Looking Beyond the Brother International HLL2865DW Printer? 6 Alternatives Worth a Look

How the Alternatives Compare

Canon MegaTank Wireless All-in-One Printer

The Canon MegaTank Wireless All-in-One Printer shifts your focus from monochrome speed to high-volume color output. While the Brother HLL2865DW prints only black and white text at 34 pages per minute, this Canon model supports color printing and wireless scanning. It measures 16.4 inches wide and 7 inches high, making it slightly wider than the Brother. You gain the ability to handle color documents and scan wirelessly, which the Brother cannot do. However, you trade the Brother’s dedicated laser speed for ink-based color versatility. This choice suits users who need occasional color work and scanning without buying separate devices. It fits offices that prioritize color convenience over pure black-and-white volume.

HP Smart Tank All-in-One Color Printer

The HP Smart Tank All-in-One Color Printer offers low-cost color printing as an alternative to the Brother’s monochrome laser approach. The Brother HLL2865DW provides fast black-and-white output but lacks color capability entirely. This HP model adds color printing and scanning functions, allowing you to produce vibrant documents and digitize paper files. It measures 17.1 inches wide, making it the widest option in this comparison. You give up the Brother’s 34 pages per minute speed for lower ongoing ink costs and color flexibility. This printer is ideal for users who need occasional color output and scanning but want to avoid cartridge expenses. It serves offices that require versatile color and scanning tasks without high ink replacement fees.

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 All-in-One Printer

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 All-in-One Printer provides color printing and scanning at a lower long-term cost than cartridge-based systems. The Brother HLL2865DW prints only black and white text at 34 pages per minute without scanning. This Epson model adds color output and wireless scanning, measuring 22.8 inches long, which is significantly longer than the Brother. You gain color versatility and scanning ability but sacrifice the Brother’s dedicated laser speed. This printer suits users who prioritize color output and low ink costs over monochrome speed. It fits offices that need occasional color documents and scanning without handling traditional cartridges. The trade-off is a larger footprint and slower print speeds compared to the Brother’s high-volume black-and-white focus.

Epson EcoTank Wireless Color All-in-One

The Epson EcoTank Wireless Color All-in-One Printer focuses on color scanning and tank efficiency for high-volume ink savings. The Brother HLL2865DW prints only black and white text at 34 pages per minute. This Epson model adds color printing, scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities with an automatic document feeder. It measures 14.8 inches wide and 6.7 inches high, making it slightly wider but shorter than the Brother. You gain comprehensive multifunction features and tank efficiency but lose the Brother’s dedicated laser speed. This printer suits offices needing color scans and high-volume ink savings. It fits users who prioritize tank efficiency over laser speed. The trade-off is a larger feature set with slower print speeds compared to the Brother’s high-volume black-and-white focus.

Zebra 2-Inch Direct Thermal Printer

The Zebra 2-Inch Direct Thermal Printer serves a completely different purpose than the Brother HLL2865DW. The Brother prints standard documents at 34 pages per minute using toner. This Zebra model prints labels and barcodes using direct thermal technology, requiring no ribbons or toner. It measures 8.4 inches wide and 10.4 inches long, making it much smaller than the Brother. You gain a focused tool for small-space label printing via USB connection. You lose all standard document printing and scanning capabilities. This printer suits users who need reliable, ribbon-free output for barcodes or wristbands. It fits offices that require specialized label printing rather than general document output. The trade-off is a narrow application scope compared to the Brother’s versatile document printing.

Brother Compact Monochrome Duplex Laser Printer

The Brother Compact Monochrome Duplex Laser Printer offers similar black-and-white printing to the HLL2865DW but with a different feature set. Both models print monochrome documents, but this Brother HL-L2460DW includes wireless scanning and duplex scanning capabilities. The HLL2865DW prints only. This model measures 14 inches wide and 7.2 inches high, nearly identical to the HLL2865DW. You gain scanning versatility, including duplex scanning, while maintaining monochrome output. You lose the HLL2865DW’s potentially higher speed if it exceeds this model’s rate. This printer suits offices needing network flexibility for black-and-white text and scanning. It fits users who require scanning features alongside printing. The trade-off is a shared Brother ecosystem with added scanning functionality instead of pure print-only simplicity.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

Brother HLL2865DW Monochrome Laser Printer

Best for: high-volume black and white printing

Supported Functions

Print

Print Speed

34 ppm

Duplex Printing

2-sided printing

Ink/Toner System

Toner

Dimensions

14 × 14.2 × 7.2 inches

Weight

15.7 pounds

View on Amazon: Brother HLL2865DW Monochrome Laser Printer Affiliate link

The Brother HLL2865DW is a monochrome laser printer designed for speed and high-volume output. It prints up to 34 pages per minute and includes a 250-sheet paper input tray. The unit comes with a starter toner cartridge rated for 1,500 pages, with an optional maximum yield of 5,000 pages. It features automatic two-sided printing and a simple one-line LCD control panel. This model suits offices needing fast, reliable text printing without color capabilities.

