Printers are not usually seen as a new invention or as machines with much novelty. However, though they have been in the computer and communications world for quite some time, certain kinds of printers are endearing to users.
One of such kinds of printers is the black and white printer. Although most color printers are seen to be quite affordable at the moment, monochrome (black and white) printers, in turn, have their unique edge over color printers.
The best black and white printers in their own right have certain advantages over even the best color printers, such as:
Even though color printers are affordable, black and white printers are seen to be even cheaper.
Black and white printers are suitable for businesses that do not need graphic designs and content creation, so this tends to save cost.
This black and white printer is a perfect choice for use in small offices and at home; it is very versatile with a lot of connectivity options such as a USB interface, the ability to print from mobile devices (such as phones and tablets) wirelessly while having an inbuilt wireless network.
Speed: This printer model has an incredibly high speed of up to 32 pages per minute (ppm) at less than 50dB, and the printing is carried out with increased efficiency. About its current price, this Brother printer carries out a lot of processing work.
Flexible printing: This printer can be found in a manual feed slot; this slot helps create professional documents by presenting flexible printing options for different kinds and sizes of papers, such as envelopes and stock cards.
Cost-saving: Because it is a black and white printer, this model uses only black ink, which saves cost compared to using multiple colored inks with a color printer. There is also the presence of a Toner Save Mode; this helps to save costs on toners. In addition, paper costs are reduced due to the automatic duplex (double-sided) printing.
Connectivity: In the Brother model, there are different and versatile connectivity options as there is an inbuilt wireless network, WiFi, Apple AirPrint (depending on the device), Google Cloud Print, Mobile Print, and there is also a USB interface (High-Speed USB 2.0) present in case you would like to connect locally to a computer.
The Canon ImageCLASS LBP6230dw Wireless Laser Printer is a black and white laser printer convenient for home use and small office use. This printer helps to save space and makes prints of professional quality even with a small footprint.
Features:
Wireless connectivity: The Canon ImageCLASS printer model comes with wireless connectivity, which presents you with the option to print virtually using your mobile devices and the free Canon Mobile Printing App2.
Canon GENUINE Toner: This feature is designed specifically to offer improved image processing, high-quality images, and accurate character printing.
Paper handling: Present in this printer model is a front-loading cassette containing 250 paper sheets, so this helps ensure that it is very little or no interruption when printing.
Speed: The Canon ImageCLASS printer performs with a very high speed when printing; it is seen to have a fast print speed of up to 26 pages per minute.
Pros:
It runs at a very high speed.
Portable and can be placed on a desktop.
Carries out duplex printing.
Presence of WiFi
Presence of Ethernet.
Cons:
Runs at a high cost (claimed to be about 4.1 cents per page)
This Xenox B205NI printer model is a monochrome printer with many impressive features, such as its print speed and a 2-line LCD user interface. It is also a perfect printer for small work teams and home office use. The Xenox B205NI is very quiet and lightweight.
Features:
Connectivity: This printer can be found in an inbuilt WiFi network, a USB interface (High-Speed USB 2.0), Apple AirPrint, Mopria, Google Cloud Print, Android support (Xenox Print Service Plug-in for Android), Ethernet, and a standard inbuilt wireless connectivity.
Speed: The Xenox model prints at a very high speed, taking only about 8.5 seconds to print out a single page; it prints up to 31 pages per minute.
Protection: There are protection protocols; this feature helps ensure that all your sensitive documents stay protected and away from prying eyes. There are secure and inbuilt systems such as Secure Print, HTTPS, MAC address filtering, Scan to Email with Authentication, 802.1X, SNMPv3, IPsec, IP, IPv6, and Secure Fax Receive.
Pros:
Saves cost.
It runs at high speed and low cost.
High print quality.
Cons:
No automatic two-sided printing.
