Ten... mono laser printers

Fine lines and fast pages

Dell 1130

Bearing an uncanny resemblance to some low-end Samsung mono lasers, this cuboid machine still manages a 250-sheet paper tray, a single-sheet feed and a single USB connection. Dell quotes a speed of 18ppm, but I didn't see anything more than 13ppm under test, though this is still more than adequate. Print quality is excellent on text, good for greyscale graphics but rather over-dotty printing photos. Running costs are higher than average, with a page cost of 3.6p. If the asking price looks particularly good, bear in mind this round-up quotes the manufacturer list price for all printers. The other machines are normally available for considerably less, while there's just one source and price for Dell.

Reg Rating 75%
Price £58
More info Dell

Epson Aculaser M2300D

If you want a bit more than the basics in a mono laser, you have to pay a bit more, too. This very square-cut Kyocera-Mita powered laser includes a 50-sheet multipurpose tray, as well as its 250-sheet main one and duplex print as standard. It only has a USB connection, however there is an ‘N’ variant with networking available. The printer is rated at 30ppm, but you'll be lucky to see more than two thirds of this in normal use. Higher than normal resolution of 1,200dpi gives the machine sharp text outlines, though print is a little light. Running costs, at 2.5p per page, are nothing special for the class.

Reg Rating 70%
Price £189
More info Epson