Printers can prove a distraction in offices or studies, disturbing those around them with loud operating sounds. So what’s the quietest printer? That’s what we’ll cover here.
The operating noise of a printer is in the 50-70 decibel (dB) range, making it louder than a fridge but quieter than a typical kettle or blender.
In this article, we do a decibel comparison of some of the quietest printers available to buy now on Amazon. We’ll compare their noise reduction ability, as well as other notable features.
A quick note! – these printers aren’t the big dogs. Most of the printers in this list are intended for small-to-medium size offices and home studies, not large-scale commercial use.
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- Samsung Xpress SL-C1860FW A4 Laser Printer
- Xerox B305 A3 Laser Printer
- Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4820DWF A4 Inkjet Printer
- Canon PIXMA TS5320 A4 Inkjet Printer
- Brother MFC-J1010DW A4 Inkjet Printer
- HP LaserJet Pro M254dw A4 Laser Printer
- Brother HL-L2320D A4 Laser Printer
Before we look at this bunch in more detail, here are some stats:
#1 – Samsung Xpress SL-C1860FW A4 Laser Printer – 50 dB
Rock bottom noise level and laser-sharp prints from this solid multifunction all-rounder that is suitable for busy offices.
At 50 dB , the Samsung Xpress SL-C1860FW is right near the bottom of the scale for operational noise.
As usual with this kind of acoustic engineering, the low noise level is due to internal components being mounted on noise-dampening materials, which helps minimize vibration during printing.
What else? ReCP (Rendering Engine for Clean Page) technology boosts clarity, giving you crisp, clear prints. A tidy rate of 18 color prints per minute (ppm) means the Samsung Xpress SL-C1860FW is no slouch, and a note that this laser printer is multifunction, giving you 4-in-1 print, scan, copy, and fax capabilities.
Pros
- Exceptionally quiet 50 dB operation
- High-quality color prints with ReCP
- Multifunction
Cons
- Upper end of price scale
- Toner replacements also not the cheapest
Best for: High-quality laser printing with the volume down
#2 – Xerox B305 A3 Laser Printer – 53 dB
A low operating noise can be brought down even further with Quiet Mode on this A3 mono printer that churns out the pages at a super-fast 38ppm.
With anything less than 55 dB operating noise, we are talking about one of the quietest printers, and the Xerox B305 A3 Laser Printer comfortably hits this benchmark. It’s down at 53 dB according to the manufacturer’s stats.
The Xerox B305 also features Quiet Mode, which allows you to take the speed down to a bare minimum while printing. Due to the acoustic dampening technology that minimizes operational noise, the Xerox B305 is quiet, but it’s also speedy – giving you an impressive 38ppm.
A3 or A4 printing, automatic double sided printing, and copy / scan options are all added into the bargain to make the Xerox B305 a compelling quiet printer option.
Pros
- Low operational noise (53 dB)
- Quiet mode
- Fast and multifunctional
Cons
- Only supports mono (black and white) printing
Best for: No frills, high-speed mono printing on the quiet
#3 – Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4820DWF A4 Inkjet Printer – 50 dB
Pack multiple functions and fairly fast color printing into this low-noise, compact printer which is suitable for small businesses and home studies.
Epson’s WorkForce Pro WF-4820DWF represents a significant advancement in quiet inkjet technology. At 50 dB, it operates much more quietly than traditional inkjet mechanisms.
The printer utilizes Epson’s PrecisionCore printhead technology, which not only delivers exceptional print quality but also operates more quietly than traditional inkjet mechanisms.
4-in-1 functionality means you get copy, scan, and fax functions into the bargain, and 25ppm for mono is not a shameful speed by any means. There’s also color printing at 12ppm, with advanced wireless connectivity enabling smart device printing.
Oh, and a 4.3” touchscreen isn’t bad either.
Pros
- Quiet 50 dB printing
- Outstanding value
- Multifunctional
- Duplex printing
Cons
- No duplex scanning or copying
Best for: Quiet superstar for small office or study
#4 – Canon PIXMA TS5320 A4 Inkjet Printer
Thumbs up from multiple reviewers on the low noise of this steady Canon model, which offers Quiet Mode and duplex printing.
We couldn’t find the Canon PIXMA TS5320 A4 Inkjet Printer’s operational noise in Canon’s specifications, but it has Quiet Mode and its low operational noise is backed up by users.
The Canon PIXMA TS5320 is designed with small office or home study users in mind and its quiet operation makes it perfect for covert late-night printing sessions. This printer’s Quiet Mode further reduces operational noise, though at the cost of slightly slower printing speeds.
Pros
- Quiet Mode
- User favorite
- Compact design
- Auto duplex printing
Cons
- Small paper capacity
- 6.8ppm color / 13ppm mono isn’t the fastest
Best for: Home printer that won’t make a racket
#5 – Brother MFC-J1010DW A4 Inkjet Printer – 53.5 dB
What an amazingly-priced quiet printer for small offices and home set-ups. It offers Quiet Mode, is multifunctional, and won’t take up a lot of space.
Another compact, quiet printer, the Brother MFC-J1010DW A4 Inkjet Printer runs at 53.5 dB according to manufacturer specifications.
Like a lot of Brother printers, it’s also got Quiet Mode, which, quite simply, reduces the printing noise while lowering the speed.
“It’s much quieter than our HP was”
Holly, an Amazon reviewer
What more do you need to know about the Brother MFC-J1010DW? Well it’s multifunctional, giving you copy, scan, and fax options; is moderately quick (with maximum speeds of up to 17ppm in black and white, 9.5ppm in color); and offers wireless connectivity, making it compatible with your mobile devices.
Pros
- Quiet at 53.5 dB
- Compact
- Multifunctional
- Excellent value
Cons
- Average print speeds
Best for: Tight budget
#6 – HP LaserJet Pro M254dw A4 Laser Printer – 50 dB
Fast, quiet, high quality printing with this HP model that offers laser technology to achieve a speed of 22ppm on the quiet – there’s also a nice large color screen and dual band wifi; perfect for busy offices.
The HP LaserJet Pro M254dw keeps the noise down to 50 dB. As always, sound-dampening materials and optimized paper paths play their part. Compared to other laser printers in its class, it’s certainly quiet. There’s also Quiet Mode to bring the level down further.
A speed of 22ppm shows that this is a serious printer, and there’s also dual band wifi with a 2.7” color touchscreen.
Pros
- Low noise – 50 dB
- High-quality color prints
- Strong wireless connectivity
Cons
- Warm-up time required
Best for: Quiet, high quality commercial printing
#7 – BROTHER HL-L2320D Mono Laser Printer – 49 dB
It might not offer color or wireless connectivity, but this Brother printer is fast and quiet. A good solid low-noise choice for businesses and home users who don’t need flashy prints.
Have we saved the quietest ‘til last? The Brother HL-L2320D is a mono laser printer that excels in quiet operation. It might get some of this ability to keep noise down from a robust build quality.
There’s no Quiet Mode on this one, but with a standard operational noise of 49 dB, it is more than suited to noise-sensitive environments.
It’s pretty fast, at 30ppm; there’s a more than decent 250-sheet paper capacity; and USB connectivity for convenience. For a printer of its power and price, it’s also surprisingly compact.
Pros
- Very quiet operator (49 dB)
- Fast print speeds
- Reliable performance
Cons
- No wireless connectivity
- No color printing capability
Best for: Quiet black & white business printing
