Brother and HP are the two biggest names in home and small-business laser printing. Both make reliable, capable machines — but they differ significantly on toner costs, feature philosophy, and pricing. Brother is the clear winner on running costs. HP wins on color laser options, touchscreen interfaces, and the Smart app ecosystem. Here's the honest, detailed comparison.
Brand Overview
🟦 Brother Laser Printers
Brother has built its laser printer reputation on reliable workhorses with low running costs. Their HL (print-only) and MFC (multifunction) laser lines cover budgets from $100 to $600+. Brother's TN760 high-yield toner offers some of the lowest cost-per-page of any brand at ~$0.015–0.017/page. Brother accepts third-party compatible toner without restriction — a significant long-term cost advantage. Best models: HL-L2350DW (~$119), HL-L2395DW (~$159), MFC-L2710DW (~$199).
🔵 HP Laser Printers
HP's LaserJet Pro line is premium-positioned with excellent build quality, strong app integration, and the widest color laser selection. HP's toner costs more per page (~$0.03–0.05/page) and HP discourages third-party toner (some models actively block it). HP+ activation locks printers to HP-brand-only supplies and requires internet connectivity. Best models: LaserJet Pro M255dw (~$249, color), LaserJet Pro M404n (~$250, fast mono), LaserJet MFP M234dw (~$229, MFP).
Head-to-Head: Brother vs HP Laser
| Factor | Brother Laser | HP Laser |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level monochrome price | ~$119 (HL-L2350DW) | ~$229 (M234dw MFP) |
| Toner cost per page (black) | ~$0.015 (TN760) | ~$0.03–0.05 |
| Compatible toner accepted | Yes — no restrictions | Sometimes blocked |
| Color laser options | Limited (HL-L3270CDW ~$350) | Strong lineup (M255dw ~$249) |
| Subscription lock-in | None | HP+ available (restricts to HP supplies) |
| Print speed | 32ppm+ (most models) | 30–40ppm |
| Touchscreen interface | Some models | Most mid-range models |
| HP Smart app | N/A (Brother uses iPrint&Scan) | Excellent HP Smart app |
| ADF (document feeder) | Up to 50 sheets (MFC line) | Up to 35 sheets |
| Long-term running cost | Lower (compatible toner OK) | Higher (HP-only supplies) |
| Reliability reputation | Excellent — very durable | Good — strong build quality |
Key Models Compared
| Use Case | Brother Pick | HP Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Best budget mono laser | HL-L2350DW (~$119) | — |
| Best mono MFP (print/scan/copy) | HL-L2395DW (~$159) | LaserJet MFP M234dw (~$229) |
| Best color laser | HL-L3270CDW (~$350) | LaserJet M255dw (~$249) |
| Best for low toner cost | Any Brother (TN760 ~$0.015/page) | — |
| Best app/smart home integration | — | HP Smart app ecosystem |
Our Verdict
Bottom Line
Choose Brother for monochrome document printing, the lowest toner costs, and no subscription lock-in. The Brother HL-L2350DW is the best budget laser on the market, full stop. Brother's TN760 toner at ~$0.015/page beats every HP laser on running cost.
Choose HP if you want color laser printing at a reasonable price (M255dw ~$249) or if you're deeply invested in the HP Smart app ecosystem. HP's color laser range is broader and more affordable than Brother's.
FAQs
Is Brother or HP better for laser printers?▾
For monochrome document printing: Brother wins on cost and value. For color laser printing: HP has better mid-range options. For long-term running costs without restrictions: Brother wins — they accept third-party toner and have no lock-in programs.
Which brand has cheaper toner — Brother or HP?▾
Brother is significantly cheaper. TN760 high-yield toner at ~$0.015–0.017/page vs HP toner at ~$0.03–0.05/page. With compatible third-party toner (which Brother allows), cost drops to ~$0.007/page.
Do HP laser printers block third-party toner?▾
Some do. HP has pushed firmware updates that blocked third-party cartridges on certain models, and HP+ printers restrict to HP-brand supplies only. Brother does not block compatible toner — a major long-term cost advantage.
What is the best Brother laser printer?▾
For budget printing: Brother HL-L2350DW (~$119). For print/scan/copy: Brother HL-L2395DW (~$159). For high-volume business use: Brother MFC-L2710DW (~$199) or HL-L8360CDW color laser.