6 Best Alternatives to the Brother HL-L5210DW Business Monochrome Laser Printer (2026)

How alternatives differ from the HL-L5210DW

Lexmark Compact Monochrome Laser Printer

The Lexmark MS431dw shares the Brother HL-L5210DW’s monochrome output, wireless connectivity, and Gigabit Ethernet ports. It also supports duplex printing and mobile printing for flexible office use. Where it differs is in physical footprint. The Lexmark measures 16.6 inches wide and 10.8 inches high, making it slightly bulkier than the Brother’s 14.7-inch width. It weighs 20.6 pounds, which is lighter than the Brother’s 24.1 pounds. You might choose this model if you prioritize a durable build for a small office environment. It lacks the Alexa compatibility found in the Brother HL-L5210DW, focusing instead on standard network integration for reliable monochrome document production.

Brother Compact Monochrome Duplex Laser Printer

The Brother HL-L2460DW is a compact monochrome laser printer that retains wireless connectivity and duplex printing features. It supports mobile printing, similar to the HL-L5210DW. However, it omits the Gigabit Ethernet port, relying solely on wireless connections. This model is significantly smaller, measuring 14 inches wide and 7.2 inches high, compared to the HL-L5210DW’s larger dimensions. It weighs only 15.6 pounds, making it much lighter. You should pick this alternative if you need a dedicated printer for a home office or small team. It offers fast duplexing but gives up the wired network option and the higher volume capacity associated with the business-grade HL-L5210DW.

Brother Compact Monochrome Multifunction Laser Printer

The Brother HL-L2480DW adds multifunction capabilities to the monochrome laser format. Like the HL-L5210DW, it prints in black and white and supports duplex printing. It includes scanning and copying functions, which the HL-L5210DW does not offer. It connects via wireless networks and supports mobile printing. The HL-L2480DW is slightly wider at 16.1 inches but shares similar depth. It weighs 22.2 pounds. You might choose this model if you need an all-in-one device for a small office. It sacrifices the Gigabit Ethernet port found in the HL-L5210DW and may have different print speeds. It is ideal for users who require scanning alongside reliable monochrome printing.

Lexmark Wireless Duplex Color Laser Printer

The Lexmark CS331dw is a color laser printer, distinguishing it from the monochrome HL-L5210DW. It supports duplex printing, wireless connectivity, and Gigabit Ethernet. It also includes mobile printing features. This model is larger and heavier, weighing 35.5 pounds, with a width of 9.6 inches and a height of 15.5 inches. You should select this alternative if your office requires color output for presentations or marketing materials. It provides the same robust connectivity options as the Brother but in a color format. It lacks the Alexa compatibility and scanning features of some competitors, focusing on high-quality color and duplex printing for small workgroups.

Kyocera ECOSYS Monochrome LED Printer

The Kyocera ECOSYS P2235dw uses LED technology rather than traditional laser printing, delivering monochrome output. It supports duplex printing, wireless connectivity, and Gigabit Ethernet. It also offers mobile printing capabilities. The printer measures 14.8 inches wide and 10.7 inches high, with a weight of 30.9 pounds. It provides a print resolution of up to 1200 dpi. You might choose this model if you prefer LED technology for consistent print quality and speed. It matches the HL-L5210DW in connectivity options but differs in print engine technology. It is suitable for offices prioritizing speed and reliability in monochrome workflows without the need for color or scanning functions.

Brother All-in-One Monochrome Laser Printer

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact multifunction monochrome laser printer. It supports duplex printing, wireless connectivity, and mobile printing. It includes scanning and copying functions, unlike the HL-L5210DW. The printer measures 16.1 inches wide and 12.5 inches high, weighing 25 pounds. It is slightly heavier than the HL-L5210DW but offers additional functionality. You should pick this model if you need an all-in-one solution for a small office. It lacks Gigabit Ethernet, relying on wireless connections. It provides reliable monochrome output with the convenience of scanning and copying, making it a practical choice for teams that require document management alongside printing.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

Brother Monochrome Laser Printer with Alexa

Best for: High-volume monochrome office printing

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Monochrome

Print Speed

48 ppm

Connectivity

Wireless, Gigabit Ethernet

Ink/Toner System

Toner

Features

Duplex Printing, Mobile Printing

View on Amazon: Brother Monochrome Laser Printer with Alexa Affiliate link

The Brother HL-L5210DW is a monochrome laser printer designed for busy offices. It delivers print speeds of up to 48 pages per minute. The unit includes built-in wireless and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. You get a standard 250-sheet paper tray plus a 100-sheet multipurpose tray. Triple layer security helps protect your network and documents in transit.