4. Impresora HP Laserjet Pro M404dw
The Impresora HP black and white printer are one of a kind; it has an increasingly high and fast print speed with impressive connectivity options. This HP model printer was specifically designed to increase efficiency; it also has a 1.2 GHz processor and 2-line LCD.
Features:
Security: There are high-level security features embedded and programmed to guard and provide protection for your printer and information from any external threat or attack. Some of the features are Optional PIN/Pull printing and notifications to alert you of any threat.
Speed: The Impresora HP printer model has a print speed that is as high as 40 pages per minute, and this helps to reduce time wastage and, in turn, increase productivity.
Connectivity: There are many connectivity features available in this HP black and white printers, such as a USB interface (High-Speed USB 2.0), Ethernet, Dual-band WiFi (with Bluetooth Low Energy), and WiFi Direct.
A very astounding kind of black and white printer is the Brother HL-L6200DW Wireless Monochrome Laser Printer. This printer is very endearing to its users (especially those who work in busy offices) because of the power-packed features it embodies. The features present in this printer helps to ensure that larger volumes get printed, thereby increasing efficiency and productivity.
Features:
Speed: The printer has an incredibly high print speed of about 48 pages per minute; this feature helps save time and increase productivity, especially in a busy office setting where a lot of work is carried out.
Security: Printers can be prone to external threats and attacks, so in this particular Brother printer model, there is Triple Layer Security which serves as a form of protection for your sensitive documents, and this ensures that any network or device you are connected to is secure.
Connectivity: Connectivity options in the Brother HL-L6200DW Wireless Monochrome Laser Printer are very versatile, and the options include a USB interface, inbuilt wireless 802.11b/g/n, Ethernet, Apple AirPrint, Mopria, Google Cloud Print 2.0, WiFi Direct, Cortado Workplace, and Brother iPrint&Scan.
Paper handling: The kind of paper tray found in this black and white printer is a paper tray that is adjustable with the capacity of taking up to 520 paper sheets; there is also a reduction of paper refills due to the paper tray capacity.
Pros:
Toner saves mode, which helps to save toner cost.
Advanced security features.
Versatile connectivity options.
Cons:
No 'toner continue' mode.
6. Brother Monochrome DCPL2550DW Laser Printer
The DCPL2550DW model printer of the Brother brand is a kind of monochrome printer that is seen as a 3-in-1 laser printer; this printer is designed to work in homes and offices. It also has an additional special feature; the option of Voice Control when connected to an Alexa device.
Features:
Connectivity: There are various connectivity options available such as a USB interface, Ethernet, inbuilt WiFi, Apple AirPrint, WiFi Direct, Mopria, Brother iPrint&Scan, and Cortado Workplace.
Speed: In this Brother printer model, the print speed is about 36 pages per minute, with the first page getting printed in 8.5 seconds; the noise generated by the machine when working is about 30/50dB.
Cost-saving: Due to the presence of certain features such as the Automatic two-sided printing and the Toner Save Mode, paper and toner costs are saved, respectively.
Lexmark's B3442dw Monochrome Laser Printer is a black and white printer with certain features such as the Lifetime Fuser, which helps to reduce maintenance cost, and the printer is also seen to be compact and light.
Features:
Security: Available as a form of protection for sensitive documents is the Lexmark full-spectrum security; this is an inbuilt security feature that makes sure that any network your printer is connected to is secure.
Connectivity: This essential feature is not left out when it comes to the Lexmark printer model; there is a wide range of connectivity options such as a USB interface, Ethernet, inbuilt WiFi, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria.
Speed: The Lexmark B3442dw Monochrome Laser Printer is seen to have a print speed output of up to 42 pages per minute, with the first page coming out as fast as 5.9 seconds. There is also an optional paper tray that contains 550 sheets, and this helps to minimize interruption when printing.
The Canon brand has a lot of printer models. Still, this particular one, the ImageCLASS D1620 Multifunction Monochrome Wireless Laser Printer, boasts of certain exceptional abilities such as being climate-friendly and having a design that is best suited for varying sizes of workgroups (from small to mid-size).
