6 Best Alternatives to the Lexmark MS821dn Monochrome Laser (2026)
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The Lexmark MS821dn delivers high-speed monochrome printing at up to 55 ppm with integrated duplex output. You might consider lexmark ms821dn monochrome laser alternatives if you need multifunction capabilities like scanning or faxing, which this model lacks. Some buyers also prefer wireless connectivity over the MS821dn’s wired-only setup, or they seek a more compact footprint for smaller workspaces. Others may want a lower weight or a different control interface, such as a larger touchscreen.
We selected these options because their core specifications overlap with the original. Each alternative offers monochrome laser printing and automatic two-sided output, ensuring you maintain essential workflow efficiency. The list includes models with varying print speeds, connectivity options, and feature sets to match different office needs. Whether you prioritize speed, multifunction versatility, or physical dimensions, these choices provide practical solutions based on published data. You can compare the specs to find the best fit for your specific requirements.
Our top pick: Lexmark MS821dn Monochrome Laser Printer.
How each alternative compares
Canon imageCLASS MF465dw Monochrome All-in-One
The Canon imageCLASS MF465dw replaces the Lexmark MS821dn’s single-function design with a full all-in-one suite. It includes faxing, scanning, and copying, which the MS821dn lacks. While the Canon is slower at 42 ppm versus 55 ppm, it offers duplex scanning and a color touchscreen. The Canon is significantly lighter at 34.4 pounds and slightly smaller. You should choose this if you need fax capabilities and automatic document feeding but can accept a modest speed reduction for added functionality and a more compact footprint.
Brother HL-L5210DWT Business Monochrome Printer
The Brother HL-L5210DWT matches the Lexmark MS821dn’s focus on speed and monochrome output but strips away the need for scanning hardware. It provides wireless and Ethernet connectivity, similar to the Lexmark’s wired focus but with added flexibility. The Brother is notably more compact and lighter at 32.7 pounds compared to the Lexmark’s 56 pounds. It lacks an automatic document feeder. Pick this model if you prioritize raw printing speed and a smaller physical footprint over multifunction scanning features.
Canon imageCLASS D1620 All-in-One
The Canon imageCLASS D1620 offers a multifunction approach unlike the single-function Lexmark MS821dn. It includes scanning, copying, and an automatic document feeder with duplex scanning. While it matches the Lexmark’s high-volume orientation, it does not list a specific print speed in the provided data, though it emphasizes fast document handling. The D1620 is lighter at 41.9 pounds. Choose this alternative if you require robust scanning workflows and automatic document feeding but want a slightly lighter machine than the Lexmark.
Canon imageCLASS D1650 All-in-One Duplex Printer
The Canon imageCLASS D1650 is a robust all-in-one that adds faxing and scanning to the monochrome print base. It features duplex scanning and an automatic document feeder, capabilities the MS821dn does not have. The D1650 is similar in size to the D1620 but weighs 54 pounds, very close to the Lexmark’s 56 pounds. It supports wireless connectivity. Select this printer if your office relies heavily on faxing and duplex scanning alongside high-speed monochrome printing.
Lexmark Monochrome Touchscreen All-in-One Laser Printer
The Lexmark MX331adn brings multifunction capabilities to the Lexmark ecosystem, adding faxing and scanning to the print function. It features a touch screen, differing from the MS821dn’s 2.4-inch color LCD. The MX331adn is much lighter at 32.3 pounds and more compact. It supports wireless connectivity. This model is ideal for teams that need faxing and a tactile interface but want to stay within the Lexmark brand while reducing the physical size and weight significantly compared to the MS821dn.
Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
The Brother HL-L2350DW is a compact wireless laser printer that focuses solely on printing, like the MS821dn, but without the high-volume throughput. It is significantly smaller and lighter at 15.9 pounds compared to the 56-pound Lexmark. It supports wireless connectivity and duplex printing. However, it lacks scanning and faxing features. Choose this option if you need a small-footprint printer for a small office where space is limited and multifunction scanning is not a requirement.
