5 Best Compact Laser Printers (November 2026)
The best compact laser printers for home use include the Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer for home document printing, the Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser for home office tasks, and the HP LaserJet Pro 3101fdw for a small shared workspace.
On this page (5 sections)
The Brother HL-L2405W is the best compact laser printer for most homes that need reliable black-and-white documents in a small workspace. It combines a 14 x 14 in desk footprint with a 7.2 in height, wireless connections and a 250-sheet paper tray.
If you need scanning, copying or faxing, consider a multifunction model and allow for its larger cabinet. For color pages, the Canon is the only color option in this group, but it prints only.
A compact printer still needs space for paper loading, cables and open trays. Measure the spot you plan to use, then compare it with the printer dimensions below.
For more home-focused options, see our best Canon laser printer for home use.
Our picks at a glance
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1
Best for home document printingBrother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for home office tasksBrother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
- 4
Check itHP Laserjet MFP M140w Wireless Black
Best for a tight desk with scanning - 5
Check itCanon Color imageCLASS LBP646Cdw Wireless Laser Printer
Best for color pages in a compact setup
How we chose a compact laser printer
We compared the listed dimensions, functions, paper handling and connection options against the needs of home desks and household workspaces. Our score weighs specs and features against what you're shopping for.
The picks include print-only and multifunction models, so you can weigh desk space against scanning, copying or faxing. The scores also reflect how directly each printer's stated features fit compact home use.
| Product | Best for | Functions | Size (D x W x H) | Connectivity | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer | home document printing | Print only | 14.2 x 14 x 7.2 in | Dual-band wireless, USB | 9.7 |
| Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser | home office tasks | Print, copy, scan, fax | 15.7 x 16.1 x 12.5 in | Dual-band wireless, Ethernet, USB | 9.6 |
| HP LaserJet Pro 3101fdw | a small shared workspace | Print, scan, copy, fax | 16.5 x 12.3 x 15.7 in | Wireless, Ethernet, Bluetooth | 9.4 |
| HP Laserjet MFP M140w Wireless Black | a tight desk with scanning | Print, scan, copy | 10.4 x 14.2 x 7.8 in | Wireless, USB 2.0 | 9.2 |
| Canon Color imageCLASS LBP646Cdw Wireless Laser Printer | color pages in a compact setup | Print only, color | 16.5 x 16.8 x 10.5 in | Wireless, Ethernet, USB | 9.1 |
The best compact laser printers for home use
The Brother HL-L2405W leads for home document printing, while the other models add multifunction features or color. Match the choice to your desk dimensions and the work you do most.
Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer: Best for home document printing
- Print only
- Up to 30 pages per minute
- 14.2 x 14 x 7.2 in
- 250-sheet tray
- Dual-band wireless and USB
A short, low profile and 250-sheet tray make this a practical fit for home document printing. It prints black-and-white pages and connects by dual-band wireless or USB.
Pros
- Low 7.2 in height
- 250-sheet paper tray
- Dual-band wireless
Cons
- Prints only in black and white
- Duplex printing is manual
The Brother HL-L2405W is a compact home laser printer for households that mainly print forms, schoolwork and other black-and-white pages. Its 14.2 x 14 x 7.2 in dimensions make it the lowest model here, and the 250-sheet tray reduces how often you need to refill paper.
Brother specifies print speeds up to 30 pages per minute. You can connect multiple devices over dual-band wireless or connect one computer by USB, and the Brother Mobile Connect app supports mobile printing and printer management.
This is a print-only model. It also uses manual duplex printing, so you'll need to turn pages yourself for two-sided jobs.
Choose it for everyday home printing when a low profile and larger paper tray matter more than scanning or automatic duplex. If you want a similar compact printer with color output, compare our best compact color laser printer.
Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser: Best for home office tasks
- Print, copy, scan and fax
- Up to 34 pages per minute in specs
- 15.7 x 16.1 x 12.5 in
- 50-page auto document feeder
- Automatic duplex
This multifunction model adds a 50-page auto document feeder, automatic duplex printing and wireless, Ethernet and USB connections. Its larger footprint calls for more desk space than the print-only picks.
