Brother DCP-L2640DW vs HL-L2465DW: Which Is Better? (November 2026)

On this page (11 sections)

1. Brother DCP-L2640DW vs HL-L2465DW: which is faster?
2. Which printer handles copying and scanning better?
3. How do their sizes compare on a desk?
4. Which connectivity options fit your setup?
5. Do both printers use the same paper capacity?
6. How does automatic duplex printing affect the choice?
7. Which toner works with both Brother models?
8. Who should choose the Brother DCP-L2640DW?
9. Who should choose the Brother HL-L2465DW?
10. What should you check before ordering?
11. Brother DCP-L2640DW vs HL-L2465DW: which should you choose?

Choose the DCP-L2640DW for faster printing, scanning, copying and Ethernet; choose the HL-L2465DW for a shorter printer with the same 250-sheet tray and automatic duplexing. The Brother DCP-L2640DW vs Brother HL-L2465DW choice depends on whether speed and document handling matter more than cabinet height.

The DCP-L2640DW prints at up to 36 pages per minute, compared with 30 pages per minute for the HL-L2465DW. Both are wireless monochrome multifunction printers with print, copy and scan functions, automatic duplex printing and a 250-sheet paper tray.

The DCP-L2640DW is 12.5 inches high and weighs 25 pounds. The HL-L2465DW is 10.7 inches high and weighs 10.1 kg, so the HL model may fit better beneath a low shelf.

Brother DCP-L2640DW vs HL-L2465DW: which is faster?

The DCP-L2640DW is the faster choice, with a stated speed of up to 36 pages per minute. The HL-L2465DW reaches up to 30 pages per minute, which is still suited to regular black-and-white document work.

The 6-page-per-minute gap becomes more useful when you print repeated reports, forms or multi-page office documents. For occasional letters or shipping labels, both speeds may feel adequate.

The DCP-L2640DW also has an initial page print time of 8.5 seconds. The HL-L2465DW has the same stated initial page print time, so the larger difference appears during longer print jobs.

Neither printer is intended for color output based on the supplied product names and descriptions. Choose either when your work is mainly black-and-white documents.

Which printer handles copying and scanning better?

The DCP-L2640DW has the stronger document-handling setup because it includes a 50-page automatic document feeder. That feeder can help you copy or scan a stack without placing every sheet on the scanner one at a time.

The DCP-L2640DW has stated scan speeds of up to 23.6/7.9 ipm for black and color. Its maximum black-and-white copy resolution is 600 x 600 dpi, and it can make up to 50 copies per run.

The HL-L2465DW also combines print, copy and scan functions. Its listed maximum black-and-white copy resolution is 1,200 dpi, and its maximum black-and-white copy speed is 30 pages per minute.

The higher copy resolution does not automatically make the HL model better for every job. If you regularly handle multi-page originals, the DCP-L2640DW's automatic document feeder may save more time than resolution alone.

For another comparison involving the DCP model, see Brother DCP-L2640DW vs HL-L2480DW before choosing among nearby Brother models.

How do their sizes compare on a desk?

The HL-L2465DW is shorter, while both printers have the same stated width and depth. Each measures 15.7 inches deep by 16.1 inches wide, but the DCP-L2640DW is 12.5 inches high and the HL-L2465DW is 10.7 inches high.

That 1.8-inch height difference can matter under shelves or cabinets. Leave enough working space above the printer for loading paper, opening access panels and following the model's setup instructions.

The DCP-L2640DW weighs 25 pounds. The HL-L2465DW weighs 10.1 kg, which is about 22.3 pounds, so the difference is small when moving either printer.

Measure the full desk area before ordering. Include room for paper loading, cable routing and access to the manual feed slot if you choose the HL-L2465DW.

Which connectivity options fit your setup?

The DCP-L2640DW offers the more flexible wired setup because it includes Ethernet, USB and dual-band wireless. The HL-L2465DW supports wireless mobile printing and lists a USB 2.0 hardware interface.

The DCP-L2640DW supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless, Ethernet and USB connections. It can connect with laptops, PCs, smartphones, tablets and iPhones, while the Brother Mobile Connect app supports printing, scanning and printer management from a mobile device.

The HL-L2465DW also works with the Brother Mobile Connect app and supports wireless printing from smartphones. Its listed hardware interface is USB 2.0, so check your preferred connection method before choosing it for a shared office network.

