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9 Best All In One Black And White Laser Printer | Speed at 42 PPM

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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.

If you are tired of paying for color ink you never use, waiting forever for a first page to spit out, or wrestling with a finicky Wi-Fi setup, a monochrome laser all-in-one is the single smartest upgrade for your desk. This class of printer swaps the messy cartridges and slow start-ups for rapid, razor-sharp black-and-white documents, and it handles scanning, copying, and even faxing (sending a document over a phone line) without a second thought. The decision boils down to print speed, paper handling, and how many people will be sharing the machine.

I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind WellFizz. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.

The right all in one black and white laser printer for your home office or small team is the one that matches your daily page volume with a fast first-page-out time and a paper tray you do not have to fill every morning.

Our Picks at a Glance

Brother Premium MFC-L2690DW
Best OverallBrother Premium MFC-L2690DW4.5★989 ratingsThe rugged desk companion that owners trust to outlast every other gadget in the room. The thing that wins people over here is print quality — it is the most-praised feature, and for good reason.Check Price on Amazon
HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw
Top PerformerHP LaserJet MFP M234sdw4.3★837 ratingsThe compact speedster that gets a small team printing in under 20 minutes flat. At 30 pages per minute single-sided and 19 images per minute two-sided, this HP is the fastest auto-duplex printer in its class for small teams.Check Price on Amazon
Canon imageCLASS MF284dw
Best ValueCanon imageCLASS MF284dw3.8★536 ratingsThe quiet speed demon that skips the markup while keeping up with busy home offices. At 35 pages per minute with a first-print-out time under 4.9 seconds, this Canon is one of the fastest machines here at its price point.Check Price on Amazon

How To Choose The Best All In One Black And White Laser Printer

Picking the right monochrome laser printer for your desk means matching the machine’s speed and paper appetite to your real workload. A printer that is perfect for a home-office user printing 50 pages a week will choke in a small team that churns out 300 pages a day. Focus on the three specs that define the daily experience: how fast it prints, how much paper it holds, and how it connects to your devices.

Print Speed and First-Page-Out Time

Print speed is measured in pages per minute (ppm). A 30-ppm printer is fast enough for a few people, while a 42-ppm model can handle a busy small office. The first-page-out time (FPOT) (the seconds it takes for the first sheet to appear after you hit print) matters just as much — a printer that wakes up and delivers the first page in under 7 seconds feels instant, while one that takes 15 seconds is a real drag on quick one-off print jobs.

Paper Capacity and Handling

The standard paper tray holds 250 sheets. If you print infrequently, that is enough for weeks. If you print heavily, you want a 250-sheet tray plus a multipurpose tray for envelopes, and ideally a printer that accepts an optional 550-sheet add-on. An auto document feeder (ADF) (a tray that pulls pages through the scanner automatically) is a huge time-saver for scanning multi-page documents — a 50-sheet ADF can chew through a whole report while you keep working.

Connectivity and Mobile Printing

Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) gives you the most reliable wireless connection. Ethernet (a wired cable connection) is even more stable for a printer shared across a wired network. Mobile printing support — Apple AirPrint (prints from Apple devices without an app), Mopria (the Android standard for printing), or the brand’s own app — means you can print from a phone or tablet without a computer. A self-resetting Wi-Fi feature (reconnects the printer on its own after a network drop) is a nice safety net if your network has hiccups.

Quick Comparison

Model Best For Print Speed Paper Capacity Auto Document Feeder Amazon
Brother Premium MFC-L2690DW★ Best Overall Long-lasting home office 26 ppm 250 sheets Amazon
HP LaserJet MFP M234sdwTop Performer Small teams, fast setup 30 ppm 150 sheets (est.) Amazon
Canon imageCLASS MF284dwBest Value Speed-focused home users 35 ppm 250 sheets 35 sheets Amazon
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw Reliable small business 35 ppm 250 sheets 50 sheets Amazon
Xerox B225DNI Mobile-first home office 36 ppm 250 sheets Amazon
Brother MFC-L2820DW Fax + full office suite 36 ppm 250 sheets 50 sheets Amazon
Canon imageCLASS MF267dw Solid all-rounder with fax 30 ppm 250 sheets Amazon
Canon imageCLASS MF465dw High-volume business 42 ppm Up to 900 sheets 50 sheets Amazon

In‑Depth Reviews

★ Best Overall

1. Brother Premium MFC-L2690DW

Our pick — 4.5★ from 950+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.

