By the 1ink.com team. Updated October 22, 2026. 5-min read.
Quick answer: For most homes, the best printer in 2026 is a Brother black-and-white laser. Get the DCP-L2640DW if you also copy and scan. Get the HL-L2460DW if you only print. For color, choose the MFC-J4355DW inkjet for family use or the MFC-L3780CDW for a busy home office.
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Key takeaways
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Why do we recommend Brother for home use?
We've sold ink and toner for about 26 years. Customers tell us every day what their printers cost to run. For home users, we pick Brother for two reasons: cheaper supplies and more choice.
Independent testers agree:
- Wirecutter picks Brother models in four of the five categories in its 2026 home printer guide. The fifth pick is a photo printer (Wirecutter).
- Consumer Reports says a black-and-white laser is usually the best choice for home. Its member surveys also find lasers more reliable than inkjets (Consumer Reports, CR reliability survey).
- Brother's support site says its "firmware updates do not block the use of third-party ink and toner cartridges" (Brother USA).
In 2025, some users claimed Brother updates affected third-party toner. Brother denied it. We explain what happened in Which Printer Brands Block Compatible Cartridges?
Should you pick a laser or an inkjet?
Start with what you print most.
- Mostly text, like bills, forms and homework: get a black-and-white laser. Toner doesn't dry out, so it's ready even after weeks of no use.
- Lots of color or photos: get an inkjet. The MFC-J4355DW is our pick.
- Heavy color for work: a color laser-class model like the MFC-L3780CDW is faster and built for more pages.
If you print just a few pages a month, a laser is the safer bet. Inkjet nozzles can clog when they sit unused.
Which Brother printers do we recommend?
Here are our five picks. We compare them by supplies, not sticker price, because supplies are what you keep paying for.
| Model | Type | Best for | Supplies | Shop supplies at 1ink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HL-L2460DW | Black-and-white laser, print only | Documents on a budget | TN830 / TN830XL toner | HL-L2460DW toner |
| DCP-L2640DW | Black-and-white laser all-in-one (print, copy, scan) | Most homes | TN830 / TN830XL toner | DCP-L2640DW toner |
| MFC-L2900DW | Black-and-white laser all-in-one with fax | Home offices | TN830 / TN830XL toner | MFC-L2900DW toner |
| MFC-J4355DW | INKvestment color inkjet all-in-one | Families, photos, school projects | LC506 / LC506XL ink | MFC-J4355DW ink |
| MFC-L3780CDW | Color laser-class (LED) all-in-one | Busy home offices, frequent color | TN229 toner series | MFC-L3780CDW toner |
What do the supplies cost per page?
Two terms help here:
- Page yield is how many pages a cartridge is rated to print in standard industry (ISO) tests.
- Cost per page is the cartridge price divided by its page yield.
| Cartridge | Rated yield | Brother genuine | 1ink compatible | Cost per page (genuine vs. 1ink) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TN830XL black toner | 3,000 pages | $98.29 | $38.99 | 3.3¢ vs. 1.3¢ |
| LC506XL black ink | 2,500 pages | $69.29 | $37.99 | 2.8¢ vs. 1.5¢ |
| LC506XL cyan ink | 1,500 pages | $38.49 | $19.99 | 2.6¢ vs. 1.3¢ |
| TN229XL black toner | 3,000 pages | $96.29 | $37.99 | 3.2¢ vs. 1.3¢ |
| TN229XL color toner (each) | 2,300 pages | $123.49 | $37.99 | 5.4¢ vs. 1.7¢ |
Genuine prices are Brother USA list prices; compatible prices are from 1ink.com. Both were checked October 19, 2026. Color pages draw on more than one cartridge, so they cost more than any single row shows.
Which is the best print-only printer?
Brother HL-L2460DW. It's a compact black-and-white laser with Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB. It prints on both sides automatically (auto-duplex). It's rated at up to 36 pages per minute.
Wirecutter calls it "simple, dependable" and says it fits on a bookshelf. It doesn't scan or copy.
Which printer is best for most homes?
Brother DCP-L2640DW. It's Wirecutter's top pick for home use. It prints, copies and scans, and it prints on both sides automatically.
It has a 50-page automatic document feeder (ADF), which feeds a stack of pages for scanning or copying. The box includes a starter cartridge rated for about 700 pages. It can't fax.
Which is best for a home office?
Brother MFC-L2900DW. It adds fax and a 3.5-inch color touchscreen to the DCP-L2640DW. It also has single-pass duplex scanning, which scans both sides of a page at once.
It takes the same TN830 toner. Choose it if you often scan or fax two-sided paperwork.
Which color printer is best for families?
Brother MFC-J4355DW. This INKvestment all-in-one prints, copies, scans and faxes. It has a 20-sheet document feeder.
The box includes ink for about 1,800 black and 750 color pages. Wirecutter found it prints sharp text and "stellar" glossy photos.
Which color all-in-one is best for heavy users?
Brother MFC-L3780CDW. It's fast and sharp, with a 3.5-inch touchscreen. It scans, copies and faxes both sides of a page. It also has business-grade security features.
Its toner is where costs add up. A full genuine TN229XL set costs $466.76 at Brother's list prices. Our compatible TN229XL set is $129.99.
Not sure which type fits you? Our 12-point printer buying checklist covers laser vs. inkjet, cost per page and three-year costs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best printer for home use in 2026?
For most homes, a Brother black-and-white laser is the best choice. Get the DCP-L2640DW to print, copy and scan, or the HL-L2460DW to print only. Both use TN830 toner.
Is a laser or inkjet printer better for home use?
For most homes, a black-and-white laser is better. It prints sharp text, won't clog when it sits unused, and costs less per page. Choose an inkjet or ink tank if you often print color or photos.
Do Brother printers work with compatible cartridges?
Yes. Brother says its firmware updates don't block third-party ink or toner, though it recommends genuine supplies for best results. Buy compatibles that come with a warranty. Every 1ink cartridge has a 180-day warranty.
What toner does the Brother DCP-L2640DW use?
It uses TN830 (standard) or TN830XL (high-yield, about 3,000 pages) toner and the DR830 drum. The HL-L2460DW and MFC-L2900DW use the same supplies.
Questions about your printer? Shop Brother ink and toner or read why we like Brother printers.
Sources
- Wirecutter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-home-printers/
- Consumer Reports: https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/printers/best-printers-of-the-year-a9151182809/
- Consumer Reports: https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/printers/most-and-least-reliable-printer-brands-a2254123160/
- Brother USA Support: https://help.brother-usa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/76085/~/toner-error