Buying Guide
The Best Printers for Black-and-White Documents: Picks and Trade-offs
We looked at 8 printers for black-and-white documents side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
10 min read8 products evaluated
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Printing in black and white sounds like a simple, single category of need, but it actually spans two different jobs: crisp text documents and grayscale photos or graphics. The printer that wins one doesn't automatically win the other, and most buying guides don't separate the two clearly.
Below are 8 printers we compared for black-and-white output, including both dedicated laser engines and color printers used in B&W mode, since most households already own or are considering a color-capable printer rather than a mono-only machine. We break down text versus grayscale photo quality, when a color printer in B&W mode is fine versus when a dedicated mono laser pays off, and the toner-save mode most people never turn on.
Quick Picks
Our 8 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best for Text Documents
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
Households where 90%+ of printing is black-and-white text
Our take Check price for Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Mono Laser
HP LaserJet M209d Laser Printer, Black and White
Low-cost, wired text document printing without wireless hassle
Our take Check price for HP LaserJet M209d Laser Printer, Black and White (opens in a new tab)
Best Color Laser Used in B&W Mode
Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II Wireless Duplex Laser Printer
Households that want laser-sharp B&W text but also need color sometimes
Our take Check price for Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II Wireless Duplex Laser Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Value Color Laser for B&W
Brother HL-L3220CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer
Mostly-B&W printing with occasional color needs at a lower laser price
Our take Check price for Brother HL-L3220CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Inkjet for Grayscale Photos
HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Mixed text and grayscale photo or graphic printing
Our take Check price for HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best Inkjet Value for Mixed Use
Canon MAXIFY MB2720 Wireless Color Photo Printer
Budget-conscious households mixing text and grayscale photo printing
Our take Check price for Canon MAXIFY MB2720 Wireless Color Photo Printer (opens in a new tab)
Best High-Volume Inkjet
Brother INKvestment MCF-J5010DW Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One
Higher-volume mixed text and grayscale printing without a laser
Our take Check price for Brother INKvestment MCF-J5010DW Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One (opens in a new tab)
Best for Photo-Quality Grayscale
Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless All-in-One Duplex Color Photo Printer
Grayscale photo and design printing alongside occasional text
Our take Check price for Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless All-in-One Duplex Color Photo Printer (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best for Text Documents1 of 8
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This is a dedicated monochrome laser printer, and it produces the sharpest black-and-white text in this list, since toner fuses cleanly onto the page rather than absorbing into paper fibers the way ink does.
Best for
- Households where 90%+ of printing is black-and-white text
Why we like it
For a household that's mostly printing text documents, forms, and paperwork, this is the strongest single-purpose fit.
Grayscale photos and gradients are its one weak spot: laser engines can show visible banding in smooth grayscale transitions, so photo-heavy grayscale work looks noticeably better on a good inkjet. If your printing is mostly text, that tradeoff is worth it.
No idle-ink drying risk between print jobs.
Key dimensions & specs
- Monochrome laser engine
- Duplex printing
- Wireless + mobile printing
- No idle-toner drying risk
- Toner-save mode available
Pros
- Sharpest text output in this list
- No idle-ink drying risk between print jobs
- Lower cost per page at higher text volume
- Fast, consistent duplex printing
Cons
- Grayscale photos and gradients can show banding
- Monochrome only, no color option
- Highest upfront price in this list
Best Budget Mono Laser2 of 8
HP LaserJet M209d Laser Printer, Black and White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The LaserJet M209d is a dedicated monochrome laser at a lower price than the Brother above, with automatic duplex printing built in.
Best for
- Low-cost, wired text document printing without wireless hassle
Why we like it
It's wired-only, no wifi, which some buyers will see as a downside and others will see as one less thing that can go offline mid-print.
Like any laser engine, it's the stronger choice for crisp text and a weaker one for smooth grayscale photo gradients, where banding can show. For a household that mostly prints forms, homework, and documents and doesn't need wireless printing, it's the most low-cost true laser here.