Both models use an LCD display. The DCP-L2640DW lists app and touch control, while the HL-L2465DW lists app control.

If you need more copy and scan features, compare the DCP model with the Brother DCP-L2640DW vs MFC-L2750DW guide.

Do both printers use the same paper capacity?

Both printers have a 250-sheet paper tray, so neither has an advantage for the main paper supply. The HL-L2465DW adds a manual feed slot for envelopes, labels and specialty paper.

A 250-sheet tray reduces how often you refill paper during regular document work. Keep the tray loaded with the paper size you use most, then follow the printer instructions when switching media.

The manual feed slot gives the HL-L2465DW a clearer role for occasional specialty media. It may be useful if you print envelopes or labels without emptying the main tray.

The DCP-L2640DW's product description also identifies a 250-sheet paper tray. Its stronger advantage is the combination of that capacity with faster printing, automatic document feeding and broader connection choices.

How does automatic duplex printing affect the choice?

Both printers support automatic duplex printing, so either can print on both sides without manual page turning. This feature matters most when you produce long documents that you need to read, file or hand to someone else.

Duplex printing can lower paper use for reports, manuals and meeting packs. It also keeps the pages in a neat stack rather than forcing you to flip and reinsert sheets by hand.

For daily use, duplex printing suits invoices, contracts, training notes and other text heavy work. It suits less well when you need single sided forms for signing, labels or documents that will be scanned back in.

Set up is simple in principle, but you should check the print settings before a large job. Make sure the paper size, paper type and orientation match what is loaded in the tray.

Both printers list a 250 sheet paper tray, which helps duplex jobs run without constant refilling. A fuller tray means fewer interruptions when a multi page document prints on both sides.

Duplex printing works best when your document layout, paper type and print settings match the printer instructions. Confirm the selected paper size before starting a large job, especially if you switch between letter and other sizes.

The DCP-L2640DW also includes Toner Save Mode. This mode can help stretch a cartridge when you print drafts or internal documents that do not need full strength output.

The HL-L2465DW includes Toner Save Mode and is described as ENERGY STAR compliant and EPEAT Silver rated. Those details may appeal to a small office that wants to keep resource use in mind.

Neither feature removes the need to plan for toner replacement. Toner Save Mode can reduce use for some jobs, but heavy printing will still use a cartridge faster than light printing.

Care for duplex work is mostly about paper choice and loading. Use paper that suits the printer, load it correctly and keep the tray free from damaged or curled sheets.

If a job jams or prints on the wrong side, check the settings and paper orientation first. Small mismatches in size or media can cause more trouble than the duplex function itself.

These features help separate both models from a basic print only device. They do not remove the need to choose the printer that fits your document volume, desk space and connection needs.

For a busy office, duplex printing saves time as well as paper. For occasional printing, it is a handy convenience rather than the main reason to choose one model over the other.

Which toner works with both Brother models?

TN830 and TN830XL toner are listed as compatible with both the DCP-L2640DW and HL-L2465DW. A high-yield cartridge can make sense when you print often, while occasional users may prefer to focus on pack size and storage.

The Cool Toner cartridge is a compatible product rather than Brother OEM toner. Its listed compatible printers include the DCP-L2640DW and HL-L2465DW, and its package contains 2 black toner cartridges.

Check the cartridge model before ordering. The DCP-L2640DW is listed with TN830 and TN830XL compatibility, while the HL-L2465DW is listed with TN830, TN830XL and TN830XL2PK compatibility.

For a wider all-in-one comparison, see our guide to the best Brother all-in-one laser printers.

Who should choose the Brother DCP-L2640DW?

Choose the DCP-L2640DW if you need the higher print speed, a 50-page automatic document feeder or Ethernet. It is the better fit for a small office that copies and scans multi-page documents as well as printing them.

Its 36-page-per-minute speed is the highest of the 2 models. The 50-page automatic document feeder also gives it a practical advantage when several pages need to be copied or scanned in one job.

The DCP-L2640DW has dual-band wireless, Ethernet and USB. That makes it easier to adapt if your setup changes from a single computer to several connected devices.

Its trade-off is height. At 12.5 inches, it needs more vertical clearance than the 10.7-inch HL-L2465DW.

Who should choose the Brother HL-L2465DW?

Choose the HL-L2465DW if a shorter cabinet and manual specialty-paper feed matter more than top print speed. It still provides print, copy and scan functions, a 250-sheet tray and automatic duplex printing.

