When you're ready to buy a printer scanner for your home or home office, the first decision is whether you need monochrome or full-color output. The Brother HL-L2405W is a compact wireless monochrome laser that focuses on fast, clean black-and-white documents. The HP Smart Tank Plus 651 is a wireless all-in-one that prints in color and arrives with a supply of ink that lasts well beyond a typical cartridge. Both are new and both connect wirelessly. The real question is what you print most often. If your printing is mostly letters, forms, and other text documents, a monochrome laser can save you money and time. If you also want occasional color charts, photos, or school projects, an ink tank can give you that flexibility without frequent cartridge replacements.
Quick Verdict
The Brother HL-L2405W at $106.79 is the practical pick for text-heavy workloads and a low purchase price. The HP Smart Tank Plus 651 at $174.99 is the more capable all-in-one, making it a better fit if you value flexibility.
At a Glance
| Product | Price | Black Print Speed | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2405W | $106.79 | 30 ppm | |
| HP Smart Tank Plus 651 | $174.99 | 11 ppm |
Where Each Product Wins
For a dedicated home office, the Brother HL-L2405W handles routine printing with automatic duplexing and a wired Ethernet option. The HP Smart Tank Plus 651, meanwhile, scans and faxes, and the included ink bottles are rated for thousands of pages. Its 24-bit color depth also gives it an edge when you need more detailed scans or copies.
Product Notes
Brother HL-L2405W
People who print a lot of black-and-white documents will appreciate the Brother HL-L2405W. It runs quickly for a home laser, and the 250-sheet tray means you won't be refilling paper constantly. Automatic duplexing is built in, so two-sided handouts are easy. It connects over wireless, USB, and Ethernet, covering both casual and wired setups. The tradeoff is that it is monochrome only. That makes it a better fit for letters, forms, invoices, and other text-heavy tasks where crispness matters. For a clean, low-maintenance printer that stays out of the way, this model delivers.
HP Smart Tank Plus 651
The HP Smart Tank Plus 651 takes the all-in-one idea further. It prints in color, scans, and has a fax function, and it ships with ink bottles that are rated for approximately 8,000 color pages and 6,000 black pages. That long stretch of ink is the big differentiator for households that want to avoid cartridge changes. The print speed is moderate, so it is not for huge text runs. For colorful reports, school projects, or photos, the HP covers more ground right out of the box. Even with a lower print speed, the ink capacity makes it a strong choice for busy households.
Final Choice
For a home office that prints mostly text and wants a lower upfront price, the Brother HL-L2405W is the straightforward winner. For families, students, or anyone who needs colored pages and wants the ink supply to last, the HP Smart Tank Plus 651 is the more versatile all-in-one. If you are still torn, think about the next year of printing: the Brother is the no-fuss text machine, while the HP gives you color options and fewer trips for ink.
