Looking for a reliable basic black-and-white printer that fits a small team or a home office? This guide highlights five solid options, focusing on speed, ease of setup, and practical features like duplex printing and mobile printing. Each pick is best for a specific need, from compact spaces to multi-function capabilities. Use the quick comparison table below to shortlist models that align with your typical workflow.
| Product | Best For | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
| HP LaserJet M110w | Small teams or tight spaces | World’s smallest laser in its class; fast 21 ppm; simple setup |
| Brother HL-L2405W | Home offices with mobile printing | Compact, durable, easy wireless and USB connectivity |
| Canon PIXMA TS4320 | Budget-conscious households needing colorPrint occasionally | Affordable all-in-one for prints, scans, and copies with easy setup |
| Canon PIXMA TS6520 | Hybrid workers needing duplex and display features | Duplex, OLED-like display, compact all-in-one |
| Brother DCP-L2640DW | Small businesses with scanning needs | 3-in-1 with fast printing and auto document feeder |
| HP LaserJet M209d | Fast, straightforward mono printing | Strong speed with auto duplex in a compact form |
| HP LaserJet MFP M140w | Small teams needing print/scan/copy | All-in-one with fast speeds and easy mobile printing |
Best For Small Teams: HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Black & White Printer
The HP LaserJet M110w is ideal for small teams and single-desk offices that need fast, reliable black-and-white prints. It is marketed as America’s most trusted printer brand, emphasizing professional-quality documents and easy setup. Its key advantage is speed, with up to 21 pages per minute (single-sided). Best for teams of 1–3 people who require quick turnarounds without complex configurations. A potential limitation is its focus on mono printing and a smaller feature set compared with multi-function models.
Best For Homes With Mobile Printing: Brother HL-L2405W
The Brother HL-L2405W is positioned for homes and home offices needing reliable monochrome prints with straightforward mobile printing. It supports up to 30 pages per minute for fast single-sided output and offers flexible connectivity via built-in dual-band wireless and USB. Best for users who want dependable, simple setup and the ability to print from mobile devices. A limitation is its single-function focus—no scanning or copying built-in.
Best Budget All‑In‑One For Home Use: Canon PIXMA TS4320
The Canon PIXMA TS4320 stands out as a budget-friendly all-in-one printer suitable for households and hybrid workers who occasionally need color prints along with scanning and copying. It offers an easy setup process and good document and photo print quality thanks to its two-cartridge hybrid ink system. Best for users who want a low up-front cost for color and mono tasks; avoid if you need high-volume color photo printing or advanced business features.
Best For Duplex Printing: Canon PIXMA TS6520
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 is ideal for hybrid workers who need duplex printing, a compact design, and an intuitive control panel. With a 1.42” OLED display and easy setup for mobile and desktop printing, it suits households and small offices that print a mix of documents and photos. A caution is that it may be more expensive to operate for high-volume mono tasks compared with dedicated laser printers.
Best For Small Businesses With Scanning: Brother DCP-L2640DW
The Brother DCP-L2640DW combines printing, scanning, and copying in a single compact unit, making it a strong choice for small businesses with heavy document workflows. It offers fast print speeds (up to 36 ppm), a 50-page auto document feeder, and flexible connectivity (dual-band wireless and Ethernet, plus USB). Best for teams that need reliable multi-function capabilities; a potential limitation is that color printing is not available in this monochrome model.
Best For Fast Mono Printing In Home Office: HP LaserJet M209d
The HP LaserJet M209d emphasizes speed for straightforward monochrome printing in a compact package. It is best for users who need reliable single-function output with strong throughput and simple setup, suitable for solo professionals or small teams who primarily print documents. Consider a model with scanning or copying if you anticipate needing those features soon.
Best For Print/Scan/Copy On The Go: HP Laserjet MFP M140w
The HP LaserJet MFP M140w offers print, scan, and copy capabilities in one compact unit with fast speeds and easy setup. This model is best for small teams that need a versatile mono workhorse with mobile printing support. A limitation is that it does not include color printing, so plans for color tasks should look to an inkjet option or a color-capable laser.
Buying Guide
What should you prioritize in a basic black-and-white printer?
Important factors include print speed, duplex capability (two-sided printing), connectivity options (USB, Wi‑Fi, Ethernet), and whether you need additional functions like scanning or copying. For small teams, a reliable mono laser with decent speeds (at least 20 ppm) and easy setup often yields the best value.
Do you need multi-function (MFP) features?
Determine whether you require scanning or copying as part of daily tasks. If yes, consider 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 models with an automatic document feeder (ADF) to save time on batch scans or copies. If not, a dedicated print-only device can be more cost-efficient and compact.
Which connectivity suits a busy workspace?
Wireless printing is convenient for shared desks, but USB-only devices can be simpler and cheaper. For teams, dual-band Wi‑Fi or Ethernet connectivity reduces bottlenecks when multiple devices print from different locations.
What about running costs and toner usage?
Laser printers generally offer lower cost-per-page for mono printing. Look for standard toner yield estimates and consider brands with widely available compatible toner. For color needs, weigh the higher ongoing costs of color inkjets against the color requirements.
Size and placement considerations
Compact designs fit smaller desks, but ensure you have space for paper handling and a potential document feeder. Check for a minimal footprint and how the device’s footprint fits under shelves or in a cabinet.
What is a practical best-for scenario?
- Best For Small Teams: models with compact form and reliable mono printing, like HP M110w.
- Best For Home Offices With Mobility: wireless, easy-to-use printers such as Brother HL-L2405W.
- Best Value All‑In‑One For Home: Canon PIXMA TS4320 offers color printing and scanning at a budget.
- Best For Duplex And Versatility: Canon PIXMA TS6520 suits duplex printing and feature-rich control panels.
- Best For Small Businesses With Scanning: Brother DCP-L2640DW covers print/scan/copy with a fast ADF.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the advantage of a laser vs. inkjet for B&W printing?
Laser printers typically offer faster speeds and lower running costs for mono printing, making them preferable for high-volume document printing. - Is duplex printing important for a home office?
Yes, duplex printing saves paper and reduces running costs over time, especially for multi-page reports or drafts. - Do all-in-one printers offer reliable scanning?
Many do, but performance varies by model. Check ADF capability and scan speeds if scanning is frequent. - Can these printers be easily set up with mobile devices?
Most listed models provide mobile printing options and straightforward setup, though experiences may vary by device and network. - Should I prioritize compact size or higher speed?
If desk space is limited, prioritize compact size. If you print many pages daily, prioritize higher speed and duplex capability. - Are color printers necessary for a basic home office?
Not strictly; color is useful for presentations and visuals, but mono laser printers can handle typical text-heavy documents efficiently.