Best color laser printers for 2023: tested and reviewed
The most effective coloration laser printers could be a nice funding, saving you fairly a little bit of money and time. For buyers anxious in regards to the long-term ink prices, you may discover coloration laser printers surprisingly reasonably priced. Laser prints use toner which lasts a really very long time, delivering a low price per web page for monochrome paperwork and reasonably priced coloration prints. That is why you want one of the best coloration laser printer with fast efficiency and reliability to assist run your house workplace or small enterprise.
If it’s essential to scan paperwork for record-keeping and picture seize or need the comfort of a coloration copier, one of the best all-in-one coloration laser printer is a vital software on your small enterprise or private use.
Fast Overview
- HP Laserjet Professional MFP M283cdw: Greatest coloration laser printer
- HP Colour LaserJet Professional 4301fdw: Greatest multi functional coloration laser printer
- Brother HL-L3230CDW: Greatest coloration laser printer for small enterprise
- Canon imageClass MF656Cdw: Greatest coloration laser printer for images
- Brother MFC-L3710CW: Greatest Brother laser printer for images
- Brother HL-L3270CDW: Greatest finances coloration laser printer
- HP Colour LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480f: Greatest coloration laser printer for medium-sized companies
- Brother MFC‐L8905CDW: Greatest all-in-one scalable laser printer for workplaces
Why you need to belief us
Digital Tendencies has been reviewing printers for 20 years, testing which affords the highest quality and quickest speeds. We examine the long-term worth of every printer, so you may know upfront if a low-cost printer has outrageous toner prices.
Printers are complicated machines that require understanding of the expertise to make a strong suggestion. Critiques additionally spotlight issues with compatibility and different particulars that may change into deal-breakers whenever you rely on specific options.
Key issues whereas choosing the right coloration laser printer for you
There are a number of key elements to think about when selecting a coloration laser printer. Buy worth issues, however long-term prices can add up shortly. Assessment the whole listing to seek out the right printer.
Print high quality and coloration constancy
If you happen to’re selecting coloration, you want greater than a tough copy; you need your doc to look nice. You continue to want razor-sharp textual content nevertheless it’s important for colours to match what you see on display screen and in images with out banding or streaks.
Velocity and economic system
A laser printer ought to be quick and environment friendly with low working prices. In any other case, you’d select a extra versatile and lower-cost inkjet printer.
Particular options
All-in-one printers embrace scan, copy, and typically fax capabilities, filling a number of roles in your workplace. Many printers supply duplex printing (double-sided), an computerized doc feeder (ADF), a number of paper trays, Wi-Fi connectivity, and walk-up printing. These particulars may very well be critically vital when making a purchase order determination.
HP Colour LaserJet Professional 4301fdw
Greatest all-in-one coloration laser printer
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Brother HL-L3230CDW
Greatest coloration laser printer for small enterprise
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Canon Colour imageClass MF656Cdw
Greatest coloration laser printer for images
Bounce to particulars
HP Colour LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480f
Greatest coloration laser printer for medium-sized companies
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Brother MFC‐L8905CDW
Greatest all-in-one scalable laser printer for workplaces
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Picture used with permission by copyright holder
HP LaserJet Professional MFP M283cdw
Greatest coloration laser printer
Professionals
- Straightforward cellular and touchscreen controls
- Sturdy design that saves area in comparison with bigger laser printers
- Works with Alexa
- All-in-one mannequin with scanning and faxing
Cons
- Could also be too costly for some dwelling workplaces
Why you can purchase this: It is one of the best coloration laser printer you should buy.
Who’s it for: Small enterprise homeowners and people with a house workplace.
Why we picked the HP LaserJet Professional MFP M283cdw:
Simply since you desire a highly effective, feature-rich coloration printer at dwelling, that does not imply it must be cumbersome. The HP LaserJet Professional MFP M283cdw has a easy, fashionable design, together with a useful 2.7-inch coloration touchscreen for controls. However it nonetheless has sufficient energy (together with scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities) to deal with jobs for a small enterprise or dwelling workplace with out breaking a sweat.
