For most small offices buying in 2026, the Brother HL-L2865DW is the strongest all-round choice: it combines a 36-page-per-minute rating, automatic duplexing, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi and a 250-sheet tray. Choose the Brother HL-L2460DW to spend less upfront, the HP LaserJet M209dw when desk space is the priority, or the Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw when rated throughput matters most. The Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw is worth considering only after you verify remaining regional or refurbished stock, because Canon’s US store marks it no longer available.
At a glance: the five recommended models
| Model | Best fit | Speed evidence | Duplexing and connectivity | Capacity or toner details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2865DW | Best overall value for a small office or workgroup | Up to 36 ppm (Brother, 2026); 34 ppm measured by TechRadar in 2026 | Automatic duplex; Ethernet; dual-band Wi-Fi | 250-sheet tray; 1,200-page standard cartridge; optional TN835 high-yield cartridge rated for 5,000 pages |
| Brother HL-L2460DW | Best budget print-only choice | Up to 34 ppm (Brother, 2026) | Automatic duplex; wireless connectivity | Separate toner-and-drum design; tray capacity not stated in the cited product information |
| HP LaserJet M209dw | Best for a very small desk or micro office | Up to 30 ppm black (HP, 2026); 29 ppm maximum in TechRadar’s review | Automatic duplex; Ethernet; USB; Wi-Fi | Single paper input; 700-page inbox cartridge; 355 × 279 × 205 mm footprint |
| Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw | Higher-throughput small-office printing | Up to 42 ppm (Canon, 2026) | Duplex and network details should be confirmed for the regional model | Paper capacity and cartridge yield were not stated in the cited Canon specification |
| Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw | Conditional low-cost option when verified stock exists | Speed figure not stated in the cited Canon listing | Wireless; automatic duplex; print-only | Canon’s US store labels the model no longer available |
All five are monochrome laser printers designed for text-heavy work. They print only, so an office that also needs scanning, copying or faxing should shop in the monochrome multifunction category instead.
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1. Brother HL-L2865DW: best overall small-office value
Brother positions the HL-L2865DW as “ideal for small offices and small workgroups.” Its 36 ppm maximum is the highest rated speed among the two Brother models here, and TechRadar measured 34 ppm in 2026 testing. That review also found sharp, consistent document text and reliable automatic two-sided printing.
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The hardware suits a shared office: a 250-sheet tray reduces refill interruptions, while Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi allow wired or wireless deployment. Brother includes a 1,200-page standard cartridge and lists the TN835 replacement as a 5,000-page high-yield option. Compare the local prices of both cartridges before buying; the high-yield unit can materially reduce the cost per page for regular office volumes.
#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
Choose this model when several people share one printer, documents are frequently printed double-sided, and speed matters more than the smallest purchase price or footprint.
2. Brother HL-L2460DW: best budget print-only choice
RTINGS identifies the HL-L2460DW as its best budget printer tested for buyers who need only black-and-white documents. Brother rates it at up to 34 ppm and includes automatic duplexing and wireless connectivity.
Its separate toner-and-drum arrangement is important to ownership cost. Brother says separating those consumables helps keep printing costs down, because you replace the drum independently instead of discarding it with every toner change. Check the current price and rated yield of both the toner and replacement drum in your country, then calculate a combined cost per page.
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This is the sensible pick for a small office that wants inexpensive two-sided text printing and does not need Ethernet, scanning or copying. The product information cited for this comparison does not state a paper-tray capacity, so confirm that specification if your team prints long batches.
Rank #2
- 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)
3. HP LaserJet M209dw: best when desk space is tight
The M209dw is aimed at micro offices and compact work areas. HP lists black print speed up to 30 ppm, while TechRadar recorded a 29 ppm maximum and dimensions of 355 × 279 × 205 mm. That small footprint is its defining advantage.
It supports automatic duplexing plus Ethernet, USB and Wi-Fi, giving you several ways to connect a single-user desk or a small shared network. TechRadar lists a 700-page inbox cartridge, and the printer uses a single paper input. The lower rated speed than the HL-L2865DW and the limited input capacity matter if several employees print large jobs.
