Comparison Summary
The Brother DCP-L2640DW is the strongest overall pick for buyers who mainly print black-and-white documents and want fast output, duplex printing, a 50-page ADF and Ethernet. The Brother MFC-J1360DW is the better mixed-use choice when color is necessary, with automatic duplex printing, a 20-page ADF and a 150-sheet tray. The Canon PIXMA TR4720 adds faxing and an ADF in a compact color package, although its 2.4 GHz wireless support and two-cartridge system limit flexibility for some users.
For regular color printing, the HP Smart Tank 5003 is the standout because its refillable system and listed three years of included ink are better aligned with ongoing volume than a basic cartridge printer. The Brother HL-L2405W is the simpler text-only laser alternative, with a 250-sheet tray and up to 30 pages per minute, but it does not provide scanning, copying or automatic duplex printing. The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 offers the most office-oriented color workflow among the selected models, while the Canon PIXMA TS6520 and HP Envy 6155 suit smaller color workspaces that do not need an ADF.
The Canon PIXMA TS4320 and HP DeskJet 2855e are best reserved for straightforward home printing. They provide core print, copy and scan functions, but their listed information does not show the paper handling or document-feeding equipment needed for frequent multi-page work.
Buying Guide
Sizing and Capacity
Printer size matters in two ways: the physical footprint and the amount of work the machine can handle before you reload paper or feed another original. A 60-sheet tray is adequate for occasional household pages, but a 150-sheet or 225-sheet tray is more comfortable for schoolwork and home-office batches. The Brother HL-L2405W goes further with a 250-sheet tray, while the Brother DCP-L2640DW adds a 50-page ADF for multi-page scanning and copying.
ADF capacity should not be confused with duplex scanning. An ADF makes it easier to process several pages, but the Brother MFC-J1360DW is specifically limited to single-sided ADF work. If you routinely copy two-sided documents, confirm whether the printer scans both sides automatically or requires manual flipping. Also check the physical dimensions and weight: the DCP-L2640DW is a capable office pick, but its 25-pound body needs more permanent space than an entry-level home printer.
Feature Tradeoffs
Start by deciding whether you need color. A monochrome laser such as the Brother DCP-L2640DW or HL-L2405W is a better match for text-heavy work when color is unnecessary. The DCP-L2640DW adds scanning, copying, duplexing and an ADF; the HL-L2405W is simpler and print-only but has a large 250-sheet tray.
For color, separate cartridge ink from refillable tank ink. The Canon PIXMA TR4720, Brother MFC-J1360DW, Canon PIXMA TS6520, Canon PIXMA TS4320, HP Envy 6155, HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 and HP DeskJet 2855e use cartridge-oriented systems. The HP Smart Tank 5003 uses refillable tanks and lists three years of ink included, making it more compelling when color printing is regular rather than occasional.
Duplex printing saves paper, but it does not automatically provide duplex scanning. Faxing is also a separate feature: the Canon PIXMA TR4720 is the selected model with a clearly documented four-function print, copy, scan and fax design. Wireless capability varies too. Dual-band models offer more network flexibility, while the HP DeskJet 2855e is listed as 2.4 GHz only.
Best For, Avoid If
| Profile |
Recommended Product |
Why It Fits |
Avoid If |
| Text-heavy home office or small business |
Brother DCP-L2640DW |
The Brother DCP-L2640DW combines up to 36 ppm monochrome printing, automatic duplexing, a 50-page ADF, scanning, copying and Ethernet. |
You need color printing, faxing or a lighter, smaller printer. |
| Mixed color documents and multi-page home-office tasks |
Brother MFC-J1360DW |
The Brother MFC-J1360DW provides color printing, a 20-page ADF, automatic duplex printing, a 150-sheet tray and dual-band wireless. |
You need automatic duplex scanning or want to minimize cartridge replacement for sustained color volume. |
| Regular color printing with a focus on ongoing supply value |
HP Smart Tank 5003 (510x) |
The HP Smart Tank 5003 uses a refillable ink system and lists up to three years of ink included, along with print, copy, scan and borderless output. |
You need an identified ADF or automatic duplex printing for frequent document batches. |
| Mostly black-and-white pages with no scanning requirement |
Brother HL-L2405W (HLL2405W) |
The Brother HL-L2405W offers up to 30 ppm, a 250-sheet tray, dual-band wireless and a manual feed slot in a monochrome laser design. |
You need color, copying, scanning or automatic two-sided printing. |
| Home office that still needs faxing |
Canon PIXMA TR4720 (5074C022) |
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is a four-function color model with fax, a 20-sheet ADF, a 100-sheet front tray and automatic two-sided printing. |
Your network requires 5 GHz wireless or your print volume makes two-cartridge ink a poor fit. |
Key Specs to Compare
Compare the functions first: print-only, print/copy/scan or a four-function model with fax. Then check the features that affect your routine: automatic duplex printing, ADF capacity, paper-tray capacity and whether the ADF handles one-sided or two-sided originals.
