Best Laser Printer: Our Top 10 Picks & Reviews

Introduction

Navigating the world of printer consumables can be daunting. Whether you’re running a busy office or a home setup, the right cartridge determines your cost per page, print quality, and overall peace of mind. After extensive testing of both laser toner and inkjet cartridges, we’ve found a clear winner for those seeking reliability and long-term value. The Brother TN660 High Yield Black Toner Cartridge stands out as our top pick. Its massive 2,600-page yield delivers an exceptionally low cost per page, and its genuine Brother engineering ensures flawless performance, protecting your printer from the risks associated with third-party alternatives.

Our Top 10 Picks for Best Laser Printer

#1 Brother TN660 High Yield Black Toner Cartridge – Ideal for: High-Volume Document Printing

When it comes to monochrome laser printing, the Brother TN660 High Yield Black Toner Cartridge is the gold standard for a reason. In our testing, this genuine cartridge delivered on its promise of quality and longevity. The installation was effortless, fitting perfectly into our Brother HL-L2360DW without any of the clicking or grinding noises that some users report with third-party knockoffs. The print quality is exactly what you expect from an OEM product: sharp, crisp text and rich, consistent blacks from the first page to the last. Its most compelling feature is the impressive 2,600-page yield. For any home office or small business that prints a lot of text-based documents, this high yield translates directly into a lower cost per page and fewer interruptions to replace toner.

Our experience was confirmed by several users who noted that genuine Brother cartridges, while more expensive upfront, ultimately save money by lasting significantly longer and avoiding potential printer damage. One user mentioned they easily surpassed 2,000 pages, validating the high-yield claim. However, we did note a handful of user complaints regarding receiving cartridges that seemed defective or didn’t meet the full page yield. While our test unit performed flawlessly, it’s a reminder to purchase from reputable sellers. For anyone who values reliability and long-term savings over short-term cost, the Brother TN660 High Yield Black Toner Cartridge is unequivocally the best choice for compatible Brother laser printers.

#2 HP 63XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge – Perfect for: Everyday Inkjet Document Printing

For users of compatible HP DeskJet, ENVY, and OfficeJet printers, the HP 63XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge is a dependable choice for everyday printing tasks. As an original HP product, it integrated seamlessly with our test printer, an HP OfficeJet 3830. We found the print quality to be excellent for an inkjet, producing deep, smudge-resistant black text that’s perfect for reports, schoolwork, and shipping labels. The ‘XL’ designation promises a higher page yield of approximately 480 pages, which is a significant step up from the standard cartridge and helps reduce the frequency of replacements for moderate users. We appreciated the crisp, clean output that OEM cartridges reliably provide.

However, the value proposition is a point of contention. While the XL cartridge is more economical than the standard version, many users echo our sentiment that the price feels high for the number of pages you get, especially when compared to laser toner. A recurring issue we saw in user feedback, and a risk with any ink cartridge, is the potential for receiving a defective or unrecognized unit. Several users reported their printer refusing to read the cartridge, while others experienced poor print quality right out of the box. While our test unit worked perfectly, this inconsistency is a notable concern. Despite the cost, if you need guaranteed compatibility and quality for your HP inkjet, the HP 63XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge is the manufacturer-intended option.

#3 HP 63 Black/Tri-Color Ink Cartridge 2-Pack – Suits: Occasional Color and Black-and-White Printing

The HP 63 Black/Tri-Color Ink Cartridge 2-Pack offers a convenient, all-in-one solution for HP printer owners who need to handle both monochrome and color tasks. We tested this combo pack and found it delivered the reliable performance expected from genuine HP products. Both cartridges were easy to install, and the printer recognized them immediately. The black ink produced sharp, clear text, while the tri-color cartridge yielded vibrant and accurate colors for charts and casual photo printing. This bundle is perfect for the home user who prints a mix of documents, homework assignments, and occasional color graphics, ensuring you have both cartridges on hand when one runs out.

The primary drawback of this pack is its standard-yield capacity. The black cartridge is rated for about 170 pages and the color for 150, which we found depletes quite quickly with even moderate use. Many users confirmed this, expressing frustration at how fast they need to purchase replacements, making it a costly option for frequent printing. We strongly recommend the ‘XL’ high-yield versions for anyone who prints more than a few pages per week. Additionally, like other HP ink cartridges, we saw a number of user reports about receiving used, damaged, or non-functional cartridges. While buying genuine HP ink like the HP 63 Black/Tri-Color Ink Cartridge 2-Pack is the safest bet for quality, the low page yield makes it best suited for only the most infrequent of users.

