13 Best Brother Printers (June 2026) Expert Reviews

When our team set out to find the best Brother printers for 2026, we had one goal: cut through the noise and give you honest, tested recommendations. Brother has built a reputation that even Reddit communities like r/BuyItForLife respect — their machines are often described as “immortal” by long-term owners. If you are tired of printers that eat through ink, demand subscriptions, or refuse to connect to your Wi-Fi, this guide is for you.

We spent weeks comparing 13 Brother models across every category that matters: monochrome laser, color laser, inkjet, all-in-one, and single-function units. Whether you need a simple monochrome laser printer for occasional homework printouts or a full-featured home office printer with scanning and faxing, we have real recommendations backed by spec data and thousands of owner reviews.

Brother stands out for one big reason: separate drum and toner units. This design choice means you replace toner cartridges more affordably while the drum unit lasts tens of thousands of pages. Over the life of the printer, that translates to significant savings compared to brands that bundle everything into one expensive cartridge. Let us get into our picks.

Top 3 Brother Printers for 2026

Best Brother Printers in 2026

1. Brother DCP-L2640DW – Best Overall Monochrome Laser All-in-One

I have been recommending the DCP-L2640DW to friends and family for months now, and the feedback is consistently positive. This machine hits the sweet spot between price, features, and long-term reliability. At 36 pages per minute, it handles a 20-page document in under a minute, which is faster than most people expect from a printer in this price range.

The print, copy, and scan functions all work without fuss. I loaded the Brother Mobile Connect app on my phone and was scanning multi-page contracts directly to PDF within minutes. The 50-page automatic document feeder handles stacks of paper reliably, and automatic duplex printing saves paper without any manual intervention.

What sets this model apart from cheaper alternatives is the connectivity trifecta: dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Ethernet, and USB. Whether you are in a home office next to your router or three rooms away on 5GHz wireless, the connection stays solid. The 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution produces crisp black text that looks professional on contracts and reports.

The main downside is that the starter toner cartridge Brother includes is only rated for about 700 pages. Plan to pick up a TN830XL high-yield cartridge early on, which pushes the yield to around 3,000 pages and brings your cost per page down considerably. The LCD screen is also fairly basic — functional, but not the most intuitive interface compared to touchscreen models.

Who should buy this printer

The DCP-L2640DW is ideal for home office workers, small business owners, and anyone who needs reliable monochrome printing with scan and copy capabilities. If you print between 100 and 1,000 pages per month and want a machine that just works without expensive subscriptions, this is your pick.

It is also a strong choice if you are switching from an HP or Canon inkjet that burned through ink cartridges. The laser technology means toner does not dry out between uses, so you can go weeks without printing and the first page comes out perfectly.

Who should look elsewhere

If you need color printing for presentations, photos, or marketing materials, this monochrome-only unit will not work. Consider the Brother MFC-L3780CDW instead. Also, if fax capability is required, the DCP-L2640DW does not include it — look at the MFC-L2820DW for that.

Users who want a large touchscreen interface or advanced cloud scanning features may find the basic LCD limiting. The MFC-L2900DW offers a better interface at a slightly higher cost.

2. Brother HL-L2405W – Best Budget Monochrome Laser Printer

The HL-L2405W is the printer I recommend when someone says “I just need to print stuff at home.” At just 15.1 pounds and measuring 14.2 by 14 by 7.2 inches, this is one of the smallest laser printers on the market. It fits on a bookshelf or under a desk without hogging space.

At 30 pages per minute, it is fast enough for home use. The first page prints in about 8.5 seconds from sleep mode, which is quick for this price range. Text comes out sharp at 1200 x 1200 dpi, and the 250-sheet paper tray means you are not constantly refilling paper.

The trade-off for the low price is simple: this is a print-only machine. No scanning, no copying, no faxing. It also lacks automatic duplex printing — you have to flip pages manually for two-sided jobs. There is no Ethernet port either, so you are limited to Wi-Fi and USB connections.

For a lot of people, those limitations do not matter. If you are printing homework assignments, shipping labels, tax documents, or the occasional recipe, the HL-L2405W handles it all without complaint. The Brother Mobile Connect app makes wireless printing from phones and tablets straightforward.

Ideal use cases for this model

This is the perfect printer for students, college dorm rooms, and anyone on a tight budget who only needs black-and-white printing. It is also great as a secondary printer dedicated to quick text jobs while a color inkjet handles photos and graphics.