Pros

• Print speed up to 34 pages per minute
• Automatic two-sided printing at up to 16 sides per minute
• Large 250-sheet paper input capacity
• Optional high-yield toner cartridge supports up to 5,000 pages

Cons

• Prints black and white only; no color output
• One-line LCD panel limits on-device navigation options
• Print-only function; lacks scanning or copying features

Good fit if

• You need fast, high-volume monochrome printing
• You want automatic duplexing to save paper
• You prefer a dedicated print-only device

Skip if

• You require color printing capabilities
• You need scanning or copying functions
• You want advanced display controls

Verdict: Brother HLL2865DW Monochrome Laser Printer is a high-speed, print-only device for users who prioritize volume and speed over multifunction features. It fits offices that only need black and white output.

2 Best premium

Canon MegaTank Wireless All-in-One Printer

Best for: High-volume color printing

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-One

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan

Connectivity

Wireless

Duplex Printing

Auto 2-sided

Ink/Toner System

Refillable Tank System

View on Amazon: Canon MegaTank Wireless All-in-One Printer Affiliate link

The Canon G3290 is a wireless all-in-one printer with auto two-sided printing. It uses MegaTank ink to print up to 6,000 black and white or 7,700 color pages per set. A 2.7-inch color touchscreen controls the device. This model suits users who need high-volume color output and want to avoid frequent cartridge replacements.

Pros

• Prints up to 6,000 black and white pages per ink set
• Prints up to 7,700 color pages per ink set
• Includes auto two-sided printing
• Features a 2.7-inch color touchscreen

Cons

• No mention of Ethernet connectivity
• No mention of mobile app control

Good fit if

• You need high-volume color printing
• You prefer wireless operation

Skip if

• You require Ethernet connectivity
• You need a monochrome-only device

Verdict: Canon G3290 Wireless All-in-One fits users who prioritize high-yield color ink and wireless convenience over wired connections or app-based management.

3 Also great

HP Smart Tank All-in-One Color Printer

Best for: Low-cost high-volume color printing

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-One

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan

Connectivity

Wireless

Ink/Toner System

Tank

Features

Scanner, Copier

View on Amazon: HP Smart Tank All-in-One Color Printer Affiliate link

The HP Smart Tank 5003 is a wireless color all-in-one ink tank printer. It prints, copies, and scans with borderless support. The unit includes up to 6,000 pages of ink for three years of use. You get a mess-free refill system that plugs directly into the tank. It measures 17.1 inches wide and weighs 11.1 pounds.

Pros

• Includes up to 3 years of HP Ink
• Provides up to 6,000 pages right out of the box
• Supports borderless printing and mobile wireless connectivity
• Features a mess-free refill system with plug-in bottles

Cons

• Prints in color only, not monochrome
• No built-in automatic duplex printing listed
• No automatic document feeder mentioned

Good fit if

• You need color prints with high page yields
• You want to avoid buying separate cartridges
• You require wireless printing and scanning

Skip if

• You only need black and white text documents
• You require automatic two-sided printing
• You need to scan multiple pages at once

Verdict: HP Smart Tank 5003 Color All-in-One is a solid option for users who need vibrant color output and low ongoing ink costs without handling cartridges.

4 Also great

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 All-in-One Printer

Best for: Color printing and scanning with low ink costs

Print Technology

Inkjet

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

Multifunction (all-in-one)

Supported Functions

Print, scan, copy

Ink/Toner System

Tank

Connectivity

Wireless

View on Amazon: Epson EcoTank ET-2800 All-in-One Printer Affiliate link

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a wireless color all-in-one printer featuring high-capacity ink tanks. It supports printing, scanning, and copying. The system includes enough ink for up to 4,500 black or 7,500 color pages. This cartridge-free design reduces waste and refill frequency. Its wireless connectivity allows for easy network integration. The unit measures 22.8 by 14.8 by 10 inches and weighs 11.6 pounds.