Pros

• Prints up to 48 pages per minute for high efficiency
• Includes built-in wireless and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
• Expandable paper capacity up to 1,390 sheets with optional trays
• Features triple layer security to safeguard network and documents

Cons

• Monochrome output only, no color printing capability
• Prints only; lacks integrated scanning or copying functions
• Heavy build at 24.1 pounds requires stable desk space

Good fit if

• You need fast monochrome printing for a busy office
• You require secure network connections via Ethernet or Wi-Fi
• You want expandable paper capacity for high volume jobs

Skip if

• You need color printing for marketing materials
• You require a multifunction device with scanning
• You need a lightweight printer for portable use

Verdict: Brother HL-L5210DW Business Monochrome Laser Printer suits high-volume offices needing speed and security. It fits teams that print primarily black and white documents over networked workstations.

2 Best premium

Lexmark Compact Monochrome Laser Printer

Best for: small offices needing compact wireless monochrome printing

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Black and white

Connectivity

Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB

Duplex Printing

Automatic two-sided

Features

Duplex Printing, Mobile Printing

Use Case

Office

View on Amazon: Lexmark Compact Monochrome Laser Printer Affiliate link

The Lexmark MS431dw is a compact monochrome laser printer designed for small offices. It features automatic duplex printing, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet connectivity. The steel frame and long-life imaging components support a recommended monthly volume of 800 to 8000 pages. It includes a two-line display and mobile-friendly setup. This model suits users needing reliable wireless printing in a space-saving footprint.

Pros

• Automatic two-sided printing is standard.
• Steel frame for durability.
• Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity.
• Mobile-friendly setup.

Cons

• Smaller paper input capacity compared to high-volume business models.
• Basic two-line display limits advanced configuration visibility.
• No color printing capability.

Good fit if

• You need a compact printer for a small office.
• You require reliable wireless printing from mobile devices.
• You want automatic duplex printing as a standard feature.

Skip if

• You need color printing capabilities.
• You require a large paper capacity for high-volume tasks.
• You prefer a large touchscreen interface for navigation.

Verdict: Lexmark MS431dw Compact Monochrome Laser is a durable, space-efficient choice for small offices needing reliable wireless monochrome printing with standard duplexing.

3 Best budget

Brother Compact Monochrome Duplex Laser Printer

Best for: Home offices needing fast duplex printing

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Monochrome

Printer Type

Single-function

Print Speed

36 ppm

Connectivity

Wireless, Ethernet, USB

Duplex Printing

Automatic

View on Amazon: Brother Compact Monochrome Duplex Laser Printer Affiliate link

The Brother HL-L2460DW is a single-function monochrome laser printer designed for home offices and small teams. It delivers print speeds up to 36 ppm and includes automatic duplex printing to save paper. Connectivity options cover dual-band wireless, Ethernet, and USB. The unit features a 250-sheet paper tray and measures 14 by 14.2 by 7.2 inches. It weighs 15.6 pounds and supports mobile printing via the Brother app.

Pros

• Prints up to 36 pages per minute
• Automatic duplex printing reduces paper waste
• Dual-band wireless and Ethernet connectivity
• 250-sheet main paper tray capacity

Cons

• Single-function design lacks scanning or copying
• No built-in touchscreen display
• Heavier and bulkier than compact MFP alternatives

Good fit if

• You need a dedicated fast printer for black and white documents
• You require automatic two-sided printing without manual intervention
• You want reliable wireless and Ethernet connectivity for small offices

Skip if

• You need color printing capabilities
• You require scanning or copying functions in one device
• You prefer a lightweight portable printer for travel

Verdict: Brother HL-L2460DW Compact Monochrome Laser Printer suits users who prioritize speed and duplexing in a dedicated printing device. It fits small teams needing reliable wireless output without the bulk of a multi-function system.

4 Also great

Brother Compact Monochrome Multifunction Laser Printer

Best for: small offices needing monochrome MFP

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Monochrome

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan

Print Speed

36 ppm

Connectivity

Wireless, Ethernet, USB

Duplex Printing

Automatic

View on Amazon: Brother Compact Monochrome Multifunction Laser Printer Affiliate link

This Brother HL-L2480DW is a compact monochrome laser printer with integrated scan and copy functions. It delivers print speeds up to 36 pages per minute and supports automatic duplex printing. You get dual-band wireless, Ethernet, and USB connectivity. A 250-sheet paper tray and a 2.7-inch touchscreen handle daily tasks. It suits small offices or home users needing a single device for printing, scanning, and copying.