Features:
Speed: The print speed found in this Canon printer model is up to 45 pages per minute, with the first page being printed out in 6.2 seconds. This feature helps ensure that it is little or no time wastage; also, productivity increases.
Connectivity: The connectivity options present in the Canon ImageCLASS D1620 black and white printers are a USB interface, Wireless network, WiFi Direct, Apple AirPrint, Canon PRINT Business app (with this, you can scan directly from the printer), and Mopria.
5-inch color display: This display is a touch screen, and it houses the control panel; a lot of activities can be carried out using this display, such as generating reports, performing tasks, monitoring the status of said tasks, and configuration features.
Pros:
High print quality.
It runs at high speed.
Sizable paper capacity.
Cons:
High operating costs.
9. Lexmark B2338dw Monochrome Laser Printer
This Lexmark black and white printer is a monochrome laser printer best suited for small workgroups; it features standard printing that is two-sided and manages energy by reducing the printer's power consumption no matter the state it is in; active (running) or in sleep mode.
Features:
Connectivity: The Lexmark B2338dw Monochrome Laser Printer presents connectivity options that range from a USB interface, Ethernet, inbuilt WiFi, Apple AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print.
Security: There is a security feature in this printer model; the Lexmark full-spectrum security. This security feature helps to ensure that your information and sensitive documents are kept safe from external threats and attacks.
Speed: The printing performance of this Lexmark model is seen to be very efficient as the black and white printer mono prints up to 38 pages per minute, with the first page being printed out in 6.5 seconds.
The Pantum brand has a variety of high-quality printers, and their L2350DW-W2U36A Compact Monochrome Laser Printer is no exception. This all-in-one black and white printer is designed to carry out the workload done in home offices and can also be used to do school work.
Features:
Productivity: You can get a lot of work done when you have this Pantum printer model; it encourages efficiency and productivity as it is compact, can be kept in tight spaces, and also has a metal frame structure so it can be used for a long time without the fear of wear and tear.
Speed: This small black and white printer has a print speed of up to 35 pages per minute (though it is only in small sizes such as 13.9 x 13.1 x 9.1 inches).
Connectivity: The printer has versatile connectivity options such as a USB interface (High-Speed 2.0), WiFi Hotspot Direct, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, One-Step wireless installation, and Pantum APP.
Pros:
Versatile connectivity options.
High print quality.
It runs at high speed.
Cons:
Small print size.
Buying Guide for the Best Black and White Printer
Making a decision when it comes to getting a printer, especially a black and white printer, can be perceived as quite time-consuming and tasking, but there is a way you can go around this process in a far easier and orderly manner.
There are some features that you should take note of when deciding to get a black and white printer; using the following features can help you pick out the best and cheapest black and white printer that suits you perfectly:
Use: You will need to ask yourself certain questions such as; 'What exactly am I going to use this printer for?', 'Will this printer be convenient enough to meet my needs?'. If your answer is YES, then you can continue onto the next selection phase.
Inkjet or Laser: Getting to know if you would like to pick out a color inkjet printer or a black and white laser printer is a determining factor in getting a printer.
Operability: It is not just enough for you to want a black and white printer; you need to ensure that the printer itself aligns with your needs and that you can actually operate the printer. If you mostly center around printing many text documents, then a laser black and white printer is your best bet.
Speed and Reliability: Laser printers usually perform very well, and even more than inkjet printers in speed. They are seen to be mostly far more reliable than inkjet printers.
Connectivity: The world right now is changing very quickly, and in turn, there are now more multiple connectivity options such as the normal cloud printing and WiFi, but there are other connections that should be available in a printer in case you need them such as SD cards, Ethernet, USB, NFC, and WiFi direct connections.
What Is a Black and White Printer?
A black and white printer can also be known and referred to as a monochrome printer.
