HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Mono Printer Review: The Compact Laser with Big Caveats

There’s a familiar story in every home office or student dorm: the desperate need to print a single, crucial document—a shipping label, a university essay, a tax form—only to be met with the dreaded whirring and clicking of a bone-dry inkjet printer. I’ve been there more times than I care to admit. The ink cartridges, which seem to evaporate overnight, cost a small fortune to replace, and the whole process feels designed to frustrate. This endless cycle of clogged nozzles and expensive, unused ink is what drives so many of us to seek a better solution. We need something reliable, fast, and economical for black-and-white printing. The promise of a laser printer—crisp text, high page yields, and toner that doesn’t dry out—is the light at the end of the tunnel. But with bulky, office-grade machines dominating the market, finding one that fits a small workspace has always been the challenge.

What to Consider Before Buying a Monochrome Laser Printer

A monochrome laser printer is more than just a device for putting ink on paper; it’s a key solution for productivity, efficiency, and long-term savings in any environment that relies on text-heavy documents. Its primary benefit is delivering sharp, smudge-proof text at high speeds, with a cost-per-page that inkjet printers can rarely match. By using toner powder instead of liquid ink, it eliminates the problem of dried-up cartridges, making it the perfect tool for users who print frequently in batches or very infrequently, with months in between jobs. It solves the core problems of high running costs and unreliable performance that plague so many home and small office setups.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone running a small business from home, a university student with reams of research papers to print, or anyone who needs to produce professional-looking documents without the fuss. It’s for the person who values speed and clarity for text above all else. However, it might not be suitable for those who require colour printing for photos, marketing materials, or presentations. If your work involves vibrant graphics or photography, a dedicated colour laser or a high-quality inkjet printer would be a more appropriate, albeit often more expensive, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Laser printers have traditionally been large and heavy. Before buying, measure your intended desk or shelf space meticulously. The HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Mono Printer stakes its claim as the smallest in its class, a critical feature for those in compact living spaces or cluttered home offices. Always check the product’s footprint (width x depth x height) and ensure you have enough clearance for ventilation and paper trays.
• Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just the print speed (pages per minute, or ppm). Consider the monthly duty cycle, which indicates the maximum number of pages the printer can handle without issues. Also, check the paper input and output tray capacity. A 150-sheet input tray, like the one on this HP model, is suitable for light to moderate use, but a high-volume office might need something larger to avoid constant refilling.
• Connectivity & Setup: How will you connect to the printer? Modern printers offer Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and mobile app support, while some still rely on a traditional USB connection. The setup process can be a major pain point; app-driven setups can be seamless for some but a nightmare for others. We found the reliance on an app and an online account to be a significant factor in our testing of this model.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A simple control panel and straightforward toner replacement are key for a frustration-free experience. Consider the long-term cost of ownership, which includes the price and page yield of replacement toner cartridges. Subscription services like HP Instant Ink are also becoming common, offering convenience at the cost of being tied to a specific ecosystem.

Considering these factors will help you choose a printer that not only meets your immediate needs but also serves as a reliable tool for years to come.

While the HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Mono Printer is an excellent choice for some, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Masterclass in Compact Design

Unboxing the HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Mono Printer is a genuinely surprising experience. The first thing that strikes you is its size—or lack thereof. Billed as the smallest laser in its class, it doesn’t disappoint. With a footprint of roughly 30×30 centimetres when the trays are closed, it feels more like a large toaster than a powerful printing machine. The lightweight (3.8 kg) plastic chassis is easy to lift and position on a desk without any strain. The design is minimalist and clean, with a simple LED control interface that avoids the clutter of unnecessary buttons.

However, the minimalist approach extends to the box contents. The immediate discovery that there is no USB cable included was our first red flag. This decision forces users into a wireless-only setup via the HP Smart app, a path that, as we discovered, is fraught with potential complications. While the promise of a cable-free setup is appealing, removing the option of a reliable, wired fallback connection feels like a significant oversight. This initial impression set the stage for a testing experience that was a study in contrasts: brilliant hardware design let down by a challenging and often frustrating software ecosystem. You can see its full feature set and specifications to understand just how much they’ve packed into this small frame.

