December Printer of the Month: Brother HL-L5000D

11/12/2017

Best Mono Laser Printer – Brother HL-L5000D

This particular mono printer is part of the Workgroup series from Brother, and has been designed for small office users.  Whilst the Brother HL-L5000D may not be as exciting as some of the multifunctional colour laser printers we’ve reviewed before, it does deliver quality prints at high print speeds every time.

Set Up & Installation

The Brother HL-L5000D Mono Printer is supplied with power cord, product safety guide, software disc, supplies, warranty card and quick setup guide. Conveniently, the drum unit and cartridge are provided with the printer and are already installed so there is little set up necessary.  However, do bear in mind that the HL-L5000D does not allow Wi-Fi connectivity, so printing on the move unfortunately isn’t an option in this instance. 

Print Speed & Efficiency 

Improved build quality means that the HL-L5000D prints 40 pages per minute and allows users to print up to 3,500 pages per month.  Duplex printing (double sided printing) is automatic too so you can reduce paper waste straight away, and you have the option of being able to use high-yield replacement toner cartridges; allowing for lower overall running costs and higher document output.  The paper tray provides a 300 sheet capacity from the outset, but for the more demanding office, this can be increased to hold 1,340 sheets by using additional paper trays (which have to be purchased separately), ensuring even large print jobs are completed uninterrupted.

Ongoing Costs

The average cost per page for the Brother HL-L5000D is £0.13 (based on manufacturer estimates), which is significantly less than some of its fellow Brother Mono Printers, such as the HL-L2340 which comes in at £0.24, or the HL-1212W at £0.32 per page.  The printer uses a drum unit, you will need to consider the cost of replacing this (at around 50,000 pages). The original drum cost is approximately £130, and depending on whether you opt for the standard (TN3430) or high capacity (TN3480) cartridge, which cost between £70-£100, your total print costs can be in excess of £200. However, by doing some research and choosing to use a recycled drum unit and toner cartridge, you could save £100 for the same quality and output.

Pros

Low Cost-Per-Page Output

Excellent Print Speed

Versatile Paper Handling

Cons

No Wi-Fi Connectivity

Verdict

The Brother HL-L5000D has a small footprint, is user friendly, reliable and efficient. It also has a robust build quality and fast print speeds.  These elements, combined with its environmental qualities make it the perfect addition for a small to medium sized office.