The catch
Brother HL-L2460DW
Closed, its body is deeper than the HP’s.
Side by side
Brother HL-L2460DW vs HP M209dw: Feeding envelopes on Brother requires rear access
Quick verdict
The Brother HL-L2460DW is the one for repeated runs of 151 to 250 supported sheets. It only makes sense for envelopes if you have accessible rear space and are willing to open the rear cover, adjust the levers and feed envelopes one at a time. Plain paper can stay loaded, yet the setup and handling are still there. For short jobs, the HP M209dw is more sensible when its shallower closed body helps and its current complete price is better. Make sure the HP tray has room to open before you decide it fits. Where rear access is impractical, the Brother’s envelope feed should not be a reason to buy it.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Choose duplex, then count the sheets
When every page can print on both sides, a 400-page document takes 200 sheets. That is one Brother cassette load but two HP loads. Under the same assumptions, 300 pages or fewer fit in one load on both.
Where this comes from
This example takes for granted supported paper, full starting trays and pages that can all print on both sides. Blank sides or mixed paper sizes alter the sheet count.
The catch
HP M209dw
Large jobs need more reloads because input capacity is shorter.
Brother HL-L2460DW
- Why pick it
- Supported print runs of 151 to 250 sheets recur for you, which means the Brother cassette takes one load where the HP needs two.
- You would like plain paper to stay loaded when you run supported envelopes, you have accessible rear space, and you accept opening the rear cover, adjusting the levers and feeding envelopes one at a time.
- The catch
- Closed, its body is deeper than the HP’s.
HP M209dw
- Why pick it
- Your print jobs fit in the 150-sheet tray, one supply of paper is enough, and the HP has the better current complete offer.
- Storage is tight and the shallower closed body helps, there is room for its extended trays to open, and the current complete offer on the HP is better.
- The catch
- Large jobs need more reloads because input capacity is shorter.
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What this page compares
Cassette loads, one-off stationery, output limits and the space each of these monochrome duplex printers takes up are what to compare.
If a home office is picking a compact monochrome network printer, these two exact print-only models are a fair pair to compare. What it comes down to is repeated paper handling against a shallower stored body. No current price gap is assumed.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Running a 200-sheet report
One initial cassette load is enough for Brother, while HP needs an additional load. Output needs attention on both.
- Brother HL-L2460DW
- Better fit
- HP M209dw
- Caution
Plain paper and mostly ten-page jobs
Automatic duplex and the same relevant network choices come with either.
- Brother HL-L2460DW
- Similar
- HP M209dw
- Similar
An enclosed shelf, 11-inch-deep
HP lists that closed depth and then 16.80 inches as its maximum, whereas Brother is deeper when closed. These dimensions do not clear either printer for an enclosed shelf. If rear access is not practical, the Brother envelope feed is no reason to pick it.
- Brother HL-L2460DW
- Caution
- HP M209dw
- Caution
Supported envelopes, rear space you can reach and a setup you can accept
Plain paper can stay loaded in the Brother only when the rear space is reachable and you are willing to open the rear cover, adjust the levers and feed envelopes one at a time. Setup and handling are still involved. The HP makes you change the stock in its single input tray. Check the supported envelope size and weight.
- Brother HL-L2460DW
- Better fit
- HP M209dw
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
Choose duplex, then count the sheets
When every page can print on both sides, a 400-page document takes 200 sheets. That is one Brother cassette load but two HP loads. Under the same assumptions, 300 pages or fewer fit in one load on both.
How we worked this out
This example takes for granted supported paper, full starting trays and pages that can all print on both sides. Blank sides or mixed paper sizes alter the sheet count.
One envelope alters the workflow
If you have reachable rear space and don’t mind the setup, Brother lets plain paper stay in the cassette. To feed envelopes, open the rear cover, lower both green levers, feed one envelope at a time, then put the levers back and close the rear cover. The HP has you change the stock in its single input tray. Should avoiding cassette changes matter to you, that may be worth more than a small rated-speed difference, though leaving paper loaded does not remove the handling. When rear access is impractical, this envelope feature is no reason to choose Brother.
How we worked this out
The envelope setup and reset are specified in the Brother Online User's Guide, printed pages 30-31 (PDF pages 35-36). Whether leaving the cassette loaded is useful depends on how feasible rear access is and whether you will perform that procedure. It is a workflow preference and not a measured speed or handling-time advantage.
