 15,000 pages
- Brand-name cost per page
- 4.33¢
- Swift Ink cost per page
- 1.33¢
- Speed
- Up to 30 ppm, no auto duplex
The cheapest printer on our list, with the same toner, drum and page cost as the HL-L2460DW.
The trade-off: it does not print both sides on its own. If you often print two-sided, spend the extra $40 on the HL-L2460DW.
Best all-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax)
Brother MFC-L2900DW
- Printer price
- $329.99 (Brother.com, Oct 2026)
- Toner
- TN830XL, 3,000 pages
- Drum
- DR830, about 15,000 pages
- Brand-name cost per page
- 4.33¢
- Swift Ink cost per page
- 1.33¢
- Speed
- Up to 36 ppm, auto duplex
The MFC-L2900DW is the HL-L2460DW with a scanner, fax and a 50-sheet feeder that scans both sides in one pass. It shares toner and drum with the Brother picks above, so it costs the same 1.33¢ a page with compatible supplies.
It costs $150 more than the HL-L2460DW. Pay that only if you scan or copy often. See how it stacks up in the three-way comparison below.
Budget HP
HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw
- Printer price
- $249.99 (Best Buy, Oct 2026)
- Toner
- HP 138X, 4,000 pages
- Drum
- No separate drum listed
- Brand-name cost per page
- 3.75¢
- Swift Ink cost per page
- 1.47¢
- Speed
- Up to 35 ppm, auto duplex
If you want an HP for home or a small office, this is the one to look at. Buy the 3001dw, not the 3001dwe. The “e” version accepts only original HP cartridges.
HP lists the 3001dw as using “dynamic security measures to block cartridges using a non-HP chip” (HP.com, October 2026). Read our HP firmware guide before you set it up. It costs $70 more than the HL-L2460DW and a little more per page.
If your office needs an HP
HP LaserJet Pro 4001dn
- Printer price
- About $449 (Best Buy and CDW listings, Oct 2026)
- Toner
- HP 148X, 9,500 pages
- Drum
- No separate drum listed
- Brand-name cost per page
- 2.97¢
- Swift Ink cost per page
- 0.73¢
- Speed
- Up to 42 ppm, auto duplex
The 4001dn is a fast, wired office printer. Note the model number: 4001dn, not 4001dne. The “e” version accepts only original HP cartridges.
Warning: HP’s product page lists the 4001dn as a “dynamic security enabled printer” that uses “dynamic security measures to block cartridges using a non-HP chip” (HP.com, October 2026). A firmware update can stop a compatible cartridge that worked the day before. If you buy this printer, read our guide to blocking HP firmware updates before you set it up.
Remanufactured HP cartridges that reuse an original HP chip work in these printers. Cartridges with non-HP (cloned) chips can be blocked. Because of that risk, buy an HP only if your office already standardizes on HP.
Which black and white laser printer is cheapest to run?
The Brother HL-L6210DW, by a wide margin. The chart below shows the cost of one black page for each toner family. It counts the toner and, for the Brother models, the separate drum. HP lists no separate drum for its models, so its numbers are toner only.
Toner alone, without the drum, the TN830XL works out to 3.28¢ brand-name and 1.10¢ from Swift Ink. The TN920UXXL is 1.34¢ and 0.33¢. Those toner-only numbers, and the HP 148X and 138X figures, match our cost-per-page study of 43 printers, which used the same prices.
Across the mono lasers in that study, the median black page cost 3.51¢ with brand-name toner and 1.29¢ with Swift Ink toner. Still deciding? Our laser vs inkjet cost comparison runs the same numbers for both.
How we chose
We did not run hands-on print tests. This guide ranks printers on numbers you can check: printer, toner and drum prices, and the maker’s rated page yield.
- Sold new todayEach printer had to be listed new at the maker’s US store or a major retailer in October 2026.
- Toner we carrySwift Ink had to sell a compatible high-yield cartridge for it, priced on swiftink.com on October 14, 2026.
- Works with compatiblesNo HP “e” or “we” models. HP models with dynamic security carry a clear warning.
- Brand-name priceFrom the maker’s US store, as used in our cost study.
- Rated yieldsThe maker’s published ISO/IEC 19752 page yield. Real pages vary with how much ink each page carries.
- Cost per pageCartridge price divided by yield, plus drum price divided by drum yield where the drum is separate.
Want to run the math for your own printer? Use our printer cost per page calculator.
