Choosing the right color printer for your office is a critical decision that impacts productivity, professionalism, and your bottom line. The market offers a vast array of options, from compact all-in-one inkjets for small teams to high-speed laser workhorses built for demanding environments. Navigating the specifications for print speed, paper handling, and connectivity can be daunting, but the right machine will seamlessly integrate into your workflow and produce vibrant, high-quality documents that make a lasting impression.
Whether your primary need is for stunning marketing materials, crisp internal reports, or efficient multi-function tasks, there is a business-grade color printer designed to meet those demands. This roundup cuts through the noise to present ten of the best models available, highlighting their key features and benefits. Our goal is to provide you with the clear, concise information needed to select the perfect printer that will support your office’s growth and success for years to come.
Our Top Picks for Office Color Printers
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
- Brother HL-L3280CDW Wireless Compact Digital Color Laser Printer
- Brother Business Color Laser Printer, HL-L8360CDW
- HP Color Laserjet Pro 3201dw Wireless Color Laser Printer
- Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw Wireless Duplex Color Laser Printer
- Brother Color Laser Printer with Wireless Printing (HL-L3220CDW)
- Xerox VersaLink C400/DN Color Printer
- Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw All-in-One Wireless Laser Printer
- Brother MFC-L8905CDW Wireless Color Laser All-in-One Printer
HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is a versatile all-in-one solution designed to handle the diverse needs of a modern office. It consolidates printing, scanning, copying, and faxing into a single, space-saving unit, making it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized teams. With an automatic document feeder and auto 2-sided printing, it streamlines multi-page tasks, saving both time and paper.
This printer stands out with its AI-enabled features, which intelligently format web pages and emails to prevent awkward layouts and remove unwanted content. This ensures every print is professional and precise. Paired with a 250-sheet input tray and a 3-month Instant Ink trial, the OfficeJet Pro 9125e is built for consistent, high-quality color output for presentations, brochures, and everyday documents.
HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
For offices with higher printing demands, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e offers enhanced speed and capacity. It builds upon the features of the 9125e with faster print speeds and a more robust paper handling system. This model is engineered to keep up with busy environments where efficiency is paramount.
The key upgrade is the inclusion of two 250-sheet input trays, effectively doubling the paper capacity and reducing the frequency of refills. Combined with the same powerful HP AI for perfectly formatted prints and the convenient all-in-one functionality, the 9135e is a productivity powerhouse. It’s an ideal fit for offices that regularly produce high volumes of professional-quality color documents.
Brother HL-L3280CDW Wireless Compact Digital Color Laser Printer
The Brother HL-L3280CDW is a compact color laser printer that delivers consistent, laser-quality output perfect for small offices and home offices. If your priority is reliable, sharp text and vibrant graphics without the bulk of a large machine, this model is a compelling option. It uses laser technology, which is often favored for its low cost-per-page and fast first-page-out times.
This printer achieves print speeds up to 27 pages per minute and includes automatic duplex printing for efficient two-sided jobs. Its wireless connectivity allows for easy printing from laptops, smartphones, and tablets, and it includes a trial subscription for added value. It’s a focused, efficient machine built for professional document creation.
Brother Business Color Laser Printer, HL-L8360CDW
Designed for more demanding workgroups, the Brother HL-L8360CDW is a business-class color laser printer built for speed and volume. With a rapid output of up to 33 pages per minute for both color and black and white documents, this printer can significantly boost office productivity. It’s engineered to handle the constant printing needs of a busy environment without compromising on quality.
The HL-L8360CDW supports wireless networking and automatic duplex printing as standard features. Its robust construction and high-yield toner options make it a cost-effective long-term investment for offices that require a dependable, high-performance printing solution for reports, presentations, and client-facing materials.
HP Color Laserjet Pro 3201dw Wireless Color Laser Printer
The HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw is a dedicated office printer that leverages next-generation TerraJet toner to produce documents with exceptionally vivid colors. As a laser printer, it offers the speed and reliability that small teams depend on for their daily operations. It’s designed to print professional-quality color documents and reports with proficiency.
With print speeds up to 26 ppm and built-in automatic two-sided printing, this model helps maintain a fast workflow. The 250-sheet input tray provides ample capacity for most office needs. For businesses loyal to the HP brand and seeking the advantages of laser technology, the 3201dw is a trustworthy and efficient choice.
Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw Wireless Duplex Color Laser Printer
The Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw is a full-featured, wireless 4-in-1 color laser printer that handles printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. It is built for speed, achieving up to 35 pages per minute for both monochrome and color output, making it one of the fastest models in its class. This all-in-one is ideal for offices that need a comprehensive solution without sacrificing performance.
Equipped with an automatic document feeder and two-sided printing, it efficiently manages multi-page jobs. Canon offers high-capacity toner options, which help reduce replacement frequency and lower interruptions, supporting continuous productivity. The included 3-year limited warranty also provides significant peace of mind.
Brother Color Laser Printer with Wireless Printing (HL-L3220CDW)
The Brother HL-L3220CDW is a professional-grade color laser printer designed to transform a home office or small business with its stunning output. It delivers crisp text and vibrant graphics at a solid speed of 19 pages per minute. This model focuses on providing core printing functions with exceptional quality and reliability.
Its advanced wireless capabilities enable seamless printing from a variety of devices, while built-in security protocols help safeguard sensitive business documents. The printer includes a generous 250-sheet paper tray to minimize refills and a manual feed slot for printing on envelopes and specialty media, offering great versatility in a compact footprint.
Xerox VersaLink C400/DN Color Printer
The Xerox VersaLink C400/DN is designed for offices that value customization and smart workflow solutions. This printer offers a high degree of personalization through its app-based functionality and the Xerox App Gallery. Users can save frequent settings as presets for one-touch job setup, significantly speeding up common tasks.
