7 Best Color Printers for Businesses: Reliable Speed and Low Running Costs

Picking the right color printer for a business affects everyday workflows, running costs, and staff productivity. You want a device that keeps up with demand, produces consistent color output, and does not become a hidden expense from frequent cartridge changes or maintenance. This guide shortlists the top options in the category and walks through the practical tradeoffs you should expect between speed, quality, and operating cost. Below are our top picks and a clear explanation of the criteria used to evaluate them so you can match a printer to your office volume and budget.

Top Picks at a Glance

Brother MFC-L3720CDW

The Brother MFC-L3720CDW is a compact color laser all-in-one built for small office workflows, combining printing, copying, scanning, and fax in a single unit. It produces laser-quality color and black prints at up to 19 pages per minute and supports automatic duplex to save paper. Daily use centers on networked printing from PCs and mobile devices via Wi‑Fi and USB, and the 50-sheet automatic document feeder speeds multi-page scanning and copying. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen and Brother Mobile Connect app make routine tasks and cloud access straightforward, while Refresh EZ subscription eligibility simplifies toner reordering for steady output. Practical benefits include a 250-sheet input tray for sustained runs, decent color resolution for business documents, and eco-friendly modes to cut consumption. Limitations are average print speed for higher-volume shops and modest built-in resolution for photo-heavy jobs, and toner yields depend on whether you choose standard or high-yield cartridges which affects running costs.

Best for: Small business and office managers who need a dependable, networked color laser that handles mixed tasks—printing, scanning, copying, and occasional faxing—without taking up a lot of space.

Less Ideal for: High-volume production environments or teams that require fast ppm performance or studio-grade photo color reproduction should consider higher-speed or higher-resolution models.

Verdict: A space-efficient color laser all-in-one that balances dependable business print features, mobile connectivity, and manageable paper handling for small office needs.

Brother MFC-L8930CDW

The Brother MFC-L8930CDW is a business-grade color laser all-in-one designed for busy work teams that need fast, reliable output and robust scanning. It delivers up to 33 ppm in color and black, produces high-resolution 2400 x 600 dpi prints and copies, and includes an 80-sheet single-pass duplex auto document feeder for two-sided scanning to cloud, email, and network folders. The 7-inch color touchscreen with customizable shortcuts simplifies frequent tasks while dual-band Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet give flexible network placement. Included standard-yield toners and support for super high-yield replacement cartridges help lower running costs for high monthly volumes, and expandable paper capacity and optional trays let you scale input for busier environments. Built-in triple-layer security and an integrated NFC card reader help protect sensitive documents. The unit is large and power-hungry compared with consumer printers, and its size and weight mean it is best for a dedicated office location rather than a home office.

Best for: Small to mid-size business teams that prioritize fast, high-quality color output, advanced scanning, and network security to support shared workflows.

Less Ideal for: Individuals or home users who need a compact, low-power printer or only occasional printing should consider smaller desktop models instead.

Verdict: Choose this model when you need fast, high-quality color printing plus advanced two-sided scanning and strong security for a shared office environment.

Epson EcoTank ET-2400

The Epson EcoTank ET-2400 replaces disposable cartridges with refillable EcoFit ink bottles, letting you print long runs without frequent replacements. It prints, scans and copies using PrecisionCore-based Micro Piezo ink delivery for sharp text and respectable photo color at a maximum resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi. The rear-feed input accepts up to 100 sheets and the 30-sheet output and manual duplex support basic office workflows, while USB and Wi‑Fi connectivity plus app control let you print from laptops, tablets, and phones. Print speeds are modest — about 10 ppm black and 5 ppm color — so it is better suited to steady everyday jobs than high-volume time-sensitive environments. Epson includes an initial set of large ink bottles that can cover thousands of pages, which significantly lowers running costs and reduces cartridge waste, though Epson recommends genuine ink to maintain quality and warranty coverage. The lack of an automatic duplexer or ADF and relatively slow color throughput are the main compromises for buyers focused on cost-per-page and convenience.

Best for: Buyers who want to minimize ink costs and cartridge waste while handling routine color print, scan, and copy tasks for a small office or business that values low running costs over peak speed.

Less Ideal for: Teams that need fast, high-volume color output, automatic duplexing, or multi-page scanning automation should consider more production-oriented office printers.

Verdict: Choose the ET-2400 if your priority is dramatically lower ink cost and cartridge-free convenience for everyday business color printing rather than maximum speed.