Comparison table: black and white laser printers by cost per page
| Printer | Price | Toner | Brand-name cost per page | Swift Ink cost per page | Supplies for 10,000 pages (brand-name / Swift Ink) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L6210DW | $349.99 | TN920UXXL + DR920 | 1.95¢ | 0.41¢ | $195 / $41 | Heavy printing, busy offices |
| Brother HL-L2460DW | $179.99 | TN830XL + DR830 | 4.33¢ | 1.33¢ | $433 / $133 | Most homes and small offices |
| Brother MFC-L2900DW | $329.99 | TN830XL + DR830 | 4.33¢ | 1.33¢ | $433 / $133 | Brother offices that scan |
| Brother HL-L2405W | $139.99 | TN830XL + DR830 | 4.33¢ | 1.33¢ | $433 / $133 | Light printing on a budget |
| HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw | $249.99 | HP 138X | 3.75¢ | 1.47¢ | $375 / $147 | Homes that want an HP (firmware risk) |
| HP LaserJet Pro 4001dn | About $449 | HP 148X | 2.97¢ | 0.73¢ | $297 / $73 | HP-only offices (firmware risk) |
Printer prices from Brother.com, Best Buy and CDW, October 2026. Supplies costs are cost per page times 10,000, with the drum prorated. They leave out paper and the toner that comes in the box.
Brother MFC-L2900DW vs HL-L2460DW vs Canon imageCLASS MF462dw
These three get compared because all print about 36 pages a minute. The real differences are scanning and what each costs to feed.
A note on the Canon: it is now sold as the MF462dw II, and its 070-toner printers are hard to find new right now. Canon’s own store showed the MF462dw II out of stock in October 2026, and Canon’s pages for its 070 printers say they are no longer available. For that reason we don’t list it as a pick. If you already own one, or find one new, the numbers below still apply, and Swift Ink sells compatible 070H toner.
| Feature | Brother MFC-L2900DW | Brother HL-L2460DW | Canon imageCLASS MF462dw II |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 (Brother.com) | $179.99 (Brother.com) | $299.99 (Staples) |
| What it does | Print, scan, copy, fax | Print only | Print, scan, copy, fax |
| Speed | Up to 36 ppm | Up to 36 ppm | Up to 37 ppm |
| Document feeder | 50 sheets, one-pass two-sided scan | None | 50 sheets, one-pass two-sided scan |
| Toner | TN830 / TN830XL (3,000 pages) | TN830 / TN830XL (3,000 pages) | 070 / 070H (10,200 pages) |
| Drum | Separate DR830 | Separate DR830 | No separate drum sold |
| Toner in the box | 700-page starter | 700-page starter | Check the box |
| Cost per page, brand-name | 4.33¢ | 4.33¢ | 2.98¢ |
| Cost per page, Swift Ink | 1.33¢ | 1.33¢ | 0.59¢ |
Our take: if you never scan, buy the HL-L2460DW and keep the $150. If you scan or copy, buy the MFC-L2900DW. On paper the Canon is cheaper to run (0.59¢ a page with compatible 070H toner versus 1.33¢), but you may not be able to buy one new. The Brother is easy to find and shares supplies with the HL-L2460DW and HL-L2405W.
Which one should you buy?
-
1Do you need to scan or copy?
- Yes
- Get the Brother MFC-L2900DW.
- No
- Go to question 2.
-
2Do you print more than about 500 pages a month?
- Yes
- Get the Brother HL-L6210DW. Its low page cost pays back the higher price.
- No
- Go to question 3.
-
3Do you print on both sides of the page?
- Yes
- Get the Brother HL-L2460DW.
- No
- The Brother HL-L2405W is enough.
Printers we left off, and why
- HP LaserJet models ending in “e” or “we” (such as the M209dwe, 3001dwe and 4001dne). They accept only original HP cartridges. Our article on why HP “e” printers reject aftermarket cartridges explains how to tell them apart.
- HP LaserJet M209dw. At $129 it is cheap to buy, but its HP 134X toner runs 1.67¢ a page even with our compatible, per our cost study. HP also says firmware updates may block cartridges that worked before.
- Canon imageCLASS mono lasers (070 and 071 toner, such as the MF462dw II, LBP246dw II and LBP122dw). They are hard to find new right now, and Canon’s store lists them as no longer available. We still sell compatible toner for Canon printers you already own.
- Brother HL-L5210DW. Out of stock new at Brother’s store in October 2026.
- Models from our old list, such as the HP LaserJet Pro M404 and M428, the M507 and M528, and the Xerox Phaser 3330. They are no longer sold new. If you still own one, use the brand buttons below to find its toner.
Buying tips for a black and white laser printer
A low printer price can hide a high cost per page.
