Best Laser Printers: Our Top 10 Picks & Reviews

Introduction

In any home or office, the unsung hero of productivity is often the printer. But a printer is only as good as the ink or toner it uses. After countless hours of testing and reviewing, we’ve navigated the vast world of replacement cartridges to find the ones that deliver consistent quality, reliability, and value. While the market is filled with both laser and inkjet options, we’ve focused on genuine cartridges that guarantee seamless performance. For those who prioritize crisp, professional text documents and foolproof reliability, our top recommendation is the Brother TN730 Standard Yield Black Toner Cartridge. We found it offers the perfect balance of page yield, consistent quality, and hassle-free operation, making it the workhorse choice for compatible Brother laser printers.

Our Top 10 Picks for Best Laser Printers

#1 Brother TN730 Standard Yield Black Toner Cartridge – Ideal for: Reliable Everyday Document Printing

When it comes to monochrome laser printing, reliability is paramount. The Brother TN730 Standard Yield Black Toner Cartridge stands out as our top pick because it simply works, every time. In our tests, installation was a breeze, taking less than a minute to swap out the old cartridge in our Brother HL-L2350DW. The printer recognized it instantly without any errors, a stark contrast to the compatibility issues that often plague third-party options. The first page we printed was just as crisp and dark as the five-hundredth. We found the text to be sharp with no smudging or streaking, producing professional-quality documents consistently. The 1,200-page yield is more than sufficient for typical home office or small business use, providing a good balance between upfront cost and longevity. Our experience was confirmed by several users who noted the genuine Brother cartridges work best and last a long time. While some users debated the cost compared to generic brands, many came to the same conclusion we did: the OEM quality and dependability are worth the investment to avoid the streaks, light text, and potential printer damage associated with knockoffs.

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

For those using HP’s popular DeskJet, ENVY, or OfficeJet series printers, the HP 63XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge is the go-to choice for extending time between replacements. The “XL” designation isn’t just for show; we noticed a significant increase in page output compared to the standard cartridge, making it a more economical choice for anyone who prints frequently. The ink quality is exactly what we expect from a genuine HP product—deep, dark blacks that are smudge-resistant almost immediately after printing. We printed everything from text-heavy reports to shipping labels, and the output was consistently clear and professional. However, our testing and user feedback uncovered a persistent issue with quality control and authenticity. We received a perfectly functioning cartridge, but a notable number of users reported receiving defective, unrecognizable, or even seemingly used cartridges. This is a significant concern, and while the product itself performs admirably when genuine and new, the purchasing experience can be a lottery. The price is also a point of contention for many, but for guaranteed performance, sticking with the original manufacturer is often the safest bet.

#3 HP 63 Black/Tri-Color Ink Cartridge 2-Pack – Suits: Casual Home Printing Needs

The HP 63 Black/Tri-Color Ink Cartridge 2-Pack offers a convenient, all-in-one solution for users who need both monochrome and color printing capabilities. We found this combo pack to be a cost-effective way to get genuine HP ink, ensuring both cartridges work together seamlessly. Installation in our HP OfficeJet 3830 was straightforward, and the printer’s alignment process produced clean, vibrant results right away. The black ink provided the same sharp text we saw with the standalone 63XL, while the tri-color cartridge produced bright, accurate colors for photos and graphics. This pack is ideal for family use, covering everything from homework assignments to family photos. However, the page yield for these standard cartridges is modest—around 170 pages for black and 150 for color. We noticed the ink levels depleted rather quickly with regular use, a sentiment echoed by many users who felt the cartridges ran out too fast for the price. As with other HP cartridges, some customers reported receiving damaged or previously opened packages, which is a frustrating experience when you’re paying for a new, genuine product.

#4 Brother TN660 High Yield Black Toner Cartridge – Ideal for: Power Users and Small Offices

When your printing volume is high, the Brother TN660 High Yield Black Toner Cartridge is a clear winner. Designed for a wide range of Brother laser printers, this cartridge boasts an impressive yield of up to 2,600 pages, more than double its standard-yield counterpart. During our long-term testing, we found this claim to be quite accurate for standard text documents, allowing us to go months without thinking about a replacement. The print quality is consistently excellent, delivering the deep, rich blacks and sharp text that Brother laser printers are known for. We found it to be a rock-solid performer, a view shared by many users who swear by the genuine Brother cartridges after being burned by leaky or low-yield knockoffs. While it carries a higher initial cost, the cost-per-page is significantly lower, making it the smarter economic choice for busy environments. A minor issue we encountered, also pointed out by some users, was the occasional defective unit that would cause streaking or fail to reach its advertised yield. However, these instances seem to be the exception rather than the rule for this otherwise reliable, high-capacity toner.

