HP Colour LaserJet Pro M255dw vs Brother HL-L5100DN

Detailed Technical Comparison & Buying Guide

HP Colour LaserJet Pro M255dw HP Colour LaserJet Pro M255dw
VS
Brother HL-L5100DN Brother HL-L5100DN

HP Colour LaserJet Pro M255dw

✅ Colour output is remarkably punchy and professional for this price point.
❌ Original HP toner refills can be eye-wateringly expensive.

Brother HL-L5100DN

✅ A legitimate workhorse built for high-volume monthly duty cycles.
❌ No built-in Wi-Fi on the 'DN' model; it's Ethernet or USB only.
Feature HP Colour LaserJet Pro M255dw Brother HL-L5100DN
Print Technology Colour Laser Monochrome Laser
Colour Output CMYK Black
Print Resolution 600 x 600 dpi 1200 x 1200 dpi
Black Print Speed (PPM) 22 ppm 42 ppm
Colour Print Speed (PPM) 22 ppm N/A
First Page Out Time 10.5 sec 7.2 sec
Auto Double-Sided Yes Yes
Input Paper Capacity 250 Sheets 250 Sheets
Output Tray Capacity 100 Sheets 150 Sheets
Supported Paper Sizes A4, A5, B5 A4, A5, A6, B5
Paper Weight Support 60-220 g/m2 60-120 g/m2
Scanner Type None None
Scan Resolution N/A N/A
Auto Document Feeder None None
Copy Speed No No
Wi-Fi Connectivity Yes No
Ethernet Support Yes Yes
USB Connectivity Yes Yes
Mobile Printing Support Yes Yes
Display Panel N/A N/A
Monthly Duty Cycle N/A N/A
Ink/Cartridge System N/A N/A
Borderless Printing N/A N/A
Width N/A N/A
Depth N/A N/A
Height N/A N/A
Machine Weight N/A N/A
Energy Efficiency N/A N/A
Noise Level (dB) N/A N/A
Processor Speed N/A N/A
Internal Memory N/A N/A
Cloud Print Support N/A N/A
Security Features N/A N/A
Compatible OS N/A N/A
Included in Box N/A N/A
Warranty Period N/A N/A
Recommended Use N/A N/A

⚖️ Expert Verdict

The HP M255dw is a premium choice for high-quality color, but it lacks the administrative stamina of the Brother HL-L5100DN. The Brother is built for high-volume monochrome production, offering 42ppm and much lower operating costs per page. The HP is perfect for a small creative team printing color brochures, but for churning out hundreds of text-heavy reports, it will feel slow and expensive. For pure administrative efficiency and high-speed document handling, the HL-L5100DN is the superior tool, winning on speed and long-term durability.

What Owners Are Saying?

HP Colour LaserJet Pro M255dw

Graphic_Ben
"The color accuracy is top-tier for a laser. I use it for proofing layouts before sending them to the big press. The touchscreen is a doddle to use and the mobile integration with the HP app is the best in the business. Proper sorted bit of gear for a creative professional."

Brother HL-L5100DN

Law_Firm_LDN
"We’ve got this tucked away in the back room and it prints 200+ contracts a day without a single jam. It's a proper workhorse. No fancy touchscreen to break, just buttons and raw speed. If you need a departmental mono laser that won't let you down, this is it. Absolute unit."

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