#4 HP 62XL High-yield Black Ink Cartridge – Ideal for: HP ENVY & OfficeJet Owners

For those with compatible HP ENVY and OfficeJet printers, the HP 62XL High-yield Black Ink Cartridge is the clear choice for extending time between replacements. In our evaluation, this cartridge delivered precisely what we expect from an XL-designated HP product: a straightforward installation and a noticeably longer lifespan than its standard-yield counterpart. The manufacturer rates it for approximately 600 pages, and our tests suggest that for standard text documents, this is a reasonable expectation. The print quality was consistently high, with crisp, professional-looking text that didn’t smudge. This cartridge is a workhorse for home offices that rely on these specific HP printer models for a steady stream of documents.

While the performance is solid, the product is not without its issues, a sentiment echoed by many users. The most common complaint is the printer failing to recognize the cartridge, displaying an error message even with a brand-new, genuine product. We didn’t encounter this in our primary test, but it’s a significant risk that appears to be a recurring quality control problem. Other users reported receiving cartridges that were low on ink upon arrival or were defective right out of the box, leading to frustration, especially when the return window has closed. Despite these potential pitfalls, when you get a good one, the HP 62XL High-yield Black Ink Cartridge performs well and offers better value than the standard version.

#5 HP 64XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge – Perfect for: Modern HP ENVY Photo & Tango Printers

The HP 64XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge is designed for a newer generation of HP printers, including the ENVY Photo and Tango series. We tested it with an ENVY Photo 7855 and found the performance to be top-notch. Installation was a breeze, and the printer immediately recognized the genuine cartridge. The ink quality is superb, delivering the kind of deep, rich blacks you need for both high-quality text documents and monochrome photo elements. With an estimated yield of 600 pages, it provides a solid lifespan for home and small office use, making it a much more practical choice than the standard version. For users with compatible models, this is the go-to cartridge for reliable, high-quality black-and-white printing.

However, the user experience landscape is fraught with peril. A significant theme in customer feedback is receiving defective or expired cartridges that the printer simply will not recognize. Some users reported their brand-new cartridge showing up as empty or triggering an error message about the protective tape still being on, even after it was removed. This suggests a persistent issue with the chip communication or overall quality control. We also noted complaints of receiving cartridges in opened or damaged packaging, raising concerns about being sold used or returned products as new. While our test cartridge was flawless, the sheer volume of these complaints makes purchasing the HP 64XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge feel like a bit of a gamble.

#6 HP 952XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge – Suits: High-Volume HP OfficeJet Pro Users

The HP 952XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge is a powerhouse designed for demanding office environments using HP OfficeJet Pro printers. This cartridge boasts an impressive page yield of approximately 2,000 pages, putting it in a class closer to laser toner in terms of longevity. During our hands-on evaluation with an OfficeJet Pro 8720, the cartridge performed admirably, churning out page after page of sharp, professional-grade text. The ink dries quickly and resists smudging, making it ideal for business reports, invoices, and other important documents. For businesses that rely on a compatible OfficeJet Pro, the HP 952XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge is an essential purchase to maximize productivity and minimize downtime.

Despite its high-yield promise, this cartridge is not immune to the quality control issues that plague other HP ink products. We were troubled to see numerous users report that their printers identified brand-new cartridges as “used” or simply refused to accept them, triggering an error. This is an expensive problem to have, as a faulty cartridge can bring office workflow to a halt. We also saw feedback pointing to cartridges arriving with no protective tape or in unsealed packaging, a clear red flag. While our test unit was genuine and worked as expected, the pattern of user complaints suggests a non-trivial risk of receiving a dud. If you get a working one, it’s excellent, but the potential for failure is a significant drawback.

#7 HP 64XL Tri-color High-yield Ink Cartridge – Ideal for: Frequent Color Photo and Document Printing

A perfect companion to its black counterpart, the HP 64XL Tri-color High-yield Ink Cartridge is essential for anyone using a compatible ENVY Photo or Tango printer for color-intensive tasks. Our testing showed that this cartridge produces brilliant, true-to-life colors that make photos and graphics pop. The installation process was simple, and print alignment was quick and accurate. The high-yield ‘XL’ version, rated for about 415 pages, is a must-have over the standard cartridge; we found it lasts significantly longer, making it more convenient and slightly more economical for those who print in color regularly. For family photos, business presentations, or creative projects, the quality from this genuine HP cartridge is consistently impressive.