A standout feature is Simple ID, which allows individual users to access a personalized home screen with their specific presets and apps after a single login. The VersaLink series also delivers a spectrum of stringent security features, including Secure Print and card authentication, giving you control over access and helping to protect critical documents and data.
Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw All-in-One Wireless Laser Printer
The Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw is a sophisticated all-in-one laser printer that emphasizes usability and workflow efficiency. It features a unique 5-inch intuitive color touchscreen with smartphone-like usability, and it can create its own Wi-Fi Direct hotspot for easy mobile connections without a router. The Application Library allows for a customized device experience tailored to your office’s needs.
This printer is built with Canon’s signature reliability and includes helpful features like intuitive maintenance videos. It supports a wide range of mobile solutions and its duplex document feeder can scan and convert documents to searchable digital files in a single pass. With a fast first-print time, it is designed for efficiency in small print jobs.
Brother MFC-L8905CDW Wireless Color Laser All-in-One Printer
The Brother MFC-L8905CDW is a robust all-in-one color laser printer built for high-volume, high-productivity office environments. It consolidates printing, scanning, copying, and faxing into a single, reliable unit. As part of Brother’s commercial-grade series, it is engineered for durability and long-term performance, making it suitable for busy workgroups with consistent, heavy printing demands.
This model typically features advanced paper-handling capabilities, fast print speeds, and extensive connectivity options, including wireless networking. It is designed to streamline office workflows with automatic duplex printing and a high-capacity input tray to reduce downtime. For offices needing a comprehensive and heavy-duty solution, the MFC-L8905CDW is a formidable contender.
Buying Guide: How to Pick the Right Office Color Printer
Choosing the right business color printer for your office isn’t just about picking the one with the most features. It’s about finding the machine that fits your specific workflow, budget, and volume needs. I’ve spent a lot of time with these machines, and the key is to look beyond the sticker price. Let’s talk about what really matters.
First, consider your print volume. This is probably the most important factor. Are you printing a few dozen color pages a week, or are you running off hundreds of marketing brochures daily? Look at the printer’s duty cycle, which is the maximum number of pages it’s rated to handle per month. Picking a printer with a duty cycle that matches or exceeds your needs will prevent premature wear and tear. For a small team, a desktop All-in-One might be perfect. For a busy office, you’ll want a more robust workgroup printer built for constant use.
Next, think about the cost of ownership. The price of the printer itself is just the beginning. You need to pay close attention to the cost of ink or toner. Some printers are surprisingly affordable upfront but have extremely expensive consumables that will eat into your budget over time. Look for models with high-yield cartridge options; they cost more initially but give you a much lower cost per page. Laser printers generally have a lower cost per page for text and graphics compared to inkjet printers, but modern inkjet tank models have closed this gap significantly.
Then, decide between inkjet and laser technology. Laser printers are the traditional workhorses for offices. They are fast, produce sharp text, and the toner doesn’t dry out, making them great for occasional use. Inkjet printers have come a long way. Many now use pigment-based inks that are water and fade-resistant, and tank-based models offer incredibly low cost per page for high-volume color printing. If you’re printing high-quality photos or vibrant graphics, a good inkjet might be your best bet.
Finally, don’t forget about functionality and connectivity. Do you need scanning, copying, and faxing? If so, an All-in-One (or Multifunction Printer) is essential. For connectivity, ensure the printer can connect to your office network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Look for features like automatic duplexing (two-sided printing) to save paper, and check for mobile printing options like Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, or Mopria if your team often prints from phones and tablets. Taking the time to match these features to your daily tasks will make your office run much more smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between an inkjet and a laser color printer for business use?
The core difference is in how they put ink on the page. Laser printers use a powdered toner that is fused onto the paper with heat. They are typically faster for printing text documents and have a lower cost per page for black and white. Inkjet printers use liquid ink sprayed through microscopic nozzles. They often produce more vibrant color and better photo quality. For a busy office focused on documents, a color laser printer is a reliable choice. For an office that needs top-tier color graphics or photos, a business-grade inkjet is fantastic.
How can I reduce the cost of color printing in my office?
There are a few effective ways to keep costs down. First, invest in a printer that offers high-yield or extra-capacity toner or ink cartridges. The cost per page is almost always lower. Second, look for printers with separate color cartridges, so you only replace the color that runs out, not the entire set. Third, make double-sided printing the default setting to cut your paper costs in half. Finally, consider a printer with an “Eco” or “Toner Save” mode for internal drafts where perfect color isn’t critical.
Is it worth getting a printer with an integrated ink tank system?
For offices with moderate to high color printing needs, absolutely. Printers with integrated tanks (like Epson’s EcoTank or HP’s Smart Tank series) come filled with bottles of ink that last for thousands of pages. The upfront cost is higher than a typical cartridge printer, but the cost per page is drastically lower. If you go through color ink quickly, a tank system can save you a significant amount of money and reduce the hassle of frequent cartridge changes.
What connectivity features are most important for a modern office?
For a modern office, Ethernet is a must for a reliable, fast wired connection to your network. Wi-Fi is equally important for flexibility and allowing laptops and mobile devices to connect easily. Look for support for mobile printing standards like Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print. Many modern business color printers also offer cloud connectivity and the ability to scan directly to email or network folders, which streamlines document workflows tremendously.
How often do I need to maintain a business color printer?
Modern business printers are designed to be relatively low-maintenance. For laser printers, the main maintenance is replacing the toner cartridges and the occasional imaging drum or fuser unit, which are often part of the consumable cycle. For inkjet printers, besides replacing ink, the most common task is running the printer’s built-in head-cleaning utility if you notice any streaks or banding in your prints. This prevents the nozzles from clogging, especially if the printer isn’t used daily.