If your number-one needs are fast, reliable black-and-white printing for a small office or home workspace — without paying for extra bells and whistles you don’t use — the Xerox B230 is a smart, practical choice. Below I’ll explain the key reasons to choose the B230 over a typical HP LaserJet alternative (price, size, simplicity, connectivity, running profile), and note the tradeoffs so you can decide quickly.
1) Better value for mono-focused printing
The Xerox B230 is positioned as an ultra-affordable mono laser that delivers strong core printing performance (up to 34 A4 pages per minute in many regions) for a very low entry price. That makes it one of the best value buys if you mostly print text, invoices, forms and black-and-white documents. The official product pages and retailer listings show aggressive pricing compared with many HP business models that include color, scanning or advanced security — features that raise price but you may not need.
2) Compact desktop footprint — fits small workspaces
The B230 is small and designed to live on a desk. If you’re tight on space, swapping a bulkier HP MFP for a compact Xerox mono device preserves workspace while keeping printing fast and local. Many HP LaserJet Pro models that people compare to (and that include extra MFP hardware) are physically larger. If footprint matters, the B230 wins.
3) Speed and duplex for everyday productivity
The B230 offers useful real-world speed for A4 mono printing (around the mid-30s ppm in Xerox specs for some variants) and includes automatic duplexing — so you get fast, two-sided output without upgrading to a pricier tier. That combination covers the majority of small-business print workflows (contracts, reports, letters) without compromise.
4) Solid wireless and mobile printing support
The B230 supports Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct as standard, plus Ethernet and USB. That means easy mobile printing from phones and tablets without extra purchases. Many HP models also offer extensive connectivity, but with the Xerox you get essential wireless convenience at a lower cost. If you just want reliable wireless printing rather than advanced remote management features, B230 nails the basics.
5) Low-complexity setup and maintenance for non-IT users
Xerox built the B230 to be simple: straightforward controls, a minimal feature set and easy toner replacement. Reviews and user feedback call it a value “workhorse” for home and small office use — quiet, dependable and easy to manage if you don’t want to be a printer technician. That simplicity reduces support overhead compared with some HP business devices that include many management layers and security features you may never touch.
6) Good match to realistic print volumes
The B230 is aimed at light-to-moderate monthly volumes (recommended monthly print volumes in product literature are in the low thousands), which matches typical small-office and home-office needs. Buying a higher-end HP built for heavier loads (and priced accordingly) is often overkill and not cost-efficient when your monthly page counts are modest.
Honest tradeoffs — what HP often offers that the B230 doesn’t
It’s fair to note where HP alternatives may be preferable:
- Color or multifunction features (scan/copy/fax): If you need color printing or built-in scanning/ADF, many HP MFPs include those natively. The B230 is mono only.
- Advanced security or fleet management: HP often bundles stronger enterprise security and device management tools (HP Wolf, remote management), valuable in larger networks. The B230 focuses on essential connectivity and local convenience.
- Warranty & service options: Some competing models (or reseller bundles) include longer warranties or extended service plans; check warranty terms if on-site support matters a lot. Independent reviews noted warranty differences when comparing budget lasers.
Bottom line — who should pick the Xerox B230?
Choose the Xerox B230 if:
- You mainly print black-and-white documents and want strong speed (mid-30s ppm) and duplexing at a low purchase price.
- You need a compact, quiet desktop printer with simple wireless/mobile printing and low management overhead.
- You want the best cost-to-performance machine for everyday text printing rather than a feature-heavy multifunction device.
If, instead, your needs are color, heavy monthly tonnage, advanced security management, or integrated scanning/ADF, evaluate HP’s LaserJet Pro family — but be prepared to pay more for those extras.
| Feature | Xerox B230 | HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw |
|---|---|---|
| Print Speed | Up to 36 ppm | Up to 35 ppm |
| Duplex Printing | Standard | Standard |
| Recommended Monthly Volume | Up to 2,500 pages | 350–2,500 pages |
| Duty Cycle | Up to 30,000 pages | Up to 50,000 pages |
| Paper Capacity | 250-sheet tray + 1-sheet manual feed | 250-sheet tray |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB |
| Security Highlights | TLS 1.3, WPA3, Confidential Print | HP Wolf Pro, PIN Authentication |
| Price (Approximate) | $160–$210 | $219–$249 |
Quick purchase checklist
Before you buy, confirm these items:
- Which exact variant is sold in your region (specs list A4 ppm differently by region).
- Expected monthly page volume vs. Xerox recommended monthly volume.
- Local warranty/service options and toner costs (toner yield and price affect total cost of ownership).