Input capacity does not equal unattended capacity
A 100-sheet output is listed for both. Output still has to be managed even in the 200-sheet duplex example. Pick the Brother for fewer refills and not because its cassette lets the whole job finish unattended.
How we worked this out
Output limits are published separately from the input trays. Keep access open for collecting finished pages and allow for how the chosen stock stacks.
Option A
Brother, HL-L2460DW
HL-L2460DW
Report batches it supports go in a 250-sheet cassette, and envelopes use a separate feed that needs rear access and manual setup.
- Best for
- Supported print runs of 151 to 250 sheets recur for you, which means the Brother cassette takes one load where the HP needs two.
Facts we checked
- Main paper supply: 250-sheet cassette plus one-sheet manual feed
- Output capacity: 100 sheets
- Closed and extended size: 14.0 x 14.2 x 7.2 inches closed
- Two-sided network printing: Automatic duplex, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi
Option B
HP, M209dw
M209dw
A network printer with a 150-sheet tray, suited to short jobs. Its closed body is shallower, but you still need room for open trays.
- Best for
- Your print jobs fit in the 150-sheet tray, one supply of paper is enough, and the HP has the better current complete offer.
Facts we checked
- Main paper supply: 150-sheet tray, one input tray maximum
- Output capacity: 100 sheets
- Closed and extended size: 13.98 x 11 x 8.07 inches, up to 16.80 inches deep with extensions
- Two-sided network printing: Automatic duplex, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Brother HL-L2460DW | HP M209dw | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main paper supply | 250-sheet cassette plus one-sheet manual feed | 150-sheet tray, one input tray maximum | The Brother’s manual-feed sheet takes a separate paper route. It is no 251-sheet report cassette. |
| Output capacity | 100 sheets | 100 sheets | The output stack still has to be cleared even though a larger input tray means fewer refills. |
| Closed and extended size | 14.0 x 14.2 x 7.2 inches closed | 13.98 x 11 x 8.07 inches, up to 16.80 inches deep with extensions | Closed, the HP is shallower, yet nothing establishes an 11-inch-deep shelf as usable printing space. |
| Two-sided network printing | Automatic duplex, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi | Automatic duplex, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi | Sharing a printer or printing on both sides does not call for a scanner upgrade on either. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Brother HL-L2460DW
- To use envelopes you need reachable rear space, a rear-cover and lever setup, individual feeding and a reset afterward. Leaving the plain-paper cassette loaded does not remove any of this handling.
With HP M209dw
- Chip-based cartridge restrictions are documented for HP.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Your short jobs fit the HP tray, one paper supply is sufficient, and its current complete offer comes out ahead
Go with HP M209dw. If short jobs fit in one HP load and its current complete offer is better, the larger Brother cassette spares no refill that would justify choosing it for this job.
You often switch to supported envelopes, can reach the rear space and will do the rear-cover and lever setup
Go with Brother HL-L2460DW. Brother can leave plain paper loaded if you have reachable rear space and will do the setup and individual feeding. Handling does not go away. When rear access is impractical, the envelope feed cannot justify choosing Brother.
Stacks of originals also have to be scanned
Neither model fits. Print-only is what both products are. Add a verified scanner or choose an all-in-one.
Decision guide
Before you buy
Repeated runs of 151 to 250 supported sheets point to the Brother HL-L2460DW. Choose Brother for envelopes only if you have accessible rear space and will open the rear cover, adjust the levers and feed one envelope at a time. Plain paper can stay loaded, but setup and handling remain. For short jobs the HP M209dw is the better fit when its shallower closed body is useful and its current complete price is better. Before deciding the HP fits, allow for its tray to open. If reaching the rear is impractical, skip the Brother for its envelope feed.
What this page can’t tell you
- We claim neither hands-on testing nor a current-price comparison. Published speeds are the manufacturer’s ratings, under the conditions it states.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the laser printers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L2460DW |
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| HP M209dw |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Brother HL-L2460DW
Supported print runs of 151 to 250 sheets recur for you, which means the Brother cassette takes one load where the HP needs two.
You would like plain paper to stay loaded when you run supported envelopes, you have accessible rear space, and you accept opening the rear cover, adjusting the levers and feeding envelopes one at a time.
See price & reviews on AmazonHP M209dw
Your print jobs fit in the 150-sheet tray, one supply of paper is enough, and the HP has the better current complete offer.
Storage is tight and the shallower closed body helps, there is room for its extended trays to open, and the current complete offer on the HP is better.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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