For document volume, listed speed is a useful comparison point but not a promise of every job’s completion time. The Brother DCP-L2640DW lists up to 36 ppm, the Brother HL-L2405W up to 30 ppm, and the Brother MFC-J1360DW up to 16 ppm black and 9 ppm color. Entry-level color models are slower, with the HP DeskJet 2855e listed at up to 7.5 ppm black and 5.5 ppm color.
Also compare connection options and exact supplies. Dual-band wireless, USB and Ethernet can matter more than a slightly higher speed if several devices share the printer. The Canon PIXMA TR4720 uses PG-275 and CL-276 cartridges, the Brother MFC-J1360DW uses LC501 cartridges, and the Brother HL-L2405W uses TN830 or TN830XL toner with a separate DR830 drum. Exact model numbers should be checked before ordering supplies.
Setup and Handling Considerations
A compact printer is easier to place, but simple setup does not mean universal compatibility. Wireless printing still depends on the printer’s supported network band, the mobile or desktop app and the devices being used. The HP DeskJet 2855e is limited to 2.4 GHz wireless, whereas the Brother MFC-J1360DW, Brother HL-L2405W and Brother DCP-L2640DW list dual-band wireless. USB provides a direct alternative when wireless setup is inconvenient, and Ethernet on the DCP-L2640DW is useful for a more permanent home-office installation.
For regular document handling, an ADF is one of the most valuable upgrades over a basic flatbed scanner. It reduces page-by-page handling for multi-page jobs, but it does not guarantee automatic two-sided scanning. A larger input tray also reduces interruptions, while a manual feed slot such as the one on the HL-L2405W is useful for envelopes or specialty paper. Before buying, confirm that the model supports the paper size and media type you actually intend to use.
Maintenance and Longevity
Ownership tasks differ by printer type. Cartridge ink models require replacement cartridges, while the HP Smart Tank 5003 requires periodic bottle refilling. The tank system can be attractive for recurring color work because the listing includes a large stated ink supply, but refilling is still part of the routine. Cartridge models are simpler to replenish one cartridge at a time, though their long-term value depends on how much color you print.
Laser supplies require a different check. The Brother HL-L2405W lists both starter toner and a DR830 drum, so buyers should account for the drum as a separate consumable rather than comparing toner alone. The Brother DCP-L2640DW also uses monochrome laser supplies, but its selected facts emphasize workflow features rather than a specific included page yield.
Warranty terms can add useful context. Several selected models list one-year limited coverage, while the Canon PIXMA TS6520 lists a three-year manufacturer warranty and the HP Smart Tank 5003 lists one year or 30,000 pages, whichever comes first. A warranty is an ownership benefit, not a guarantee of failure-free operation.
Reliability Signals
Look for practical signals that reduce avoidable ownership friction rather than treating any single feature as proof of reliability. Clear supply part numbers, documented connection options, accessible controls and a paper path suited to your workload make a printer easier to live with. The Brother DCP-L2640DW provides wireless, Ethernet and USB, while the HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 combines a larger tray, ADF and touchscreen for a more structured home-office workflow.
Support and warranty information also matter. Brother identifies a one-year limited warranty and ongoing online, call or live-chat support for the HL-L2405W. Canon, Brother and HP list different warranty conditions across the selected models, so compare the exact model rather than assuming a brand-wide policy. For printers with subscription trials, treat the trial as a temporary convenience and review the later terms before enrolling.