Pros

• High-capacity ink tanks replace traditional cartridges
• Prints up to 7,500 color pages per refill
• Includes flatbed scanner and copier functions
• Wireless connectivity for network printing

Cons

• Prints only in color, not monochrome
• No mention of automatic duplex printing
• No mention of mobile app control

Good fit if

• You need vibrant color prints for photos or graphics
• You want to avoid frequent cartridge replacements
• You require scanning and copying capabilities

Skip if

• You only print black and white text
• You need automatic two-sided printing
• You require a dedicated label printer

Verdict: Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One is ideal for users who prioritize color output and low long-term ink costs over monochrome speed or automatic duplexing.

5 Also great

Epson EcoTank Wireless Color All-in-One

Best for: Color scanning and tank efficiency

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-One

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan, fax

Connectivity

Wireless, Ethernet

Ink/Toner System

Tank

Features

Automatic Document Feeder, Scanner, Copier, Fax

View on Amazon: Epson EcoTank Wireless Color All-in-One Affiliate link

The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is a wireless color all-in-one printer designed for high-volume printing without traditional cartridges. It features a built-in scanner, copier, and fax capabilities. The unit includes an automatic document feeder for batch tasks. Its ink tank system reduces waste and refilling costs. This model suits users needing reliable color output and scanning features in a compact footprint.

Pros

• Cartridge-free ink tank system
• Built-in automatic document feeder
• Wireless connectivity
• Color print, scan, and copy functions

Cons

• Heavier than monochrome laser competitors
• No mention of mobile app support
• Larger footprint than compact laser models

Good fit if

• You need color printing and scanning
• You want to avoid buying cartridges
• You require an automatic document feeder

Skip if

• You only print black and white text
• You need a compact desktop footprint
• You prefer laser durability over ink

Verdict: Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless Color AIO fits offices needing color scans and high-volume ink savings. It suits those prioritizing tank efficiency over laser speed.

6 Best budget

Zebra 2-Inch Direct Thermal Printer

Best for: small-space label and barcode printing

Connectivity

USB

Print Technology

Direct Thermal

Dimensions

10.4 × 8.4 × 6.6 inches

View on Amazon: Zebra 2-Inch Direct Thermal Printer Affiliate link

The Zebra ZD410 is a compact direct thermal label printer designed for small workspaces. It measures 8.4 by 6.6 by 10.4 inches and connects via USB. This model prints up to 2 inches wide, making it suitable for labels, barcodes, and wristbands. It uses direct thermal technology, so you do not need ribbons or toner. This setup reduces maintenance needs and simplifies media loading for retail or logistics tasks.

Pros

• Direct thermal technology eliminates the need for ribbons or toner
• Compact footprint fits limited workspace environments
• Prints labels up to 2 inches wide
• USB plug-and-play connectivity

Cons

• USB only; no wireless networking capability
• Limited to 2-inch print width
• Renewed condition may vary in cosmetic appearance

Good fit if

• You need a dedicated label printer for small spaces
• You print barcodes or wristbands up to 2 inches wide
• You want to avoid buying replacement ribbons or toner

Skip if

• You require wireless printing from multiple devices
• You need to print on wide labels or documents
• You want a color printer for general office use

Verdict: Zebra ZD410 Direct Thermal Label Printer is a focused tool for small-space label printing. It fits users who need reliable, ribbon-free output for barcodes or wristbands via a simple USB connection.

7 Best monochrome

Brother Compact Monochrome Duplex Laser Printer

Best for: fast black and white document 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 built for home offices and small teams. It delivers print speeds up to 36 pages per minute and includes automatic duplex printing to save paper. You get dual-band wireless, Ethernet, and USB connectivity. A 250-sheet paper tray handles volume, while the compact footprint fits tight spaces. It supports mobile printing via the Brother app and Alexa compatibility for voice control.

Pros

• Print speeds up to 36 pages per minute
• Automatic duplex printing reduces paper waste
• Dual-band wireless and Ethernet connectivity
• 250-sheet main paper tray capacity
• Mobile printing via Brother app and Alexa

Cons

• Single-function design lacks scanning or copying
• Monochrome output only, no color capability
• No built-in touchscreen display for manual control

Good fit if

• You need fast black and white document printing
• You want automatic two-sided printing to save paper
• You require reliable wireless or wired network connection

Skip if

• You need color printing for photos or graphics
• You require scanning or copying functions
• You prefer a compact all-in-one device

Verdict: The Brother HL-L2460DW Compact Monochrome Laser Printer fits users who prioritize speed and network flexibility for high-volume black and white text. It is a solid choice for offices that do not need color or scanning features.

Specifications side by side

Frequently asked questions