At 22 pages per minute, it is not fairly as quick as some bigger printers, nevertheless it’s appropriate with any means you like to print or scan, together with loads of cellular and wi-fi choices. There’s even Alexa compatibility for tying it to routines or giving voice instructions. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a dependable workplace laser printer that is prepared for severe work, we propose beginning right here.
HP LaserJet Professional MFP M283cdw
Greatest coloration laser printer
Alan Actually / Digital Tendencies
HP Colour LaserJet Professional 4301fdw
Greatest all-in-one coloration laser printer
Professionals
- Lightning quick print and scan speeds
- Good print high quality
- Two paper trays
- Straightforward setup and use
- Dependable operation
Cons
- Colour price per web page is simply OK
- No borderless printing
Why you can purchase this: It is a fashionable, eco-friendly coloration laser printer with nice pace and high quality.
Who’s it for: Dwelling workplaces and small companies that want paperwork printed shortly.
Why we picked the HP Colour LaserJet Professional 4301fdw:
With blistering quick print and scan speeds, the HP Colour LaserJet Professional 4301fdw makes brief work of difficult jobs. It prints 35ppm for monochrome and coloration paperwork and scans with its ADF at 31ppm.
Colour paperwork look nice and images come out good even on plain paper. A USB port permits walk-up printing by way of a thumb drive, making the LaserJet Professional 4301fdw a wonderful all-in-one printer for dwelling and workplace.
HP Colour LaserJet Professional 4301fdw
Greatest all-in-one coloration laser printer
Brother/Amazon
Brother HL-L3230CDW
Greatest coloration laser printer for small enterprise
Professionals
- Speedy printing at 25 ppm
- Automated duplex printer
- Helps excessive yield toners
Why you can purchase this: Excessive-capacity toner, very quick print speeds, and a wealth of wi-fi connectivity choices.
Who it’s for: Workplaces with giant print volumes or anybody who wants speedy, colourful prints.
Why we picked the Brother HL-L3230CDW:
If it’s essential to take your Brother printer to the subsequent degree, the Brother HL-L3230CDW is a improbable improve. It has a dependable printing pace of as much as 25ppm, and high-capacity toner cartridges. The printer has onboard controls and you’ve got your selection of wi-fi, Ethernet, and USB connections.
It has a 250-sheet paper tray. Whereas it is compact, the printer can nonetheless deal with quite a lot of papers together with card inventory and envelopes by way of its guide slot.
Brother HL-L3230CDW
Greatest coloration laser printer for small enterprise
Canon
Canon Colour imageClass MF656Cdw
Greatest coloration laser printer for images
Professionals
- Stable picture and textual content printing high quality
- Giant touchscreen management panel
- Wonderful UI and navigation
Cons
- Costly cost-per-page for coloration
- No expandable paper enter capabilities for bigger workplaces
Why you can purchase this: Nice coloration print high quality in a multifunction printer.
Who it’s for: Anybody who must print or copy images and graphics shortly.
Why we picked the Canon Colour imageClass MF656Cdw:
Laser printers aren’t picture printers, per se, however fashions just like the Canon Colour imageClass MF656Cdw go a protracted approach to blurring the strains between them, which is sensible coming from an organization like Canon, identified for its cameras. Whereas we would not suggest it for photographers, the MF656Cdw is tough to beat for an workplace that should make or reproduce paperwork that include graphics and images.
Whereas the 22 ppm print pace of the Canon Colour imageClass MF656Cdwdoesn’t match the HP M283fdw, it does supply duplex printing, copying, and scanning from its 50-sheet doc feeder. With a month-to-month responsibility cycle of two,500 pages, it may well additionally maintain as much as the usual printing calls for of small to medium-sized workplaces.
Along with USB, print jobs may be despatched wirelessly by way of Apple AirPrint, Mopria, Wi-Fi direct, and Canon’s Print Enterprise app.
