Printers are annoying. All of them. But if you want to keep the annoyance to a minimum, we recommend a laser printer: Not only do they print sharp text and crisp graphics, but they also run more reliably than inkjets, and they won’t clog if they sit unused for weeks between jobs.
The best laser printer is the powerful, versatile HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw. It’s easy to set up and use, and it produces great-looking results both in color and in black and white.
Our pick
This model produces crisp text and vibrant graphics, and it has a low operating cost. But you can use only HP toner with it, so be prepared to pay full price come replacement time.
Type:laserSize:16.5 by 16.6 by 13.2 inchesFeatures:print, copy, fax, scanColor print:yesWireless:yesCost per page:3.3¢ for black, 16.3¢ for color
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw has an easy-to-use, smartphone-style touch interface and a 21st-century mobile app that together make daily use far less frustrating in comparison with other printers we’ve tried.
It produces sharp black text, vibrant full-color graphics, and even photos good enough for a school report.
It’s also fast, topping out at around 22 pages per minute, and it can print on envelopes, labels, and other odd-size media thanks to a handy bypass slot.
While prints cost a reasonable 3.3¢ and 16.3¢ per black or color page, respectively, replacing the cartridges remains an investment, as HP’s firmware works only with its branded toner.
Budget pick
With low operating costs, this is the best laser printer you can get for around $150. But it can’t scan or copy, and it prints only in black and white.
Type:laserSize:14 by 14.2 by 7.2 inchesFeatures:printColor print:noWireless:yesCost per page:2.7¢ for black
With a price that hovers around $150, and a print cost per page that averages 2.7¢, the Brother HL-L2350DW is cheaper to own and operate than our other picks. At just 7.2 inches tall, this model can more easily fit on a bookshelf or in a tight desk area. But it spits out only black-and-white prints, and it can’t scan or copy.
Also great
This multifunction printer adds a flatbed scanner and an automatic document feeder to our budget pick, significantly upping its home-office utility. But it prints only in black and white.
Type:laserSize:16.1 by 15.7 by 12.5 inchesFeatures:print, copy, fax, scanColor print:noWireless:yesCost per page:2.7¢ for black
The Brother MFC-L2750DW offers the same operating costs, the same print speed, and the same connectivity options as our budget pick, the HL-L2350DW. It also has a flatbed scanner and a fast, single-pass duplexing automatic document feeder on top. For home offices, this model is a great do-it-all option—as long as you don’t need color.
Upgrade pick
This business-class machine is faster, sharper, more durable, and more secure than our top pick—but it costs twice as much.
Buying Options$819 from HP
manufacturer’s warranty w/purchase
May be out of stock
Type:laserSize:16.4 by 18.6 by 15.7 inchesFeatures:print, copy, fax, scanColor print:yesWireless:yesCost per page:2.5¢ for black, 15¢ for color
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw is a worthwhile upgrade for a small business with more serious productivity needs. It prints and scans more quickly and more reliably than inkjet alternatives, it produces sharper results, and it includes robust admin and security settings designed for situations that may involve sensitive data. It’s also sturdier and more reliable than our inkjet picks.