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For the highest score in Consumer Reports’ 2026 comparison of black-and-white laser all-in-one printers, the Brother MFC-L5915DW leads with 76 points. But the best fit depends on whether you need fax, high-volume document handling, or automatic two-sided scanning—not just the overall score. The five models below are ranked using Consumer Reports’ published scores and guide-listed prices, not hands-on testing for this article.
Five monochrome laser all-in-ones in the 2026 comparison
Consumer Reports’ 2026 buying guide lists these five black-and-white laser all-in-ones. Its prices are guide-listed figures, not current retailer offers; check today’s price, stock, and exact model variant before buying.
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| Model | Consumer Reports score | Guide-listed price | What to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-L5915DW | 76 | $530 | Highest-scoring model in this group; consider if a stronger document workflow matters more than the lowest entry price. |
| Brother HL-L2480DW | 72 | $220 | Tied for second by score. Confirm the exact feature set and availability for your region. |
| Canon imageClass MF465dw | 72 | $300 | Tied for second and the Canon option in this shortlist. |
| Brother DCP-L2640DW | 71 | $200 | Lowest guide-listed price among the five; verify that its functions match your copy, scan, and fax needs. |
| Brother MFC-L2820DW | 70 | $250 | A compact option; distinguish the standard model from the separately documented XL bundle. |
Scores and listed prices are from Consumer Reports’ 2026 printer buying guide. They reflect that guide’s evaluations and should not be read as a guarantee that a printer suits every workload.
How to choose the right model for your workflow
Start with the functions you actually need
“All-in-one” does not guarantee that every model has the same functions. Check whether you need print, copy, scan, and fax, and confirm that the specific model includes them. If you will never fax, do not let that feature outweigh more relevant needs such as scan handling or paper capacity.
#1 Best Overall
- 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)
Check duplex scanning separately from duplex printing
Automatic duplex printing means a printer can print on both sides of a sheet; it does not mean its scanner can automatically capture both sides of a two-sided original. An automatic document feeder (ADF) also does not, by itself, establish duplex scanning. RTINGS says the standard Brother MFC-L2820DW has an ADF but lacks duplex scanning, and notes that a variant with duplex scanning is available. Verify the exact SKU and its specifications if two-sided scanning matters.
Match capacity and document handling to your workload
For frequent multi-page jobs, compare standard paper capacity and how the ADF handles documents. Consumer Reports evaluates factors including text quality, speed, scan quality, versatility, and ease of use, and lists standard capacity for each model in its guide. Treat those ratings as Consumer Reports’ evaluation rather than as a prediction of results in your office.
Rank #2
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Perfect for offices printing, scanning and copying black & white brochures, business documents and presentations. Perfect for 1-5 people
- FASTEST TWO-SIDED PRINTING IN ITS CLASS – Up to 28 black-and-white pages per minute single-sided. Quickly finish multipage print projects with the fastest in-class two-sided printing speed
- DUAL-BAND WI-FI WITH SELF-RESET – Automatically detects and resolves connectivity issues
- STRONG SECURITY – Built-in security features help protect your printer from potential attacks
- PRINT FROM ANY DEVICE – Wireless printing from any mobile device, PC or tablet. Ethernet included. Works with Microsoft, Mac, AirPrint, Android, Chromebook and more.
Compare running costs for the exact printer
Consumer Reports includes an annual ink or toner cost estimate, but an estimate may not match your usage. Before choosing, check the compatible toner for the exact model, its price, and its stated yield. Your cost depends on how much you print and what you print, so a model’s initial price alone does not determine its long-term value.
What the MFC-L2820DW XL adds—and what its specifications mean
Brother’s USA product page describes the MFC-L2820DW XL as a wireless monochrome laser all-in-one with printing, copying, scanning, and faxing. The XL is a bundle variant, not simply another name for the standard MFC-L2820DW: Brother says it includes six times more in-box toner than the standard package.
Rank #3
- Monochrome, Wireless, Duplex 4-in-1: Print, scan, copy, fax.
- Fast Print Speeds: Print up to 37 pages per minute and spend less time waiting with a quick first print time of approximately 5 seconds.
- Easy Wireless Setup: Setup your wireless connection and get up and running in just a few steps2
- 5-inch Color Touchscreen: Get the job done quickly with Application Library - an intuitive and easy to use customizable access to the features you use most.
- Mobile Device Printing: Print from your compatible mobile devices using the free Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service.
- Manufacturer-stated print speed: up to 34 pages per minute.
- Manufacturer-stated included toner: up to 4,200 pages.
- Standard paper capacity: 250 sheets.
- Monthly volume figures: a maximum duty cycle of 35,000 pages and a recommended monthly print volume of 2,500 pages.
- Printing: automatic duplex printing.
These figures are Brother’s published specifications for the XL model, accessed October 7, 2026; they are not independent test results. The maximum duty cycle is not the same as a recommended monthly workload. See Brother’s MFC-L2820DW XL product page for the manufacturer’s specifications.
RTINGS characterizes the standard MFC-L2820DW as suited to small-office use and says its ADF scanner is relatively slow for processing documents. Those observations concern the standard model; do not assume they apply unchanged to the XL or another regional variant without confirming whether the hardware is the same. See RTINGS’ MFC-L2820DW review.
Rank #4
- BEST FOR SMALL OFFICES – Combining space-saving efficiency and premium monochrome (black & white) print quality with affordability, the Brother MFC-L2820DW delivers dynamic laser print, copy, scan, and fax multi-functionality in a compact footprint
- EFFICIENT PRINTING & SCANNING – Produces black & white documents quickly with print speeds up to 36 ppm(2) and scan speeds up to 23.6/7.9 ipm(3) (bk/cl). A 50-page auto document feeder(4) allows for convenient, time saving multi-page copy, scan, and fax
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS – Securely connect to multiple devices with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz), Ethernet, or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface
- 2.7" TOUCHSCREEN – The intuitive 2.7” touchscreen enables effortless navigation with the added ability to print-from and scan-to popular Cloud-based apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, OneNote, and more(5)
- 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(6)
A practical shortlist by priority
- Highest score in this comparison: Brother MFC-L5915DW, with a Consumer Reports score of 76.
- Lowest guide-listed price: Brother DCP-L2640DW, listed at $200; confirm the required functions before choosing it.
- Two models tied at 72: Brother HL-L2480DW and Canon imageClass MF465dw. Compare their current prices, exact features, and compatible toner rather than treating the tie as a reason to prefer one.
- Considering the Brother MFC-L2820DW family: distinguish the standard MFC-L2820DW from the XL bundle, and check whether duplex scanning is required.
These are comparisons within the five models listed by Consumer Reports’ 2026 guide, not a claim that they are the only monochrome laser all-in-ones available. Model names, package contents, prices, and availability can vary by market and change over time.
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Best Value
- EVERYTHING SMALL TEAMS NEED – Print, scan and copy professional-quality black & white documents and reports plus fax. Auto 2-sided printing and auto document feeder for fast scan/copy. Perfect for up to 7 people.
- SUPER-FAST PRINT SPEEDS – Up to 35 black-and-white pages per minute single-sided
- STAYS CONNECTED – Intelligent Wi-Fi looks for the best connection to stay online and ready to print
- PROTECTS YOUR DATA – Includes HP Wolf Pro Security with customizable settings so your printer and information are always secure
- PRINT FROM ANY DEVICE – Wireless printing from any mobile device, PC or tablet. Ethernet and Bluetooth included. Works with Microsoft, Mac, AirPrint, Android, Chromebook and more.
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.
