Imagine this: you’re ready to print that important contract, but your printer is slow, blurry, or just plain broken. Frustrating, right? For small offices, a printer isn’t just a machine; it’s a vital tool for getting work done. But with so many choices out there, picking the *perfect* one can feel like a maze.
Many small business owners get stuck. They worry about spending too much money, buying a printer that’s too complicated, or one that just doesn’t print well enough. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the technical terms and fancy features. You just want a printer that works reliably without costing a fortune or causing headaches.
That’s where this guide comes in! We’re here to make choosing your next small office printer easy. We’ll break down what really matters, so you can find a printer that fits your budget and your needs. Keep reading to discover how to avoid common mistakes and pick a printer that will actually help your business grow.
Our Top 5 Small Office Printer Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Small Office Printer Detailed Reviews
1. Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan
Rating: 9.4/10
The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact, black-and-white laser printer, scanner, and copier designed to boost productivity for small businesses. It offers fast printing and efficient scanning, making it a great all-in-one solution for your office needs.
What We Like:
- Fast Printing and Scanning: It prints up to 36 pages per minute and scans quickly, saving you valuable time.
- Automatic Document Feeder: The 50-page auto document feeder makes scanning and copying multi-page documents a breeze.
- Flexible Connectivity: You can connect it using dual-band wireless, Ethernet, or a USB cable.
- Mobile Printing: The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you print and scan from your phone or tablet.
- Toner Subscription Option: The Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service can help you save money on toner and ensures you don’t run out.
- Compact Design: It fits easily into small office spaces.
What Could Be Improved:
- Monochrome Only: This printer only prints in black and white, so it’s not suitable for color printing needs.
- No Color Scanning: While it can scan, it’s limited to black and white.
This printer is a solid choice for businesses that primarily need black-and-white documents. Its speed and convenience features make it a valuable asset for a busy workspace.
2. Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer [Print
![Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer [Print, Copy, Scan], Works with Alexa](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21-0hP0b2eL._SL500_.jpg)
Rating: 8.9/10
The Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer is a handy device for your home or small office. It can print, copy, and scan documents and photos. You can easily see and use its features on a bright 1.44-inch OLED screen. Connecting it to your phone or computer is a breeze. Plus, it works with Alexa, so you can use voice commands!
What We Like:
- It’s super easy to set up with your smartphone or computer.
- Built-in Wi-Fi lets you print from anywhere in your home.
- You can print from your phone or tablet using the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria.
- The 1.44-inch OLED screen makes it simple to navigate and use.
- It’s an all-in-one, so you get printing, copying, and scanning in one machine.
- You can get creative with the Easy-Photo Print Editor App or Canon Creative Park App.
- It works with Alexa for hands-free printing.
What Could Be Improved:
- The ink cartridge costs might add up over time.
- The print speed might not be the fastest for very large jobs.
This Canon PIXMA TS6420a is a user-friendly printer that makes everyday tasks simple. It’s a good option for anyone needing a reliable all-in-one device.
3. Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer
Rating: 9.1/10
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer is a handy device for your home. It can print, copy, scan, and even send faxes. You can connect it wirelessly, so you don’t need a lot of cords. It’s designed to be easy to use, with simple ink changes. Plus, it helps you save energy and can even reorder ink for you automatically.
What We Like:
- It’s a 4-in-1 printer, meaning it does print, copy, scan, and fax.
- The auto document feeder makes copying and scanning multiple pages super easy.
- You can print from your phone or tablet, which is very convenient.
- It automatically prints on both sides of the paper, saving you paper.
- It can print great-looking documents and photos without borders.
- The built-in fax means you don’t need a separate machine.
- It’s ENERGY STAR certified, so it’s good for the environment and your electricity bill.
- You can connect it to Alexa to get reminders when you’re low on ink and even have it reorder for you.
- Ink replacement is designed to be simple.
What Could Be Improved:
- The print speed is a bit slow compared to some other printers.
- The paper tray only holds 100 sheets, which might not be enough for heavy users.