Canon PIXMA TS6520

The PIXMA TS6520 is a budget-friendly, compact all‑in‑one designed for home and small office use that handles everyday color documents and occasional photos. It uses a two‑cartridge hybrid ink system for sharp black text and reasonably vivid color prints, and it supports automatic two‑sided printing to save paper. Setup and mobile printing are straightforward via Canon PRINT, AirPrint, or Mopria, and the 1.42-inch OLED gives quick status feedback without digging through a menu. Scanning and copying are done on a flatbed scanner, making it fine for single‑page jobs but not high‑volume scanning since there is no automatic document feeder. Connectivity options include USB and dual‑band Wi‑Fi, which keeps wireless printing reliable across a home or small office network. The printer is compact and low power, so it fits small workspaces, but the single paper tray and modest sheet capacity mean you will refill more often than with larger office machines. For basic color printing needs on a tight budget, the TS6520 delivers solid results without extra complexity.

Best for: Small business buyers prioritizing a low initial cost and simple, reliable color printing for occasional documents and client handouts will appreciate this printer.

Less Ideal for: Companies that need high monthly volumes, heavy multi‑page scanning, or larger paper capacity should choose a more robust office printer with an ADF and bigger trays.

Verdict: A cost-conscious small business choice that delivers reliable color printing, wireless convenience, and duplexing in a compact, easy-to-use package.

Xerox C245 Color Multifunction Printer

The Xerox C245 is a compact color laser multifunction designed for small offices and remote teams that need dependable everyday printing, scanning, and copying. It delivers up to 26 pages per minute in color or black and handles automatic two-sided printing and a 50-sheet document feeder for moderate workloads. Connectivity includes Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, USB, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria, and setup is simplified through the Xerox Easy Assist mobile app and a 2.8-inch color touchscreen. The printer emphasizes professional output with up to 2400×600 dpi resolution and supports a range of media from envelopes to glossy paper, while Energy Star and EPEAT qualifications help with power efficiency. Practical benefits include guided mobile setup, built-in scanning to email, and the option for high-yield toners to lower running costs. Limitations are its modest 50-sheet capacity and 26 ppm speed, which suit small business bursts but may constrain larger teams with heavy daily volume, and its quoted power draw under peak conditions is relatively high.

Best for: Small businesses, home professionals, and satellite teams that prioritize dependable, business-quality color printing and easy setup without dedicating IT resources.

Less Ideal for: Larger offices or teams that need high daily duty cycles, large paper trays, or faster speeds for heavy print volumes should consider higher-capacity production models.

Verdict: Choose the Xerox C245 when you need a compact, business-grade color all-in-one that reliably delivers professional prints and straightforward mobile setup for small-office use.

HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e is a compact all-in-one inkjet aimed at home offices and small businesses that need fast color output and basic multifunction workflows. It prints up to 10 ppm in color and 20 ppm in black, supports automatic two-sided printing and includes a one-sided ADF for multi-page scanning and copying. The printer offers 225-sheet input capacity and a 60-sheet output tray, plus touchscreen and app control for easy mobile printing and scanning. HP adds AI-driven layout fixes for web and email printing and options for Instant Ink subscription through HP+ for hands-off ink delivery. Connectivity includes dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, AirPrint and USB, making it straightforward to integrate into a small network. Trade-offs are typical for inkjets: color photo and high-volume color production will not match laser throughput or per-page costs, and some features depend on activating HP+ services. For buyers who need a capable, feature-rich multifunction device for moderate office use, it provides a balanced mix of speed, paper handling and smart features.

Best for: Buyers who want a well-rounded multifunction printer for a small office or home business that prioritizes flexible connectivity, decent paper capacity, and easy mobile workflows backed by reputable brand support.

Less Ideal for: Large offices or users with very high color-page volume or strict per-page cost targets should consider higher-capacity laser models instead.

Verdict: A feature-packed, network-ready all-in-one that balances speed, paper handling and smart printing tools for small business users who want reliable color capability without moving to a laser system.

Epson EcoTank ET-2800

The ET-2800 brings Epson's EcoTank refillable ink system to a compact all-in-one that prints, scans and copies without cartridges. It uses high-capacity ink bottles that Epson says equal roughly 90 cartridges, so you can run long print jobs without frequent replacements and lower ongoing ink cost. Setup and daily use focus on simplicity: wireless and USB connectivity, app control and a small color LCD for basic operation. Print quality is strong for documents and casual photos thanks to Epson Micro Piezo precision and a high optical resolution, while the flatbed scanner handles typical home office scanning and copying. It prints at up to 10 ISO pages per minute for black and 5 ppm for color, which is adequate for moderate business workloads but not for high-volume production. The printer lacks automatic duplexing and an ADF, and its single-tray 100-sheet capacity limits heavy multi-page jobs. For buyers prioritizing low ink cost, reliable OEM ink, and straightforward wireless printing, the ET-2800 is a practical cartridge-free choice; teams needing fast duplexing, larger paper handling, or ADF scanning should consider more business-focused models.

