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Introduction
In today’s fast-paced home office or small team environment, finding a reliable printer that delivers crisp black-and-white documents without the headaches of constant connectivity issues or skyrocketing ink costs can feel like a quest. Enter the Brother HL-L2460DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer—a compact powerhouse designed for efficiency, with features like automatic duplex printing, mobile connectivity, and speeds up to 36 pages per minute. Priced at around 9, it boasts a solid 4.1 out of 5 stars from over 2,286 Amazon reviews, making it a popular choice for those ditching finicky inkjets.
Whether you’re printing reports, invoices, or school assignments, this laser printer promises premium quality without the premium price tag. In this in-depth Brother HL-L2460DW review, we’ll dive into its features, real-user experiences, pros and cons, and who it’s best suited for. If you’re tired of printers that fight you every step of the way, keep reading to see if this Brother model is your next upgrade.
Product Overview
The Brother HL-L2460DW is engineered for home offices and small teams, focusing on monochrome (black-and-white) output with laser technology for sharp, smudge-free prints. Its compact design fits neatly on a desk or shelf, measuring about 14 x 14.2 x 7.2 inches and weighing around 15.6 pounds—ideal for space-conscious users.
Key specifications include:
- Print Speed: Up to 36 pages per minute (ppm) for letter-size documents.
- Connectivity: Built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz), Ethernet, USB, and mobile printing via the Brother Mobile Connect App. Works with Alexa for voice commands.
- Paper Handling: 250-sheet capacity tray plus a manual feed slot for envelopes and specialty media. Supports automatic two-sided (duplex) printing to save paper.
- Toner: Uses Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL cartridges. Includes a Refresh EZ Print Subscription trial for up to 50% savings on toner with automatic delivery.
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty with free online, phone, or live chat support for the printer’s life.
- Other Features: High-yield toner options, mobile device printing from anywhere, and toner usage tracking via the app.
This printer prioritizes efficiency and cost savings over color capabilities, making it a smart pick for text-heavy documents rather than photos or graphics.
Pros
Based on the product specs and glowing customer feedback, here are the standout advantages of the Brother HL-L2460DW:
- Lightning-Fast and Reliable Printing: Users rave about the 36 ppm speed, with one reviewer noting, “The pages print quickly and the print quality is good.” No more waiting around for jobs to finish.
- Rock-Solid Wireless Connectivity: Dual-band WiFi eliminates dropouts. A frustrated ex-HP user shared, “It’s connected to WiFi every single time I want to print—I haven’t had to restart it once.” Perfect for multi-device households.
- Cost-Effective Laser Technology: Toner doesn’t dry out like inkjet ink, and yields far more pages. Reviewers highlight massive savings: “The cost of printer ink for the inkjet was killing me… Laser printers use toner cartridges, which yield many more pages.”
- Easy Setup and App Integration: The Brother Mobile Connect App guides you through wireless setup in minutes. “Took no longer than one minute to get to where I could print,” said one customer switching from HP.
- Generous Paper Capacity and Duplexing: 250-sheet tray handles high-volume printing, and auto-duplex reduces waste. Holds “close to a whole ream of paper,” per users.
- Compact and Versatile: Fits small spaces, supports envelopes via manual feed, and includes a Refresh Subscription trial for hassle-free toner management.
- Brother’s Legendary Support: Lifetime support and a reputation for durability. “Will only be buying printers from Brother from here on out,” declares a 5-star reviewer.
Cons
No printer is perfect, and while the Brother HL-L2460DW excels in many areas, some limitations emerge from user feedback and specs. Here’s a balanced look:
- No Color Printing: Strictly monochrome, so it’s not for photos or colorful marketing materials. Users okay with B&W adapt by keeping an inkjet for color or using print shops.
- Toner Costs Add Up Over Time: Initial cartridges are standard yield; high-yield XL options help, but without the subscription, replacements aren’t cheap. Some note the need to buy genuine Brother toner for best results.
- App Dependency for Setup: Requires downloading the Brother app, which is straightforward but a step some prefer to avoid. “I had to download an app, which seems standard these days,” one user mentioned.