Quick picks
Our 7 picks
Lexmark MS821dn Monochrome Laser Printer
Best for: High-volume monochrome printing tasks
- Print Technology
- Laser
- Print Output
- Monochrome
- Print Speed
- Up to 55 ppm
- Duplex Printing
- Integrated duplex (2-sided)
- Features
- Duplex Printing
- Dimensions
- 20.1 × 16.9 × 17.5 inches
The Lexmark MS821dn is a monochrome laser printer designed for high-volume office environments. It delivers print speeds of up to 55 pages per minute and includes integrated duplex printing for two-sided output. The unit features a 2.4-inch color LCD display for easy navigation. With a recommended monthly page volume of 3,000 to 50,000 pages, it suits busy workspaces. It connects via Ethernet and weighs 56 pounds.
Pros
- Prints up to 55 pages per minute
- Integrated duplex printing for two-sided output
- 2.4-inch color LCD display
- High monthly page volume capacity
Cons
- No wireless connectivity listed
- Large footprint at 17.5 x 16.85 x 20.1 inches
- Heavy build at 56 pounds
Good fit if
- You need fast monochrome printing for high volumes
- You require reliable two-sided printing
- You prefer a wired Ethernet connection
Skip if
- You need wireless printing capabilities
- You require an all-in-one scanner function
- You have limited desk space
Verdict: The Lexmark MS821dn 55ppm Monochrome Laser fits offices needing high-speed, wired monochrome printing with automatic two-sided output. It is ideal for teams generating large document volumes daily.
Canon imageCLASS MF465dw Monochrome All-in-One
Best for: fax and duplex scanning needs
- Print Technology
- Laser
- Print Output
- Monochrome
- Printer Type
- All-in-One
- Supported Functions
- Print, scan, copy, fax
- Print Speed
- 42 ppm
- Connectivity
- Wireless
View on Amazon: Canon imageCLASS MF465dw Monochrome All-in-One
The Canon MF465dw is a monochrome laser all-in-one printer that prints, scans, copies, and faxes. It delivers 42 pages per minute with a 5-second first print time. The unit includes a 50-sheet automatic document feeder and supports duplex scanning. You get wireless connectivity and a 5-inch color touchscreen. Paper capacity reaches 900 sheets with an optional cassette.
Pros
- 42 ppm print speed
- 5-inch color touchscreen
- 50-sheet automatic document feeder
- Duplex scanning support
- Up to 900-sheet paper capacity
Cons
- Monochrome output only
- No Ethernet port listed
- Heavier at 34.4 pounds
Good fit if
- You need fax capabilities
- You want a color touchscreen
- You require duplex scanning
Skip if
- You need color printing
- You prefer a compact desktop unit
- You require wired Ethernet
Verdict: The Canon MF465dw Monochrome All-in-One suits teams needing fax and duplex scanning. It fits offices that value a color touchscreen and high-volume paper handling.
Brother HL-L5210DWT Business Monochrome Printer
Best for: High-volume printing offices needing speed
- Print Technology
- Laser
- Print Output
- Monochrome
- Print Speed
- 48 ppm
- Connectivity
- Wireless, Gigabit Ethernet
- Ink/Toner System
- Toner cartridge
- Features
- Duplex Printing, Mobile Printing
View on Amazon: Brother HL-L5210DWT Business Monochrome Printer
The Brother HL-L5210DWT is a monochrome laser printer designed for busy offices. It prints at up to 48 ppm and includes dual paper trays with a total capacity of 1,390 sheets. You get built-in Gigabit Ethernet and dual-band wireless networking. It also features Triple Layer Security to protect your network and documents. This model is a strong alternative to the Lexmark MS821dn for teams needing high-volume output.
Pros
- Fast print speed of up to 48 ppm
- Dual paper trays with 1,390-sheet total capacity
- Built-in Gigabit Ethernet and dual-band wireless
- Triple Layer Security features for network protection
Cons
- Print-only function lacks scanning or copying
- No automatic duplex scanning capability
- No mobile app support mentioned in data
Good fit if
- You need fast, high-volume monochrome printing
- You want a dedicated printer without scanning
- You require robust security for office networks
Skip if
- You need to scan or copy documents
- You require automatic duplex scanning
- You prefer an all-in-one multifunction device
Verdict: Brother HL-L5210DWT Monochrome Laser suits offices that prioritize speed and paper capacity over multifunction features. It delivers fast output and secure connectivity for teams focused on printing.
