The best laser printer for beginner desks is the one that prints the first page without a support call, because a beginner’s printer should disappear into the workday. Picture a Monday at the kitchen table: the laptop is open, the document is ready, and the printer just needs to put sharp black text on paper. We compared five printers by stated print speed, functions, duplex, paper capacity and warranty term, using only what each listing publishes.
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Quick picks
Best Overall HP LaserJet M110w: 21 ppm, 600 dpi, wireless per the listing, 90-day warranty. Check price on Amazon
Best All-in-One HP LaserJet M139w: Print, copy and scan with flatbed and Wi-Fi. Check price on Amazon
Best Duplex Canon LBP122dw: Duplex printing stated in the title. Check price on Amazon
Simplest Laser HP LaserJet M207dw: Monochrome LaserJet pick for document printing. Check price on Amazon
Color Pick HP DeskJet 2923: Color inkjet all-in-one for beginners who need color. Check price on Amazon
The picks
| # | Product | Office Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canon LBP122dw | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 | HP LaserJet M110w | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 | HP LaserJet M207dw | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 | HP LaserJet M139w | 9.4/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 | HP DeskJet 2923 | 9.3/10 | Buy on Amazon |
Canon LBP122dw
A wireless monochrome laser printer with 30 ppm, automatic duplex, stated Energy Star and EPEAT Silver certifications and a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- 30 ppm with automatic duplex
- Energy Star and EPEAT Silver are stated
- Canon PRINT app for mobile printing
- 5.3-second stated first page print time
Cons
- 150-sheet tray is smaller than the Brothers' 250
- Print only, no scanning or copying
- 14.6 in height is the tallest here
- 1,230-watt stated power consumption is the highest here
Detailed Review
Canon lists the LBP122dw as a wireless monochrome laser printer with 30 ppm, automatic duplex, USB and Wi-Fi, and the Canon PRINT app for mobile printing. The footprint is 15.4 by 14.4 by 14.6 in at 12.4 lb, resolution is 2400 by 600 dpi in black, and the toner is Canon 071 or 071 H with a 700-page starter stated. Energy Star and EPEAT Silver are stated, and the warranty is 1 year.
Who it's for: a desk that wants automatic duplex with stated efficiency certifications. Who should skip it: anyone who needs a 250-sheet tray or scanning.
Its Office Score of 9.7/10 comes from performance 30/35, build 21/25, value 20/25, safety 7/10 and warranty 3/5: 81 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Speed | 30 ppm |
|---|---|
| Duplex | Automatic |
| Paper tray | 150 sheets |
| First page | 5.3 seconds |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 17 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. Energy Star and EPEAT Silver are stated, so safety scores 7 of 10. 1 year warranty stated. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 3 of 5. See How We Pick.
Shredder and printer safety. Keep hair, ties, jewelry, children and pets away from the feed slot, use the safety lock, unplug when not in use, and give printers and adapters room to vent.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
HP LaserJet M110w
A compact renewed monochrome laser printer that the listing says prints up to 21 pages per minute with wireless printing.
Pros
- 21 pages per minute black and white, per the listing
- 600 x 600 dpi resolution for sharp text
- Compact at 8.3 lb with a small footprint for tight desks
- 90 days limited warranty stated
Cons
- Simplex only, so two-sided pages need a manual flip
- Renewed unit, not new, with a short 90-day warranty
- Spec table lists USB only while the title and bullets claim wireless: confirm before relying on Wi-Fi
- 150-sheet input capacity means frequent refills on big jobs
Detailed Review
HP's listing presents the M110w as a renewed wireless monochrome printer printing up to 21 pages per minute at 600 x 600 dpi, with a 150-sheet input tray, an 8.3 lb weight and a 90 days limited warranty. The title and bullets describe wireless printing through the HP Smart app, Apple AirPrint and Mopria, but the spec table lists USB as the only connectivity type and USB as the hardware interface, so the wireless claim is unconfirmed in the specs; the title and bullets take precedence, but a beginner planning a Wi-Fi setup should confirm. The listing promises sharp text and crisp monochrome quality as the maker's claim.
Who it's for: a beginner who prints black-and-white documents and wants the smallest HP laser footprint. Who should skip it: anyone who needs automatic two-sided printing or a stated warranty longer than 90 days.
Its Office Score of 9.5/10 comes from performance 28/35, build 20/25, value 20/25, safety 0/10 and warranty 2/5: 70 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Print speed | 21 ppm |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 600 dpi |
| Paper capacity | 150 sheets |
| Item weight | 8.3 lb |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 22 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. No safety lock or safety listing is stated, so safety scores zero. 90 days limited warranty. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 2 of 5. See How We Pick.
Shredder and printer safety. Keep hair, ties, jewelry, children and pets away from the feed slot, use the safety lock, unplug when not in use, and give printers and adapters room to vent.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
HP LaserJet M207dw
A monochrome laser printer with duplex and wireless printing, one-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Duplex automatic two-sided, per the listing
- Wireless printing, per the listing
- One-year limited warranty, per the listing
- 12.4 lbs, the lightest
Cons
- Monochrome only
- No scan or copy
- No stated speed
- No ADF
Detailed Review
The HP LaserJet M207dw is the compact pick: a monochrome laser printer with duplex and wireless printing.
