For home offices and small businesses, laser printers deliver the speed and low per-page cost that inkjets simply can’t match. Two models that dominate Amazon searches are the HP LaserJet Pro M404dn and the Brother HL-L2350DW. One is a mid-range workhorse; the other is a budget-friendly entry point. Here’s which one is worth buying in 2026.
Quick Specs Comparison
| Spec | HP LaserJet Pro M404dn | Brother HL-L2350DW |
|---|---|---|
| Print Speed | 40 ppm | 32 ppm |
| Max Resolution | 1200 x 1200 dpi | 2400 x 600 dpi |
| Monthly Duty Cycle | Up to 80,000 pages | Up to 15,000 pages |
| Duplex Printing | Automatic | Automatic |
| Connectivity | USB, Ethernet (no Wi-Fi) | USB, Wi-Fi |
| Paper Capacity | 350 sheets (250 tray + 100 multipurpose) | 250 sheets |
| Toner Yield (starter) | ~1,000 pages | ~700 pages |
| High-Yield Toner Option | Yes (~9,000 pages, ~$95) | Yes (~3,000 pages, ~$45) |
| Mobile Printing | HP Smart App (Ethernet only) | Brother iPrint&Scan (Wi-Fi) |
| Price (approx.) | ~$270 | ~$120 |
Key Differences
Print Speed and Duty Cycle
The HP LaserJet Pro M404dn prints at 40 pages per minute versus the Brother’s 32 ppm — a meaningful difference when printing large documents. More significantly, the HP is rated for up to 80,000 pages per month duty cycle versus the Brother’s 15,000 pages. The Brother is designed for personal or light small-office use; the HP is built for sustained, heavy-volume printing environments. If you print more than 500 pages per month regularly, the HP is the safer long-term investment.
Connectivity: No Wi-Fi on the HP
This is the HP’s most notable limitation. The M404dn ships with only USB and Ethernet connectivity — no built-in Wi-Fi. For an office with a wired network, this isn’t a problem. For home users who want wireless printing from phones and laptops without running a cable, it’s a significant disadvantage. The Brother HL-L2350DW includes Wi-Fi and supports direct wireless printing from iOS and Android devices out of the box.
Cost Per Page and Toner Economics
The HP’s high-yield toner cartridge (~9,000 pages for ~$95) brings the cost per page to roughly $0.01 — very competitive for a mono laser. The Brother’s high-yield option (~3,000 pages for ~$45) works out to about $0.015 per page. Over high print volumes, the HP’s cost advantage compounds. For casual users printing a few hundred pages a month, both are economical and the cost difference is negligible.
Print Quality
Both printers produce sharp black-and-white output suitable for professional documents. The Brother’s 2400 x 600 dpi spec looks impressive on paper, but in real-world text printing at standard sizes, both printers are indistinguishable to the naked eye. For printing fine graphics or tiny text, the HP’s true 1200 x 1200 dpi can produce slightly crisper results.
Who Should Buy Each
Buy the HP LaserJet Pro M404dn if:
- You print high volumes (500+ pages/month) and want a heavy-duty printer
- You work in a wired office environment with Ethernet infrastructure
- You want the lowest possible cost per page over time
- You need a larger paper capacity for fewer refills during long print jobs
Buy the Brother HL-L2350DW if:
- You want wireless printing without needing to run Ethernet cables
- You print moderate volumes from a home office or small workspace
- Budget is a priority and you want a capable laser printer under $130
- You want easy mobile printing from smartphones and tablets
Our Verdict
For most home office users, the Brother HL-L2350DW is the easy recommendation: it’s less than half the price, prints wirelessly, and handles everyday printing tasks with ease. The HP LaserJet Pro M404dn steps up when you need higher volume capacity, faster throughput, or a printer built to last through years of heavy use in a professional office setting. Match the printer to your actual usage and you’ll be happy with either choice.
Looking to compare office equipment or other products? Use our compare tool to run your own side-by-side analysis. Also check out our Best Ergonomic Office Chairs guide to round out your home office setup.
HP LaserJet Pro M404dn on Amazon: Check current price
Brother HL-L2350DW on Amazon: Check current price