This Canon printer offers a lot of features for home use. It makes everyday tasks easier and is a smart choice for many households.
4. Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex Printing and 1.8” Color Display
Rating: 8.8/10
Meet the Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer, a versatile machine designed to handle all your printing, copying, and scanning needs at home or in your home office. This compact printer delivers high-quality prints that truly stand out, making it a reliable companion for your everyday tasks.
What We Like:
- It’s great for home and home offices, handling print, copy, and scan jobs easily.
- You can print from and scan to popular cloud apps like Google Drive and Dropbox using its simple 1.8” color display.
- It offers automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a 20-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), and a 150-sheet paper tray for better productivity.
- Printing speeds are up to 16 pages per minute in black and 9 pages per minute in color.
- You have multiple connection options: wireless network or USB.
- The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you print, copy, scan, and manage your printer from your phone.
- Page Gauge helps you keep an eye on your ink levels so you don’t run out unexpectedly.
What Could Be Improved:
- The refresh subscription trial is included, which might be an ongoing cost after the trial ends.
- While it uses LC501 series inks, it’s good to be aware of the cost of replacement cartridges.
This Brother printer offers a solid set of features for anyone needing a reliable all-in-one for their home or small office. Its user-friendly design and mobile app integration make it a convenient choice.
5. HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 9.0/10
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer is a powerful tool designed to boost your office’s productivity. It handles printing, scanning, copying, and faxing with ease. This printer is especially good for creating professional-looking color documents like presentations, brochures, and flyers. Its smart features, like AI-powered formatting and reliable wireless connectivity, make printing simple and efficient.
What We Like:
- Produces professional-quality color prints for business materials.
- HP AI ensures web pages and emails print perfectly, saving paper.
- Offers fast printing speeds for both color and black-and-white documents.
- Includes convenient features like auto-duplex printing and scanning, and an automatic document feeder.
- Reliable dual-band Wi-Fi automatically fixes connection problems.
- The HP app allows easy printing, scanning, copying, and faxing from any device.
- Comes with a 3-month Instant Ink trial for hassle-free ink delivery.
- Built-in HP Wolf Pro Security protects your data and network from threats.
- The 2.7-inch color touchscreen is easy to navigate.
- Made with over 40% recycled plastic, showing a commitment to sustainability.
What Could Be Improved:
- The printer only works with HP cartridges, which can limit options and potentially increase long-term costs.
- Firmware updates are periodic and can maintain security measures, which might be a concern for users who prefer more control over updates.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is a smart choice for businesses needing a reliable and feature-rich printer. Its advanced capabilities and user-friendly design make it a valuable addition to any office environment.
Finding Your Perfect Small Office Printer: A Buyer’s Guide
Running a small office means you need tools that work smart and hard. A printer is one of those essential tools. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one? This guide will help you choose a printer that fits your needs perfectly.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a small office printer, keep these important features in mind:
- Print Speed: How fast does the printer print pages? For busy offices, a faster printer saves time. Look for pages per minute (PPM) ratings.
- Print Quality: Do you need sharp text for documents or vibrant colors for marketing flyers? Check the printer’s resolution (measured in dots per inch or DPI). Higher DPI means sharper prints.
- Connectivity: How will you connect your devices? Most printers offer USB. Wi-Fi is super handy for printing from multiple computers or phones without cables. Network Ethernet is good for wired connections.
- All-in-One Capabilities: Do you need more than just printing? Many printers can also scan, copy, and fax. These are called All-in-One (AIO) or Multifunction Printers (MFPs).
- Paper Handling: How much paper can the printer hold? A larger paper tray means you won’t refill it as often. Some printers can also handle different paper sizes, like legal or photo paper.
- Duplex Printing: This feature lets the printer automatically print on both sides of the paper. It saves paper and time.
- Ink/Toner Type: Printers use either ink cartridges or toner cartridges. Inkjet printers are often cheaper to buy but ink can be expensive. Laser printers use toner, which is usually better for high-volume black and white printing and lasts longer.
