Our top 3, compared on the specs that matter.
Thex’s quick pickBrother MFC-L2880DW Mono Laser Multi-Function Printer. Best for a small office. Best value printer: the Brother HL-L2445DW. Best for colour: the Brother HL-L3280CDW.
Brother
One machine for the whole office. It prints up to 34 pages a minute, scans and copies 2-sided from a 50-sheet feeder, and faxes too. A 250-sheet tray and Wi-Fi or Ethernet keep it busy without fuss. Mono only, no colour.
Brother
Fast, cheap black and white printing in a small box. Up to 32 pages a minute, automatic 2-sided printing and a 250-sheet tray. Laser toner lasts far longer than ink, which keeps running costs low. No scanner.
Brother
Colour laser for flyers, quotes and reports that need to look sharp. It prints colour and mono at up to 26 pages a minute, 2-sided, from a 250-sheet tray. Toner will not dry out between jobs like ink can. No scanner.
Side by side
| Spec | #1 Brother | #2 Brother | #3 Brother |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Best for a small office | Best value printer | Best for colour |
| Type | Mono laser: print, scan, copy, fax | Mono laser, print only | Colour laser, print only |
| Speed | Up to 34 ppm | Up to 32 ppm | Up to 26 ppm |
| 2-sided | Print and scan | ||
| Document feeder | 50 sheets | — | — |
| Paper tray | 250 sheets | 250 sheets | 250 sheets |
| Connects | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB |
| Buy | See today's price at Amazon | See today's price at Amazon | See today's price at Amazon |
The details
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Buying guide
For a small office, a laser printer is usually the best buy: fast, reliable and cheaper per page than inkjet for everyday documents.
If you scan or copy, an all-in-one like the Brother MFC-L2880DW saves a second device. If you only print, a print-only model costs less.
Mono laser is the cheapest per page for text. Choose colour laser, like the HL-L3280CDW, if you print flyers or quotes with colour.
Automatic 2-sided printing saves paper. All three of our picks print on both sides.
Wi-Fi lets everyone print from laptops and phones; Ethernet is steadier for a fixed office. Our picks have both, plus USB.
Our top pick is the Brother MFC-L2880DW. It prints, scans, copies and faxes at up to 34 ppm, with a 50-sheet document feeder and a 250-sheet tray.
The Brother HL-L2445DW. It prints up to 32 pages a minute, prints on both sides and connects by Wi-Fi, Ethernet or USB.
The Brother HL-L3280CDW. It prints colour and mono at up to 26 ppm and prints on both sides.
For everyday documents, usually yes. Toner lasts longer and doesn't dry out between jobs. Inkjets are better for photo printing.
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How we pick
Every spec comes from the maker or a major retailer, and each one shows where it came from and when.
Prices are checked and dated, and refreshed or removed when they go stale. Amazon shows today’s price on its own page.
Picks are ranked on what you get for the money. Who pays a commission has no say in the order.
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