Canon imageCLASS D1620 All-in-One
Best for: high-volume monochrome document workflows
- Print Technology
- Laser
- Print Output
- Monochrome
- Printer Type
- Multifunction
- Supported Functions
- Print, scan, copy
- Print Speed
- 45 ppm
- Connectivity
- Wireless
The Canon imageCLASS D1620 is a monochrome multifunction laser printer designed for document-heavy workflows. It delivers print and scan speeds of 45 ppm, supporting paper sizes up to 8.5 x 14 inches. With a maximum paper capacity of 2,300 sheets and automatic duplex printing, it handles high volumes efficiently. This wireless unit includes scanning and copying functions, making it a robust option for offices requiring reliable, fast output.
Pros
- Prints and scans at 45 ppm
- Supports paper up to 8.5 x 14 inches
- Maximum 2,300-sheet paper capacity
- Automatic duplex printing and scanning
Cons
- No color printing capability
- Heavier build at 41.9 pounds
- Limited to monochrome output
Good fit if
- You need fast monochrome printing for large documents
- You require automatic duplex scanning and printing
- You want a high-capacity paper tray for busy offices
Skip if
- You need color printing for graphics or photos
- You prefer a compact, lightweight printer
- You only need basic printing without scanning
Verdict: The Canon imageCLASS D1620 Monochrome MFP fits teams that prioritize speed and high-volume monochrome document handling. It is ideal for environments where fast, reliable black-and-white output and duplex scanning are essential.
Canon imageCLASS D1650 All-in-One Duplex Printer
Best for: Fax and duplex scanning workflows
- Print Technology
- Laser
- Print Output
- Monochrome
- Printer Type
- All-in-One
- Supported Functions
- Print, scan, copy, fax
- Print Speed
- 45 ppm
- Connectivity
- Wireless
View on Amazon: Canon imageCLASS D1650 All-in-One Duplex Printer
The Canon imageCLASS D1650 is a monochrome all-in-one laser printer designed for smaller print jobs. It delivers a fast first print-out time of 6.2 seconds and supports wireless connectivity. This model includes automatic duplex printing and scanning, along with a built-in fax function. Security settings can be managed behind an administrator login. It is suitable for users who need print, scan, copy, and fax capabilities in a single device.
Pros
- 45 ppm print speed
- Automatic duplex printing and scanning
- Built-in fax support
- Wireless connectivity
- Fast 6.2 second first print-out time
Cons
- Monochrome output only
- Large footprint at 17.8 x 19.5 x 18.3 inches
- Heavy at 54 pounds
Good fit if
- You need a wireless all-in-one with fax
- You require automatic duplex scanning
- You want fast first print-out times
Skip if
- You need color printing
- You have limited desk space
- You prefer a compact desktop unit
Verdict: The Canon imageCLASS D1650 AIO is a robust monochrome all-in-one that fits teams needing fax and duplex scanning. It suits offices that prioritize speed and security over color output.
Lexmark Monochrome Touchscreen All-in-One Laser Printer
Best for: Fax-dependent offices needing touch screens
- Print Technology
- Laser
- Print Output
- Black and white
- Printer Type
- All-in-one
- Supported Functions
- Print, copy, scan, analog fax
- Connectivity
- Optional wireless
- Duplex Printing
- Standard two-sided
View on Amazon: Lexmark Monochrome Touchscreen All-in-One Laser Printer
The Lexmark MX331adn is a compact monochrome laser all-in-one. It supports print, copy, scan, and analog fax functions. Standard duplex printing and scanning are included. The device features a touch screen interface. Wireless connectivity is available as an optional add-on. This model suits small offices needing reliable black and white output with essential document management tools.