26 ppm250-sheet tray

The rugged desk companion that owners trust to outlast every other gadget in the room.

The thing that wins people over here is print quality — it is the most-praised feature, and for good reason. Text comes out razor-sharp, even on thick card stock like 140-pound watercolor paper (a type of heavy art paper), which makes this a hit for paper crafters as well as home offices. The 26 pages-per-minute speed is not the fastest on this list, but it is consistent, and the generous 250-sheet adjustable paper tray handles both letter and legal sizes without needing constant refills.

One reviewer noted that a previous Brother model lasted 8 years, and the sentiment across the board is that this machine is built to take a daily beating. The automatic duplex printing (printing on both sides without you flipping the paper) is easy to set up from a laptop, and print quality remains solid even after heavy use. A few owners found the scanning interface a little unintuitive, and an occasional “paper tray empty” error pops up (usually fixed by simply reopening the tray). The crowd favorite — 4.5 stars across 900+ owners — puts the MFC-L2690DW in the top spot because it balances speed, durability, and an easy wireless setup that works with both Mac and iOS devices.

While the setup is moderately easy for a non-expert, some owners hit a snag with Wi-Fi connectivity. Using a USB connection is a reliable fallback, and the machine works beautifully once it is on the network. Overall, it is the most well-rounded pick for anyone who wants a printer that just keeps running.

Where it shines

  • Print quality is the standout — owners call it the best they’ve ever had.
  • Durable build with a track record of lasting years without trouble.
  • Excellent Mac and iOS compatibility for printing and scanning.

What to watch for

  • Wireless setup can be tricky; a USB connection is a simpler starting point.
  • Some owners found the scanning manual lacking in troubleshooting help.

Your best bet if: you want a printer that delivers excellent print quality and will still be running strong years from now.

Think twice if: you need lightning-fast speeds above 30 ppm or a built-in auto document feeder for scanning stacks of paper.

Top Performer

2. HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw

30 ppmDual-band Wi-Fi

The compact speedster that gets a small team printing in under 20 minutes flat.

At 30 pages per minute single-sided and 19 images per minute two-sided, this HP is the fastest auto-duplex printer in its class for small teams. Buyers report that the setup via the HP Smart app is genuinely quick — one connected 4 computers, an iPad, and 3 iPhones in less than 20 minutes. The dual-band Wi-Fi (works on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks) with a self-reset feature (it automatically reconnects after a dropout) is a thoughtful touch that automatically detects and resolves connectivity hiccups without you touching a button.

Print quality is what owners praise most, and the machine handles thick stock (like envelopes or card), scans to a phone, and even does mobile fax (sends a fax from the HP Smart app). The control panel is a small drawback (it sits on the wobbly paper tray), but that is a minor trade-off for a machine with such a compact footprint — it measures 12.13 inches deep by 16.46 inches wide by 11.59 inches tall, which is an 85 percent smaller footprint than the Canon MF284dw. One owner summed it up: the printer prints fast, over 30 ppm B&W with consistent quality, and handles 300-plus pages without breaking a sweat.

Strengths

  • Fastest two-sided printing in its class at up to 19 images per minute.
  • Compact size saves desk space compared to most competitors.
  • Self-resetting Wi-Fi solves connection issues automatically.

Trade-offs

  • Control panel built into the paper tray feels a bit flimsy.
  • No printed manual included; setup relies entirely on the app.

Reach for this if: you run a small team of 1-5 people and want a printer that sets up in minutes and prints double-sided faster than any rival at this level.

Look elsewhere if: you need a 250-sheet paper capacity for heavy daily use — the M234sdw is designed for lighter volume.

Best Value

3. Canon imageCLASS MF284dw

35 ppm35-sheet ADF

The quiet speed demon that skips the markup while keeping up with busy home offices.

At 35 pages per minute with a first-print-out time under 4.9 seconds, this Canon is one of the fastest machines here at its price point. It is noticeably quieter than Brother printers, which is a big deal if your printer sits on the desk next to your workspace. The 35-sheet auto document feeder (ADF) (a tray that pulls pages through the scanner automatically) lets you walk away while it chews through a stack of multi-page documents for scanning or copying.

The duplex printing (automatic two-sided printing) saves paper automatically, and high-capacity toner options mean fewer interruptions when you are on a roll. A recurring caution from the review pages is that the wireless setup can fail on the first attempt, but updating the firmware (the printer’s built-in software) before trying again resolves it. A few units shipped as non-US authorized, which voids Canon support — so buying from a trusted seller matters here. The trade-off for this speed and quiet operation is that the plastic on the paper cassette feels a bit flimsy compared to the Brother units.

