Brother HLL2390DW Compact Monochrome Laser Printer Review Wireless Printing and Duplex Features

Description

An Honest Review of the Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer, HLL2390DW

Design and Build Quality
This compact monochrome laser printer immediately caught my attention with its sturdy yet minimalist design. It’s not flashy or overly complicated, which I personally prefer for office equipment. The combination of black and grey tones gives it a professional look, and at 22.7 pounds, it feels solid without being overly bulky. The dimensions—15.7”D x 16.1”W x 10.7”H—make it suitable for small desks or tight spaces. I particularly liked the flatbed scan glass, which is perfect for copying or scanning documents, especially when I needed to digitize some old paper records.

While the overall design is functional, the LCD display felt a bit dated. It’s not a touchscreen, which would have been a nice addition, but it does the job. The buttons are straightforward, so there wasn’t much of a learning curve, even for someone as impatient as me.

Performance and Speed
I’ll be honest—I was skeptical when I read about the 32 pages per minute print speed. But once I started using it, I was genuinely impressed. It churned out pages quickly, even when I was printing multi-page reports or legal-sized documents. The 250-sheet capacity tray was a lifesaver during tasks that required bulk printing, as I didn’t have to refill it constantly. The automatic duplex printing feature also stood out. It not only saved me time but also reduced paper waste—a win for both productivity and the environment.

One interesting feature I tested was the manual feed slot. It allowed me to print on envelopes or card stock, and the results were crisp and professional. I’d say this printer is a great fit for anyone who needs to handle diverse print media without investing in specialized equipment.

Key Benefits

• Fast print speed of up to 32 pages per minute.
• Automatic duplex printing reduces paper waste and improves efficiency.
• Flatbed scanner for convenient copying and scanning tasks.
• Manual feed slot allows for flexible printing on envelopes and card stock.

Wireless Connectivity and Ease of Use
Setting up the wireless printing was surprisingly smooth. I’ve had my fair share of battles with printers that refuse to connect to Wi-Fi, but this one linked to my devices without any drama. Whether I was printing from my smartphone, tablet, or laptop, the process was seamless. I even tried printing via USB, and it worked without a hitch.

The Amazon Dash Replenishment feature was intriguing. Once activated, it monitors toner levels and orders replacements automatically. While I personally didn’t enable this, I can see how it would be a game-changer for busy offices. However, I’d recommend keeping an eye on toner costs since automated services sometimes lean toward pricier options.

Areas of Concern

• LCD display feels outdated and lacks touchscreen functionality.
• Toner cartridges, especially the high-yield ones, can be pricey.
• The printer is monochrome, which means no color printing—limiting for creative projects.

Scanning and Copying Features
The scanner was another feature I used extensively, and it performed admirably. The resolution was sharp, capturing the fine details of old documents I scanned. The copying function was equally efficient, though I did notice a slight lag when copying multiple pages. It’s worth mentioning that this printer is designed more for text-heavy tasks rather than image-heavy ones.

If you’re someone who relies heavily on scanning or copying, the lack of an automatic document feeder (ADF) could be a drawback. I had to manually place each page on the flatbed, which was fine for a few pages but tedious for larger stacks.

Market Rivals
When comparing this Brother model to its competitors, a few things stood out. Printers like the HP LaserJet Pro M15w are smaller and might appeal to those with extremely limited space. However, the Brother HL L2390DW outperforms it in terms of speed and paper capacity. The Canon imageCLASS LBP6230dw offers similar features but lacks the flatbed scanner, making the Brother option more versatile for mixed tasks.

On the downside, some competitors have more modern displays or app integrations. For example, Epson’s models often include touchscreens and better app functionality, which could appeal to tech-savvy users.

Cost Efficiency
We all know printers can be a money pit when it comes to toner. What I appreciated about this model was the option to use high-yield toner cartridges. The TN-760 cartridge, for instance, offers a significantly higher page yield than its standard counterpart. While the upfront cost of these cartridges might give you pause, the long-term savings make it a smart choice.

Comparing it to other brands, I found that the cost-per-page was relatively low, especially when using the high-yield toner. If you’re someone who prints a lot, this could make a huge difference over time. However, for casual users, the toner costs might feel a bit steep.

Who Is This Printer For?
I’d recommend this monochrome laser printer for small offices, home businesses, or anyone who prints large volumes of text-based documents. It’s not ideal for creative professionals or students who need color printing. The combination of speed, efficiency, and reliability makes it a solid choice for those who value productivity over bells and whistles.

Whether you’re printing legal documents, scanning contracts, or simply running off some meeting notes, this printer handles it all without breaking a sweat. Just don’t expect it to cater to all your creative needs—it’s a workhorse, not a show pony.

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