There are majorly two kinds of printers;
The kind of printer that prints out in a colored form.
The kind of printer that prints out in a black and white (monochromatic) form.
These printers can also either be laser printers or inkjet printers.
A black and white printer is a printer that prints using only black ink, unlike the color printer, which prints using color ink (which can contain different colors).
In black and white printers, only one color is used (the black ink) and using this kind of printer, a huge amount of documents can be printed in a black and white format in a relatively short amount of time.
Even with the additional benefits gotten from the monochrome printer, it is also seen to run at a cheaper rate than other color printers, as color printing usually costs a lot more than monochrome printing.
The monochromatic printer as a laser machine operates by using laser beams to print a single color (black) and form texts or images on paper.
Black and white printers only print in a monochromatic format using black ink to create a black and white print, so these printers will not be suitable in a case where color printing is needed.
What Is The Difference Between Grayscale and Black and White?
Many people have the common misconception that there is not much difference between Grayscale and Black and White. Still, the truth is that though the two colors are very similar, there is actually a whole lot of difference between these colors.
The color gray is not seen as the same as the colors Black and White. Of course not!
So in that same vein, the way a Grayscale color print appears is not the same as a Black and White color print will appear.
Since we have already established the fact that there are differences between these two colors, you might be wondering, 'What exactly are the differences between the Grayscale color and the Black and White color?'
The differences between the Grayscale color and the Black and White color are:
Grayscale itself is seen as shades of gray, which vary continuously from black to white, unlike Black and White, which can be either pure black or pure white.
When printing with Grayscale, since it has shades of gray that vary from black to white, it is possible to use Grayscale printing to reproduce black and white images still of high quality.
Grayscale is used in color printing, but Black and White are not used in color printing.
FAQ:
Are there any printers that use only black ink?
Yes, there are a lot of printers that use only black ink. The printers that use only black ink are known as black and white printers, and in this kind of printer, only black ink is used as it is not a color printer.
Can I buy a black and white only printer?
Definitely! You can buy a black and white only printer and do that, all you would need to do is check your local store, or for more ease, you can check the Amazon website for the best kind of black and white printer that will be suited for you.
Is it better to print in black and white or grayscale?
Getting your prints in black and white or grayscale actually depends on how you would like your prints to come out.
Does printing in black and white save ink?
Printing in black and white saves ink because when you compare the black and white printer to the color printer, you will notice that a lot more ink (of varying colors) is used when printing in color, while the black and white printer will only need black ink.
Is grayscale the same as black and white?
No, though the two colors have certain similarities, there is a difference between grayscale and black and white.
Final Verdict
It is not just enough to want the best black and white printer; you will need to make sure that your needs are compatible with the operability and use given to you by the black and white printer.
Also, when deciding to get a black and white printer, try to do so by going through and implementing the information given by the Buying Guide and the Reviews on 10 of the best black and white printers.
The featured black and white printers make things easier for you when choosing a good brand of black and white printers because these are very reputable brands, and they have amazing reviews.
Getting the best black and white printer is no longer a herculean task, so pick your favorite and start enjoying it.
Pantum P2502W Wireless Laser Printer for Home Office Use, Black and White Printer with - eBay Link
HP LaserJet Pro M404n Laser Printer with Built-in Ethernet & Security Features (W1A52A) - eBay Link
HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe Wireless Black & White Printer with bonus 6 free months Instant - eBay Link
Pantum M6602NW All-in-One Monochrome Laser Printer Copier Scanner Fax with Wireless - eBay Link
About Karen Jones
Karen Jones has always been a writer at heart. As a freelance writer and social media marketing consultant for the last decade, she's honed her skills in crafting catchy and interesting articles that reel in readers. She also enjoys traveling, which is where she gets most of her ideas for her writing. In fact, if you can't find Karen around her friends and family, it's likely because she's holed up in her home office working on refining her writing composition and printing press!
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