HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer Review: The Compact Powerhouse for Your Home Office

There’s a specific kind of modern frustration that comes from needing to print an important document—a shipping label, a concert ticket, a signed contract—only to find your inkjet printer’s cartridges have dried up from disuse. I’ve been there more times than I can count. The frantic dashes to the store, the expensive ink replacements for a machine I use maybe once a week; it was a cycle of inefficiency and wasted money. For years, I believed laser printers were bulky, expensive beasts reserved for corporate offices. The idea of a compact, affordable, and reliable laser printer for home use seemed like a distant dream. This common problem is what led me on a mission to find a solution that offers the consistency of laser technology without demanding a huge footprint or budget, leading me directly to the HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer.

What to Consider Before Buying a Laser Printer

A Laser Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reliability and long-term value. Unlike their inkjet counterparts, laser printers use toner, a fine powder that doesn’t dry out. This makes them perfect for users who print infrequently but need the machine to work flawlessly every single time. The primary benefits are speed, sharp text quality, and a lower cost per page over the long run. They solve the problem of wasted ink, smudged documents, and the frustrating maintenance cycles that plague many home printing setups. For anyone running a home business, studying, or simply managing household paperwork, a reliable laser printer translates to saved time, reduced stress, and professional-looking results.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the classic “infrequent but essential” printing dilemma. This includes students who need to print essays, small business owners producing invoices and shipping labels, or families managing school forms and travel documents. If you primarily print text-based documents and value speed and reliability above all, a monochrome laser printer is an excellent investment. However, it might not be suitable for those who need high-quality colour photo printing, as that remains the domain of specialized inkjet printers. For users who require colour for business charts or presentations but still want laser benefits, a colour laser printer would be a more appropriate, albeit more expensive, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Laser printers have traditionally been larger than inkjets. Before purchasing, measure your intended space—be it a desk, shelf, or cabinet. Consider not just the printer’s footprint but also the clearance needed for paper trays and accessing the toner cartridge. The HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer is marketed as the smallest in its class, specifically designed to address this common constraint in home office environments.
• Capacity/Performance: Look at the print speed, measured in pages per minute (ppm). For home use, 20 ppm is more than sufficient. Also, check the paper tray capacity; a 150-sheet tray, like the M140w’s, means less frequent reloading. Finally, consider the multi-function capabilities—do you just need to print, or are scanning and copying essential for your workflow?
• Materials & Durability: A printer should be a long-term purchase. While most modern printers use durable plastics for their housing, assess the feel of the paper trays and access doors. We found the construction of the HP M140w to be robust and solid, suggesting it’s built to withstand the rigours of regular home or small office use, a sentiment echoed by users who noted its sturdy feel right out of the box.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Modern printers should be simple to set up and operate. App-based setup and wireless connectivity are now standard. For maintenance, laser printers are famously low-touch; toner cartridges can last for thousands of pages and are simple to replace. Consider the long-term cost of toner and whether subscription services like HP Instant Ink offer value for your usage patterns.

While the HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer is an excellent choice, 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:

Unboxing and First Impressions: A Minimalist Marvel

Upon receiving the HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer, the first thing that struck me was the compactness of the box itself. HP isn’t exaggerating when they call this the “world’s smallest multifunction laser in its class.” Unboxing was a straightforward affair, revealing a sleek, minimalist white printer that looks more like a modern tech gadget than a clunky piece of office equipment. As many users have noted, its aesthetic is a major plus, blending seamlessly into a home environment without being an eyesore.

The package includes the printer, a pre-installed starter toner cartridge, and two power cords (one for the UK, another for the EU), but notably, no USB cable. This is a clear signal that HP intends for this device to be used wirelessly via its HP Smart app. Following the simple pictorial guide, we removed the protective orange tape and the toner cartridge’s sealing strip—a crucial step for any first-time laser printer owner. The build quality felt surprisingly robust for its size and weight (just 5.4 kg). The plastics are solid, and the scanner lid has a satisfying heft. The control panel is extremely minimal, reinforcing the app-centric design. From the moment it’s out of the box, the HP LaserJet MFP M140w makes a strong case for being the perfect, unobtrusive addition to any space-conscious setup.

