9 Best Black White Printer | Skip the Color Costs

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The Xerox B230 hits the sweet spot between price and wireless convenience. With a 36 ppm print speed and built-in Wi-Fi that supports Apple AirPrint, Mopria, and Chromebook printing, it’s designed for users who print from phones, tablets, and laptops without needing a dedicated IT setup. The automatic duplex printing is fast for a machine in this class, and the compact footprint fits easily on a small desk.

Setup is straightforward for Windows users, and the ethernet port provides a hard-wired fallback if your wireless network gets congested. Print quality is crisp for text-heavy documents and line art, which covers the vast majority of monochrome use cases. The security features, including secure print release, make it a capable choice for small teams handling sensitive paperwork.

The interface relies on scrolling through an alphabet menu for Wi-Fi configuration, which some users find tedious on initial setup, but that’s a one-time inconvenience. A few early reports of driver instability on Windows have been addressed with subsequent firmware updates. For the balance of features, speed, and connectivity, the B230 is a strong all-rounder.

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The Canon MF275dw is a full 4-in-1 monochrome laser that prints, scans, copies, and faxes. The 30 ppm engine is slightly slower than some competitors, but the first-page-out time of about 5.3 seconds makes it feel responsive for single-page jobs. The 35-sheet automatic document feeder enables multi-page copying and scanning without babysitting each sheet.

The adjustable 6-line touchscreen is surprisingly usable for a machine in this tier. You can navigate menus, configure wireless settings, and initiate scans directly from the panel without needing the Canon PRINT Business app, though the app works well for iOS and Android users. The 150-sheet cassette is adequate for light to moderate home-office use, but you might find yourself refilling often during heavy weeks.

Cartridge economics are solid—the starter cartridge lasts a fair while, and aftermarket 071-compatible cartridges are widely available and affordable. The scanner produces crisp black-and-white scans, though color scans appear somewhat faded since the scanner is optimized for document capture. It’s a reliable, well-rounded MFP that does everything asked of it without drama.

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The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw is built for small teams that need speed and volume. At 40 ppm, it’s one of the faster machines in this roundup, and the 50-sheet automatic document feeder makes short work of multi-page copy and scan jobs. The wireless connectivity is notably reliable—users report the printer reconnects after power outages automatically, a small detail that saves consistent frustration.

Print quality is sharp and consistent, with toner designed for professional-grade black-and-white documents. The 250-sheet input tray is generous for this class, and the 7-second first-page-out time keeps you moving on single-page workflows. The compact white design doesn’t scream “office equipment,” which helps it blend into a home office aesthetic.

The major caveat is HP’s firmware policy—the printer is designed to block non-HP toner cartridges, and periodic firmware updates enforce this restriction. If you want to use cheaper generic cartridges, you must decline those firmware updates, which means missing out on potential security patches. It’s a trade-off worth knowing before you commit.

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The Brother HL-L2480DW brings a feature density that punches well above its price tier. It includes a flatbed scanner and copier plus a 2.7-inch color touchscreen that makes navigating cloud apps like Google Drive and Dropbox genuinely intuitive. The 36 ppm print speed is competitive, and the automatic duplex printing is both fast and quiet, making it a pleasant office companion.

Connectivity is a standout—dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz) plus Ethernet gives you flexibility that many budget-oriented MFPs lack. The Brother Mobile Connect app allows remote printing and toner monitoring, and the Refresh subscription trial is available if you want automated toner delivery. For users who prefer to buy cartridges outright, Brother Genuine TN830 and TN830XL toners are reasonably priced and widely available.

The manual feed slot handles envelopes and thicker media, which is useful for printing shipping labels or occasional letterhead. The flatbed scan glass is adequate for documents, but the lack of an automatic document feeder means multi-page scanning requires manual page-by-page placement—a limitation to consider if you scan multi-page documents regularly.

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Lexmark’s MS431dw is engineered for durability. The steel-frame construction and long-life imaging components are designed for monthly page volumes of 800 to 8,000 pages, making it a genuine contender for high-demand environments. The 42 ppm print speed is among the fastest here, and the automatic duplex printing maintains a brisk pace without significant slowdown on two-sided jobs.

Connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, and the two-line LCD display provides straightforward menu navigation for configuring network settings and monitoring consumables. Setup is plug-and-play for Windows machines, and the printer tolerates third-party toner cartridges well, which keeps operating costs manageable for heavy users.