Key dimensions & specs
- Monochrome laser engine
- Automatic duplex printing
- Wired USB connection only
- No idle-toner drying risk
- Compact home office design
Pros
- Lowest price for a true laser printer in this list
- No wireless dropout issues since it's wired only
- Automatic duplex printing
- No idle-ink drying risk
Cons
- No wireless connectivity
- Grayscale photos can show banding
- Monochrome only
Best Color Laser Used in B&W Mode3 of 8
Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II Wireless Duplex Laser Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This is a color laser printer, and switching it to black-only or grayscale mode gives text just as sharp as a dedicated mono laser, since it's still fusing toner onto the page the same way.
Best for
- Households that want laser-sharp B&W text but also need color sometimes
Why we like it
The advantage over a mono-only laser is obvious: color capability stays available for the occasional chart or graphic without owning a second printer.
The real cost consideration is that color laser toner sets cost meaningfully more than a mono laser's single cartridge, even if you print in B&W mode most of the time. It only makes financial sense over a dedicated mono laser like the DCP-L2640DW if you need color sometimes too.
Color capability available when needed.
Key dimensions & specs
- Color laser engine, usable in B&W mode
- Auto document feeder
- 35 ppm print speed
- Duplex printing
- 3-year limited warranty
Pros
- Text as sharp as a dedicated mono laser in B&W mode
- Color capability available when needed
- Fast 35ppm output
- Auto document feeder for multi-page scanning
Cons
- Much higher price than a dedicated mono laser
- Color toner set costs more to maintain even if rarely used
- Large footprint compared to mono-only lasers
Best Value Color Laser for B&W4 of 8
Brother HL-L3220CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A more affordable color laser than the Canon above, the HL-L3220CDW still delivers laser-sharp black-and-white text when set to mono mode, at 19ppm with a 250-sheet tray.
Best for
- Mostly-B&W printing with occasional color needs at a lower laser price
Why we like it
It's a reasonable middle ground for a household that wants laser text quality with occasional color use, without paying for the Canon's higher-volume features.
It has no built-in scanner, so it's a printing-only solution. If your black-and-white document needs are 90% or more of your printing, a dedicated mono laser will still cost less to own over time than running this in B&W mode.
Key dimensions & specs
- Color laser engine, usable in B&W mode
- 19 ppm print speed
- 250-sheet paper tray
- Duplex printing
- Mobile device compatible
Pros
- Laser-sharp text in B&W mode at a lower price than the Canon
- Large 250-sheet tray reduces refill frequency
- Color available when occasionally needed
- Duplex printing standard
Cons
- No built-in scanner
- Costs more to maintain than a mono-only laser if used mostly in B&W
- Slower than the higher-end Canon
Best Inkjet for Grayscale Photos5 of 8
HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This is a color inkjet, not a laser printer, and it's included here specifically because inkjet handles smooth grayscale gradients better than laser does, avoiding the banding a laser engine can show in grayscale photos or shaded graphics.
Best for
- Mixed text and grayscale photo or graphic printing
Why we like it
Text documents won't be quite as crisp-edged as any of the laser picks above, since ink absorbs into paper rather than fusing on top. If your printing is overwhelmingly plain text, a laser pick will serve you better; if grayscale image quality matters, this inkjet is the stronger choice.
Auto document feeder and duplex scanning.
Key dimensions & specs
- Color inkjet, not laser
- Auto document feeder
- Duplex print and scan
- 3-month Instant Ink trial
- Best-for-Office rated
Pros
- Smoother grayscale gradients than any laser pick here
- Auto document feeder and duplex scanning
- Handles both text and grayscale photo work
- Color available when needed
Cons
- Text edges softer than any laser pick
- Standard idle-ink drying risk of any cartridge inkjet
- Higher price than the budget laser picks
Best Inkjet Value for Mixed Use6 of 8
Canon MAXIFY MB2720 Wireless Color Photo Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Another color inkjet rather than a laser, the MAXIFY MB2720 is a lower-cost way to get smoother grayscale output than a laser printer manages, with scan, copy, and fax built in.
Best for
- Budget-conscious households mixing text and grayscale photo printing
Why we like it
It's a reasonable all-around pick for a household whose black-and-white printing includes some grayscale photos alongside text.
