9 Best Cheap Laser Printer | 36 PPM Without the High Price

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The Brother HL-L3220CDW delivers vivid color output at 19 PPM for both black-and-white and color pages, making it a rare find in the sub- price range. It packs a 250-sheet paper tray, automatic duplex printing, and dual-band wireless connectivity that works seamlessly with smartphones and tablets through the Brother Mobile Connect app. Built with a compact footprint for a color laser, it fits on most home-office desks without dominating the space.

Setup requires patience — especially on Mac systems where you may need to create a self-signed certificate for network trust. Once configured, print quality is excellent: text is razor-sharp and color graphics pop with rich saturation. The printer handles envelopes and thicker media through the manual feed slot with no jams. High-yield toner cartridges (TN229XL series) significantly lower the per-page cost compared to standard yields.

Some users report occasional print jobs disappearing on Mac Ventura when filenames are overly complex or resolution exceeds 300 DPI. Firmware updates require manual web searches rather than automatic pushes. The printer is heavy at around 50 pounds, so plan a permanent placement. Overall, this is the strongest color contender if you need both speed and rich, professional output from a single unit.

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The Xerox B225DNI adds scanning and copying to the usual print-only formula without inflating the sticker price dramatically. It prints up to 36 black-and-white pages per minute and includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) for duplex scanning — a real productivity boost for multi-page contracts or reports. Built-in WiFi, Ethernet, and support for Apple AirPrint and Mopria mean it integrates into mixed-device households easily.

Print quality is consistent and sharp, with clean text down to very small font sizes. The scanning “Build Job” function allows reordering pages and removing blanks before saving as a single PDF. Initial WiFi setup can be stubborn — some users found it more reliable over a USB cable, after which network configuration went smoothly. The starter toner cartridge yields about 1,200 pages, which is generous compared to many entry-level models that include a low-yield “starter” cartridge.

Customer feedback highlights excellent value for home-office workers who need print, scan, and copy in one machine. The compact white-blue design doesn’t look out of place in a modern home workspace. The main drawback is toner longevity — some owners report faster-than-expected depletion even with light use. Download the latest drivers directly from Xerox rather than using the included CD for a smoother install on modern operating systems.

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Canon’s imageCLASS LBP172dw hits 35 PPM in monochrome output while keeping the chassis small enough to tuck onto a corner desk. It uses Canon Toner 072 (standard) and 072 High Capacity cartridges, with the high-yield option pushing past 3,000 pages per cartridge — excellent for weekly document loads. Wireless connectivity includes AirPrint and Mopria, so mobile users can fire off pages without touching a computer.

The automatic duplex printing is reliable and does not slow down the overall pace. The control panel uses a small LCD and a four-button layout that takes some getting used to — entering WiFi passwords via the directional pad can feel tedious. Setup is a two-step process: connect power first, then attach USB or configure wireless. Canon’s full driver package (Mastersetupv220) is required for proper functionality on Mac and Windows.

Some owners experienced intermittent offline behavior, particularly when the printer and router were on different network bands. Canon’s bundled app collects usage data, but printing remains unaffected if you decline app permissions. For anyone prioritizing print speed and a compact footprint over all-in-one extras, this Canon offers strong value with lower per-page costs than most competitors in its class.

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The Brother HL-L2460DW consistently earns top marks among budget-conscious buyers who prioritize reliability above all. It churns out 36 monochrome pages per minute, supports automatic duplex printing, and connects via dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz), Ethernet, or USB. The 250-sheet paper tray handles substantial print runs without constant refilling, and the manual feed slot accepts envelopes and card stock without jamming.

Setup is famously straightforward — users report being up and running within five minutes using the Brother Mobile Connect app. Print quality is crisp even in draft mode, and the toner cartridges (TN830 standard / TN830XL high-yield) last well over a year for average home-office users. The Refresh EZ Print Subscription service can save up to 50% on toner, but be cautious: the subscription can remotely prevent the printer from accepting non-“S” toner cartridges if activated.

The LCD screen is tiny and navigation requires patience when entering WiFi passwords. A single critical issue emerged: some owners found the EZ Print subscription “bricked” their printer when using third-party toner, requiring hours of support calls. Avoid subscribing if you prefer using non-Brother toner. For most buyers who want an affordable, fast, and dependable monochrome workhorse, this Brother is the top pick.

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HP’s Laserjet Pro 3001dw targets small teams of up to seven users with its 35 PPM monochrome output and auto-duplexing that cuts paper waste. It includes HP Wolf Pro Security for customizable data protection — a feature rarely seen at this price level. Connectivity options are generous: dual-band intelligent WiFi that selects the strongest signal, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and USB. Mobile printing works through AirPrint, Android, Chromebook, and Microsoft platforms.