The compact footprint is smaller than you might expect for a printer this capable, measuring 14.3 inches deep. A minority of users report occasional paper jam issues, though these appear to be isolated rather than systemic. If your print volume is consistently high and you prioritize build quality and speed, the MS431dw delivers on both fronts.

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The Epson EcoTank ET-M2170 changes the cost equation entirely. Instead of toner cartridges, it uses refillable ink tanks—a single bottle of black ink yields approximately 6,000 pages, dramatically reducing per-page costs. Print speed is 20 ppm, which is slower than laser alternatives, but that trade-off is acceptable for users who prioritize long-term savings over raw speed.

Print quality is very good for a monochrome inkjet, with sharp text that satisfies most business and home-office needs, though it lacks the slightly crisper edge definition of a laser. The integrated scanner and copier add functionality, though there is no automatic document feeder—each scanning or copying job requires placing the document on the flatbed glass manually. The 250-sheet paper tray handles moderate volume without constant refilling.

Wireless setup via Wi-Fi or Ethernet is straightforward, and the Email-to-Print feature works reliably when the printer is in standby. Some users find the LCD screen poorly positioned and difficult to read from certain angles. Overall, the ET-M2170 is a compelling choice if you print in high volumes and want to virtually eliminate the recurring cost of consumables.

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The Brother MFC-L2820DW XL is essentially the all-in-one upgrade of the HL-L2480DW, adding fax capability and a 50-sheet automatic document feeder that makes multi-page copying and scanning effortless. The XL version ships with an oversized toner cartridge yielding up to 4,200 pages—roughly six times the standard starter cartridge—which dramatically reduces how often you need to replace consumables.

Print speed is rated at 34 ppm, slightly behind the non-XL variant, but still competitive for a multi-function machine. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen is the same intuitive interface found on the HL-L2480DW, supporting cloud app connectivity for scan-to-Google Drive or Dropbox workflows. Dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet provide flexible networking, and the Brother Mobile Connect app handles remote printing and monitoring reliably.

The automatic document feeder handles up to 50 pages at a time, and both scanning and copying produce crisp results. Some users report the initial setup is more involved than advertised, requiring a full driver package download from Brother rather than the quick-start approach. Once configured, it’s a reliable workhorse that earned its reputation from the previous-generation models that lasted over a decade.

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The Canon D1620 is a speed-focused monochrome laser that hits 45 ppm, making it one of the fastest options available for a sub-ultra-premium price. The maximum paper capacity reaches 2,300 sheets when fully expanded, suitable for offices with consistent daily volume. The standard 550-sheet cassette is generous, and the automatic duplex printing stays fast even on two-sided jobs.

Setup is straightforward for both wired and wireless configurations, and the printer is compatible with Windows 7 through 10 and Mac OS X v10.8.5 or later. The included Canon Genuine Toner 121 yields about 5,000 pages, giving you a substantial buffer before needing a replacement. The three-year limited warranty is among the best in this category, providing peace of mind for a long-term investment.

Scan-to-email functionality exists but is notoriously difficult to configure due to hidden menu settings and poor documentation—plan to use scan-to-device (USB or network folder) for a smoother experience. A USB A-to-A cable is required for wired setup, which is less common than the standard A-to-B cable. Despite these quirks, the D1620 is a reliable, fast printer that holds up well under heavy use.

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The HP LaserJet M209d strips away everything extraneous to deliver a reliable print-only experience at a budget-friendly price. It is a wired-only printer—USB cable included—which means no Wi-Fi configuration headaches and no network dropouts. The 30 ppm print speed is respectable for its class, and the automatic duplex is fast, with the fastest-in-class two-sided printing speed HP advertises for this tier.

Print quality is excellent for black-and-white documents, with sharp text that suits professional correspondence, legal documents, and reports. The compact 8.07-inch width saves desk space, and the smart-guided buttons simplify the limited on-printer controls. The 150-sheet input tray is adequate for moderate use, though heavy-volume users will find themselves refilling more often than with larger trays.

The main limitation is the lack of wireless connectivity—this printer is designed for a single computer connected via USB. Mac users should note that HP’s drivers for macOS Sequoia (v12+) have not been updated since late 2024, causing compatibility issues with newer Mac hardware. It works flawlessly on Windows 11. If you need a simple, fast, wired black-and-white printer and run Windows, the M209d is a no-nonsense option.