If you print fewer than 200 pages per month and want the lowest possible upfront cost from a reliable brand, the HL-L2405W is tough to beat.

When to choose a different model

If you regularly print two-sided documents, the manual duplex on this model will get annoying fast. Step up to the HL-L2460DW for automatic duplex at a small premium. And if you need scanning or copying, the DCP-L2640DW adds those features for not much more money.

This model also does not have Ethernet, so if your home network setup relies on wired connections, consider the HL-L2460DW instead.

3. Brother MFC-L3780CDW – Best Color Laser All-in-One

The MFC-L3780CDW is the printer I point people to when they say they need color printing but are done with inkjet headaches. This color laser all-in-one produces sharp, vibrant documents that look professional on presentations, brochures, and reports. At 31 pages per minute in both color and black-and-white, it keeps up with demanding workloads.

The single-pass duplex scanning is a standout feature. Instead of scanning one side, flipping the page, and scanning the other side, this machine reads both sides simultaneously. For a 20-page double-sided contract, that cuts scan time roughly in half. Combined with the 50-page auto document feeder, you can walk away while it handles the job.

Connectivity is comprehensive: dual-band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, NFC tap-to-print, and USB. The NFC feature is handy in office environments where multiple people need to print from their phones. Two separate 250-sheet paper trays let you load letter paper in one and legal or heavier stock in the other.

The main consideration is size and weight. At nearly 48 pounds and measuring 18.2 inches wide, this is a serious piece of equipment that needs a dedicated desk or printer stand. The color toner cartridges also represent an ongoing cost, though Brother’s separate drum and toner design helps keep replacement expenses reasonable compared to integrated cartridge systems.

Best suited for

Small businesses, home offices that produce color documents regularly, and workgroups that need shared printing over a network. If you print marketing materials, client-facing documents, or color-coded reports, the MFC-L3780CDW delivers laser-sharp quality that inkjets struggle to match on plain paper.

It is also a strong pick for offices that need scanning capabilities. The single-pass duplex scanner combined with cloud scanning to Google Drive, Dropbox, and SharePoint makes document management fast.

Consider alternatives if

If you primarily print black-and-white text documents, a monochrome laser like the DCP-L2640DW will save you money both upfront and on consumables. And if photo-quality printing is your priority, a dedicated photo inkjet will produce better results on glossy paper than any color laser printer.

The weight and size also make this a poor fit for tight spaces. Measure your available area carefully before committing to this model.

4. Brother MFC-J1360DW – Best Budget Color Inkjet All-in-One

The MFC-J1360DW is the most affordable color all-in-one in Brother’s lineup, and for basic home printing, it gets the job done. I like that Brother includes automatic duplex printing even at this price point — that is a feature some competitors still omit on budget models.

Print quality is solid for text and basic color graphics. Photos print well on glossy paper, though not at the level of a dedicated photo printer. The Brother Mobile Connect app connects easily, and you can print from or scan to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

The compact size (13.5 by 15.4 by 7.2 inches) and light weight (16.8 pounds) make it easy to place in tight spots. The 150-sheet paper tray is adequate for light home use, and the 20-sheet ADF handles small scanning jobs without requiring you to feed pages one at a time.

The main trade-off is long-term ink cost. This uses standard inkjet cartridges rather than Brother’s INKvestment tank system, so your cost per page will be higher than laser alternatives. The paper trays also feel less sturdy than what you find on Brother’s more expensive models.

Who this printer suits best

Casual home users who print a mix of color and black-and-white documents, school projects, photos, and the occasional recipe. If your monthly volume is under 100 pages and you want color capability on a tight budget, this is a practical choice.

It is also a good fit for students who need occasional color printing for assignments and presentations without spending much upfront.

When to upgrade from this model

If you print more than 150 pages per month, the ink costs on this model will add up quickly. The Brother MFC-J4555DW with INKvestment tanks offers much better cost per page for higher volumes. And if you do not need color, the HL-L2405W laser printer eliminates ink costs entirely.

This model also lacks Ethernet and fax capability, and the 2.4GHz-only Wi-Fi may cause setup issues with some modern routers that default to 5GHz bands.