First-page-out time is a snappy 6.6 seconds, so single-page jobs don’t waste time warming up. The 250-sheet paper tray feels standard for the segment. Setup via the HP Smart app is smooth for most users, though some reported the printer going offline after about ten months — a known WiFi module failure in a minority of units. The printer uses HP laser cartridges with embedded chips that block non-HP toner; firmware updates reinforce this restriction.

Print quality in draft mode is excellent for internal documents, while normal mode produces near-photographic text sharpness. The large paper tray and duplex printing make it ideal for medium-volume offices. The main caveat is the enforced HP cartridge ecosystem, which raises per-page costs compared to Brother or Canon alternatives. If your workplace values security and fast uptime over toner flexibility, this HP delivers.

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The Xerox B230/DNI is a monochrome wireless printer that hits 36 PPM and integrates effortlessly with Apple devices — AirPrint works out of the box, and Mopria Print Service covers Android and Chromebook users. The compact footprint suits tight workspaces, and the built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi give you connection flexibility. Print quality is clean and professional, suitable for client-facing documents.

Some owners described the interface as frustrating: typing a WiFi password using a tiny LCD and directional pad can take over two minutes. A portion of users reported daily network disconnections requiring full re-entry of credentials, which led to returns. However, those who connected via Ethernet had no such issues and praised the fast, reliable output. The starter toner cartridge is lower yield — you will need a replacement sooner than expected.

For Apple households willing to use Ethernet or patient with WiFi setup, the B230 provides excellent print speed and quality at a moderate investment. Security features include comprehensive protection against network-based threats, and automatic duplex printing is standard. If you are willing to trade a smooth out-of-box experience for high-speed performance, this Xerox is a capable choice.

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The HP LaserJet M209d strips away wireless to deliver a simple wired USB-only experience. It prints at 30 PPM and includes automatic duplex printing as standard. The compact chassis weighs only 11 pounds and takes up minimal desk real estate. A USB cable is included in the box, so you can start printing immediately upon connecting to a laptop or desktop PC.

Print quality is exceptional for a sub- monochrome laser — text is sharp and consistent across the page with no streaking or fading. The 150-sheet input tray is smaller than many alternatives, requiring more frequent refills for busy home offices. Some users noted that replacement HP toner cartridges are expensive relative to competitor prices, and the printer blocks non-HP cartridges via firmware updates.

Mac compatibility is a significant roadblock: as of early 2025, the M209d lacks drivers for macOS 12 and later (Sequoia). HP support has not released an update. This effectively limits the printer to Windows 11 and earlier Windows ecosystems. For Windows users who want a no-nonsense, low-cost monochrome laser with automatic duplex and zero WiFi hassle, this model is a solid choice — just verify your OS first.

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The HP LaserJet Pro P1606DN is a certified refurbished business-grade monochrome printer that prints at 26 PPM and supports automatic duplex printing. It connects exclusively via Ethernet, making it a wired-only solution for stable office networks rather than home WiFi. The refurbished unit includes a 90-day warranty and is tested to look and work like new — many buyers reported receiving units in “almost-new” condition with clean exteriors.

Print speed is competitive for the refurbished price point, and output is crisp and professional. Setup is straightforward over USB or Ethernet; the printer was recognized by Windows within minutes. Keep in mind that the starter toner cartridge may be the basic low-yield unit — one buyer noted their printer arrived without any toner, but the seller quickly shipped a replacement. The lengthy 7-kilogram weight reflects its sturdy commercial build quality.

Software drivers require downloading the HP 1600 series driver package rather than using the included CD, which may be outdated. No wireless connectivity means placement must be near a router or switch. The 90-day warranty is shorter than standard, but the proven reliability of this HP LaserJet series usually offsets concern. If your workspace has an Ethernet port and you need a cheap, fast, duplex-capable laser, this refurb is a strong budget hack.

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The Canon imageCLASS LBP6030w is a single-function monochrome laser built for the absolute budget shopper. It prints at 19 PPM with WiFi connectivity and holds up to 150 sheets in the input tray. Its compact white body fits in tight spaces and draws less than 2 watts in Energy Saver mode — one of the lowest standby consumptions among budget lasers. The Canon Genuine Toner 125 yields 1,600 pages, providing decent mileage for light use.

Setup is the biggest hurdle: the included CD is useless for modern computers (no optical drive), and the printed manual offers poor guidance. Users universally recommend downloading drivers directly from Canon’s website before connecting the printer. WiFi installation can be confusing — especially the WPS button pairing process — but once online, the printer is fast and reliable. The starter toner cartridge produces noticeably lighter prints than a standard replacement cartridge.

Print quality is good for the price, with sharp text on plain paper. There is no duplex printing — you must manually flip pages for two-sided output. The single-function limitation (print only, no scan or copy) keeps the cost low but means you need separate devices for those tasks. For students or home users printing occasional assignments who want the cheapest entry into laser territory, the LBP6030w works — just budget time for driver setup.