Unfortunately, this cartridge suffers from a high rate of reported defects. A recurring complaint among users is that one of the colors (often cyan) is missing or empty straight out of the box, rendering the entire cartridge useless for color printing. This points to a major quality control failure. We also saw the familiar reports of printers failing to recognize the cartridge or cartridges arriving in damaged or previously opened packaging. One user noted printing only 10 full-color pages before the cyan ink was depleted, a frustrating and expensive experience. While the HP 64XL Tri-color High-yield Ink Cartridge is capable of beautiful results, the risk of receiving a faulty unit is disappointingly high and something buyers must be prepared for.

#8 HP 902XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge – Perfect for: Select HP OfficeJet & OfficeJet Pro Models

The HP 902XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge is a solid performer for a specific range of HP OfficeJet printers. Rated for approximately 750 pages, it provides a respectable volume of printing for a home office or small business. We found the installation to be straightforward, and our printer recognized it without any issues. The print quality is reliable, producing clean, sharp text that is suitable for all manner of professional and personal documents. As an OEM product, it’s engineered to work correctly with your machine, avoiding the potential clogs and errors that can come with third-party inks. For users of the compatible 6900-series printers, this XL cartridge is the most sensible option for balancing cost and performance.

However, this cartridge has one of the most alarming and messy failure modes we’ve seen reported. Several users experienced the cartridge literally exploding or leaking profusely upon installation, covering hands, clothes, and desks in ink. This seems to happen when removing the orange protective cap. While we didn’t experience this catastrophe, it’s a shocking and unacceptable defect. Beyond that, there are the usual complaints of expired cartridges being sold as new and printers failing to recognize the chip. One user discovered their cartridge was manufactured in 2013 with a 2015 warranty expiration date, despite being purchased much later. While the HP 902XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge generally works well, the potential for a major ink spill is a serious concern.

#9 HP 62XL Tri-color High-yield Ink Cartridge – Suits: Mobile and Home Office Color Printing

The HP 62XL Tri-color High-yield Ink Cartridge is the color counterpart to the 62XL Black, designed for a range of ENVY and OfficeJet printers, including the popular OfficeJet 250 Mobile. We tested this cartridge and were pleased with its performance. It produces vivid, well-balanced colors that are great for charts, presentations, and photos. Its compact, all-in-one design (housing cyan, magenta, and yellow) is particularly convenient for mobile printers where space is at a premium. The high-yield capacity, rated at 415 pages, is a significant improvement over the standard version and essential for anyone who prints color with any regularity. We found it to be a reliable choice for achieving quality color output.

Unfortunately, consistency remains a major issue. Like many other HP cartridges, the HP 62XL Tri-color High-yield Ink Cartridge is plagued by reports of defects. The most common problem users face is a cartridge that is either not recognized by the printer or is missing an entire color from the start. Several users noted that their cyan ink was completely gone, resulting in poor, off-color prints despite the ink level indicator showing as full. Receiving a product in a used, taped-up box is another frequent complaint that erodes consumer trust. While the cartridge works wonderfully when you get a functional one, the gamble involved in purchasing it is a significant drawback that’s hard to overlook.

#10 HP 910XL Black High-yield Ink Cartridge – Ideal for: Newer HP OfficeJet Pro 8000 Series

Designed for the modern HP OfficeJet Pro 8000 series, the HP 910XL Black High-yield Ink Cartridge is a reliable fuel source for these capable machines. We tested it and found it delivers consistent, high-quality results. The black ink is sharp and smear-resistant, perfect for the professional documents these printers are designed to produce. With a yield of around 720 pages, it strikes a good balance for a small business or a busy home office, ensuring you’re not swapping out cartridges constantly. We appreciated its fuss-free installation and the peace of mind that comes from using a genuine HP product designed specifically for the printer.

However, this model is not without its quirks. A number of users have reported the same messy ink explosion upon removing the protective tab that we saw with the 902XL, suggesting a potential design flaw in this style of cartridge. One user even advised using a knife to pop the seal to avoid the pressure buildup that causes the mess. Beyond this explosive issue, we also saw reports of cartridges that failed to validate or were simply dead on arrival, even when brand new. While many users have a flawless experience, the risk of a significant ink spill or a dud cartridge is higher than it should be. The HP 910XL Black High-yield Ink Cartridge is a good product when it works, but caution is advised during installation.