Pros

• Prints at speeds up to 36 ppm
• Includes automatic duplex printing
• Features a 2.7-inch touchscreen
• Supports dual-band wireless and Ethernet
• Holds 250 sheets of paper

Cons

• Only supports monochrome printing
• Scanner is a flatbed, not an ADF
• Prints only black and white documents

Good fit if

• You need a single device for print, scan, and copy
• You want dual-band wireless connectivity
• You prefer a compact footprint for small spaces

Skip if

• You require color printing capabilities
• You need automatic document feeding for scanning
• You print high volumes exceeding 36 ppm

Verdict: The Brother HL-L2480DW Compact MFP fits home offices needing a compact, monochrome all-in-one with fast 36 ppm output and dual-band wireless.

5 Best color

Lexmark Wireless Duplex Color Laser Printer

Best for: small offices needing color and duplex printing

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

Single-function

Print Speed

26 ppm

Connectivity

Wireless, USB, Ethernet

Duplex Printing

Automatic two-sided

View on Amazon: Lexmark Wireless Duplex Color Laser Printer Affiliate link

This is a compact color laser printer designed for small workgroups. It prints up to 26 pages per minute with automatic two-sided printing. The unit includes wireless, USB, and Ethernet connectivity. It supports mobile printing via Lexmark, Mopria, AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print. The recommended monthly page volume is 600 to 2,500 pages. It features a 250-page tray capacity and a single-sheet feeder.

Pros

• Prints in color at 26 ppm
• Automatic two-sided printing
• Wireless, USB, and Ethernet connectivity
• Mobile printing support

Cons

• Print-only single-function design
• Smaller 26 ppm speed than 37 ppm competitors
• Heavier at 35.5 pounds

Good fit if

• You need color output for office documents
• You require automatic duplex printing
• You want mobile printing capabilities

Skip if

• You need a multifunction printer with scanning
• You require faster than 26 ppm speeds
• You prefer a lighter or more compact footprint

Verdict: Lexmark CS331dw Color Laser Printer is a solid choice for offices that require color output and automatic duplexing but do not need scanning functions. It fits well in small workgroups where mobile printing is essential.

6 Best led

Kyocera ECOSYS Monochrome LED Printer

Best for: High-speed monochrome printing workflows

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Monochrome

Print Speed

37 ppm

Connectivity

Gigabit Ethernet, Wireless, Wi-Fi Direct

Duplex Printing

Auto-Duplex

Print Resolution

Up to 1200 dpi

View on Amazon: Kyocera ECOSYS Monochrome LED Printer Affiliate link

The Kyocera ECOSYS P2235dw uses LED technology to produce monochrome documents at 37 pages per minute. It offers a resolution of up to 1200 dpi and includes auto-duplex printing. The unit supports wireless, Wi-Fi Direct, and Gigabit Ethernet connections. With an 850-sheet paper capacity and mobile printing compatibility, it suits offices needing fast, reliable output without color capabilities.

Pros

• Prints up to 37 pages per minute
• Auto-duplex printing and scanning
• 850-sheet standard paper capacity
• Gigabit Ethernet and wireless connectivity

Cons

• LED print technology instead of laser
• No built-in scanner unit listed
• Monochrome output only

Good fit if

• You need high-volume monochrome printing
• You want auto-duplex capabilities
• You prefer wireless or Ethernet connectivity

Skip if

• You require color printing
• You need a multi-function device with scanning
• You prefer traditional laser technology

Verdict: The Kyocera ECOSYS P2235dw LED Printer is a fast, monochrome option for offices prioritizing speed and connectivity over color or scanning features.

7 Also great

Brother All-in-One Monochrome Laser Printer

Best for: Small offices needing monochrome MFP

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Monochrome

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan

Print Speed

36 ppm

Connectivity

Wireless, Ethernet, USB

Ink/Toner System

Toner cartridge

View on Amazon: Brother All-in-One Monochrome Laser Printer Affiliate link

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a monochrome laser multi-function printer designed for small offices. It prints at 36 ppm and scans at 23.6 ipm. The unit includes a 50-page auto document feeder for batch tasks. It supports dual-band wireless, Ethernet, and USB connections. The compact footprint measures 16.1 by 15.7 inches. It fits well where you need print, copy, and scan functions in one device.

Pros

• Prints up to 36 pages per minute
• Includes 50-page auto document feeder
• Dual-band wireless and Ethernet connectivity
• Monochrome laser print, copy, and scan functions

Cons

• Monochrome output only
• Heavier at 25 pounds
• No color printing capability

Good fit if

• You need a compact all-in-one printer
• You require fast monochrome document scanning
• You want dual-band wireless connectivity

Skip if

• You need color printing
• You require a large paper capacity
• You prefer a standalone printer

Verdict: Brother DCP-L2640DW Compact MFP is a practical choice for teams needing reliable monochrome output and scanning. It suits users who value dual-band wireless and a compact footprint over color capabilities.

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