When it comes to laser printers, HP and Brother are two well-known brands that occupy an important position in the market. Both companies offer a wide range of laser printers suitable for personal and business use, but which one offers the best value for money? In this blog, we'll compare HP vs Brother laser printers across several important factors to help you make an informed decision.
Upfront Printer Cost
One of the first things to consider when buying a laser printer is the initial cost. Both HP and Brother offer a wide range of models, but the price range can vary depending on the features included and the design of the printer. For consumers who prioritize budget, the upfront cost is an important factor. However, beyond the price tag, it's also important to consider what features you get for the money.
HP Laser Printers: HP tends to offer a wide range of options, from low-cost basic printers to high-end multifunction devices. Their entry-level models like the HP LaserJet Pro M15w are affordable and a great choice for home offices. However, more advanced models with additional features like automatic document feeders or wireless capabilities can increase the cost.
Brother Laser Printers: Brother also offers a variety of printer models at different price points. Generally, Brother laser printers are slightly cheaper than their HP counterparts. Models like the Brother HL-L2350DW are popular choices for small offices and have a lower starting price. Brother is an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
Print Quality and Performance
Print quality refers to more than just how sharp a document looks; it also includes a printer's ability to handle different types of jobs, including high-volume printing and high-resolution graphics. Both HP and Brother laser printers are known for delivering sharp, high-quality prints, but they may perform differently in terms of speed and print quality.
HP Laser Printers: HP is known for producing clear documents with fine text and high-resolution images. HP's laser printers generally excel at printing complex graphics or professional documents. However, in some cases, print speeds, especially entry-level models, tend to be slower than Brother.
Brother Laser Printer: Brother printers excel at delivering fast printing speeds, making them ideal for businesses with high printing needs. While Brother printers also deliver good quality, HP generally has the upper hand when it comes to high-resolution graphics. Brother printers may have slightly less detail when printing complex images, but they perform very well when printing standard text and everyday documents.
If print quality, such as high-resolution images, is a priority, HP is the better choice. However, for businesses that need to print large volumes of documents quickly and efficiently, Brother has the performance edge.
Operating Costs: Toner Price and Page Yield
While the initial cost of a printer may seem like the main factor, the real expense often comes from long-term maintenance. This is where toner costs and yield become key.
HP LaserJet Printers: HP toner cartridges tend to be more expensive than Brother's, especially high-yield cartridges like the HP 414X. However, HP often makes up for this with higher page yields, meaning more pages can be printed per cartridge. Additionally, HP's toner cartridges come with a built-in chip to monitor toner levels, which helps reduce waste but can also lead to increased costs.
Brother LaserJet Printers: Brother is known for offering more affordable toner cartridges, and their high-yield options offer excellent cost-effectiveness. For example, Brother's TN-227 offers high page yields at a relatively low price, which makes their printers attractive to users who print frequently and in large quantities.
If reducing ongoing costs is a priority, Brother laser printers tend to have lower toner costs and comparable yields, making them a more cost-effective option in the long run.
Other Functions: Copy, Scan, Fax
For users who need more functionality than just printing, a multifunction laser printer (MFP) with features like scanning, copying, and faxing is worth considering. Both HP and Brother offer multifunction models, but the features they offer differ.
HP Multifunction Laser Printers: HP's multifunction models, such as the HP LaserJet Pro MFP series, are known for their seamlessly integrated copy, scan, and fax capabilities, e.g., the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw. HP tends to offer a user-friendly interface, and its scanning features, especially in higher-end models, offer excellent image clarity.
Brother Multifunction Laser Printers: Brother also offers reliable multifunction models, such as the Brother MFC-L2710DW. While Brother's print speeds are excellent, their scanning features, while good, may not be as sharp or feature-rich as HP's. However, Brother's multifunction models are generally priced lower than HP's, making them a good value for those who value budget over advanced scanning features.
HP's multifunction performance is better, especially in scanning and copying, while Brother offers a solid option at a lower price.
Maintenance and Durability
When buying a laser printer, you also need to consider its durability and how often it might need maintenance. A durable printer can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
HP Laser Printers: HP printers are known for their reliability and long-term performance. Their more advanced models are designed for heavy-duty use and can handle a large workload. Maintenance is generally simple, but HP printers often have proprietary parts, which means replacement parts can be more expensive.
Brother Laser Printers: Brother printers are durable, and many users report that failures are rare, even after years of heavy use. Brother printers also tend to have cheaper replacement parts, which makes maintenance more affordable. The drum and toner of Brother printers are usually separate, which means you only have to replace one part, not two, which reduces maintenance costs.
In this way, Brother printers tend to require less maintenance and have cheaper parts, making them a better choice for users who value long-term durability and cost savings.
Features and Connectivity
Both HP and Brother offer a wide range of connectivity options, but their approaches to functionality differ.
HP Laser Printers: HP offers a wide range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth. Their printers also support mobile printing apps, such as HP Smart, which allows users to print directly from smartphones and tablets. HP printers also integrate seamlessly with Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print, making them versatile.
Brother Laser Printers: Brother also offers similar connectivity options, including Wi-Fi and Ethernet. They also support mobile printing through Brother's iPrint&Scan app. While Brother's app is user-friendly, it's not as feature-rich as HP's Smart app, which may offer more flexibility for advanced users.
HP offers a more feature-rich experience and stronger mobile integration, while Brother offers solid connectivity at a slightly lower price.
Ease of Use and Setup
User-friendly printers and their software applications can save time and improve the user experience. How easy they are to set up and use can greatly affect your experience, especially for non-tech-savvy users.
HP LaserJet Printers: HP printers are generally easy to set up, and most models have intuitive touch screens or icons. Their mobile apps also offer a guided setup process. But troubleshooting the printer and WiFi connection to the mobile app can sometimes be annoying and complicated.
Brother LaserJet Printers: Brother's setup process is generally quick, but some users report that the interface can be less intuitive on some models compared to HP. However, once setup is complete, Brother printers are reliable and easy to use for everyday tasks.
HP excels in setup and user interface design, while Brother offers a reliable experience that may be slightly less intuitive at first.
Conclusion
HP and Brother both offer excellent laser printers, each with their own strengths. If print quality, user experience, and sustainability are your top considerations, then HP may be the better choice. Additionally, if you're looking for a more affordable solution with lower ongoing costs and greater reliability, then Brother may offer you the best value for your money. The best choice depends on your specific needs, and both brands offer models that suit different users, so consider your printing needs before making a decision.
More information on these two brands? Read the blog Which to Choose: Brother vs HP Printers.
