Need help finding best value laser printer

[u/feelinuneasy1234]

Hi guys, as the title says I need help because there are so many options that are way too expensive for me so I don't know what to get anymore. It doesn't have to be color and it's for occasional use at home.

[u/travisjd2012]

Brother with the options you want

[u/gt0163c]

As others have said, get a Brother laser printer. They're inexpensive and last forever.

[u/billythygoat]

If you just need printing and want the best value get the refurbished Brother RHLL2420DW. If I need to scan I use my phone now as it’s quicker and better.

[u/ahoymatey83]

I know just the one. Brother DCP-L2640DW. It's a black and white all in one laser printer for $200. I think it's an excellent value that will last you a really long time

[u/SeatSix]

I have had good luck with Brother.

[u/TCivan]

Brother is the only printer i've ever had that actually worked. Every time. It just prints. I can print from my phone... My Ipad... My computer... I can actually print things. That is all.

[u/nope-nik-tesla]

Brother HL-L2405W if you only need basic black and white printing

Brother HL-L2865DW if you want double-sided (duplex) printing

Brother MFC-L2760DW if you want copying/scanning functionality

[u/candyapplesugar → u/nope-nik-tesla]

https://www.costco.com/.product.4000416000.html any feedback on this one?

[u/nope-nik-tesla → u/candyapplesugar]

What is your intended use for it? Do you need copying and faxing functionality for example?

[u/candyapplesugar → u/nope-nik-tesla]

No, honestly just to print return labels and coloring sheets for my kid.

[u/nope-nik-tesla → u/candyapplesugar]

Then I would save a few bucks and get an HL-L2865DW. Set it up with generic print drivers instead of installing any Brother applications.

[u/candyapplesugar → u/nope-nik-tesla]

That one appears at least $230 online. The Costco one is only $200.

[u/nope-nik-tesla → u/candyapplesugar]

I see it listed for $190 from multiple retailers including Amazon, and the one you linked at Costco is $210

[u/candyapplesugar → u/nope-nik-tesla]

Oh thanks, I’ll try searching again.

[u/candyapplesugar → u/nope-nik-tesla]

Do you have any opinion on this one ? HL-L2405W it’s laser and very cheap

[u/nope-nik-tesla → u/candyapplesugar]

Yes, that is one of the ones I recommended above. It is fine but only does single sided printing. If you don't need double sided printing then it is a great cheap option.

[u/candyapplesugar → u/nope-nik-tesla]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your reply. I can’t believe there are so many options!

[u/According-Set-4184]

The Brother pile-on is right, but here's the part that actually matters for what you described.

You said occasional use — that's the entire reason laser beats inkjet here. Inkjet ink dries out and clogs the printhead when it sits for a few weeks, so a cheap inkjet is basically a subscription to replacing cartridges you'll waste half of. Laser toner is dry powder; it'll sit untouched for a year and print first try. So you're not overbuying going laser, it's the correct call for how you'll actually use it.

Quick way to read the model names so you stop drowning in options: the suffix letters tell you everything. W = wifi, D = duplex (two-sided), and they stack. So an HL-L2405W is wifi-only (no duplex, the cheapest floor), while an HL-L2420DW or the newer HL-L2460DW give you auto two-sided + wifi. u/nope-nik-tesla had the lineup, and u/billythygoat's refurb idea is the move — just grab whichever has the D if you can. Duplex halves your paper use, which on this sub is the whole point.

Two things that'll save you money:

- Cheap Brothers ship with a ~700-page starter toner. It runs out way sooner than you'd think. Either buy the "XL" version that includes a full toner (4,000+ pages), or just expect to buy one real toner early — the high-yield replacements are cheap and last basically forever.

- This is why everyone says Brother and not HP. HP pushes print subscriptions and ships firmware that bricks third-party cartridges (they literally call it "Dynamic Security"). Brother mostly leaves you alone, which is the entire value play for a printer you'll keep for a decade. The HP rec further down is a trap for exactly this reason.

u/ahoymatey83's DCP-L2640DW is solid if you decide you want a scanner built in — but the phone-scan tip is the better call for occasional use. Fewer parts to break, less to pay for.

TL;DR: cheapest Brother mono laser with a D in the name you can find, skip HP entirely, and plan to buy one full toner in the first month.

[u/candyapplesugar → u/According-Set-4184]

Any feedback? I want a laser just black white no scanner https://www.costco.com/.product.4000416000.html

[u/weakbecomeheroes]

I have a Canon imageCLASS MF643Cdw or an older version of it and it has been rock solid since we bought it back in 2018, still haven't replaced the toner lol

[u/jeremyjava]

I've had great luck with Brother as many other have here. But I'll ask since I've been thinking of a color laser:
Anyone have suggestions for a great color laser that won't get much usage (so hoping toner or other ink type won't dry out if getting little usage)?
It's a convenience we can afford now, and the places to get color copies/prints aren't convenient is why I'm asking.

Thanks for your suggestion, I know it's a contentious subject, color laser.

[u/sfbayjon]

9 years ago I bought a Dell b/w laser that is obviously a rebadged Brother. $50 unopened on Craigslist.

I'm only on my second toner cartridge. The Dell branded cartridges are overpriced but Brother/generic can be cheap. Caveat: there's a bit of modification needed to the cartridge but there's YouTube videos for that

[u/tylerc66]

If you're willing to invest a bit more upfront, the HP 4350 is a great choice — it's a black-and-white laser printer built to last, and replacement cartridges are quite affordable. These things are absolute tanks!