Deep Dive: Performance Under the Microscope

A compact design and easy setup are wonderful, but a printer’s true worth is proven in its daily performance. We put the HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer through its paces, evaluating its core functions—printing, scanning, and overall usability—to see if this small machine could handle the demands of a busy home office. The results were, for the most part, impressively positive, confirming its status as a formidable contender in its category.

Setup and Connectivity: The HP Smart App Experience

HP has clearly gone all-in on an app-driven ecosystem, and the setup for the M140w is a testament to this strategy. As confirmed by numerous users, the process is incredibly simple and fast. After plugging in the printer, we downloaded the HP Smart app on a smartphone. The app immediately detected the printer, and within a few guided steps, it was connected to our home Wi-Fi network. The entire process took less than five minutes, a stark contrast to the often-frustrating driver installations of the past. This mobile-first approach means a PC is genuinely superfluous for setup; the printer and your phone become the complete command centre.

However, this reliance on the app has its nuances. While we found the app intuitive, some users have reported it to be less so, especially when compared to competitors. Furthermore, a critical point raised by one user is its software compatibility; the HP Smart app requires macOS 11 or later, potentially leaving users with older Apple computers in a lurch. We also noted the confusion around its “Bluetooth” connectivity—this is primarily used for a seamless setup process with the app, not for direct printing from devices. The primary connection methods are Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct. The self-resetting Wi-Fi is a fantastic background feature, designed to proactively resolve connection drops, which contributed to a very stable and reliable wireless experience during our testing. One minor but notable omission is the lack of a bundled USB-B cable, so if you plan on a wired connection, you’ll need to provide your own.

Print, Copy, and Scan: The Trifecta of Functionality

When it comes to its core job, the HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer excels. The first page out is impressively quick, and it steadily churns through documents at its advertised speed of up to 20 pages per minute. For multi-page reports or study materials, this speed is a game-changer compared to slower inkjets. The print quality is exactly what you’d expect from a laser: text is incredibly sharp, with crisp edges and deep, consistent blacks. This makes it perfect for professional documents, official forms, and anything where clarity is paramount. Copying is just as swift and clear, easily operated through either the app or the simple buttons on the printer itself.

The flatbed scanner is another strong point, offering a resolution of up to 600 ppi. This is more than adequate for digitizing documents, receipts, and even old photos for archiving. Where it truly shines is its integration with the HP Smart app. We could easily scan a document directly to a smartphone and then, with a couple of taps, share it to Google Drive, Dropbox, or send it as an email attachment. This seamless workflow is a massive productivity boost for anyone managing digital paperwork. The one significant limitation we must highlight, as several users pointed out, is the lack of automatic duplex (two-sided) printing. While the driver provides on-screen instructions for manual duplexing (printing one side, then flipping the stack and re-inserting it), it’s a hands-on process. For those who frequently print double-sided documents, this could be a deal-breaker and a feature worth seeking in alternative models. Check the HP LaserJet MFP M140w’s full specifications to see if this fits your needs.

Economy, Efficiency, and Long-Term Value

The primary reason many of us switch to laser is for long-term economy, and the HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer is built around this principle. The most obvious benefit is the toner cartridge, which won’t dry out like ink. For someone who prints less than 50 pages a year, as one user described, this alone makes it a superior choice over any inkjet. The included starter toner will get you going, and standard replacement cartridges offer a substantial page yield, leading to a low cost per page.

HP pushes its value proposition further with the optional HP+ and Instant Ink programs. As noted in reviews, activating HP+ during setup can extend the warranty and unlock advanced app features. The Instant Ink subscription for toner is an interesting model: the printer monitors your toner levels and automatically ships a new cartridge before you run out. For users with predictable printing volumes, this can be convenient and cost-effective, with plans based on monthly page counts. We also appreciated the energy-saving features, like HP Auto-On/Auto-Off Technology, which puts the printer into a deep sleep state when not in use and wakes it up instantly when a print job is sent. This, combined with its ENERGY STAR certification, makes it an efficient, environmentally conscious choice for any home. This commitment to long-term value makes it a very compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our positive experience with the HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer is largely mirrored in the feedback from the wider user community. Many owners praise its core strengths, with one user stating, “I was looking for a laser printer that made beautiful copies and was super fast, and I have to say I finally found it!” The sentiment that it is “beautiful aesthetically and doesn’t take up space” is a recurring theme, highlighting the success of its compact design.