Fast and quiet, with a catch: The MF284dw delivers excellent print quality and blazing speed, but the wireless connection can be finicky until you update the firmware. For anyone who connects via Ethernet or USB, it works flawlessly right from the start.

Who it is for: home office users who want near-instant first-page speed and a quiet machine that handles multi-page scanning without needing a premium budget.

Who should pass: anyone who needs a US-authorized unit with full manufacturer support — verify the seller before buying.

Premium Pick

4. HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw

35 ppm50-sheet ADF

The office workhorse that earned so much trust one owner bought three of them.

This HP is built for a small team that prints professional-quality documents day in and day out. It hits 35 pages per minute, and the 50-sheet auto document feeder (ADF) (a tray that pulls pages through the scanner automatically) means you can load a whole report and let the printer run while you tackle other tasks. The build quality and reliability are the most-praised features — with printer quality and reliability together accounting for over 150 positive mentions from owners.

The machine prints checks from QuickBooks (accounting software), handles crisp text for business documents, and the HP Smart app keeps bloatware to a minimum compared to other brands. One owner bought a total of 3 units after the first one worked flawlessly. The honest downside is that HP uses firmware updates (built-in software updates) to block generic toner cartridges (non-HP toner) — if you want to use cheaper third-party toner, you need to avoid those updates. The Wi-Fi also drops occasionally, though a quick YouTube fix sorts it out. Overall, it is the most well-rounded premium choice for a team that needs reliable, fast printing with a serious ADF.

Why it stands out

  • Reliability is the top praise — owners mention flawless performance after a year of use.
  • 50-sheet ADF is a huge time-saver for scanning and copying multi-page documents.
  • Excellent print quality with toner designed for sharp, professional-looking black text.

Consider this

  • HP firmware blocks third-party toner; updates can limit your cartridge options.
  • Wi-Fi connectivity can be finicky for some users, requiring occasional troubleshooting.

Best for: small offices that prioritize reliability and need a heavy-duty ADF for scanning and copying stacks of paper daily.

Not ideal if: you want the freedom to use any toner cartridge brand without worrying about firmware updates.

Compact Pick

5. Xerox B225DNI

36 ppm6.4 sec FPOT

The mobile-friendly Xerox that keeps a tidy desk and scans like a champ.

The Xerox B225DNI punches above its compact size with a print speed of 36 pages per minute and a first-page-out time (the seconds it takes for the first sheet to appear) of just 6.4 seconds. It is engineered for small teams and home offices that need wireless printing from a wide range of mobile devices, with full support for Apple AirPrint (prints from Apple devices without an app), Mopria (the Android standard for printing), and Chromebook printing. The “Build Job” scan feature (which allows editing multi-page scans) is a particular favorite — it lets you combine two-sided documents, reorder pages, remove blank sheets, and save directly as a PDF.

The print quality is described as professional and clean, and the setup is straightforward for the majority of owners. However, the most-discussed aspect is reliability, and it is a mixed bag — some users find the Wi-Fi setup easy on Windows, while others hit a wall with USB connectivity on Windows 11. The paper tray has also drawn complaints, with some noting it holds only about 12 sheets rather than the standard 250, so double-check your specific unit’s tray capacity. The toner life is another point of caution; some owners found the starter cartridge (the one that comes in the box) ran out faster than expected.

A capable machine with quirks: the scanning software is genuinely excellent and the print speed is class-leading, but USB connectivity failures on some systems and a short-lived starter toner can frustrate. Best for buyers who plan to use the Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection from day one.

Choose this for: excellent scanning features and very fast print speed in a compact package that works well with mobile devices.

Avoid if: you plan to connect via USB on Windows 11 or need a long-lasting toner cartridge straight from the start.

Office Suite

6. Brother MFC-L2820DW

36 ppm50-sheet ADF

The full-featured fax-friendly Brother that one owner trusted to replace a 16-year-old model.

This is Brother’s complete office-in-a-box: print, copy, scan, and fax (sending documents over a phone line), all at 36 pages per minute, with a 50-sheet auto document feeder (ADF) (a tray that pulls pages through the scanner automatically) that handles multi-page faxing and copying without you standing there. The 2.7-inch touchscreen is the same excellent interface found on the HL-L2480DW, giving you access to cloud apps and easy navigation. The dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet (wired cable connection), and USB give you every connection option you could need.

