Introduction: Why Black-and-White Printers Still Matter in 2026
In a world where color printers and multifunction devices dominate, black-and-white printers (also called monochrome printers) remain essential for businesses, students, and home offices. Why?
✅ Speed & efficiency → black-and-white laser printers are faster than most color inkjets.
✅ Lower running costs → toner cartridges last much longer than ink.
✅ Durability → ideal for high-volume printing in offices.
✅ Professional print quality → crisp, sharp text documents.
✅ Affordable options → budget-friendly without sacrificing performance.
If you primarily print invoices, contracts, school reports, legal documents, shipping labels, or office paperwork, a monochrome printer is your best investment.
Here are the top picks for the best black-and-white printers in 2026:
- HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw – Best overall B&W printer for home & office
- Brother MFC-L2900DW – Best budget black-and-white printer for small business
- Canon imageCLASS MF465dw – Best high-speed black-and-white printer for heavy workloads
Quick Comparison: Best Black-and-White Printers 2026
| Printer | Type | Speed (PPM) | Key Features | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw | Laser All-in-One | 35 ppm | Print, Scan, Copy, Duplex, Wireless | Best overall black-and-white printer for office/home | [Check Price] |
| Brother MFC-L2900DW | Professional Laser | 36 ppm | Duplex printing, wireless, touchscreen, cloud-ready | Best budget black-and-white printer for small business | [Check Price] |
| Canon imageCLASS MF465dw | Monochrome Laser AIO | 42 ppm | Duplex, wireless, copier, fax, mobile ready, 3-year warranty | Best high-speed B&W printer for large workloads | [Check Price] |
Best Black-and-White Printers
1. HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw – Best Overall Black-and-White Printer
- FROM AMERICA’S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Perfect for small teams printing professional-quality black-and-white documents and reports. Print speeds up to 35 ppm black.
- PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTIVITY – Proficiency with every print—bring your business to life with toner designed for sharp, professional-quality prints
The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw is one of the best black-and-white printers in 2026 thanks to its balance of speed, print quality, and multifunction features. It’s compact enough for home offices but powerful enough for businesses.
Key Specs:
- Print Speed: Up to 35 ppm
- Functions: Print, Scan, Copy
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HP Smart App
- Features: Auto duplex, wireless printing, mobile printing
Why It’s Great:
- Fast 35 ppm printing → handles large office jobs.
- Auto-duplexing → saves paper with double-sided prints.
- Compact design → fits home & office spaces.
- HP Smart App integration → seamless mobile + cloud printing.
✅ Pros:
- Reliable printing speed
- Excellent text sharpness
- Easy wireless setup
- Compact for small offices
❌ Cons:
- No fax (only scan/copy/print)
- Toner costs higher than Brother’s
Best For: Small businesses & professionals who want a reliable all-in-one monochrome laser printer that balances performance and affordability.
2. Brother MFC-L2900DW – Best Budget Black-and-White Printer for Small Business
- Professional Performance: Elevate your business efficiency with this Brother Genuine laser printer delivering lightning-fast 36 ppm output, crystal-clear monochrome documents, and advanced single-pass scanning for superior results
The Brother MFC-L2900DW is a workhorse budget monochrome laser printer with all the features a small business needs — duplex printing, scanning, and wireless connectivity.
Key Specs:
- Print Speed: Up to 36 ppm
- Functions: Print, Scan, Copy, Wireless
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Brother Cloud Apps
- Extras: 3.5” color touchscreen, duplex printing
Why It’s Great:
- High-speed printing (36 ppm) for small offices.
- Cloud-ready features → print directly from Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive.
- Budget toner system → lower per-page cost than many rivals.
- Duplex scanning for productivity.
✅ Pros:
- Affordable toner replacement
- Cloud-ready with touchscreen
- Excellent small business features
- Fast 36 ppm output
❌ Cons:
- Bulkier than HP LaserJet Pro
- Slightly louder during heavy print cycles
Best For: Startups & small offices that need a cost-effective, reliable black-and-white laser printer with business-grade features.
3. Canon imageCLASS MF465dw – Best High-Speed Black-and-White Printer
- Wireless 4-in-1: Print, scan, copy, fax
- FAST PRINT SPEEDS: Print up to 42 pages per minute and spend less time waiting with a quick first print time of approximately 5 seconds
The Canon imageCLASS MF465dw is designed for heavy workloads, offering blazing speeds of 42 ppm. With a 3-year limited warranty, auto-duplex features, and mobile-ready integration, it’s a powerhouse for busy offices.
Key Specs:
- Print Speed: 42 ppm (fastest in its class)
- Functions: Print, Copy, Scan, Fax
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, Mobile Printing
- Extras: Auto Document Feeder, duplex scanning, 3-year warranty
Why It’s Great:
- 42 ppm speed → handles heavy office environments.
- Advanced duplexing for scanning + printing.
- Reliable Canon imageCLASS build quality.
- Extended warranty (3 years) → peace of mind for businesses.
✅ Pros:
- Fastest print speed among competitors
- Built-in fax, ADF for offices
- Great durability for long-term use
- 3-year Canon warranty
❌ Cons:
- Larger & heavier than HP/Brother
- Higher upfront cost
Best For: Large offices or small businesses that need a high-speed, reliable monochrome printer with a warranty-backed guarantee.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Black-and-White Printer
1. Print Speed (PPM)
- 30–35 ppm → good for home/occasional use.
- 36–40 ppm → perfect for small businesses.
- 42+ ppm → best for high-volume office workloads.
2. Toner Cost Efficiency
- HP → best for reliability, slightly higher toner costs.
- Brother → best for budget toner refills & long-term savings.
- Canon → higher upfront, but durable + warranty-backed.
3. All-in-One vs Single Function
- All-in-One (HP, Brother, Canon) → includes scanning, copying, sometimes fax.
- Single function → only printing, cheaper, but less versatile.
4. Connectivity
- Look for Wi-Fi + mobile printing (AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, HP Smart, Brother iPrint, Canon PRINT) for Cricut, Mac, and office integration.
5. Duty Cycle & Volume
- Small home use → up to 1,500 pages/month.
- Small office → up to 3,000 pages/month.
- Large office → 5,000+ pages/month.
FAQs: Best Black-and-White Printers 2026
Q1: What’s the best overall black-and-white printer?
👉 The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw – balance of speed, quality, and compact size.
Q2: What’s the best budget black-and-white printer?
👉 The Brother MFC-L2900DW – affordable toner, fast speeds, cloud integration.
Q3: What’s the fastest black-and-white printer for offices?
👉 The Canon imageCLASS MF465dw – 42 ppm + 3-year warranty.
Q4: Do B&W printers save money compared to color?
👉 Yes — monochrome laser printers use less toner, last longer, and have lower cost per page.
Q5: Can these printers work with Mac & mobile devices?
👉 Yes — all three support AirPrint, Wi-Fi Direct, and mobile apps for seamless compatibility.
Final Recommendation
- Best Overall Black-and-White Printer → HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw – reliable, fast, compact.
- Best Budget Monochrome Printer for Small Business → Brother MFC-L2900DW – affordable toner + cloud-ready features.
- Best High-Speed Office Black-and-White Printer → Canon imageCLASS MF465dw – blazing 42 ppm + 3-year warranty.
👉 Get crisp, reliable, and cost-effective printing:
[Check the Best Black-and-White Printers on Amazon]
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