Brother HL-L2460DW vs HL-L2405W: Which Should You Choose? (November 2026)

On this page (7 sections)

1. Brother HL-L2460DW vs HL-L2405W: what is the main difference?
2. Which printer fits your home printing needs?
3. How do speed and two-sided printing compare?
4. What connections do these printers offer?
5. What toner comes with each printer?
6. Can either printer scan or print in color?
7. Which Brother printer should you choose?

Choose the HL-L2460DW XL for faster printing, automatic two-sided output, Ethernet and more included toner; choose the HL-L2405W for simpler home printing. Both are compact black-and-white laser printers with wireless and USB connections.

The HL-L2405W prints up to 30 pages per minute and handles two-sided jobs manually. The HL-L2460DW XL reaches 36 pages per minute and has automatic duplex printing, plus Ethernet.

Both have a 250-sheet tray and a manual feed slot for envelopes and specialty paper. If you need a closer look at one model, read our Brother HL-L2460DW mono laser printer review.

Brother HL-L2460DW vs HL-L2405W: what is the main difference?

The HL-L2460DW XL adds automatic duplexing, Ethernet, a higher stated speed and up to 4,200 pages of included toner. The HL-L2405W covers core home printing with wireless and USB connections.

The XL designation matters when you print often. Its larger included toner supply can mean fewer early cartridge changes, while automatic duplexing can save you from turning pages by hand.

The two models share a compact, monochrome focus. Neither is a color printer or a scanner.

Which printer fits your home printing needs?

Choose the HL-L2405W for routine black-and-white documents and the HL-L2460DW XL for busier workloads or frequent double-sided jobs. The difference is in convenience and capacity, not the basic type of printing.

A home that prints occasional forms, schoolwork or labels may not need automatic duplexing. The HL-L2405W's manual feed slot supports envelopes and specialty paper, and its tray holds 250 sheets.

For recurring reports or packets, automatic duplexing reduces steps. The HL-L2460DW XL also has a higher maximum speed, though the stated figures are not a promise for every job.

When is the HL-L2405W the better choice?

The HL-L2405W is a fit when your main need is a compact black-and-white printer for everyday home use. Its wireless connection supports multiple devices, while USB offers a direct connection to one computer.

You can manage it with Brother's Mobile Connect app, including remote printing and toner tracking. If those basics match your routine, the extra Ethernet and automatic duplex features on the other model may not matter enough to guide your choice.

This printer is print-only. If you also need a scanner, see our guide on whether the Brother HL-L2405W can scan.

When is the HL-L2460DW XL the better choice?

The HL-L2460DW XL is better suited to frequent printing where automatic two-sided output reduces handling. Its Ethernet option gives you another way to connect beyond wireless and USB.

The XL version includes toner rated for up to 4,200 pages. That can be useful if you expect to print regularly and want more toner available from setup.

Both models have a 250-sheet tray, so tray capacity alone doesn't separate them. The stronger reasons to choose the XL are its extra speed, duplexing, network option and included toner yield.

How do speed and two-sided printing compare?

The HL-L2460DW XL is rated up to 36 ppm and prints both sides automatically; the HL-L2405W is rated up to 30 ppm and uses manual duplexing. These differences matter most when you print longer documents often.

A maximum ppm figure describes a top speed, not a guaranteed pace for every page. Layout, connection, settings and the job itself can affect how long a print takes.

Manual duplexing can work for an occasional two-sided document. For regular multi-page packets, automatic duplexing makes the HL-L2460DW XL more convenient because the printer handles the page sequence.

If printing speed is central to your decision, compare the HL-L2460DW and HL-L2420DW as well. That comparison can help if you're choosing among Brother's compact monochrome models.

What connections do these printers offer?

Both printers support dual-band Wi-Fi and USB, while the HL-L2460DW XL also has Ethernet. Choose based on how your computers and mobile devices connect at home.

The HL-L2405W supports wireless printing from multiple devices and a USB connection to one computer. Brother's Mobile Connect app can also help you print from mobile devices and manage toner use.

The HL-L2460DW XL supports the same wireless bands and USB, with Ethernet as an additional option. A wired connection can be useful where you prefer to connect the printer to a network by cable.

Check the connection you plan to use before buying. If the printer will sit near a router and you prefer a wired setup, Ethernet may be a deciding feature.

What toner comes with each printer?

The HL-L2460DW XL includes toner for up to 4,200 pages; the HL-L2405W's included toner yield isn't specified here. Both models accept TN830 or TN830XL replacement toner.

For the HL-L2460DW XL, the stated included yield can be a helpful reference for a higher-volume setup. Actual page yield depends on what you print and how much of each page is covered in toner.

The HL-L2405W package includes toner, but no matching page-yield figure is available here. If your printer will handle steady document volume, compare the included supply and the ongoing replacement options before deciding.

A compatible option is the Cool Toner TN830XL 2-pack for buyers who want to consider a non-Brother replacement. It is described for both printers and specifies up to 3,000 pages per cartridge at 5% page coverage.

Can either printer scan or print in color?

Neither model is a color printer, and both are print-only. Choose another device if you need color output, scanning or copying.

The HL-L2405W produces black-and-white output. See our guide to HL-L2405W color printing for what that means when choosing a printer.

The supplied function details also identify the HL-L2460DW XL as print-only. If you need an all-in-one device, compare models with scanning and copying listed as functions rather than assuming a compact laser printer includes them.

For a color option, you can read our Brother HL-L3300CDW review or Brother HL-L3295CDW review. Check each model's functions against the tasks you need.

Which Brother printer should you choose?

Pick the HL-L2405W if you want wireless black-and-white printing with manual duplexing; pick the HL-L2460DW XL if speed, automatic duplexing, Ethernet or included toner yield matter more. Both suit document printing, but neither scans or prints in color.

If you want a fuller model overview, start with our Brother HL-L2405W review. For a broader home-office decision, see why choose a laser printer for a home office.

Frequently asked questions

Which is faster, the Brother HL-L2460DW or HL-L2405W?

The HL-L2460DW XL has the higher stated print speed, up to 36 pages per minute, compared with up to 30 pages per minute for the HL-L2405W. Those are maximum figures, so actual speed can vary with the document and print settings.

Does the HL-L2405W print on both sides automatically?

No. The HL-L2405W uses manual duplexing, so you handle the paper between sides.

The HL-L2460DW XL has automatic duplex printing, which can make regular two-sided jobs simpler and reduce paper use.

Can both printers connect over Wi-Fi?

Yes. Both support built-in dual-band wireless at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, as well as USB connection to a computer.

The HL-L2460DW XL also offers Ethernet, which can suit a wired home or small office network.

Can the Brother HL-L2405W print in color?

No. The HL-L2405W is a monochrome laser printer for black-and-white output.

If your documents need color, compare a color printer instead, such as the Brother HL-L3300CDW or another suitable color model.

Do the HL-L2460DW XL and HL-L2405W use the same toner?

Both are compatible with Brother TN830 and TN830XL toner. The HL-L2460DW XL package described here includes toner for up to 4,200 pages, while the HL-L2405W package specifies compatible TN830 and TN830XL cartridges without the same included-yield figure.