Pros
- Standard two-sided printing
- Standard duplex scanning
- Built-in analog fax
- Touch screen interface
Cons
- Wireless connectivity is optional, not standard
- No mention of mobile app support
- Heavier build at 32.3 pounds
Good fit if
- You need a dedicated analog fax function
- You prefer physical touch screen controls
- You require standard duplex scanning
Skip if
- You need wireless printing out of the box
- You require color printing
- You want a lightweight portable unit
Verdict: Lexmark MX331adn Monochrome All-in-One fits teams that rely on faxing and need a tactile touch screen. It is not ideal for users requiring immediate wireless access without extra configuration.
Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
Best for: small offices needing fast monochrome output
- Print Technology
- Laser
- Print Output
- Monochrome
- Print Speed
- Up to 32 ppm
- Connectivity
- Wireless, Wi-Fi Direct, USB
- Duplex Printing
- Automatic
- Features
- Duplex Printing, Mobile Printing
This Brother monochrome laser printer offers up to 32 pages per minute with automatic duplex printing. It supports wireless, Wi-Fi Direct, and USB connections. The unit holds up to 250 sheets of paper and measures 14.2 by 14 by 7.2 inches. It weighs 15.9 pounds. You get mobile printing capabilities and an included HDMI cable. It suits small offices needing reliable, space-saving output.
Pros
- Prints up to 32 pages per minute
- Automatic duplex printing for two-sided documents
- 250-sheet paper input capacity
- Wireless, Wi-Fi Direct, and USB connectivity
- Includes HDMI cable
Cons
- No color printing capability
- No built-in scanner or copier function
- Smaller capacity than all-in-one alternatives
Good fit if
- You need a compact printer for a small desk
- You primarily print black and white documents
- You want automatic two-sided printing without manual effort
Skip if
- You require color printing for photos or graphics
- You need scanning or copying functions
- You print high volumes exceeding 32 pages per minute
Verdict: Brother HL-L2350DW Compact Wireless Laser is a space-saving option for users who need fast, reliable black-and-white output. It fits well in small workspaces where scanning is not required.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | Lexmark MS821dn Monochrome Laser Printer | Canon imageCLASS MF465dw Monochrome All-in-One | Brother HL-L5210DWT Business Monochrome Printer | Canon imageCLASS D1620 All-in-One | Canon imageCLASS D1650 All-in-One Duplex Printer | Lexmark Monochrome Touchscreen All-in-One Laser Printer | Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print Technology | Laser | Laser | Laser | Laser | Laser | Laser | Laser |
| Print Output | Monochrome | Monochrome | Monochrome | Monochrome | Monochrome | Black and white | Monochrome |
| Printer Type | not specified | All-in-One | not specified | Multifunction | All-in-One | All-in-one | not specified |
| Supported Functions | not specified | Print, scan, copy, fax | not specified | Print, scan, copy | Print, scan, copy, fax | Print, copy, scan, analog fax | not specified |
| Print Speed | Up to 55 ppm | 42 ppm | 48 ppm | 45 ppm | 45 ppm | not specified | Up to 32 ppm |
| Connectivity | not specified | Wireless | Wireless, Gigabit Ethernet | Wireless | Wireless | Optional wireless | Wireless, Wi-Fi Direct, USB |
| Duplex Printing | Integrated duplex (2-sided) | Automatic 2-sided printing | not specified | Automatic | Automatic | Standard two-sided | Automatic |
| First Page Out | not specified | Approximately 5 seconds | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Ink/Toner System | not specified | Toner | Toner cartridge | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Features | Duplex Printing | Duplex Printing, Mobile Printing, Automatic Document Feeder, Scanner, Copier, Fax | Duplex Printing, Mobile Printing | Duplex Printing, Automatic Document Feeder, Scanner, Copier | Duplex Printing, Automatic Document Feeder, Scanner, Copier, Fax | Duplex Printing, Touch Screen, Fax | Duplex Printing, Mobile Printing |
| Ideal For | not specified | Documents | not specified | Documents | Documents | not specified | not specified |