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose The Right Product for You

Key Factors to Consider

• Toner vs. Ink: The first step is knowing what your printer uses. Laser printers use toner, a dry powder, which is ideal for high-volume text, doesn’t dry out, and typically offers a lower cost per page. Inkjet printers use liquid ink, which excels at high-resolution color and photo printing but can be more expensive and may dry out if used infrequently.
• Page Yield (Standard vs. High-Yield): Most cartridges come in a standard size and a high-yield (XL) version. If you print more than a few pages a month, the XL cartridge is almost always the better value. It costs more upfront but contains significantly more ink or toner, drastically reducing your cost per page.
• Genuine (OEM) vs. Third-Party: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) cartridges are made by your printer’s brand (e.g., HP, Brother). They guarantee compatibility and quality but are the most expensive. Third-party or remanufactured cartridges are cheaper but carry a risk of lower quality, incompatibility, or even printer damage.
• Check Compatibility: This is the most critical step. Always double-check your printer’s exact model number against the cartridge’s compatibility list. A cartridge like the HP 63 will not work in a printer that needs an HP 64, even if they look similar.

Understanding Cost Per Page

The sticker price of a cartridge is misleading. The true measure of its value is the “cost per page.” You can calculate this with a simple formula: (Cartridge Price) / (Page Yield) = Cost Per Page. For example, a $60 toner cartridge with a 2,600-page yield (like our top pick, the Brother TN660) costs about 2.3 cents per page. A $40 ink cartridge with a 480-page yield costs about 8.3 cents per page. Over thousands of pages, the savings from the lower cost-per-page option become enormous.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying the Wrong Model: It’s the most common error. Write down your printer model before you shop.
• Stockpiling Ink Cartridges: Unlike toner, liquid ink can dry out over time. Only buy what you expect to use within a year or so.
• Ignoring Printer Firmware Updates: Some printer manufacturers use firmware updates to block the use of third-party cartridges. Be aware of this if you choose to go the non-OEM route.
• Choosing Standard Yield for Regular Use: If you print regularly, buying standard-yield cartridges is like buying groceries in single-serving packages—you’re paying a premium for the convenience of a lower upfront cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a laser printer cheaper to operate than an inkjet in the long run?

Yes, for most users, a laser printer is significantly cheaper to operate over time. While the initial cost of the printer and toner cartridges can be higher, the much greater page yield of a toner cartridge leads to a substantially lower cost per page, especially for black-and-white document printing.

How long does a toner cartridge typically last compared to an ink cartridge?

A toner cartridge lasts much longer in terms of page count. A standard high-yield toner cartridge might print 2,500-3,000 pages, whereas a high-yield ink cartridge might print 400-800 pages. Furthermore, toner is a dry powder and does not dry out, giving it a much longer shelf life than liquid ink.

Are color laser printers good enough for printing photos and graphics?

Color laser printers are excellent for business graphics, charts, presentations, and flyers. They produce sharp, vibrant images. However, for professional, gallery-quality photo printing, a dedicated photo inkjet printer still holds the edge in color depth, subtlety, and tonal range.

What is the best monochrome (black and white) laser printer for documents?

While we review cartridges here, printers that use our top pick, the Brother TN660 High Yield Black Toner Cartridge, are consistently rated as some of the best and most reliable monochrome printers for heavy document printing. Models in the Brother HL-L2300 series are renowned for their durability and low operating costs.

Can laser printers handle printing on thick paper like cardstock?

Most modern laser printers can handle cardstock and other thick media. However, it’s crucial to check the printer’s specifications for the maximum supported paper weight (usually measured in gsm or lbs). You should also typically use the manual feed tray for a straight paper path to avoid jams.

What is the difference between a laser printer and an LED printer?

They are very similar technologies. A laser printer uses a single laser and a spinning mirror to draw the image onto the printing drum. An LED printer uses a strip of LEDs to do the same job. LED printers have fewer moving parts, which can make them more reliable and compact, but the final print quality is generally comparable to laser printers.

Are there compact laser printers that are suitable for home use?

Absolutely. Many manufacturers, including Brother and HP, produce compact, affordable monochrome laser printers that are perfect for home offices. They offer the speed and cost-per-page benefits of laser printing without the large footprint of traditional office machines.

Conclusion: Our Final Recommendation

After a thorough review of the top cartridges on the market, our recommendation is firm. For users with compatible laser printers, the Brother TN660 High Yield Black Toner Cartridge is the undisputed champion of value and reliability. Its massive 2,600-page yield provides an exceptionally low cost per page that inkjet cartridges simply cannot match. More importantly, as a genuine OEM product, it guarantees flawless compatibility, consistent print quality, and protects your printer from the damage that third-party cartridges can cause. While many ink cartridges are plagued with defects and recognition errors, the Brother TN660 stands as a testament to dependable performance. If you prioritize long-term savings and trouble-free operation for your high-volume printing needs, this is the cartridge to buy.

Last update on 2025-10-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API