Pros
- Print, copy, scan and fax
- 50-page auto document feeder
- Automatic duplex printing
Cons
- Taller and wider than the print-only Brother
- Monochrome output
The Brother MFC-L2820DW combines printing with copying, scanning and faxing. Its 50-page auto document feeder can handle multi-page tasks, while automatic duplex printing helps with two-sided documents.
The printer measures 15.7 x 16.1 x 12.5 in, so check shelf height as well as desk width and depth. It connects through dual-band wireless, Ethernet or USB, and its touchscreen supports printing from and scanning to several cloud apps.
Brother lists print speeds up to 36 pages per minute in its product description; its specifications show 34 pages per minute. This model is monochrome, and it takes more room than the print-only Brother.
Choose it when your home office needs one machine for several document tasks. For a closer look at Canon options for household printing, see our best Canon laser printer for home use.
HP LaserJet Pro 3101fdw: Best for a small shared workspace
- Print, scan, copy and fax
- Up to 35 pages per minute
- Automatic two-sided printing
- Auto document feeder
- Wireless, Ethernet and Bluetooth
The HP serves small teams with printing, scanning, copying and faxing, plus automatic two-sided printing and an auto document feeder. Its 15.7 in height may not suit a low shelf.
Pros
- Automatic two-sided printing
- Wireless, Ethernet and Bluetooth
- Designed for up to 7 people
Cons
- Tallest listed model
- Monochrome output
The HP LaserJet Pro 3101fdw is aimed at small teams and shared workspaces, with printing, scanning, copying and faxing. It supports automatic two-sided printing, an auto document feeder, wireless printing, Ethernet and Bluetooth.
Its stated dimensions are 16.5 x 12.3 x 15.7 in. The 15.7 in height makes it the tallest model in this group, so measure carefully if it will sit under a shelf.
HP specifies print speeds up to 35 black-and-white pages per minute for one-sided jobs. Its product details describe it as suited to teams of up to 7 people, making it a fit for a shared home office when desk space allows.
Choose this model if several people need multifunction features and wireless or wired network connections. For a smaller office-focused comparison, see our best compact laser printer for a small office.
HP Laserjet MFP M140w Wireless Black: Best for a tight desk with scanning
- Print, scan and copy
- 10.4 x 14.2 x 7.8 in
- Up to 21 pages per minute
- Wireless printing
Its stated dimensions give it the smallest footprint among these five models, and it adds scan and copy functions. Wireless printing is available from mobile devices, PCs and tablets.
Pros
- Smallest stated footprint here
- Print, scan and copy
- Wireless printing
Cons
- No automatic duplex
- Slower stated print speed than the other picks
The HP LaserJet MFP M140w is a compact home laser printer with print, scan and copy functions. At 10.4 x 14.2 x 7.8 in, it has the smallest stated footprint in this group.
It prints at speeds up to 21 black-and-white pages per minute and supports wireless printing from mobile devices, PCs and tablets. It has no duplex printing, so two-sided pages require manual handling.
This pick suits a tight desk when scanning and copying matter as much as printing. If you only need a printer for occasional household jobs, our best laser printer for occasional use covers that buying situation.
Canon Color imageCLASS LBP646Cdw Wireless Laser Printer: Best for color pages in a compact setup
- Color print only
- Up to 26 pages per minute
- Automatic two-sided printing
- 250-sheet tray
- Wireless, Ethernet and USB
This is the only color printer in the group, with automatic two-sided printing and a 250-sheet tray. It does not scan, copy or fax, and its 16.8 in width needs room on the desk.
Pros
- Color and monochrome printing
- Automatic two-sided printing
- 250-sheet tray
Cons
- Print only, with no scanner or copier
- Widest listed model
The Canon Color imageCLASS LBP646Cdw is the color option here, with print speeds up to 26 pages per minute in both color and monochrome. Automatic two-sided printing and a 250-sheet tray support regular document work.
It measures 16.5 x 16.8 x 10.5 in, making it the widest printer in this roundup. The 16.8 in width deserves particular attention if your desk has a narrow work surface.
