Top 5 Colour Laser Printers for Small Business: Review

Does your small business need to print vibrant marketing materials or crisp, colorful reports? If so, you’ve probably noticed that choosing the right color laser printer can feel like a big puzzle. There are so many features and brands out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. You want a printer that makes your business look professional without costing a fortune, but finding that perfect balance can be tricky.

This is where we come in. We know that a great color laser printer can be a game-changer for your small business. It helps you create eye-catching flyers, brochures, and presentations that impress your customers. But picking the wrong one can lead to frustration and wasted money. We’re here to help you avoid those pitfalls and find a printer that truly fits your needs and budget.

In this post, we’ll break down what makes a good color laser printer for businesses like yours. We’ll talk about important things like print quality, speed, and running costs. By the end, you’ll feel much more confident about choosing a printer that will make your work shine. Get ready to discover the best color laser printer for your small business!

Our Top 5 Colour Laser Printer For Small Business Recommendations at a Glance

Top 5 Colour Laser Printer For Small Business Detailed Reviews

1. Brother Color Laser Printer with Wireless Printing Fast 19 PPM Output

Brother Color Laser Printer with Wireless Printing Fast 19 PPM Output, Duplex Feature, Mobile Device Compatible, 250-Sheet Paper Tray for Professional Home Office Printing (HL-L3220CDW)

Rating: 9.4/10

The Brother HL-L3220CDW Color Laser Printer is a fantastic addition to any home office. It helps you create professional-looking documents quickly and easily. You can print colorful reports and sharp text for your business needs. This printer makes your home office work like a professional setup.

What We Like:

  • It prints with amazing color and clear text.
  • Printing is fast, up to 19 pages per minute.
  • You can connect wirelessly from your computer, phone, or tablet.
  • It automatically prints on both sides of the paper, saving you time and paper.
  • The large 250-sheet paper tray means fewer interruptions.
  • It works well with your mobile devices and cloud services.
  • Security features keep your important documents safe.

What Could Be Improved:

  • The manual feed slot might be a bit small for some larger envelopes.
  • While good for home offices, it might not be the best choice for very large businesses with extremely high print volumes.

This Brother laser printer is a smart choice for anyone needing reliable, high-quality color printing at home. It boosts your productivity and makes printing simple.

2. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Office Printer, Scanner, Copier, ADF, Duplex, Best-for-Office (499Q3F)

Rating: 9.4/10

Meet the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw, a wireless all-in-one color laser printer built for busy small teams. This powerhouse handles printing, scanning, and copying with ease, delivering professional-quality color documents and reports. It’s designed for efficiency, making your office tasks smoother and faster.

What We Like:

  • It comes from America’s most trusted printer brand, so you know it’s reliable.
  • Print speeds of up to 26 pages per minute in both black and color keep your work moving.
  • The next-generation TerraJet toner makes colors pop and your business documents look amazing.
  • It includes handy features like a 250-sheet input tray, auto-duplex (two-sided printing), and an auto document feeder for quick scanning and copying.
  • You can count on its award-winning reliability to handle demanding office work, page after page.

What Could Be Improved:

  • This printer is designed to only work with Original HP toner cartridges. It will block any cartridges that don’t have HP chips or circuitry.
  • Regular firmware updates are required to keep the security measures working, which might be an extra step for some users.

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw is a solid choice for offices needing a reliable and feature-rich color printer. Its focus on quality and efficiency makes it a great addition to any small team’s workspace.

3. Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer with Scanner

Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer with Scanner, Copier and Fax | Auto Duplex and 250-Sheet Capacity | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1). Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready

Rating: 9.2/10

The Brother MFC-L3720CDW is a versatile color laser printer that aims to be your all-in-one solution for home or small office needs. It handles printing, scanning, copying, and even faxing with ease. This machine boasts speedy printing and sharp, professional-looking documents, making your work stand out. It’s designed to make your daily tasks smoother and more efficient.

