Quick verdict
The decision between these two all-in-one printers scanners comes down to what you print most. The Brother MFC-L2740DW is a monochrome laser built for speed, while the HP Smart Tank Plus 651 is a color ink tank bundled with years of ink. If your documents are mostly black-and-white text, the Brother is the quicker and more affordable play. If you need color and want to avoid cartridge runs, the HP's included ink makes it a strong choice. Neither machine is a poor pick, but each is optimized for a different printing personality. Before you commit, think about whether your typical day involves pages of text or a rainbow of color-that distinction will settle most of the debate.
At a glance
Here is a side-by-side look at the key differences.
| Spec | Brother MFC-L2740DW | HP Smart Tank Plus 651 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.95 | $174.99 |
| Price bar | ||
| Black print speed | 32 ppm | 11 ppm |
| Output type | Monochrome laser | Color ink tank |
| Connectivity | Wireless, Ethernet, USB 2.0 | Wireless, USB 2.0 |
| Condition | Used | New |
Where each product wins
Here's the quick breakdown of who comes out ahead on each major consideration.
- Brother MFC-L2740DW wins on price, print speed, Ethernet connectivity, automatic duplex, and the added copy function.
- HP Smart Tank Plus 651 wins on color printing, the included ink bundle, and arriving as a new unit.
Product notes
Brother MFC-L2740DW Wireless Monochrome Printer with Scanner, Copier and Fax
The Brother MFC-L2740DW is a monochrome laser all-in-one that packs printing, scanning, copying, and faxing into one unit. Its fast black-and-white speed and automatic duplexing make it a natural fit for offices churning out reports and forms. The 600 x 600 DPI output keeps text sharp, which is exactly what a document printer should do. You also get flexible connectivity with wireless, Ethernet, and USB 2.0, so it can sit on a wired network or a home Wi-Fi. The unit is sold used, which is the main thing to weigh before buying. And because it's monochrome, color prints aren't part of its job. If your workload is almost entirely black text, this Brother is a hardworking, budget-friendlier choice from the printers scanners aisle. Its compact design also makes it easy to tuck into a home office corner.
HP Smart Tank Plus 651 Wireless All-in-One Ink Tank Printer Scanner
The HP Smart Tank Plus 651 takes a different approach: it's a cartridge-free color ink tank that arrives with three years of original HP ink, enough for 8,000 color and 6,000 black pages. For a household or small office that prints a mix of documents, school projects, and photos, that ink bundle can keep you going for years. With its refillable tank design, you can top up ink instead of swapping cartridges. It also handles scanning and faxing over wireless or USB 2.0, and the unit is new with a two-year warranty. The main trade-off is a slower black print speed than the Brother, so it's better for light- to medium-volume printing. If color is a must and you don't want to think about ink refills, this HP is the way to go. The upfront investment makes sense if you plan to print color often over the next few years.
Final choice by use case
For a home office that cranks out black-and-white contracts, reports, and shipping documents, the Brother MFC-L2740DW's faster print speed and automatic duplexing will get the job done more quickly, and its lower price leaves room in the budget for paper and toner. For a family that prints homework, invitations, and holiday photos, the HP Smart Tank Plus 651's color output and bundled ink make it the simpler long-term option. There's no universal winner-only the choice that matches how you really print. If you value speed and black-and-white economy, lean toward Brother; if you value color and convenience, lean toward HP.