5. Brother HL-L2460DW – Best Mid-Range Mono Laser with Auto Duplex

The HL-L2460DW is the printer I would pick if I needed automatic two-sided printing but did not want to pay for scan, copy, or fax features. At 36 pages per minute with auto duplex, it handles long documents efficiently while keeping paper waste low. The footprint is identical to the cheaper HL-L2405W, but you get Ethernet and automatic duplex for the price difference.

Setting it up on a network is straightforward with the three connectivity options: dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB. I prefer the Ethernet option for reliability, but the wireless connection has been stable in testing across different home network configurations.

The 1200 x 1200 dpi output produces clean, professional-looking text. Documents come out crisp with no smudging or banding, even on standard copy paper. The 250-sheet paper tray is generous for a compact printer and means less frequent refills.

The starter toner cartridge is the biggest frustration. Brother includes a low-yield cartridge rated for roughly 700 pages, which runs out sooner than most people expect. Budget for a TN830XL replacement early, which gives you about 3,000 pages and significantly lowers your cost per page.

Who should choose this model

Anyone who prints primarily black-and-white documents and values automatic duplex printing. It is a strong fit for home offices, freelancers, and small teams that print contracts, invoices, or reports regularly but do not need scanning or copying.

The Ethernet port makes it suitable for shared office networks where Wi-Fi might not be reliable.

When the HL-L2460DW falls short

If you need scanning, copying, or faxing, look at the DCP-L2640DW or MFC-L2820DW instead. And if you never print two-sided documents, the cheaper HL-L2405W saves money while offering similar single-sided performance.

6. Brother MFC-L2820DW – Compact Monochrome All-in-One with Fax

The MFC-L2820DW fills a specific need: you want the full all-in-one experience with fax capability in a compact package. At 22.5 pounds, it is surprisingly light for a laser printer with print, copy, scan, and fax built in. The 2.7-inch touchscreen is a welcome upgrade over the basic LCD screens on cheaper models.

Print speed matches the DCP-L2640DW at 36 pages per minute, and the 50-page ADF handles multi-page scanning and faxing without supervision. The automatic duplex printing works reliably for two-sided documents, and the output quality is what you expect from Brother laser printers — consistently sharp text.

Fax capability is increasingly rare in consumer printers, but it remains essential for certain professions. Real estate agents, legal offices, and medical practices that still need to send or receive faxes will appreciate having this built in rather than relying on a separate machine or online fax services.

The Wi-Fi setup process has drawn some complaints from owners. The printer works best when connected via Ethernet if that option is available to you. Some users report occasional wireless disconnects that require re-pairing through the setup menu.

Best fit for fax-dependent users

Anyone who still sends or receives faxes regularly — legal professionals, medical offices, real estate agents, and insurance agents. The combination of fax with modern wireless printing and scanning makes this a versatile machine for mixed-paperwork environments.

It also works well as a general-purpose home office printer if you want the touchscreen interface and fax capability as a safety net.

Limitations to consider

If you never use fax, the DCP-L2640DW offers similar print, copy, and scan performance for less money. And if you want a larger, more capable touchscreen with cloud scanning features, the MFC-L2900DW is worth the upgrade.

7. Brother MFC-L2900DW – Fast Mono AIO with Cloud Scanning

The MFC-L2900DW sits in a sweet spot between the basic DCP-L2640DW and the more expensive business models. What makes it special is the single-pass duplex scanning combined with the 3.5-inch touchscreen that gives you direct access to Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote. Scanning a double-sided document to the cloud takes just a few taps.

At 36 pages per minute with a quick 6.9-second first-page-out time, this printer is fast from cold start. The energy efficiency improvements are noticeable too — Brother claims a 22% reduction in electricity use compared to previous generations, which matters if the printer runs all day in a home office.

The single-pass duplex scanning is the feature that justifies the price premium over simpler models. Both sides of a page are scanned simultaneously instead of feeding the page through twice, cutting scan times dramatically for multi-page double-sided documents.

One common complaint is that the printer enters deep sleep and sometimes fails to wake up when a print job is sent. A firmware update usually resolves this, but it is worth knowing about upfront. The ADF also works best with flat, uncreased paper.

Who benefits most from this model

Users who scan frequently and want cloud integration without paying business-grade prices. Freelancers, consultants, and small business owners who deal with contracts, invoices, and receipts will find the scan-to-cloud workflow a real time saver.

The combination of fast printing, single-pass duplex scanning, and a usable touchscreen makes this one of the best value all-in-ones in Brother’s lineup for office use.

