Key takeaways
- Pro: A multifunction laser covers every common office task from one machine, so you avoid buying a separate scanner and copier.
- Pro: Laser output stays sharp on text-heavy pages and does not suffer from dried ink after long idle periods.
- Con: Monochrome laser models cannot print color, so school projects and photos will need another solution.
- Skip it if: you never fax and never print more than a few pages a month, since a cheaper machine can handle that comfortably.
Tax season, a mortgage refinance, a kid’s college application: every few months a household suddenly needs to print a thick stack of black-and-white pages, scan signed forms and copy IDs, all in one afternoon. An inkjet that has been idle for weeks often answers with clogged nozzles and streaky text. A monochrome laser all-in-one does not, which is why so many home offices keep one in a corner.
The six machines below combine printing, scanning and copying in a single laser unit sized for a desk or a closet shelf. As of 2026, the real differences come down to whether you want fax, a document feeder, two-sided printing and wireless setup, and how much toner each page will cost. Use the quick table to shortlist, then work through the buying rules and write-ups to confirm the fit for your routine.
Quick Picks
| Product | Best for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-L2750DW | Home offices needing print, scan, copy and fax | MFC marks a multifunction model |
| Brother MFC-L2710DW | A lower-key version of the same family | MFC series, laser L2700 range |
| Brother DCP-L2550DW | Print, scan and copy without fax | DCP marks a digital copier printer |
| HP LaserJet Pro MFP M234dw | Small households wanting an HP workflow | MFP in the name marks a multifunction printer |
| HP LaserJet MFP M139we | Compact desks and light volume | HP LaserJet MFP, wireless suffix |
| Canon imageCLASS MF264dw II | Households that scan and copy often | imageCLASS is Canon’s laser line |
How to Choose
Decide whether you need fax and an automatic feeder
Fax is rare at home but still demanded by some medical offices and legal forms. If you will never send one, a model without fax saves money. An automatic document feeder holding 30 pages or more matters if you scan multi-page contracts; otherwise the flatbed glass handles single sheets and book pages perfectly well for occasional use.
Compare toner yield and cost per page
Laser makers publish rated yields for starter and replacement toner. Starter cartridges often hold only a fraction of a standard cartridge. Look for a standard black cartridge rated near a thousand pages or more, then divide the replacement cost by that figure. A cost of a few cents per page is a healthy home-laser number, and high-yield cartridges usually lower it further.
Pick a size that fits your workspace
Laser all-in-ones are bulkier than inkjets. Measure the shelf or desk and leave a few inches behind for the paper path and a side margin for airflow. A flatbed scanner adds height, so check the clearance above the machine before you slide it into a cabinet. Most home models weigh somewhere between 15 and 30 pounds.
Check wireless and two-sided capability
Dual-band Wi-Fi and a phone app simplify setup for multiple computers. Automatic two-sided printing, often marked by the letters dw, halves paper use on long documents. If you want mobile printing without installing drivers, look for support for common phone printing standards on the spec list.
Our Picks Reviewed
Brother MFC-L2750DW
The MFC prefix marks a multifunction machine, and the L2750 sits in Brother’s compact laser family. It is the pick when a household needs print, scan, copy and fax in one footprint, and the dw suffix commonly signals two-sided and wireless support.
- Pro: A multifunction laser covers every common office task from one machine, so you avoid buying a separate scanner and copier.
- Pro: Laser output stays sharp on text-heavy pages and does not suffer from dried ink after long idle periods.
- Con: Monochrome laser models cannot print color, so school projects and photos will need another solution.
- Skip it if: you never fax and never print more than a few pages a month, since a cheaper machine can handle that comfortably.
It suits the freelancer or remote worker who handles paperwork weekly. Signing a lease, scanning an invoice and faxing a form can all happen at one desk, which makes the higher feature count easier to justify than it would be for a household that only prints school worksheets.
Brother MFC-L2710DW
This sibling of the L2750 stays in the MFC multifunction line, so the same category logic applies: print, scan, copy and fax in a laser body, with the dw letters usually pointing to wireless and duplex features.
- Pro: A compact multifunction laser fits tight home offices and handles daily document printing without fuss.
- Pro: Sharing the Brother family design means toner and drivers are easy to find and widely documented.
- Con: With two similar models in the same line, it is easy to overlook spec differences, so compare the feeder and speed lists carefully.
- Skip it if: you want color output, because monochrome toner cannot reproduce charts and photos in color.
A sensible pick when you want the Brother workflow without paying for the next step up. Read the spec sheets side by side, focusing on the document feeder capacity and print speed, because those two lines are where closely related models in one family tend to differ.