What We Like:

  • It prints up to 19 pages per minute, which is quite fast.
  • The color laser quality makes documents look really good.
  • You can connect easily using dual-band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, or USB.
  • It has a 50-sheet automatic document feeder for scanning multiple pages.
  • The 250-sheet paper tray means you won’t have to refill it often.
  • Automatic duplex printing saves paper by printing on both sides.
  • The 3.5-inch color touchscreen is easy to use and has shortcuts.
  • You can connect to cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
  • The mobile app lets you control the printer from your phone.
  • It’s Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready, so it can reorder ink for you.

What Could Be Improved:

  • The initial setup might take a little time.
  • The cost of replacement toner cartridges can add up.

Overall, the Brother MFC-L3720CDW is a powerful and convenient printer for busy individuals. It offers a great blend of performance and smart features to streamline your work.

4. Brother HL-L3280CDW Wireless Compact Digital Color Printer with Laser Quality Output

Brother HL-L3280CDW Wireless Compact Digital Color Printer with Laser Quality Output, Duplex, Mobile Printing & Ethernet | Includes 2 Month Refresh Subscription Trial¹,Works with Alexa

Rating: 8.6/10

The Brother HL-L3280CDW is a fantastic wireless printer designed for small offices and home offices. It delivers sharp, laser-quality color prints every time, making your documents look super professional. This printer is built for speed, helping you get work done faster.

What We Like:

  • It prints really nice-looking color pages that look like they came from a professional printer.
  • Printing two-sided pages is easy and automatic, which saves paper and time.
  • You can print straight from cloud apps like Google Drive and Dropbox using the handy touchscreen.
  • It’s compact, so it won’t take up too much space in your office.
  • You can print from your phone or tablet wirelessly.
  • It connects easily to your home or office network with Ethernet.
  • It works with Alexa for voice commands.
  • Comes with a trial of the Brother Refresh Subscription.

What Could Be Improved:

  • The initial setup might take a little patience.
  • The touchscreen is functional but could be a bit more responsive.

For anyone needing a reliable and high-quality color printer for their small business or home, the Brother HL-L3280CDW is a smart choice. It offers great features that boost productivity and keep your documents looking their best.

5. Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan

Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan, Duplex, Mobile, Black & White | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa

Rating: 9.0/10

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact, all-in-one laser printer designed for small businesses. It prints, copies, and scans in black and white, making it a handy tool for busy offices. This printer is built for productivity and can handle your daily printing needs with ease.

What We Like:

  • It’s a 3-in-1 machine: printer, scanner, and copier.
  • It prints fast, up to 36 pages per minute.
  • Scanning is also quick, and it has a 50-page feeder for multi-page jobs.
  • You can connect it easily with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB.
  • The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you print and scan from your phone.
  • It works with Alexa for voice control.
  • The automatic duplex printing saves paper by printing on both sides.
  • It includes a trial for the Refresh EZ Print Subscription, which can save you money on toner.

What Could Be Improved:

  • It only prints in black and white, not color.
  • The refresh subscription is an ongoing cost to consider after the trial.

This Brother printer is a solid choice for small businesses needing a reliable and efficient black and white printing solution. Its speed and connectivity options make it a practical addition to any office.

Finding the Right Colour Laser Printer for Your Small Business

Choosing a colour laser printer for your small business is a big decision. It helps you create professional-looking documents, marketing materials, and more. This guide will help you pick the best one for your needs.

Key Features to Look For

When you shop for a colour laser printer, keep these important features in mind:

  • Print Speed (PPM): This tells you how many pages the printer can print in one minute. For a small business, a speed of 20-30 pages per minute (PPM) is usually a good starting point. Faster speeds mean you get your work done quicker.
  • Print Quality (DPI): This is measured in dots per inch (DPI). Higher DPI means sharper text and clearer images. Look for at least 600 x 600 DPI for good quality. For really detailed graphics or photos, 1200 x 1200 DPI is even better.
  • Connectivity Options: How will you connect the printer?
    • USB: This is a simple, direct connection to one computer.
    • Ethernet: This lets you connect the printer to your office network. Many people can share it.
    • Wi-Fi: This allows wireless printing from computers, tablets, and phones. It’s very convenient.
  • Duplex Printing (Automatic Two-Sided Printing): This feature prints on both sides of the paper automatically. It saves paper and makes your documents look more professional.
  • All-in-One Features: Some printers can also copy, scan, and fax. If you need these functions, an all-in-one (often called an MFP – Multifunction Printer) can save space and money.
  • Paper Handling:
    • Input Tray Capacity: How many sheets of paper can the tray hold? A larger capacity means you don’t have to refill it as often.
    • Media Types: Can it print on different types of paper, like cardstock or envelopes?