The 10.7-inch height can help the HL-L2465DW fit beneath a lower shelf. It has the same 15.7 by 16.1 inch footprint as the other model, so width and depth still need careful measuring.

Its manual feed slot also suits users who occasionally print envelopes, labels or specialty paper. This can be useful when you do not want to empty the main tray for a short run.

The trade-off is the 30-page-per-minute print speed. That speed suits regular office work, but larger batches will take longer than on the faster DCP-L2640DW.

Its listed hardware interface is USB 2.0, so confirm that its connection options match your office before choosing it. Wireless mobile printing and the Brother Mobile Connect app are also listed for this model.

If you are comparing more multifunction options, read Brother DCP-L2640DW vs MFC-L2820DW for another feature-based choice.

What should you check before ordering?

Measure the printer space, confirm the connection you need and check the toner model before you order. Those 3 checks prevent most avoidable mismatches between a printer and its daily work area.

For the DCP-L2640DW, allow for a 12.5-inch-high body, a 25-pound weight, paper loading and access to its Ethernet, USB or wireless setup. For the HL-L2465DW, check the 10.7-inch height and the space needed to use its manual feed slot.

Think about your document routine rather than choosing by model number. A person who scans contracts may value the DCP-L2640DW's automatic document feeder, while someone under a shelf may prefer the shorter HL-L2465DW.

Also check your desired toner. Both models are listed with TN830 and TN830XL compatibility, but the Cool Toner product is a compatible cartridge, not Brother OEM toner.

Brother DCP-L2640DW vs HL-L2465DW: which should you choose?

Pick the Brother DCP-L2640DW for faster printing, multi-page scanning, Ethernet and broader connection flexibility. Pick the Brother HL-L2465DW when its shorter height and manual feed slot fit your workspace and media needs better.

The DCP-L2640DW is the stronger all-around choice for a small office that prints, copies and scans often. Its stated speed of up to 36 pages per minute helps with repeated document batches rather than single pages.

Its 50-page automatic document feeder also gives it a practical edge for copying and scanning. If you handle contracts, forms or multi-page originals, that feeder can save time every week.

Connectivity is another reason to lean toward the DCP-L2640DW. Dual-band wireless, Ethernet and USB give you more ways to place it in an office network or connect it to a single computer.

The HL-L2465DW remains a practical option when 30 pages per minute is enough and vertical desk space is limited. Its shorter 10.7-inch body can fit under a shelf that would not suit the taller model.

Both printers share a 250-sheet tray and automatic duplex printing. That shared base means the choice comes down to speed, document feeding, connections, height and specialty paper handling.

For set up, measure the full area before you order either printer. Leave room for paper loading, cable routing, opening panels and using any manual feed slot.

Consider your daily routine rather than the headline speed alone. Frequent scanning points to the DCP-L2640DW, while occasional specialty media and low clearance point to the HL-L2465DW.

Either model can suit black-and-white office work with TN830 or TN830XL toner. The right pick is the one whose features match how you print, copy, scan and connect most often.

If you are moving up from an older model, compare Brother DCP-L2540DW vs DCP-L2640DW to see whether the newer features match your work.

Frequently asked questions

Which is faster, the Brother DCP-L2640DW or HL-L2465DW?

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is faster by its stated black-and-white print speed. It produces up to 36 pages per minute, while the Brother HL-L2465DW produces up to 30 pages per minute.

That difference matters more for repeated document batches than for occasional one-page printing.

Does the Brother DCP-L2640DW scan and copy?

Yes. The Brother DCP-L2640DW combines printing, copying and scanning, and its 50-page automatic document feeder helps with multi-page copy and scan jobs.

It also has automatic duplex printing, dual-band wireless, Ethernet and USB connections.

Does the Brother HL-L2465DW have automatic duplex printing?

Yes. The Brother HL-L2465DW has automatic duplex printing, so it can print on both sides without requiring you to turn pages manually.

It also has a 250-sheet paper tray and a manual feed slot for envelopes, labels and specialty paper.

Can both printers use TN830XL toner?

Yes. Both the Brother DCP-L2640DW and Brother HL-L2465DW are listed with TN830 and TN830XL compatibility.

The Cool Toner 2-pack is also listed for both models, with a stated yield of up to 3,000 pages per cartridge at 5% letter or A4 coverage.