The simplicity of the app-based setup is another point of widespread acclaim. A user shared their experience: “I connected it to the power outlet and immediately started the process to connect it to WiFi. In a few minutes the printer was ready and operational.” This ease of use is a significant factor for those who aren’t tech-savvy.

However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques, which align with our own findings. The most common complaint revolves around the lack of automatic duplex printing. As one reviewer lamented, “it’s a shame that automatic double-sided printing is missing, you have to do it manually and it would have been convenient for me.” Another area of concern for some is the HP Smart app, which one user described as “the most complicated and least intuitive I have ever used.” These balanced perspectives are crucial, painting a picture of a printer that excels in its primary mission but makes certain trade-offs to achieve its compact size and price point.

How Does the HP LaserJet MFP M140w Compare to the Alternatives?

No product exists in a vacuum. To give you the full picture, we’ve compared the HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer against three notable competitors, each catering to slightly different needs and priorities.

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

The Brother HL-L2400DWE presents a compelling alternative for those whose top priority is efficient document printing. Its standout feature, and the HP M140w’s most notable weakness, is automatic 2-sided (duplex) printing. This can be a massive time-saver for anyone printing multi-page reports or booklets. However, this comes at a cost: the Brother is a single-function printer. It cannot scan or copy. Therefore, the choice is clear: if you need multifunctionality in one compact unit, stick with the HP. If your workflow is purely print-focused and duplexing is a must-have, the Brother is likely the superior choice.

2. Brother HL-1110 Mono Laser Printer

The Brother HL-1110 represents the ultimate in simplicity and affordability. It’s a compact, single-function mono laser printer that does one job and does it well. Its key differentiator is its reliance on a wired USB 2.0 connection, completely foregoing wireless capabilities. This makes it an ideal choice for someone who wants an ultra-reliable, “plug-and-play” printer for a single desktop computer and has no need for printing from mobile devices. It’s for the user who values absolute simplicity over modern conveniences. The HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer is a significant step up, offering scanning, copying, and the freedom of wireless and mobile printing.

3. HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4302dw Colour Multifunction Laser Printer

This HP LaserJet Pro model is in a different league entirely and serves as a useful benchmark for what a higher investment gets you. It’s a full-colour multifunction laser printer designed for small to medium businesses. It boasts features the M140w lacks, such as an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for multi-page scanning, automatic duplex printing, and faster print speeds. If your needs extend to colour printing for presentations, marketing materials, or charts, and your budget is significantly larger, the 4302dw is the clear path forward. It positions the M140w perfectly as the ideal, cost-effective monochrome solution for home and personal office use.

Final Verdict: The Ideal Compact Printer for Modern Home Use?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer is overwhelmingly positive. It successfully solves the most common frustrations of home printing by delivering the reliability, speed, and quality of laser technology in an impressively compact and stylish package. Its seamless app-based setup, robust wireless connectivity, and versatile scan-to-cloud features make it a truly modern device perfectly suited for the contemporary home office, student dorm, or small business.

While the lack of automatic duplex printing is a notable compromise, it’s a trade-off made for the sake of its incredible size. For the vast majority of users who primarily print single-sided documents and value space and convenience, this is a minor issue. It stands as a testament to thoughtful engineering, providing a powerful, all-in-one solution that just works. If you’re ready to say goodbye to dried-up ink cartridges and embrace fast, reliable, and hassle-free printing, we wholeheartedly recommend the HP LaserJet MFP M140w Wireless Multifunction Printer. It’s a small investment that pays huge dividends in peace of mind and productivity.

Last update on 2025-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API