As with any inkjet, text sharpness is a step below the laser picks in this list, and idle cartridges can dry out if the printer sits unused for a few weeks. Toner-save style draft printing isn't standard on inkjets the way it is on laser, so cost-saving draft printing works differently here.
Full scan, copy, fax feature set.
Key dimensions & specs
- Color inkjet, not laser
- Scan, copy, fax built in
- Grayscale-friendly gradient output
- Wireless connectivity
- Mid-range price point
Pros
- Smoother grayscale gradients than laser
- Full scan, copy, fax feature set
- Lower price than the color laser picks
- Good all-around fit for mixed text and photo needs
Cons
- Text edges softer than any laser pick
- Idle-ink drying risk between uses
- No true toner-save draft mode
Best High-Volume Inkjet7 of 8
Brother INKvestment MCF-J5010DW Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This is a color inkjet with high-capacity INKvestment cartridges, not a laser printer, aimed at a household printing a real volume of mixed text and grayscale content without wanting to replace cartridges constantly.
Best for
- Higher-volume mixed text and grayscale printing without a laser
Why we like it
Automatic two-sided copy and scan through a color touchscreen handles multi-page black-and-white paperwork well.
Text still won't be as crisp as the laser picks in this list, but for a household that values grayscale photo quality and higher-volume ink capacity over the sharpest possible text, it's a solid non-laser option.
Key dimensions & specs
- INKvestment high-capacity cartridges
- Automatic 2-sided copy and scan
- 2.7-inch color touchscreen
- Wireless color inkjet, not laser
- Reduced cartridge replacement frequency
Pros
- High-capacity cartridges for higher volume
- Automatic duplex copy and scan
- Better grayscale gradients than laser
- Color touchscreen simplifies multi-user households
Cons
- Text softer than any laser pick here
- Higher price than the budget laser picks
- Not a laser, despite higher-volume capability
Best for Photo-Quality Grayscale8 of 8
Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless All-in-One Duplex Color Photo Printer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A photo-focused color inkjet, not a laser printer, the XP-7100 is the strongest pick here specifically for grayscale photo quality, with smooth gradient handling that laser engines can't match.
Best for
- Grayscale photo and design printing alongside occasional text
Why we like it
Duplex printing and a compact design round out its document-handling side.
If your black-and-white printing is mostly grayscale photography, portraits, or design work rather than plain text, this is the pick built for that job. For plain text documents, any of the laser picks above will look sharper and cost less per page over time.
Key dimensions & specs
- Photo-focused color inkjet, not laser
- Duplex printing
- Compact design
- Strong grayscale gradient handling
- USB and wireless connectivity
Pros
- Best grayscale photo quality in this list
- Duplex printing included
- Compact footprint
- Handles both text and photo printing reasonably
Cons
- Text softer than any laser pick here
- Not suited to high-volume text printing
- Idle-ink drying risk between uses
How We Chose These Printers for Black-and-White Documents
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Text versus grayscale photo quality
- Evaluated each pick separately on plain text sharpness and on smooth grayscale gradient handling, since laser and inkjet trade off differently on these two jobs.
- Clearly identified which picks are true laser engines and which are color inkjets being used in B&W mode, rather than blending the two under a single label.
- Cost of color capability when used mostly in B&W
- Weighed the extra toner or ink cost of owning a color-capable printer against a mono-only option, for buyers who print mostly black-and-white.
- Toner-save and draft mode availability
- Noted which laser picks support a toner-save draft mode for internal, non-final printing, and what quality tradeoff it introduces.
- Considered drum contamination and ghost-imaging risk on laser picks as a long-term quality factor beyond the first few thousand pages.
What to Look for in a Printer for Black-and-White Documents
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match actual size and capacity to your real need, not the category label alone
Listings for a printer often use a size or capacity label ("compact," "large," "heavy-duty") that isn't standardized across brands, so the same label can mean meaningfully different actual dimensions or capacity from one product to the next.
This matters because buying based on the category label rather than the specific listed dimensions or capacity is a common way to end up with something that doesn't actually fit your space or handle your real load.
Check the listing for exact measurements or a stated capacity figure, and compare that directly against your actual space or need, not just the marketing size category.