This Canon prints only, so it can't scan, copy or fax. It connects over wireless, Ethernet or USB, and compatible mobile devices can print with Canon PRINT, Apple AirPrint or Mopria Print Service.
Choose it if color output is worth the extra width and you don't need multifunction features. For a wireless-only comparison, see our best compact laser printer wireless.
What should you check before choosing a compact laser printer?
Start with the printer's full dimensions, including the height under a shelf and the space needed to open paper trays. A small footprint does not guarantee that a model will fit a shallow desk or low cabinet.
Which compact laser printer fits a small desk?
The HP M140w has the smallest stated footprint in this group at 10.4 x 14.2 in, and the Brother HL-L2405W is the lowest at 7.2 in tall. Check your available depth, width and clearance before choosing either model.
Those dimensions don't include the space you may want around the printer for paper loading and cables. Leave enough room to reach the tray and connect your devices without moving other desk items.
Do you need print only or an all-in-one?
Choose a print-only printer if you rarely scan or copy and want to keep your setup simple. The Brother HL-L2405W and Canon LBP646Cdw print only, while the Brother MFC-L2820DW and HP models add some or all of those functions.
An all-in-one can reduce the need for separate equipment, but it may take more desk space. Compare the functions and dimensions together, especially if faxing or an auto document feeder matters.
Is monochrome enough for home documents?
Monochrome is enough for many household documents, forms, labels and schoolwork. It can be a straightforward choice if you don't need color graphics or photos from the printer.
For color documents, the Canon LBP646Cdw prints in color and black and white. It is print-only, so compare it with other compact color laser printers if you also need scanning or copying.
Which connections should a home laser printer have?
Choose connections that match the devices and network you already use. Wireless can serve multiple household devices, while USB offers a direct connection and Ethernet can connect a printer to a wired network.
For more models, compare wireless laser printers.
The Brother HL-L2405W supports dual-band wireless and USB. The Brother MFC-L2820DW and Canon LBP646Cdw also list Ethernet, while the HP LaserJet Pro 3101fdw includes Bluetooth.
More guides on this topic
- Best Compact Color All-in-One Laser Printers
- Best Laser Printers for Students
- Best Small Brother Laser Printers
- How to Choose a Portable Laser Printer
Verdict: which compact laser printer should you choose?
Choose the Brother HL-L2405W for a low-profile printer with a 250-sheet tray and wireless printing. Pick the HP M140w if you need scan and copy functions in the smallest stated footprint, the Brother MFC-L2820DW or HP 3101fdw for more shared office tasks, and the Canon if you need color.
For context on the costs and trade-offs of using laser printing at home, read is a laser printer worth it for home use?. If your priority is space-saving monochrome printing, compare the best compact monochrome laser printer options too.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for home document printing
Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for home office tasks
Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best compact laser printer for home use?
The Brother HL-L2405W is a strong fit if you mainly print black-and-white documents and want a low-profile printer with wireless or USB connections. It measures 14.2 x 14 x 7.2 in and has a 250-sheet tray.
Choose a multifunction model if you also need scanning or copying.
How do I measure space for a compact home laser printer?
Measure the desk or shelf's width and depth, then compare them with the printer's stated dimensions. Also leave room to open trays, load paper and reach cables.
Check the height under shelves, too.
The HP M140w is 7.8 in tall, while the Brother MFC-L2820DW is 12.5 in tall.
Is a compact laser printer suitable for a small office?
It can be, if the printer has the functions and connections your team needs. The Brother MFC-L2820DW and HP LaserJet Pro 3101fdw add scanning, copying and faxing, along with automatic duplex printing.
Check their dimensions against the shared workspace and consider how many people will use it.
Can a compact laser printer print in color?
Yes. The Canon Color imageCLASS LBP646Cdw prints color and monochrome pages, with automatic two-sided printing and wireless connections.
It is a print-only model, so choose a different printer if you need scanning, copying or faxing.
Is a small laser printer always wireless?
No. Check the connection options for the exact model.
The Brother HL-L2405W offers dual-band wireless and USB, while the Brother MFC-L2820DW also adds Ethernet.
If wireless printing is essential, compare the setup and device support before choosing.
