Brother HL-L5100DN vs HP LaserJet Pro M404dn

Detailed Technical Comparison & Buying Guide

Brother HL-L5100DN

HP LaserJet Pro M404dn

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.

HP LaserJet Pro M404dn

✅ Top-tier security features protect sensitive office documents.

❌ The paper tray feels a bit flimsy compared to the rest of the build.

Feature	Brother HL-L5100DN	HP LaserJet Pro M404dn
Print Technology	Monochrome Laser	Monochrome Laser
Colour Output	Black	Black
Print Resolution	1200 x 1200 dpi	1200 x 1200 dpi
Black Print Speed (PPM)	42 ppm	40 ppm
Colour Print Speed (PPM)	N/A	N/A
First Page Out Time	7.2 sec	6.3 sec
Auto Double-Sided	Yes	Yes
Input Paper Capacity	250 Sheets	350 Sheets
Output Tray Capacity	150 Sheets	150 Sheets
Supported Paper Sizes	A4, A5, A6, B5	A4, A5, B5
Paper Weight Support	60-120 g/m2	60-175 g/m2
Scanner Type	None	None
Scan Resolution	N/A	N/A
Auto Document Feeder	None	None
Copy Speed	No	No
Wi-Fi Connectivity	No	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

Brother HL-L5100DN Price HP LaserJet Pro M404dn Price

⚖️ Expert Verdict

The HP LaserJet Pro M404dn and Brother HL-L5100DN are the two premier choices for small business monochrome printing. Both offer roughly 40ppm and excellent duplexing. The HP wins slightly on first-page-out time and its superior security suite (HP Wolf Pro Security). However, the Brother L5100DN offers better expandability for paper trays and is generally more forgiving with third-party toner options. In an environment that prioritizes network security, the HP M404dn is the winner. For an office that prioritizes high-volume flexibility and lower maintenance costs, the Brother remains a top-tier contender.

What Owners Are Saying?

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."

HP LaserJet Pro M404dn

Oliver ★★★★★

"The industry standard for a reason. Fast first-page-out and the Wolf Pro Security gives us peace of mind with client data. Sorted."

Emma R. ★★★☆☆

"Hardware is brilliant but the HP Smart software can be a bit of a faff sometimes. Great for office networking if you have a proper IT guy to set it up, but might be overkill for a casual home user."

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HP LaserJet Pro M404dn

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