-
Check if the drum is separate Free
Brother lasers use a toner cartridge plus a separate drum. You replace the drum far less often: about every 15,000 pages for the DR830 and 45,000 for the DR920. HP lists no separate drum for the 3001dw or 4001dn, so you only buy toner. Count the drum when you compare costs.
-
Do the yield math before you buy Free
Divide the cartridge price by its rated page yield. A $32.99 cartridge rated for 3,000 pages is 1.1¢ a page. Yields are measured on a standard text test page, so pages with heavy graphics or full-page images use more toner.
-
Expect a short starter cartridge Free
Brother’s compact models ship with a 700-page starter cartridge. A full TN830XL holds 3,000 pages. The HL-L6210DW is the exception: it ships with a 3,000-page TN920. Plan to buy toner soon after setup.
-
Pay for automatic duplex if you print long documents $
The HL-L2460DW costs $40 more than the HL-L2405W and prints both sides on its own. If you print 100 pages a month, two-sided printing saves about 50 sheets a month.
-
Get a document feeder if you scan stacks $$
A flatbed scans one page at a time. The 50-sheet feeder on the MFC-L2900DW scans both sides of each page in one pass.
-
Buy for your volume, not the sticker price $$$
At 300 pages a month, the HL-L6210DW’s lower page cost wins back its higher price in about five years. At 1,000 pages a month, it takes under two.
Tip: In a March 2025 statement, Brother said its “firmware updates do not block the use of third-party ink and toner cartridges.” That is one reason our top picks are Brother models. Any cartridge, brand-name or compatible, can still arrive defective. If one does, contact our support team.
Toner and drum yields for these printers
Here are the supplies each pick uses, with the brand-name and Swift Ink prices behind every number in this guide.
See all cartridge and drum prices and yields
| Part | Fits | Rated yield | Brand-name price | Swift Ink price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TN830 (standard) | HL-L2405W, HL-L2460DW, MFC-L2900DW | 1,200 pages | $60.99 (Brother.com) | Use the XL |
| TN830XL | HL-L2405W, HL-L2460DW, MFC-L2900DW | 3,000 pages | $98.29 (Brother.com) | $32.99 |
| DR830 drum | HL-L2405W, HL-L2460DW, MFC-L2900DW | About 15,000 pages | $157.99 (Brother.com) | $33.99 |
| TN920UXXL | HL-L6210DW | 18,000 pages | $241.49 (Brother.com) | $59.99 |
| DR920 drum | HL-L6210DW | About 45,000 pages | $273.49 (Brother.com) | $34.99 |
| Canon 070H | MF462dw II (not a pick) | 10,200 pages | $303.99 (Staples) | $59.99 |
| HP 148X | LaserJet Pro 4001dn | 9,500 pages | $281.99 (HP.com) | $68.99 |
| HP 138X | LaserJet Pro 3001dw | 4,000 pages | $149.99 (HP.com) | $58.99 |
Yields are the maker’s ISO/IEC 19752 ratings. Drum yields assume one page per print job; longer jobs stretch them further. Swift Ink drum costs use the brand-name drum rating.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest black and white laser printer to run?
Of the printers we priced, the Brother HL-L6210DW. With compatible toner and drum it costs about 0.41¢ a page, and 1.95¢ with brand-name supplies. Among printers under $200, the HL-L2405W and HL-L2460DW tie at 1.33¢ with compatible supplies.
Do Brother laser printers work with compatible toner?
Yes. The HL-L2405W, HL-L2460DW, MFC-L2900DW and HL-L6210DW all take compatible TN830 or TN920 toner. In 2025 Brother said its firmware updates do not block third-party toner. If a printer ever rejects a cartridge, our support team can help.
Is a laser printer cheaper than an inkjet for black and white printing?
Usually, yes, unless you compare against an ink tank printer. In our data the median black page from a mono laser with brand-name toner cost 3.5¢, compared with 6.4¢ for a cartridge inkjet. Laser toner also does not dry out between jobs. See our laser vs inkjet guide for the full numbers.
Why did my new laser printer run out of toner so fast?
Brother’s compact models ship with a 700-page starter cartridge. A full TN830XL is rated for 3,000 pages, so your first replacement lasts about four times longer.
Should I buy an HP LaserJet for compatible toner?
Only a model without “e” in the name, and only with care. The LaserJet Pro 3001dw and 4001dn take 138X and 148X toner, but HP lists both as dynamic security enabled. Remanufactured cartridges with reused HP chips work; cartridges with cloned chips can be blocked. Read our HP firmware guide before setup.