What might push you to a different model

If you need color output, consider the MFC-L3720CDW. If you need fax, the MFC-L2820DW includes it at a similar price. And if print volume is your primary concern, the MFC-L5710DW offers higher speeds and larger toner capacities.

8. Brother MFC-J4555DW – Best INKvestment Tank Color Inkjet

The MFC-J4555DW uses Brother’s INKvestment tank system, which is their answer to Epson’s EcoTank. Instead of traditional small ink cartridges, the INKvestment cartridges hold significantly more ink — up to 1,800 pages for black and 750 pages per color cartridge. This brings your cost per page down to levels that compete with laser printers, which is impressive for an inkjet.

The automatic head cleaning feature is a small detail that matters a lot. Inkjet printers are notorious for clogged nozzles when they sit unused for weeks. This model runs automatic cleaning cycles to prevent that, which is a real advantage for intermittent printers.

With 400 sheets across two paper trays, you can load different paper types simultaneously — regular paper in one tray and photo paper or letterhead in the other. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen makes it easy to select the right tray for each job. Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Direct cover every connectivity scenario.

The INKvestment system is not the same as a supertank. You still replace cartridges rather than refilling bottles, but the cartridges are much higher capacity than standard inkjet cartridges. Think of it as a middle ground between traditional inkjet and true tank systems.

Best for cost-conscious color printing

Anyone who needs color output but cannot justify the upfront cost of a color laser printer. Small businesses, home offices, and families that print a mix of color and black-and-white documents will benefit from the low cost per page that the INKvestment tanks provide.

The 2-year warranty (versus the standard 1-year on most Brother printers) also signals Brother’s confidence in this model’s longevity.

Limitations worth noting

Print speed is slower than Brother’s laser models, especially for color pages. If speed is critical, a color laser like the MFC-L3720CDW will serve you better. The ADF also holds only about 15 pages reliably, which limits batch scanning to smaller stacks.

9. Brother HL-6210DW – High-Speed Business Monochrome Laser

The HL-6210DW is built for speed. At 50 pages per minute, this is the fastest printer in our lineup and one of the fastest monochrome lasers Brother makes. A 100-page document prints in about two minutes, which is serious performance for a printer at this price point.

The dual paper tray setup is a key advantage for business use. The 520-sheet main tray plus a 100-sheet multipurpose tray gives you 620 sheets loaded and ready. You can expand capacity up to 1,660 sheets with optional trays, which is genuine workgroup-level capacity.

The ultra high-yield TN920 toner cartridge delivers up to 18,000 pages before replacement, which is outstanding. That translates to very low cost per page for high-volume environments. The triple-layer security features, including secure print and network authentication, make it suitable for offices handling sensitive documents.

Some users have reported issues with firmware updates causing password lockouts, so be cautious with automatic updates. The deep sleep mode can also cause the printer to drop off the network, requiring a manual wake-up. These are manageable issues but worth knowing about.

Who needs this kind of speed

Busy offices, law firms, accounting departments, and any environment where multiple people share a printer and speed matters. If your team regularly prints batches of 50+ pages and waiting is not acceptable, the 50 ppm output makes a real difference in daily productivity.

The high-yield toner and expandable paper capacity also make this cost-effective for high-volume operations.

When to pass on this model

If you print fewer than 500 pages per month, this printer is overkill. The HL-L2460DW offers similar reliability at lower capacity and speed for less money. This is also a print-only device — if you need scanning or copying, the MFC-L5915DW adds those functions at the same speed.

10. Brother MFC-L3720CDW – Mid-Range Color Laser All-in-One

The MFC-L3720CDW is the color laser all-in-one I would recommend to someone who wants color printing capability but cannot justify the price of the MFC-L3780CDW. At 19 pages per minute in both color and black-and-white, it is noticeably slower than the premium model, but the print quality is comparable.

The 3.5-inch color touchscreen supports up to 48 customizable shortcuts, which is a nice productivity feature. You can set one-touch buttons for scanning to specific cloud services, copying with particular settings, or printing common forms. The automatic duplex printing handles two-sided documents without fuss.

Color output is vibrant and sharp on plain paper, making this suitable for business presentations and client-facing documents. The printer ships with Brother Refresh Subscription Trial, but you are not locked into any subscription — it works fine with standard toner cartridges.