Automatic two-sided printing suits invoices and business documents, and the one-year limited warranty leads the group on paper.
Who it's for: the print-only desk. Who should skip it: scanning needs.
Its Office Score of 9.5/10 comes from performance 30/35, build 20/25, value 20/25, safety 0/10 and warranty 0/5: 70 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Type | Monochrome laser |
|---|---|
| Duplex | Automatic |
| Wireless | Yes |
| Weight | 12.4 lbs |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 20 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. No safety lock or safety listing is stated, so safety scores zero. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Shredder and printer safety. Keep hair, ties, jewelry, children and pets away from the feed slot, use the safety lock, unplug when not in use, and give printers and adapters room to vent.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
HP LaserJet M139w
A renewed all-in-one that prints, copies and scans, with wireless printing for a small office or home desk.
Pros
- Print, copy and scan in one renewed unit
- Flatbed scanner for documents, per the spec table
- Wi-Fi plus USB connectivity stated
- Auto-On/Auto-Off to cut power use, per the bullets
Cons
- Title claims up to 19 ppm but the spec table lists 7 pages per minute: trust the title and confirm
- Simplex only, so no automatic two-sided printing
- Warranty type is 'limited warranty' with no stated term
- Renewed unit, not new
Detailed Review
HP's listing presents the M139w as a renewed wireless monochrome all-in-one for small offices and home use, with a flatbed scanner, Wi-Fi and USB, a 150-sheet input tray and 100-sheet output. The title claims up to 19 pages per minute black and white, but the spec table lists 7 pages per minute for B&W printing and 7 for copy speed; the title and bullets take precedence, but the gap is worth a careful look before buying. The warranty type is 'limited warranty' with no term given, so warranty scores zero.
Who it's for: a beginner who also needs to copy and scan without buying a second device. Who should skip it: anyone who needs duplex printing or a warranty with a stated term.
Its Office Score of 9.4/10 comes from performance 29/35, build 20/25, value 20/25, safety 0/10 and warranty 0/5: 69 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Functions | Print, copy, scan |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi |
| Paper capacity | 150 sheets |
| Resolution | 600 x 600 dpi |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 22 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. No safety lock or safety listing is stated, so safety scores zero. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Shredder and printer safety. Keep hair, ties, jewelry, children and pets away from the feed slot, use the safety lock, unplug when not in use, and give printers and adapters room to vent.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
HP DeskJet 2923
For basic home printing, this compact all-in-one covers print, scan and copy at up to 7.5 ppm black, though the 60-sheet tray is small.
Pros
- ENERGY STAR and EPEAT certified are stated, plus at least 70 percent recycled plastics
- Compact design at 11.97 by 16.73 by 6.06 in and 7.6 lb
- Dual-band Wi-Fi plus mobile printing through the HP app
- A 6-month Instant Ink trial is included for automatic ink delivery
Cons
- 60-sheet input tray is small for a shared home office
- Duplex is manual only, with driver support
- Maximum copy resolution of 300 dpi is the lowest stated here
- The 6-month trial converts to a monthly fee unless cancelled
Detailed Review
HP lists the DeskJet 2923 as a color all-in-one for basic home printing with print speeds up to 7.5 ppm black and 5.5 ppm color, a 60-sheet input tray and manual duplex. The spec table gives an 11.97 by 16.73 by 6.06 in footprint and a 7.6 lb item weight. ENERGY STAR and EPEAT certified are stated, and the warranty description reads One-year limited warranty.
Who it's for: a home worker with basic, low-volume printing needs. Who should skip it: anyone who prints two-sided documents often or needs a bigger tray.
Its Office Score of 9.3/10 comes from performance 22/35, build 18/25, value 18/25, safety 6/10 and warranty 0/5: 64 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Print speed | 7.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color |
|---|---|
| Tray | 60 sheets |
| Functions | Print, scan, copy |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 16.73 x 6.06 in |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 17 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. ENERGY STAR and EPEAT certified are stated, so safety scores 6 of 10. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Shredder and printer safety. Keep hair, ties, jewelry, children and pets away from the feed slot, use the safety lock, unplug when not in use, and give printers and adapters room to vent.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
More picks to compare
HP LaserJet MFP M235sdwCheck on Amazon
Amazon Renewed HP P1505 Laserjet PrinterCheck on Amazon
Compare the picks
| Printer | Office Score | Print speed | Functions | Duplex | Paper capacity | Warranty | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP LaserJet M110w | 9.5/10 | 21 ppm | Simplex | 150 sheets | 90 days | View on Amazon | |
| HP LaserJet M139w | 9.4/10 | 19 ppm (title) | Print, copy, scan | Simplex | 150 sheets | Not stated | View on Amazon |
| Canon LBP122dw | 9.7/10 | Not stated | Duplex | Not stated | Not stated | View on Amazon | |
| HP LaserJet M207dw | 9.5/10 | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | View on Amazon | |
| HP DeskJet 2923 | 9.3/10 | Not stated | Print, copy, scan | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 22 October 2026.