Best for: Buyers who want a low-maintenance, cost-conscious color all-in-one with reliable factory-quality ink and simple wireless features for everyday office tasks.

Less Ideal for: Workgroups that require fast duplexing, large paper trays, or ADF-fed multi-page scanning and copying should choose a more business-oriented printer.

Verdict: Choose the ET-2800 if you want a reliable cartridge-free color all-in-one that significantly reduces ink replacements and ongoing ink cost for everyday business printing.

Choosing the Right Color Printer for Businesses: Key Factors to Consider

Which Printer Type Fits Your Office Workflow

Assess whether your office needs a compact desktop color printer or a larger multifunction device that handles scanning and copying. Small teams with moderate print needs often prefer compact units that save floor space, while mid-size and larger teams benefit from higher-capacity machines with advanced finishing options.

Consider who will use the machine and how prints are typically produced. If multiple users send short jobs frequently, prioritize speed and a large input tray. If you produce marketing materials, media support and color management become more important.

• Small teams: focus on footprint and connectivity
• Medium teams: prioritize input capacity and duplexing
• High-volume offices: choose higher duty cycle and replaceable maintenance kits

Understanding Consumables and Yield

Toner and ink yield figures are key to forecasting operating costs. Manufacturers publish estimated yields based on industry-standard coverage, but real-world coverage is often higher for graphics-heavy jobs. Plan around realistic monthly coverage rather than ideal lab conditions.

Decide if high-yield cartridges or bulk toner options are worth the higher initial cost for their lower long-term cost per page. Also evaluate whether the printer uses individual color cartridges so you only replace depleted colors.

• Check yield numbers and typical workplace coverage
• Prefer separate color cartridges to reduce waste
• Consider third-party supply options only if compatible and supported

Security Features for Business Printing

Modern printers are networked devices that can be an entry point for security threats. Look for features like secure boot, encrypted storage, user authentication, and encrypted transmission protocols to protect sensitive documents.

Administrative controls such as role-based access, print quotas, and secure release printing help manage usage and reduce risk of accidental exposure.

• Secure network protocols and encrypted storage
• User authentication and secure print release
• Administrative controls for usage monitoring

Maintenance Plans and Support Options

Evaluate the availability of manufacturer service plans, extended warranties, and on-site support for business deployments. A solid maintenance plan can reduce unexpected downtime and simplify budgeting for repairs.

For larger fleets, remote diagnostics and replacement-part availability matter. Confirm typical turnaround times for common repairs and whether maintenance kits are user-replaceable to reduce service calls.

• Check warranty terms and response times
• Prefer models with user-replaceable maintenance parts
• Look for remote diagnostics in fleet environments

Placement, Power, and Environmental Considerations

Plan the physical location for the printer with ventilation, power access, and user access in mind. Some business printers can be noisy during heavy runs, so consider sound levels if placing near workstations.

Energy-saving modes and power consumption during standby impact ongoing operational costs. If sustainability is a priority, look for energy certifications and toner-save features that lower environmental impact.

• Allow space for ventilation and paper handling
• Consider noise levels for open-plan offices
• Check power requirements and energy-saving features

How We Chose the Best Color Printer for Businesses

We focused on characteristics that matter most to business buyers who need dependable color printing at scale. Primary evaluation criteria included print speed for both color and black pages, measured in pages per minute or typical office throughput. We assessed total cost of ownership by estimating toner or ink yield, replacement frequency, and common maintenance costs. Color accuracy and media handling were evaluated to determine how well a printer supports marketing materials, proposals, and multi-page reports. Connectivity and fleet management features were considered so printers can integrate into mixed-office networks and be remotely monitored. Durability and duty cycle were used to judge whether a model suits light, moderate, or heavy use. We excluded consumer-oriented home models and devices without documented business-class duty cycles or basic fleet features. We also filtered out specialty wide-format or production-only presses, focusing on units intended for standard office sizes and media. The result is a curated list of business-ready color printers that balance speed, color quality, and operating cost.

Our full evaluation process is outlined in our review methodology.

FAQ

Final Verdict

Choose a color printer that matches your office throughput and the type of materials you produce. Prioritize monthly volume and cost per page for everyday efficiency, and consider media support and color controls if you produce client-facing materials. Balance speed and durability against operating cost to find a machine that handles your typical workload without frequent intervention. With clear priorities—speed for busy offices, low cost per page for high-volume users, or enhanced media handling for marketing—you can select a business color printer that fits your workflow and keeps printing reliable.