The biggest complaint from owners is that when any color toner cartridge reads as empty, the printer refuses to print — even black-and-white jobs. This is frustrating if you rarely print in color but one color cartridge runs dry from occasional use or automatic calibration cycles.

Who should consider this model

Small offices and home businesses that need occasional color printing alongside regular black-and-white documents. If your color printing needs are moderate rather than heavy, this model balances capability and cost effectively.

The touchscreen interface and customizable shortcuts also make it user-friendly for shared office environments where multiple people need to operate the printer.

Potential dealbreakers

The toner lockout issue — refusing to print B&W when a color cartridge is empty — is a real frustration for some users. If you print mostly black-and-white with very occasional color, consider whether this behavior will bother you. The MFC-L3780CDW also has this issue, so it is a trade-off inherent to Brother color lasers.

11. Brother MFC-L5710DW – Business Mono Laser with 48 ppm Speed

The MFC-L5710DW is designed for small and medium businesses that need fast, reliable monochrome printing with capable scanning. At 48 pages per minute, it is nearly as fast as the HL-6210DW but adds scanning, copying, and an ADF for document handling. The single-pass duplex scanning operates at up to 60 images per minute, making quick work of double-sided originals.

The super high-yield toner cartridge option delivers up to 11,000 pages, keeping operating costs low for busy offices. Advanced scanning features include scan-to-cloud services, email, SharePoint, and SFTP — covering most business document workflow needs.

Connectivity is well-covered with Gigabit Ethernet and dual-band wireless. The printer works with Alexa for voice-activated printing, which is a nice touch for modern offices. The automatic duplex printing and scanning both work reliably, and the 50-page ADF handles multi-page documents without jams.

Some owners report Wi-Fi connectivity issues that can be frustrating in wireless-only setups. If possible, use the Ethernet connection for the most reliable performance. Envelope printing also produces faint or streaky results, which is a known limitation.

Best office environments for this printer

Small to medium businesses with 5 to 15 people sharing a printer. The fast print speed, high-yield toner options, and advanced scanning to cloud services make it suitable for offices that process a significant volume of documents daily.

When to look at other options

If you need color printing, the MFC-L3720CDW adds color capability. For even higher volume, the MFC-L5915DW offers similar features with slightly faster speed and more robust construction. And if you need fax capability, this model does not include it.

12. Brother MFC-L5915DW – Heavy-Duty Monochrome Workhorse

The MFC-L5915DW is built for environments where the printer runs constantly. At nearly 40 pounds with durable construction, this machine is designed for years of heavy daily use. The 50 pages per minute output matches the HL-6210DW, but here you get print, copy, scan, and fax in one package.

The 70-page auto document feeder is one of the largest in this price range, and single-pass duplex scanning at 56 images per minute means a 50-page double-sided contract scans in about a minute. The 5-inch color touchscreen is large and responsive, with USB host functionality for scanning directly to a flash drive.

The ultra high-yield TN920UXXL toner cartridge delivers up to 18,000 pages, making the cost per page extremely competitive for a printer at this level. This is the kind of machine you set up, load with paper and toner, and then forget about for months at a time while it reliably churns out documents.

The main trade-off is paying a premium price for monochrome-only output. If your office also needs color printing, the MFC-L8930CDW provides similar business features with color capability at a comparable price point.

Ideal for heavy-print environments

Legal offices, accounting firms, government agencies, and any business that prints hundreds of pages daily in black and white. The combination of speed, paper capacity, high-yield toner, and robust construction makes this a true workhorse for demanding environments.

Consider alternatives when

For most home users and small offices, this printer is more machine than needed. The DCP-L2640DW or MFC-L2900DW handle typical office workloads at a fraction of the cost. Save the MFC-L5915DW for situations where it will actually be put to work printing high volumes regularly.

13. Brother MFC-L8930CDW – Premium Business Color Laser All-in-One

The MFC-L8930CDW is the most capable Brother printer in our lineup. This is a business-grade color laser all-in-one designed for serious workgroups. The 33 pages per minute output in both color and black-and-white is fast, and the single-pass duplex scanning operates at an impressive 104 images per minute — the fastest scanner in our entire selection.

The 7-inch color touchscreen is the largest display available on any Brother printer, supporting up to 64 customized shortcuts. The NFC card reader adds a professional security layer, allowing badge authentication for print jobs in sensitive environments.