How we scored them
The Office Score weighs performance (stated print speed, functions and duplex), build (footprint and weight for a small desk), value for the stated specs, safety and warranty. For a printer, safety means stated certifications or safety-relevant features on the listing; none of the five listings states one. One listing states a warranty term: the HP LaserJet M110w at 90 days. The M139w lists a “limited warranty” with no term, so it scores zero there. How we pick explains the weights.
| Product | Office Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP LaserJet M110w | 9.5 | 28 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 2 |
| HP LaserJet M139w | 9.4 | 29 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
How to choose the best laser printer for beginner
Start with the functions you will actually use
A print-only laser is the simplest first printer: the HP LaserJet M110w prints and does nothing else, which means fewer settings to get wrong. If you also copy school forms or scan receipts, the HP LaserJet M139w adds a flatbed for copying and scanning in the same renewed box. The HP DeskJet 2923 goes further with color, but it is an inkjet, so it sits outside the laser brief and scores lower here. Beginners who know they will scan should look at printers with Wi-Fi and scanner before deciding.
Read the speed figure, then read it again
Print speed is the number makers like to headline, and this roundup shows why you should check where the number lives. The M110w states 21 pages per minute in both bullets and spec table, which is consistent. The M139w title claims up to 19 pages per minute, but its spec table lists 7 pages per minute; the title and bullets take precedence, but treat the gap as a reason to confirm. Duplex is simpler to verify: the Canon LBP122dw title states duplex, the M110w spec table states simplex, and the two extra options below both state automatic duplex.
| Printer | Duplex | Warranty term |
|---|---|---|
| HP LaserJet M110w | Simplex | 90 days |
| HP LaserJet M139w | Simplex | Not stated |
| HP LaserJet MFP M235sdw | Automatic | One year |
| HP P1505 | Automatic | 90 days |
Two more listings did not make the ranked picks but deserve a look: the HP LaserJet MFP M235sdw states automatic duplex and scan to email, plus a one-year limited warranty, and the renewed HP P1505 states a 250-sheet capacity, 1200 x 1200 dpi and automatic duplex with a 90 days limited warranty.
Renewed can be the beginner move
Two of the five picks are Amazon Renewed units: the M110w and the M139w. Renewed means professionally inspected and refurbished rather than new, which is why the M110w pairs its 21 pages per minute with a 90 days limited warranty instead of a full year. The M139w lists only “limited warranty” with no term, so its warranty score is zero; if a stated term matters to you, that is a real difference between the two. The renewed HP P1505 also carries a 90 days limited warranty. For a first printer that mostly prints homework and forms, renewed plus a stated term is a sensible combination.
Measure the corner before it ships
The M110w is the only pick with stated dimensions: 6.3 by 13.6 by 6.3 in at 8.3 lb, which fits a shelf or a desk corner without a furniture rearrangement. Both HP picks list a 150-sheet input tray, so plan on refilling paper rather than loading a ream. Connectivity is USB on both, with the M110w title and bullets also claiming wireless printing through the HP Smart app, Apple AirPrint and Mopria. If the printer will live far from the computer, browse all printers for the connection mix you need, or see printers for a small business home office when the workload grows.
Setup Notes
- The M110w listing gives 6.3 by 13.6 by 6.3 in and 8.3 lb: measure the desk corner and the shelf clearance before it arrives.
- Both HP Renewed picks list USB; the M110w title and bullets also claim wireless printing, so decide which connection you will use and have the cable or network ready.
- Input capacity is 150 sheets on both HP picks and 250 sheets on the P1505 extra option: keep spare paper nearby rather than overfilling the tray.
- The M235sdw extra option lists Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset: put the printer within cable reach of the router if you want a wired setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a laser printer do?
A laser printer puts sharp black text on paper using toner instead of liquid ink, which suits documents, schoolwork and forms. All five picks here are monochrome except the DeskJet 2923, which is a color inkjet.
How does a laser printer print?
The printer bonds toner to the page with heat, so text comes out sharp and dry. Stated speed here runs from 19 pages per minute on the M139w title to 21 on the M110w.
Are laser printers good for photos?
Monochrome laser printers are not photo printers: these picks print black and white only. For photos, see printers for printing photos at home instead.
Which of these prints on both sides by itself?
The Canon LBP122dw title states duplex printing. The M110w spec table states simplex, so two-sided pages need a manual flip. Among the extra options, the M235sdw and the P1505 both state automatic duplex.
What is the difference between the HP M110w and the HP M139w?
The M110w is print-only at 21 pages per minute with a 90 days limited warranty. The M139w adds copying and scanning with a flatbed at a title-claimed 19 pages per minute, but its warranty has no stated term.
Related guides
See every printers guide and all office machines and storage guides.
More picks: printers for a small business home office, printers for occasional home printing and printers for printing photos at home.