Before choosing it on purchase price alone, look up current local replacement-toner prices and yields. The available evidence does not establish that its long-term toner cost beats the Brother alternatives in every market.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →4. Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw: the high-throughput alternative
Canon rates the imageCLASS LBP246dw at up to 42 pages per minute, the fastest manufacturer figure in this shortlist. That makes it attractive for an office where print queues and turnaround time matter more than buying the least expensive unit.
Rank #3
- 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.
Confirm that the exact LBP246dw variant and its genuine toner are sold in your region before ordering. Canon’s cited information does not provide paper capacity, cartridge yield or the connectivity details needed for a complete operating-cost calculation, so obtain those figures from the local specification sheet. A 42 ppm rating is a ranking aid, not a promise that every document will print at that rate; graphics, complex PDFs and duplex jobs can reduce actual throughput.
5. Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw: buy only with verified availability
The LBP122dw is a wireless, automatic-duplex, black-and-white print-only laser for home or small-office environments. Its low purchase price can be appealing when remaining inventory is discounted.
Availability is the decisive issue in 2026: Canon’s US store labels the model “no longer available” and points shoppers toward similar products. Treat it as a conditional recommendation for verified stock in another country, refurbished inventory or a remaining authorized-retailer unit. Check warranty coverage, cartridge supply and return rights before committing; do not assume a new unit is broadly available.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesHow to compare the real cost of ownership
A printer’s sticker price is only the first part of the budget. For each candidate, add the printer price, genuine toner cost, high-yield toner cost where offered, drum cost and expected page yields. Divide the consumable price by its rated yield to estimate toner cost per page, then include the drum’s price divided by its expected life. Use prices from your own country because regional consumable pricing and availability can change the ranking.
Rank #4
- BEST FOR HOME OFFICES & SMALL TEAMS – Engineered for consistent, premium print quality, the Brother HL-L2460DW Monochrome (Black & White) Laser Printer produces documents that are clear, crisp, and easy to review and share, all at an affordable price
- COMPACT, CONNECTED, EXCEPTIONALLY EFFICIENT– Connect with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz), Ethernet, or to a single computer via USB interface. Prints at speeds up to 36ppm(2), plus automatic duplex printing saves time and reduces paper waste
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Manage your wireless 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 – Tackle high-volume black & white printing with the 250-sheet capacity paper tray.(4) The manual feed slot enables printing on envelopes and specialty paper
- 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
- High-yield cartridges: Compare the Brother HL-L2865DW’s 5,000-page TN835 option with its 1,200-page standard cartridge rather than comparing cartridge prices alone.
- Separate drums: The HL-L2460DW’s independent drum can lower waste and running cost, but budget for a drum replacement when its service life ends.
- Inbox toner: The M209dw’s 700-page starter cartridge is a one-time inclusion, not a recurring allowance; calculate ongoing cost from replacement cartridges.
- Genuine supply: Verify that toner and drums are currently sold through authorized channels before selecting a discontinued or region-specific model.
Features that matter in an office
Automatic duplex printing
Automatic two-sided printing cuts paper use and removes the labor and alignment errors of manually flipping pages. It is a practical requirement for policies, meeting packets and internal drafts.
Paper capacity and workload
A 250-sheet tray, as on the HL-L2865DW, suits many small offices. Teams printing continuously should check each model’s recommended monthly volume and duty cycle in the regional manual; those figures are not supplied for every printer here.
Network connection and security
Ethernet provides a stable shared-office connection, while Wi-Fi helps when cabling is inconvenient. Confirm support for your current operating-system drivers, wireless security settings and firmware before deployment, especially on a managed business network.
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Print-only versus multifunction
Print-only models generally cost less and occupy less space. If staff scan invoices, copy identity documents or send faxes, buying a monochrome multifunction printer from the start can avoid adding a second device.
Quick Recap
Which one should your office buy?
- Choose the Brother HL-L2865DW for the best balance of speed, duplexing, networking, tray capacity and available high-yield toner.
- Choose the Brother HL-L2460DW when the lowest practical entry cost and basic duplex text printing matter most.
- Choose the HP LaserJet M209dw when every centimeter of desk space matters and your local toner pricing is acceptable.
- Choose the Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw when its 42 ppm rating justifies the purchase and local supply is confirmed.
- Choose the Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw only after verifying current stock, warranty and consumables in your market.
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.
