Small businesses don’t need a $600 machine to get reliable printing. The Brother HL-L2460DW hits the sweet spot between upfront cost and long-term durability, giving you fast monochrome output without the per-page ink drain that makes budget inkjets expensive over time. This guide covers why this printer leads the affordable category, what the real alternatives cost, and how to pick the right machine for your workflow.
Why the Brother HL-L2460DW Leads the Budget Category
Printers fail small businesses in two ways: they cost too much upfront, or they bleed money through expensive consumables. The Brother HL-L2460DW avoids both traps.
The specs hold up against printers costing twice as much:
- 36 ppm monochrome printing — fast enough for multi-page invoices and contracts.
- Automatic duplex — prints both sides without manual flipping.
- Dual-band Wi-Fi plus USB — connects over 2.4GHz or 5GHz networks, or plugs straight into a single workstation.
- Laser toner economics — toner runs roughly 1.5–3 cents per page, with drum replacement typically needed every 12,000–20,000 pages.
If you need scanning or copying, step up to the Brother DCP-L2640DW, which adds a 50-page auto document feeder and triple connectivity at a competitive price—still at 36 ppm with automatic duplex. For a full breakdown of tested models, our affordable printer for small business roundup compares the top contenders side by side.
The Cheapest Printer Isn’t Always the Cheapest to Own
Its ink cartridges cost more per page than laser toner, and its duty cycle isn’t built for daily office volumes. For a solo freelancer printing a few pages a week, it works. For a business printing client documents, the per-page cost adds up fast.
Budget inkjets also carry a hidden cost: time. Slower print speeds and frequent cartridge swaps eat hours across a year. A $150 laser printer pays for its higher sticker price within months of regular use.
| Printer | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2460DW | ~$150 | Fast mono laser printing for small offices |
| Brother DCP-L2640DW | Competitive | Print, scan, copy with 50-page ADF |
| HP DeskJet 2855e | $60 | Light home use, lowest upfront cost |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e | $210 | All-in-one with fax and affordable ink |
| Canon Pixma TS7720 | ~$119 | Cheap all-in-one for mixed home tasks |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw | $579 | Full-featured color for growing teams |
What to Consider Before You Buy
Matching a printer to your actual workload prevents overpaying for features you won’t use—or under-buying and regretting it in six months. Ask four questions before committing:
- How much do you print weekly? Heavy volume justifies a laser; light volume makes a cheap inkjet viable.
- Do you need color? Mono-only saves money if documents are text-based.
- Which functions matter? Scan, copy, fax, duplex, ADF, and Ethernet availability vary by model.
- What’s the total cost per page? Purchase price is one number; toner or ink replacement is the ongoing one.
Also check duty cycle and reliability ratings from independent testing. PCMag’s business printer testing covers these factors across current models, and Consumer Reports publishes long-term reliability data that catches weak performers early. For tank inkjets like the HP Smart Tank 5101 or Canon Pixma G3270, expect the lowest long-term color cost—but verify price and specs against current listings, since these vary widely by retailer.
FAQs
Is a laser printer better than an inkjet for a small business?
For text-heavy document printing, yes—laser printers typically cost 1.5–3 cents per page in toner versus higher per-page ink costs, and they handle higher monthly volumes without jamming or smudging. Choose an inkjet only if you print mostly photos or color graphics.
How much should a small business spend on a printer?
Most small businesses get solid performance between $150 and $300. Spending beyond that buys speed, color, or higher-volume duty cycles.
What’s the real cost of printing over time?
Toner and ink dwarf the purchase price in year one. Laser printers run about 1.5–3 cents per page for toner, with periodic drum replacement. Budget inkjets save upfront but often double or triple per-page costs. Total cost of ownership matters more than the sticker price.
If your workflow needs scanning or copying, the DCP-L2640DW adds those functions at a similar value. Skip the $60 home inkjet for office duty, and reserve color-capable machines for work that actually requires them.
References & Sources
- PCMag. “The Best Business Printers.” Independent testing covering the Brother HL-L2460DW, HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e, and category leaders.
- TechRadar. “Best Small Business Printers.” Current pricing and spec roundup for small-office models.
- Consumer Reports. “Best Cheap Printers.” Reliability data and budget-pick recommendations.