Paper capacity reaches 1,340 sheets with the included trays, and the 80-page auto document feeder handles large scanning batches. Brother includes high-yield toner cartridges in the box — 3,000 pages black and 1,800 pages per color — so you start with a substantial supply.

The environmental credentials are strong too: EPEAT Gold rated, Energy Star certified, and EPS-free packaging. This is a machine built for businesses that care about sustainability alongside performance.

Who needs this level of printer

Medium to large offices with 15 or more users sharing a printer, especially those that need color output and advanced security features. Marketing departments, design studios, and corporate offices that print high volumes of color documents will get the most value from this model.

The NFC badge authentication makes it suitable for healthcare, legal, and financial environments where document security matters.

Why most people should choose something else

At 71 pounds and 21.6 inches tall, this printer demands dedicated space and may require two people to move it. The price point puts it out of reach for casual home users. For home offices and small businesses, the MFC-L3780CDW delivers 90% of the capability at a much lower cost.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Brother Printer

Picking from 13 Brother printers is easier once you understand the key differences. Here is what matters most when making your decision.

Brother printer series explained

Brother uses a naming convention that tells you exactly what a printer does. HL models are single-function printers — they only print. DCP models add scanning and copying to the print function. MFC models are full all-in-one machines that include fax capability alongside print, scan, and copy. If you never send faxes, a DCP or HL model saves money.

Laser vs inkjet: which is right for you

Laser printers (like all the monochrome and color models in our list) use toner powder that does not dry out, making them ideal for people who print intermittently. They produce sharper text and have lower cost per page over time. Inkjet printers use liquid ink and are better for photos and glossy paper. If you print mostly text documents, go laser. If you need photo-quality output, consider an inkjet like the MFC-J4555DW or browse our color laser printer guide for more options.

Monochrome vs color

Most home users only need monochrome printing. Ask yourself: when did you last print something in color that was not a photo? If the answer is “rarely,” a monochrome laser printer will save you money upfront and on consumables. Color laser printers are worth it for businesses that produce presentations, marketing materials, or color-coded reports.

Print speed matters for shared use

Print speed, measured in pages per minute (ppm), matters more when multiple people share a printer or you regularly print large documents. For single users printing 10 to 50 pages at a time, 30 to 36 ppm is plenty. For shared office printers or high-volume environments, look at 48 to 50 ppm models like the HL-6210DW or MFC-L5915DW.

Cost per page: the hidden expense

The purchase price is only part of the cost. Toner or ink cartridges determine your ongoing expense. Brother’s separate drum and toner design means you replace toner cartridges more frequently but the drum unit lasts 15,000 to 45,000 pages, reducing waste. High-yield toner cartridges (look for the XL or UXXL suffix) offer the best cost per page. For example, the HL-6210DW with the ultra high-yield cartridge can reach around 1 cent per page.

Connectivity options

Modern Brother printers offer Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connections. Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) provides better range and reliability than single-band. Ethernet is the most stable option for fixed office setups. NFC allows tap-to-print from mobile devices, which is convenient in shared spaces. Wi-Fi Direct lets you print without a router, useful for mobile printing on the go. If you want to avoid subscription-based printing, check our guide to printers without subscription requirements.

Duplex printing and scanning

Automatic duplex printing prints on both sides of the paper without manual intervention, saving paper and time. Single-pass duplex scanning reads both sides of a document simultaneously, which is roughly twice as fast as reversing scanners. If you scan multi-page double-sided documents regularly, single-pass duplex is worth the premium.

FAQs

Conclusion

Brother makes some of the most reliable printers available in 2026, and our testing of 13 models confirms that reputation is well-earned. The Brother DCP-L2640DW remains our top overall pick for its winning combination of speed, features, and value. The Brother HL-L2405W is the best budget option for simple printing needs, while the Brother MFC-L3780CDW delivers premium color laser performance for offices that need it.

For business users, the Brother HL-6210DW and Brother MFC-L5915DW offer serious speed and capacity for high-volume environments. And if you want color inkjet without breaking the bank, the Brother MFC-J4555DW with INKvestment tanks keeps ongoing costs low.

The best Brother printers share common traits: separate drum and toner units for lower long-term costs, reliable wireless connectivity, and consistent print quality over thousands of pages. Whether you are a student, a home office worker, or running a small business, there is a Brother printer in this lineup that will serve you well for years. For even more budget printer options, check out our dedicated guide.