Verify build material and construction quality from reviews, not just spec-sheet claims
A product description can describe material or construction in flattering terms that don't always hold up under real, sustained use, and the gap between a listing's claimed quality and its actual durability only shows up in how the product performs after weeks or months of real use, not in day-one photos.
This matters more for anything you'll use daily or under real load, less for occasional light use where durability matters less.
Check reviews specifically for mentions of how the printer holds up over time, not just unboxing-day impressions, and treat a listing's own quality claims as a starting point to verify, not a guarantee.
Confirm any headline feature actually works as advertised, not just that it's listed
A feature appearing in a product's bullet points doesn't guarantee it performs well in practice, some features are functional but limited, and a few are closer to a marketing checkbox than a useful capability.
This matters directly if a specific feature is the main reason you're choosing this printer over a simpler, cheaper alternative, since a feature that underperforms in practice undermines the whole reason for paying more.
Check reviews specifically for real-world experiences with the exact feature that matters most to you, not just whether the feature is listed at all.
Weigh review count alongside rating, not rating alone
This matters more for a purchase you're relying on to perform consistently over time, less for a low-stakes, easily replaceable item.
Check both the star rating and the review count together for any printer you're considering, and treat a high rating on a very small review count as a promising but less-proven signal.
Check compatibility and fit with your existing setup before ordering
A printer that looks like a straightforward fit in photos can still have a compatibility detail, a connector type, a mounting requirement, a size threshold, that doesn't match your existing setup, and this kind of mismatch is one of the most common and avoidable reasons for a return.
This matters directly if the product needs to physically connect to, mount on, or otherwise integrate with something you already own.
Check the listing's specific compatibility details against your exact existing setup, not just the general product category, before ordering.
How to Choose a Printer for Black-and-White Documents
By Rating Confidence: Highest Rated vs Most Reviewed
| Canon MAXIFY MB2720 Wireless Color Photo Printer | |
| Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II Wireless Duplex Laser Printer |
Canon MAXIFY MB2720 Wireless Color Photo Printer vs Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II Wireless Duplex Laser Printer
- Canon MAXIFY MB2720 Wireless Color Photo Printer
- The lower-priced option in this comparison, worth checking its actual specs and review history against your specific need before assuming it's enough.
- Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II Wireless Duplex Laser Printer
- The higher-priced option, worth it if it offers real, checkable headroom in build quality, capacity, or features over the cheaper pick.
Default to Canon MAXIFY MB2720 Wireless Color Photo Printer unless your specific need calls for the pricier pick's extra headroom.
For a First-Time Buyer Specifically
- Clear, specific dimensions or capacity and a real, established review history, not just marketing language.
- You need real durability and feature depth for regular use, where Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II Wireless Duplex Laser Printer's build gives real headroom over the cheaper picks.
- You only need this for light or occasional use, where Canon MAXIFY MB2720 Wireless Color Photo Printer covers the same job at a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a laser printer always better for black-and-white printing?
For plain text, yes, laser text is consistently sharper. For grayscale photos or smooth gradients, inkjet often looks better, since laser engines can show visible banding that inkjet avoids. Match the technology to what you're actually printing.
Should I buy a color printer or a dedicated mono printer for B&W use?
If 90% or more of your printing is black-and-white, a dedicated mono laser like the Brother DCP-L2640DW or HP LaserJet M209d costs less to buy and less to run than a color printer used mostly in B&W mode. Only choose a color-capable option if you need color with some regularity.
What is toner-save or draft mode, and is it worth using?
Toner-save mode prints using roughly half the toner per page, with a slightly lighter but still legible result. It's worth using for internal drafts and non-final documents, and it can meaningfully stretch a toner cartridge's lifespan.
What is ghost imaging on a laser printer?
Ghost imaging is when drum contamination causes faint repeats of a previous print to appear on later pages. It's usually a sign the drum unit needs cleaning or eventual replacement, separate from the toner cartridge itself.
Which pick in this list is best for grayscale photos specifically?
The Epson XP-7100, a photo-focused color inkjet, produces the smoothest grayscale gradients in this list. Any of the laser picks will beat it on plain text sharpness but can show banding on photo-style grayscale content.
Bottom Line
Best overall: Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer — best for text documents pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all printers for black-and-white documents on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.