The setup is widely described as the easiest and quickest many owners have ever experienced — one user just plugged in a Cat6 cable (a high-speed Ethernet cable), set the date and time, and the printer was immediately recognized on the network. The machine replaced a 16-year-old Brother, and the new model is even better. The most-discussed aspect is reliability, and while the majority of customers note a rock-solid machine, a few note that the printer nags about third-party ink (displays warnings about non-Brother toner) and that the fax setup can be confusing. At 36 ppm with a 50-sheet ADF, it is the right pick for any small office that still uses fax and needs to run through stacks of paper.

Highlights

  • 50-sheet auto document feeder is perfect for multi-page faxing and scanning.
  • One of the quickest and most intuitive setups of any printer in this guide.
  • Proven longevity — reviewers point out 11 to 16 years of service from previous Brothers.

Downsides

  • Firmware updates (built-in software updates) can be annoying about third-party ink cartridges.
  • Mobile printing setup can feel kludgy compared to a computer connection.

Make it yours if: your office still relies on faxing and you want a printer with the full suite of features and a proven long life.

Leave it if: you do not need fax and the slightly smaller price of the HL-L2480DW is more appealing.

Smart Pick

7. Canon imageCLASS MF267dw

30 ppmAlexa compatible

The voice-controlled laser that flips on when you tell Alexa to print.

This Canon is one of the few printers here that works with Alexa voice commands (from Amazon’s smart speaker), so you can start a print job without getting up. It prints at 30 pages per minute with a first-page time of about 5 seconds, and the 6-line black-and-white touch LCD (a small screen you tap) makes navigation simple. The paper setup is a standard 250-sheet cassette with a single-sheet multipurpose tray for envelopes.

Owners give high marks to the easy setup and the sharp print quality, and the scanner’s ability to auto-detect color versus black-and-white documents is a nice touch. The machine is Consumer Reports Best Buy recommended. The most-discussed weakness is wireless connectivity — some shoppers say that the device drops the Wi-Fi connection and needs a power cycle (turn it off and on again) to reconnect. The auto document feeder (ADF) (a tray that pulls pages through the scanner automatically) can also scan slightly crooked for some users. On the toner side, a few owners found that the printer uses toner aggressively, even with high-yield cartridges (cartridges that print more pages), making the per-page cost higher than expected.

Feature-packed with a catch: the Alexa integration and lightning-fast startup are great, but the Wi-Fi stability is the biggest complaint. Best for users who connect via Ethernet (a wired cable) or who are ready to power-cycle occasionally.

Perfect for: tech enthusiasts who want voice control and a quick, sharp black-and-white printer that supports AirPrint (prints from Apple devices without an app) and mobile printing.

Not the one if: you need rock-solid wireless reliability or plan to use high-yield toner — operating costs can add up.

Speed Champion

8. Canon imageCLASS MF465dw

42 ppm5″ color touchscreen

The blistering 42-ppm beast that handles a team’s entire print volume without hesitation.

This is the fastest printer in the lineup, hitting 42 pages per minute with a first-print time of about 5 seconds. It is designed for a busy office: the 50-sheet one-pass auto document feeder (ADF) (a tray that pulls pages through the scanner automatically in one pass) scans both sides of a page in a single pass at up to 100 images per minute for black-and-white and 80 for color. The 5-inch color touchscreen gives you an Application Library (a menu of shortcuts) for customizing shortcuts to the features you use most.

The expandable paper capacity is the real differentiator — 250 sheets in the standard cassette, 100 in the multipurpose tray (for envelopes or card stock), and an optional 550-sheet add-on brings the total to 900 sheets. That means less time refilling and more time printing. Owners praise the print quality as the best they have seen, with crisp text and even respectable photo output from color sources. The warm-up from sleep is near-instant, and the 3-year limited warranty gives confidence. The interface, however, feels dated — one owner described it as “Windows 3.1-era” — and the standard starter cartridge (the one that comes in the box) is considered small for a machine this fast.

Why it leads

  • Fastest print speed on the list at 42 ppm, with near-instant wake from sleep.
  • Expandable paper capacity up to 900 sheets handles high-volume offices.
  • top-tier print quality with crisp text and strong anti-static paper handling (prevents pages from sticking together).

What to know

  • The setup interface is dated and can be frustrating to navigate.
  • Starter toner cartridge runs out quickly; expect to replace it sooner than you would like.

The one to get if: you run a high-volume office that prints hundreds of pages a day and needs the fastest speed and largest paper capacity available.