#5 HP 65XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge – Perfect for: Everyday Printing on a Budget

The HP 65XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge is designed for a range of modern HP DeskJet and ENVY printers, offering a better value proposition than its standard-yield sibling. With a stated yield of 300 pages, it’s a solid choice for students or home users who print assignments, recipes, and documents regularly but don’t need office-level volume. In our hands-on evaluation, the cartridge performed as expected, delivering crisp, clear text without any fuss. The ink dried quickly and resisted smudging, which is crucial for handling documents right off the printer. We appreciate the XL line for providing more ink for the money, reducing the frequency of cartridge changes. However, a significant number of user reviews raise serious concerns about quality control. Many users reported receiving cartridges that were either half-full, completely empty, or simply not recognized by their printer, leading to immense frustration. One user even noted their printer was damaged by what they suspected was a counterfeit cartridge. While our test unit was flawless, the sheer volume of negative experiences suggests a gamble that not everyone will be willing to take.

#6 HP 62XL Black High-yield Ink Cartridge – Suits: HP ENVY & OfficeJet Photo Printing

The HP 62XL Black High-yield Ink Cartridge is a fantastic performer for compatible HP ENVY and OfficeJet printers, especially for users who mix document and photo printing. With an approximate yield of 600 pages, this is one of HP’s more generous XL cartridges, providing excellent longevity for home offices. We tested it in an HP ENVY 5660 and were impressed by the deep, rich black output, which is essential for creating contrast in photos and ensuring text is highly legible. The prints were fade-resistant and professional-grade. Many long-time users echo our findings, stating they’ve used these cartridges for years without issue. However, similar to other HP models, there’s a troubling pattern in user feedback regarding faulty units. We saw numerous complaints about cartridges arriving defective, being unrecognized by the printer, or showing ‘low ink’ warnings after just a few pages. A particular pain point for some was purchasing a cartridge as a backup, only to find it was defective months later when the return window had closed. When it works, it’s a top-tier ink cartridge, but the risk of receiving a dud is a significant drawback.

#7 HP 62 Black/Tri-color Ink Cartridges (2-pack) – Ideal for: All-Purpose Home and School Projects

For users who need the flexibility of both black and color printing, the HP 62 Black/Tri-color Ink Cartridges (2-pack) is a practical and reliable choice. This genuine HP combo pack ensures that your printer has everything it needs to produce everything from book reports to colorful flyers. We found the installation process to be simple and error-free. The print quality was superb; black text was sharp and clear, while the tri-color cartridge delivered vibrant, true-to-life colors without any banding or bleeding. As one user noted, the ink is smear-resistant, which we confirmed in our tests. This is a great all-around package for families with diverse printing needs. The main downside, as with most standard-yield cartridges, is the limited page count. At around 200 pages for black and 165 for color, frequent printers will find themselves replacing these often. We also noted user concerns about receiving cartridges that appeared to be refilled or were completely dried out, sometimes even before their printed expiration date. This highlights the importance of checking your purchase immediately upon arrival.

#8 HP 64XL Black High-yield Ink Cartridge – Perfect for: HP ENVY Photo and Tango Printers

The HP 64XL Black High-yield Ink Cartridge is engineered specifically for modern HP printers like the ENVY Photo and Tango series, and its performance reflects that specialized design. Offering up to 600 pages, this high-yield cartridge provides substantial value and reduces the hassle of frequent replacements. In our testing with an ENVY Photo 7855, the cartridge produced exceptionally deep blacks, which is vital for high-quality photo printing where contrast and detail are key. Documents were equally impressive, with crisp, laser-quality text. We found it to be a reliable workhorse for both creative projects and everyday tasks. Many users praised the longevity of the XL cartridges and the vibrant results they achieve. However, the recurring theme of quality control issues persists. We saw a number of complaints from users who received expired, empty, or defective cartridges that their printer would not recognize. This is especially frustrating given the premium price of genuine HP ink. When you get a good one, it’s fantastic, but the risk of receiving a dud that can’t be returned is a serious consideration.

#9 HP 952XL Black High-yield Ink Cartridge – Suits: Demanding Small Business Environments

For busy offices relying on HP OfficeJet Pro printers, the HP 952XL Black High-yield Ink Cartridge is an absolute necessity. This cartridge is a beast, boasting a massive 2,000-page yield that minimizes downtime and maximizes productivity. We put it through its paces printing hundreds of pages of reports and invoices, and it never faltered. The print quality is top-notch, with sharp, professional text that is both water and fade-resistant. The cost-per-page is significantly lower than standard cartridges, making it the most economical choice for high-volume printing. While our experience was seamless, user feedback indicates a frustrating issue where printers sometimes fail to recognize even genuine cartridges, flagging them as “used” or “not intended for this printer.” This appears to be a firmware-related problem, but it leaves customers with an expensive, unusable product. Some users also reported receiving cartridges that were not in sealed factory packaging, raising questions about their authenticity. For a product aimed at business users who can’t afford downtime, these potential roadblocks are a major concern.

