Brother HL-L2480DW vs Brother HL-L2464DW: Which Mono Laser Printer Should You Buy?

If you're shopping for an affordable Brother mono laser printer, you may have noticed two models that look very similar: the Brother HL-L2464DW and the Brother HL-L2480DW.

Both printers offer fast mono laser printing, automatic duplex, wireless connectivity and reliable Brother performance. However, there are several important differences that may affect which model is the better choice for your home, home office or business.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Brother HL-L2464DW	Brother HL-L2480DW
Print Speed	Up to 36 ppm	Up to 36 ppm
Print Resolution	Up to 1200 × 1200 dpi	Up to 1200 × 1200 dpi
Automatic Duplex	Yes	Yes
Wireless Printing	Wi-Fi / Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi / Wi-Fi Direct
Ethernet	Yes	Yes
USB	Yes	Yes
Memory	128MB	256MB
Display	2-line LCD	2.7" Colour Touchscreen
Printer Languages	Host-based printing	PCL6 / BR-Script 3
Best For	Home users / basic office printing	Small business / professional users

What Both Printers Have in Common

The good news is that both printers share the same core printing performance. Whether you choose the HL-L2464DW or HL-L2480DW, you still get crisp, reliable monochrome printing for everyday documents.

• Fast print speed up to 36 pages per minute
• Sharp 1200 × 1200 dpi print quality
• Automatic double-sided printing
• Wireless and Ethernet network connectivity
• USB connection
• 250-sheet paper tray
• 1-sheet manual feed slot
• Mobile printing support including AirPrint and Mopria

For normal documents such as invoices, reports, forms, shipping labels and school assignments, both models will deliver excellent results.

The Key Differences

1. Memory: 128MB vs 256MB

The Brother HL-L2480DW comes with 256MB memory, compared with 128MB on the HL-L2464DW.

This may not matter for light home printing, but it can make a difference when printing:

• Large PDF files
• Graphics-heavy documents
• Long print jobs
• Documents from multiple users over the network

If your office regularly prints larger files or shares one printer between several users, the HL-L2480DW is the stronger choice.

2. Display: Basic LCD vs Colour Touchscreen

The HL-L2464DW has a simple 2-line LCD display, which is functional but basic.

The HL-L2480DW upgrades this to a 2.7-inch colour touchscreen, making everyday use much easier. Tasks such as Wi-Fi setup, network settings, maintenance, firmware updates and troubleshooting are more user-friendly on the touchscreen model.

3. Printer Language Support

This is one of the most important differences for business users.

The Brother HL-L2480DW supports PCL6 and BR-Script 3, Brother's PostScript emulation. These printer languages can provide better compatibility with business software, macOS environments, PDF workflows and professional applications.

The HL-L2464DW is better suited to straightforward everyday printing, while the HL-L2480DW is more suitable for professional or mixed-device office environments.

Running Costs Are the Same

One major advantage is that both printers use the same consumables.

• Brother TN-2530 Standard Yield Toner
• Brother TN-2530XL High Yield Toner
• Brother DR-2530 Drum Unit

This means the ongoing cost per page is essentially the same. Choosing the HL-L2480DW gives you extra features without increasing your toner or drum running costs.

Which Printer Is Better for Home Users?

The Brother HL-L2464DW is a great choice if you mainly print:

• School work
• Home office documents
• Bills and forms
• Shipping labels
• Occasional business documents

If you want a reliable mono laser printer at a lower upfront price, the HL-L2464DW offers excellent value.

Which Printer Is Better for Small Business?

The Brother HL-L2480DW is the better option if you:

• Print every day
• Share the printer with multiple staff
• Use Mac computers
• Print large PDFs
• Want a colour touchscreen interface
• Need better compatibility with business software

For a busy home office or small business, the HL-L2480DW feels more future-proof and easier to manage over time.

Our Verdict

Although the Brother HL-L2464DW and HL-L2480DW look very similar, they are designed for slightly different users.

Choose the Brother HL-L2464DW if you want the lowest purchase price and mostly print everyday documents.

Choose the Brother HL-L2480DW if you want a more business-ready printer with extra memory, a colour touchscreen and better printer language support.

For most home users, the HL-L2464DW is more than enough. However, if the price difference is small, we recommend upgrading to the HL-L2480DW for its added convenience and stronger long-term value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the print quality the same on both printers?

Yes. Both printers offer up to 1200 × 1200 dpi print resolution and produce sharp monochrome documents.

Do both printers support automatic duplex printing?

Yes. Both the HL-L2464DW and HL-L2480DW support automatic double-sided printing.

Can I use the same toner cartridges in both models?

Yes. Both models use Brother TN-2530, TN-2530XL toner cartridges and the DR-2530 drum unit.

Which printer is better for Mac users?

The Brother HL-L2480DW is generally the better choice for Mac users because it supports PCL6 and BR-Script 3, offering broader compatibility with professional and business workflows.

Is the HL-L2480DW faster than the HL-L2464DW?

No. Both models print at up to 36 pages per minute. The HL-L2480DW may handle larger or more complex files more smoothly due to its extra memory.

Is the HL-L2480DW worth the extra cost?

If you only need basic home printing, the HL-L2464DW is excellent value. If you run a small business, print larger files or want a better user interface, the HL-L2480DW is worth the upgrade.

Final Recommendation

If your priority is price, choose the Brother HL-L2464DW. If your priority is long-term usability, business compatibility and easier operation, choose the Brother HL-L2480DW.

Both are reliable Brother mono laser printers, but the HL-L2480DW offers the more complete package for business and professional users.