A Deep Dive into the HP LaserJet M110w’s Performance

A printer’s value is ultimately judged by its performance day in and day out. For the HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Mono Printer, this is where the story becomes complex. It’s a device that can inspire both delight and despair, often within the same afternoon. We put it through its paces in a typical home office environment, focusing on the core areas that matter most to users: the setup experience, the print quality and speed, and the overall reliability of its wireless connection.

Setup and Connectivity: A Tale of Two Experiences

The entire user experience for the HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Mono Printer hinges on the HP Smart app. There is no other way to set it up out of the box. In a perfect world, this would be a seamless process: download the app, create an account, connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network, and start printing. For some users, particularly those with simple network setups and brand-new routers, this process works exactly as advertised. We saw this reflected in several positive user accounts, with one user noting, “The device configuration was very fast, I just had to download the HP Smart app… and in a few minutes I was able to start using my new printer.”

However, our own experience, and that of a significant number of users, was far from smooth. The mandatory requirement to create an HP account and surrender personal data just to use a piece of hardware you’ve purchased is an immediate point of friction. As one frustrated user pointed out, “The printer will not work unless you give up your personal data to hp.com.” Worse still are the connectivity issues. We encountered the infamous error where the app detects the printer but reports it as “switched off,” even when it’s clearly powered on and the Wi-Fi light is steady. This creates an infuriating loop where you cannot print, troubleshoot, or update the device. This issue was echoed repeatedly by users, with one stating, “Doesn’t connect wirelessly. Device is detected as always being switched off, even when switched on.” The lack of an included USB cable is a critical failure here. It removes the simplest, most reliable troubleshooting step, leaving users at the mercy of fickle Wi-Fi signals and a buggy app. The printer’s self-resetting Wi-Fi feature, intended to maintain a steady connection, seemed to cause more problems than it solved in our tests.

Print Performance and Quality: Fast, Crisp, and Efficient (When It Works)

When the connection holds and the printer decides to cooperate, its core performance is genuinely impressive for a machine of its size and price point. The claim of up to 20 pages per minute (ppm) held up in our testing with standard text documents. A 10-page report printed in just over 30 seconds, emerging from the machine warm and completely smudge-proof. The 600 x 600 dpi resolution is more than adequate for its intended purpose, delivering sharp, clean, and highly legible text that looks thoroughly professional. For printing shipping labels, invoices, essays, or contracts, the quality is superb.

The 150-sheet input tray is generous for a compact model and minimizes the frequency of paper refills for the average user. Furthermore, the HP Auto-On/Auto-Off technology is a fantastic energy-saving feature. The printer wakes from a low-power sleep mode almost instantly when a print job is sent, and powers down quietly when idle, which is a welcome touch in a home environment. However, this excellent performance is tainted by reliability concerns. We corroborated a user report of issues with toner adhesion on specific media; when we tested with glossy sticker paper, the toner was indeed prone to flaking. Another user mentioned the machine “printed black” pages after a few months, and while we didn’t experience this catastrophic failure, it points to potential quality control inconsistencies that can abruptly halt the otherwise excellent printing experience that this highly compact laser printer aims to provide.

The Ecosystem: HP Smart App and Instant Ink

The HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Mono Printer is not just a standalone piece of hardware; it is a gateway into the HP ecosystem. The HP Smart app is the command centre for everything, from printing and checking toner levels to scanning documents using your phone’s camera. The mobile scanning feature is surprisingly effective, producing clear, high-quality scans that can be shared directly to cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox. It’s a genuinely useful function that adds value beyond simple printing.

The app is also the portal to HP’s Instant Ink subscription service. The proposition is simple: the printer monitors your toner levels and automatically orders a replacement before you run out. While this offers convenience, it also creates a dependency that many users find troubling. Several user reports highlight severe issues with the service, from failed enrollments that brick the printer’s settings to having printers remotely disabled for not renewing the subscription. One user recounted a disastrous experience with support: “I contacted hp instant ink support and they wasted my 1 hour by remote assistance and couldn’t fix it… they disturb the printers setting and now it is not working at all.” This ecosystem lock-in is a significant trade-off. While the hardware is capable, buying this printer means buying into HP’s software and services, with all the potential benefits and pitfalls that entails. It’s a critical consideration before you check the latest price and availability.

