Brother HL-2240 Review: A No‑Nonsense Mono Laser for Simple Print Jobs

At a Glance

The Brother HL‑2240 is an older, entry‑level monochrome laser printer aimed at people who just need dependable black‑and‑white pages without the extras. It’s compact, straightforward to use, and inexpensive to run—especially with high‑yield toner. The trade‑offs are just as clear: it’s USB‑only, there’s no scanner/copier, and the base model doesn’t offer automatic two‑sided printing.

Setup and Design

• Small footprint that fits on a shelf or beside a monitor
• Simple front‑loading paper tray and easy‑access toner bay
• Basic control panel with status lights (no touchscreen)
• USB connection to a single computer; no built‑in networking or Wi‑Fi

In practice, setup is about as painless as it gets: plug in, connect via USB, install drivers, and you’re printing. Just note you’ll need to place it near your computer or use a USB hub/longer cable.

Print Quality and Speed

• Crisp, legible text that looks professional on standard paper
• Graphics and grayscale charts are acceptable but not photo‑grade
• Warm‑up is quick and single‑page prints arrive promptly

For everyday invoices, drafts, school reports, and shipping labels, output looks clean and consistent. Large, image‑heavy documents are not its forte, but that’s expected at this tier.

Costs and Maintenance

• Low cost per page with third‑party or high‑yield genuine toner
• Separate drum and toner units can reduce long‑term costs
• Straightforward maintenance: swap toner, occasionally replace drum

If you print regularly, the separate drum/toner design and widely available cartridges help keep ongoing costs down. Occasional users will also appreciate that laser toner doesn’t dry out like ink.

Connectivity and Compatibility

• USB‑only; no Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, or mobile/Cloud printing built in
• Works well with common operating systems using standard drivers

You’ll be tied to a single computer unless you share it over that computer or use a print server. If you want cable‑free printing from phones or tablets, this isn’t the right model.

Noise and Reliability

• Quick start and relatively quiet during steady printing
• Sturdy enough for light‑to‑moderate home or small‑office use

The HL‑2240 is a workhorse for simple jobs. Keep plain paper loaded, use good toner, and it tends to run without drama.

What It’s Missing

• No automatic duplex printing on the base model (manual flipping only)
• No scanning, copying, or fax
• No wireless or network connectivity

Who Should Buy It

• Home offices and students who print mostly text
• Anyone prioritizing low running costs over features
• Buyers comfortable with a USB‑connected, single‑purpose printer

Alternatives to Consider

• A duplex‑capable mono laser if you print lots of two‑sided documents
• A Wi‑Fi‑enabled laser if you need wireless or mobile printing
• An all‑in‑one (MFP) if you also need scanning and copying

Pros

• Compact, no‑frills design that just prints
• Sharp text and consistent output
• Low running costs with widely available toner
• Easy setup and simple maintenance

Cons

• USB‑only; no wireless or network features
• No scanner/copier functions
• No automatic duplexing on this model
• Aging model; availability and driver support may vary by platform

Verdict

If you want a basic, reliable black‑and‑white laser printer to churn out text documents cheaply, the Brother HL‑2240 still delivers. Its limitations are clear—no wireless, no scanning, and no automatic duplex—but for straightforward, low‑cost printing from a single computer, it’s a quietly excellent pick.