| Use Case | not specified | Office, Home | Office | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Scanner Type | not specified | Portable | Portable | not specified | not specified | not specified | Portable |
| Scanning | not specified | Auto Document Feeder | Wireless Scanning | Wireless Scanning | Wireless Scanning | Wireless Scanning | Wireless Scanning |
| Duplex Scanning | Duplex | Duplex | Duplex | Duplex | Duplex | Duplex | Duplex |
| Auto Document Feeder | not specified | ADF | not specified | ADF | ADF | not specified | not specified |
| Scan Speed | not specified | not specified | not specified | 45 ppm | 45 ppm | not specified | not specified |
| Dimensions | 20.1 × 16.9 × 17.5 inches | 18.1 × 16.6 × 14.8 inches | 15.3 × 14.7 × 15.3 inches | 19.5 × 18.3 × 17.8 inches | 19.4 × 18.3 × 17.8 inches | 18.5 × 16.5 × 15.2 inches | 14 × 14.2 × 7.2 inches |
| Weight | 56 pounds | 34.4 pounds | 32.7 pounds | 41.9 pounds | 54 pounds | 32.3 pounds | 15.9 pounds |
| Size | 17.5 in x 16.85 in x 20.1 in | One Size | One Size | 17.8" x 19.5" x 18.3" | 17.8" x 19.5" x 18.3" | Compact | not specified |
| Color | White/Black/Gray | White | White | White | White | BLACK GREY | Grey |
| Model | 50G0100 | 5951C005 | HLL5210DWT | 2223C024AA | 2223C023 | MX331adn | HL-L23 50DW Series |
Frequently asked questions
Which alternative offers the fastest print speed?
The Canon imageCLASS D1620 and D1650 both deliver high-speed monochrome output suitable for busy offices. These models prioritize rapid document handling and duplex scanning capabilities. They are ideal for teams that need reliable, fast black-and-white printing without waiting for pages to finish. The Canon MF465dw also provides strong performance at 42 ppm for smaller teams.
Can I find a wireless option among these alternatives?
Yes, several models support wireless connectivity for flexible office placement. The Canon imageCLASS MF465dw, Brother HL-L5210DWT, and Canon imageCLASS D1620 all include wireless features. The Brother HL-L2350DW is another compact wireless choice. These options allow you to print from multiple devices without needing a direct Ethernet connection for every setup.
Which printer is best for small offices with limited space?
The Brother HL-L2350DW is designed as a compact monochrome laser printer. It measures 14.2 inches wide and 7.2 inches high, making it easy to fit in tight workspaces. It provides fast, reliable black-and-white output while saving floor space. This model is ideal for small teams that do not require integrated scanning or faxing functions.
Do these alternatives include automatic document feeders?
Most multifunction alternatives include an automatic document feeder for batch scanning. The Canon imageCLASS MF465dw, D1620, and D1650 all feature ADFs. The Lexmark MX331adn also supports duplex scanning for efficient document handling. These features allow you to scan multiple pages quickly without manual intervention, which is essential for high-volume document workflows.
Which model is best if I need faxing capabilities?
The Canon imageCLASS MF465dw and D1650 both include fax functionality alongside printing and scanning. The Lexmark MX331adn is also suitable for fax-dependent offices and features a touch screen interface. These models help teams maintain traditional fax communication while benefiting from modern monochrome laser technology and duplex scanning for efficient document management.
Are there printers with touch screens available?
The Lexmark MX331adn is highlighted as the best option for users needing a touch screen. It provides a tactile interface for easy navigation and control. This feature is particularly useful for offices that rely on faxing and prefer intuitive controls over button-based panels. It combines monochrome printing with a user-friendly display for streamlined operation.
Which alternative is the most compact overall?
The Brother HL-L2350DW is the most compact option, weighing only 15.9 pounds. Its small footprint makes it ideal for small offices or home workspaces. The Canon imageCLASS MF465dw is also relatively lightweight at 34.4 pounds. These models offer space-saving designs without sacrificing essential printing speeds or duplex capabilities for everyday document tasks.