Best Duplex Printer 2026: Auto Two-Sided Printing
Cut your paper costs in half with automatic duplex printing. These printers flip pages for you.
Quick Answer: Best Duplex Printer for 2026
The Brother MFC-L2750DW XL offers the fastest duplex printing we've tested - it prints two-sided faster than some printers do single-sided. At 2.7 cents per page, it's incredibly economical too.
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Two-sided printing isn't just about saving trees (though that's great too). It's about cutting your paper costs by 50%, making documents more professional, and reducing storage space for printed materials.
Modern auto-duplex printers handle the page flipping automatically - no manual reloading required. We've tested dozens of duplex printers in 2025 to find the fastest, most reliable options for 2026.
What is Duplex Printing?
Duplex printing means printing on both sides of the paper. There are two types:
Automatic Duplex
The printer automatically flips the paper to print on both sides. You send the job and walk away - no intervention needed.
- + Completely hands-free
- + Faster for multi-page documents
- + Less prone to errors
- + Worth the extra cost
Manual Duplex
The printer prints one side, then prompts you to flip and reload the paper to print the other side.
- - Requires your attention
- - Easy to make mistakes
- - Slower and tedious
- - Budget option only
Our recommendation: Always choose automatic duplex. The time saved and error reduction is worth the minimal price difference.
Our Top 4 Duplex Printers for 2026
1. Brother MFC-L2750DW XL
Fastest duplex printer we've tested - makes two-sided prints faster than some printers do single-sided!
Why It's #1:
- + Lightning-fast duplex speed
- + 2.7 cents per page with XL toner
- + Quick duplex ADF for scanning
- + Includes fax capability
Key Specs:
- Type: Mono Laser All-in-One
- Speed: 36 ppm (18 duplex)
- Functions: Print, Scan, Copy, Fax
- Paper: 250-sheet tray
2. Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw II
Premium color duplex with single-pass duplex scanning - both sides scanned at once.
Pros:
- + 35 ppm color printing
- + Single-pass duplex scanning
- + 5" color touchscreen
- + 50-sheet duplex ADF
Key Specs:
- Type: Color Laser MFP
- Speed: 35 ppm
- Functions: Print, Scan, Copy, Fax
- Duplex: Print & Scan
3. Epson EcoTank ET-4850
Best duplex inkjet with ultra-low running costs thanks to refillable ink tanks.
Pros:
- + 2 years of ink included
- + Auto duplex print & scan
- + 30-sheet ADF
- + Excellent photo quality
Key Specs:
- Type: Ink Tank All-in-One
- Speed: 15.5 ppm black
- Functions: Print, Scan, Copy, Fax
- Cost per page: ~1 cent
4. Brother HL-L2460DW
Affordable mono laser with fast auto-duplex printing - great for budget-conscious offices.
Pros:
- + Under $200
- + 36 ppm print speed
- + Auto duplex standard
- + Compact design
Key Specs:
- Type: Mono Laser
- Speed: 36 ppm
- Functions: Print only
- Duplex: Yes (auto)
Feature Comparison Chart
| Printer | Duplex Print | Duplex Scan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-L2750DW XL | Auto | Yes (ADF) | 36 ppm | $399 |
| Canon MF753Cdw II | Auto | Single-Pass | 35 ppm | $699 |
| Epson EcoTank ET-4850 | Auto | Yes (ADF) | 15.5 ppm | $499 |
| Brother HL-L2460DW | Auto | No (print only) | 36 ppm | $169 |
Paper Savings Calculator
See how much you'll save by switching to duplex printing:
Monthly Printing Savings
| Pages/Month | Single-Sided Paper | Duplex Paper | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 pages | 500 sheets | 250 sheets | 3,000 sheets ($30) |
| 1,000 pages | 1,000 sheets | 500 sheets | 6,000 sheets ($60) |
| 2,500 pages | 2,500 sheets | 1,250 sheets | 15,000 sheets ($150) |
| 5,000 pages | 5,000 sheets | 2,500 sheets | 30,000 sheets ($300) |
* Based on $10 per 500-sheet ream. Actual savings vary by paper cost.
Environmental impact: At 5,000 pages/month with duplex, you save 30,000 sheets per year - that's 60 reams of paper and about 3.6 trees annually!
Duplex Scanning Explained
Duplex scanning is just as important as duplex printing if you scan two-sided documents. There are two types:
Single-Pass Duplex
Scans both sides simultaneously with dual scan heads. Twice as fast as standard duplex scanning.
- + Fastest option
- + Handles thick stacks quickly
- + Premium feature
- + Best for: High-volume scanning
Auto-Reverse Duplex
Scans one side, flips the page, then scans the other side. Slower but still automatic.
- + More affordable
- + Widely available
- + Still hands-free
- + Best for: Occasional scanning
Auto vs Manual Duplex
Why Auto-Duplex is Worth the Extra Cost:
-
1.
Time savings: Manual duplex requires you to wait, flip, and reload. For a 50-page document, that's 25 interruptions.
-
2.
No mistakes: Manual duplex often results in upside-down pages or wrong page order. Auto-duplex is foolproof.
-
3.
Works unattended: Send a large duplex job and walk away. Manual requires constant attention.
-
4.
Price difference minimal: Auto-duplex adds only $20-50 to the printer cost, easily recovered in time savings.
Avoid manual duplex: Unless you're on the tightest budget, manual duplex is frustrating and error-prone. Spend the extra $30 for automatic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is duplex printing?
Duplex printing means printing on both sides of the paper automatically. Auto-duplex printers flip the paper internally, while manual duplex requires you to reload the paper.
How much paper does duplex printing save?
Duplex printing cuts paper use by 50%. For an office printing 1,000 pages monthly, that's 500 fewer sheets - saving $50-100 per year and reducing environmental impact.
Is duplex printing slower?
Yes, duplex printing is typically 40-50% slower than single-sided because the paper must be flipped. A 40 ppm printer might do 20-24 ppm in duplex mode.
Can I set duplex as the default?
Yes! All modern duplex printers let you set two-sided printing as the default in printer preferences. This ensures all documents print duplex unless you change it.
What's single-pass duplex scanning?
Single-pass duplex scanning uses two scan heads to capture both sides of a document simultaneously. It's twice as fast as standard duplex scanning which flips and rescans each page.
Cut Your Paper Costs in Half
The Brother MFC-L2750DW XL delivers the fastest duplex printing at just 2.7 cents per page.
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