Important Materials and Technology
The technology inside a printer affects its performance and how long it lasts.
- Inkjet vs. Laser:
- Inkjet: These printers spray tiny drops of ink onto the paper. They are great for colorful photos and graphics. The upfront cost is usually lower.
- Laser: These printers use a laser to create an image on a drum, which then transfers toner (a powder) onto the paper. Toner is fused onto the paper with heat. Laser printers are faster for text documents and often have lower running costs for black and white printing.
- Print Heads (Inkjet): The quality of the print heads directly impacts how clear your images and text look. Better print heads create finer details.
- Toner Cartridges (Laser): The quality of the toner itself matters for crisp, dark text and consistent color.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things make a printer work better or worse.
- Improved Quality:
- Higher DPI Resolution: This means the printer can put more tiny dots of ink or toner on the page, making images and text look sharper and more detailed.
- Good Quality Ink/Toner: Using the manufacturer’s recommended ink or toner usually gives the best results. Cheaper, off-brand options might save money but can lead to faded colors or clogged print heads.
- Reliable Drivers and Software: The software that controls the printer (drivers) needs to be up-to-date and work well with your computer.
- Reduced Quality:
- Low DPI Resolution: Prints might look blurry or blocky.
- Using Low-Quality or Refilled Ink/Toner: This can cause uneven printing, streaks, or inaccurate colors.
- Outdated Drivers: Old software can cause printing errors or slow down the printer.
- Poorly Maintained Printer: Dust or debris inside can affect print quality.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will use the printer most often.
- Home Office/Sole Proprietor: You might need a compact printer that handles basic documents and occasional color prints. An AIO is a good choice for scanning contracts or copying receipts. Wi-Fi is a big plus.
- Small Team (2-5 people): Speed and reliability become more important. A laser printer might be better for high volumes of text documents. Network connectivity is essential so everyone can print easily. Look for a printer with a decent paper capacity.
- Creative Small Business (e.g., graphic design, photography): Color accuracy and high-quality photo printing are key. An inkjet printer with good color reproduction and high DPI would be ideal.
Choosing the right small office printer makes your work life easier. Consider your budget, printing needs, and how you’ll connect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the most important feature for a small office printer?
A: The most important feature depends on your office. For many, it’s a balance between print speed, quality, and cost of ink or toner.
Q: Should I get an inkjet or a laser printer for my small office?
A: Inkjet printers are good for color photos and graphics. Laser printers are usually better for fast, high-volume black and white text documents.
Q: What does “All-in-One” mean for a printer?
A: An All-in-One printer can print, scan, copy, and sometimes fax. It saves space and money by combining multiple devices.
Q: How much should I expect to spend on a small office printer?
A: Prices vary greatly. Basic inkjet printers can start around $50-$100, while more advanced laser or AIO models can cost $200-$500 or more.
Q: Is Wi-Fi connectivity important for a small office?
A: Yes, Wi-Fi is very helpful. It lets multiple people print from different computers and mobile devices without needing cables.
Q: What is duplex printing and why is it useful?
A: Duplex printing means the printer can automatically print on both sides of a page. This saves paper and makes documents look more professional.
Q: How do I know if a printer’s print quality is good enough?
A: Look at the DPI (dots per inch) rating. Higher DPI means sharper prints. Also, check reviews for comments on text clarity and color accuracy.
Q: What are the running costs of a printer?
A: Running costs mainly involve ink or toner cartridges. Laser printers often have lower per-page costs for black and white printing than inkjets.
Q: Can I use third-party ink or toner?
A: Yes, you can, but it might affect print quality or even void your printer’s warranty. It’s often best to stick with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Q: How important is printer size for a small office?
A: Size is important if you have limited desk or counter space. Measure your available area before buying. Compact models are available.
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.
My name is Gary Flores, the creator of deepskyblue-owl-132507.hostingersite.com.. With a passion for creating cozy, functional, and beautiful spaces, I share my personal experiences and expertise about everything related to home improvement. From practical tips to design inspiration, my goal is to help you make your home the best it can be.