Canon Colour imageClass MF656Cdw
Greatest coloration laser printer for images
Picture used with permission by copyright holder
Brother MFC-L3710CDW
Greatest Brother laser printer for images
Professionals
- Stable print high quality for textual content and images
- Cellular and wi-fi printing assist
- Nice selection for dwelling workplaces
Cons
- No auto-duplexing capabilities
- Toner may be costly
Why you can purchase this: Quick, full-color laser prints at an reasonably priced worth.
Who’s it for: Dwelling and small workplace clients with average print quantity wants.
Why we picked the Brother MFC-L3710CDW:
Laser coloration printers aren’t low-cost. In need of shopping for an older printer, this reasonably priced Brother makes for an amazing addition to a house workplace or small enterprise. It has loads of the identical options that are available costlier fashions, resembling a 3.7-inch touchscreen for controls, and a 250-sheet capability tray.
With a numeric pad for scanning and copying, this printer is able to take in your workplace’s print jobs, however the space-saving design makes it versatile sufficient to put desk-side or in a devoted copy and print room. You will profit from the automated doc feeder, high-yield toner choices, and the power to print from and scan to fashionable cloud apps and companies.
Brother MFC-L3710CDW
Greatest Brother laser printer for images
Brother/Greatest Purchase
Brother HL-L3270CDW
Greatest finances coloration laser printer
Professionals
- Helps printing from apps like Google Drive and Dropbox
- Number of connectivity choices together with wi-fi, USB, cellular
- Can print on completely different sorts of paper like card inventory or envelopes
Cons
- No scanning or faxing options
Why you can purchase this: It is one of the best budget-friendly possibility for workplaces with restricted area.
Who it’s for: Small and residential workplaces.
Why we picked the Brother HL-L3270CDW
If all you want is a printer that prints shortly, suits completely in your small dwelling workplace, and would not break the financial institution, then that is the printer for you. With the Brother HL-L3270CDW you possibly can count on print speeds of as much as 25 pages per minute for each black and coloration pages, all kinds of connectivity choices together with wi-fi and Ethernet, and a 250-sheet max paper tray that may assist completely different paper sizes and kinds like envelopes or card inventory. It is an amazing, reasonably priced possibility for easy, easy print jobs.
Brother HL-L3270CDW
Greatest finances coloration laser printer
HP
HP Colour LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480f
Greatest coloration laser printer for medium-sized companies
Professionals
- Compact measurement with loaded options
- Stable safety features
- Smartphone app assist
Cons
- Increased than common cost-per-page print prices
Why you can purchase this: HP’s Colour LaserJet Professional MFP M480f is a speedy all-in-one printer that is designed for printing and digital doc archiving with intuitive assist for cloud storage.
Who it’s for: Small companies that want a speedy coloration laser printer.
Why we picked the HP Colour LaserJet Professional MFP M480f:
Workgroups and companies that do not have a lot workplace area to spare to deal with a big printer will recognize HP’s Colour LaserJet Professional MFP M480f. The MFP M480f provides multifunctional options that may assist together with your workplace’s doc wants, together with a built-in flatbed scanner, computerized doc feeder, and duplexing capabilities. The M480f is a well-rounded multifunction printer that may nonetheless output as much as 29 pages per minute in black and white or coloration.
This speedy however compact quantity has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low-Vitality, and cellular printing is supported throughout various units and platforms. The large limiting issue on this printer is its small 250-sheet paper enter tray, although bigger workplaces with larger print jobs can improve to the elective 550-sheet tray. Duplexing is supported to assist save paper and the setting. A front-facing USB port makes it straightforward to print from a storage drive. The printer can print from or scan to quite a lot of cloud suppliers, making it straightforward for digital doc archiving. Companies on a restricted print finances can spend money on high-yield toner cartridges for a decrease per-page print price.
HP Colour LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480f
Greatest coloration laser printer for medium-sized companies
Brother MFC‐L8905CDW
Greatest all-in-one scalable laser printer for workplaces
Professionals
- Quick print speeds
- Duplexing supported
- Economical working prices
Cons
- Giant measurement takes up area
Why you can purchase this: Brother’s MFC‐L8905CDW delivers quick printing speeds and long-lasting provides at reasonably priced working prices.
Who it’s for: Small and medium-sized companies.