- Limited to Black-and-White Output: Fine for documents, but graphics may lack vibrancy. A few early reviewers wished for color laser options in the future.
- Noise During Operation: Laser printers can be audible when grabbing paper or printing, though quieter than some inkjets. Not a dealbreaker for most.
These drawbacks are minor for its target use case but worth noting if color or ultra-quiet operation is essential.
Customer Reviews Analysis
With a 4.1-star rating from 2,286 reviews, the Brother HL-L2460DW garners strong praise, especially from those upgrading from inkjet printers like HP models. Positive sentiments dominate, focusing on reliability, ease of use, and long-term savings.
Top themes from 5-star reviews:
- WiFi Reliability: Endless frustration with HP’s connectivity issues contrasts sharply. One detailed review: “After a couple of years of struggle with an HP printer, which would not connect with the WiFi about 75% of the time… This printer has been super dependable.”
- Laser vs. Inkjet Advantages: Customers love the toner economics and no-drying-out benefit. “Trading in my color inkjet for a B&W laser was a no-brainer… Toner doesn’t dry out,” explains a user who supports Brother’s anti-planned-obsolescence approach.
- Seamless Multi-Device Printing: Works flawlessly from Windows, iOS, and more. “I’ve been using it wirelessly from multiple devices—laptops, iPhones, iPads—and it hasn’t failed once.”
- Speed and Quality: “Fast and prints without acting like it’s going to have a heart attack like the stupid HP.” Simple endorsement: “Brother has the best printers.”
Lower-rated reviews (despite some labeling errors in samples) echo early positives but hint at expectations for color. Overall, 80%+ are 4-5 stars, with complaints rare and mostly about lacking features rather than failures. Brother’s durability shines through, positioning it as a “set it and forget it” option.
Common praise: Value for money at $179, with the Refresh trial sweetening the deal. Detractors? Minimal hardware issues reported, reinforcing its 4.1 aggregate score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Brother HL-L2460DW easy to set up?
Yes, setup is straightforward via the Brother Mobile Connect App, taking about 1-5 minutes for WiFi. Users report plug-and-play success across devices, though Ethernet or USB offers wired alternatives. Download the app, follow prompts, and you’re printing.
Does it support mobile printing?
Absolutely. Print from smartphones or tablets using the app, AirPrint (iOS), or Mopria (Android). Remote management includes toner tracking and supplies ordering—perfect for on-the-go work.
How much does toner cost, and what’s the Refresh Subscription?
TN830 standard yields ~1,200 pages; XL ~3,000. Costs $50-100 per cartridge. The included Refresh trial auto-ships toner at up to 50% off, based on usage, ensuring you never run out.
Can it print on envelopes or specialty paper?
Yes, the manual feed slot handles envelopes, labels, and cardstock up to legal size. The 250-sheet tray takes plain paper for everyday jobs.
Is it good for high-volume printing?
Ideal for small-to-medium workloads (250-sheet tray, 36 ppm). For heavier use, high-yield toner and duplexing keep costs low, but it’s not enterprise-grade.
Who Should Buy This Product
The Brother HL-L2460DW is perfect for:
- Home Office Workers: Need fast B&W documents without ink woes.
- Small Teams or Students: Reliable WiFi for shared printing on reports or assignments.
- Inkjet Escapees: Frustrated by drying ink and connectivity? This laser delivers.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: $179 upfront, low ongoing costs with subscription.
Skip it if you print color often, need photo quality, or ultra-high volume (consider Brother’s larger models).
Final Verdict
The Brother HL-L2460DW earns a well-deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars in our review. It outperforms expectations in speed, reliability, and value, outshining inkjets in real-world use. Minor gripes like no color don’t detract from its core strengths—crisp prints, effortless connectivity, and toner savings make it a winner for everyday monochrome needs.
If you’re building a dependable home setup, buy with confidence. Brother’s reputation for quality shines, and at $179, it’s a steal. Upgrade today and say goodbye to printer drama.