Brother DCP-L2550DW
DCP stands for digital copier printer in Brother’s naming, which in practice means a laser printer with scan and copy but no fax. That is the point: it trims a feature many homes do not use.
- Pro: Leaving out fax can keep the machine simpler and the purchase cost lower than a full MFC model.
- Pro: Print, scan and copy cover nearly every home paperwork need in a single laser unit.
- Con: If a doctor, lender or agency suddenly demands a fax, you will need an online fax service instead.
- Skip it if: fax is part of your regular routine, since a multifunction model with fax would then be the better fit.
Good for households that value a lean feature list. Fewer functions mean fewer menus to learn, which helps when several family members share the machine and one of them is only there to copy a document or print a boarding pass.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP M234dw
MFP in the name identifies a multifunction printer, and the Pro label places it in HP’s small-office tier. The dw ending typically indicates two-sided printing and wireless connectivity.
- Pro: The LaserJet name is widely supported, so replacement toner and driver software are easy to find.
- Pro: A multifunction build with scanning and copying lets one machine serve a whole household.
- Con: HP’s ink and toner policies have changed over time, so confirm how the model handles non-HP cartridges before buying.
- Skip it if: you dislike registering printers with a manufacturer app, since setup may expect an account.
A reasonable choice for families already comfortable with HP software. A Pro-tier laser is built with steadier use in mind, so it can handle a busy tax month or a home business without feeling strained, provided the toner supply is kept in stock.
HP LaserJet MFP M139we
This model drops the Pro tier, which usually points to a simpler, lower-volume machine. The MFP label still means it prints, scans and copies, and the we suffix commonly signals wireless support.
- Pro: A simpler design suits small desks and households that print only a few pages each week.
- Pro: A compact multifunction laser avoids the clogged-nozzle headaches of seldom-used inkjets.
- Con: Entry-tier machines often lack automatic two-sided printing or a larger paper tray, so check the spec sheet.
- Skip it if: your household prints heavy weekly volumes, since a Pro-tier machine is built for steadier use.
It fits renters and students who want a light, reliable document machine. Dorm rooms and small apartments benefit from a printer that can sit unused for weeks and still produce clean pages on the day an essay or application is due.
Canon imageCLASS MF264dw II
imageCLASS is Canon’s laser printer line, MF marks multifunction, and the II suggests a refreshed version. The dw ending commonly flags duplex and wireless features.
- Pro: Canon’s laser line is built around office-style document work, with a feeder and flatbed combination common in this class.
- Pro: Multifunction capability keeps print, scan and copy together, which saves desk space.
- Con: Monochrome output means color documents and photos need a different printer.
- Skip it if: you need a fax function, since you should confirm whether this specific model includes one.
It suits the home user who scans and copies as often as they print. If you plan to digitize old paperwork, check how the scan-to-email and scan-to-folder options are set up, since that workflow often matters more than the print speed itself.
Which One Fits
- Print, scan, copy and fax for a home office: Brother MFC-L2750DW or Brother MFC-L2710DW.
- No fax needed, lean feature list: Brother DCP-L2550DW.
- HP ecosystem and standard toner supply: HP LaserJet Pro MFP M234dw.
- Light volume, small desk: HP LaserJet MFP M139we.
- Frequent scanning and copying: Canon imageCLASS MF264dw II.
- Color pages required: step up to a multifunction color printer instead.
Between close rivals, let the paperwork routine decide. A household that faxes needs the multifunction line, a household that never leaves black and white can take the leaner model, and anyone short on space should measure before falling for a bigger tray.
Common Mistakes
- Paying extra for fax when no one in the household will ever send one.
- Ignoring starter toner limits, then being surprised when the first cartridge runs out within a few months.
- Buying a color-incapable laser when school or hobby projects need color.
- Measuring the desk width but forgetting the height needed to open the scanner lid.
- Skipping a check on how the printer handles third-party toner after firmware updates.
FAQ
Is a laser better than an inkjet for home use?
For text documents and infrequent use, yes. Toner does not dry out. For photos and color, an inkjet is the better tool; see the best inkjet printer for the money if that matters more.
Do I need a document feeder?
Only if you scan or copy multi-page documents regularly. Occasional single pages work fine on the flatbed.
What does the dw suffix mean?
It commonly indicates two-sided printing and wireless support, but always confirm on the individual spec sheet.
How long does toner last?
Standard cartridges are rated for roughly a thousand pages or more, so a light household may go a year or longer on one.
Can I print from my phone?
Most wireless models accept phone printing through an app or built-in standards.

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