Why we picked the Brother MFC‐L8905CDW :
The Brother MFC‐L8905CDW options ultra-high yield toner cartridges that offer as much as 9,000 monochrome pages and eight,000 coloration pages, so that you not often have to interrupt a busy workday. An elective 500 sheet paper tray expands the onboard capability of 250 sheets in the primary tray and 50 sheets within the multi-purpose tray.
Print speeds of as much as 33 pages per minute make brief work of lengthy paperwork and further copies. This sturdy enterprise printer affords duplex for fax, scan, copy, and print capabilities and might connect with any gadget with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB. A USB port permits walk-up operation with a thumb drive, whereas an NFC reader limits entry to approved personnel.
The Brother MFC‐L8905CDW has a beneficial responsibility cycle of 4,000 pages per 30 days however it may well deal with printing as much as 60,000 pages in a month. For such a rugged printer, Brother did not skimp on comfort options. The seven-inch coloration touchscreen may be custom-made with as much as 64 shortcuts to hurry up frequent operations.
Brother MFC‐L8905CDW
Greatest all-in-one scalable laser printer for workplaces
Steadily Requested Questions
Colour laser printers versus inkjet printers: what’s finest?
Laser printers are higher for textual content paperwork, as they produce crisp textual content even at small font sizes. Over time, they’re additionally cheaper to run than cartridge-based inkjets. Nonetheless, laser printers require a bigger preliminary funding. If you happen to don’t print fairly often, an inexpensive inkjet printer might make extra sense and it could take a very long time earlier than its increased operational prices catch as much as the upper preliminary price of a laser printer. For smaller print jobs, the quicker pages-per-minute price of a laser printer additionally gained’t be a lot of a bonus.
If you happen to’re trying to economize in the long run and have to print footage, try inkjet options that depend on tanks for ink moderately than cartridges, like Epson’s EcoTank sequence. For the reason that tanks are refillable with bottled ink, tank printers price even lower than toner for laser printers. Not solely will tanks be higher for the setting by much less waste, however they may prevent cash for bigger print jobs.
Laser printers are nonetheless extra sturdy decreasing upkeep prices should you print at excessive quantity. Lasers supply quicker printing speeds, saving time on giant print jobs. That is why companies usually select laser printers.
Past print high quality, inkjet picture printers can even deal with a greater variety of paper sorts and sizes in comparison with laser printers. Some very giant inkjets can be found that may print posters and banners. A coloration laser printer will deal with inline images and graphics in paperwork simply nice. Most fashionable coloration laser printers, particularly these made for small workplaces, will have the ability to deal with normal sizes and forms of print jobs, from normal paperwork to labels and card inventory.
Whereas coloration laser printers have gotten a lot better at dealing with pictures, should you’re trying to make detailed, color-accurate photographic prints to hold in your wall, show in a gallery, or promote to clients, a high-end inkjet picture printers continues to be the best way to go (or just outsource the work to a photograph lab).
Do coloration laser printers include Wi-Fi or AirPrint assist?
Sure. As with inkjet printers, wi-fi connectivity has change into quite common on coloration laser printers. Nonetheless, not each mannequin will assist each model of wi-fi printing tech. The Brother HL-3170CDW helps Apple AirPrint for iPhone and iPad customers and has an app for Android customers, for instance, whereas the Dell C1760NW affords cellular printing by a proprietary app.
How can I print from my iPad, iPhone, or Android gadget?
It will rely on the wi-fi options of your printer. Many printers at this time assist Apple AirPrint, which makes it straightforward to print from an iPad or iPhone to a printer in your Wi-Fi community. Not all apps assist AirPrint, however many do — together with non-Apple apps.
Android telephones and tablets can even connect with most Wi-Fi printers, from Google apps like Docs, Sheets, and Chrome, in addition to from third-party apps.
In case your printer doesn’t assist cellular printing however does characteristic Wi-Fi, your printer producer might supply its personal iOS and Android app for printing out of your cellular gadget. Some fashions even characteristic USB ports so you possibly can print straight off of a USB drive with out having to attach a cellular gadget or PC.
How usually will I’ve to purchase toner?