#10 HP 64XL Tri-color Ink Cartridge – Ideal for: Creative Photo and Graphics Printing

The HP 64XL Tri-color Ink Cartridge is the perfect companion to its black counterpart for users of HP’s photo-centric printers. This high-yield cartridge offers a respectable 415-page yield, ensuring your creative projects aren’t interrupted by a sudden need for new ink. In our tests, the colors were incredibly vibrant and accurate, producing beautiful, lab-quality photos and graphics. We were impressed with the smooth gradients and lack of banding, which is often a problem with lesser-quality inks. For anyone serious about printing photos at home, using the genuine HP 64XL is a must for achieving the best results. A number of users confirmed our findings, praising the longevity and quality of the XL version. Unfortunately, this cartridge is not immune to the quality control problems plaguing other HP inks. We saw several reviews from frustrated customers who received cartridges that were missing a primary color (like cyan), were already empty, or were simply defective out of the box. It’s a shame that such a high-performing product is undermined by these recurring issues with supply and fulfillment.

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

Key Factors to Consider

• Genuine vs. Third-Party: Genuine (OEM) cartridges, like the ones in our review, are made by your printer’s manufacturer. They guarantee compatibility and the highest quality, but at a premium price. Third-party or remanufactured cartridges are cheaper but carry the risk of poor print quality, lower page yields, and even potential damage to your printer.
• Standard vs. High-Yield (XL): Standard cartridges have a lower upfront cost but also a lower page yield. High-yield (often labeled “XL”) cartridges cost more initially but contain more ink or toner, resulting in a lower cost-per-page. If you print frequently, XL cartridges are almost always the more economical choice.
• Check Compatibility: This is the most critical step. Printer models are incredibly specific. Always double-check that the cartridge model number (e.g., “HP 63” or “Brother TN730”) is listed as compatible with your exact printer model (e.g., “HP OfficeJet 3830” or “Brother HL-L2350DW”).

Understanding Toner vs. Ink

It’s important to know what your printer uses. The products in our list cover both types. Toner cartridges (used in laser printers) contain a fine powder that is fused to the paper with heat. They excel at producing sharp, fast text, have very high page yields, and the toner won’t dry out if you don’t print for a while. Ink cartridges (used in inkjet printers) contain liquid ink that is sprayed onto the paper. They are generally better for printing high-quality color photos and graphics with subtle color gradients.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying Based on Price Alone: The cheapest third-party cartridge can end up costing more in the long run due to low page yields, streaky prints that need re-printing, or even causing printer clogs.
• Ignoring Page Yield: A cartridge might seem cheap, but if it only prints 100 pages, it’s not a good value. Always compare the cost-per-page (cartridge price divided by page yield) for a true sense of value.
• Improper Storage: Keep backup cartridges sealed in their original packaging and stored upright in a cool, dark place. Exposing them to extreme temperatures or sunlight can cause them to dry out or fail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are laser printers cheaper to run than inkjet printers?

Generally, yes. While the initial cost of a laser printer and its toner cartridges can be higher, the cost per page is typically much lower than an inkjet. A single toner cartridge can often print thousands of pages, whereas an ink cartridge might only print a few hundred.

Is a monochrome laser printer enough for home use?

For many homes, a monochrome (black and white) laser printer is perfect. If your printing consists mainly of text documents like school reports, shipping labels, recipes, and forms, a mono laser printer offers speed, reliability, and a very low running cost. If you need to print color photos or graphics, you will need a color printer (either laser or inkjet).

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

A toner cartridge lasts significantly longer. A standard ink cartridge might yield 150-400 pages, while a standard toner cartridge can yield 1,200-2,600 pages or more. Furthermore, toner is a powder and does not dry out, so it can sit in a printer for months without use and still work perfectly. Liquid ink can dry out and clog the print heads if not used regularly.

What is the best color laser printer for a small business?

Choosing the best color laser printer depends on specific needs like print volume, desired features (e.g., scanning, duplexing), and budget. However, models from brands like Brother and HP are consistently well-regarded for their reliability, print quality, and reasonable toner costs, making them excellent starting points for any small business.

Can laser printers print high-quality photos?

While modern color laser printers can produce good quality color images and graphics suitable for business reports and presentations, they generally cannot match the photo quality of a dedicated inkjet photo printer. Inkjets excel at blending colors smoothly and producing the subtle tonal variations required for photorealistic images on glossy photo paper.

What are the main advantages of a laser printer over an inkjet?

The main advantages of a laser printer are speed, lower cost per page, and text quality. They print much faster than inkjets, their toner cartridges yield far more pages, and they produce exceptionally sharp, smudge-proof text. They are also more reliable for intermittent use as the toner doesn’t dry out.

Are there any compact laser printers suitable for a small desk?

Absolutely. Many manufacturers, including Brother and HP, offer “personal” or “compact” laser printers designed specifically for home offices or dorm rooms. These models have a much smaller footprint than their larger office counterparts while still offering the core benefits of laser printing technology.

Conclusion: Our Final Recommendation

After rigorous testing and careful consideration of real-world user feedback, we confidently stand by our top pick. The Brother TN730 Standard Yield Black Toner Cartridge consistently delivers on its promises of quality and reliability. It provides the crisp, professional text that laser printers are prized for, without the compatibility headaches, streaks, or smudges that often come with third-party alternatives. Its easy installation and dependable 1,200-page yield make it the ideal, stress-free choice for anyone with a compatible Brother printer who values performance and peace of mind over chasing the lowest possible price. For consistent, high-quality results day in and day out, the TN730 is the clear winner.

Last update on 2025-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API