Exact-model discipline is important. Similar names, suffixes and regional listings can use different cartridges, wireless capabilities, paper capacities or warranty conditions. Match the model identifier on the listing to the supplies and documentation before buying.
How to Compare Reviews
When reading reviews, focus on comments about the exact model and the task you expect it to perform. For an ADF printer, look for reports about feeding several pages, copying mixed documents and switching between flatbed and ADF use. For a duplex model, distinguish automatic two-sided printing from manual two-sided scanning. Those are separate functions and should be evaluated separately.
For wireless printers, prioritize comments that identify the network band, operating device and app used rather than assuming a general statement about connectivity applies to every setup. For the HP DeskJet 2855e, the 2.4 GHz limitation is a concrete compatibility point. For a laser model, look for exact toner and drum references. For a tank model, look for comments about the refill process and ink monitoring rather than assuming that a high listed page figure represents every household’s results.
Reviews are most useful when they describe a specific workload: occasional color pages, daily text documents, multi-page copying, photo printing or a shared home-office queue. A complaint from a high-volume office user may not apply to a light household buyer, and a compact model should not be judged as though it were designed for a large document department.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is choosing by checkout price alone. A low-entry cartridge printer can be reasonable for occasional pages but less attractive when color printing becomes frequent. Conversely, an ink tank may be unnecessary if you print only a few pages each month. Estimate your likely volume before deciding between cartridge ink, refillable ink and laser.
Do not assume that an ADF means duplex scanning, or that automatic duplex printing means the scanner handles both sides. The Brother MFC-J1360DW illustrates this distinction: it has an ADF and automatic duplex printing but does not provide duplex scanning or duplex copying.
Do not transfer specifications between models with similar names. Check the exact ASIN, model number, cartridge or toner family, wireless band, tray capacity and subscription terms. Also avoid assuming wireless means every phone, computer or network will connect without conditions. Finally, do not select a fast printer solely by its maximum ppm figure if you actually need color, scanning, faxing, a large tray or an ADF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which inexpensive printer is best for mostly black-and-white documents?
Choose the Brother DCP-L2640DW if you also need scanning, copying, duplex printing and an ADF. Choose the Brother HL-L2405W if print-only operation is enough and you prefer a 250-sheet tray with listed speeds up to 30 ppm.
Is an ADF the same as automatic duplex scanning?
No. An ADF feeds multiple pages, but it may scan only one side at a time. The Brother MFC-J1360DW has a 20-page single-sided ADF and automatic duplex printing, but duplex scanning and copying are not available.
Should I choose an ink tank instead of a cartridge printer?
An ink tank is more compelling when you print color regularly and want to reduce reliance on replacement cartridges. The HP Smart Tank 5003 lists three years of included ink, but it does not identify an ADF or automatic duplex printing, so a cartridge all-in-one may be better for occasional documents that require more workflow features.
What should I check before buying a wireless printer?
Check the supported wireless band, the required mobile or desktop app, USB or Ethernet alternatives and the exact model’s compatibility information. The HP DeskJet 2855e is listed as 2.4 GHz only, while several Brother models support dual-band wireless.
Are inexpensive printers suitable for high-volume work?
Some are, but the right type matters. A monochrome laser is usually the more focused choice for frequent text printing, while a refillable tank is better aligned with regular color volume. Basic cartridge inkjets are better suited to lighter workloads unless their documented paper handling and supply costs fit your needs.
Final Recommendation
The Brother DCP-L2640DW is the best overall inexpensive printer in this shortlist for buyers who can live without color. Its combination of up to 36 ppm monochrome output, automatic duplex printing, a 50-page ADF, scanning, copying and Ethernet makes it the most complete low-cost document workflow here. Choose the Brother MFC-J1360DW instead if you need color and still want an ADF, automatic duplex printing, a 150-sheet tray and dual-band wireless. For regular color volume, the HP Smart Tank 5003 is the better alternative because its refillable system and listed three years of included ink address ongoing supply use more directly.