This is dependent upon how a lot you print. Toner cartridges usually have yields of two,000 pages or extra (examine the specs of your printer on your mannequin’s particular yield). For gentle dwelling use, meaning many individuals might simply go a 12 months or extra with out changing toner. For workplace use, the alternative interval will likely be shorter, however toner might nonetheless final a couple of months.
How can I get monetary savings on toner?
Step one is to print effectively; that’s, double-check your web page format settings and ensure every part is right earlier than you hit that print button. You may also get monetary savings by stopping wasted coloration toner by setting a black and white printer because the default.
When it’s time to reorder, it can save you cash by shopping for third-party toner cartridges. Nonetheless, shopping for third-party toner probably isn’t beneficial by your printer’s producer, however as long as you be sure that it’s appropriate together with your printer, it ought to work simply nice. Nonetheless, some printers, just like the HP mannequin above, search for a toner that makes use of a particular chip figuring out it as authentic gear. HP warns that whereas another cartridges may match at this time, they might not sooner or later.
Can I purchase a coloration laser printer with built-in fax?
Sure. Many all-in-one laser printers can scan, copy, and fax paperwork. If you happen to’re doing loads of faxing, copying, or scanning, remember to select a printer with an computerized doc feeder (ADF), and if you wish to do double-sided scans and double-sided prints, a mannequin that has a duplex ADF and duplex printing will likely be finest. Double-sided prints can even assist get monetary savings if price is a priority. Word that not all all-in-ones — additionally known as multifunction printers — have fax modems, so remember to examine the specs before you purchase. If you happen to want a multifunction printer, remember to try our greatest picks for all-in-one printers.
How do you take a look at coloration printers?
To search out one of the best coloration laser printers, we think about standards resembling pace, worth, upkeep prices, and any distinctive options that assist them one-up the competitors.
Our alternatives are primarily based on our long- and short-term testing; expertise with earlier fashions; familiarity with the corporate’s applied sciences; session with trade specialists, fellow journalists, and customers; on-line boards; lab outcomes; and different third-party critiques. We glance throughout the board — not simply at our personal experiences — to seek out consensus on what we predict are the best-performing printers you possibly can presently purchase. We additionally have a look at listing pricing to find out if a product is value the associated fee. We’ll even suggest printers that aren’t new, supplied the options are nonetheless best-in-class.
The printer market evolves consistently, with producers both introducing higher fashions with new options or primary upgrades. So, you possibly can count on our picks to vary as effectively. However don’t fear — the fashions you see right here will likely be with you for a while, and if we anticipate higher fashions on the horizon, we are going to state that upfront that will help you resolve whether or not you can purchase now or wait.
Which is one of the best coloration laser printer for dwelling use?
When looking for a coloration laser printer for dwelling use, you most likely do not desire a 100-pound beast meant to outlive the pains of a shared work setting.
A compact, budget-friendly coloration laser is likely to be ultimate. Printing images is a typical use for dwelling printers and a few fashions have good high quality even on plain paper.
Is a laser printer good for coloration?
The primary laser printers have been monochrome, however most producers supply a number of coloration laser printers that present nice high quality for coloration paperwork.
Nonetheless, some deal with images higher than others. For photographic-quality coloration footage, it is exhausting to beat an inkjet printer that is optimized for images.
Are laser printers being phased out?
Laser printers will proceed to be manufactured for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, there are some considerations about their environmental affect.
Epson, for instance, is phasing out laser printers worldwide by 2026, citing the numerous power required to generate sufficient warmth to fuse toner onto paper.
In the meantime, HP has discovered methods to make laser printers extra eco-friendly by altering toner formulations and enhancing effectivity.
If you happen to discover our prime picks simply aren’t the appropriate match on your particular wants, although, there are different coloration laser printers value testing. If you would like an all-in-one that may deal with scanning, copying, and faxing paperwork, otherwise you merely simply want a extra reasonably priced mannequin, be certain to check out the opposite printers we have positioned on this listing.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for extra financial savings, try our guides to one of the best low-cost printer offers and finest laser printer offers accessible now.
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