Important Materials and Their Impact

The quality of the printer’s components affects how well it works and how long it lasts.

  • Toner Cartridges: These hold the coloured powder that creates your prints. Good quality toner produces vibrant colours and sharp lines. Look for printers that use reliable toner brands.
  • Drum Unit: The drum unit transfers the toner onto the paper. A durable drum unit ensures consistent print quality over time.
  • Build Quality: A sturdy, well-built printer will last longer and handle the demands of a busy office better. Metal parts in the construction are usually a sign of better durability than all-plastic designs.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

Several things can make your prints look great or not so great.

  • Improving Quality:

    • High Resolution (DPI): As mentioned before, higher DPI means sharper prints.
    • Good Quality Paper: Using smooth, bright white paper makes a big difference in how colours appear.
    • Correct Printer Settings: Always check your printer settings. Choosing the right paper type and print quality in the software helps.
    • Genuine Toner: Using official or high-quality compatible toner cartridges often results in better colour accuracy and consistency.
  • Reducing Quality:

    • Low Resolution (DPI): Blurry text and pixelated images happen with low DPI.
    • Worn-Out Toner or Drum: Old or low-quality toner can lead to faded colours or streaks. A worn drum can cause lines or spots on your prints.
    • Incorrect Paper Type: Printing on glossy paper with settings for plain paper can cause smudging.
    • Dust and Debris: Dust inside the printer can cause white spots or lines on your documents. Regular cleaning is important.

User Experience and Use Cases

How you use the printer and how easy it is to operate matters a lot.

  • Ease of Use: A simple control panel, easy-to-understand menus, and straightforward setup make life easier. Wireless printing and mobile apps also improve the user experience.
  • Small Business Use Cases:
    • Marketing Materials: Printing flyers, brochures, and posters for promotions.
    • Business Documents: Creating professional reports, presentations, and proposals.
    • Client Invoices and Letters: Producing clear and branded documents for customers.
    • Internal Memos and Training Materials: Printing documents for your team.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the most important feature for a small business printer?

A: Print speed and print quality are usually the most important. You need your work done quickly and it needs to look good.

Q: How much should I expect to spend on a good colour laser printer?

A: For a reliable colour laser printer with decent features, you can expect to spend between $200 and $500. More advanced models will cost more.

Q: What is the difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer?

A: Laser printers use toner powder and are generally faster and cheaper per page for black and white printing. Inkjet printers use liquid ink and are often better for printing photos.

Q: Are all-in-one printers worth it for a small business?

A: Yes, if you need copying, scanning, or faxing, an all-in-one printer can save you money and space.

Q: How do I know if a printer is good for sharing in an office?

A: Look for network connectivity like Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and a larger paper input tray so you don’t have to refill it constantly.

Q: What does “PPM” mean?

A: PPM stands for “pages per minute.” It tells you how fast the printer can print.

Q: What does “DPI” mean?

A: DPI stands for “dots per inch.” It measures how sharp and detailed your prints are.

Q: Is it okay to use non-original toner cartridges?

A: Some compatible cartridges work well, but they might not offer the same colour accuracy or reliability as original ones. It’s good to check reviews.

Q: How often do I need to replace toner?

A: Toner lasts a long time, depending on how much you print. Most cartridges print thousands of pages.

Q: Can I print photos on a colour laser printer?

A: Yes, you can print photos, but for the best photo quality, an inkjet printer is usually preferred.

In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.

If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.

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