Overkill if: you are a single home-office user printing a few dozen pages a week — the speed and capacity will go unused.

Understanding the Specs

Pages Per Minute (ppm)

This is the number that tells you how fast the printer can churn out single-sided black-and-white pages. A 30-ppm printer is fine for a few people; a 42-ppm model like the Canon MF465dw can handle a busy small office. Pair this with the first-page-out time (FPOT) (the seconds it takes for the first sheet to appear after you hit print) — a fast FPOT under 7 seconds means you are not waiting for the first page, which makes a huge difference when you print one-off documents throughout the day.

Auto Document Feeder (ADF)

An ADF is a tray on top of the scanner that grabs pages automatically and feeds them through. A 35-sheet or 50-sheet ADF lets you load a whole stack of multi-page documents and walk away — it scans, copies, or faxes (sends over a phone line) each page without you lifting the lid. If you scan contracts, receipts, or reports regularly, an ADF is a non-negotiable feature that turns a chore into a background task.

FAQ

What is the difference between a monochrome laser printer and an inkjet printer?
A monochrome laser printer uses powdered toner and a laser beam to fuse text onto the page, making it much faster and more cost-effective for black-and-white documents than an inkjet. Inkjets use liquid ink that can dry out if not used regularly, while a laser printer can sit idle for months and still produce perfect prints. The trade-off is that laser printers are larger and cannot print in color.
How many pages per minute do I need for a home office?
For light home office use — printing a few dozen pages a week — a printer running 26 to 30 ppm is plenty. If you share the printer with a small team or print 100-plus pages daily, look for 35 ppm or higher to avoid waiting. The first-page-out time (the seconds it takes for the first sheet to appear) matters too: a sub-7-second start is ideal for quick single-page jobs.
Can I use any toner cartridge in a Brother, HP, or Canon printer?
Each brand uses a specific cartridge design. Brother printers generally accept third-party compatible cartridges with fewer issues. HP printers, including the LaserJet MFP M234sdw and the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw, use firmware updates (built-in software updates) to block non-HP cartridges. Canon printers work best with Canon Genuine Toner, but some high-yield third-party options exist. Always check the exact cartridge model listed for your printer before buying replacements.
What size paper tray should I look for?
A 250-sheet tray is the standard for home and small office use. It holds about a ream of paper and is enough for a week or two of moderate printing. For high-volume offices, look for a model that accepts an optional 550-sheet add-on (like the Canon MF465dw) to reach 900 sheets total. A multipurpose tray that handles envelopes and card stock is a plus for versatility.
Do all black and white laser printers have duplex (two-sided) printing?
No, but all the printers in this guide have automatic duplex printing (printing on both sides without you flipping the paper) as a standard feature. Duplex saves paper by printing on both sides automatically. If you print a lot of drafts, reports, or handouts, duplex can cut your paper cost in half. Check the spec sheet for “Automatic Duplex” before buying.
How do I connect a laser printer to my Wi-Fi network?
Most modern printers have a setup wizard on the control panel that walks you through selecting your Wi-Fi network and entering the password. Many also support Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) — just push a button on your router and a button on the printer. For tricky setups, use an Ethernet cable (a wired connection) for the initial connection and switch to wireless afterward. Updating the printer’s firmware (built-in software) before attempting a wireless connection often solves issues, as noted with the Canon MF284dw.
What is a starter toner cartridge and how is it different from a standard one?
A starter toner cartridge is the one that comes inside the printer box. It has a lower page yield (often 700 to 1,000 pages) compared to a standard or high-yield replacement cartridge (1,700 to 3,000 pages). Manufacturers do this to keep the initial price lower, but the starter cartridge will run out faster, so plan to buy a full-yield replacement sooner than you expect.
Can I scan color documents with a monochrome laser printer?
Yes. Monochrome laser printers handle color scanning and copying even though they only print in black and white. The scanner captures the full color of a document or photo and can save it as a color PDF or JPEG. The printed output, however, will be in shades of gray (black-and-white). Models like the Canon MF267dw auto-detect whether the original is color or black-and-white for scanning.

Final Thoughts: The Verdict

For the majority of shoppers, the all in one black and white laser printer

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Mo Maruf
Founder & Lead Editor

Mo Maruf

I created WellFizz to bridge the gap between vague wellness advice and actionable solutions. My mission is simple: to decode the research and give you practical tools you can actually use.

Beyond the data, I am a passionate traveler. I believe that stepping away from the screen to explore new environments is essential for mental clarity and physical vitality.

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