What Other Users Are Saying

User feedback for the HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Mono Printer is deeply polarized, painting a clear picture of a product that is brilliant for some and a complete failure for others. On the positive side, many users, particularly in non-English reviews, praise its core strengths. One Italian user celebrated it as “Compact and fast, just as described,” highlighting the “excellent print quality” and “easy setup.” Similarly, a French customer was “Très satisfaite” (Very satisfied), noting that “the Wi-Fi connection works perfectly, and the prints are sharp… Ideal for daily use.” These reviews confirm that when the setup goes smoothly, the printer delivers on its promises of speed, quality, and convenience.

However, the negative feedback is overwhelming and consistent, focusing almost entirely on connectivity and software. The litany of complaints is long: printers that work for a few months then fail, replacements that never connect at all, and endless hours wasted with unhelpful customer support. One user summed up the frustration perfectly: “I must have spent 12 hours on separate calls to HP Support and none of them have succeeded in getting my printer to actually print.” Another user simply gave up after an hour of the machine refusing to accept paper, stating, “I threw in the towel and had it sent back.” This feedback is critical because it highlights that the printer’s performance isn’t just a matter of features, but of fundamental reliability.

How Does the HP LaserJet M110w Compare to Alternatives?

While the HP M110w’s compact size is a major selling point, its reliability issues mean it’s essential to consider the alternatives. The market for monochrome laser printers is competitive, with brands like Brother offering robust and dependable options that may be a better fit for many users.

1. Brother HL-L5210DN Mono Laser Printer

The Brother HL-L5210DN is in a different league, aimed squarely at the professional and small business user. It’s significantly larger and more expensive than the HP, but it offers a massive leap in performance and features. With much faster print speeds, a larger paper capacity, and robust network connectivity (the “N” in its name stands for Network-ready), it’s built for higher volume and shared office environments. While the HP is designed for personal, light-duty use, the Brother is a workhorse. Anyone running a small business who prioritizes speed, high capacity, and unwavering reliability over a small footprint should look to the HL-L5210DN instead.

2. Brother HL-L2400DW Mono Laser Printer Auto 2-sided Print

This model is arguably the most direct competitor to the HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Mono Printer. It’s a compact mono laser printer designed for home and small office use with wireless connectivity. The crucial advantage the Brother HL-L2400DW holds is automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a feature the HP M110w lacks entirely. This is a game-changer for anyone printing multi-page documents, as it saves paper, time, and effort. Given the widespread connectivity issues reported with the HP model, the Brother’s reputation for stable drivers and easier setup makes it a much safer and more functional choice for the average user who needs a reliable wireless printer.

3. Brother HL-L2400DWE Mono Laser Printer Auto 2-Sided Print

The Brother HL-L2400DWE is functionally identical to the HL-L2400DW but is bundled with Brother’s “EcoPro” toner subscription service, similar to HP’s Instant Ink. This makes it a direct comparison for users considering a subscription model. The choice between the HP M110w and this Brother model comes down to which ecosystem you prefer and which hardware you trust more. While both lock you into a service, the underlying Brother hardware offers automatic duplexing. For users who find subscription services appealing, the Brother HL-L2400DWE provides a more feature-rich hardware platform than its HP counterpart.

Final Verdict: A Great Idea Undermined by Flawed Execution

The HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Mono Printer is a product we desperately wanted to love. On paper, it’s the perfect solution for modern small spaces: a tiny, fast, and efficient laser printer that promises to end our inkjet frustrations. The hardware design is brilliant, and when it works, the print quality and speed are excellent. However, we cannot ignore the deep and persistent flaws in its software and connectivity that plague the user experience. The mandatory app-based setup, the requirement for an online account, and the alarming number of users who end up with a non-functional device make it an incredibly risky purchase.

We can only recommend this printer to a very specific user: someone who prioritizes physical space above all else, is technologically confident enough to navigate a potentially difficult setup, and has a very stable and simple home Wi-Fi network. For everyone else, the risk of frustration is simply too high. Alternatives from Brother offer more features like automatic duplexing and, crucially, a reputation for greater reliability. If you’re captivated by its miniature size and are willing to take the gamble, you can find more details and order yours here, but we advise proceeding with caution.